CONNECTING DEVICE FOR CONNECTING A WALL ELEMENT OF A DRAWER WALL TO A WALL PROFILE OF THE DRAWER WALL

Description

The present application is a continuation of International Application PCT/AT2024/060250 filed on Jun. 26, 2024. Thus, all of the subject matter of International Application PCT/AT2024/060250 is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a connecting device for connecting a wall element of a drawer wall to a wall profile of the drawer wall, comprising a connecting body which is arrangeable at least partially within the wall profile, a drawer wall having at least one such connecting device, and a drawer having at least one such drawer wall. Furthermore, the invention also relates to a method for connecting a wall element of a drawer wall to a wall profile of the drawer wall.

Drawer walls having at least one wall element and one wall profile are sufficiently known from the prior art. As a general rule, both the at least one wall element and the wall profile are manufactured from sheet metal. The wall profile can therefore simply be screwed to the at least one wall element in order to provide a secure and stable connection between the wall profile and the wall element. A connecting device could be formed by a screw in this case.

For production and cost reasons, it can be advantageous if the at least one wall element is manufactured from plastic. However, it has been found that a secure and stable connection of the wall element manufactured from plastic to the wall profile, which continues to be manufactured from sheet metal, is difficult by means of a conventional screw connection.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to specify a connecting device which is improved over the prior art, which at least partially eliminates the disadvantages of the prior art, and in particular enables a stable connection between a wall element and a wall profile. Furthermore, a drawer wall having such a connecting device, as well as a drawer having such a drawer wall, and a method for connecting a wall element of a drawer wall to a wall profile of the drawer wall are also to be specified.

In the case of a connecting device according to the invention, the connecting body therefore has an elastic locking element which is lockable into an opening in the wall profile, and a fastening means is provided. A movement of the locking element is blockable and a non-positive and/or positive connection between the wall element and the connecting body can be provided via the fastening means in an assembly state of the connecting direction.

By locking the locking element into the opening in the wall profile, a connection between the wall profile and the support body can be provided in a simple manner. The support body can then be connected to the wall element via the fastening means. Thus, a secure and stable connection between the wall element and the wall profile can be realized, which is also simple to provide.

A drawer wall according to the invention comprises at least one wall element and one wall profile, wherein at least one connecting device according to the invention is provided for connecting the at least one wall element to the wall profile.

A drawer according to the invention comprises at least one drawer wall according to the invention, preferably wherein the at least one drawer wall is a front panel of the drawer.

A method according to the invention includes:

• • introducing the connecting body into the wall profile;
  • locking the locking element into the opening of the wall profile; and
  • introducing the fastening means such that a movement of the locking element is blocked and a non-positive and/or positive connection between the wall element and the connecting body is provided.

Preferably, the connecting body has a recess, preferably in the shape of a slotted hole, for at least partially receiving the fastening means, preferably wherein one side of the recess is formed by the locking element. The recess can serve to connect the fastening means to the connecting body. In particular, if one side of the recess is formed by the locking element, movement of the locking element can be blocked by introducing the fastening element into the recess.

The locking element can have a locking lug, preferably a beveled locking lug, and the locking lug is lockable into the opening in the wall profile. This represents a simple possibility for implementing a locking element. A beveled locking lug facilitates the introduction of the support body into the wall profile and the locking lug into an opening in the wall profile.

Particularly preferably, the connecting body has an opening for introducing the fastening means into the connecting body, preferably wherein the opening is arranged on one side of the recess.

The opening in the connecting body can also serve to connect the fastening means to the connecting body. The connecting body can also have a stop, wherein the stop comes to bear against the wall profile in an assembly state of the connecting direction. Via the stop, it can be ensured that the connecting body can be introduced into the wall element only up to a predetermined position.

Preferably, the fastening means is designed as a screw. The screw can then be screwed to the support body in the opening in the support body and/or in the recess. Thus, a connection between the support body and the fastening means can be easily provided. In addition, the screw can also be screwed to the wall element in order to provide a connection between the wall element and the support body.

However, the fastening means can also be designed differently. For example, a pin can be provided which can be locked in the recess of the support body by means of locking elements and can bear against the wall element via a projection. Naturally, a plurality of further embodiments is also conceivable.

With regard to a drawer wall, the at least one wall element can have at least one opening for introducing the fastening means. This opening can be arranged substantially flush with the opening in the support body.

Preferably, the locking element is arranged between the wall profile and the fastening means, wherein a movement of the locking element is blocked. The locking element is thus blocked after introduction of the fastening means, whereby a loosening of the connection of the support body to the wall profile is also prevented. The connection between the wall profile and the support body, and thus also between the wall profile and the wall element, is therefore additionally secured.

Preferably, at least two wall elements are provided, wherein the wall profile is arranged between the at least two wall elements and is connected to them. The wall elements can serve as the termination of the drawer wall.

The at least two wall elements together with the wall profile jointly can also form a frame for receiving a decorative plate, wherein the decorative plate is received at least in regions within the frame in a mounted state. Decorative plates can be manufactured from a wide variety of materials. Such decorative plates visually enhance the drawer wall.

Naturally, other embodiments of the drawer side wall can also be conceivable. For example, the wall profile can extend over an entire height of the drawer wall.

A railing could also be provided, which terminates the drawer wall at the top. The railing is spaced apart from the wall profile in this case.

Particularly preferably, the at least one wall element has at least one fitting for connecting the drawer wall to a further drawer wall, preferably wherein the at least one wall element and the at least one fitting are formed integrally with one another.

The wall element can therefore simultaneously serve for connection to a further drawer wall. Accordingly, no additional fitting for connecting the drawer wall to the further drawer wall is necessary. This subsequently simplifies the formation of a drawer and reduces its manufacturing costs.

Regarding a method according to the invention, for introducing the fastening means, the fastening means can be introduced, preferably screwed, into the opening of the wall element and subsequently into the opening of the support body, wherein the fastening means is arranged at least partially in the recess.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further details and advantages of the invention will be explained in greater detail below with reference to the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a piece of furniture with a drawer according to the invention in a schematic perspective view,

FIG. 2 shows a drawer according to the embodiment of FIG. 1 in a schematic perspective view,

FIG. 3a shows a drawer wall according to the invention in a schematic perspective view,

FIG. 3b is a sectional exploded view of the drawer wall,

FIG. 4a shows an embodiment of a wall element in a schematic perspective view,

FIG. 4b shows a further embodiment of a wall element in a schematic perspective view,

FIG. 5a is a schematic side view of a support body,

FIG. 5b is a schematic rear view of the support body,

FIG. 5c is a schematic top view of the support body,

FIG. 6 is a schematic side view of a connecting device according to the invention, and

FIG. 7a-e show various steps of a method according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows a piece of furniture 100 with a drawer 11 according to the invention in a schematic perspective front view.

The piece of furniture 100 has a furniture carcass 103. Two conventional drawers 102 are arranged in the furniture carcass 103. In addition, a drawer 11, which is designed as a drawer with an internal pull-out, is provided. The drawer 11 is thus covered in a retracted state by a furniture door, a front panel of a drawer arranged underneath, or the like. This is not shown in FIG. 1 for the sake of clarity.

FIG. 2 shows a drawer according to the embodiment of FIG. 1 in a schematic perspective view. It can be seen that the drawer 11 has a drawer wall 8, which comprises two wall elements 2 and a wall profile 3. In this embodiment, the drawer wall 8 is a front panel.

Two further drawer walls 10, which also have a wall profile 10a, adjoin the drawer wall 8.

The drawer wall 8 and the further drawer walls 10 have a railing 8a and 10b, respectively, which terminate the drawer wall 8 and the further drawer walls 10 at the top.

The drawer 11 further comprises a drawer rear wall 12 and a drawer bottom 13.

FIG. 3a shows a drawer wall 8 according to the invention in a schematic perspective view and FIG. 3b shows a sectional exploded view of the drawer wall 8.

It can be seen that the wall profile 3 is formed from a sheet metal which has a substantially cuboid-shaped fastening section 3c at the top and bottom. The fastening sections 3c are manufactured by corresponding bending of the sheet metal of the wall profile 3.

The fastening sections 3c serve on the one hand for receiving the connecting bodies 4 and on the other hand for stabilizing the wall profile 3. The openings 3a in the wall profile 3 are arranged in the region of the fastening sections 3c.

In this embodiment, a total of four connecting devices 1 are provided. The number of connecting devices 1 can be adapted to a respective embodiment of the drawer wall 8.

The wall elements 2 are formed substantially integrally. A fitting 2b for connecting the wall elements 2 to a further drawer wall 10 is formed on each of the wall elements 2. In addition, pins 2c can also be seen, which serve for connecting a railing 10b of a further drawer wall 10.

The wall elements 2 also have openings 2a into which fastening means 6 of the connecting devices 1 can be introduced.

In addition, recesses 2d are also provided, which can receive a railing 8a of the drawer wall 8.

FIGS. 4a and 4b show different embodiments of wall elements 2, wherein the wall element 2 according to FIG. 4a corresponds to a wall element 2 according to FIGS. 3a and 3b. It can be seen that a rivet 2e is pressed into the fitting 2b. The wall element 2 can be fastened to a further drawer wall 10 via the rivet 2e.

The wall element 2 according to FIG. 4b is not as high and is therefore used for drawer walls 8 of a lower height. In the case of such a drawer wall 8, no railing 8a is then provided.

FIG. 5a shows a schematic side view of a support body 4, FIG. 5b shows a schematic rear view of the support body 4, and FIG. 5c shows a schematic top view of the support body 4.

It can be seen that the support body 4 is formed substantially cuboid-shaped. In particular, the shape of the support body 4 thus corresponds to a shape of the fastening sections 3c of the wall profile 3.

The support body 4 is beveled on one side in order to facilitate introduction of the support body 4 into one of the fastening sections 3c.

A recess 7 for receiving the fastening means 6 is provided in the support body 4. One side 7a of the recess 7 is formed by the locking element 5. It can be seen that this side 7a has a slot 4c which allows an elastic deformation of the locking element 5.

Furthermore, an opening 4a for introducing the fastening means 6 into the connecting body 4 and the recess 7 is provided. The opening 4a is arranged on another side 7b of the recess 7.

The locking element 5 has a locking lug 5a which can lock into one of the openings 3a in the wall profile 3. The locking lug 5a is beveled in order to facilitate introduction of the connecting body 4 into the wall profile 3.

The connecting body 4 further has a stop 4b which can come to bear against the wall profile 3. For this purpose, a recess 3b can be provided in the wall profile 3, so that the connecting body 4 is flush with the wall profile 3 when the stop 4b comes to bear in the recess 3b.

FIG. 6 shows a schematic side view of a connecting device 1 according to the invention. It can be seen that the connecting body 4 is introduced into the wall profile 3 and is arranged within the wall profile 3.

The locking element 5 is locked with the locking lug 5a into the opening 3a in the wall profile 3; the stop 4b is arranged in the recess 3b and bears against the wall profile 3.

In this embodiment, the fastening means 6 is designed as a screw. The screw is introduced through an opening 2a in the wall element 2 into the connecting body 4 and is received by the recess 7. The head of the screw bears against the wall element 2.

Thus, the wall element 2 is securely and stably connected to the wall profile 3.

FIGS. 7a to 7e show various steps of a method according to the invention.

In a first step (FIG. 7a), the support body 4 is introduced into the wall profile 3. Subsequently (FIG. 7b), the locking element 5 is locked into the opening 3a of the wall profile 3 via the locking lug 5a.

In the next step (FIG. 7c), the wall element 2 is aligned with the wall profile 3 and subsequently the fastening means 6 is introduced, here screwed, into the connecting body 4 via the opening 2a in the wall element and the opening 4a in the connecting body 4.

In a fully mounted state (FIG. 7e), the fastening means 6 is received in the recess 7. The locking element 5 is arranged between the fastening means 6 and the wall profile 3, so that movement of the locking element 6 is blocked.

In one embodiment, it can also be provided that the connecting body 4 is expanded in the wall profile 3 in the manner of an expansion anchor by the introduction of the fastening means 6. Thereby, an even better connection between the connecting body 4 and the wall profile 3 can be achieved.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

• • 1 connecting device
  • 2 wall element
  • 2a opening
  • 2b fitting
  • 2c pin
  • 2d receiving opening
  • 2e rivet
  • 3 wall profile
  • 3a opening
  • 3b recess
  • 4 connecting body
  • 4a opening
  • 4b stop
  • 4c slot
  • 5 locking element
  • 5a locking lug
  • 6 fastening means
  • 7 recess
  • 7a side
  • 7b side
  • 8 drawer wall
  • 9 decorative element
  • 10 further drawer wall
  • 11 drawer
  • 12 drawer rear wall
  • 13 drawer bottom