EP1453400A1

EP1453400A1 - Sliding guide, closing block and method for assembling a sliding guide

Info

Publication number: EP1453400A1
Application number: EP02786234A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Hendricus Tadeus Wojcik
Original assignee: Thomas Regout BV
Current assignee: Thomas Regout BV
Priority date: 2001-12-11
Filing date: 2002-12-11
Publication date: 2004-09-08
Also published as: WO2003051156A1; PL369200A1; AU2002351448A1; NL1019535C2

Abstract

A sliding guide comprising at least a first and, slideable relative thereto in a longitudinal direction, a second, elongated profile, with bearing means included therebetween, wherein adjacent an end of the sliding guide, retracting means are included for biasing this in a retracted position, which retracting means comprise at least one curved, resilient element, connected to the first profile and extending in the path of movement of a cam on the second profile, the resilient element comprising at least on apex and the resilient element being designed such that when said cam passes said apex in a retracting direction, the resilient element is at least partly pushed away from said path of movement while deforming elastically, whereupon, when said resilient element rebounds after the cam has passed the apex, the cam and hence the second profile, relative to the first profile, is purged further into the retracting direction and is brought into a retracted position.

Description

Title: Sliding guide, closing block and method for assembling a sliding guide.

The invention relates to a sliding guide with retracting means for pulling the sliding guide further in from a virtually retracted position. Such a sliding guide is known from practice.

For closing a drawer, standard sliding guides such as drawer guides with a drawer mounted thereon, are to be pushed to a retracted position. These known sliding guides have as a drawback that the drawer is to be pushed over the entire path into the closed position.

It has been proposed to include a retracting device between the guiding profiles, adjacent the rearward end thereof, with which the sliding guide is pulled over a last part of the retracting movement towards the retracted position, and is held therein. Thus, it is always ensured that the drawer is closed and is kept closed. With this known retracting device, when the drawer is pulled out, a spring is tensioned in the retraction direction in that a cam on a profile moving relative to the retracting device engages a first projection of an element connected to a first end of the spring and carries this along, while the opposite, second end of the spring is fixedly connected to a housing of the retracting device. When reaching the end of the path of movement of this element, it is slightly tilted as a result of a curved guiding path the element travels in. In this tilted position, the element is secured to the housing while the profile moves further. The cam then passes over the first projection mentioned and the spring is held under tension.

When the drawer is slid in again, the cam runs, once more, over the first projection and contacts a second projection on the element, so that this is released from its confinement in the housing and is pulled back by the spring. The element is then tilted back and the cam engages the first projection, thereby pulling the moving profile into the desired, retracted position. malfunction. It has appeared that the position of the projections and the cam, as well as the introduction of the retracting device is particularly critical. When the projections, cam and/or retracting device are placed or positioned in an incorrect manner, the element will, for instance, not be properly confined in the housing, as a result of which it is immediately retracted by the spring and the spring does not remain tensioned, or, conversely, it will no longer be possible to release the element from the confined position. Moreover, pulling the drawer out and then tensioning the spring requires relatively much force. Further, such a retracting device, and hence the sliding guide, are relatively expensive.

The invention contemplates a sliding guide of the type described in the opening paragraph, wherein the drawbacks mentioned are obviated while maintaining its advantages. To that end, a device according to the invention is characterized by the features of claim 1. With a sliding guide according to the invention, when a drawer, at least the sliding guide, is pulled out, only the or each resilient element is to be pushed away in a slightly resilient manner when the cam passes it. The placing of the or each resilient element and the or each respective cam is not very critical, since the spring element does not need to reach a locked position or the like. After it has passed the cam, the respective resilient element can simply rebound to the initial position. Only sufficient space needs to be provided for the necessary displacement and/or deformation of the or each resilient element and/or the cam cooperating therewith. A retracting device for a sliding guide according to the invention can be manufactured in a particularly simple and inexpensive manner, with a very hmited number of parts, is robust and can be placed in a simple manner, while, when the sliding guide is in pulled-out position, the resilient elements do not need to be held under tension.

In an advantageous embodiment, a sliding guide according to the invention is further characterized by the features of claim 2. With such an embodiment, the advantage is achieved that when the sliding guide is slid in, the cam can contact the run-on portion in a simple manner, which run-on portion can extend from a position on a first side of the path of movement of the cam as far as the apex, which extends at the opposite side of the path of movement of the cam, so that, each time, the cam will come into contact with the run-on portion, while the run-off portion located at the opposite side of the apex ensures that the sliding guide is automatically brought into the retracted position. It is then preferred that the run-on portion and the run-off portion are both at an inclination relative to the longitudinal direction of the two profiles, so that a good guiding of the cam relative to the resilient element is obtained and an advantageous transmission of forces occurs. By then selecting the angle of inclination of the run-on portion to be, at least on average, smaller than the angle of inclination of the run-off portion, the advantage is achieved that, when moving the guide profile with the cam in the retracting movement, this can simply be pushed as far as and beyond the apex as a result of the long, relatively planar slope of the run-on portion, while after the apex has been passed, the cam, and hence the moving guide profile, will be pushed towards the retracted position in a relatively forceful manner as a result of the steeper slope of the run-off portion. Moreover, thus, a strong- confinement is obtained. This is because when pulling out the sliding guide, a greater force will be required for passing the apex than when the sliding guide is retracted. Herein, the term average angle of inclination is at least understood to include the angle of inclination of a straight line drawn between the first point of contact of the cam with the run-on portion or the run-off portion, respectively, at a distance of the apex and the apex itself with the longitudinal direction, in particular the pull-in direction of the sliding guide.

In a further embodiment, a sliding guide according to the invention is characterized by the features of claim 6.

Use of two resilient elements, as well as two cams, while the resilient elements are approximately identical in shape and are arranged in a mirrored relation with respect to an axial plane, offers the advantage that a substantially symmetrical load is obtained, while, moreover, such a sliding guide, at least retracting device, can be of symmetrical design such that it can be used both as a left-hand and a right-hand sliding guide for, for instance, a drawer, without this requiring further adaptations. It is noted that this latter advantage also holds when only one cam is used.

Preferably, the or each resilient element in a sliding guide according to the invention has a smoothly curved configuration. Particularly suitable shapes are given in the figures belonging to this description. In a further embodiment, a sliding guide according to the invention is further characterized by the features of claim 10.

.With such an embodiment, a particularly simple structure is obtained in which the guide profiles and bearings can be manufactured and mounted completely ready, whereupon they are confined relative to each other by the provision of the closing block, so that detachment is prevented. Moreover, thus, also the retracting device is placed.

In a further alternative embodiment, a sliding guide according to the invention is characterized by the features of claim 12.

With such an embodiment, the further advantage is achieved that the sliding guide, after it has been assembled, can be connected to a drawer in a particularly simple manner, for instance by sliding or snapping the drawer over the sliding guide.

Preferably, a closing block is used on which both blocking cams and locking cams and the resilient elements are provided, more in particular are manufactured in one part by, for instance, injection molding. Thus, a device is obtained which is particularly advantageous, relatively inexpensive and unambiguous in use.

Further, the invention relates to a closing block for use in a sliding guide accordin to the invention, characterized by the features of claim 15. The invention further relates to a method for mounting a sliding guide, characterized by the features of claim 16.

Such a method offers the advantage that the guide profiles can be manufactured loose from each other and complete, as well as the bearing means, whereupon they can be assembled to form the desired sliding guide, and wherein, by the provision of the closing block, eventually, the confinement of the guide profiles and the bearing means is obtained as well as the placing of the retracting device.

In the further subclaims, further advantageous embodiments of a sliding guide according to the invention are described.

In clarification of the invention, exemplary embodiments of a sliding guide, closing block and method according to the invention will be further elucidated with reference to the drawing.

In the drawing: Fig. 1 shows, in side view, an assembled sliding guide according to the invention;

Fig. 2 shows, in side and rear view, a first guide profile for a sliding guide according to Fig. 1, with closing block with retracting device mounted thereon; Fig. 3 shows, in top plan view, a part of a guide profile according to

Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 shows, in side and front view, a second guide profile for a sliding guide according to Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 shows in side, bottom and rear view a closing block with retracting device according to the invention;

Fig. 6 shows, in perspective view, a retracting device according to the invention;

Fig. 7 shows, in enlargement, a front view of a sliding guide according to the invention with mounted closing block with retracting mechanism; and Fig. 8 shows, in partly cross sectional top plan view, an alternative embodiment of an end of a sliding guide with retracting device.

In this description, identical or corresponding parts have identical or corresponding reference numerals. In the exemplary embodiments shown in the drawing, each time, only two guide profiles are provided for a two-part - sliding guide. However, it will be clear that in a comparable manner, also, simply a sliding guide can be manufactured having, for instance, three profiles, for instance by including in a customary manner between the first and second guide profiles shown in the figures a third guide profile with associated bearings. Adaptations of length of movement will be directly clear to the skilled person.

In Fig. 1, in assembled form, a sliding guide 1 according to the invention is shown from a side with which this is mounted against, for instance, a cabinet. This sliding guide 1 comprises a first guide profile 2 having a substantially C-shaped cross section and a relatively great length. This first guide profile 2 is shown separately in Fig. 2. A second guide profile 4 is provided, having a smaller length, which is drawn separately in Fig. 4. On the second guide profile 4, two substantially U-shaped brackets 6 are attached, the horizontal leg 7 of which lies lower than the bottom side 8 of the sliding guide 1, such that, in a known manner, an apron of a drawer can reach over the sliding guide and can move between the two vertical legs 10, 11 when pulling out or retracting the sliding guide. In Fig. 7, this is schematically shown in enlargement, while the apron of the drawer is represented in chain-dotted lines. In the brackets 6, openings 12 are provided with which the brackets can be attached to, for instance, a wall of a cabinet. Between the first profile 2 and the second profile 4, bearing means 14 are included, in particular a ball bearing retainer 16, schematically drawn in in Fig. 1, with stop block 18. Such a structure of a drawer guide is sufficiently known. However, it will be clear that also other types of attachment means can be utilized for attaching the guide to a casing and/or a drawer or the like. In the sliding guide 1 according to the invention, near a first end 20, the left-hand end in the drawings, which, in this embodiment, is the front end, i.e. an end facing outwards in mounted condition, a closing block 22 with retracting device 24 is provided, which are further shown in Figures 5 and 6. In the first guide profile 2, the retracting device 24 comprises two resilient T elements 26, which are symmetrically arranged relative to an axial line 28 of the first guide profile near the leading end 20. In this embodiment, the resilient elements 26 are integrally formed from plastic through, for instance, injection molding, and each comprise an apex 30 and, on both sides, from the apex, are curved in the direction of the opposite resilient element 26. Hence, both resilient members 26 have a smoothly curved configuration. In Fig. 6, the retracting device 24 is represented in perspective view. Near a first end, an assembly part 32 is clearly visible which can be attached on a lip 34 of the closing block 22. Between the apex 30 and the assembly part 32, at each resilient element, a run-off portion 36 extends with an inchning configuration relative to the axial line 28. Adjacent the end 38 remote from the assembly part, two wings 40 are provided extending outwards and which can be secured in the ball path of the first guide profile. With this, the second end 38 can be positioned in a simple manner. Naturally, this can also be done differently, for instance by attaching the second end 38 on or below a lip punched from the profile or in a different, suitable manner. Optionally, this second end 38 can also remain free within the first profile 2. Between the second end 38 and the apex of each resilient element, an run-on portion 42 extends with a smoothly inclining configuration. On average, the angle of inclination α of the run-off portion 36 is greater than the angle of inclination β of the run-on portion 42, for reasons to be explained further. The two resilient elements 26 are designed such, in material such, that each apex can be pushed in the direction of the axial line 28, with the resilient elements deforming.

The closing block 22 is dimensioned such that it can be slid from a leading end 20 into the C-shaped first guide profile 2. At the upper and lower side of the closing block 22, first resilient cams 44 are provided, which can engage in openings 46 in the upper or lower side, respectively, of the first guide profile 2, such that upon sliding in, the first cams 44 are elastically pushed away and can rebound into the opening 46. In the vertical profile part 48 of the first profile 2, adjacent the first end 20, a further opening is provided (not shown) through which a resilient blocking cam can reach, which, as shown in Fig. 7, can engage in an opening 52 in a side of a drawer, so that quick assembly is possible. The fact is that by sliding- in the sliding guide below the apron 54, the blocking cam will engage in the opening 52 and lock therein in longitudinal direction in a position-retaining manner. At the opposite second end of the first profile part 2, a lip 56 is provided, bent from the vertical profile part 48 and which can engage in a further opening in, for instance, the back of the drawer for further securing the first profile to the wall of a drawer.

The closing block 22 comprises supports 23 which fill the space between the sidewall of the drawer and the apron, for the purpose of thickness compensation and centering. As a result, the cam 50 is urged into the opening 52 even better. In the front end 58 of the second profile 4, a recess 59 is provided, whose edges 61, with the guide 1 retracted, abut the edges 63 of the closing block 22. As a result, height compensation is obtained. This offers the additional advantage that with a series of drawers, suspended with sliding guides 1 according to the invention, the fronts of the drawers are neatly aligned.

Adjacent the front end 58, the second profile 4 is provided with two inwardly directed lips 60, which, in the exemplary embodiment shown, are approximately planar end extend parallel to each other, approximately at right angles to the vertical wall part 62 of the second profile 4. The lip-shaped cams 60 have been punched from the wall part 62 and bent and have a height which is approximately equal to the width B of the second profile 4. Naturally, these cams 60 can also be provided in a different manner, for instance a snapped-in, glued-in or welded element. The distance D between the cams 60 is geared to the retracting device 24, in particular to the position and the shape and sizes of the resilient elements 26. The distance C is at least greater than the thickness S2 of the first end 38 of the retracting device 24, which end 38 can have a guiding function for the first profile 2, and is at least smaller than the distance Si between the two apex 30. In Fig. 5, in side view, the two cams 60 are represented in broken lines there where they contact the run-on portion part 42. Therefore, it is clear that the resihent elements 26 extend in the paths of movement of the cams 60, at least in undeformed condition. When, upon retraction of the sliding guide, the cams 60 are moved further in the direction T, they will move against the run-on portions 42, thereby deforming the resilient elements towards each other, for as long as the cams 60 are located at the position of the apex 30, with the apex 30 moved to a point close together. Then, the lips 60 can pass the apex and, hence, along the top and the bottom of the resilient elements 26. As the resihent elements 26 are then elastically deformed, they will apply an outwardly directed force to the cams 60. Upon further movement of the lips 60 in the direction T, they will be engaged by the run-off portions 36 of the resilient elements 26 and then, as a consequence of the resultants of the outwardly directed force, be urged further in the direction of the closing block 22, at least the assembly part 32, for instance until the^" front end 58 of the second profile 4 contacts a stop edge 64 of the closing block 22. Preferably, the distance X between the front end 58 of the second profile and the side of the cams 60 remote therefrom is selected such that the resilient elements 26 are not or only very little deformed when the sliding guide is brought in the completely retracted position in Fig. 1. As a result, fatigue of the resilient elements 26 is prevented. The sliding guide 1, however, is then blocked in the retracted position, so that, for instance, the drawer suspended from this sliding guide, is held closed.

When the sliding guide is pulled out, the cams 60 are moved in the opposite direction, along the run-off portions 36, thereby, again, elastically deforming the resihent elements to a more planar shape, until the cams 60 pass the apex 30, whereupon further pulling out of the sliding guide is possible in a simple manner, over the first part supported by the rebounding resilient elements 26, which will urge the lips 60 slightly into the pulled out position as a consequence of the resultant force. From the position of the cams 60 shown in Fig. 5, they no longer apply any force to the resilient elements which, as-a result, remain in the relaxed condition.

As a result of the difference in angle of inclination α, β of the run-off portion 36 and the run-on portion 42, respectively, the advantage is achieved that the resultant of the force applied by the run-off portion to the cams 60 will be greater (in the direction of the closing block 22) than the force applied by the run-on portion 42 to the cams (60) (in the direction away from the closing block). Upon retraction of the drawer, the cams will therefore readily be pressed as far as the apex 30 with relatively little force, whereupon a great, further retracting force will be obtained as a consequence of the resultant of the force apphed to the cams 60 by the run-off portions 36. Upon retraction of the sliding guide, the reverse effect occurs.

The angle of inclination α is preferably selected so as not to be too great, for instance less than 30°, more in particular between 5 and 15°, for instance approximately 10°, so that the retracting force does not become undesirably great, while, moreover, the force necessary for pulling out the sliding guide 1 is not undesirably great. Naturally, these angles of inclination can be selected freely, depending on the materials used, the dimensions of the sliding guides, the drawer or like elements to be carried, and the like. Moreover, these can depend on, or be selected depending on, for instance, a desired length of the resihent elements, viewed in the longitudinal direction of the sliding guide.

A sliding guide 1 according to the invention can be constructed in a simple manner. The first guide profile 2, which is provided with an inwardly bent lip 68 near the trailing end 66, can be manufactured completely ready, as well as the second guide profile 4. The second guide profile 4 together with the bearing means 14 can be slid into the first guide profile 2, from the leading end 20. Further treatment of the profiles and/or the bearing means is not necessary. Next, if two-part retracting means are used, the retracting device 24 with the assembly part 32 is slid over the lip 34 and is then slid into the first guide profile 2 from the first end 20 until the first cams 44 engage in the openings 46. The wings 40 are then guided into the ball paths. Thus, in a rapid and simple manner, a sliding guide 1 according to the invention is obtained.

It will be clear that a retracting device 24 can be integrated in a closing block 22 in a simple manner to form one part, which, for instance, can be manufactured in a simple manner from plastic by injection molding. Thus, an additional assembly operation is omitted. An advantage of two-part manufacture can be that closing blocks can also be used without retracting devices, while a retracting device 24 according to the invention can also be mounted in a different manner, for instance on a lip punched from the profile 2, over which the assembly part 32 can be slid in a simple manner. Another advantage of two-part manufacture is that for the retracting device 24, in particular the resilient elements 26, a different material can be used than for the closing block 22. For instance, metal plate springs can be used.

In an alternative embodiment, not shown, only one resilient element is provided, while, moreover, only one cam suffices. However, use of two resilient elements, symmetrically arranged as shown in the drawing, has the advantage that this can be utilized in both a left-hand and a right-hand sliding guide and that forces occurring thereon can be symmetrically distributed.

In Fig. 8, in top plan view, an end 20 of a sliding guide 1 is shown, in part, in cross section. A retracting device 24 is then provided with a resilient element 26, which rests against the vertical wall part 48 of the first profile 2 and is secured with the assembly block 22. Again, the resihent element 26 has an apex 30 with, contiguous thereto, run-on and run-off portions 36, 42. The second profile 4 comprises one cam 60 bent inwardly, which can run over the resilient element 26, while deforming it, for obtaining the desired retracting force. This is a simple, robust embodiment.

The invention is not limited in any manner to the exemplary embodiments represented in the description and the drawings. Many variations thereon are possible within the framework of the invention as outlined by the claims.

For instance, the or each resilient element 26 can naturally be designed in a different manner than the strip-shaped design as shown in the drawing. For instance, the resilient elements 26 can be manufactured from a compressible material, for instance a soft plastic or rubber block having, for instance, a shape as determined by the two resilient elements shown in Fig. 5, which element can be designed to be massive or not massive. Further, the resilient elements 26 can be provided at different positions, for instance near the ball paths. Optionally, the apex can then face the axial line 28 of the respective profile. Naturally, the cams 60 will have to be placed at matching positions. Also, a retracting device according to the invention can be placed near a rear end of the second profile, i.e. the profile that is placed in a position- retaining manner, while the camss should be placed at a suitable position on the first profile. Also, a retracting device can be placed near both ends, such that the sliding guide is actively pushed into and secured in both a completely retracted position and in a completely pulled-out position.

With a device according to the invention, each time, guide profiles are used having substantially C-shaped cross sections. However, naturally, also other types of profiles can be used, as well as other bearing means. These and many comparable variations are understood to fall within the framework of the invention as outlined by the claims.

Claims

1. A sliding guide comprising at least a first and, slideable relative thereto in a longitudinal direction, a second, elongated profile, with bearing means included therebetween, wherein adjacent an end of the sliding guide, retracting means are included for biasing this in a retracted position, which retracting means comprise at least one curved, resihent element, connected to the first profile and extending in the path of movement of a cam on the second profile, the resilient element comprising at least one apex and the resihent element being designed such that when said cam passes said apex in a retracting direction, the resilient element is at least partly pushed away from said path of movement while deforming elastically, whereupon, when said resilient element rebounds after the cam has passed the apex, the cam and hence the second profile, relative to the first profile, is urged further into the retracting direction and is brought into a retracted position.

2. A sliding guide according to claim 1, wherein, on a first side of said at least one apex, the resilient element comprises a run-on portion and, at the opposite side, a run-off portion, designed such that upon movement of the ^" second profile in the retracting direction, the cam moves along the run-on portion, thereby pushing away the resilient element, while the cam, after passing the apex, runs along the run-off portion and is displaced by the resilient element.

3. A sliding guide according to claim 2, wherein the run-on portion and the run-off portion are at an inclination relative to the longitudinal direction of the two profiles, wherein the angle of inclination of the run-on portion is at least on average smaller than the angle of inclination of the run-off portion.

4. A sliding guide according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the resilient element is secured adjacent the end of the run-off portion remote from the apex.

5. A sliding guide according to claim 5, wherein the resilient element is also secured at the end of the run-on portion remote from the apex.

6. A sliding guide according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein two resihent elements are provided, as well as two cams, wherein the resilient elements are approximately identical in shape and are arranged in mirrored relation with respect to an axial plane.

7. A sliding guide according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the or each resilient element has a smoothly curved configuration.

8. A sliding guide according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the or each resilient element has a shape as represented in the

Figures.

9. A sliding guide according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the or each resilient element, with the guide in retracted position, is substantially included between the profiles.

10. A sliding guide according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the or each resilient element is attached on or is integrated in a closing block on at least one of the profiles, such that after coupling of at least the first and second profile and the bearing means, the closing block with the or each resilient element can be placed for confining at least the bearing means between the two profiles and limiting the possibility of movement of the two profiles relative to each other.

11. A sliding guide according to claim 10, wherein the closing block is provided with at least one resihent blocking cam extending outwardly, approximately at right angles to the retracting direction of the drawer guide, which cam during assembly can engage in an opening in a side of the profile in which the closing block is mounted for confining the closing block in a position retaining manner.

12. A sliding guide according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the or each resilient element is secured on or integrated in a closing block on one of the profiles, the closing block being provided with a resilient locking cam which, when the closing block is mounted, reaches through an opening in the profile in which the closing block is mounted, such that this resilient cam can engage in an opening in a drawer in which or on which the sliding guide is mounted for mounting the sliding guide, at least the respective profile, in a position-retaining manner on or to said drawer.

13. A sliding guide according to claim 10 or 11 and 12, wherein the or each blocking cam and the or each locking cam are provided on the closing block, preferably on different surfaces thereof.

14. A sliding guide according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the or each resilient element is manufactured from plastic.

15. A closing block with, attached thereon or integrated therewith, at least one resihent element comprising at least one apex, for use with a sliding guide according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein preferably the closing block and the or each resilient element are manufactured from plastic, in particular by integral injection molding.

16. A method for mounting a sliding guide, wherein into a first guide profile, provided with a stop adjacent a first end, from the second end, bearing means and a second guide profile are slid, in the direction of the stop, designed such that the bearing means and the second guide profile cannot pass the stop, whereupon in the second end, a closing block is attached having at least one resilient element which is slid between the two guide profiles, wherein said resilient element has been or is provided with an apex which is positioned in the path of movement of a cam on the second guide profile, such that when the second profile is moved in the direction of the closing block, the cam pushes away the resilient element until said cam passes said apex, whereupon the resilient element rebounds, thereby urging the cam, and hence the second guide profile, further in the direction of the closing block, into a retracted position.