Joint element for a bed that can be assembled and disassembled

Abstract

Joint element (1, 1') for connection with a supporting frame (2) of a modular structure, in particular a collapsible and disassemblable bed (101), by means of removable connecting means, characterized in that it has the following: inner side surfaces (1d, 1e, 1'd, 1'e) which are provided with receiving spaces (11, 12, 13, 11', 12') at least for the detachable connecting means; and outer side surfaces (1a, 1b, 1'a, 1'b) excluding the receiving spaces (11, 12, 13, 11', 12') and excluding the connecting means.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a joint element for connecting to a supporting frame of a modular structure, in particular for constructing an assembly and disassembly bed. Beds that can be assembled at home without special tools and by carefully following the instructions are particularly popular.

[0002] However, the construction of such structures is not always intuitive, and if the instructions are not followed precisely, the finished product may not be aesthetically pleasing or its function and / or stability may be compromised.

[0003] In addition, two people are often required to assemble these beds because the parts that need to be assembled and connected are not easy to handle.

[0004] The object of the invention is to eliminate the above-mentioned disadvantages of known types of collapsible and disassemblable beds, which can be assembled extremely easily and without the use of special tools.

[0005] Within the scope of the above-mentioned task, one aim of the invention is to provide an assembly and disassembly bed which has an aesthetically high-quality appearance and in which any assembly and disassembly mechanism is not visible from the outside.

[0006] Another aim of the invention is that the bed according to the invention can be assembled by a single person, even if he or she is not experienced in DIY.

[0007] Another aim of the invention is to enable simple and quick assembly and disassembly of the structure.

[0008] Another goal of the modular bed in question is that it should be robust and durable.

[0009] Last but not least, it is an object of the invention to produce an assembleable and disassemblable bed using commercially available means and generally available materials, so that the assembleable bed is economically competitive.

[0010] This object, as well as these and other objectives, which will become even clearer from the following description, are achieved by a collapsible and disassemblable bed according to the invention, which has the technical features described in one or more of the appended claims. The dependent claims correspond to possible different embodiments of the invention.

[0011] In particular, according to a first aspect, the present invention relates to the fact that the composable structure, in particular the assembleable bed, comprises an articulated element which can be detachably connected to other additional and possible components of the bed by means of removable connecting means.

[0012] A special feature of this articulated element is that it has inner side surfaces, i.e. those facing the interior of the assembleable bed, which are provided with receiving spaces for removable connecting means and, where appropriate, also for centring means to enable connection to the other components, and outer side surfaces, i.e. those facing away from the inside of the assembled structure, which are ‘clean’, i.e. without the receiving spaces and without the connecting and centring means.

[0013] In this way, the applicant has created a self-supporting structure thanks to a single connecting element between the various parts of the frame, and also for the feet, side panels, and other accessories to be mounted. Furthermore, the clean external surfaces of the articulated element lend the assembled structure an extremely high aesthetic value.

[0014] The applicant has also envisaged the creation of articulated elements with different dimensions depending on the requirements to be met, in order to make the modular bed reproducible but also available in different ranges, all interchangeable by replacing or adding only a few parts.

[0015] For example, to change from a basic, build-up bed to a bed with side walls, simply replace the hinge element with an element of a suitable size. Preferably, the side walls have a corresponding blind hole on one of their contact surfaces, which is intended for connection to the inner side surface. The corresponding blind hole is intended to receive the second centering dowel and is aligned along a horizontal direction X, which is defined by the extension of a second centering dowel, with a second blind hole defined on the hinge element.

[0016] Advantageously, the center of the corresponding blind hole on the contact surface is defined at a distance from the innermost edge of the contact surface that is substantially between 8% and 16% (including extreme values) of the length between the innermost edge and the outermost edge of the contact surface; this distance is preferably between 10% and 14% (including extreme values), more preferably between 11% and 13% (including extreme values), and even more preferably equal to 12%. Further features and advantages of the invention will become clearer from the description of a preferred embodiment, by no means exclusive, of the buildable bed, which is illustrated by way of non-limiting example with reference to the attached figures. Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of an assembled and disassembled bed 101 having a first embodiment of the joint element 1; Fig. 2 in exploded view the bed 101 of Fig. 1, with enlarged detail of the contact surface 3a intended for connection to the inner side surface 1e (or 1d) of the joint element 1; the Fig. 3A and Fig. 3B in two opposite perspective views the first variant of the joint element 1; the Fig. 4A and Fig. 4B shows two opposite perspective views of a second variant of the articulated element 1'. Referring to the above figures, a preferred embodiment of an articulated and disassembled bed according to the invention is shown, designated in its entirety by the reference numeral 101, comprising an articulated element 1 or 1' that can be releasably connected to other components of the bed 101 by means of removable connecting means. Said other components are: cross members defining the supporting frame 2 of the bed 1 or 1', the feet 4 holding the bed 1 or 1' at a certain distance from the ground, and the safety side panels (or rails) 3, used, for example, for children's beds.

[0017] A feature of the assemble-and-disassemble bed 101 is that the joint element 1 or 1' has inner side surfaces 1d and 1e, or 1'd and 1'e, which are provided with receiving spaces 11 and 11' for the removable connecting means (not shown here), i.e. a threaded tension bolt and receiving spaces 12 and 13 or 12' for the first and second centering means, i.e. first and second centering dowels, respectively, to be connected to the other components 3 and 4.

[0018] In particular, the threaded draw bolt can be screwed onto a cylindrical nut, which can be actuated between a loose position and a locking position by a threaded pin. In other words, the threaded draw bolt, which is known per se, is screwed onto a sleeve and then inserted into the cylindrical nut, which is also known per se, onto which the threaded pin is screwed.

[0019] In addition, the buildable bed 101 has outer side surfaces 1a and 1b, or 1'a and 1'b without the receiving spaces 11, 12 and 13, or 11' and 12' and also without the connecting and / or centering means.

[0020] The receiving spaces are: a threaded bore 11 or 11' for the connecting means, a first blind bore 12 or 12' for the first centering means and a second blind bore 13 for the second centering means.

[0021] In a first embodiment, the joint element 1, which is in the Fig. 3A and Fig. 3B, two inner side surfaces 1d and 1e, each having two threaded bores 11 aligned along the extension direction Z of the joint element 1, and a single first blind bore 12 arranged between them.

[0022] The threaded holes 11 are intended for the aforementioned tension bolts, while the first blind hole 12 serves to accommodate the first centering dowel for the cross members of frame 2 to be mounted. On the cross members of frame 2, which are intended to be mounted on the joint element 1 or 1', corresponding unthreaded mounting holes 21 and centering holes 22 are provided to accommodate the connecting elements (tension bolts with cylindrical nuts) and the centering elements (additional dowels).

[0023] To operate the groove nut, suitable slots 20 are formed on the cross members of the frame 2.

[0024] Furthermore, the joint element 1 has, also on the two inner side surfaces 1e and 1d, a second blind bore 13 for a second centering dowel (not shown here) for the side wall 3 to be connected.

[0025] On the side wall 3, a corresponding blind hole 31 is defined on a contact surface 3a, i.e., on the surface intended for connection to the inner side surface 1e (or 1d) of the joint element 1. The corresponding blind hole 31 is intended to receive the second centering dowel. The second blind hole 13 and the corresponding blind hole 31 are aligned along a horizontal direction X, which is defined by the extension of a second centering dowel.

[0026] Each side wall 3 is then removably attached with suitable flat connectors 7.

[0027] The contact surface 3a has a length L which is measurable between its innermost edge and its outermost edge.

[0028] The center point CF of the corresponding blind bore 31 is defined, on the contact surface 3a, at a distance D from the innermost edge of the contact surface 3a. This distance D is substantially between 8% and 16% (including extreme values) of the length (L); this distance D is preferably between 10% and 14% (including extreme values), more preferably between 11% and 13% (including extreme values), and even more preferably equal to 12%.

[0029] The joint element 1 also has a lower surface 1c, which is removably mounted on the feet 4 and which has a threaded hole 11 arranged centrally on this surface 1c between two first centering holes 12. The threaded hole 11 and the first centering holes 12 serve for connection to the foot 4, which, in the corresponding position, has its own unthreaded receiving hole 41 and its own centering holes 42 for receiving the connecting means (tension bolt with cylindrical nut) and centering means (additional dowels). Finally, the joint element 1 has an upper surface 1f, which is clean, i.e., without holes (or projections) of any kind. A variant of the Fig. 4A and Fig.4B, provides that the joint element 1', whose height is less than that of the joint element 1 and which is therefore used in buildable beds without side walls 3, has two inner side surfaces 1'd and 1'e comprising two threaded holes 11' aligned along the extension direction Z of the joint element 1, and a single first blind hole 12' arranged between them. In this case too, the threaded holes 11' are provided for the tension bolts, while the first blind hole 12' serves to receive the first centering dowel for the cross member of the frame 2 to be mounted.

[0030] In this embodiment, no second blind bore is provided. The joint element 1' has a lower surface 1'c that can be removably mounted on the feet 4 and has a threaded bore 11' located centrally on this surface 1'c between two first centering bores 12'. The threaded bore 11' and the first centering bores 12' connect the foot 4 to the joint element 1'. In turn, the foot 4', in the corresponding position, has its own receiving bore 41 and its own centering bores 42 for receiving the connecting means (tension bolt with cylinder nut) and centering means (additional dowels).

[0031] Finally, the joint element 1', like the joint element 1, has an upper surface 1'f which is clean, i.e. without holes (or projections) of any kind.

[0032] From the above description it is thus clear how the invention fulfils the aim and achieves the stated objectives, and in particular it should be emphasized that a collapsible and disassemblable bed is realized which is very easy to assemble and which does not require the intervention of a skilled person or the use of special tools or instruments.

[0033] In particular, the creation of the articulated element connecting the frame and any accessories (feet, sides, etc.) allows the structure to be easily modified simply by replacing the parts to be connected to the aforementioned joint, creating a bed with clean lines and high aesthetic value, in which the assembly and disassembly mechanisms are hidden.

[0034] A further advantage of the invention is that the bed thus obtained is manufactured using commercially available means and commonly used materials, so that it is economically competitive.

[0035] The invention described may allow numerous modifications and variations, all of which fall within the scope of the inventive concept.

[0036] Furthermore, all details of the invention can be replaced by technically equivalent elements.

[0037] In practical implementation, the materials used and their dimensions can be varied as required, as long as they are compatible with the manufacturing purpose.

Claims

[1] Articulated element (1, 1') for connection to a supporting frame (2) of a composable structure, in particular an assemblable and disassemblable bed (101), by means of removable connecting means, characterized by that it has the following: inner side surfaces (1d, 1e, 1'd, 1'e) provided with receiving spaces (11, 12, 13, 11', 12') at least for the removable connecting means; and outer side surfaces (1a, 1b, 1'a, 1'b) without the receiving spaces (11, 12, 13, 11', 12') and without the connecting means. [2] Joint element (1, 1') according to claim 1, wherein it is intended to be detachably connected to other components (3, 4) of the bed (101). [3] Articulated element (1, 1') according to claim 2, wherein the other components (3, 4) comprise safety side walls (3) intended to be connected to the supporting frame for the bed (101). [4] Articulated element (1, 1') according to claim 2, wherein the other components (3, 4) comprise feet (4) for keeping the bed (101) raised from the ground. [5] Joint element (1, 1') according to one or more of claims 1-4, wherein the receiving spaces (11, 12, 13, 11', 12') comprise a threaded bore (11, 11') for the connecting means. [6] Joint element (1, 1') according to claim 5, wherein the receiving spaces (11, 12, 13, 11', 12') comprise a first blind bore (12, 12') for first centering means. [7] Joint element (1) according to claim 6, wherein the receiving spaces (11, 12) comprise a second blind bore (13) for second centering means. [8] Joint element (1, 1') according to one or more of claims 1-7, wherein the removable connecting means comprise a threaded tension bolt intended to be screwed onto a cylinder nut; the cylinder nut being operable by a threaded pin between a loose position and a locking position. [9] Joint element (1, 1') according to claim 8 when dependent on claim 6, wherein the inner side surfaces (1d, 1e, 1'd, 1'e) comprise at least one threaded bore (11, 11') for receiving the tension bolt and a first blind bore (12, 12') for receiving a first centering dowel; wherein preferably the inner side surfaces (1d, 1e, 1'd, 1'e) comprise two threaded bores (11, 11') and a single first blind bore (12, 12') arranged between them. [10] Articulated element (1, 1') according to one or more of claims 7-9, comprising a lower surface (1c, 1'c) which can be removably mounted on the feet (4) and which has the receiving spaces (11, 12, 11', 12') for the removable connecting means and for the centering means. [11] Joint element (1) according to one or more of claims 6-10 when dependent on claim 8, wherein the joint element (1) comprises, on at least one of the inner side surfaces (1e, 1d), a second blind bore (13) for centering a second centering dowel. [12] Assemblable and disassemblable bed (101), comprising a joint element (1, 1') according to one or more of claims 1-11. [13] Bed (101) according to claim 12, wherein the side wall (3), on a contact surface (3a) intended for connection to the inner side surface (1e, 1d), has a corresponding blind bore (31) for receiving the second centering dowel, wherein the second blind bore (13) and the corresponding blind bore (31) are aligned with each other along a horizontal direction (X) defined by the extension of a second centering dowel. [14] Bed (101) according to claim 12, wherein the center point (CF) of the corresponding blind bore (31), on the contact surface (3a), is defined at a distance (D) from the innermost edge of the contact surface (3a) which is substantially between 8% and 16% (extremes included) of the length (L) between the innermost edge and the outermost edge of the contact surface (3a), this distance (D) preferably being between 10% and 14% (extremes included), more preferably between 11% and 13% (extremes included), and even more preferably equal to 12%.

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