Furniture item equipped with a compartment that can be closed by a shutter

Abstract

A furniture appliance (MC) is described, comprising a compartment (20), an L-shaped guide (80) disposed on the top of the furniture appliance, and first and second fan blades (32, 30) for opening or closing the compartment. The fan blades are movable due to a cylindrical element (60) hinged to one end of the second fan blade (30) and connected to two parallel guides (64) mounted on the side of the furniture appliance.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a piece of furniture with compartments that can be closed by means of fan blades that can slide and swing on the furniture and fold like a book. Background Technology

[0002] Many furniture items are equipped with sliding and folding fan blades to reduce the size of the blades when opened, see, for example, WO 2007 148366. Here, two fan blades slide along the edge of the furniture item and can be folded over each other to stack and move together along one side of the furniture item. However, WO 2007148366 has a very complex fan blade movement mechanism, which is further complicated by the lower wheels mounted on the fan blades.

[0003] The primary objective of this invention is to improve upon this prior art, as defined in the appended claims, wherein the dependent claims define advantageous variations.

[0004] Another objective is to create a type of furniture with compartments that can be closed by sliding fan blades that fold up and down like corrugated pipes, which is easy to use, requires little movement from the user, and does not cause fatigue during use. Summary of the Invention

[0005] A type of furniture is proposed, which includes the following features in its use:

[0006] The compartment has a front opening defined by the walls and the top.

[0007] L-shaped guides are placed on top of furniture and household items.

[0008] The first and second fan blades, joined together, for example hinged together, allow them to be stacked on top of each other to expose the compartment or arranged coplanarly to close the compartment.

[0009] The first blade has a free end that is slidably connected to a guide to allow the blade to close and open like a book.

[0010] A cylindrical element, the cylindrical element being:

[0011] - Hinged at one end of the second blade

[0012] - Connected to two parallel guide members that are mounted at an angle relative to the horizontal plane on the side of the furniture, such that:

[0013] The cylindrical element can move linearly along the side of the furniture, parallel to the depth of the compartment, while maintaining the same height from the ground.

[0014] The cylindrical element can move linearly between two positions—a first position adjacent to the opening of the compartment and a second position adjacent to the rear of the compartment.

[0015] - Connected to the guide and the second blade, such that:

[0016] As it moves toward (and then stops at) the first position, it pulls out stacked fan blades from the side of the furniture and unfolds them in front of the compartment.

[0017] As it moves toward the second position (and then stays in the second position), it accompanies and / or pushes the coplanar fan blades to fold like a book, so that they are stacked one on top of the other and arranged themselves to be stacked parallel to the sides of the furniture.

[0018] In other words, the cylindrical element can move between two positions:

[0019] The first position, in which it is placed near the opening of the compartment, wherein the fan blades are coplanar (in the closed compartment), and

[0020] The second rest position, in which it is placed near the rear of the compartment and the fan blades are stacked (open compartment).

[0021] The fan blades are corrugated and can be folded by pivoting about at least one axis, and can slide between a closed position and an open position of the compartment, in which they are arranged coplanarly on the front of the compartment, and in which they are stacked on top of each other and stored along the side of the compartment in the open position.

[0022] Thus, the stacked fan blades can be hidden on the side of the compartment.

[0023] The fan blades can be hinged to each other about a common vertical axis or about two different vertical hinge axes.

[0024] In a preferred variation, the cylindrical element is slidably mounted on a parallel guide by means of a slider, such that the cylindrical element always moves horizontally as the slider slides on the guide. The slider may include, for example, a bracket with or without wheels, or a low-friction slider.

[0025] In a preferred variation, the cylindrical element has such weight, or sufficient weight, that it slides on the guide solely due to gravity to drag the fan blades. However, gravity can act not only on the cylindrical element to cause it to slide on the guide, but also on other elements integral with the cylindrical element.

[0026] Preferably, the cylindrical element includes a vertical wall integrally mounted therewith and movable therewith. More preferably, the cylindrical element includes—or is connected to—two vertical walls arranged orthogonally to each other and integrally mounted therewith. In a first variation, the two vertical walls are arranged in an L-shape relative to each other. In a second variation, the two vertical walls are arranged in a T-shape relative to each other. The vertical walls can cover the fan blades when they are concealed, protecting them from dust and their mechanical structure from accidental impacts.

[0027] One embodiment of the cylindrical element is, for example, an upright or translating structure. In particular, the cylindrical element is preferably a vertically placed, straight element, such as a rod, profile, or tubular element, and more preferably an element having a length in the vertical direction approximately the same as the height of the compartment and a width less than the depth of the compartment (measured along the depth of the compartment). For example, the width of the cylindrical element is less than 1 / 4, 1 / 5, or 1 / 6 of the depth of the compartment.

[0028] Preferably, the parallel guide members are inclined in such a way that their lowest ends face the rear of the compartment so that the cylindrical element is held in the second position by gravity. When the cylindrical element is in the first position, it is subjected to a restoring force that must be counteracted to hold the fan blades in the closed compartment position. The weight of the cylindrical element (and / or all or part of the components integral with it) is designed such that gravity acting on it alone is sufficient to drag the cylindrical element downwards—that is, toward the lower end of the guide members. It is also feasible to reverse the inclination of the guide members so that the cylindrical element is held in the first position by gravity.

[0029] In order to keep the columnar member stationary, the furniture fitting preferably includes an anchoring structure or device between the columnar member and the fixed part of the furniture fitting, which has the function of making the columnar member and the fixed part integral with each other for blocking the columnar member on the part and keeping it stationary in one of its two positions, particularly the first position.

[0030] Preferably, the anchoring structure or device includes a stop element movable between a position in which the columnar member is integral with the fixed portion and a position in which the columnar member and the fixed portion are disengaged. For example, the stop element may be a pin movable to insert itself into or disengage from a cavity in the fixed portion. The pin may be mounted on the columnar member and a cavity may be obtained in the fixed portion, and vice versa.

[0031] In particular, the fixing part may be one of the parallel guides that are obliquely mounted on the side of the furniture.

[0032] Preferably, the furniture includes a device or structure for synchronizing the movement of the fan blades and / or cylindrical components with the movement of the stop component or with the action of the anchoring structure or device. In this way, the user does not need to worry about unlocking the stop element and avoids accidental jamming of the cylindrical component during movement.

[0033] In one variation, the device or structure used for synchronization is equipped with a sensor that is used for:

[0034] (i) Detect the position of the fan blades and / or cylindrical components, and

[0035] (ii) Drive the stop element or anchoring structure or device according to the detected position.

[0036] The sensor can be electrical, electromechanical, or purely mechanical. In the first two cases, there may be electronic circuitry that drives the movement of the stop element based on commands from the user and / or the position of the cylindrical element and / or the fan blades. In one variant, the sensor consists of, for example, a mechanical sensing element (e.g., a rod) mounted to protrude from the cylindrical element, the mechanical sensing element being configured such that:

[0037] Intercept one end of the fan blade moving along the L-shaped guide.

[0038] Displaced due to contact with that end, and

[0039] The stop element or anchoring structure or device is driven by its own movement caused by that end.

[0040] In order to transmit the motion of the mechanical sensing element to the stopping element, the sensing element can be directly connected to the stopping element, or connected to the stopping element via a kinematic chain—such as a series of rods or gears.

[0041] Preferably, for simplicity of construction, one or each of the parallel guides, which are obliquely mounted on the side of the furniture, is a profile rod. Attached Figure Description

[0042] The advantages of the invention will become clearer from the following description of preferred embodiments of furniture and household items with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0043] Figure 1-3 A three-dimensional rear view of the furniture is shown, showing the displacement sequence of the fan blades.

[0044] Figure 4 A top view of the furniture is shown;

[0045] Figure 5-6 The components of the furniture are shown in two different operating configurations;

[0046] Figure 7 Optional details about the furniture and accessories are shown.

[0047] In the diagram, the same labels indicate the same or conceptually similar parts, and the elements are described in the state of use. Detailed Implementation

[0048] The furniture item MC according to the invention comprises a module formed by compartments defining an outwardly open space and being defined by: a bottom 22, a top 24, two vertical sidewalls 26 spaced apart from each other by the width of the compartment 20, and a rear wall 28. The compartment 20 forms a front opening that can be covered by two fan blades 30, 32 that slide in front of the compartment 20.

[0049] However, one can create larger pieces of furniture by juxtaposing some modules or compartments 20.

[0050] Fan blades 30 and 32 can move in front of compartment 20 with a bellows-like motion to close it or make it accessible from the outside. During movement, fan blades 30 and 32 remain vertical and change their relative positions and positions relative to compartment 20. When compartment 20 is closed, fan blades 30 and 32 are adjacent to each other and coplanar. Figure 1 In order to expose compartment 20, fan blades 30 and 32 are movable to stack themselves one on top of the other on one side of compartment 20, i.e., fan blades 30 and 32 are arranged parallel to wall 26. Figure 3 ).

[0051] To achieve this movement, fan blades 30 and 32 are hinged to each other about a vertical axis Y1, allowing them to fold together like a book to expose the compartment or to be arranged coplanarly and close the compartment. The vertical axis Y1 can be a shared hinge axis of the two fan blades 30 and 32, or... Figure 1-3 As shown, there may be a fitting 31 between the fan blades 30 and 32, with each fan blade hinged to the fitting 31 around a different axis Y1.

[0052] The fan blade 32 has a free end furthest from the door 30. This free end is slidably connected to the L-shaped guide 80 via a bracket 32c to achieve a book-like foldable closing and opening of the fan blade.

[0053] Guide component 80 (see Figure 4 Located on top 24, the guide 80 includes two coplanar segments 82 and 84 connected to form an L-shape. Segment 82 is parallel to wall 28, while segment 84 is orthogonal to wall 28. Therefore, the guide 80 is able to first transport the end of the fan blade 32 from one end of compartment 20 to the other, and then continue transporting it to the vicinity of wall 28 as the fan blades 30 and 32 are stacked on top of each other. Figure 3One end of the fan blade 30 (which is the end that is opposite to the fan blade 32 and furthest from the fan blade 32 when the fan blades 30 and 32 are in the same plane) is hinged to the cylindrical element 60 around the vertical axis Y2. The cylindrical element 60 can be translated linearly in a direction parallel to the wall 26 (or in other words, orthogonal to the wall 28), as shown by arrow F.

[0054] In the example, column element 60 is a straight profile rod.

[0055] A cylindrical element 60—via a slider or bracket 62—is slidably mounted on a linear guide 64, which is mounted on the side of the compartment 20. The two guides 64 are parallel, spaced apart from each other, and inclined relative to the horizontal plane. The two guides 64 are, for example, straight rods or irregularly shaped rods. The slider or bracket 62 is also movably mounted in the cylindrical element 60 to slide along its length.

[0056] Due to the inclined guide 64, the cylindrical element 60 can be pulled towards the wall 28 by gravity. Since the sliding element 62 also runs vertically on the cylindrical element 60, it can only translate horizontally, that is, the element 60 can move linearly along the side of the furniture along the guide 64 parallel to the depth of the compartment 20, while always maintaining the same height from the floor and / or always remaining vertical.

[0057] The stroke of cylindrical element 60 allows it to move linearly between two positions (see arrow F): the first position adjacent to the opening of compartment 20. Figure 1 ) and the rear of compartment 20 (where there is wall 28, see Figure 3 The adjacent second position. When the cylindrical element 60 moves toward the first position, it pulls the stacked fan blades 30, 32 out of the side of the furniture and spreads them out in front of the compartment 20. When the cylindrical element 60 moves from the first position toward the second position, it pushes or accompanies the coplanar fan blades 30, 32, causing them to fold like a book, stack on top of each other, and arrange themselves to be stacked parallel to the side of the furniture MC.

[0058] Preferably, to better guide the cylindrical element 60, the upper horizontal linear guide 100 and the lower horizontal linear guide 102 are mounted on the side or edge of the furniture item MC, see [reference]. Figure 7 Guide components 100 and 102 are parallel to each other.

[0059] The cylindrical element 60 includes two corresponding brackets 110, 112 at its opposite ends, which can slide on guides 100, 102 by means of rollers 190. The rollers 190 have a vertical axis of rotation to stabilize the linear displacement of the cylindrical element 60 on the guides 100, 102.

[0060] The weight of the cylindrical element 60 is unloaded onto the bottom guide 102 via the corresponding bottom bracket 112. For this purpose, it is preferable that at least one roller or magnetic levitation slider with a horizontal axis of rotation is mounted on the bracket 112 for rolling or sliding on the guide 102.

[0061] To initiate the movement of the fan blades 30 and 32, the user only needs to pull the element 60 or accessory 31, which are preferably equipped with handles.

[0062] As can be seen from the figure, the inclined guide 64 tends to bring the cylindrical element 60 toward the rear wall 28 of the compartment 20 by gravity, so as to force it into the second position, corresponding to the open compartment 20 and the stacked fan blades 30, 32.

[0063] When the cylindrical element 60 is in the first position, it is subjected to the same restoring force.

[0064] Specifically, the movement of the columnar member 60 from its withdrawn position toward its position in the side seat of the furniture item MC can be caused by the weight of the bracket 62 sliding along the inclined guide 64. Preferably, the bracket 62 is rigidly connected by a connecting element or rod 130 extending parallel to the columnar member 60. The connecting element or rod 130 provides increased stiffness to the translation system, and its weight contributes to the aforementioned restoring force.

[0065] Preferably, one or each bracket 62 is equipped with casters for better sliding on the guide 64, and / or with brakes or shock absorbers to better balance the sliding stress on the guide 64. For example, the brake is a magnetic brake.

[0066] In order to keep the compartment 20 stably closed by the fan blades 30, 32, the furniture MC includes an anchoring device between the column member 60 and the fixed part of the furniture (e.g., wall 26 and / or guide 64), so that the column member 60 can be locked onto the compartment 20 to hold the column member 60 in a first position.

[0067] For simplicity of construction, the anchoring device is preferably installed in the column member 60 and includes a stop member (e.g., a pin) movable to insert into or disengage from the cavity 44 of the top guide member 64.

[0068] In one variation, the stop element may be, for example, a quick-acting type, meaning it can be pushed into the cavity 44 by a spring or its elastic deformation. In this case, the user would have to manually unlock the stop element to move the cylindrical element 60. To avoid this inconvenience, preferably, the furniture item MC includes a device or structure for synchronizing the movement of the fan blades 30, 32 and / or the cylindrical element 60 with the movement of the stop element. Thus, among other things, accidental jamming of the cylindrical element 60 during movement is prevented. In other variations, the stop element may be driven, for example, by an electric actuator.

[0069] Preferably, the anchoring device 40—in Figure 5 and 6 The diagram shows in detail a stop element 42 (e.g., a pin) movable to insert into or disengage from the cavity 44 of the fixed portion. The stop element 42 is movable relative to the block 46 mounted on the cylindrical element 60. A rod 48, pivoting on the block 46 by means of a fulcrum 48p, protrudes from the periphery of the block 46 and is capable of rotating through the free end of the fan blade 32 when it reaches near the cylindrical member 60 at its first rest position.

[0070] The lever 48 includes an arm 48a that is hinged to a second lever 52 via a link 50, the second lever 52 being pivoted via a fulcrum 52p in the block 46. The lever 52 includes an arm 52a that is hinged to a stop member 42.

[0071] When the fan blades 30 and 32 are coplanar, nothing is pressing on the rod 48 and the stop element 42 protrudes from the block 46 into the cavity 44. Therefore, the cylindrical element 60 is held in place and does not slide on the guide 64.

[0072] When fan blades 30 and 32 overlap, the free end of fan blade 32, guided by guide member 80, approaches the free end of rod 48 and squeezes it, causing it to rotate. This activates the linkage mechanism of device 40: arm 48a pushes rod 50, rod 50 pushes rod 52 to rotate around pin 52p. Then arm 52a pulls stop member 42, stop member 42 retracts into block 46 and exits cavity 44, thereby releasing cylindrical member 60 from compartment 20 and allowing cylindrical member 60 to move on guide member 64.

[0073] In the example shown, the stop element 42 is linearly movable, but different trajectories are also possible; for example, it may rotate about an axis or only about an axis.

[0074] In one different embodiment, the stop member 42 may engage in a recess provided in one of the brackets 62 to prevent the bracket 62 from sliding along the inclined guide 64. That is, the cavity 44 is formed in one or each of the brackets 62.

[0075] Preferably, the stop element 42 carries at least one sliding roller 140 at its free end to engage the seat 44 without obstruction.

[0076] Because all locking / unlocking elements are mounted on the cylindrical element 60, it is advantageous that all easily worn or damaged adjustment parts are readily accessible for replacement or repair. Additionally, since there are no parts on the furniture fittings MC, variability caused by the sum of positioning tolerances is minimized, resulting in a more stable system that is less sensitive to geometric changes during component and assembly processes.

Claims

1. Furniture and home furnishings (MC), including: - Compartment (20), the compartment having a front opening defined by a wall (26), a rear wall (28), and a top (24), - An L-shaped guide (80) arranged on the top of the furniture, - First and second fan blades (32, 30), joined together, such that they can be stacked on top of each other to expose the compartment or arranged coplanarly to close the compartment. The first fan blade (32) has a free end that is slidably coupled to the L-shaped guide (80) to allow the fan blade to close and open like a book. The L-shaped guide (80) is capable of first transporting the end of the first fan blade (32) from one end of the compartment (20) to the other end, and then transporting it to the vicinity of the rear wall (28) as the first and second fan blades (32, 30) are stacked on top of each other. -Columnar element (60), the columnar element: Hinged at one end of the second fan blade (30), Connected to two parallel guides (64) mounted at an angle relative to the horizontal plane on the side of the furniture, the cylindrical element (60) is able to: The furniture moves linearly along its side, parallel to the depth of the compartment, while maintaining the same height from the ground. It moves linearly between two positions: a first position adjacent to the opening of the compartment and a second position adjacent to the rear of the compartment. Connected to the inclined guide and the second fan blade, such that: As it moves toward and stops at the first position, it pulls out stacked fan blades from the side of the furniture and unfolds them in front of the compartment. As it moves toward and stays in the second position, it accompanies and / or pushes the coplanar fan blades to fold like a book, so that the fan blades themselves overlap each other and are arranged to be stacked parallel to the sides of the furniture.

2. The furniture (MC) according to claim 1, wherein, The cylindrical element (60) is a vertically arranged rod having a length approximately equal to the height of the compartment and a width measured along the depth of the compartment but less than the depth of the compartment.

3. The furniture (MC) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The cylindrical element (60) has such weight or sufficient weight that it can slide on the inclined guide by gravity alone to drag the fan blades (30, 32).

4. The furniture (MC) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The cylindrical element (60) is connected to two inclined guides (64) by means of a corresponding bracket (62), the bracket (62) having such weight or sufficient weight that the cylindrical element (60) slides on the inclined guides by gravity alone to drag the fan blades (30, 32).

5. The furniture (MC) according to claim 4, wherein, The brackets (62) for sliding the cylindrical element (60) on the inclined guide (64) are connected to each other by rigid elements (130) whose weights are sufficient or helpful to make the cylindrical element (60) slide on the inclined guide.

6. The furniture (MC) according to claim 1, comprising: Two auxiliary sliding members (100, 102) are mounted parallel and spaced apart on one side of the furniture, and, The cylindrical element (60) is slidably connected to the two auxiliary sliders (100, 102) by means of corresponding auxiliary brackets (110, 112) to slide horizontally and linearly along the side of the furniture.

7. The furniture (MC) according to claim 1, wherein, The inclined parallel guides (64) are tilted such that their lowest end faces the rear of the compartment, so as to hold the cylindrical element (60) in the second position by gravity.

8. The furniture (MC) according to claim 1, comprising an anchoring structure or device for anchoring the cylindrical element (60) and a portion of the furniture to make the cylindrical element (60) and the portion integral with each other to block the cylindrical element (60) on the portion and hold the cylindrical element in the first position.

9. The furniture (MC) according to claim 8, wherein, The portion of the item is a fixed part of the furniture item (MC).

10. The furniture (MC) according to claim 8, wherein, The portion of the furniture is a seat formed in a bracket (62) or in each bracket, and the columnar element (60) is connected to one of the two inclined guides (64) via the bracket.

11. The furniture (MC) according to claim 8, 9, or 10, wherein, The portion is one of the guides (64).

12. The furniture (MC) according to claim 8, 9, or 10, wherein, The anchoring structure or device is mounted on the columnar element (60).

13. The furniture (MC) according to claim 8, 9, or 10, wherein, The anchoring structure or device includes a stop element (42) that is movable between a position in which the cylindrical element (60) is integral with the portion and a position in which the cylindrical element (60) is disengaged from the portion.

14. The furniture (MC) according to claim 13, wherein, The stop element (42) can move in a straight line.

15. The furniture (MC) according to claim 13, wherein, The stop element (42) has a free end that is movable to selectively engage with the portion, and the free end is provided with a rolling element (140).

16. The furniture article (MC) according to claim 8, including a device or structure (40) for synchronizing the movement of the fan blades (30, 32) and / or the cylindrical element (60) with the action of the anchoring structure or device.

17. The furniture (MC) according to claim 16, wherein, The device or structure for synchronization includes a sensor that is used for: (i) Detecting the position of the fan blades and / or the cylindrical element, and (ii) Drive the anchoring structure or device according to the detected position.

18. The furniture (MC) according to claim 17, wherein, The sensor includes a rod (48) mounted to protrude from the cylindrical element (60) and configured such that: Intercept one end of the fan blade moving along the L-shaped guide (80). Displaced due to contact with that end, and The anchoring structure or device is driven by the movement initiated by one end.

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