Connecting fitting

• US 5,207,526 A
• Filed: 05/02/1991
• Issued: 05/04/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 05/07/1990
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Julius BLUM GmbH (BLUM Verwaltung GmbH)
• Original Assignee: Julius BLUM GmbH (BLUM Verwaltung GmbH)
• Inventors: Brustle, Klaus, Tofferl, Andreas
• Primary Examiner(s): Kundrat, Andrew V.
• Assistant Examiner(s): KIM, HARRY CHONG HYUN
• Application Number:
  US07/694,945
• Time in Patent Office: 733 Days
• Field of Search: 403/199, 403/231, 403/407.1, 403/192, 403/252-255, 403/263, 403/262, 403/245, 403/243, 403/240, 403/230, 403/375, 403/406.1
• US Class Current: 403/199
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2088/94 to the back wall of a drawer
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 88/90 Constructional details of drawers
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 88/931 Rails or rods mounted above the drawer walls, e.g. for stabilisation of the drawer or for suspension of the content
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 2200/205 the hook being a separate retainer
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 2200/406 Clamping parts being collars, bushings or wedges
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 9/052 the intermediate member having a radial flange secured to the flat surface
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 403/11 Furniture type having a snap fit
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/59 Manually releaseable latch type
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/7009 Rotary binding cam or wedge

Abstract

A connecting fitting for securing a rail of a drawer to a rear or side wall thereof. A supporting member supports a rear end of the rail. A securing element is screwed into the rear end of the rail and includes a locking device by which the securing element is suspended in the supporting member. The supporting member has an open slot which widens in the manner of a keyhole into a receiving opening. A spring ring is located in the receiving opening, or the securing element is lockable in the receiving opening by friction or by locking elements.

Claims

1. A connecting fitting for fastening a rear end of a rail of a drawer to a rear wall or side wall of the drawer, said fitting comprising:

a supporting member to be fastened to the rear wall or side wall of the drawer, said supporting member having therethrough a receiving opening and an open-ended slot, said slot opening into said receiving opening and having a width smaller than the size of said receiving opening, such that said slot widens into said receiving opening;

a securing element for connecting the rear end of the rail to said supporting member, said securing element including a first portion to be fastened to the rear end of the rail and a second portion dimensioned to fit in said slot, such that said second portion may be inserted through said slot into said receiving opening to thereby suspend said securing element from said supporting member; and

means, at least partially operable internally of said receiving opening, for releasably retaining said second portion of said securing element within said receiving opening, said retaining means comprising a substantially C-shaped spring fitted within said receiving opening and receiving and retaining said second portion of said securing element.

2. A fitting as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first portion of said securing element is constructed to fit within the rear end of the rail.

3. A fitting as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first portion of said securing element is threaded to mesh with threads of the rear end of the rail.

4. A fitting as claimed in claim 1, wherein said slot is positioned to open upwardly when said fitting is assembled to the drawer.

5. A fitting as claimed in claim 1, wherein said slot is positioned to open laterally when said fitting is assembled to the drawer.

6. A fitting as claimed in claim 1, wherein said receiving opening is substantially circular in cross section.

7. A fitting as claimed in claim 1, wherein said supporting member has extending therefrom projections fitting into said receiving opening for retaining therein said spring.

8. A fitting as claimed in claim 7, wherein said projections are arranged in two parallel, spaced planes defining therebetween a gap into which fits said spring.

9. A fitting as claimed in claim 1, wherein said second portion has therein a groove into which snappingly fits said spring.

10. A fitting as claimed in claim 1, wherein said second portion of said securing element has a lateral projection extending into said slot.

11. A fitting as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first and second portions of said securing element comprise and integral, one-piece structure.