Reinforcement for reinforcing a furniture work surface, provided with an opening for receiving equipment
The telescopic reinforcement frame with adjustable stringers and crossbeams addresses installation challenges by enabling quick and cost-effective assembly, ensuring stable support for furniture worktops with openings.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- EP2023201477
- Authority / Receiving Office
- EP · EP
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2022-10-25
- Filing Date
- 2023-10-03
- Publication Date
- 2025-12-10
- Estimated Expiration
- 2043-10-03
AI Technical Summary
Existing reinforcement frames for furniture worktops with openings are cumbersome to install and may not adequately support heavy equipment, requiring tedious measurements and adjustments, and are not economically competitive.
A telescopic reinforcement frame with adjustable stringers and crossbeams that interlock via hooks and slots, allowing for quick assembly without prior measurements, ensuring stable support for the worktop.
Facilitates rapid and accurate installation of the reinforcement frame, providing stable support for furniture worktops with openings, reducing installation time and costs.
Smart Images

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Abstract
Description
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0001] The invention relates to the field of furniture, such as kitchen, bathroom, and / or storage units. More specifically, the invention relates to such furniture equipped with a worktop that includes at least one opening for the installation of furniture mounted on the worktop by passing through said opening.
[0002] The invention relates more specifically to a reinforcement frame for such a worktop, particularly at the edge of said opening and / or to prevent deformation of the worktop supporting the furniture installed through the opening. The invention also relates to a piece of furniture whose worktop is reinforced by such a reinforcement frame, as well as a method for installing said reinforcement frame on such a piece of furniture. EARLIER ART
[0003] It is common for furniture to include a cabinet with a work surface in its upper wall. In the case of certain furniture designed for specific uses, the work surface has at least one opening running through its thickness to accommodate one or more pieces of furniture. This is the case, for example: of a kitchen unit whose worktop is equipped with a hob and / or a sink, of a bathroom unit whose worktop is equipped with at least one toilet sink, of a storage unit whose worktop is equipped with a receptacle - potentially removable - which provides a storage compartment for various items or objects of varying weights, such as tools or clothing and / or toys.
[0004] In such cases, depending on its vertical extension, the unit has side panels attached to the ends of a longitudinal rear panel. The front of the unit is usually open, potentially enclosed by doors or curtains providing access to the interior. The worktop rests, via its side and rear edges, on the side and rear panels to which it is attached.
[0005] It is common for equipment installed on the worktop it passes through to be heavy and / or to support a heavy load during use. The worktop is then subjected to stresses that can cause deformation, which should be avoided. Such stresses can be particularly damaging at the edge of the opening and / or are likely to cause overall sagging of the worktop, especially along its length.
[0006] Therefore, it is common practice to equip the cabinet with a reinforcing frame installed under the worktop to strengthen its support. Such a reinforcing frame typically combines stringers and crossbeams, which are fixed to the vertical extension panels of the cabinet and onto which the worktop is placed on its underside.
[0007] It should be clarified from the outset that the concepts of front and rear, on the one hand, and lateral and longitudinal, on the other, are relative concepts considered from the perspective of an individual facing the piece of furniture. Similarly, the concepts of upper and lower—or other related concepts such as below, above, below, on, and under, for example—are relative concepts considered from the perspective of the furniture's vertical position on the floor.
[0008] In this context, a problem arises concerning the tediousness and time required for an installer to properly install the worktop at the furniture's installation site, and a potential risk of reduced effectiveness of the reinforcing frame in adequately supporting the worktop. Furthermore, different furniture pieces typically have varying dimensions and / or manufacturing tolerances that make preparing and / or installing the reinforcing frame difficult for the installer(s). US patent 2010 / 090072 A discloses a piece of furniture according to the preamble of claim 1. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] In this context, the invention relates to a reinforcement frame for a worktop of a piece of furniture which includes at least one opening for the installation of furniture equipment through it.
[0010] The invention also relates to a piece of furniture comprising a worktop which is reinforced by a reinforcing frame according to the invention.
[0011] The object of the invention is to overcome the problems and difficulties previously mentioned, concerning the difficulties of assembling a reinforcement frame for a worktop that includes a piece of furniture and which is equipped with said opening configured for the installation of said furniture equipment through it.
[0012] The aim is more specifically to propose such a reinforcement frame whose architecture and / or structure are ergonomic for an assembler, in order to facilitate a quick and correct installation of said reinforcement frame under the worktop of the furniture.
[0013] It should also be noted that such an objective falls within a competitive field, which could render a potential solution impractical due to the associated costs. Consequently, further research efforts are needed to develop a high-performing and economically competitive solution.
[0014] To achieve this, the invention proposes a piece of furniture according to claim 1.
[0015] It is hereby specified that the concepts of transverse, longitudinal, and vertical are relative concepts considered with regard to their perpendicular orientations in an orthonormal coordinate system. These concepts are subsequently used to characterize the various components of the reinforcing frame and / or the furniture on which the reinforcing frame is installed, with regard to the extension of the reinforcing frame along its transverse, longitudinal, and vertical directions of extension defined in the same orthonormal coordinate system.
[0016] In this context, synthetically according to a global approach to the invention, the stringers and the crossbeam(s) are arranged in a telescopic element allowing an assembler to adjust their extension according to the dimensions of the furniture. The end ends of the stringers are each equipped with a reinforcement support member, which cooperates by vertical interlocking with an interlocking member on a specific fastener, thus providing a connection between them. The end ends of the crossbeam(s) are each equipped with a support member for the crossbeam(s) by the stringers, which cooperates by vertical interlocking with an interlocking member on a specific stringer, selected from among a plurality of interlocking members distributed along the longitudinal extension of the stringers.
[0017] Therefore, firstly, during the assembly of the frame onto the furniture: The assembler can easily adjust the longitudinal extension of the stringers to match the actual longitudinal gap between the furniture's side panels; the assembler is not required to measure the actual longitudinal gap between the furniture's side panels before installing the stringers on the furniture; and the assembler is also not required to cut the stringers to a specific size based on a prior measurement of this actual longitudinal gap. The stringers are ready for immediate use by an assembler upon completion of their manufacture.
[0018] Secondly, after the installation of the stringers on the cabinet: The assembler can easily adjust the extension of the crossbeams according to the transverse spacing of the side rails previously installed on the furniture; the assembler is also spared the need to cut the crossbeams to a required dimension corresponding to said transverse spacing of the side rails. The crossbeams are thus immediately usable by an assembler upon completion of their manufacture.
[0019] It should be noted that the dimensions of the opening made through the worktop are usually specified by the furniture manufacturer. The installer is therefore generally exempt from measuring them prior to installing the reinforcement frame on the furniture.
[0020] This usually allows the assembler to install the stringers on the side panels of the cabinet at varying distances from the edges of the opening, depending on the specific reinforcement required for the worktop. The crossbar(s), if present according to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, being assembled to the stringers, this commonly constrains the assembler: ) either to use crossbeams of a predefined manufacturing extension for their assembly to the stringers according to an imposed spacing between them, ) or to adjust the dimension of the crossbeams according to any spacing between the stringers previously installed on the furniture.
[0021] It should also be noted that the upper faces of the stringers and crossbeams must be arranged in line with each other to ensure the stability of the work surface resting against the reinforcing frame.
[0022] Furthermore, the worktop is usually jointly supported not only by the reinforcing frame but also by the upper edges of the vertical extension panels of the cabinet. This creates difficulties in positioning the fasteners along the vertical extension of the cabinet panels.
[0023] To overcome this difficulty: ) The fixing devices include a plate with a straight upper edge, providing a positioning reference for the fixing device by aligning the upper edge of the plate with the edge of the upper edge of the wall on which the plate is fixed, ) the fit between the end pieces of the stringers and the fitting devices included in the fixing devices is calibrated by arranging the upper face of the stringers fitted onto the fixing devices and the straight upper edge of the plate coplanar, and consequently the upper edge of the side walls of the furniture to which the end pieces of the stringers are respectively fixed, and ) the fit between the end pieces of the cross pieces on the stringers is calibrated by arranging the upper face of the stringers and the upper face of the cross pieces fitted onto the stringers coplanar.
[0024] According to an advantageous embodiment, the interlocking on the one hand between the end ends of the stringers on the fastening members and on the other hand the end ends of the cross members on the stringers is of the hook type.
[0025] Specifically regarding the longerons, the support fitting at each end of each longeron consists of at least one hook that engages with a fitting on a bracket on the mounting plate. The ends of the longerons are supported by this bracket, which is attached to them via the at least one hook on each of their ends.
[0026] Advantageously: ) the hooks are formed by cutting and folding the plate, ) the hooks incorporate the fitting element assigned to said at least one hook, ) said at least one hook is integrated into each of the end pieces of each of the longitudinal members; ) the plates provide a guiding element for said at least one hook towards the fitting element with which it cooperates.
[0027] In one embodiment, each hook is arranged in a bracket incorporating a guide for a single hook that rests vertically against the upper edge of the bracket. The guide is located between a vertical face of the bracket and a wall of the furniture on which the fastener is mounted, the bracket being positioned a short distance longitudinally from said wall of the furniture. The hook is U-shaped, the base of which rests against the upper edge of the vertical face of the bracket when hooked by engaging the hook onto the bracket.
[0028] Another embodiment is preferred, in which there are two hooks at each end of the stringers, being transversely spaced apart.
[0029] Each hook has a slot for fitting into corresponding recesses in the mounting plate, with the bottom of the hooks bearing against these recesses. The recesses are positioned below the top edge of the mounting plate, extending from at least one vertical wall of the plate and extending longitudinally from a vertical wall used to mount the furniture fixing device.
[0030] According to one embodiment, each of the hooks is shaped into an arch that curves towards the base of the plate from which it originates. The base of the arch provides the receiving seats for the bottom of the hooks, each being edged vertically between a vertical edge of the arch and a lug formed at the transverse end of each seat.
[0031] In another example of how to make coat hooks, each hook is formed from a U-shaped profile that constitutes the base plate. The sides of the U-profile create a vertical extension rail that guides the hooks towards transverse tabs that are folded into the respective sides of the U-profile. The upper edge of these tabs forms the bases against which the hooks rest via their bottoms.
[0032] According to another approach to the methods of attaching the ends of the longerons to the fasteners, the longerons have sliding end sections mounted at each end of a mid-section of the longerons, as described later. These end sections of each longeron are respectively attached to the mounting plate of their respective fasteners, notably by welding.
[0033] Regarding the crossbeams, it is recalled here as previously mentioned, that the end ends of the crossbeams are each equipped with a crossbeam support element by the stringers, which cooperates by vertical interlocking with an interlocking element that includes a stringer which is assigned to it, selectively among a plurality of interlocking elements distributed according to the longitudinal extension of the stringers.
[0034] It should also be noted, as previously described, that the stringers can be installed on the unit in any location, including any location along any transverse extension of the unit's side panels. The stringers are spaced transversely apart, depending on the unit's configuration and / or the location of vulnerable areas of the worktop requiring reinforcement, such as the edges of any openings.
[0035] The crossbars are installed on the side rails by the assembler after the side rails have been installed on the cabinet. The telescopic arrangement of the crossbars allows their extension to be adjusted according to the transverse spacing between the side rails.
[0036] More specifically, the support elements equipping each end of each crossbeam are formed of hooking elements that cooperate by interlocking between slots provided by a longitudinal crenellated ramp present on each of the stringers. These hooking elements each comprise – at each end of the crossbeams – a pair of hooks longitudinally spaced apart, similar to the pair of hooks provided by the ends of the stringers as previously described.
[0037] The said crenellated ramp which comprises each of the stringers is made by notches which comprise the stringers according to their extension, at a constant pitch corresponding to the gap between the hooks which are provided on the end ends of the crossbeams.
[0038] Consequently, the assembler can not only adjust the extension of the cross members according to the transverse separation distance between the side members, but can also: ) easily fix the crossbeams to the stringers by hooking, regardless of the transverse separation gap between the stringers, thus relieving the fitter of the need to measure such a gap, ) install at least two of said crossbeams at a longitudinal distance from each other depending on the fragile areas of the work surface to be protected - in particular at least two crossbeams placed at the edge of the opening in the work surface.
[0039] To prevent excessive weakening of the longerons, the extent of the notches is limited. The notches are made along and at the edges of the respective longerons, which are oriented transversely towards each other. The notches extend on either side of each of these edges along two perpendicular segments—one horizontal and one vertical—which are respectively partially cut through the upper face of the longerons and through their respective vertical faces, which are oriented towards each other.
[0040] The vertical segment creates a bottom for the notches against which the hooks on the crossbeams are placed as a butt when they are assembled to the longerons. The vertical extension dimension of these notches—and more specifically of the vertical segment they contain—is calibrated by arranging the upper face of the longerons and the upper face of the crossbeams fitted onto the longerons in a coplanar fashion, as previously mentioned.
[0041] Regarding the telescopic arrangement of each of the longitudinal members and each of the cross members, these are subdivided into several sections arranged in extension of each other.
[0042] More specifically, each of the longerons and each of the cross members consists of a central section within which end sections are mounted to slide at each end of the central section. The end sections are housed within the central section, held oriented in a unidirectional direction of the respective extensions of the longerons and cross members. The end of each of the end sections protruding from the central section is equipped with a support member. The end sections can be individually secured in any protruding position from the central section that houses them, via a locking member.
[0043] Regarding the longerons more specifically, the end sections can be individually secured in position inside the middle section using a locking screw, such as one configured as a set screw. The locking screw is screwed onto the middle section, pressing it against the end section. The force exerted by the locking screw holds the end section against the inner face of a wall of the longeron.
[0044] Furthermore, the crenellated ramp is provided on the middle section of the longerons. The longitudinal extension of the crenellated ramp is limited to an area of the middle sections of the longerons – specifically in the central zone – which is located outside the optimal housing areas of the end sections within the middle sections of the longerons.
[0045] Regarding the sleepers more specifically, the end sections of each sleeper are vertically fitted onto the notched ramps of the respective stringers. This fitting locks the sleepers onto the stringers, preventing them from moving along the extension plane of the reinforcing structure. The installation of the work surface obstructs the vertical movement of the sleepers relative to the stringers.
[0046] In light of the foregoing, the invention relates to a piece of furniture comprising a worktop equipped with a reinforcing frame.
[0047] The reinforcing frame is of the type comprising: ) a set of two stringers, which are advantageously braced by a set of one or more crossbeams, for example at least two, ) assembly members perpendicular to each other of the crossbeams to the stringers, and ) attachment members of the reinforcement frame to the furniture via at least the longitudinal ends of the stringers which are respectively supported by the attachment members, said attachment members being secured to the furniture by screwing.
[0048] In this context, the invention is recognizable: in that the stringers and, where applicable, the crossbeams are each arranged in a telescopic element, in that the end ends of the stringers are each equipped with a support element for the reinforcement frame, which cooperates by vertical interlocking with an interlocking element that includes a fixing element assigned to it, in that, where applicable, the end ends of the crossbeams are each equipped with a support element for the crossbeams by the stringers, which cooperates by vertical interlocking with an interlocking element that includes the stringers, and in that a support plane for said working plane on the reinforcement frame is provided by calibrating said vertical interlocking of the crossbeams on the stringers and said vertical interlocking of the stringers on the fixing elements.
[0049] The interlocking of the longitudinal member ends onto the fasteners, and of the cross members ends onto the longitudinal members, is of the hooked type. This hooking is achieved, in particular, by vertically interlocking at least one hook, fitted to the longitudinal member or cross member ends, onto their respective fasteners.
[0050] More specifically, the support member equipping each of the end pieces of each of the spars is formed into at least one hook which cooperates with a fitting member which includes a bracket equipping a plate constituting the fixing member.
[0051] The hooks are formed by cutting and folding the plate and incorporate the interlocking element assigned to at least one hook, which is integrated into each end of each of the longitudinal members. The plates provide a guide element for at least one hook towards the interlocking element with which it cooperates.
[0052] More specifically, there are two hooks at each end of the stringers, spaced transversely apart. Each hook has a slot for fitting into the corresponding recesses in the mounting plate, with the bottom of the hooks bearing against these recesses.
[0053] The seats are positioned below the upper edge of the mounting plate, extending from at least one vertical wall of the plate, which runs longitudinally from a second vertical wall of the plate dedicated to mounting the fastening device on the furniture. Edges of the first vertical wall of the plate also serve as guides for the hooks leading to the seats.
[0054] The support elements equipping each end of each of the crossbeams are formed by a pair of hooks spaced longitudinally apart. The hooks cooperate by interlocking between slots formed by a longitudinal crenellated ramp present on each of the stringers.
[0055] In view of the telescopic arrangement of the stringers and crossbeams, each of these comprises a central section within which end sections are mounted sliding at each end of the central section, being kept oriented along a unidirectional direction of extensions respectively of the stringers and crossbeams.
[0056] The end of each of the end sections protruding from the middle section of the longerons and crossbeams is each equipped with a support member. The end sections of the longerons and crossbeams can be individually secured in any position protruding from the middle section that houses them, by means of locking members with which the middle sections of the longerons are each equipped.
[0057] Such blocking mechanisms are formed in particular: ) as regards the, the locking devices are formed of locking screws in position of the end sections of the longitudinal members inside the section which houses them; ) as regards the cross members, the locking devices are formed by the fitting of the end sections of the cross members jointly respectively onto the longitudinal members.
[0058] The invention relates to a piece of furniture comprising a worktop with an opening for receiving equipment. The furniture is equipped with a reinforcing frame extending under the worktop and attached to the side walls of the furniture via end caps of the longitudinal members.
[0059] Other specific characteristics of a piece of furniture of the invention, which are not restrictive with regard to other characteristics that a piece of furniture relating to the invention may have, are as follows: The upper faces of the stringers and, where applicable, of the crossbeams are positioned along a horizontal support plane for the work surface which is defined by the upper edges of the side walls of the furniture to which the ends of the stringers are respectively fixed via said fixing devices equipping the reinforcement frame.
[0060] The reinforcing frame and the upper edges of the furniture's side panels are coplanar. This feature is advantageously achieved through a calibrated vertical interlocking between the ends of the stringers and the mounting plate that forms part of the fastening system.
[0061] Advantageously, the upper edge of the plates on each of the fasteners securing the ends of the stringers to the side walls of the furniture provides a vertical positioning reference for the reinforcement frame relative to the horizontal support plane. The upper edge of the plates borders the upper edge of the side walls of the furniture to which the ends of the stringers are respectively attached via their respective fasteners. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0062] The invention will be better understood upon reading the following detailed description of various embodiments, in relation to the following figures: There figure 1 is an exploded perspective illustration of a piece of furniture according to the invention, comprising a work surface with an opening for receiving equipment. On the figure 1The unit is equipped with a reinforcement frame for the worktop. figure 2 is an exploded perspective illustration of the reinforcing frame shown on the figure 1 . There figure 3 is a partial perspective illustration of an example of the realization of a telescopic component included in the reinforcing frame shown on the Figures 1 And 2 . There figure 4 is a partial perspective illustration of a telescopic spar included in the reinforcing frame shown on the Figures 1 And 2 On the figure 4 The longitudinal member is shown in its initial installation position on a fastening element included in the reinforcing frame. figure 5 is another partial perspective illustration, from a different viewpoint, of the telescopic spar and the fastening element as illustrated on the figure 4 . There figure 6is a partial cross-sectional illustration, along a vertical and horizontal plane, of the telescopic spar and the fastening element as illustrated on the Figures 4 and 5 . There figure 7 is a partial perspective illustration of a telescopic spar included in the reinforcing frame shown on the Figures 1 And 2 On the figure 7 The longitudinal member is illustrated in its initial installation position on a fastening element included in the reinforcing frame, according to a second example of the embodiment of said fastening element. figure 8 is another partial perspective illustration, from a different viewpoint, of the telescopic spar and the fastening element as illustrated on the figures 6 and 7 . DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0063] The figures and their detailed, non-limiting descriptions set forth the invention in particular ways which are not restrictive as to the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.
[0064] Furthermore, to avoid overloading the figures and thus facilitate their reading, the reference numbers assigned to the terms and / or concepts used to describe the invention and indicated on any of the figures are potentially repeated in the description of any other figure without implying their presence on all the figures.
[0065] On the figure 1 A piece of furniture 1 extends along the three directions of an orthonormal coordinate system, including a vertical direction V1, a longitudinal direction L1, and a transverse direction T1. The orthonormal coordinate system is indicated on the entire set of figures 1 to 8 , and is subsequently used to describe the various examples of implementation of the invention.
[0066] The unit 1 is conventionally arranged as a cabinet with vertical extension panels, including two side panels 2a and a rear panel 2b. The unit 1 has an upper worktop 3 designed to be installed on the upper edges of the vertical extension panels 2a, 2b. The worktop 3 has an opening 4 extending through its thickness, for the installation of equipment designed to be installed by extending vertically through the opening 4 in the worktop 3.
[0067] However, the opening 4 weakens the worktop 3, which must withstand a potentially significant load due to the installation and use of the equipment on the unit 1. Therefore, in this case, the unit 1 is commonly equipped with a reinforcing frame 5 that supports the worktop 3 against deformation—particularly bending—or damage to the edges of the opening 4.
[0068] Traditionally on the Figures 1 And 2The reinforcing frame 5 comprises two longitudinal members 6 extending between the walls of the cabinet 1, the longitudinal members 6 being transversely braced by one or more cross members 7. It should be noted that the cross members 7 are present in certain embodiments according to the invention, but that in other embodiments, these cross members 7 are not present. When the cross members 7 are present, they are assembled to the longitudinal members 6 via their respective ends. The reinforcing frame 5 is also equipped with fasteners 8 for the ends of the longitudinal members 6, which are attached to the side walls 2a of the cabinet 1. The fasteners 8 are commonly fixed to the side walls 2a of the cabinet 1 by screwing, as illustrated, for example, in the Figures 5 And 6 .
[0069] In this context, according to one aspect of the invention, the longitudinal members 6 and the cross members 7 are each arranged as a telescopic element, as illustrated for example partially in isolation on the figure 3 Such a telescopic member comprises a central section 9 within which end sections 10 are mounted to slide at each end of the central section 9, only one end section 10 being shown in the figures 3 to 8 . The end sections 10 can emerge out of the middle section 9 along a predefined course, dependent on the end sections 10 being kept inside the middle section 9 following a unidirectional extension of the stringers 6 and cross members 7.
[0070] The longitudinal members 6 and the cross members 7 are thus telescopic, allowing an installer of the reinforcing frame 5 on the unit 1 to symmetrically adjust their extensions by extending the end sections 10 beyond the central section 9, which houses them at each end. When the cross members 7 and / or the longitudinal members 6 are the ideal size for installing the reinforcing frame 5 on the unit 1, the end sections 10 are secured relative to the central section 9 by means of locking mechanisms.
[0071] For example, with regard to the longerons 6, the end sections 10 can be secured to the middle section 9 of the longerons 6 by means of locking devices with which the middle section 9 of the longerons 6 is equipped, such as via locking screws 11 as illustrated for example on the figure 6 .
[0072] Regarding the crossbeams 7, the end sections 10 of the crossbeams 7 are immobilizable on the stringers 6 as a result of their attachment to the stringers 6, as described later in relation to figures 11 and 12.
[0073] The ends of the end sections 10 of the longitudinal members 6 are each equipped with a support member 12 of the reinforcing frame 5, which cooperates by vertical interlocking with an interlocking member 13a which comprises a fastening member 8 assigned to it, as for example according to said interlocking members 13a which are illustrated on the figures 4 to 8 .
[0074] According to these illustrated examples, each end of the end sections 10 of the stringers 6 is equipped with a support member 12 of the reinforcing frame 5 which is arranged in at least one hook 14. Said at least one hook 14 cooperates by vertical interlocking with said interlocking member 13a which comprises a bracket 15 provided by a plate 16 constituting said fixing member 8.
[0075] The coat hook 15 incorporates a vertical guide 17 for the ends of the end sections 10 of the longitudinal members 6 towards a seat 18 receiving at least one hook 14 assigned to them, via the bottom 14a of a slot 14b in them. The guide 17 and the seat 18 are formed by a first vertical wall 16a of the plate 16, which extends at a longitudinal distance from the side wall 2a of the furniture 1. More specifically, the seat 18 is formed by at least one transverse extension slice of the first vertical wall 16a of the plate 16. The guide 17 is formed: ) either by vertical slices 16c of the first vertical wall 16a of the plate 16, as illustrated on the figures 4 to 6 , ) either between lateral walls 16d of vertical extension of the plate 16, as illustrated on the figures 7 And 8 and on figure 9.
[0076] According to the examples of implementation illustrated on the figures 4 to 8 , the interlocking member 13a is provided by a said first vertical wall 16a of the plate 16 which extends at a longitudinal distance from a second vertical wall 19 of the plate 16 via which the fixing member 8 is fixed by screwing onto one of the lateral walls 2a of the furniture 1.
[0077] More specifically, according to the example of implementation illustrated on the figures 7 to 8 , the first vertical wall 16a of the plate 16 is formed by folding two said lateral walls 16d of vertical extension of the plate 16.
[0078] On the figures 4 to 6 And 7 , 8 The ends of the end sections 10 of the longitudinal members 6 have a pair of hooks 14 transversely spaced apart. Each of the hooks 14 has a slot 14b cooperating by interlocking with a said seat 18 which is disposed below the upper edge 16b of the plate 16.
[0079] Based on the example of implementation illustrated on the figures 4 to 6 The hooks 15 are shaped into an arch 15b which curves towards the base of the plate 16 from which it originates. The base of the arch 15b provides the receiving seats 18 for the bottom 14a of the hooks 14, each being edged vertically between a vertical edge of the arch 15b. The base of the arch 15b also provides lugs 15c which are formed at the transverse end of each of the seats 18.
[0080] Based on the example of implementation illustrated on the figures 7 And 8The plate 16 is formed from a U-shaped profile whose sides 22 – or in other words, the lateral walls of the U-shaped profile – are oriented vertically. The hook 15 is formed by transverse tabs 22a which are integrated by folding the respective sides 22 of the U-shaped profile. The upper edges of said tabs 22a provide the supports 18 against which the hooks 14 respectively bear via their base 14a. The sides 22 of the U-shaped profile provide between them the guide element 17 of the hooks 14 provided at the end of the longitudinal member 6 towards said receiving tabs 22a by interlocking the hooks 14.
[0081] It should be noted that, according to the examples of implementation illustrated by the figures 4 to 8 The upper edge 16b of the plates 16 constitutes a vertical positioning reference for the reinforcing reinforcement 5 relative to the horizontal support plane P1 (referenced on the figure 6) of the worktop 3 which comprises the unit 1. Indeed, the upper edge 16b of the plates 16 borders the upper edge 21 of the side walls 2a of the unit 1.
Claims
1. Furniture (1) including a worktop (3) equipped with a reinforcement frame (5) of the worktop (3) that supports the furniture (1) and which is provided with an opening (4) for receiving equipment, the reinforcement frame (5) including a set of telescopic longitudinal members (6) telescopic, two renumber, members (8) the fastening the reinforcement frame (5) to the furniture (1) via at least the longitudinal ends of the longitudinal members (6) which are respectively supported by the fastening members (8), the fastening members (8) being secured to the furniture (1) by screwing, the reinforcement frame (5) extending under the worktop (3) while being attached to side walls (2a) of the furniture (1) via end pieces of the longitudinal members (6), the end pieces of the longitudinal members (6) are each equipped with a member (12) supporting the reinforcement frame (5), which cooperates by vertical interlocking with an interlocking member (13a) which includes a fastening member (8) assigned to it, and a plane supporting said worktop (3) on the reinforcement frame (5) is provided by calibrating said vertical interlocking of the longitudinal members (6) on the fastening members (8), from the cooperation by calibrated vertical interlocking between the end pieces of the longitudinal members (6) and the fastening members (8), and characterised in that the upper faces of the longitudinal members (6) are positioned along to a horizontal plane (P1) supporting the worktop (3) which is defined by the upper edges of the side walls (2a) of the furniture (1) to which the ends of the longitudinal members (6) are respectively fastened via the fastening members (8) equipping the reinforcement frame (5), the reinforcement frame (5) and the upper edges of the side walls (2a) of the furniture (1) being coplanar.
2. Furniture (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that the reinforcement frame (5) further comprises a set of one or more cross members, the longitudinal members (6) being spaced by the set of cross members (7), members for assembling cross members (7) perpendicularly to each other on the longitudinal members (6), in that the cross members are arranged as a telescopic member, in that the end pieces of the cross members (7) are each equipped with a member (12) supporting the cross members (7) by the longitudinal members (6), which cooperates by vertical interlocking with an interlocking member (13d) that the longitudinal members (6) include, and in that the plane supporting said work plane (3) on the reinforcement frame (5) is further provided by calibrating said vertical interlocking of the cross members (7) on the longitudinal members (6).
3. Furniture (1) according to claim 2, characterised in that the interlocking on the one hand between the end pieces of the longitudinal members (6) on the fastening members (8) and on the other hand the end pieces of the cross members (7) on the longitudinal members (6) is of the hook-on type.
4. Furniture (1) according to claim 3, characterised in that the support member (12) equipping each of the end pieces of each of the longitudinal members (6) is formed as at least one hook (14) which cooperates with an interlocking member (13a) which includes a coat hook (15) equipping a plate (16) constituting the fastening member (8).
5. Furniture (1) according to claim 4, characterised in that the coat hooks (15) are formed by cutting and folding the plate and incorporate the interlocking member (13a) assigned to said at least one hook (14) which is incorporated in each of the end pieces of each of the longitudinal members (6), and the plates (16) provide a member (17) guiding said at least one hook (14) towards the interlocking member (13a) with which it cooperates.
6. Furniture (1) according to claim 5, characterised in that the hooks (14) are two in number at each of the end pieces of the longitudinal members (6), being transversely spaced apart from each other, the hooks (14) each include a slot (14b) for interlocking respectively on seats (18) provided by the plate (16) assigned to them, the bottom (14a) of the hooks (14) bearing against the seats (18), said seats (18) are disposed lower than the upper edge (16b) of the plate (16) while being derived from at least one first vertical wall (16a) of the plate (16) which extends longitudinally from a second vertical wall (19) of the plate (16) dedicated to mounting the fastening member (8) on the furniture (1), and the edges of the first vertical wall (16a) of the plate (16) jointly form said member (17) guiding the hooks (14) towards the seats (18).
7. Furniture (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 6, characterised in that the support members (12) equipping each of the and pieces of each of the cross members (7) are formed by a pair of hooks (14) longitudinally distant from each other, which cooperate by interlocking between crenellations (13c) provided by a longitudinal crenellated ramp (13d) which each of the longitudinal members (6) includes.
8. Furniture (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 7, characterised in that the longitudinal members (6) and the cross members (7) each include a middle section (9) within which end sections (10) are mounted sliding at each of the ends of the middle section (9), while being held oriented in a one-way direction of extensions respectively of the longitudinal members (6) and the cross members (7), the end of each of the end sections (10) emerging from the middle section (9) of the longitudinal members (6) and the cross members (7) are each equipped with a said support member (12), and the end sections (10) of the longitudinal members (6) and the cross members (7) are individually immobilisable in any position emerging outside the middle section (9) which houses them, via locking members with which the middle sections (9) of the longitudinal members (6) are each equipped.
9. Furniture (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the reinforcement frame (5) comprises at least two cross members (7).
10. Furniture (1) according to one of claims 2 to 9, characterised in that the cross members (7) are positioned along the horizontal plane (P1) supporting the work surface (3).
11. Furniture (1) according to any one of claims 4 to 10, characterised in that an upper edge (16b) of the plates (16) which respectively each of the members (8) fastening the ends of the longitudinal members (6) to the side walls (2a) of the furniture (1) has, constitutes a vertical positioning reference for the reinforcement frame (5) with respect to said horizontal support plane (P1), the upper edge (16b) of the plates (16) bordering the upper edge (21) of the side walls (2a) of the furniture (1) to which the ends of the longitudinal members (6) are respectively fastened via the fastening members (8) assigned to them.
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