Shelf fastening device

Abstract

The invention relates to a shelf fastening device (1) for supporting a shelf in a particularly efficient, safe and removable manner on a support structure, in particular on the side of, for example, a piece of furniture. Furthermore, the invention relates to a novel combination of the components of the shelf fastening device, such combination being designed to allow better control of the interaction between said components.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a shelf fastening device for supporting a shelf in a particularly efficient, safe and removable manner on a support structure, such as for example a side of a piece of furniture. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a new combination of components of a shelf fastening device, which combination is designed to allow better control of the interaction between said components. BACKGROUND

[0002] The patent EP2177129 discloses a shelf fastening device comprising a cylindrical containment housing and an engagement pin, which is housed in a slidable manner in the internal bore of said housing. The containment housing is adapted to be introduced into a corresponding seat, which is formed in a suitable manner in the thickness of a shelf and is accessible through an opening made on the head edge of the shelf. The pin is movable in an axial direction between a first position and a second position, in which the head of the pin is alternately projected and retracted with respect to the edge of the shelf, so that the head of the pin can be inserted into or removed from a corresponding engagement hole formed on a side of a piece of furniture, on the height of which the shelf is intended to be arranged.

[0003] The switching from the first position to the second position is achieved by means of opposite elastic means, in particular a compression coil spring, which is inserted in a coaxial manner with the pin into the containment housing and is configured to keep the pin in the projected position in the non-operating condition.

[0004] The second position is instead maintained in a precarious manner by means of snap coupling engagement means formed by the interaction of the pin and the containment housing.

[0005] In order to allow the manual maneuverability of the pin, i.e. without the use of tools, the pin is connected to a control slide, which is formed by a flat plate-shaped piece that can slide on the external surface of the containment housing in a direction parallel to the extension of the pin and is arranged to cover the exposed part of the housing positioned on the lower face of the shelf.

[0006] In particular, the containment housing comprises a body portion having a substantially Ω-shaped cross section, so as to define therein a pin sliding hole for the pin, the foot edge of the body portion comprising two flat portions parallel to the opposite lateral edges of the control slide that engage in a slidable manner.

[0007] However, the fact that the control plate-shaped piece slides externally to the body of the housing increases the thickness of the device, in particular at the part of the control plate-shaped piece that is visible externally, compromising the aesthetic appearance of the piece of furniture.

[0008] To overcome this drawback, there are devices as described in the Italian Utility Model No. 202017000034109, in which the containing housing comprises a flat base adapted to be arranged against the lower surface of the shelf, said base being provided with a concave seat defined by a pair of parallel edges adapted to cooperate with the opposite lateral edges of the control slide to guide the sliding movement of the control slide so that the outer surface of the slide is flush with the outer surface of the flat base. In particular, the slide comprises an engagement body fitted in a fitting opening of the pin to control the pin by means of said slide. The pin then slides within a hole made in said housing formed by a single piece.

[0009] This fact of the slide engaging the pin through the engagement body entails a certain complexity both in assembly and in manufacturing. Moreover, the two pieces can separate during the movement of the packaging piece.

[0010] When the need arises to design the pin with different capacity characteristics, the housing made by a single piece also complicates the manufacturing of the internal hole of the pin and of the corresponding reversible retaining tooth.

[0011] When the engagement hole in the wall of the furniture piece is reduced, the hole of the pin designed to receive the above-mentioned engagement body of the slide does not allow the insertion of a reinforcing core, for example made of steel, or, when the pin is made of plastic, the hole of the pin designed to receive the above-mentioned engagement body of the slide does not allow the insertion of a reinforcing core, for example made of steel, to obtain a load support reinforcement.

[0012] Finally, it is also important that the stresses undergone by the pin and by the various components of the body for engaging the respective slide can cause wear or separation of the components in the long run. SUMMARY

[0013] The aim of the present invention is to solve the drawbacks described above with regard to the shelf fastening devices of the prior art.

[0014] The first aim of the present invention is therefore to provide a shelf fastening device comprising components designed to allow a very good management of the stresses undergone by the components.

[0015] The second aim is to provide a shelf fastening device which can be easily modified during manufacturing to adapt the shelf fastening device to specific functional needs.

[0016] The third aim is to provide a shelf fastening device which is particularly robust and versatile.

[0017] The aforesaid objects mentioned above, as well as other objects that will become more apparent hereinafter, are achieved by a shelf fastening device as defined in claim 1. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0018] Further features and advantages of the present application will become more apparent hereinafter from the description of some embodiments thereof, provided purely by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the annexed drawings, in which: FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B show, respectively, a top perspective view and a bottom perspective view of an exploded view of a shelf fastening device according to the present application; FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B show, respectively, a top perspective view and a bottom perspective view of an exploded view of the housing of the device of Figure 1; FIGS. 3A-3C show, respectively, a side view, a bottom view and a cross-sectional view with split core along the line III-III of the pin of the device of Figure 1; FIG. 3A FIGS. 4A-4E show, respectively, a top perspective view, a bottom view, an open side view with pin shown in longitudinal cross-section, a front view and a top view of the shelf fastening device of Figure 1 when assembled; FIGS. 5A-5C show, respectively, a bottom view, an open side view with pin shown in cross-sectional view and a top view of a shelf fastening device according to a first variant of the present application; FIGS. 6A-6D show, respectively, a bottom view, an open side view with pin shown in cross-sectional view, a front view and a top view of a shelf fastening device according to a second variant of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] In the following description, terms such as "above", "below", "higher", "lower", "upwards", "downwards" and the like refer to the shelf fastening device in its own normal operating configuration, i.e. when in use. In particular, this configuration sets the device to be inserted into a seat formed in the thickness of a planar piece or shelf, so that only the functional part of the pin protrudes from the edge of said planar piece or shelf.

[0020] With reference to FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B , the shelf fastening device of the present application is indicated as a whole by reference number 1 and comprises a housing 2 within which a pin 3 for engaging with a hole of a wall of a piece of furniture (not shown) slides, and on which an actuation elastic element 4 is housed.

[0021] As FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B ​As shown in the figures, advantageously, the housing 2 is formed by a first half-shell 5 and a second half-shell 6 extending rectilinearly about the longitudinal axis X-X. The two half-shells 5 and 6 can be fixed to each other so as to define a pin sliding hole 20 of the pin 3, to engage and receive the elastic element 4 aligned with the pin.

[0022] In particular, each first half-shell 5 and second half-shell 6 comprises a first portion 50, 60 and a second portion 51, 61 made in a single piece, wherein preferably the first portion 50, 60 has a smaller diameter than the diameter of the second portion 51, 61. Moreover, the first portion 50, 60 cooperates to form an axial bottom 21 of the housing (see figure 2) which is closed or substantially closed, so as to form an abutment against which the elastic element 4 rests in a fixed manner. The second portion 51, 61, on the other hand, cooperates to define an axial opening 22 of the housing 2, opposite the bottom 21, from which the pin 3 protrudes. FIG. 4B 、 FIG. 4C 、 FIG. 4E

[0023] The edges of the first half-shell 5 and of the second half-shell 6 can be fixed to each other by gluing, welding or using mechanical means.

[0024] According to a preferred embodiment, near the bottom 21, the wall of the first portion 50, 60 comprises engagement means 52, 62 (see figure 2). Preferably, the engagement means are a pair of elastic tongues 62 which engage with a corresponding groove 52, for example, the elastic tongues 62 extend radially from the vacant edge of the first portion 60 of the second half-shell 6, while the groove 52 is formed radially on the surface of the first portion 50 of the first half-shell 5. FIGS. 2A-2B

[0025] The second portion 51 of the first half-shell 5 and the second portion 61 of the second half-shell 6 have a semi-Ω cross-section with a semi-cylindrical portion 53, 63 and a flat portion 54, 64, respectively. These second portions 51, 61 are also engaged using engagement means 55, 65. Preferably, the engagement means are a radial tongue 65 of the second half-shell 6 and a corresponding radial groove 55 of the first half-shell 5. Next to the engagement means 55, 65, centring / interlocking means 56, 66 are formed, and preferably comprise a pair of radial pins 66 which engage with a corresponding hole 56, for example, the pair of radial pins 66 is formed next to the tongue 65 and the hole 56 is formed next to the groove 55.

[0026] The flat portion 54 of the first half-shell 5 and the flat portion 64 of the second half-shell 6 define a radial opening 23 (see figure 2) through which the pin 3 protrudes. FIGS. 2A-2B ​​), so that the slider of the pin 3 slides axially, as described below. This opening is connected by a radial edge 24 with the half-cylindrical portions 53, 63. Furthermore, the flat portions 54, 64 comprise recesses 57, 67 (which can be observed better in FIG. 2B ); these recesses form seats for receiving the slider of the pin 3 when the half-shells are assembled together, as described below. In particular, each recess 57, 67 shows a guide 58, 68 in which one of the two opposite and parallel edges of the slider slides.

[0027] Furthermore, preferably, at the axial opening 22 with respect to the casing 2 there are further engagement means 59, 69. These engagement means are preferably a radial elastic tongue 69 which projects towards the hole 20 of the casing and is positioned adjacent to the flat portion 64 of the second portion 61 of the second half-shell 6, and a corresponding recess 59 which is formed on the second portion 51 of the first half-shell 5 in diametrically opposite position.

[0028] Furthermore, the casing 2 generally comprises means 7 for locking the sliding of the pin 3 in a reversible manner. Preferably, said means are elastic teeth facing the hole 20 of the casing and are positioned on the wall of the cylindrical portion 53, 63 of the second portion 51, 61 of each half-shell 5, 6.

[0029] With reference to FIGS. 3A-3C , advantageously, the pin 3 comprises a preferably cylindrical body 30 for sliding inside the casing 2, provided with a radial projection 31 for connecting with the slider 32, to control the axial displacement of the pin. It should be noted that the cylindrical body, the projection and the slider are made in a single piece.

[0030] Preferably, the body 30 is internally hollow ( FIG. 3C ) and comprises a closed bottom 33, from which preferably a straight hole 34 extends, which terminates with an opening 35 opposite said bottom. Preferably, the hole 34 is divided into a first portion 36 which extends from said bottom up to about half the total length of the hole and a second portion 37 which extends on the remaining part of the length of the hole up to the opening. The first portion is for receiving a reinforcing core 8 of the body 30, while the second portion is for at least partially receiving the elastic element 4 described above. The reinforcing core 8 can be made, for example, of steel. Furthermore, preferably, the outer surface of the body 30 comprises reliefs or recesses 38 (which can be observed better in FIG. 3A ) for reversibly engaging with the locking means 7 of the first half-shell 5 and of the second half-shell 6, as described below.

[0031] The elastic element 4 is any straight elastic body that can be compressed and return to its original shape; for example, such as FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B As shown, the element is a helical spring, but the element can also be a body made of rubber.

[0032] The shelf fastening device 1 of the present invention is easy to assemble considering the following process: the core 8 is first inserted into the hole 34 of the cylindrical body 30 of the pin 3 until the core 8 abuts against the closed bottom 33. Subsequently, the elastic element 4 is also at least partially inserted into the hole 34 to abut against the core ( FIG. 4C At this point, the elastic element 4 is compressed, and the pin, thus manufactured, is arranged on one of the first half of the housing 5 and the second half of the housing 6, such that the protrusion 31 abuts against the radial edges 24 of the flat portions 54, 64 of the second portions 51, 61 of both the first half of the housing 5 and the second half of the housing 6. In this position, the elastic element 4 is released to abut against the bottom 21 of the housing 2. Finally, the other half of the housing is engaged to the half of the housing on which the pin is arranged by the engaging devices 52, 62 of the first portions 50, 60, and the engaging devices 55, 65 of the second portions 51, 61, additional engaging devices 59, 69, and centering / interlocking devices 56, 66. FIGS. 4A-4E ).

[0033] like FIG. 4C As shown, the assembled shelf fastening device 1 includes a pin 3, which is slidably enclosed within the housing 2 to partially protrude from the opening 22. The pin is held in this position due to the thrust exerted by the elastic element 4 on the core 8, and due to the stop of the protrusion 31 of the pin 3 against the axial edges 24 of the flat portions 54, 64 of the second portions 51 of the first half of the housing 5 and the second half of the housing 6. FIG. 4C ).

[0034] The shelf fastening device 1 of the present invention operates in a completely conventional manner. In practice, when the device has been inserted into the thick portion of the shelf, such that substantially the entire housing 2 is received in a pre-fabricated suitable seating position, the shelf with the protruding pin 3 is inserted obliquely into the furniture piece, for example, obliquely between the two shoulders. At this point, the shelf is straightened so that the pin retracts into the housing 2 by overcoming the resistance of the elastic element 4 upon impact with the shoulder. In this position, the shelf can slide upward to the desired height, at which point the pin 3 abuts against and protrudes from the corresponding hole formed on the shoulder to be inserted into the hole and securely lock the shelf in position. To remove the shelf or shift the height of the shelf, it is only necessary to operate the slider 32 to push the following portion of the pin 3 into the housing 2, thereby activating the locking device 7: the length of this portion is greater than the length of the protruding portion of the pin.

[0035] It should be noted that the movement of the slider is carried out on the aforementioned seated portion formed on the flat base, so that the outer surface of the slider is flush with the outer surface of the flat base.

[0036] It should be noted that, as described above, the pin 3 is preferably formed of a hollow cylindrical member 30, which is adapted to partially accommodate the reinforcing core 8 and the elastic element 4. Alternatively, if the shelf is not designed to support a large height, the hollow cylindrical member may be made wholly or partially of a solid plastic material to allow for the installation of elastic elements that can vary as needed.

[0037] In addition, the housing 2 may include reinforcing ribs 9 on its outer surface to better engage with the seating portion of the thickness portion of the shelf. FIG. 2A and FIG. 4D ).

[0038] Reference FIGS. 5A-5C The diagram shows a variation of the aforementioned shelf fastening device in its assembled and operational state. Specifically, the device 100 includes the same housing 2 as the aforementioned housing, and therefore shares the same reference numerals in the figures. The pin 300 is modified at the body 303, but remains unchanged for the protrusion 310 and the slider 320. In fact, the body is formed from a hollow cylindrical member open at the first end 301 and the second end 302. Furthermore, the internal hole 304 includes a first portion 305 and a second portion 306, in which the protrusion of the core 800 interlocks, and the second portion 306 engages with a portion of the elastic element 400. In this way, as... FIG. 5B As shown, the core 800 protrudes from the opening 22 of the housing 2 on one hand and contacts the end of the elastic element 400 on the other hand, while the opposite end of the elastic element abuts against the bottom 21 of the housing 2.

[0039] As described above, the device 100 operates in the same manner: after the device 100 with the protruding core 800 is installed on the shelf, the shelf is inserted obliquely into the furniture piece, and then the shelf is aligned so that the pin 300 retracts, thereby positioning the core 800 into the housing 2 and compressing the elastic element 400. In this position, the shelf is brought to a position where it engages with the hole in the shoulder of the furniture piece, thereby allowing the pin to protrude and securely fixing the shelf in place. To remove the shelf or to shift the height of the shelf, it is only necessary to operate the slider 320 to push the following portion of the pin 300 into the housing 2 to activate the locking device 7: the length of this portion is greater than the length of the protruding portion of the core 800.

[0040] The advantage of this embodiment is that a solid joint can be achieved by using a core made of steel with a reduced diameter, thereby saving plastic material used in the manufacture of the cylindrical body 303.

[0041] FIGS. 6A-6D Another variant embodiment 110 is shown, in which the housing 2 corresponds to the housing already described above and has the same reference numerals. The pin 330 is identical in terms of the cylindrical body 303 and the slider 320 with the protrusion 310, while the core 880 includes a first portion 881 and a second portion 882, the first portion 881 for engaging with a first portion 305 of the hole 304 in the body 303, and the second portion 882 protruding from a first end 301 of the body. In particular, the second portion 882 has a diameter larger than that of the first portion 305 but still smaller than that of the opening 22 of the housing 2. Thus, a pin with a core adapted to the size of a hole larger than a standard hole formed on the shoulder of a furniture piece can be provided. More generally, the pin designed according to these two variants—which has a cylindrical body open at least at the end facing the opening of the housing—advantageously allows for changing the size of at least a portion of the core that engages with the hole in the shoulder of the furniture piece, thereby allowing for adjustment of the shelf fastening device according to the invention in a simple and cost-effective manner.

[0042] In summary, it is clear that the shortcomings of existing shelf fastening devices have been overcome, while the main advantages have been achieved.

[0043] First and foremost, it allows the avoidance of the complexity of manufacturing housings made from individual parts, which requires complex manufacturing operations to accommodate internal components, such as the aforementioned pin locking device, depending on specific needs.

[0044] Secondly, providing the body of the pin with a single part having protrusions and sliding elements allows for the avoidance of splitting into multiple parts, thereby avoiding the risk of separation or wear at the contact point leading to failure.

[0045] Furthermore, according to the prior art, the connection between the cylindrical body and the sliding member in the pin position does not allow for the formation of holes in the body, especially in cases where a higher degree of robustness of the shelf fastening device is required to accommodate the reinforcing core.

[0046] The shelf fastening device of the present invention is also readily modifiable within the capabilities of those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of protection defined by the appended claims.

[0047] For example, the above implementation can be modified according to specific needs or preferences without changing the function of the components.

[0048] As described above, in the assembly between the pin body and the core, the material can be plastic, metal and its alloys, or a combination of the above.

Claims

1. A shelf fastening device (1, 100, 110), the shelf fastening device (1, 100, 110) comprising a hollow housing (2) extending along a linear axis (XX), and an elastic element (4) disposed in a hole (20) inside the housing (2), the elastic element (4) being compressible by means of a pin (3, 300, 330) slidable in the hole, characterized in that, The housing (2) is formed by both a first half-shell (5) and a second half-shell (6), which are fixed together along their respective contact edges by gluing, welding or mechanical means. The pin (3, 300, 330) comprises a single piece formed by a body (30, 303) and a protrusion (31), the body (30, 303) being slidable within the housing (2), and the protrusion (31) protruding radially from the body to connect with a slider (32, 320) thereby controlling the axial displacement of the pin.

2. The shelf fastening device (1, 100, 110) according to claim 1, wherein, The first half of the housing (5) and the second half of the housing (6) include corresponding first portions (50, 60) and second portions (51, 61), the first portions (50, 60) cooperating to form an axial bottom (21) of the housing (2), and the second portions (51, 61) defining an axial opening (22) opposite to the bottom to allow at least a portion of the pins (3, 300, 330) to protrude.

3. The shelf fastening device (1, 100, 110) according to claim 2, wherein, The first half of the outer casing (5) and the second half of the outer casing (6) include connecting devices (52, 62) formed on the wall of the first part (50, 60) at the bottom (21).

4. The shelf fastening device (1, 100, 110) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein, The second part (51, 61) includes a semi-cylindrical part (53, 63) and a flat part (54, 64), and each of the second parts (51, 61) includes a connecting device (55, 65).

5. The shelf fastening device (1, 100, 110) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein, The connecting devices (52, 62, 55, 65) are respectively the elastic tongue (62, 65) located on the second half of the outer shell (6) and the corresponding groove (52, 55) located on the first half of the outer shell (5).

6. The shelf fastening device (1, 100, 110) according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the shelf fastening device (1, 100, 110) further comprises a centering / interlocking device (56, 66) formed next to the connecting device (55, 65) of the second part (51, 61).

7. The shelf fastening device (1, 100, 110) according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein, The flat portions (54, 64) define an opening (23) for sliding the slider (32, 320), the opening (23) being connected to the semi-cylindrical portions (53, 63) by means of a radial edge (24), and the protrusion (31) being for the protruding stroke end.

8. The shelf fastening device (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 7, wherein, The body (30) of the pin (3) includes a hole (34) and an opening (35), the hole (34) of the body (30) of the pin (3) having a closed bottom (33) facing the opening (22) of the housing (2), the opening (35) of the body (30) of the pin (3) being opposite to the bottom, the hole accommodating at least a portion of the reinforcing core (8) and the elastic element (4), the reinforcing core (8) abutting against the bottom (33), the at least a portion of the elastic element (4) protruding from the opening (35) of the hole (34) of the pin abutting against the bottom (21) of the pin.

9. The shelf fastening device (100, 110) according to any one of claims 2 to 7, wherein, The hollow body (303) is open at both the first end (301) and the second end (302), and the internal hole (304) includes a first portion (305) and a second portion (306), in which a portion of a core (800, 880) protruding from the body is interlocked in the first portion (305) of the hole (304), and the second portion (306) of the hole (304) is engaged by at least a portion of an elastic element (400) abutting against the bottom (21) of the pin (3).

10. The shelf fastening device (110) according to claim 9, wherein, The core (880) includes a first portion (881) and a second portion (882), the first portion (881) of the core (880) being used to engage with the first portion (305) of the hole (304) of the body (303), and the second portion (882) protruding from the first end (301) of the body and having a diameter larger than that of the first portion (305) of the body.

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