(19)
(11)EP 2 850 971 B1

(12)EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION

(45)Mention of the grant of the patent:
27.04.2016 Bulletin 2016/17

(21)Application number: 14183329.3

(22)Date of filing:  03.09.2014
(51)International Patent Classification (IPC): 
A47B 95/00(2006.01)

(54)

Process to prevent an accidental rotation of adjustment screws of a hanging bracket

Prozess zum Verhindern einer unbeabsichtigten Rotation von Einstellschrauben eines Aufhängebeschlags

Procédé pour empêcher la rotation involontaire des vis de réglage d'un crochet suspendu


(84)Designated Contracting States:
AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

(30)Priority: 19.09.2013 IT MI20131546

(43)Date of publication of application:
25.03.2015 Bulletin 2015/13

(73)Proprietor: Leonardo S.r.L.
22060 Figino Serenza - Como - (IT)

(72)Inventor:
  • Cattaneo, Carlo
    22060 Figino Serenza (IT)

(74)Representative: Martegani, Franco et al
Via Carlo Alberto 41
20900 Monza
20900 Monza (IT)


(56)References cited: : 
WO-A1-2010/012503
DE-A1-102006 032 227
DE-U1-202007 006 355
WO-A1-2010/121687
DE-U1- 9 102 703
DE-U1-202013 101 802
  
      
    Note: Within nine months from the publication of the mention of the grant of the European patent, any person may give notice to the European Patent Office of opposition to the European patent granted. Notice of opposition shall be filed in a written reasoned statement. It shall not be deemed to have been filed until the opposition fee has been paid. (Art. 99(1) European Patent Convention).


    Description


    [0001] The present invention relates to a process to prevent an undesired accidental rotation of a hight-regulating screw and a depth-regulating screw of a perfected hanging bracket for the assembly of wall-cupboards, such as, for example, wall-units and base-units for kitchens and bathrooms, and other items of furniture which must be cantilever-assembled on a supporting wall.

    [0002] Metal hanging-brackets structurally consisting of a shaped base having a substantially rectangular configuration, are known.

    [0003] A bracket protruding from the base, with a hook-shaped end, is assembled on said base, in an adjustable position.

    [0004] The base is designed for being fixed to a shoulder of the wall-cupboard by fixing means, such as screws and/or pressure- or expansion- pins, or other fixing means, whereas the hook is destined for being hooked to a support - a dowel, plate, shaped bar, or similar product - fixed to the wall.

    [0005] Two regulation mechanisms cooperate with said bracket, suitable for regulating the height (vertical) and depth, respectively, of the bracket itself.

    [0006] The wall-cupboard can be assembled to a wall in the desired position, also with respect to adjacent cupboards.

    [0007] A hanging-bracket of this type is described and illustrated, for example, in international patent applications PCT/EP2009/005627 and PCT/EP2009/005628 to which reference should be made for clarifications and which should be considered as being an integral part of the present patent application.

    [0008] Hanging-brackets of the type briefly described above, are fixed to the shoulder of the piece of furniture, either manually or using an automated assembly line equipped with a vibrating feeder, which serves for feeding the hanging-bracket in the correct position, to the automatic fixing unit of the same to the shoulder of the cupboard.

    [0009] As is well-known to experts in the field, the vibration of the vibrating feeder tends to tighten or loosen (depending on the rotation direction, clockwise or anticlockwise, of the vibrating feeder) the regulation screws of the height and depth of the above-mentioned mechanisms with which the hanging-bracket is equipped.

    [0010] This is a serious drawback, as said regulation screws of the height and depth of the hanging-bracket, translate and acquire a position which is different from that established by the manufacturer of the hanging-bracket for a correct use of the same, for both manual or automatic fixing of the same to the shoulder of the cupboard, and also for a simple, correct and rapid assembly of the cupboard to the support fixed to the wall.

    [0011] An objective of the present invention is to overcome the above drawback of the known art, by providing a hanging-bracket with regulation mechanisms of the height and depth, equipped with regulation screws whose position can in no way be accidentally modified by the vibrations of a vibrating feeder, or similar tool.

    [0012] This objective is achieved by a hanging-bracket having the characteristics specified in claim 1 and enclosed sub-claims.

    [0013] The structural and functional characteristics of the invention and its advantages with respect to the known art will appear clearly understandable from the following description referring to the enclosed drawings, which illustrate embodiment examples of the invention itself.

    [0014] In the drawings:
    • Figure 1 is a raised view taken according to the arrow A of figure 4;
    • Figure 2 is a raised view taken according to the arrow B of figure 4;
    • Figure 3 is a raised view taken according to the arrow C of figure 1;
    • Figure 4 is a raised view taken according to the arrow D of figure 1;
    • Figure 5 is a plan view taken according to the arrow E of figure 1;
    • Figures 6 and 7 are two perspective views illustrating the hanging-bracket of figures 1-5;
    • Figure 8 is a sectional view taken according to the line VIII-VIII of figure 1;
    • Figures 9, 10 and 11 are enlarged sectional details illustrating processing phases of the hanging-bracket according to the invention; and
    • Figures 12 and 13 are perspective views similar to figures 6 and 7, illustrating the same hanging-bracket equipped with different means for fixing it to the shoulder of the piece of furniture.


    [0015] With particular reference to figures 1-8 of the drawings, a metal hanging-bracket produced according to the invention is indicated as a whole with 20 and is structurally composed of a shaped base or shell 21, having a substantially rectangular configuration, on which a bracket 22 is assembled in an adjustable position (with the possibility of rotation and translation).

    [0016] As can be clearly seen from the drawings, said bracket 22 comprises two opposite sides or flanks 23, which envelop the base 21, protruding from the latter with a hook-shaped end 24.

    [0017] Two regulation mechanisms cooperate with said bracket 22, a first 25 for regulating the height, a second 26 for regulating the depth.

    [0018] The hanging-bracket thus structured is fixed to the shoulder of the cupboard, for example by means of self-threading screws (not shown) which pass through holes 27 of the base 21.

    [0019] The hook 24, on the other hand, is suitable for being hooked to a support fixed to the wall, for example a dowel, a plate, a bar, or equivalent means.

    [0020] More specifically, the first height (vertical) regulation mechanism 25 comprises a lunette 28 guided to slide on the base 21. The lower end of said lunette 28 acts on the bracket 22, whereas the upper end cooperates with a hight-regulation screw 29 which is screwed onto a nut 30 blocked on the base 21.

    [0021] Said height-regulation screw 29 has a head 31 with an imprint for an operating tool. The stem of the height-regulation screw 29 is supported by means of arched supports 32 of the base 21.

    [0022] The second mechanism for regulating the depth 26 consists of a depth-regulation screw 33 acting on the end of the bracket 22 opposite the hook 24.

    [0023] Said depth-regulation screw 33 is screwed onto a nut 34 blocked on the bracket 22. The stem of the depth-regulation screw 33 is supported by the bracket 22 and by an arched support 35 of the base 21, said support 35, together with end teeth 39 of the base 21 itself, defining a containment seat 40 for the head 41, with an imprint 42, of the depth-regulation screw 33.

    [0024] From the above description with reference to Figures 1-7, and as is well-known to experts in the field, once the cupboard has been assembled to the wall, the rotation of the height-regulation screw 29 will cause an oscillation around the area 43 of the bracket 22 in the direction of the arrow F, whereas a rotation of the depth-regulation screw 33 will cause a translation of the same arm 22 in the direction of the arrow F1.

    [0025] The functioning of the height and depth regulation mechanisms of the hanging-bracket in question is also illustrated and described in detail in the above-mentioned international patent applications PCT/ EP2009/005627 and PCT/EP2009/005628.

    [0026] According to the invention, an undesired accidental rotation (screwing or unscrewing) of the screws 29 and 33 - caused, for example, by a vibrating feeder - is prevented, by completely pulling the bracket 22 against the base (21) by tightening the depth-regulation screw 33: this maneuver compels the bracket 22 to acquire the horizontal position illustrated in figures 1 and 2 of the drawings. With the bracket 22 in an exactly horizontal position, the height-regulation screw 29 cannot be screwed (as it is pushing the lunette 28 and consequently the bracket 22, which is blocked in a horizontal position by the tightening of the depth-regulation screw 33) and cannot be unscrewed (as, thanks to a deformation d in its threading which is engaged with the nut 30, it creates friction with the rotation which prevents the same).

    [0027] Said deformation d in the threading of the height-regulation screw 29 can be clearly seen in the enlargement of figure 11.

    [0028] As can be clearly seen in figures 9 and 10, the deformation d is obtained by means of a punch 36 and a counter-punch 37 between which the hanging-bracket 20 is positioned.

    [0029] Figures 12, 13 show a hanging-bracket completely identical to that illustrated in figures 1-11, with the exception of the fixing means to the shoulder of the cupboard; pressure pins 38 (so-called doubels) are in fact envisaged instead of holes 27 for screws.

    [0030] The objective indicated in the preamble of the description, has therefore been achieved.

    [0031] The protection scope of the invention is defined by the following claims.


    Claims

    1. A process to prevent an undesired acidental rotation of a height-regulating screw (29) and a depth-regulating screw (33) of a perfected hanging bracket (20) for the assembly of wall-cupboards wherein said perfected hanging bracket (20) comprises, in combination:

    a shaped base (21) on which a bracket (22) is assembled, whose position is adjustable, with the possibility of rotating and translating, said bracket (22) having a hook-shaped end (24) protruding from said base (21), two regulation mechanisms, the first (25) for adjusting the height and a second (26) for adjusting the depth, cooperating with said bracket (22), the first mechanism (25) for regulating the height comprises a lunette (28) guided to slide on the base (21), the lower end of said lunette (28) acting on the bracket (22) whereas the upper end cooperates with a height-regulation screw (29), the second mechanism (26) for regulating the depth, consists of a depth-regulation screw (33) which acts on the end of the bracket (22) opposite to the hook (24), characterized in that said height-adjustable screw (29) has a deformation in it's threading in order to prevent an undesired accidental rotation (screwing or unscrewing) of said height-regulation screw (29) and said depth-regulation screw (33) by completely pulling the bracket (22) against the base (21) by tightening the depth-regulation screw (33), said manoeuvre compelling the bracket (22) to acquire a horizontal position, the height-regulation screw (29) cannot therefore be screwed by pushing the lunette (28) and consequently the bracket (22), which is blocked in a horizontal position by the tightening of the depth-regulation screw (33) and cannot be unscrewed as, thanks to a deformation (d) in its threading, it creates friction with the rotation which prevents it.


     
    2. The process according to claim 1, characterized in that said height-regulation screw (29) is screwed onto a nut (30) blocked on the base (21).
     
    3. The process according to claim 1, characterized in that said depth-regulation screw (33) is screwed onto a nut (34) blocked on the bracket (22).
     
    4. The process according to claim 1, characterized in that said bracket (22) comprises two opposite sides (23), which enclose the base (21) and protrude from the latter by means of said hook-shaped end (24).
     
    5. The process according to claim 1, characterized in that the stem of the height-regulation screw (29) is supported by means of arched supports (32) of the base (21).
     
    6. The process according to claim 1, characterized in that the stem of the depth-regulation screw (33) is supported by the bracket (22) and by an arched support (35) of the base (21), and said support (35), together with terminal teeth (39) of the same base (21), defines a containment seat (40) for a head (41) of said depth-regulation screw (33).
     
    7. The process according to claim 1, characterized in that said base (21) has holes (27) for the passage of fixing screws of the hanging bracket to the shoulder of the piece of furniture.
     
    8. The process according to claim 1, characterized in that said base (21) has pins (38) for fixing the hanging bracket to the shoulder of the piece of furniture.
     
    9. The process according to claim 1, characterized in that said base (21) has a substantially rectangular configuration.
     


    Ansprüche

    1. Prozess zum Verhindern einer unerwünschten unbeabsichtigten Drehung einer Höhenregulierungsschraube (29) und einer Tiefenregulierungsschraube (33) einer fertiggestellten Hängehalterung (20) für die Montage von Wandregalen, wobei die fertiggestellte Hängehalterung (20) in Kombination umfasst:

    eine geformte Basis (21), an der eine Halterung (22) angebaut ist, deren Position mit der Möglichkeit eines Drehens und Verschiebens einstellbar ist, wobei die Halterung (22) ein hakenförmiges Ende (24), das von der Basis (21) vorragt, zwei Regulierungsmechanismen, wobei der erste (25) zum Einstellen der Höhe und ein zweiter (26) zum Einstellen der Tiefe dient, die mit der Halterung (22) zusammen wirken, aufweist, wobei der erste Mechanismus (25) zum Regulieren der Höhe eine Lünette (28) umfasst, die zum Gleiten an der Basis (21) geführt ist, wobei das untere Ende der Lünette (28) an der Halterung (22) wirkt, während das obere Ende mit einer Höhenregulierungsschraube (29) zusammenwirkt, wobei der zweite Mechanismus (26) zum Regulieren der Tiefe aus einer Tiefenregulierungsschraube (33) besteht, die auf das Ende der Halterung (22) gegenüberliegend dem Haken (24) wirkt, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Höheneinstellschraube (29) eine Verformung in ihrem Gewinde besitzt, um ein unerwünschtes unbeabsichtigtes Drehen (Einschrauben oder Ausschrauben) der Höhenregulierungsschraube (29) und der Tiefenregulierungsschraube (33) durch vollständiges Ziehen der Halterung (22) gegen die Basis (21) durch Festziehen der Tiefenregulierungsschraube (33) zu verhindern, wobei das Manöver die Halterung (22) dazu zwingt, eine horizontale Position anzunehmen, so dass die Höhenregulierungsschraube (29) daher nicht durch Drücken der Lünette (28) und folglich der Halterung (22), die in einer horizontalen Position blockiert ist, durch Festziehen der Tiefenregulierungsschraube (33) eingeschraubt werden kann und dank einer Verformung (d) in ihrem Gewinde nicht ausgeschraubt werden kann, da sie eine Reibung mit der Drehung, die sie verhindert, erzeugt.


     
    2. Prozess nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Höhenregulierungsschraube (29) auf eine Mutter (30) geschraubt ist, die an der Basis (21) blockiert ist.
     
    3. Prozess nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Tiefenregulierungsschraube (33) Schraube (33) auf eine Mutter (34) geschraubt ist, die an der Halterung (22) blockiert ist.
     
    4. Prozess nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Halterung (22) zwei gegenüberliegende Seiten (23) umfasst, die die Basis (21) umschließen und von denselben mittels des hakenförmigen Endes (24) vorragen.
     
    5. Prozess nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Schaft der Höhenregulierungsschraube (29) mittels gebogener Träger (32) der Basis (21) geträgert ist.
     
    6. Prozess nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Schaft der Tiefenregulierungsschraube (33) von der Halterung (22) und durch einen bogenförmigen Träger (35) der Basis (21) geträgert ist und der Träger (35) zusammen mit Anschlusszähnen (39) derselben Basis (21) einen Aufnahmesitz (40) für einen Kopf (41) der Tiefenregulierungsschraube (33) definiert.
     
    7. Prozess nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Basis (21) Löcher (27) für den Durchgang von Fixierschrauben der Hängehalterung zu der Schulter des Möbelstücks aufweist.
     
    8. Prozess nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Basis (21) Stifte (38) zum Fixieren der Hängehalterung an der Schulter des Möbelstücks aufweist.
     
    9. Prozess nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Basis (21) eine im Wesentlichen rechtwinklige Konfiguration aufweist.
     


    Revendications

    1. Procédé pour empêcher une rotation accidentelle indésirable d'une vis de réglage de hauteur (29) et d'une vis de réglage de profondeur (33) d'une suspension perfectionnée (20) pour le montage de placards muraux, dans lequel ladite suspension perfectionnée (20) comporte, en combinaison :

    une embase profilée (21) sur laquelle est montée une ferrure (22) dont la position est ajustable, avec la possibilité de tourner et de bouger, ladite ferrure (22) ayant une extrémité en forme de crochet (24) faisant saillie depuis ladite embase (21), deux mécanismes de réglage, le premier (25) pour ajuster la hauteur et un second (26) pour ajuster la profondeur, coopérant avec ladite ferrure (22), le premier mécanisme (25) pour le réglage de la hauteur comprenant une lunette (28) guidée pour coulisser sur l'embase (21), l'extrémité inférieure de ladite lunette (28) agissant sur la ferrure (22) alors que l'extrémité supérieure coopère avec une vis de réglage de hauteur (29), le second mécanisme (26) pour le réglage de la profondeur étant constitué par une vis de réglage de profondeur (33) qui agit sur l'extrémité de la ferrure (22) opposée au crochet (24), caractérisé en ce que ladite vis de réglage de hauteur (29) a, dans son filetage, une déformation servant à empêcher une rotation accidentelle indésirable (vissage ou dévissage) de ladite vis de réglage de hauteur (29) et de ladite vis de réglage de profondeur (33) en tirant complètement la ferrure (22) contre l'embase (21) en serrant la vis de réglage de profondeur (33), cette manoeuvré forçant la ferrure (22) à prendre une position horizontale, la vis de réglage de hauteur (29) ne pouvant par conséquent pas être vissée en poussant la lunette (28) et donc la ferrure (22), qui est bloquée en position horizontale par le serrage de la vis de réglage de profondeur (33) et ne pouvant pas être dévissée car une déformation (d) dans son filetage crée, si elle tourne, un frottement qui l'empêche de se dévisser.


     
    2. Procédé selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que ladite vis de réglage de hauteur (29) est vissée sur un écrou (30) bloqué sur l'embase (21).
     
    3. Procédé selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que ladite vis de réglage de profondeur (33) est vissée sur un écrou (34) bloqué sur la ferrure (22).
     
    4. Procédé selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que ladite ferrure (22) comprend deux côtés opposés (23), qui encadrent l'embase (21) et font saillie depuis cette dernière à l'aide de ladite extrémité en forme de crochet (24).
     
    5. 5. Procédé selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que la tige de la vis de réglage de hauteur (29) est supportée à l'aide de supports arqués (32) de l'embase (21).
     
    6. Procédé selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que la tige de la vis de réglage de profondeur (33) est supportée par la ferrure (22) et par un support arqué (35) de l'embase (21), et ledit support (35), conjointement avec des dents terminales (39) de ladite embase (21), définit un logement (40) pour une tête (41) de ladite vis de réglage de profondeur (33).
     
    7. Procédé selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que ladite embase (21) a des trous (27) pour le passage de vis de fixation de la suspension jusqu'à l'épaulement du meuble.
     
    8. Procédé selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que ladite embase (21) a des goujons (38) pour fixer la suspension à l'épaulement du meuble.
     
    9. Procédé selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que ladite embase (21) a une configuration sensiblement rectangulaire.
     




    Drawing

















    Cited references

    REFERENCES CITED IN THE DESCRIPTION



    This list of references cited by the applicant is for the reader's convenience only. It does not form part of the European patent document. Even though great care has been taken in compiling the references, errors or omissions cannot be excluded and the EPO disclaims all liability in this regard.

    Patent documents cited in the description