APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING THE MOVEMENT OF A RAIL GUIDE, RAIL GUIDE, AND FURNITURE

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of International Application No. PCT/EP2024/060227 filed Apr. 16, 2024, which designated the United States, and claims the benefit under 35 USC § 119 (a)-(d) of German Application No. 10 2023 110 428.4 filed Apr. 24, 2023, the entireties of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an apparatus for controlling the movement of a rail guide, rail guide and furniture.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Apparatuses for controlling the movement of a rail guide for furniture parts are known. This applies to rail guides such as a partial-extension runner or a full-extension runner. Movement control apparatuses are used for force-assisted and/or damped movement of a moving rail of the partial-or full-extension runner, for example. In this case, the apparatus serves to influence the movement of the furniture part relative to a furniture carcass on which the furniture part is mounted via the rail guide. For example, furniture parts of this kind are linearly movable furniture parts such as drawers, which are movably mounted on the furniture carcass, generally via two rail guides of the same type.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is the object of the present invention to provide alternatives for controlling the movement of rail guides in the furniture sector, in particular, an alternative apparatus for controlling the movement of a rail guide.

The present invention proceeds from an apparatus for controlling the movement of a rail guide which comprises a fixed rail, connectable to a furniture carcass, and a moving rail, couplable to a furniture part, wherein the moving rail is linearly movable in an opening direction and in a closing direction relative to the fixed rail, wherein the apparatus is designed, when arranged on the rail guide, for force-assisted movement of the moving rail out of a closed position of the moving rail in the opening direction, wherein the apparatus has an energy accumulator, a main component and a slide that is movable with respect to the main component, wherein the slide is movable in the opening direction under the effect of the loaded energy accumulator and, when the apparatus is mounted on the rail guide, takes the moving rail along in the opening direction, and wherein the apparatus has a locking arrangement with a cardioid and a locking member that can be brought into contact along the cardioid, so that, when the energy accumulator is loaded, movement of the slide in the opening direction is blocked in a locking position of the apparatus. The movement of the moving rail in the closing direction is opposite to the movement in the opening direction.

By way of example, the locking member is a component mounted on the main component. By way of example, the locking member is designed as a control pin. By way of example, the locking member is an end portion of an elongate component. By way of example, the component which comprises the locking member is an elongate component which is bent, e.g. multiple times. By way of example, the component which comprises the locking member is a bent wire component. By way of example, the locking member is an end portion of a wire component which is bent at an angle. By way of example, the locking member is mounted on the main body in a manner that allows elastic deflection. By way of example, the locking member is movable in an elastically deflectable manner, e.g. out of a basic position on the main component into a deflected position and can return automatically to the basic position. By way of example, the elastically achievable positions of the locking member are defined by contact of the locking member with the cardioid, e.g. in the case of a movement or of a position of the slide relative to the main component.

By way of example, the cardioid is a guide track. By way of example, the cardioid is a guide track, wherein mechanical guidance of the locking member along the guide track is set up. By way of example, the locking member is held fast at a retaining point on the guide track, wherein the locking member is held fast in a blocking position of the slide. By way of example, the slide is secured in the blocking position against further movement in the opening direction of the slide relative to the main component or the moving rail. A slight movement of the slide to cancel the blocking is possible in the closing direction to give the touch-latch function.

By way of example, the main component is secured in a fixed position on a rail of the rail guide in the assembled state.

By way of example, the blocking position is held by the action of the loaded energy accumulator on the slide. It is only by external movement of the slide in a closing direction that the blocking position of the locking member can be canceled. During this process, the locking member comes out of the retaining point, with the result that the locking member moves further along the guide track. The movement in the closing direction of the slide in the locking position is accomplished, for example, by a user pressing on the furniture part, wherein the moving rail takes the slide along in the closing direction.

By way of example, the cardioid is designed for sliding guidance of the locking member along the cardioid. By way of example, the cardioid is designed as a guide. By way of example, the cardioid is designed as a guide track. By way of example, the cardioid is designed as a slotted guide. By way of example, the cardioid is designed as a cardioid slotted guide. By way of example, the cardioid is designed in such a way as to be raised or lowered relative to adjacent portions. By way of example, the cardioid is designed as a raised or lowered contour relative to adjacent portions. By way of example, the cardioid has a width which is matched to the width of the locking member. By way of example, the cardioid has a depth which is matched to the longitudinal extent of the locking member.

By way of example, the apparatus is designed as an opening apparatus and/or as an ejection apparatus for a furniture part, e.g. as a drawer opening apparatus or as a drawer ejection apparatus.

By way of example, the apparatus comprises the main component, the slide, the energy accumulator, the locking member and a pawl member. By way of example, these elements are each in one piece, for example, e.g. capable of releasable assembly with respect to the apparatus.

By way of example, the main component comprises an attachment housing, which is releasably connectable to the rest of the main component, for example. By way of example, the attachment housing comprises an attachment portion for a gear element. By way of example, the locking member is received, e.g. mounted, on the attachment housing. By way of example, a bent wire component is received on the attachment housing or on the rest of the main component. By way of example, the wire component comprises the locking member, e.g. as a bent-over end of the wire component. By way of example, another bent-over end of the wire component is attached firmly but, for example, releasably to a mounting location on the main component.

By way of example, the position of the attachment housing is adjustable relative to the main component. By way of example, the position of the attachment housing is adjustable in the closing direction and/or in the opening direction relative to the main component. By way of example, the position of the attachment housing is adjustable in a continuously variable manner, e.g. in the closing direction and/or in the opening direction, relative to the main component. By way of example, the position of the attachment housing relative to the main component can be adjusted manually or without a tool, e.g. by turning a knurled screw, which is rotatably mounted on the main component, for example.

By way of example, the locking member is designed as an end portion of a wire component. By way of example, the locking member is designed as a portion of an elastically deformable wire element. By way of example, the locking member is designed as a portion of a wire element, wherein the wire element comprises a straight portion and a bent portion, which are connected to one another, e.g. integrally.

A rail guide which is designed as a partial-extension runner comprises a fixed rail, connectable to a furniture carcass, and a moving rail, couplable to the furniture part. By way of example, the fixed rail and the moving rail can be moved in a telescopic fashion relative to one another.

In the case of a full-extension runner, there is a middle rail between the fixed rail and the moving rail. By way of example, the fixed rail, the middle rail and the moving rail can be moved in a telescopic fashion relative to one another.

In general, the rails of a rail guide, of a partial-extension runner or of a full-extension runner, are movable relative to one another by way of bearing assemblies, e.g. comprising rolling-element bearing mechanisms, such as ball and/or roller bearing elements. The bearing assemblies act between adjacent rails of the rail guide.

In the case, for example, of items of furniture with relatively large frontal areas, such as relatively wide drawers, which are guided on a furniture carcass via two rail guides, and which are opened by way of a touch-latch functionality, a synchronous touch-latch release is set up, for example. Accordingly, the locking position of the apparatus can be canceled by a movement of the slide in the closing direction.

The heart of the present invention consists in that the slide comprises the cardioid.

An alternative apparatus is thereby made available. By way of example, the cardioid is moved together with the slide. By way of example, the slide is integral, wherein the cardioid is designed as a material depression in the slide. By way of example, the cardioid is formed on a face side of the slide. By way of example, the cardioid is formed on an upper side or a lower side of the slide, based on an orientation in the mounted state of the apparatus on the rail guide mounted on the item of furniture.

By way of example, the cardioid is designed as a curve in the form of a closed loop. One side of the cardioid is open for the engagement of the locking member in the cardioid. By way of example, the cardioid is of recessed design, e.g. in the form of a track. By way of example, the cardioid is in the form of a groove. By way of example, a depth and/or a width of the cardioid is matched to the dimension of the locking member. By way of example, the locking member engages with little play in the cardioid. By way of example, the locking member engages with little play in the cardioid and is movably guided when the cardioid and the locking member move relative to one another.

By way of example, a bearing location of the locking member or of a locking component on which the locking member is present remains in a fixed position on the main component. In this case, the locking member remains in a fixed position. By way of example, the position of the locking member relative to the cardioid is adjustable. By way of example, the locking member has a portion which is guided along the cardioid, which is movable with the slide. By way of example, the portion of the locking member adopts a retained position when the energy accumulator is loaded. By way of example, the cardioid has a retention location for engagement of the locking member in the locking position. By way of example, the locking member is held in the locking position by a force. By way of example, the force which holds the locking member in the locking position is supplied by the loaded energy accumulator. By way of example, the force which holds the locking member in the locking position is a compression force or a tensile force.

By way of example, the energy accumulator comprises a compression or tension spring, e.g. a helical spring.

By way of example, the apparatus is formed from plastics material. By way of example, the locking member is formed from a metal material, and the rest of the apparatus is formed from a plastics material.

By way of example, the apparatus is formed as an elongate component.

By way of example, the gear element has a mating gear contour which is formed on the outer circumference of the gear element, for example. By way of example, the gear element has a mating gear contour which is present on the outer circumference of the gear element. By way of example, the mating gear contour is present as an enveloping form of an external cylinder shape on the gear element. By way of example, the gear element has a mating gear contour which is designed, for example, as an external toothed contour, such as an external pinion contour.

By way of example, the gear element has a mating gear contour which is formed over at least approximately half the width of the gear element, based on an axis of rotation about which the gear element is rotatable relative to the main component when the slide moves linearly on the main component.

By way of example, a synchronization device having a connecting element is provided, wherein the connecting element is designed to connect the apparatus to another, corresponding apparatus, wherein the two apparatuses are present in such a way as to be spaced apart, wherein the two apparatuses are designed, when connected, for controlling the movement of two rail guides for a shared furniture part, and wherein the connecting element connects the two slides of the two apparatuses to one another in such a way that synchronized cancellation of the blocked position of the slide of one apparatus and of a slide of the other apparatus is enabled, wherein a linear movement of the slide and a rotary movement of the connecting element about its longitudinal axis take place in a mechanically coupled manner.

By way of example, there is joint movement control of the two spaced apparatuses via the synchronization device.

By way of example, the two apparatuses are designed for arrangement on respective associated rail guides, wherein the two rail guides serve for the movement of the same furniture part.

By way of example, the connecting element is releasably connectable to a gear element. By way of example, the gear element is rotatably mounted on the apparatus, e.g. over a partial circumference in the manner of a sliding bearing arrangement. By way of example, the connecting element is connectable to the respective gear element for conjoint rotation therewith, or is connected to the gear element in the synchronized state of use of the two apparatuses. By way of example, the gear element has a mating gear contour which is designed in such a way as to be matched to the gear contour on the slide.

By way of example, the gear element is designed as a separate component which has the mating gear contour on the outside. By way of example, the mating gear contour is designed as a pinion. By way of example, the mating gear contour meshes with the gear contour on the slide or of the slide. By way of example, the gear element has the mating gear contour which is in geared connection with the gear contour on the slide. By way of example, the gear element is mounted on the main component and is rotatable about an axis of rotation of the gear element.

By way of example, the connecting element, e.g. a longitudinal end such as a longitudinal end portion of the connecting element, is releasably connectable to the gear element.

By way of example, the mating gear contour on the gear element is a toothed contour, e.g. an external cylindrical toothed contour, e.g. a pinion contour. By way of example, the gear element comprises a pinion, e.g. a circumferential external toothed contour.

By way of example, the connecting element is a rigid shaft, such as a rotating shaft, e.g. a rod element. By way of example, the connecting element has a substantially cylindrical external shape with two contours extending in the longitudinal direction, e.g. two bead-type, e.g. identical, raised portions, which are diametrically opposite.

By way of example, a first longitudinal end of the connecting element is releasably connectable to a gear element which is present on one apparatus, wherein a second longitudinal end of the connecting element is releasably connectable to the other apparatus, e.g. releasably connectable to a corresponding gear element on the other apparatus. Accordingly, such an arrangement has precisely two apparatuses with the same action. By way of example, each of the two apparatuses is present on an associated rail guide. By way of example, precisely two rail guides for the displaceable movement of the furniture part relative to a furniture carcass are provided in this case on a furniture part.

By way of example, the gear element is mounted on the main component, e.g. on an attachment housing of the main component. By way of example, the attachment housing is releasably connectable to the rest of the main component.

By way of example, the gear element is mounted on the main component in such a way as to be rotatable about an axis of rotation of the gear element. By way of example, the mounted gear element rotates about an axis of rotation which coincides with the axis of rotation of the connecting element connected to the gear element. By way of example, the axis of rotation of the connecting element coincides with its longitudinal axis.

By way of example, the gear element has the mating gear contour which is in geared connection with the gear contour, such as a toothed contour, on the slide. By way of example, the mating gear contour of the gear element meshes with the gear contour on the slide. By way of example, a pinion contour of the gear element meshes with a rack contour on the slide. The gear contour, e.g. the rack contour, can be connected integrally to the remaining part of the slide, or the gear contour, e.g. the rack contour, is formed by a component connected to the remaining part of the slide.

In principle, other gear mechanisms are also conceivable, e.g. a friction-surface gear.

By way of example, the gear element with the mating gear contour is positively coupled in terms of gearing to the gear contour, e.g. the rack contour of the slide. By way of example, the geared coupling acts in both directions of movement of the rotating gear element and of the movable slide.

By way of example, when the slide moves linearly in a first direction, e.g. in the opening direction, the gear element of the associated apparatus and thus the connecting element connected to the gear element rotates in a first direction of rotation. In this case, the other gear element on the other apparatus is also rotated correspondingly.

By way of example, when the slide moves linearly in a second direction, e.g. in the closing direction, which is opposite to the first direction of linear movement of the slide, the gear element of the associated apparatus and thus the connecting element connected to the gear element rotates in a second direction of rotation, which is opposite to the first direction of rotation.

Thus, both apparatuses or both slides are moved linearly in a corresponding manner and thus in synchronism for the simultaneous cancellation of the locking position of both apparatuses, even if the pressure force applied from the outside acts in the region of a frontal area of the furniture part which is closer to one of the two apparatuses.

By way of example, the slide comprises a gear contour, wherein the gear contour is designed for the geared movement coupling of the linear movement of the slide and of a rotary movement of the connecting element about its longitudinal axis.

The gear element is present between the gear contour and the connecting element, e.g. for the purpose of movement transmission of the linear movement of the slide and the rotary movement of the connecting element.

By way of example, the gear contour is present in a fixed manner on the slide, e.g. present in a rigid manner, e.g. integrally.

By way of example, the slide is designed as an integral component comprising the gear contour. By way of example, the gear contour can be moved linearly together with the-or on the-slide. By way of example, the gear contour can be moved linearly backward and forward together with the slide, for example. By way of example, the slide and thus the gear contour, e.g. a rack portion, is capable of being moved linearly backward and forward or is linearly movable backward and forward relative to the main component.

By way of example, the slide is capable of being moved linearly backward and forward while being guided on the main component. By way of example, the slide has a length which is less than a length of the main component. By way of example, the longitudinal direction of the slide and the longitudinal direction of the main component coincide. By way of example, the direction of movement of the slide is in the longitudinal direction of the slide or in the longitudinal direction of the main component. By way of example, the longitudinal direction of the slide coincides with the longitudinal direction of the apparatus, with the opening direction and with the closing direction of the moving rail.

By way of example, based on the apparatus being arranged on the rail guide, the cardioid is formed on an upper side of the slide. The orientation data relates to a state of use of the rail guide. By way of example, this refers to a rail guide which is configured as a full-extension runner with a middle rail between the fixed rail and the moving rail.

By way of example, a portion of the main component extends into a region below the slide. By way of example, the slide is supported on this portion of the main body in such a way as to be guided. By way of example, a portion of the main component is situated on a side of the slide which faces away from or lies opposite to the side that has the cardioid.

By way of example, in the case of a rail guide which is configured as a full-extension runner, there is a driver on the moving rail for canceling the locking position of the apparatus in the case of a movement of the moving rail out of a closed position or out of a retracted position on the rail guide in the closing direction, as per the touch-latch function. Given coupling by the driver, the slide can be moved together with the moving rail. Based on a full-extension runner, the apparatus is present on the fixed rail or, for example, on a carcass rail. By way of example, the apparatus is present on the fixed rail in such a way that the main component is attached to the fixed rail, being fitted releasably, for example.

By way of example, in the case of a rail guide which is configured as a partial-extension runner and based on the apparatus being arranged on the rail guide, the cardioid is formed on a lower side of the slide. The orientation data relates to a state of use of the rail guide. By way of example, this refers to a rail guide which is configured as a partial-extension runner without a middle rail, having only a fixed rail and a moving rail.

By way of example, a portion of the main component is situated above the slide. By way of example, a portion of the main component is situated on a side of the slide which faces away from or lies opposite to the side that has the cardioid.

By way of example, there is a driver on the fixed rail for canceling the locking position of the apparatus in the case of a movement of the moving rail in the closing direction. Based on a partial-extension runner, the apparatus is present on the moving rail or, for example, on a compartment rail, such as a drawer rail. By way of example, the apparatus is present on the moving rail in such a way that the main component is attached to the moving rail, being fitted releasably, for example.

By way of example, the cardioid and the locking member are matched to one another in such a way that the locking position of the apparatus can be canceled by a movement of the slide in the closing direction. By way of example, the cancellation is effected by movement of the slide when the apparatus is mounted on the rail guide by means of a movement of the moving rail, which is held in the pushed-in position on the rail guide, in the closing direction. With the apparatus mounted on a rail guide mounted on an item of furniture, cancellation is achieved, for example, by movement of the furniture part, in the closed position on the furniture carcass, in the closing direction, e.g. by a few millimeters. This corresponds, for example, to touch-latch operation or a touch-latch function.

Cancellation of the locking position by means of the touch-latch function, when the rail guide is arranged on the item of furniture, between the furniture part and the furniture carcass, with the apparatus attached, is effected by movement of the furniture part and thus of the moving rail connected to the furniture part out of the closed position in the closing direction. By way of example, there is for this purpose a closing gap between one side of the furniture part, which is in a closed position on the furniture carcass, and an opposite side of the furniture carcass, e.g. a closing gap of a few millimeters.

By way of example, in the locking position of the apparatus, the locking member adopts a locking position which can be unlocked by a movement of the slide in the closing direction triggered from outside by a user pressing against the furniture part. During an unlocking process, for example, the locking member can be moved out of a blocked position on the cardioid in the locking position in a release direction.

The locking member, which is moved out of the blocked position during the cancellation of the locking or the unlocking process, can then be moved freely but in a guided manner along the cardioid. The cardioid and the locking member move relative to one another. The loaded energy accumulator becomes effective and pushes or pulls the slide in the opening direction, the slide taking along the moving rail by means of the driver and thus moving the furniture part in the opening direction. The driver then separates from the slide, and the moving rail with the furniture part is freely movable on the furniture carcass in accordance with the movement of the moving rail relative to the fixed rail.

By way of example, the design of the slide is adapted to ensure that, in the locking position of the apparatus, the slide is positioned in a pushed-in position on the main component. By way of example, the moving rail is held in a coupled manner on the slide in a pushed-in position or in a closed position. By way of example, in the pushed-in position or in the closed position of the moving rail, a pawl member, which is present on the slide, holds fast a driver on the moving rail and thus the moving rail with the furniture part arranged thereon.

By way of example, based on a full-extension runner, the driver, e.g. a driving member, is formed on the moving rail, and can be coupled to the slide, e.g. to a pawl member on the slide. By way of example, the slide and the moving rail move together in the coupled state. Alternatively, the slide and the moving rail are jointly immovable in the pushed-in position or in the closed position of the moving rail when the energy accumulator is loaded in the locking position of the apparatus.

In the coupled state of the moving rail and the slide, when the slide is blocked against movement in the locking state of the apparatus, a movement of the moving rail relative to the fixed rail or relative to the middle rail and the fixed rail is also blocked, or the blocking of the movement is at least only cancelable from the outside by the application of an opposing force.

During the movement of the moving rail in the closing direction with the energy accumulator unloaded and with the slide extended, a pawl member takes the slide along in the closing direction, during which process the loading of the energy accumulator takes place. The pawl member is present pivotably, for example, on the slide. By way of example, the pawl member is couplable to the driver, which belongs to the moving rail or is connected to the latter, based on a full-extension runner.

By way of example, the gear contour of the slide is designed as a toothed contour.

By way of example, the gear contour present on the slide is a toothed contour which is designed as a rack. By way of example, the toothed contour of the rack is formed over half the length of the slide. By way of example, a width of the toothed contour corresponds at least approximately to a width of the slide. By way of example, the toothed contour is formed in a rearward portion of the slide or on a front portion of the slide, based on the mounted state on the rail guide, which is present on an item of furniture.

By way of example, the rack forms part of a rack drive for rotating the connecting element during a linear movement of the slide relative to the main component. By way of example, the rack mechanism has the mating gear contour on the gear element. The geared connection between the slide and the connecting element is such that rotation of the connecting element brings about a linear movement of the slide and vice versa. In this way, the synchronization of two apparatuses connected via the connecting element is made possible.

By way of example, the toothed contour on the slide is configured in such a way as to be oriented upward when in the arranged state, e.g. on a horizontally oriented outer side of the slide.

By way of example, the toothed contour is formed on the same side of the slide as the one in which the cardioid is formed.

By way of example, the toothed contour and/or the cardioid are/is formed on an outer side of the slide which is oriented so as to be level in the state of use, e.g. on a horizontally oriented outer side of the slide.

By way of example, a base plane on the slide on which the toothed contour is constructed, and a base plane on the slide on which the cardioid is constructed are offset somewhat with respect to one another in the direction of the height of the slide.

By way of example, the toothed contour and/or the cardioid are/is formed on an outer side of the slide which is oriented vertically in the state of use.

By way of example, the toothed contour and/or the cardioid are/is formed on a lower side of the slide which is oriented horizontally in the state of use.

By way of example, the toothed contour and/or the cardioid are/is formed on an upper side of the slide which is oriented horizontally in the state of use.

By way of example, the gear contour of the slide is present in such a way as to be adjacent to a receiving portion of the apparatus, wherein the receiving portion is designed to accommodate a gear element. By way of example, the gear element serves to connect the connecting element and the slide. By way of example, the gear element serves to couple the movement of the slide and the movement of the connecting element. By way of example, the receiving portion is formed on the main component. By way of example, the receiving portion is formed by a round opening or a depression having a wall, wherein the wall at least partially surrounds the round opening circumferentially. By way of example, a central axis of the round opening, e.g. a central axis with respect to the circumferential shape of the wall of the round opening, coincides with the axis of rotation of the connecting element, in the state in which the connecting element is mounted on the gear element.

By way of example, the apparatus is configured in such a way that the central axis with respect to the circumferential shape of the wall of the round opening is oriented transversely, e.g. perpendicularly, to the direction of movement of the slide on the main component.

By way of example, the apparatus is configured in such a way that the axis of rotation of the connecting element is oriented transversely, e.g. perpendicularly, to the direction of movement of the slide on the main component.

By way of example, a volume surrounded by the receiving portion or a surrounded space is adjacent to the gear contour on the slide. By way of example, a portion of the gear contour projects into the region of the volume surrounded by the receiving portion in any possible movement position of the slide. By way of example, a portion of the gear contour projects into the volume surrounded by the receiving portion. By way of example, a portion of the rack projects into the receiving portion or into the volume surrounded by the receiving portion.

By way of example, the gear contour of the slide is linearly movable in a tangential direction with respect to axis of rotation of the connecting element. By way of example, the axis of rotation of the connecting element is oriented transversely to the longitudinal direction of the two connected apparatuses. By way of example, the axis of rotation of the connecting element is oriented transversely to the direction of movement of the slide. By way of example, the rack contour is movable in accordance with the linear backward and forward movement of the slide. By way of example, a portion of the rack contour engages in the free volume surrounded by the receiving portion. The portion of the rack contour in the region of the receiving portion can be made to enter into a geared connection with the mating gear contour on the gear element when the gear element is accommodated in the receiving portion.

By way of example, the gear contour of the slide is in geared engagement with a mating gear contour formed on the gear element. The gear element and the connecting element can be connected for conjoint rotation, e.g. can be connected firmly in a releasable manner. By way of example, a movable closure member of the gear element is present, which can be brought out of an open position into a latching position on the gear element. When the end portion of the connecting element has been introduced, e.g. plugged, into the gear element, the connecting element is firmly fixable on the gear element in the latching position of the closure member. By way of example, the closure member is movably present in a mobile manner on the remaining part of the gear element via a joint, e.g. a film hinge. By way of example, the closure member is present on the gear element in such a way that it can be swung open and swung shut into the latching position.

By way of example, the mating gear contour is designed as a gear wheel or as a pinion portion or as a pinion.

By way of example, the gear element is designed as a separate component, wherein the gear element is in geared connection with the slide. By way of example, the gear contour of the slide and the mating gear contour of the By gear element are in geared engagement with one another. way of example, the gear element is received in a releasably connected manner on the main component, e.g. on or in the receiving portion.

By way of example, the gear element is configured for releasable attachment of an end portion of the connecting element.

By way of example, the mating gear contour of the gear element is received in the receiving portion on the main component, e.g. with circumferential support on a wall of the receiving portion. In this case, the mating gear contour is in geared connection with the gear contour of the slide, e.g. with the rack.

By way of example, a further portion associated with the gear element or a portion axially adjacent to the mating gear contour serves for introduction of a longitudinal end portion of the connecting element into the gear element. By way of example, introduction of the connecting element takes place in a parallel orientation or at a slightly oblique angle of the longitudinal axis of the connecting element to the axis of rotation of the gear element, in a radial direction with respect to the axis of rotation of the gear element.

By way of example, that portion of the gear element which is adjacent to the mating gear contour has the closure member, which is pivotable by means of a joint, e.g. a film hinge, relative to the remainder of the gear element. The closure member serves for the opening of the gear element for the introduction of the connecting element and subsequent clip-action closure of the axially adjacent portion to fix the introduced connecting element on the gear element.

By way of example, the receiving portion has a wall which is present circumferentially with respect to the axis of rotation of the gear element. By way of example, the wall is designed in such a way that the wall is present with a small gap or in contact with an outer side of the mating gear contour. By way of example, the receiving portion is open for the introduction of the gear element.

By way of example, the wall is formed in a partially circumferential or fully circumferential annular manner on the main component with respect to the axis of rotation of the gear element. By way of example, the receiving portion is in the form of an annular opening or in the form of a round opening, for the insertion of the gear element.

By way of example, a movement control system for two rail guides is proposed, wherein the two rail guides are used for joint guidance of the movement of a furniture part, wherein the movement control system comprises two apparatuses in accordance with one of the configurations described above.

By way of example, the two apparatuses are of identical design. By way of example, the two apparatuses are designed for arrangement on respective associated rail guides, wherein the two rail guides serve for the movement of the same furniture part. By way of example, the two apparatuses are synchronized with one another via the connecting element, ensuring that a touch-latch function takes place simultaneously and identically in the case of both apparatuses when the closed furniture part is moved in the closing direction, e.g. by a few millimeters, in the assembled state. In this case, the connecting element simultaneously rotates with the sliding movement of the slides of the two apparatuses.

By way of example, a rail guide having a fixed rail, connectable to a furniture carcass, and having a moving rail, couplable to a furniture part, is proposed, wherein an apparatus in accordance with one of the configurations discussed above is present.

Finally, an item of furniture having a furniture carcass and a movable furniture part is proposed, wherein two rail guides and a movement control system as described above are provided.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further features and advantages of the present invention are explained in greater detail by means of schematized exemplary embodiments.

FIG. 1 shows a movement control system and two rail guides in a perspective view;

FIG. 2 shows an enlarged detail of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows the arrangement from FIG. 1 in a front view;

FIG. 4 shows a rail guide and part of an apparatus according to the arrangement from FIG. 1 in perspective;

FIG. 5 shows the part of the apparatus shown in

FIG. 4 on an enlarged scale;

FIG. 6 shows the part of the apparatus shown in

FIG. 5 without an attachment housing;

FIG. 7 shows a detail of the arrangement according to FIG. 5 from above with a transparent cover of the arrangement;

FIG. 8 shows a top view of a slide of the arrangement according to FIG. 5 with a locking component comprising a locking member;

FIG. 9 shows the arrangement according to FIG. 8 without the locking component;

FIG. 10 shows the locking component from FIG. 8 comprising the locking member in isolation in perspective;

FIG. 11 shows a gear element according to the apparatuses from FIGS. 1-3 illustrated in perspective;

FIG. 12 shows the gear element according to FIG. 11 in another perspective illustration;

FIG. 13 shows another rail guide and part of an alternative apparatus in an illustration according to FIG. 4;

FIG. 14 shows a slide of the apparatus according to FIG. 13 on an enlarged scale in a perspective view;

FIG. 15 shows part of the apparatus from FIG. 13 without an attachment housing; and

FIG. 16 shows the arrangement according to FIG. 15 without a locking component.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In some cases, the same reference signs are used for corresponding elements of different exemplary embodiments.

FIG. 1 shows a movement control system 1 on two rail guides 2 and 3, which are each designed as a full-extension runner with a fixed rail 4, a middle rail 5 and a moving rail 6. The movement control system 1 comprises a right-hand apparatus 7 for controlling the movement of the right-hand rail guide 2 and a left-hand apparatus 8 for controlling the movement of the left hand rail guide 3. A synchronization device 9 comprises a connecting element 10, which connects the apparatuses 7 and 8.

The two rail guides 2 and 3 serve for linear movement guidance of a drawer on a furniture carcass of an item of furniture (not illustrated). Accordingly, the moving rail 6 is linearly movable relative to the fixed rail 4, which can be positioned in a fixed manner on the furniture carcass, in an opening direction R1 and a closing direction R2.

The apparatuses 7 and 8 each comprise an energy accumulator 11, which is concealed in the figures, a main component 12 with an attachment housing 13, a slide 14, which is movable relative to the main component 12 and on which there is a pawl member 15 that interacts with a driver 16 on the moving rail 6.

The apparatuses 7, 8 comprise a locking arrangement 17 having a cardioid 18 and a locking member 19, which can be brought into contact along the cardioid 18 and is present on a locking component 20 (see FIG. 10).

The slide 14 has a gear contour 21 for the geared movement coupling of the linear movement of the slide 14 and of a rotary movement D of the connecting element 10 about a longitudinal axis L of the connecting element 10.

A receiving portion 22 of the apparatus 7, 8 is designed to accommodate a gear element 23 (see FIGS. 11 and 12). A mating gear contour 24 is formed on the gear element 23. The mating gear contour 24 meshes with the gear contour 21. The gear element 23 enables releasable attachment of an end portion of the connecting element 10.

That portion of the gear element 23 which is adjacent to the mating gear contour 24 has a closure member 26, which is pivotable by means of a joint 27, e.g. a film hinge, relative to the remainder of the gear element 23. By means of its end remote from the joint 27, the closure member 26 can be latched by way of latching mechanism 28 in order to latch the closure member 26 in its closure position as per the illustration in FIGS. 11 and 12, although it is illustrated without the connecting element 10, so as to secure an inserted connecting element 10.

The receiving portion 22 has a wall 25, which is formed circumferentially with respect to the axis of rotation of the introduced connecting element 10.

The apparatuses 7 and 8 act as ejection apparatuses, from which it is also possible to omit the synchronization device 9, in each case with the gear element 23 and the connecting element 10.

In the case of the apparatus 8 for a rail guide designed as a partial-extension runner according to FIG. 13 with a fixed rail 4 and a moving rail 6, a cardioid 18 faces downward or is downwardly open or downwardly oriented in the state of use on the item of furniture, this being illustrated by FIGS. 14-16.

The apparatus 8 has the same mode of operation as the apparatus 7 and 8 for rail guides 2 and 3, which are each designed as full-extension runners. The apparatus 8 which is designed for the rail guide designed as a partial-extension runner according to FIG. 13 is arranged or arrangeable on the moving rail 6. The driver (not visible in FIG. 13), which interacts with the pawl member 15, is present on the fixed rail 4.

A locking component 20 of the apparatus 8 is not illustrated in FIG. 16.

An attachment housing 13 of the apparatus 8 is not illustrated in FIGS. 15 and 16.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

• • 1 movement control system
  • 2 rail guide
  • 3 rail guide
  • 4 fixed rail
  • 5 middle rail
  • 6 moving rail
  • 7 apparatus
  • 8 apparatus
  • 9 synchronization device
  • 10 connecting element
  • 11 energy accumulator
  • 12 main component
  • 13 attachment housing
  • 14 slide
  • 15 pawl member
  • 16 driver
  • 17 locking arrangement
  • 18 cardioid
  • 19 locking member
  • 20 locking component
  • 21 gear contour
  • 22 receiving portion
  • 23 gear element
  • 24 mating gear contour
  • 25 wall
  • 26 closure member
  • 27 joint
  • 28 latching mechanism