Support device for a furniture shelf

Abstract

The present invention relates to a support device (10, 10', 10", 10"', 10"", 10""') for a furniture shelf, which is adapted to provide a reversible connection between the shelf (100) and the opposing shoulders (200) of a piece of furniture. According to the invention, the device (10, 10', 10", 10"', 10"", 10""') comprises a body (12), and a movable engagement device (15, 15', 15", 15"') that is slidably associated with the body and associated with a pin (11). The movable engagement device (15, 15', 15", 15"') slides relative to the body (12) along a sliding direction (Y) between a first non-operating position and a second operating position. In the first non-operating position, the pin (11) does not protrude from the shelf (100), and in the second operating position, the pin (11) protrudes outwardly from a lateral edge (B) of the shelf (100). The support device (10) further comprises an actuating device (13, 21, 32) for the engagement device (15, 15', 15", 15"') and a motion transmission device (13b, 15c, 15b, 15c", 20, 21b, 31), which is adapted to convert the motion of the actuating device (13, 21, 32) into a translational motion along the sliding direction (Y) of the movable engagement device (15, 15', 15", 15"').

Description

Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a support device for a furniture shelf, for reversibly connecting the shelf to opposite shoulders of the furniture.

[0002] The device according to the invention responds to a need felt in the art and is capable of providing a furniture shelf with an increasingly miniaturized support device that forms a connection with the shoulders of a piece of furniture in order to minimize the aesthetic impact and is even completely invisible when assembling the shelf. Background Art

[0003] This type of device is generally known in the art as a shelf bracket and has the function of stably but removably supporting and fixing a horizontal element (shelf) of a piece of furniture between two vertical elements commonly referred to as shoulders.

[0004] The shelf and the shoulders are arranged perpendicular to each other.

[0005] This type of shelf bracket is known in the prior art but is not without drawbacks.

[0006] More specifically, one of the drawbacks affecting the devices of the known type in the prior art is that when the devices are assembled, they are not completely invisible and thus do not limit the aesthetic impact on the furniture.

[0007] Another drawback affecting the known type of devices is that they generally cannot be actuated indifferently from above or from below, thus forcing the operator to predict how the shelf must be positioned within the furniture before the assembly phase of the device on or within the shelf.

[0008] US5743670 discloses a fastener having a stud rotated by a gear for coupling structural frame beams or panels in a modular structure.

[0009] EP2609833 discloses a concealed shelf support device having an anvil-shaped tip that engages the inner surface of a sleeve. The vertical movement of the entire device is used to disengage the tip from the bushing.

[0010] ES2313856 discloses a locking device for a closure having sliders actuated respectively by a lever mechanism or a cylindrical gear.

[0011] DE3138530 discloses a device for connecting between a multi-grooved column member and a multi-grooved beam member, the device including an elongated housing and an operating device slidable in the housing between a retracted (operative) and a forward (inoperative) position. Summary of the Invention

[0012] Based on the above, the task of the present invention is to solve the defects affecting the support device for a shelf, which is also known as a shelf bracket device and is of the type known in the prior art.

[0013] In such a task, the object of the present invention is to provide a support and fixing device for a furniture shelf (shelf bracket) that simultaneously has a minimal aesthetic impact and allows for easy and quick assembly and disassembly of the shelf relative to the shoulder.

[0014] The object of the present invention also lies in providing a support and fixing device for a shelf that is more versatile during the design and installation phases of furniture, particularly capable of minimizing (if not completely eliminating) the aesthetic impact, being invisible when used with a shelf intended to be seen from above by the user, and allowing for the complete elimination of all traces of the presence of the device, as well as the access holes for the manipulation tools required to actuate the device, when used with a shelf intended to be seen from below.

[0015] The above task, as well as the above object and other objects that will become further more apparent, are achieved by a support device for a furniture shelf according to the present invention, which is used to reversibly connect the shelf to the shoulder of the furniture. Description of the Drawings

[0016] By means of a description of a preferred but non-exclusive embodiment of the support device for a furniture shelf shown by way of non-limiting example in the drawings, the support device being used to reversibly connect the shelf to the shoulder of a piece of furniture, other features and advantages will become more apparent. In the drawings:

[0017] Figure 1A is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a first exemplary and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, in which the support device for a shelf according to the present invention (shelf bracket) is incorporated within the shelf, and the support device is in an assembled position relative to the shoulder of the furniture piece, the device being in a non-operating state in which the pin is not inserted into the corresponding receiving seat formed on the shoulder, the device being operable from below, and a hole F for tool access being formed in the lower surface of the shelf;

[0018] Figure 1B Shows the same Figure 1A vertical cross-sectional view, in which the device is operable from above when a hole F for tool access has been formed in the upper surface of the shelf;

[0019] Figure 1C Shows the same Figure 1A and 1BThe same vertical cross-sectional view, wherein, since holes F for tool entry have been formed on both the lower and upper surfaces of the shelf, the device can be operated from above and below;

[0020] Figure 2A is the same as Figure 1A the same view, wherein the support device is in an operating state to ensure the connection of the shelf to the shoulder;

[0021] Figure 2B is the same as Figure 1B the same view, wherein the support device is in an operating state to ensure the connection of the shelf to the shoulder;

[0022] Figure 2C is the same as Figure 1C the same view, wherein the support device is in an operating state to ensure the connection of the shelf to the shoulder;

[0023] Figure 3 is a front cross-sectional view of the vertical plane of the shelf bracket support device of the present invention according to the first embodiment shown in Figures 1A to 2C ;

[0024] Figure 4 is a side cross-sectional view of the vertical intermediate plane of the shelf bracket support device of the present invention according to the first embodiment shown in Figures 1A to 2C ;

[0025] Figure 5 and Figure 6 respectively show the non-sectional front view and side view of the shelf bracket support device according to the first embodiment, and wherein Figure 3 and Figure 4 show cross-sectional views;

[0026] Figure 7 is a top view of the shelf bracket support device of the present invention according to the first embodiment;

[0027] Figure 8 is a top view of the shelf bracket support device of the present invention according to the first embodiment in a partially disassembled state;

[0028] Figure 9 is a top cross-sectional view of the horizontal plane of the shelf bracket support device of the present invention according to the first embodiment;

[0029] Figure 10 and 11 are exploded views of the shelf bracket support device of the present invention according to the first embodiment;

[0030] Figures 12 to 20 shows the same view as Figures 3 to 11 but shows the shelf bracket support device according to the second embodiment of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 17A 、 18A Figures 19A and 20A respectively show Figure 17 、 18 alternative embodiments of the shelf bracket support device shown in Figures 19 and 20;

[0032] Figures 21 to 23 A top cross-sectional view of the device according to the second embodiment of the present invention at different operating stages is shown;

[0033] Figures 24 to 32 Shows the same view as Figures 12 to 20 but shows the shelf bracket support device according to the third embodiment of the present invention;

[0034] Figure 32A 、 32B Figures 32C show top cross-sectional views of the device according to the third embodiment of the present invention at different operating stages;

[0035] Figure 33 A schematic diagram of the positioning and connection stage of a shelf equipped with the device according to the present invention and the shoulder of a piece of furniture is shown;

[0036] Figure 34 A top view of a cam having through holes present in the first two embodiments of the present invention is shown;

[0037] Figure 35 Shows a cross-sectional view taken along plane A-A according to Figure 34 ;

[0038] Figure 36 Shows Figure 35 a perspective view of the cam;

[0039] Figure 37 Schematically shows a possible bi-lobe shape of the receiving hole obtained in a shelf for receiving a shelf bracket device according to the present invention;

[0040] Figure 38 and 39 respectively show a cross-section taken along plane D-D according to Figure 37 and a cross-section taken along plane E-E;

[0041] Figure 40 Schematically shows a possible oval shape of the housing hole obtained in a shelf for receiving a shelf bracket device according to the present invention;

[0042] Figure 41 and 42 respectively show a cross-section taken along plane D-D according to Figure 40 and a cross-section taken along plane E-E;

[0043] Figures 43 to 45 Shows a fourth embodiment of a shelf bracket support device according to the present invention, in different operating positions;

[0044] Figures 46 to 48 Shows a fifth embodiment of a shelf bracket support device according to the present invention, in different operating positions;

[0045] Figures 49 to 51 Shows a sixth embodiment of a shelf bracket support device according to the present invention, in different operating positions;

[0046] Figure 52 Schematically shows how the shelf bracket support device according to the present invention is appropriately dimensioned to allow the creation of holes with a very small diameter that are invisible to the user in the shelf in which the device must be installed. Detailed Description

[0047] Specifically referring to the attached Figures 1A to 11 , a device 10 for supporting a furniture shelf according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention is described, for reversibly connecting the shelf 100 to the opposite shoulders 200 of a piece of furniture.

[0048] The support device 10 according to the present invention is of the type adapted to form a connection by means of a pin 11, which is associated with the shelf 100 and is configured to project from the lateral edge B of the shelf 100 and to be inserted into a corresponding receiving hole 201 obtained in the shoulder 200 of a piece of furniture.

[0049] Now with respect to the present invention, the device 10 includes a body 12, and a movable engagement device 15 is slidably associated with the body and thus with the pin 11.

[0050] The device 10 is configured to be inserted into the thickness of the shelf 100 and includes a movable engagement device 15 that slides along a sliding direction Y relative to the body 12 between a first non-operating position and a second operating position. In the first non-operating position, the pin 11 does not project from the lateral edge B of the shelf 100; in the second operating position, the pin 11 projects outward from the shelf 100.

[0051] The body 12 is advantageously box-shaped and is formed by the connection of two half-shells, which will be explained more clearly below.

[0052] The support device 10 according to the present invention includes an actuating device 13 of the engaging device 15, which is rotatable about an axis X substantially perpendicular to the sliding direction Y of the engaging device 15, and further includes a motion transmission device 13b, 15c, 15b, which is adapted to convert the rotational motion about the rotational axis X of the actuating device 13 into a translational motion along the sliding direction Y of the movable engaging device 15.

[0053] According to Figures 3 to 11 In a first preferred embodiment of the device according to the present invention, as shown in detail in, the movable engaging device 15 includes a sliding member 15 integrally associated with a pin 11.

[0054] The sliding member 15 advantageously includes an outlet 15a configured to receive the actuating device 13. In this first embodiment, the actuating device preferably further includes a cam 13, which includes a substantially hollow cylindrical central body 13a, and the central hole 13c of the central body is shaped to receive a manipulation tool. Due to this structure of the sliding member 15, it can translate relative to the body 12, which will be better seen below. And due to the presence of the holes 16a, 16b formed in the body 12 itself, the cam 13 is advantageously held in place.

[0055] The cam 13 includes an elongated body having a shaped profile 13b, which is configured to interact with the shaped inner profiles 15b, 15c of the sliding member 15 so as to convert the rotational motion of the cam 13 about the axis X into a translational motion of the sliding member 15 along the direction Y. The axis X coincides with the axis of the central hole 13c of the hollow cylindrical body 13a.

[0056] Herein, the terms front, rear, top, bottom, move forward, move backward and similar spatial references all refer to the device as shown in the drawings, where the front part of the device is designed to face the outer side of the shelf 100 in the assembled state of the device, especially facing the outer side of the shelf through its lateral edge B, that is, the pin 11 can protrude from this lateral edge.

[0057] For example, with reference to Figures 1A to 2B , the front part of the device 10 is the part on the right side in the figure facing the shoulder 200 of the furniture, and the rear part is the opposite part, which abuts against the rear wall of the receiving seat formed in the shelf 100.

[0058] When it is described that the pin moves backward, this means that the pin moves from right to left in the Figure 8 top view, for example, returning within the perimeter of the box-shaped body 12.

[0059] When it is described that the pin moves forward, this means that the pin moves towards the Figure 8 right side in the top view, for example, leaving the perimeter of the box-shaped body 12.

[0060] Returning to the description of the support device 10 for a furniture shelf according to the first embodiment, the sliding slider 15 is received within a specific receiving seat formed within the body 12.

[0061] Since the main box-shaped body 12 is advantageously composed of two half-shells 12a, 12b, each of them provides a respective part of the receiving seat 14 (formed by two half-seats 14a, 14b) for the slider 15.

[0062] Receiving holes 16a, 16b are also provided on each of the half-shells 12a, 12b, configured to receive the central body 13a of the cam 13 and having a profile in a vertical transverse plane that has two portions with rounded ends 12c, 12d, which two portions preferably have a circular cross-section and, as visible for example Figure 3 and Figure 5 and, as visible in

[0063] As Figure 3 、 Figure 5 、 Figure 12 and Figure 14 and, as visible in

[0064] All these possible alternative embodiments of the body 12 provide the advantage of preventing the device itself from rotating in the transverse plane within the shelf (for example, rotation would occur if the device had a circular cross-section), in order to obtain an automatic alignment of the device with the hole F for manipulation within the shelf.

[0065] The possibility of varying the external shape of the box-shaped body 12 of the device allows the user to be able to choose between different types of holes in the shelf brackets according to, for example Figures 37 to 42 as seen in

[0066] More specifically, according to preference, if the user prefers to form a seat with an oval cross-section 100b in the shelf, as Figure 40 shown, which can be obtained by a single milling operation, he can choose a body 12 with an external profile having an oval cross-section, as Figure 24 and Figure 26 shown, although shown in the third embodiment of the shelf bracket of the present invention as Figures 24 to 32 shown, but which can also be used in the other described embodiments.

[0067] On the other hand, if he prefers to make a seat with a double-leaf section 100a, asFigure 37 As shown, it can be obtained by a drilling operation. He can select a body 12 with an outer contour of a double-leaf cross-section, such as Figure 3 , Figure 5 , Figure 12 and Figure 14 shown.

[0068] During the assembly of the device, the receiving holes 16a, 16b are aligned with each other along the axis X and form a passage for the tool to enter the forming center hole 13c of the cam 13.

[0069] The end of the cylindrical central body 13a is located within the receiving holes 16a, 16b and within the outlet 15a suitably provided on the slider 15. The cam 13 is thus accommodated. According to the first preferred embodiment shown by way of example in the drawings, when the cam 13 is rotated clockwise about the axis X passing through its center hole 13c by the tool U, as can be seen for example in Figures 21 to 23 , as shown according to for example Figure 22 , with the end of its elongated body 13b abutting against the substantially rear inner wall 15c of the slider 15, the slider 15 itself is caused to move to the left, i.e., it retracts, which involves the retraction of the pin 11.

[0070] When the cam 13 has completed its clockwise rotation, as shown in Figure 23 , it is arranged in the direction of the axis Y and advantageously a receiving groove 15d is provided on the rear inner wall 15c of the slider 15, which is adapted to receive the end of the elongated body 13b of the cam 13, such that even if the user does not act on the cam 13 with the tool U and also contrary to the action of any elastic means provided for example in the embodiment of Figures 21 to 23 , the device is able to remain locked in the retracted sliding / retracted pin position corresponding to the first non-operating position.

[0071] When the operator intervenes again by actuating the cam 13 in a counterclockwise rotation, the cam itself is thus returned from the position of Figure 23 to the position of Figure 21 , as can also be seen in Figure 8 , 9 , 17 and 18. The cam 13 will push the slider to the right in the figure, or into the advanced position, so as to abut against the inner wall 15b of the slider 15.

[0072] In Figures 12 to 20 shown second preferred embodiment, the movement of the slider 15 in the forward direction is determined not only by the cam but also by the action of the spring 19.

[0073] In the second preferred embodiment of the device 10' according to the invention Figures 17A to 20AIn the variant shown, the slider 15'' may not have the shaped portion of the inner surface of the slider 15'', but instead have an internal profile including two inner side walls of the slider 15'', the inner side walls being substantially flat 15c''. In fact, when the spring 19 is present, the advancement of the slider 15'' can also occur solely due to the action of the spring, and the operator only needs to manipulate the intervention of the tool U in order to release the elongate body 13b of the cam from the retaining device, which retaining device includes the receiving groove 15d formed on the rear wall of the slider, as described above.

[0074] According to Figures 12 to 20A The device 10' according to the invention in the second embodiment shown above includes the elastic device 19 as described above, which elastic device is for holding the sliders 15, 15'' in the advanced position corresponding to the second operating position, and the device also provides a third intermediate non-operating and non-blocking position, in which intermediate position, the pin 11 is free to move backward until it is fully retracted, flush with the edge of the box-shaped body 12, which edge in turn is flush with the edge B of the shelf on which the device is mounted, but the end of the elongate body 13b of the cam 13 is not blocked within the receiving groove 15d present on the rear inner walls 15c, 15c'' of the sliders 15, 15''.

[0075] In this third intermediate non-operating and non-blocking position, the pin 11 can move backward and is pushed and held in the retracted position, for example Figure 33 during the assembly operation of the shelf 100 shown by the external action of the shoulder 200.

[0076] This feature allows the operator to mount the shelf 100 on the shoulder 200 by positioning the first pair of pins 11 within the seats 201 formed on the first shoulder 200 and then Figure 33 sliding the shelf 100 as shown until the other pair of pins 11 on the opposite edge of the shelf 100 meet the specific holes 201 provided on the second shoulder 200. If the device is in the third intermediate non-blocking state, the pins 11 will be able to move backward against the action of the spring 19, but once they correspond to the holes 201, they will automatically snap into the holes 201.

[0077] With particular reference to Figures 1A to 2C , in the case where the device 10 is assembled and inserted into a seat specifically provided in the shelf 100, the operator must form a hole F in the shelf to allow the tool U to access the actuating device 13 of the engaging device 15, and in particular to allow the tool U to access the shaped central axial hole 13c.

[0078] According to the preferred embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings, since the formed central hole 13c of the cam 13 is advantageously through, the cam 13 can be actuated to rotate by a tool U or by entering the device 10 from below, i.e., from the lower part, for example as Figure 1A shown, and can also enter the device from above, i.e., from the upper part, for example as Figure 1B shown.

[0079] With particular reference to Figures 34 to 36 , the cam 13 may preferably include a central through-hole 13c formed up and down to allow the cam itself to be actuated from above and below, and thus the device 10 to be actuated from above and below.

[0080] The central hole 13c may advantageously have a first profile 13c' at the top and a different second profile 13c'' at the bottom.

[0081] According to an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the first upper formed part 13c' and the second lower formed part 13c'' may be of the same type, for example both for receiving a hexagonal tip but having different sizes, or may be of different types, for example a hexagonal tip above and a screwdriver tip below, or vice versa. The central connecting part between the shapes of the two upper parts 13c' and the lower part 13c'' may also have a third shape 13c''' for different tools or for a smaller hex key.

[0082] Therefore, the operator will decide whether to form a hole F ( Figure 1A ) corresponding to the lower surface of the shelf such that when observing the shelf from above, there is no visible mark of the presence of the device 10 or any hole, or corresponding to the upper surface of the shelf ( Figure 1B ) such that when observing the shelf from below, there is no visible mark of the presence of the device 10 or any hole, or on both surfaces ( Figure 1C ) to allow the device 10 to be actuated from above and below.

[0083] For example, as can be seen in Figure 8 and 9 , the sliding direction Y advantageously coincides with the symmetry axis of the pin 11 and the body 12.

[0084] More preferably, the substantially cylindrical central body 13a of the cam 13 is positioned such that its own symmetry axis coincides with its own rotation axis X, and the rotation axis X is orthogonally arranged with respect to the sliding direction Y of the slider 15, and the central body 13a of the cam 13 is positioned on the symmetry axis Y of the body 12 that defines the sliding direction of the slider 15.

[0085] With particular reference to Figures 8 to 11, provided by the support device 10 according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention, the cam 13 can rotate about the rotation axis X of the forming hole 13c passing through its own substantially cylindrical and hollow central body 13a.

[0086] By rotating the cam 13, it can be brought to a first inoperative position, in which position the cam 13 is arranged with its own elongated forming body 13b, along the symmetry axis Y, and is completely contained within the outlet 15a formed within the slider 15.

[0087] In this inoperative position, the cam 13 abuts against the inner wall of the outlet 15a, in particular by inserting itself into a receiving groove 15d suitably provided on the inner wall 15b of the slider, thereby holding the slider 15 in the retracted position such that the pin 11 does not protrude from the edge B of the shelf 100.

[0088] This inoperative state is shown in Figure 1A 、 1B and 1C, and can also be seen in Figure 23 , which however shows the second preferred embodiment of the present invention, which will be described below.

[0089] Returning to Figures 1A to 11 the first embodiment shown, by rotating the cam 13, the cam can be brought to a second operative position, in which position the cam is provided with its own elongated forming body 13b, which body is arranged to be substantially perpendicular to the symmetry axis Y so as to abut against the end of its elongated body 13b within the abutment seat 17 (composed of two half - seats 17a, 17b) formed on the body 12.

[0090] For example, this second operative state can be seen in the exploded views of Figure 8 and 9 as well as Figure 10 and 11 .

[0091] In this position, the cam 13 holds the slider 15 in the advanced position such that the pin 11 protrudes from the shelf 100, as shown for example in Figures 2A to 2C .

[0092] As already pointed out, the support device 10 for a furniture shelf according to the present invention includes a body 12, which is configured for assembly within the shelf 100.

[0093] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention shown by way of example in the drawings, the device 10 according to the invention is configured to be inserted into the shelf 100, and even more preferably positioned "flush" with the edge B of said shelf 100, from which the pin 11 will project, i.e., flush with the edge B of said shelf 100, which edge B is designed to face the shoulder 200 of the furniture on which the shelf is to be assembled.

[0094] The slider 15 is advantageously configured such that when it is in said first non-operating position of the retracted position, the pin 11 does not project from the edge of the body 12, which edge is flush with the edge B of the shelf 100 designed to face the shoulder 200 of the furniture.

[0095] In a variant of the device 10' according to the invention, as Figures 12 to 20 shown by way of example in, the slider 15 further includes a plug 18 corresponding to its edge, which edge is opposite to the edge from which the pin 11 extends, the plug having a longitudinal extension and extending along said axis of symmetry Y, and an elastic device 19 is positioned on the plug and is adapted to resist the backward translational movement of the slider 15, which backward translational movement heretofore described requires a transition from the operating position to the non-operating position, in the operating position, the pin 11 projects towards the outside of the shelf 100, and in the non-operating position, naturally, when the device 10' is assembled on the shelf 100, the pin 11 does not project from the shelf 100.

[0096] The elastic device 19 is advantageously inserted between the inner abutment surface of the body 12 and the slider 15.

[0097] These elastic devices ensure that the slider 15 and the pin 11 remain in the advanced / operating position, even when vibrations generated, for example, due to the movement of normal dishes or furniture can be transmitted from the furniture on which the shelf bracket device is installed to the device 10' itself, causing the slider 15 and the pin 11 to move backward.

[0098] According to Figures 12 to 23 a preferred embodiment of the support device 10' shown, the elastic device is constituted by a helical spring 19, which helical spring is advantageously coaxially adapted to the plug 18.

[0099] As an alternative to the plug 18, the elastic device 19 can also be inserted into a tubular receiving seat 18', such as shown in Figure 25 、 30 、31 and 32, which relate to the third preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0100] The function of the device 10' according to this second preferred embodiment corresponds exactly to the function described so far with reference to the first embodiment, differing from the first embodiment only in the presence of a spring that keeps the pin 11 protruding from the edge B of the shelf 100 and is in an engaged state when the shelf 100 is assembled to the shoulder 200.

[0101] With particular reference Figures 24 to 32 , there is now shown a third preferred embodiment of a support device 10'' for a furniture shelf according to the present invention, wherein the movable engaging means includes a slider 15' integrally connected to the pin 11, and wherein the slider 15' differs from the sliders seen with reference to the other embodiments in that it includes a rack 20, and in order to actuate the rack, the device 10'' includes an actuating means 21 for the engaging means 15', which actuating means in turn includes a pinion 21 that can rotate about an axis X that is substantially perpendicular to the sliding direction Y of the rack 20.

[0102] The slider 15' advantageously includes an outlet 15a' within which the rack 20 is provided.

[0103] Furthermore, as already indicated, the outlet 15a' of the slider 15' receives the actuating means, which in turn includes a pinion 21 having a substantially cylindrical central body 21a within which a central hole 21c is formed and shaped to receive a manipulation tool, and a toothed portion 21b that is adapted to interact with the rack 20 in order to convert the rotational movement of the pinion 21 about the axis X of the shaped central hole 21c into a translational movement of the slider 15' in the direction Y.

[0104] According to this third embodiment, the support device 10'' for a furniture shelf advantageously includes an elastic means 19, advantageously including a helical spring 19, which can be associated with the slider 15', for example inserted into a tubular receiving seat 18'.

[0105] In order to enable the shelf 100 to be assembled within a piece of furniture having opposing sides 200 similar to those previously referred to Figure 33 the support device 10'' according to the third preferred embodiment of the present invention advantageously includes a retaining means that is adapted to hold the slider in a retracted position corresponding to a first non-operating position.

[0106] The retaining means advantageously includes a pair of retaining grooves 25 on the slider 15' that are configured to receive corresponding elastically deformable engaging teeth 14c formed within the body 12 in order to allow snap engagement of the engaging teeth 14c within the retaining grooves 25.

[0107] With particular reference to Figure 32A , 32B and 32C, the functions of the device 10'' are as follows: When the slider 15' moves backward due to the operator's action on the pinion 21 or due to an external thrust on the pin 11 by the operator, for example, the elastic device 19 including the helical spring is loaded until the retaining devices 14c, 25 start to function. In particular, when the slider 15' moves to correspond to the engaging teeth 14c formed on the inner wall of the box-shaped body 12 so as to be elastically deformable, they widen outward under the thrust of the slider 15' itself, and when they find the corresponding retaining grooves 25 into which they can be inserted, they elastically approach each other toward the inside of the device.

[0108] At this time, due to the action of the retaining devices 14c, 25 counteracting the thrust of the helical spring 19, the slider is blocked in the retracted position, and for the operator, it is sufficient to block the retaining devices with a minimum rotation of the pinion 21 to allow the spring 19 to quickly bring the pin 11 into the operating state.

[0109] Also in this case, a third intermediate state of the slider 15' and the pin 11 is advantageously provided, which is retracted but not blocked, as previously described with respect to the second preferred embodiment.

[0110] Also in this variant of the support device 10'' according to the present invention, the body 12 advantageously consists of two half-shells 12a, 12b, each half-shell including a respective receiving seat 14a, 14b for the slider 15'.

[0111] Furthermore, on each of the said half-shells 12a, 12b, receiving holes 16a, 16b are also advantageously provided for receiving the central body 21a of the pinion 21. When the device is assembled, the receiving holes 16a, 16b are aligned with each other and on the axis X, and provide a passage for a tool to the formed central hole 21c of the pinion 21, so that the latter can be rotated by the operator by acting with the tool from above and below relative to the device itself, similar to that shown previously with reference to other embodiments.

[0112] For this purpose, the formed central hole 21c of the pinion 21 is advantageously a through-hole, so that the pinion 21 can be actuated to rotate by means of a tool while entering the body 12 of the device 10'' from above and below.

[0113] With particular reference to Figures 43 to 51 , other embodiments of the shelf bracket device according to the present invention may advantageously provide that the movable engaging device 15''' includes an actuating device, and the actuating device in turn includes an inclined plane 31.

[0114] The movable engaging device 15''', advantageously formed by a slide, slides along a sliding direction Y between a first non-operating position and a second operating position with respect to the body 12 of the shelf bracket device 10'''. In the first non-operating position, the pin 11 does not protrude from the side B of the shelf 100 of the assembled device ( Figure 45 ), and in the second operating position, the pin 11 protrudes outward from the shelf 100 ( Figure 43 ).

[0115] The inclined plane 31 is preferably inclined with respect to the horizontal direction such that the interaction with the actuating device 32, which can move along a direction X substantially perpendicular to the sliding direction Y, causes the retraction of the movable engaging device 15''', and thus the retraction of the pin 11.

[0116] In the embodiment shown by way of example in Figures 43 to 45 , the shelf bracket device 10''' according to the invention advantageously includes an actuating device 32 that can move along a direction X substantially perpendicular to the sliding direction. This actuating device includes a threadless screw 32 that can be screwed into a threaded seat 33 by means of a tool U.

[0117] As can be seen with reference to Figure 43 and 44 and 45, the upward translation of the threadless screw 32 along the direction X according to the drawing, obtained by screwing the threadless screw 32 into the threaded seat 33 appropriately provided within the box-shaped body 12 of the device, causes the slide 15''' to slide towards the rear region of the device. That is, the retraction of the slide involves the retraction of the pin 11, which requires a transition from the operating position to the non-operating position. In the operating position, the pin 11 protrudes outward from the edge B of the shelf 100 ( Figure 43 ), and in the case where the device 10''' is assembled on the shelf 100, in the non-operating position, the pin 11 does not protrude from the edge B of the shelf 100 ( Figure 45 ).

[0118] When the operator acts with the tool U by unscrewing the threadless screw 32 and then moving it downward along the X direction, the slide 15''' is pushed forward by the action of the spring 19, and the pin 11 is advanced ( Figure 43 ). Similarly, when the operator screws the threadless screw 32 to move it upward along the X direction, it retracts the slide 15''' and compresses the spring 19.

[0119] Therefore, according to what has been described so far, the threadless screw 32 also performs the function of holding the slide 15''' in the retracted position, even when the tool U is removed. In this sense, the threadless screw 32 performs the function of a holding device for the movable engaging device 15'''.

[0120] Tool U may advantageously include an Allen key or the like, and a hole F is conveniently provided in the shelf 100 for actuating the socket head screw 32 by means of tool U.

[0121] Referring Figures 46 to 48 , to another variant of the device 10'''' according to the invention, an actuating device 32 movable in a direction X substantially perpendicular to the sliding direction Y includes a plug 32 or a nail adapted to directly exert a thrust on the inclined plane 31 of the sliding member 15''', so that, similar to what is seen in the embodiment of Figures 43 to 45 , an upward thrust in a direction X substantially perpendicular to the sliding direction Y of the sliding member 15''' causes the sliding member to move backward, which causes the pin 11 to retract and thus causes a transition from the operating position ( Figure 46 ) to the non-operating position ( Figure 48 ), in the operating position, when the device 10''' is assembled on the shelf 100, the pin 11 projects outward from the shelf 100 beyond the edge B, and in the non-operating position, the pin 11 does not project beyond the edge B of the shelf 100.

[0122] Also in this case, a helical spring 19 is advantageously provided to return the sliding member 15''' to the advanced position when the pin 32 is removed.

[0123] To allow the insertion of the plug or nail 32, the body 12 of the device has at least one hole 12'.

[0124] According to Figure 46 , 48 As shown, the body 12 of the device advantageously includes at least two holes 12', which are aligned with each other along an axis coinciding with the axis of the hole F formed in the shelf when the device is assembled on the shelf 100.

[0125] Although the first of the holes 12' allows the pin 32 to be inserted into the device to allow the sliding member 15''' to be pushed, the second of the holes 12' allows the pin 32 itself to be blocked in the direction Y, so that it can effectively hold the sliding member in the retracted position by counteracting the action of the spring 19. Thus, in this embodiment, the pin 32 also performs the function of the holding device already seen for the other embodiments.

[0126] This embodiment provides actuation of the device not by a rotational operation but by a simple push, which can provide a considerable advantage for an operator who often has to work in a limited space during the assembly of the shelf to the furniture.

[0127] Referring Figures 49 to 51 , a variant of the device is shown, which includes the above-described thrust actuating device of Figures 46 to 48 .

[0128] This variant provides that the device 10'''''' also includes a retaining device 34 for the slider 15''', which is adapted to hold the slider in the retracted position against the thrust exerted by the helical spring 19.

[0129] The retaining device 34 advantageously includes a rod 35, which is provided with retaining teeth 36 at one end and pivots on a hinge 37 so as to be able to swing around the hinge 37.

[0130] Advantageously, a receiving seat 38 is provided on the slider 15''' for the retaining teeth 36, and a helical spring 40 or a similar suitable device is appropriately provided below the end of the rod including the retaining teeth 36 for exerting a thrust on the end of the rod 35 so as to hold the retaining teeth 36 in the receiving seat 38.

[0131] In this embodiment, the body 12 also provides another hole 39, which is located at the end of the rod 35 opposite to the end fitted with the retaining teeth 36 with respect to the hinge 37.

[0132] Due to this structure, the operator inserts a plug or a nail 32 into the device, causing the slider 15''' to retract. When the retraction is completed, the receiving seat 38 is positioned corresponding to the retaining teeth 36, which are pushed by the spring 40 and inserted into the receiving seat 38.

[0133] At this time, the device is blocked by the slider 15''' in the retracted position, so the pin 11 is retracted, and thus the shelf can be assembled to the furniture even in the case of limited space.

[0134] To unlock the device, the operator can insert a unlocking tool 50 into the hole 39 provided in the box-shaped body 12. The unlocking tool 50 is preferably rod-shaped and is adapted to move the rod 35 against the action of the spring 40 and to move the retaining teeth 36 out of the receiving seat 38. The presence of the retaining device 34 enables the device to remain locked even when the pin 32 is removed, which of course allows the operator to move the shelf more easily when the pin 11 is withdrawn.

[0135] All the embodiments of the shelf bracket device according to the present invention and other possible variants described so far fall within the scope of protection defined by the appended claims in any case, allowing the formation of a hole F with a very small size in the shelf for moving the movable engaging device.

[0136] Figure 52 By way of example, it is schematically shown how the support device for the shelf according to the present invention is conceived, and the dimensions are designed to be actuated by a manipulation tool, which requires the formation of a hole F in the shelf, the diameter of which is less than 3 mm.

[0137] So far, the holes produced in the panel typically have a diameter greater than 3 mm, which means that when looking at the hole from below, the user can see inside the shelf the particle board from which the shelf itself is made.

[0138] Taking into account the requirements of designers and manufacturers, to prevent the visible particle board during normal use, a cover must be used to close the hole.

[0139] The shelf bracket device according to the present invention allows the device itself to be actuated through a very small access hole F, that is, having a diameter less than 3 mm, as Figure 52 schematically shown in, this diameter is not visible to the user operating near the shelf itself.

[0140] This technical advantage is achieved by constructing the shelf bracket device in such a way that it does not require special effort to actuate the shelf support device, thus allowing the use of a U-shaped manipulation tool with reduced dimensions (especially diameter), for example, a micro wrench can be used.

[0141] Taking as a reference the conventional measurements of the base elements and wall units of a kitchen reported in the standard, Figure 52 a view showing the average height of the user's eyes is shown with reference to exemplary non-limiting measurements, which can typically have an angle between 10 degrees and 30 degrees.

[0142] In these cases, in fact, since the hole F in the shelf has a diameter less than 3 mm, the operator cannot see the inside of the hole, and in particular, even when the user actually looks at the shelf from below, the operator cannot see the particle board material inside the hole F produced in the shelf.

[0143] Therefore, another advantage of the support device for furniture shelves according to the present invention is that it allows the production of an operating hole F with a diameter less than 3 mm in the shelf, that is, a micro hole, which is thus actually invisible to the user's eyes and does not require the use of a closing cover, which is undoubtedly inelegant.

[0144] For purposes of illustration and not limitation, the present invention has been described with reference to various preferred embodiments. However, it should be understood that those skilled in the art can make changes and / or modifications without departing from the scope of protection defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A support device (10, 10') for a furniture shelf, for reversibly connecting the shelf (100) to the shoulder (200) of the furniture, wherein, This connection is achieved by means of a pin (11) associated with the shelf (100), the pin (11) being configured to project from the edge (B) of the shelf and to be inserted into a corresponding receiving hole (201) formed in the shoulder (200) of the furniture. The device (10, 10') includes sliders (15, 15”) and a body (12), the sliders (15, 15”) being integrally associated with the pin (11), the body (12) being slidably associated with the sliders (15, 15”). The device (10, 10') is configured to be inserted into the thickness of the shelf (100), and the sliders (15, 15”) are slidable relative to the body (12) along a sliding direction (Y) between a first non-operating position in which the pin (11) does not project from the body (12) and does not project from the shelf (100) and a second operating position in which the pin (11) projects outwardly from the shelf (100). The support device (10, 10') includes an actuating device (13) of the sliders (15, 15”) and motion transmission devices (13b, 15c, 15b, 15c”), the motion transmission devices (13b, 15c, 15b, 15c”) being adapted to convert the motion of the actuating device (13) into a translational motion along the sliding direction (Y) of the sliders (15, 15”), where - the actuating device includes a cam (13) received in an outlet (15a) included in the slider; - the cam (13) includes a substantially hollow cylindrical central body (13a), a shaped central hole (13c) of the cylindrical central body (13a) being shaped to receive a manipulation tool and having a shaped profile (13b) configured to interact with an inner profile (15b, 15c) of the outlet (15a) of the slider (15, 15”) so as to convert a rotational motion of the cam (13) about an axis (X) coinciding with the axis of the shaped central hole (13c) of the cylindrical central body (13a) into a translational motion of the slider (15, 15”) along the sliding direction (Y), characterized in that the cam (13) includes an elongate body having the shaped profile (13b), and a retaining device is provided in the form of a receiving groove (15d) provided in a rear inner wall (15c) of the shaped inner profile of the slider (15), and the retaining device is adapted to receive an end of the elongate body (13b) of the cam (13) when the cam (13) has completed a clockwise rotation to be set in the direction of the axis (Y), such that when the end of the elongate body (13b) is in the receiving groove (15d), the device remains blocked in the retracted pin position corresponding to the first non-operating position even if the user does not act on the cam (13) with a tool (U) and also against the action of any elastic device.

2. The support device (10, 10') for a furniture shelf according to claim 1, characterized in that, The cam (13) is rotatable about an axis (X) which is substantially orthogonal to the sliding direction (Y) of the slide (15, 15").

3. The support device (10, 10') for a furniture shelf according to claim 1, characterized in that, The slide (15, 15") is also movable at least to a third intermediate non-operating and non-blocking position in which the pin (11) retracts freely until the pin (11) is fully retracted, but in which the retaining means (15d) does not retain and block the slide (15, 15").

4. The support device (10, 10') for a furniture shelf according to claim 1, characterized in that, The body (12) includes receiving seats (14a, 14b) for receiving the slide, and the slide (15) is slidably received within the receiving seats.

5. The support device (10, 10') for a furniture shelf according to claim 4, characterized in that, The body (12) consists of two half-shells (12a, 12b), each of which houses a respective part of the receiving seat (14a, 14b) of the slide (15), and receiving holes (16a, 16b) are also provided in each of the half-shells (12a, 12b) for receiving the central body (13a) of the cam (13), the receiving holes (16a, 16b) being aligned with each other along the axis (X) when the device is assembled and providing access for a tool to the forming central hole (13c) of the cam (13).

6. The support device (10, 10') for a furniture shelf according to claim 1, characterized in that, The forming central hole (13c) of the cam (13) is through, such that the cam (13) can be actuated to rotate by means of a tool which enters from the top and bottom on both sides of the body (12) of the device (10, 10').

7. The support device (10, 10') for a furniture shelf according to claim 1, characterized in that, The sliding direction (Y) coincides with the axis of symmetry of the pin (11) and the body (12).

8. The support device (10, 10') for a furniture shelf according to claim 1, characterized in that, The central body (13a) of the cam (13) is positioned such that its own cylindrical axis of symmetry coincides with its own axis of rotation (X), which is orthogonally arranged with respect to the sliding direction (Y) of the slide (15), and the central body (13a) of the cam (13) is positioned along the axis of symmetry (Y) of the body (12), which axis (Y) defines the sliding direction of the slide (15).

9. The support device (10, 10') for a furniture shelf according to claim 1, characterized in that, The cam (13) is capable of rotating about a rotation axis (X) between a first non-operating position and a second operating position, the rotation axis (X) passing through a forming hole (13c) of a substantially cylindrical central body (13a) of the cam (13). In the first non-operating position, the cam (13) is arranged such that its elongated forming body (13b) is along a symmetry axis (Y) and is completely received within the outlet (15a) formed in the slider (15), and the elongated forming body (13b) abuts against the inner wall of the outlet (15a) so as to hold the slider (15) in a retracted position such that the pin (11) does not protrude from the shelf (100). In the second operating position, the cam (13) is arranged such that its elongated forming body (13b) is substantially orthogonal to the symmetry axis (Y), and the end of its elongated body (13b) abuts within an abutment seat (17) formed on the body (12) so as to hold the slider (15) in a forward position such that the pin (11) protrudes from the shelf (100).

10. The support device (10, 10') for a furniture shelf according to claim 1, characterized in that, The body (12) of the device has a bilobed profile in a vertical transverse plane, the bilobed profile having two circular end portions (12c, 12d).

11. The support device (10, 10') for a furniture shelf according to claim 1, characterized in that, The body (12) of the device is configured to be assembled flush with a transverse edge (B) of the shelf (100) within the shelf (100), the pin (11) protruding from the transverse edge (B), and the body (12) is designed to face a shoulder (200) of the furniture to connect the shelf (100) to the shoulder (200), and the slider (15) of the device (10) is configured such that: when the slider (15) is in the first non-operating position, the slider (15) is in a retracted position and the pin (11) does not protrude from an edge of the body (12) that is flush with an edge of the shelf (100), and the shelf (100) is designed to face a shoulder (200) of the furniture.

12. The support device (10') for a furniture shelf according to any one of claims 1-11, characterized in that, The support device further includes an elastic member (19) interposed between an inner abutment surface of the body (12) and the slider (15), and adapted to resist a retraction movement of the slider (15) that causes a transition from an operating position to a non-operating position. In the operating position, the slider (15) is in a forward position and the pin (11) extends outward from the shelf (100). In the non-operating position, the slider (15) is in a retracted position and when the device is assembled on the shelf (100), the pin (11) does not protrude from the shelf (100).

13. The support device (10') for a furniture shelf according to claim 12, characterized in that, The sliding member further includes a pin (18), the pin (18) being located at an edge of the sliding member (15) opposite to the lateral edge (B), the pin (11) extending from this lateral edge (B), the pin (18) having a longitudinal extension and extending along the symmetry axis (Y), and the elastic device (19) being positioned on the pin.

14. The support device (10') for a furniture shelf according to claim 13, characterized in that, The elastic device is constituted by a helical spring (19).

15. The support device (10') for a furniture shelf according to claim 1, characterized in that, The formed inner profile of the sliding member (15) includes an inner wall (15b), and the cam (13) pushes the sliding member on the inner wall (15b) towards the operating position. When the cam (13) rotates to move the sliding member (15) towards the second operating position, the cam (13) abuts against the inner wall (15b) of the sliding member (15).

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