Coupling arrangement and furniture piece

Abstract

A coupling arrangement for two panels (12, 13) that are movable relative to one another may include comprises a first and a second guide track; (1, 2) and a first and a second guide pin (5, 6) for engaging in the guide tracks (1, 2). The first guide track describes a straight path having a starting point and an end point. (E1), and the The second guide track describes a first straight section which is arranged parallel to the first guide track, a circle section and a second straight section which extends parallel to the first guide track. In the case of a piece of furniture having a first panel and a second panel, the panels are coupled together with the aid of a coupling arrangement such that, from a starting position of the panels (12, 13), a guided translation (T1, T2) and a guided rotation of the panels (12, 13) with respect to one another can take place in succession.

Claims

1. A coupling arrangement coupling together two panels that are movable relative to one another, the arrangement comprising: a first coupling panel in which a first guide track and a second guide track are arranged, the first coupling panel comprising a first edge and an adjoining second edge substantially perpendicular thereto and defining a corner therebetween; a second coupling panel on which a first guide pin and a second guide pin are arranged; the first guide pin sized and shaped to be inserted into and movably retained in the first guide track; and the second guide pin sized and shaped to be inserted into and movably retained in the second guide track; wherein the first guide track includes a straight path positioned along a bisecting line of the corner of the first coupling panel, the first guide track having a starting point and an end point; and wherein the second guide track includes: a first straight section which is arranged substantially parallel to the first guide track, the first straight section having a first end defining a starting point of the second guide track and a second end; a circle section having a circle center and first and second ends, the first end of the circle section continuous with the second end of the first straight section; and a second straight section which extends substantially parallel to the first guide track, the second straight section having a first end and a second end defining an end point of the second guide track, the first end of the second straight section continuous with the second end of the circle section; wherein the circle center of the circle section is located at the end point of the the first guide track, and the circle section is shorter than the first straight section and the second straight section; wherein the starting point of the first guide track and the starting point of the second guide track are aligned substantially parallel to the first edge of the first coupling panel, and the starting point of the first guide track and the end point of the second guide track are aligned substantially parallel to the second edge of the first coupling panel; wherein the configuration of the first guide track and the second guide track permits the first guide pin and the second guide pin to be sequentially translated in a fixed manner with respect to one another: through a first translation where the first guide pin is guided from the starting point of the first guide track to the end point of the first guide track while the second guide pin is guided from the starting point of the second guide track along the first straight section; through a rotation where the second guide pin runs along the circle section as the first guide pin remains in a fixed position at the end point of the first guide track such that the two panels are rotated 90° with respect to one another; and through a second translation where the first guide pin is guided from the end point of the first guide track to the starting point of the first guide track while the second guide pin is guided along the second straight section to the end point of the second guide track.

2. The coupling arrangement of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and the second guide tracks comprises an undercut.

3. The coupling arrangement of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and the second guide tracks has a guide groove with a plurality of steps.

4. The coupling arrangement of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second guide tracks comprises an insertion recess adapted to insert the first guide pin or the second guide pin into the at least first or second guide track.

5. The coupling arrangement of claim 4, further comprising a closure element adapted to be inserted into the insertion recess in order to close the insertion recess such that the first or the second guide pin is prevented from slipping out of the at least one guide track.

6. The coupling arrangement of claim 1, wherein the first guide track and the second guide track comprise only straight sections and arcuate sections.

7. The coupling arrangement of claim 1, wherein the first coupling panel is comprised at least partially from a plastics material.

8. The coupling arrangement of claim 1, wherein the first coupling panel comprises a first panel with the first and second guide tracks passing through the first panel thereby forming openings in the first panel; and wherein the first coupling panel comprises a second panel which is a closed panel, the second panel being arranged on the first panel thereby closing the guide tracks in the first panel on one side.

9. The coupling arrangement of claim 1, wherein the coupling arrangement comprises exactly two guide tracks and two guide pins.

10. The coupling arrangement of claim 1, further comprising at least one third guide track and at least one third guide pin.

11. An article of furniture having a first panel and a second panel which are coupled together with the aid of a coupling arrangement, the coupling arrangement comprising: a first coupling panel in which a first guide track and a second guide track are arranged, the first coupling panel comprising a first edge and an adjoining second edge substantially perpendicular thereto and defining a corner therebetween; a second coupling panel on which a first guide pin and a second guide pin are arranged; the first guide pin sized and shaped to be inserted into and movably retained in the first guide track; and the second guide pin sized and shaped to be inserted into and movably retained in the second guide track; wherein the first guide track includes a straight path positioned along a bisecting line of the corner of the first coupling panel, the first guide track having a starting point and an end point; and wherein the second guide track includes: a first straight section which is arranged substantially parallel to the first guide track, the first straight section having a first end defining a starting point of the second guide track and a second end; a circle section having a circle center and first and second ends, the first end of the circle section continuous with the second end of the first straight section; and a second straight section which extends substantially parallel to the first guide track, the second straight section having a first end and a second end defining an end point of the second guide track, the first end of the second straight section continuous with the second end of the circle section; wherein the circle center of the circle section is located at the end point of the the first guide track, and the circle section is shorter than the first straight section and the second straight section; wherein the starting point of the first guide track and the starting point of the second guide track are aligned substantially parallel to the first edge of the first coupling panel, and the starting point of the first guide track and the end point of the second guide track are aligned substantially parallel to the second edge of the first coupling panel; wherein the first and second guide tracks do not bifurcate; wherein the configuration of the first guide track and the second guide track permits the first guide pin and the second guide pin to be sequentially translated in a fixed manner with respect to one another: through a first translation where the first guide pin is guided from the starting point of the first guide track to the end point of the first guide track while the second guide pin is guided from the starting point of the second guide track along the first straight section; through a rotation where the second guide pin runs along the circle section as the first guide pin remains in a fixed position at the end point of the first guide track such that the two panels are rotated 90° with respect to one another; and through a second translation where the first guide pin is guided from the end point of the first guide track to the starting point of the first guide track while the second guide pin is guided along the second straight section to the end point of the second guide track.

12. The piece of furniture of claim 11, wherein the first and the second panel are arranged substantially horizontally or vertically for mutual pivoting.

13. The piece of furniture of claim 11, wherein the article of furniture is a table, a piece of seating furniture, a rack or a cabinet.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Further advantageous configurations and aspects of the invention are the subject matter of the dependent claims and of the exemplary embodiments described in the following text. The invention is explained below by way of preferred embodiments with reference to the appended figures.

(2) In the figures:

(3) FIGS. 1-3: show perspective views of one embodiment of a piece of furniture;

(4) FIG. 4: shows a schematic sectional view of the embodiment of a piece of furniture;

(5) FIG. 5: shows a plan view of one embodiment of a coupling arrangement;

(6) FIG. 6: shows a perspective view of the embodiment of a coupling arrangement;

(7) FIG. 7: shows a schematic sectional view of the embodiment of a coupling arrangement;

(8) FIG. 8: shows schematic sectional views of embodiments of guide tracks and guide pins for a coupling arrangement;

(9) FIG. 9: shows schematic plan views of a two-part embodiment of a coupling arrangement for explaining the guided movement sequences;

(10) FIG. 10: shows a schematic sectional view of an embodiment of guide tracks and guide pins in different coupling panels;

(11) FIG. 11: shows a schematic plan view of a two-part embodiment of a coupling arrangement having guide tracks and guide pins in different coupling panels;

(12) FIG. 12: shows a schematic plan view of one embodiment of a guide track;

(13) FIG. 13: shows schematic views of embodiments of guide pins;

(14) FIG. 14: shows a schematic sectional view of an alternative embodiment of a coupling panel;

(15) FIGS. 15-17: show exemplary embodiments of pieces of furniture having pivotable elements which are coupled with the aid of a coupling arrangement; and

(16) FIG. 18: shows a schematic plan view of a variant of a coupling arrangement having three guide tracks and guide pins.

(17) FIG. 19: shows a schematic plan view of an arrangement of guide pins.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(18) In the figures, identical or functionally identical elements are provided with the same reference signs, unless otherwise specified.

(19) FIGS. 1 to 3 show perspective views of one embodiment of a piece of furniture which comprises two furniture panels that are coupled together and guided. The piece of furniture is illustrated in the manner of a corner piece of furniture as a desk. Here, two panels that rest on one another are intended to be rotated with respect to one another.

(20) In this case, the piece of furniture 100 has in particular a first worktop 12 and a second worktop 13 that rests thereon and is part of an L-shaped table. In this case, the worktop 13 forms a first limb of the L and a perpendicular side support 14 forms the second limb of the L. In the illustration in FIG. 1, a screening wall 15 can also be seen at the front right. The two panels 12, 13 of the piece of furniture 100 are coupled together via a coupling arrangement 10. A coupling panel 11 integrated into the panel 12 can be seen at the corner 26 located at the rear left in the orientation of FIG. 1.

(21) It is now in particular desired and possible, by way of the coupling arrangement 10 described below, first of all to execute a translation T1 along the angle bisector of the corner. This is indicated by the arrow T1. This is followed by a rotation R1 about a rotation axis which is located perpendicularly and in the surface of the panels 12 and 13. FIG. 2 shows the position in which the upper tabletop 13 has first of all been translated and has been positioned perpendicularly opposite the tabletop 12 through the rotation R1. Storage space 16 beneath the first panel 12 can furthermore be seen in the illustration in FIG. 2.

(22) The first translation T1 is in this case guided such that, for the rotation of the panel 13, no overhang whatsoever of the panel 13 rearwardly to the corner 26 or the adjoining side with respect to the panel 12 is required. Subsequently, as is illustrated in FIG. 3, a further translation T2 is carried out. In the end state, the two panels 12, 13 have been rotated through 90° with respect to one another. The two corners 26 are located on top of one another again. Of course, the movement can be reversed again, or the panels 12, 13 reach intermediate positions.

(23) It is possible to adapt the guided relative movement of the panels 12, 13 with respect to one another to the installation or position conditions of the particular piece of furniture. The guided displacement or translation and the pivot point or rotation axis result in particular also from the length of the straight sections 21, 23 in relation to the length of the straight path of the first guide track 1. For example, the second translation T2 can be reduced by shortening the section 23 with respect to the length of the section 21. Furthermore, for example by forming a semicircle arc of the circle section 22, rotatability of the panels 12, 13 through 180° with respect to one another could be specified. The coupling arrangement 10 allows flexible configurations.

(24) FIG. 3 furthermore shows a pullout 17 as a storage shelf in the visible side of the L-shaped piece made of the limbs 13 and 14. The inserted coupling arrangement 10 can be seen in FIG. 4 in a schematic cross-sectional view of the piece of furniture 100. The lower furniture part having the panel 12 can be seen. Arranged thereon is the L-shaped piece having the horizontal tabletop 13 and the side support panel 14. Incorporated into the panel 12 is a coupling panel 11. In this case, the coupling panel 11 comprises two guide grooves or guide tracks 1, 2 which are illustrated schematically in the sectional view in FIG. 4. Guide pins 5, 6 which are arranged on the underside of the panel 13 engage in the guide tracks 1, 2. The guide pins are guided for example in the manner of sliding blocks in the groove-like guide tracks 1, 2.

(25) In order to explain the guidance of the translation and rotation better, plan views, perspective views and sectional illustrations of the coupling arrangement 10 are illustrated schematically in FIGS. 5 to 7. In this case primarily the lower coupling panel 11 is explained. The coupling panel 11 is produced for example from plastics material and has milled guide tracks 1, 2. The panel is arranged with the upper left-hand corner 26 in the direction of the corner 26 with respect to the orientation of FIGS. 1 to 3.

(26) This results in a first guide track 1 which describes a straight path from a starting point A1 to an end point E1. The straight path of the guide track 1 forms for example or, when installed in a piece of furniture, as is indicated in FIGS. 1-3, is arranged parallel to an angle bisector for the corner 26.

(27) The coupling panel 11 has a second guide track 2 which, in the embodiment in FIGS. 5 to 7, comprises three sections 21, 22, 23 which transition into one another. The second guide track 2 has a starting point A2 from which a straight path section 21 starts. The path section 21 is parallel to the first guide track 1. The first straight section 21 is followed by a circle section 22. The circle section is in this case a quarter circle having the radius R. The circle section has its midpoint at the end point E1 of the first guide track 1. Finally, the second guide track 2 has a second straight section 23 which is again located parallel to the first guide track 1. Both guide tracks 1, 2 have an insertion opening 3, 4 for the guide pins (not illustrated here), which are arranged for example on a second coupling panel. The two straight sections 21, 23 of the second guide track 2 are at a distance D1 and D2, respectively, from the first guide track 1. The distances D1 and D2 are the same.

(28) In the sectional illustration in FIG. 7, it can be seen that the guide tracks in the material of the coupling panel 11 each have an undercut 7. The undercut 7 prevents a sliding block or guide pin, as is illustrated as 5 in FIG. 7, from being able to slip out upwardly perpendicularly to the coupling panel. In this respect, guidance of the guide pins 5 only along the trajectory which is provided by the guide tracks 1, 2 takes place.

(29) During displacement, as is illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3, the two guide pins are present initially at the starting points A1 and A2. During the translation T1, the guide pins are guided in a fixed manner with respect to one another in the guide track 1 and the straight section 21. The guide pin in the first guide track remains in a fixed position at the end point E1 during the rotation R1. During the rotation R1, the second guide pin in the guide track 2 runs along the circle section 22. Subsequently, the first guide pin in the first guide track 1 is displaced from E1 to A1, while at the same time the second guide pin in the guide track 2 is guided along the straight path 23 to the end point E2. Of course, reverse guidance or movement is possible. This results in a well-defined manner in a combination of translation and rotation and additionally secure coupling on account of the undercuts in the guide tracks. In order to insert the sliding blocks or guide pins into the guide tracks, the insertion openings 3 and 4 are provided in a widened or enlarged manner.

(30) FIG. 8 shows possible embodiments of guide tracks and guide pins for coupling arrangements in cross section. A lower coupling panel 11 and an upper coupling panel 18 can be seen in FIG. 8. The coupling panels 11, 18 can also in particular be part of a piece of furniture or be integrated into panels, for example worktops. Various cross-sectional geometries of guide tracks can be seen from left to right. A groove without an undercut, a circular groove, a rectangular groove, trapezoidal groove and a step-like groove are illustrated from left to right. In this case, the undercuts are each indicated by way of arrows 7. Sliding blocks or guide pins 5 are insertable or engageable along the longitudinal extent of the groove or guide track which extends perpendicularly to the plane of the page. In this case, the guide pins are adapted to the geometry of the guide track. In particular, plastics materials are suitable for the guide tracks and metal pins are suitable as guide pins.

(31) The right-hand groove geometry comprises a groove sunk along the guide track 1. A channel is defined by edges 25 in the top surface of the lower coupling panel 11 can be seen. As a result, improved guidance is achieved. The guide pin used has in this case a lower section which is guided in the undercut 7 and an upper section which is guided in the (open) channel provided in the panel 11. The lower and upper sections are connected by a rod, wherein the upper and lower sections have a larger cross section than the rod along the rod axis. The corresponding guide pin 5 can be produced for example in one piece and may be turned from a metal.

(32) FIG. 9 shows once again the relative movement of the guide pins and guide tracks with respect to one another, wherein the coupling arrangement, as explained with respect to FIGS. 1-6, comprises two coupling panels 11, 18. The guide tracks 1, 21, 22, 23 are provided in the first coupling panel 11, as illustrated in more detail also in FIGS. 5 and 6, and the guide pins 5, 6 are fastened to a second coupling panel 18. The coupling panels 11, 18 are fastened for example to panels of pieces of furniture with the aid of adhesive bonding, screw connection or the like. In this case, FIGS. 9a to 9c show the guided movements in translation T1 and T2 and the rotation R of the upper (second) coupling panel 18 with respect to the lower (first) coupling panel 11. FIG. 9d shows the end position according to FIG. 3 of the piece of furniture equipped with a corresponding coupling arrangement.

(33) FIG. 10 shows a sectional view of a further embodiment of guide tracks and pins. In order to improve the coupling together of the coupling panels 11, 18, for example the first guide track 1 is produced in the upper coupling panel 18 and the second guide track 2 is produced in the lower coupling panel 11. Furthermore, the first guide pin 5 is provided on the first coupling panel 11 and the second guide pin 6 is provided on the second coupling panel 18.

(34) FIG. 11 shows an embodiment of a coupling arrangement 101 having two coupling panels 11, 18. Incorporated into the first coupling panel 11, which is illustrated on the left, is a guide track 21, 22, 23 which comprises two straight sections 21, 23 and an arcuate section 22 connecting the two parallel straight sections 21, 23. A guide pin 6 is arranged in a projecting manner on the panel 11 at the midpoint of the quarter-circle arc 22, and an insertion opening or recess 4 is provided on the guide track section 21. The second coupling panel 18, which is illustrated on the right, comprises a guide track which is composed of two straight sections 1A, 1B that form a right angle, and a guide pin 5 for engaging in the first guide track 21, 22, 23. An insertion recess 3 for the guide pin 6 of the other coupling panel is provided at one end of the guide track 1A. Since the guide tracks 1A, 1B and 21, 22, 23 are provided in different coupling panels 11, 18, the course that differs from the trajectories of the guide tracks, shown in FIGS. 5, 6 and 9, in one coupling panel results. FIG. 11a shows the two coupling panels 11, 18 alongside one another with a view of the guide tracks, and FIG. 11b is an illustration similar to FIG. 9, wherein the partially concealed lower panel elements are indicated by dotted lines.

(35) Finally, FIG. 12 shows a detail of a guide track 1 in plan view. The guide track 1 has been milled into a coupling panel 11. The dashed lines indicate the undercut 7. The schematically indicated sliding block or guide pin 5 can be displaced only along the arrows in the longitudinal direction of the guide track 1 since it is retained by the undercut 7. The insertion opening 3, which has a sufficiently large cross section for the guide pin to be able to be inserted into the guide track 1 or guide grooves, can be seen on the left. Subsequently, the insertion opening, which is for example a blind hole, is closed. To this end, provision is made of a plug or screw 8 which acts as a closure element. Once the two elements of guide track and guide pins have been placed in one another and the insertion openings have been closed with for example a plug 8, secure and reliable coupling and fastening of the two parts with respect to one another results.

(36) FIG. 13 shows yet further embodiments of guide pins. FIG. 13a shows a perspective view of a guide pin having a lower section in the manner of a flat cylinder 19 which is provided with a shank or pin attachment 9. As a result of the rounding, the guide pin can slide well in a groove. FIG. 13b shows a modification or extension of the guide pin in a multipart embodiment. The flat cylinder 20 has an axial opening 24 through which a screw 20 engages. The screw 19 is screwed into the shank 9 and allows for example the cylinder to rotate in the manner of a wheel during the displacement and/or rotation operations in the particular guide track. FIG. 13c illustrates a further embodiment of a guide pin. In this case, a spherical body 5 is provided with a shank 9. The spherical form allows particularly good guidance within guide tracks. FIG. 13d shows a guide pin which is suitable in particular for a guide track cross section that is illustrated on the right in FIG. 8. The guide pin has, along an axis X, an upper and a lower flat cylinder section 19B, 19A, which are connected by a shank 9. The shank 9 is provided at least partially with a thread for example for screwing into a coupling panel. In the orientation of FIG. 13, the underside of the upper section 19b rests in a flat channel or groove in the surface of the corresponding opposite coupling panel.

(37) FIG. 14 shows a further possible configuration of a coupling panel in cross section. The coupling panel 11 is constructed from two panels, wherein, in order to form the guide track 1 with an undercut 7, a first panel 11A is interrupted along the contour of the guide track and a second panel 11B for closing the apertures is fastened to the first panel. An insertion opening for a sliding block or guide pin is not necessary in this variant, since, when assembling the coupling arrangement, first of all the first panel 11A can be fitted to the piece of furniture, and then the guide pins are fastened to the second coupling panel or furniture panel (not shown here) and only in the final production step is the closed panel 11B fastened and closes the open grooves.

(38) FIGS. 15-17 show examples of pieces of furniture which comprise coupling arrangements as were explained above. FIG. 15 shows a cabinet 102 which comprises a facing element 25 which closes with the aid of the coupling arrangement 10. FIG. 16 shows an airplane or Pullman seat 103 which comprises a swiveling table 27. The swiveling table 27 is pivotable reliably into various positions with the aid of the coupling arrangement 10. In a similar manner to a downwardly pivotable swiveling table arrangement, a corresponding seat can also be equipped with a footrest which is held between two vertical couplings, as is indicated in FIG. 15. A chair 104 having a horizontally pivotable table is illustrated in FIG. 17. In FIGS. 15 and 16, the pivot plane is arranged vertically, while FIG. 17 shows pivoting in the horizontal plane.

(39) FIG. 18 shows a further variant of a guide track geometry. Three guide tracks 1, 2, 2′ and guide pins 5, 5′, 6 are provided in order to achieve particularly stable guidance and coupling. As in FIG. 9, a first guide track 1 is provided in the first coupling panel 11 as a straight path, a further guide track 2 comprises a straight path 21, a quarter-circle arc 22 and a straight path 23. A third guide track 2′ extends parallel to the second guide track 2′ and around the latter. Arranged on the second coupling panel 18 are three guide pins 6, 5, 5′ which each engage in the associated guide track 1, 2, 2′. This results in three bearing or coupling points on the pins 6, 5, 5′, with the result that particularly stable guidance is achieved. The straight sections 1, 21, 21′, 23, 23′ extend parallel to one another and the arcuate sections 22, 22′ are concentric. In some embodiments, the pins 6, 5, 5′ form a triangle such that particularly rocking-free and tilt-free translation T1 is enabled. FIG. 19 shows an example arrangement where the pins 6, 5, 5′ form a triangle, although other triangular arrangements may be implemented.

(40) Overall, robust guidance is achieved by way of the geometry of the guide tracks and guide pins with respect to one another. Tilting and jamming or sticking is virtually ruled out by the combination for example of round guide pins and round guide tracks in cross section. Overall, the simple geometry, specifically of only straight and only circular sections of the guide tracks, results in scarcely any tilting and jamming or sticking. This results in a particularly reliable coupling and guiding mechanism. Rotation and displacement take place in one plane. Although the rotation and translation in the exemplary embodiments was indicated and explained in the horizontal or a vertical rotation axis, an alternative configuration where the rotation axis is present horizontally is also conceivable. The invention provides a simple possibility of displacing and rotating in particular furniture panels with respect to one another. It is furthermore conceivable to provide more than two guide tracks and guide pins.

REFERENCE SIGNS USED

(41) 1, 2, 2′ Guide track 3, 4 Insertion recess 5, 6 Guide pin 7 Undercut 8 Closure element 9 Pin attachment 10 Coupling arrangement 11 Coupling panel 12, 13 Tabletop 14 Side leg 15 Wall 16 Storage space 17 Storage shelf 18 Coupling panel 19 Flat cylinder 20 Screw 21, 21′ Straight section 22, 22′ Arcuate section 23, 23′ Straight section 24 Recess 25 Facing element 26 Corner 27 Swiveling table 100 Piece of furniture 101 Coupling arrangement 102 Cabinet 103 Seat 104 Chair A1, A2 Starting point D1, D2 Distance E1, E2 End point R1 Rotation R Radius T1, T2 Translation X Axis