Scope of the invention

The present invention relates to the technical sector of drawers for furniture, for example those intended for the furnishing of boats.

In particular, the invention refers to the use of a particular system which prevents accidental opening of the drawer.

Overview of the prior art

It is known that in watergoing vessels, for example ships, yachts, sailing boats, etc., there is a problem related to drawers opening accidentally.

During navigation, or in any case when they are normally in the water, vessels are subject to the motion of waves. When the wave motion is excessive, movement of the vessel can be such as to cause the involuntary opening of the drawers in furniture generally found on such vessels (for example drawers for objects, cutlery, clothing, etc.).

Clearly this turns out to be a rather important technical problem, including because the accidental opening of drawers can also lead to spilling of the contents on the floor.

Publication EP2785935 is known in connection with this issue.

This solution describes two flat plates cooperating with each other to be applied in correspondence with the side or the two sides of the drawer.

In particular, a first flat plate comprises an appendage which can rotate around a point. Said flat plate is attached to the side of the seat in which the drawer is inserted in a position such that said appendage is rotated downwards, protruding from the perimeter of the plate on which it is mounted.

The second flat plate is mounted on the drawer and forms a receiving seat for the end of this appendage. The second flat plate is mounted on the side of the drawer in such a position that, when the drawer is slid into the position where it is inserted in its seat, the appendage of the first flat plate engages within the seat of the second flat plate. In this way, accidental extraction of the drawer is prevented except for the case in which the appendage is not raised. This is possible by moving the drawer up and out at the same time. By raising the drawer, in fact, a part of the second flat plate is brought to strike against a part of the appendage which is rotated into a disengagement position. Therefore, by keeping the drawer raised, it is possible to simultaneously extract it.

This solution, although functional, suffers from some technical drawbacks.

First of all, this solution provides for the use of flat plates which must be mounted on the sides of the drawer and its seat.

This leads to a technical problem of assembly which is not simple.

On some types of drawers intended for furniture for watercraft, in fact, the space tolerances on the sides are very strict and this does not allow for easy assembly nor, all the more so, it is possible to apply this system to types of drawers in which there is insufficient space between the sliding seat and the side of the drawer.

Furthermore, one of the two plates is applied to the side on the drawer and this implies that when the drawer is extracted, it is visible. Considering that many of the boats on which this system is intended are luxury boats, it is clear that a visible locking system clashes with the design of the drawer itself.

Finally, in order to function correctly, two identical systems are generally required positioned on the two sides of the drawer.

Summary of the invention

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a solution to the aforementioned technical problems.

In particular, one object of the present invention is to provide a locking system for a drawer that can be easily mounted in a position other than the side of the drawer, thus resulting in a system that can be applied even when there are strict tolerances and therefore little space.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a solution which is not visible, in particular when the drawer is in the extracted position, thus not detracting from the original design of the drawer when applied.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a solution that works well, and is therefore fully functional, even when only one locking system is applied.

These and other objects are thus achieved through the present system to prevent accidental extraction of a drawer (106) from its sliding seat (200) in accordance with claim 1.

This locking system includes:

A first engagement element (10) configured to be able to be fixed, in use, to the drawer; A second engagement element (20) configured to be able to be fixed, in use, to the sliding seat of the drawer, said second engagement element comprising a pivot element (23) rotatable around a hinging axis (25);

The said first engagement element (10) comprising a seat (14) suitable for receiving said pivot element (23) which is rotatable around said hinging axis between an engagement position, in which, in use, it engages with said first engagement element, and a disengagement position in which, in use, it is released from said first engagement element;

In accordance with the invention, said seat (14) is delimited by a constraining wall (11), a releasing wall (12), overlapping and spaced apart from each other, and a transversal wall (13) which connects the constraining wall to the releasing wall in such a way that said seat is open, preferably from the side opposite the transversal wall, to allow insertion in and/or extraction from said seat of the rotating pivot element.

The constraining wall forms a locking appendage (16) configured to engage with one end of the pivot element.

The second engagement element (20) comprises a fixing bracket (22) having a base (29), configured to be fixed, in use, to the base of the sliding seat of the drawer, and from which a wall (30) rises which rotatably supports said pivot element which is therefore rotatable around said hinging axis (25).

The pivot element is arranged in such a way as to be able to be inserted in said seat (14) of the first engagement element and with the said pivot element hinged in such a way as to maintain a rotated engagement position in which, when inserted into said seat, it engages against the locking appendage (16) creating a constraint, and in which, when the first engagement element is raised with respect to the second engagement element, the releasing wall (12) is configured to intercept the pivot element (23) causing it to rotate into a position in which it disengages from said locking appendage (16).

Thanks to this solution all the aforementioned technical drawbacks are solved.

In particular, the system described can be applied to the base of the drawer and to the corresponding sliding base of the drawer, avoiding application to the side walls.

This does not require strict tolerances and the system is not visible, and it is functional.

Advantageously, the second engagement element (20) comprises two support arms (26, 27) which extend from said wall (30), spaced apart and with said pivot element (23) comprised between said two support arms (26, 27) and hinged to them in a rotatable way around the hinging axis (25).

Advantageously, said fixing bracket (22) is L-shaped or substantially L-shaped.

Advantageously, the said constraining wall (11), the said releasing wall (12), overlapping and spaced apart from each other, and the transversal wall (13) form a C- shaped or substantially C-shaped element.

Advantageously, said first engagement element is formed by a C-shaped or substantially C-shaped element (10') having an access opening to the seat (14) and by a fixing plate (10'') to which it is connected, the fixing plate comprising connection means for connecting it to the drawer.

Advantageously, the element (10') comprises a block (17) having a shape complementary to a sliding seat obtained in the fixing plate (10'') so that the element (10') can be slidingly fixed to the fixing plate (10'') and then connected to it through connection means.

Also described here is the use of a locking system in accordance with one or more of the characteristics described above and applied to a drawer to prevent it being accidentally extracted from its sliding seat.

Also described here is a drawer system comprising:

A sliding seat for the drawer, delimited by a base (204) and at least two side walls (201, 203);

A drawer slidingly arranged in said sliding seat, the drawer forming a containment volume delimited by a support base (101) and at least two side walls (102, 103) which rise from said support base and mounted slidingly with respect to said two side walls of the sliding seat;

A locking system to prevent accidental extraction of said drawer from its sliding seat, said locking system comprising:

A first engagement element (10) fixed to the drawer;

A second engagement element (20) fixed to the sliding seat of the drawer, said second engagement element comprising a pivot element (23) rotatable around a hinging axis (25);

The said first engagement element (10) comprising a seat (14) suitable for receiving said pivot element (23) which is rotatable around said hinging axis between an engagement position, in which, in use, it engages with said first engagement element, and a disengagement position in which, in use, it is released from said first engagement element;

In accordance with the invention, said seat (14) is delimited by a constraining wall (11), a releasing wall (12), overlapping and spaced apart from each other, and a transversal wall (13) which connects the constraining wall to the releasing wall in such a way that the said seat is opened from the side opposite to the transversal wall to allow the insertion and/or extraction in/from said seat of the rotating pivot element, the constraining wall forming a locking appendage (16) configured to engage with one end of the pivot element, the second engagement element (20) comprising a fixing bracket (22) having a base (29) fixed to the base of the sliding seat of the drawer, and from which rises a wall (30) which rotatably supports said pivot element rotatable around said hinging axis (25), the pivot element being arranged in such a way as to be able to be inserted into said seat (14) of the first engagement element and with the said pivot element hinged in such a way as to maintain a rotated engagement position in which, when inserted in said seat, it engages against the locking appendage (16) creating a constraint, and in which, when the first engagement element is raised with respect to the second engagement element, the releasing wall (12) is configured to intercept the pivot element (23) making it rotate into a position in which it disengages from said locking appendage (16).

Advantageously, said fixing bracket (22) is L-shaped or substantially L-shaped.

Advantageously, said constraining wall (11), said releasing wall (12), overlapping and spaced apart from each other, and a transversal wall (13) form a C-shaped or substantially C-shaped element.

Advantageously, said first engagement element is formed by a C-shaped or substantially C-shaped element (10') having an access opening to the seat (14) and by a fixing plate (10'') to which it is connected, the fixing plate comprising connection means for connecting it to the drawer.

Advantageously, the second engagement element (20) comprises two support arms (26, 27) which extend from said wall (30), spaced apart and with said pivot element (23) comprised between said two support arms (26, 27) and hinged to them in a rotatable way around the hinging axis (25).

Also described here is a method for locking/unlocking a drawer in its sliding seat, the method comprising:

The fixing of a first engagement element (10) under the support base (101) of a drawer, said first engagement element comprising a constraining wall (11) equipped with a locking appendage (16) and a releasing wall (12), overlapping and spaced apart from each other, and a transversal wall (13) which connects the constraining wall to the releasing wall in such a way as to define a seat open on at least one side;

The fixing in the sliding channel of the drawer of a second engagement element comprising a locking pin (23) rotatable around a hinging axis (25) configured to be housed in the space delimited by said first engagement element (10), the locking pin (23) being arranged in the path of said first engagement element (10) in such a way as to be inserted in said seat of the engagement element (10) when the drawer is brought into the closed position;

The method providing for sliding of the drawer in its seat until the locking pin (23) is inserted in the engagement element (10) in which it rotates into a position wherein it engages with the appendage (16) of the constraining wall (11), thereby preventing the drawer from exiting the sliding seat;

And wherein the extraction of the drawer includes the operation of raising the drawer in its sliding seat by an amount such as to bring the releasing wall (12) of the element to act on the pivot making it rotate into a disengagement position. Brief description of the drawings

Further characteristics and advantages of this system, in accordance with the invention, will be clarified with the description that follows of some of its embodiments, provided by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the attached drawings, where:

- Figure 1 shows, in a section view, the drawer in its seat with the locking system in a locking configuration which prevents the drawer from being extracted;

- The sequences of Figures 2 and 3 show an extraction of the drawer which is raised vertically along the Z axis to allow unlocking and extraction;

- Figure 4 shows the sliding seat of the drawer in which is located, at its base, the second engagement element equipped with the rotating pivot element suitable for engaging with the first engagement element which is fixed to the drawer;

- Figure 5 shows the drawer in an axonometric view from below in order to highlight its support base 101 under which the first engagement element 10 is fixed and against which the pivot element 23 of the second engagement element engages;

- Figures 6 and 7 show separately the two parts constituting the second engagement element without, in this image, for clarity's sake, the rotating pivot element 23;

- Figure 8 shows, in fact, for clarity's sake, in a separate way, the pivot element 23 which is rotatably mounted, in an idle way, on the axis 25 of Figure 7 in such a way that the rear part (33') of the pivot element is turned towards the axis 40 and the front part of the pivot element which actually effects the locking (i.e., the part 32) facing the part (fc) of Figure 7;

- Figure 9 shows a part (10') of the first engagement element which is applied under the base of the drawer;

- Figure 10 shows its application plate (10'');

- Figure 10A shows an assembly of the first engagement element 10 formed by the plate (10'') and the C-shaped element (10') shown separately in Figures 9 and 10;

- Figure 11 shows the second engagement element as a whole;

- Figure 12 shows the first engagement element fixed to the drawer and in which the pivot element 23 belonging to the second engagement element is shown, purely for clarity's sake, in a gripping and locking condition with the first engagement element, thereby preventing the extraction of the drawer.

Description of some preferred embodiments

As shown in Figure 5 and as is well known in the state of the art, a drawer 100 is generally composed of a support base 101 which, when in use, the objects in general (clothing or anything else) that must be stored in the drawer are placed on.

The two side walls 103 are connected to the support base and are generally arranged at right angles to the base 101. Provided at the rear is a rear transversal wall 104 which forms the closed back of the drawer while, provided at the front is the front transversal wall 105, parallel to the rear transversal wall 104, which represents the visible part of the drawer and where the knob (or other similar system, for example a handle in general, etc.) is applied and that can be grasped for extraction of the drawer.

The drawer is obviously open at the top with an opening 106 for inserting objects or any element in general inside.

As shown schematically in Figure 5, a first part of the locking system object of the invention is applied to the drawer, i.e. a first engagement element which cooperates with a second part, i.e. a second engagement element which is instead fixed to the sliding seat of the drawer.

The first engagement element 10 which is fixed to the drawer is shown in enlarged view in Figures 9 and 10 and also, for example, in Figure 5.

It consists of two parts, namely a part 10', preferably C-shaped, shown in Figure 9 and a fixing plate 10'' shown in Figure 10.

The first part therefore generally has a shape similar to that of a C.

It thus comprises a first wall 11 and a second wall 12, placed one above the other (direction Z of Figure 9) and spaced apart by means of a vertical wall 13 (which therefore extends along the Z axis). A receiving seat 14 is thus formed in which a rotating pivot element belonging to the second engagement element 20 described below can be housed.

The first wall 11 has a tooth 16, preferably placed at its end even if it could be placed in any intermediate position along the longitudinal length of this wall (direction Y shown in Figure 9).

At the rear there is a block 17 with a through hole 18, preferably threaded, to allow the passage of an adjustment and fixing screw, this screw allows the block 17 to be fixed to a plate 19 which constitutes this second part 10'' of the first engagement system 10.

This rear plate 19 (shown in Figure 5 and in greater detail in Figure 10) allows the C-shaped element of Figure 9 to be fixed to the drawer.

This takes place through a seat 17' shaped to be able to house the block 17. The seat 17' is closed at the top by a wall having a hole 18' which is then aligned with the hole 18 of the block when the block 17 is slidingly inserted into the seat 17', until it is brought up against the wall equipped with the hole 18'.

The plate is further provided with one or more fixing holes based on connection means such as screws, inserts and the like.

Ultimately, therefore, the plate 19 is fixed to the front wall portion 105 of the drawer which extends beyond the base 101 below it (see Figure 5). Fixing can be made by way of screws, inserts and the like.

The component 10' is inserted by sliding the block 17 in the seat 17' until it reaches the closing wall of the seat 17' equipped with the hole 18'. Fixing is made with a threaded screw which is inserted in the holes 18 and 18' which will be aligned with each other. Depending on the degree of screwing, a specific relative position between element 10' and plate 19 can therefore be made slide and be fixed, including with precise micrometric adjustments.

A solution of component 10' and 10'' in a single integral piece is not excluded but in this case it would not be possible to adjust the position of the C with respect to the plate to which it is fixed, precision adjustments in case of tight tolerances would therefore be ruled out.

In all the construction solutions described, an irremovable fixing to the drawer is not excluded, that is, not with rapid means such as screws but, for example, with permanent means such as glue.

The arrangement of this first element takes place under the drawer, i.e. under the base 101 of the drawer and on the external part of the drawer, i.e. outside the containment volume 106. The first engagement element 10 therefore faces the outside of the drawer and therefore towards the sliding seat of the same drawer.

More specifically, the first wall 11 provided with the tooth 16 (i.e. the C-shaped component of Figure 9) is placed immediately under the base 101 of the drawer so that it is included between the base of the drawer 101 and the second wall 12 (see Figure 5).

Generally, but not necessarily, the first wall 11 is of greater longitudinal length than the second wall 12.

The transversal dimensions (X axis of Figure 9) are instead generally similar or the same.

The detail Figure 12 shows the first engagement element coupled with the pin 23 which however belongs to the second engagement element and which has been represented in said Figure 12 for the sole purpose of showing the locking interaction between them.

Continuing in the structural description of the invention, the second engagement element cooperating with the first engagement system or element just described is provided.

First of all, the sliding seat of the drawer is introduced to which the second engagement element is applied which cooperates with the first engagement system or element just described.

More specifically, as is well known, a sliding seat for the drawer has the form of a channel the cross-section of which follows the transversal section shape of the drawer, since the side walls (102, 103) of the drawer are mounted slidingly with respect to the side walls of the sliding seat of the drawer itself.

For sliding, special guides are applied, generally to the side walls, which are not the object of this invention and are well-known in the state of the art. Figure 4 therefore schematizes a sliding seat of the drawer formed by a base 204 and two side walls (201, 203) which connect to the base, preferably orthogonally to each other.

The sliding seat of the drawer can optionally be closed at the top with a wall 202 superimposed on the base 204, for example in the solutions of several superimposed drawers if the solution described here is adopted for all the drawers.

In fact, in the case of several superimposed drawers, the wall 202 would constitute the base of the overlying seat.

The second engagement element 20 which cooperates with the first engagement element 10 is then placed in correspondence with the base 204.

The second engagement element includes:

A bracket 22 which connects to the base 204 of the drawer's sliding seat 200.

The latter is therefore preferably L-shaped so as to form a flat wall 29 having one or more through holes for the insertion of fixing screws or inserts in general in order to secure it to the base 204.

From said flat wall 29 rises the vertical wall 30, generally orthogonally, provided with two or more holes for the passage of screws or inserts to connect the part 21 (of Figure 7) to the said bracket 22.

Obviously, the bracket solution without through holes is not excluded as it can be fixed to the base of the sliding seat by gluing and/or with the component 21 which is one with the vertical wall.

In any case, the wall 28 of the component 21 (see Figure 7 for detail) is fixed to the vertical wall 30 in such a way that the two arms 26 and 27 result from said wall 30 emerging vertically and in the direction the wall 29 develops, as shown in fact in Figure 4.

The component 21 comprises an axis of rotation 25 in the form of a shaft 25 which transversely connects the two arms 26 and 27.

On said shaft 25 the pin 23 of Figure 8 is rotatably mounted, in an idle way (and as said, shown in isolation also in Figures 5 and 12 when it engages with the first element).

The component 21 of Figure 7 forms a first convex travel stop (fc). This travel stop traces the radius of curvature of the front appendage 32 of the pin, or of the part assigned to the gripping and locking action, as shown in Figure 8.

The component 21 also forms a second travel stop in the form of an axis 40 intended to engage with the rear part of the pin opposite the part 32 and which forms an appendage 33'.

Therefore, the rotation axis 24 which is inserted on the shaft 25 is interposed between the front convex part 32 and the rear part 33 which forms an appendage (33').

The rotation of the component 23 is therefore limited in one direction by the travel stop (fc) which abuts against the convex part (32) and, on the opposite side, by the axis 40 it locks against the appendage (33').

When mounted, the pin 23 rotates around the axis 25.

In fact, the rear part 33 of the pin is of such a weight as to generate a moment of rotation around the axis 24 so that by rotating and keeping the pin rotated in the clockwise direction of Figure 8.

The pin is prevented from rotating completely as its appendage (33') abuts against the axis 40.

The position of the appendage (33') is such that when it engages with the axis 40 the front part 32 is turned upwards so as to engage with the tooth 16 of Figure 9.

In the opposite direction of rotation, the rotation is limited, as mentioned, by the convex part (fc) which engages with the part 32.

Therefore, when the pin is mounted, looking at Figure 1, it is kept against the upper wall 11 preventing extraction of the drawer since said pin 23, integral with the base 204 of the drawer insertion channel, is in contrast against the tooth 16 of the C-shaped element integral with the body of the drawer.

As mentioned, in fact, the configuration of the pin is such that it remains rotated in the locking position in which the tip or end of the front part 3 is kept rotated upwards and therefore in engagement with the tooth 16.

On the other hand, when the drawer, mounted with vertical clearance with respect to the base 204, is raised along the Z axis, it brings the wall 12 of the C to push on the rear part 33 of the pin (in particular, it pushes on the base of the rear part 33) and with this rear part is shaped in such a way that, as a result of this thrust, a twisting moment is obtained which causes the pin to counter-rotate into a releasing position (anti-clockwise direction with reference to Figure 2).

The wall 12 is in fact arranged to push on the part 33 (see Figure 8) which is offset with respect to the axis of rotation 24, thereby creating a lever arm and therefore a rotation of the pin which passes into the releasing condition.

The rotation towards the locking condition is limited by the surface (fc) which engages with the part 32 of the pin but with sufficient travel to produce disengagement from the tooth 16.

In this way the pin is disengaged from the tooth of the wall 11 and it is possible to extract the drawer as shown in Figure 3.

This system, therefore, effectively prevents accidental extraction of the drawer as voluntary extraction requires raising of the drawer and its simultaneous extraction.

The system described is applied to the bottom of the drawer and not to the side walls so that it is functional and not visible.