Actuating device with at least one actuating arm

• US 7,562,757 B2
• Filed: 06/25/2007
• Issued: 07/21/2009
• 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
• Primary Examiner(s): Bonck; Rodney H
• Application Number:
  US11/819,100
• Publication Number:
  US 20080121490A1
• Time in Patent Office: 757 Days
• Field of Search: 192/216, 192/105.BB, 493/22, 188/291
• US Class Current: 192/215
• 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, including at least one actuating arm for moving the flap, a base member on which the actuating arm is pivotally arranged, and a spring device able to act upon the actuating arm. An assembly securing device for the vacant actuating arm, which has not yet been fitted with a flap, includes a braking device which limits the opening speed of the vacant actuating arm.

Claims

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

a base member;

an actuating arm to be connected to the flap for moving the flap, said actuating arm being mounted to said base member;

a spring device operable to act upon said actuating arm so as to move said actuating arm; and

a braking device operable to stop a movement of said actuating arm if a speed of said actuating arm reaches a pre-set speed value, said braking device comprising a centrifugal clutch including;

a first member connected to said actuating arm;

a second member mounted to said base member in a non-rotatable manner, said first member being operable to engage said second member when the speed of said actuating arm reaches the pre-set speed value so as to immediately stop movement of said actuating arm; and

a spring member operably connected between said first member and said second member;

wherein said first member has an elongated hole for engaging a bearing axis of said actuating arm so as to allow said first member to radially move relative to said bearing axis, said spring member being shaped and arranged to bias said first member relative to said bearing axis of said actuating member such that, when the speed of said actuating arm reaches the pre-set speed value, a centrifugal force corresponding to said pre-set speed value overcomes a spring force of said spring member to allow said first member to engage said second member.

2. The actuating device of claim 1, wherein said braking device is operable to allow said actuating arm to move freely below the pre-set speed value.

3. The actuating device of claim 1, wherein said braking device is activated when a swing speed of said actuating arm reaches or exceeds the pre-set speed value.

4. The actuating device of claim 1, wherein said first member comprises a first clutch member on a bearing axis of said actuating arm, said first clutch member being shaped and arranged to move radially relative to said bearing axis, said first clutch member forming a part of said centrifugal clutch.

5. The actuating device of claim 4, wherein said first clutch member is spring-loaded.

6. The actuating device of claim 4, wherein said first clutch member has at least one stopping tooth for engaging said second member, said second member comprising a second clutch member.

7. The actuating device of claim 6, wherein said second clutch member comprises an internally geared ring.

8. The actuating device of claim 6, wherein said second clutch member is arranged coaxially with respect to said bearing axis of said actuating arm.

9. The actuating device of claim 6, wherein said spring member of said centrifugal clutch comprises an energy storing device for biasing said first clutch member so as to determine when said first clutch member can engage and disengaged from said second clutch member.

10. The actuating device of claim 9, wherein said energy storing device is shaped and arranged so as to determine the pre-set speed value for activation of said braking device.

11. The actuating device of claim 9, wherein said second clutch member is arranged coaxially with respect to said bearing axis of said actuating arm, said energy storing device being operably arranged between said first clutch member and said second clutch member.

12. The actuating device of claim 11, wherein said second clutch member comprises an internally geared ring and a receiving member integrally connected to said internally geared ring to form a single unitary component.

13. The actuating device of claim 12, wherein said receiving member is rotatably connected to said bearing axis of said actuating arm.