Actuating device with a least one actuating arm

• US 20080121490A1
• Filed: 06/25/2007
• Published: 05/29/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/28/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Julius BLUM GmbH (BLUM Verwaltung GmbH)
• Original Assignee: Julius BLUM GmbH (BLUM Verwaltung GmbH)
• Inventors: Dubach, Fredi, Omann, Christian
• Granted Patent: US 7,562,757 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 192/17D
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 1/1058 for counterbalancing
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 5/00 Braking devices, e.g. checks; Stops; Buffers construction of pneumatic or liquid braking devices E05F3/00; braking devices, buffers or end stops on drawers for tables, cabinets or like furniture A47B88/473; combined with devices for holding wings open E05C17/00; devices for limiting opening of wings or for holding wings open by a movable member extending between frame and wing E05C17/04
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/21 Brakes
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/224 Stops
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/242 using threshold speed
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/26 Mechanical friction
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/266 rotary
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2600/00 Mounting or coupling arrangements for elements provided for in this subclass
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2800/40 Protection E05Y2400/50, E05Y2400/52 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/20 for furnitures, e.g. cabinets

Abstract

The invention relates to an actuating device for moving a flap of a piece of furniture, comprising, at least one actuating arm for moving said flap, a base member on which said actuating arm is pivotally arranged, a spring device being able to act upon said actuating arm, wherein an assembly securing device for the vacant actuating arm, which has not yet been fitted with a flap is provided, and said assembly securing device comprises a braking device which limits the opening speed of said vacant actuating arm.

Claims

1. An actuating device for moving a flap of a piece of furniture, comprising:

at least one actuating arm for moving said flap,

a base member on which said actuating arm is pivotally arranged,

a spring device being able to act upon said actuating arm,

wherein an assembly securing device for the vacant actuating arm—

which has not yet been fitted with a flap—

is provided,

said assembly securing device comprises a braking device which limits the opening speed of said vacant actuating arm.

2. The actuating device according to claim 1, wherein the operation of said braking device depends in such a way from the swing speed of said actuating arm that said actuating arm is essentially freely movable below a predetermined swing speed and that said braking device brakes said actuating arm at a swing speed being greater or equal than said predetermined swing speed.

3. The actuating device according to claim 1, wherein said braking device comprises a snap-in locking device.

4. The actuating device according to one claim 1, wherein said braking device can be activated when a predetermined or presettable swing speed of said actuating arm is exceeded.

5. The actuating device according to claim 1, wherein said braking device comprises a mechanical clutch device.

6. The actuating device according to claim 5, wherein said mechanical clutch device comprises a centrifugal clutch.

7. The actuating device according to claim 6, wherein a first clutch member is arranged or formed on said actuating arm, wherein said first clutch member is arranged on a bearing axis of said actuating arm with radial movability and wherein said first clutch member forms part of said centrifugal clutch.

8. The actuating device according to claim 7, wherein said first clutch member is spring-loaded.

9. The actuating device according to claim 7, wherein said first clutch member comprises at least one stopping tooth which in one position can engage with a second clutch member.

10. The actuating device according to claim 9, wherein said second clutch member is an internally geared ring.

11. The actuating device according to claim 9, wherein said first clutch member comprises at least one friction lining which can engage in one position with said second clutch member which comprises also a friction lining.

12. The actuating device according to claim 9, wherein said second clutch member is arranged coaxially to said bearing axis of said actuating arm.

13. The actuating device according to claim 9, wherein said first clutch member is directed by at least one energy storing device so that said first clutch member can be disengaged from said second clutch member.

14. The actuating device according to claim 13, wherein said energy storing device comprises a spring.

15. The actuating device according to claim 13, wherein a swing speed threshold value for the activation of said braking device can be determined or set by said energy storing device.

16. The actuating device according to claim 13, wherein said energy storing device can be arranged such so as to operate between said first clutch member and a receiving member which is arranged co-axially to said bearing axis of said actuating arm.

17. The actuating device according to claim 16, wherein said receiving member is connected to said bearing axis of said actuating arm in a torque proof manner.

18. The actuating device according to claim 16, wherein said receiving member is rotatably connected to said bearing axis of said actuating arm.

19. The actuating device according to claim 18, wherein a rotary motion of said receiving member can be dampened by a damping device.

20. The actuating device according to claim 19, wherein said damping device comprises at least one friction damper or at least one fluid damper.

21. The actuating device according to claim 1, wherein said braking device comprises at least one fluid damper.

22. The actuating device according to claim 21, wherein said fluid damper comprises a linear damper.

23. The actuating device according to claim 21, wherein said fluid damper acts directly or indirectly onto said actuating arm.

24. The actuating device according to claim 1, wherein said spring device comprises a spring loaded setting part and wherein said actuating device comprises a transmission mechanism which transforms the movement of said setting part into a pivoting movement of said actuating arm, wherein said transmission mechanism comprises at least one pivotably mounted intermediate lever which is directed on the one hand by said spring-loaded setting part and abuts on the other hand—

preferably via a thrust roll—

a control cam which is formed on or attached to said actuating arm, wherein said braking device comprises a fluid damper which acts upon said control cam of said actuating arm.

25. The actuating device according to claim 24, wherein the fluid damper acts upon said transmission mechanism.

26. The actuating device according to claim 24, wherein said fluid damper acts upon said intermediate lever.

27. The actuating device according to claim 24, wherein said fluid damper is on one side hingedly and stationary located with regard to said base member and on the other side articulated to said actuating arm.

28. The actuating device according to claim 24, wherein said fluid damper has a cylinder a displaceable piston therein, wherein said cylinder comprises at least one passage for a fluid, wherein said passage for said fluid can be closed by a shutter component, when a pulling or pressure force applied to said fluid damper exceeds a threshold value.

29. The actuating device according to claim 28, wherein said shutter component comprises one additional piston.

30. The actuating device according to claim 28, wherein said shutter component can be directed by at least one spring.

31. The actuating device according to claim 28, wherein said shutter component can be directed by two springs which operate in opposing directions.