Device for supporting containers

Abstract

Described is a device for supporting containers extractable from furniture units (1) having at least two side walls (2) opposite each other on which are installed respective guides (3) configured for supporting and moving, slidably along a horizontal plane, respective walls (4) for engaging a frame (5) for supporting the container, the device comprising a covering guard (6) positioned on each guide (3) and provided with at least a first opening (7) in such a way as to obtain a passage towards at least one surface (3a) of the respective underlying guide (3); a first (9) locking plug associated on each wall (4) for engaging the frame (5); each first plug (9) has a first wing (11) which is elastically compliant configured for coupling, in use, inside the respective first opening (7) in such a way as to enter into front contact with the respective surface (3a) of the guide (3) for generating a stable locking of the frame (5) on the respective guard (6).

Description

[0001] This invention relates to a device for supporting containers, in particular for containers which can be extracted from furniture units and used for collecting loose material, such as, for example, household waste.

[0002] Many furniture units intended for waste collection are currently known and available.

[0003] In general, these furniture units are provided with at least two internal side walls opposite each other on which are installed respective guides configured to constrain, sliding along a horizontal plane, respective sides of frames supporting the waste collection container.

[0004] In order to be able to correctly associate the frame with the guides it is necessary to have an attachment device comprising a guard for each guide and a frame configured to be able to attach to the guard.

[0005] A prior art solution of this device therefore comprises: a guard for each guide consisting of an arm configured for superposing and fixing, at least partly, to the guide itself; two ribs are formed on each arm, provided, on the respective raised rectilinear stretch, with a threaded hole. The two ribs are formed at a certain distance from each other along the arm; a frame provided on each of its two sides parallel to the guides with a pair of open slots configured to allow the free passage and sides of the frame at the ribs present on each arm and therefore the stable resting on the respective arm. A wing with an angled profile is formed at one end of each slot in such a way that it is superposed in height above the respective slot and positioned at the respective rib present on the arm. A slot-like opening is formed on each wing for the passage of a screw which can be coupled, in use, to the threaded hole of the respective horizontal stretch of the rib.

[0006] The slot present on each wing has an axial extension transversal to the direction of movement on the horizontal plane of the guides to be able to adjust the position of the frame along an axis perpendicular to the direction of movement of the guides.

[0007] After this adjustment the frame is fixed to the guides.

[0008] However, this solution of the guard and frame has several drawbacks due both to the cost of the operations for making the arms and the frame, in relation to the type of product, and the difficult adjustment or centring of the frame.

[0009] Each arm and each top of the frame must be machined mechanically by deformation and / or cutting so as to obtain the ribs, the threaded holes, the slots and the wings. These machining operations have a relatively high cost.

[0010] The adjustment of the frame position is not automatic and must be achieved during the assembly of the frame and, over time, it must often be checked by the user.

[0011] The aim of this invention is to provide a device for supporting containers that overcomes the prior art drawbacks described above.

[0012] In particular, an aim of the invention is to provide a device for supporting containers which is able to obtain a fast and secure coupling of the frame to the guides with a reduced number of attachment components.

[0013] A further aim of this invention is to provide a device for supporting containers which is able to obtain an automatic centring of the frame to the guides without the need for further and subsequent adjustments.

[0014] Said aims are fully achieved by a device for supporting containers according to the invention as characterised in the appended claims.

[0015] The main features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred, non-limiting embodiment, illustrated purely by way of example in the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view, with some parts cut away in order to better illustrate others, of a device for supporting containers according to this invention applied on a furniture unit; Figure 2 is a perspective view of a frame applied to a pair of guides using the device for supporting containers according to this invention; - - Figure 3 is an enlarged detail of Figure 2 with a locking plug removed from the frame; Figure 4 is a front view, with some parts cut away and others in cross section, of a part of the frame applied to the guide using the locking device; Figure 5 is a perspective view of a guide and a covering guard forming part of the supporting device.

[0016] With reference to the accompanying drawings, and with particular reference to Figure 1, the supporting device according to the invention is used for containers which can be extracted from furniture units 1.

[0017] The furniture units 1 have at least two side walls 2 opposite each other on which are installed respective guides 3 configured to support and move, slidably along a horizontal plane, respective walls 4 for engaging a frame 5 for supporting the container 100.

[0018] As also illustrated in Figures 2 to 5, the supporting device comprises a covering guard 6 positioned on each guide 3 and provided with at least a first opening 7 in such a way as to obtain a passage towards at least one surface 3a of the respective underlying guide 3.

[0019] Again as illustrated, the supporting device comprises at least a first 9 locking plug associated on each wall 4 for engaging the frame 5.

[0020] Each first plug 9 has a first wing 11 which is elastically compliant configured for coupling, in use, inside the respective first opening 7 in such a way as to enter into front contact with the respective surface 3a of the guide 3 for generating a stable locking of the frame 5 on the respective guard 6.

[0021] Thanks to these plugs, the frame is automatically centred relative to the guides and the guards on the right and left and, moreover, the same plugs prevent the frame from moving parallel to the horizontal sliding plane obtained with the guides.

[0022] Preferably, but not necessarily, the preferred structure of the device according to this invention comprises the covering guard 6 positioned on each guide 3 provided with a first opening 7 and a second opening 8, spaced from each other, in such a way as to obtain a passage towards at least one surface 3a of the respective underlying guide 3.

[0023] In light of this, a first 9 and a second 10 locking plug are associated at each wall 4 for engaging the frame 5.

[0024] Each first 9 and second 10 plug have a first wing 11 which is elastically compliant configured for coupling, in use, inside the respective first 7 and second 8 opening in such a way as to enter into front contact with the respective surface 3a of the guide 3 for generating a stable locking of the frame 5 on the respective guard 6.

[0025] For simplicity of description, the solution will be illustrated in detail below maintaining as reference the presence of two openings on each guard and two plugs per engagement wall, for a total of four openings and four plugs. It should be noted that each first plug 9 and second plug 10 comprises the first coupling wing 11 and at least one engaging tooth 12 configured for coupling, in a reversible fashion, to the respective wall 4 for engaging the frame 5 provided with a respective protruding flange 13 having a seat 14 for stable coupling of the engaging tooth 12.

[0026] Again as illustrated, each wall 4 for engaging the frame 5 is provided with a first and a second flange 13 protruding perpendicularly to a base 4a for supporting the respective wall 4 for engaging the frame 5 on the respective guard 6 and parallel to a perimeter edge of the respective wall 4 for engaging the frame 5.

[0027] In light of this, each first and second flange 13 has a through seat 14 for coupling with a tooth 12 for engaging the respective first 9 and second 10 plug.

[0028] It should be noted that each base 4a of each wall 4 for engaging the frame 5 is formed by an extension of the respective wall 4 on which is then formed, at one end, the flange 13.

[0029] Each of these bases 4a also defines a first point for positioning and constraining, by sliding, the frame 5 to the guard 6, which is provided with a protruding hook-shaped rib 19 which can be engaged by the base 4a in such a way as to obtain a first constraint to the guard 6.

[0030] As shown in Figure 4, each engagement tooth 12 protrudes transversely from the respective first coupling wing 11 of the respective first 9 and second 10 plug.

[0031] In light of this, each first plug 9 and second plug 10 is obtained in a single body and comprises: the first wing 11 for coupling with the respective guards 6 and guide 3; the engagement tooth 12, positioned transversally relative to the first wing 11, configured for coupling in a through seat 14 made on the first or a second flange 13 present on each engaging wall 4; a second contact wing 15, positioned above the engaging tooth 12 and transversal to the first wing 11, and configured for making contact, in use, with an internal perimeter edge of the engaging wall (4.

[0032] It should be noted that each second contact wing 15 has a rigid end intended to make front contact, in use, with the inner perimeter edge of the respective engaging wall 4.

[0033] This second wing 15 has a lower stabilising enlargement or tooth 16 configured to come into contact, in use, with the upper part of the respective flange 13 in such a way as to constrain the second wing 15 between the flange 13 and the inner perimeter edge of the respective engaging wall 4.

[0034] Again as illustrated in Figure 4, the first wing 11 of each first plug 9 and second plug 10 is provided with an enlarged head 17 on its free end.

[0035] The head 17 is elastically deformable and housed, in use, between the surface 3a of the guide 4 and the respective guard 6.

[0036] Thanks to this head 17 a coupling is obtained between frame 5 and guard 6 which is extremely precise and secure and can also be used for frames and guards having thicknesses of different dimensions.

[0037] Moreover, each first opening 7 and second opening 8 made on each guard 6 has an angled extension along the respective edge of the guard 6 and configured to allow a housing of the respective first plug 9 or second plug 10 according to a vertical trajectory from the top downwards.

[0038] In light of this, each first plug 9 and second plug 10 comprises a vertical extension 18 of the first wing 11, with an extension opposite to the first wing 11, configured to obtain a manual operating grip for fitting or removing the respective plug 9, 10 from the frame 5 and / or the frame 5 from the guard 6.

[0039] In light of this, each first plug 9 and second plug 10 plug is made of elastically deformable plastic material.

[0040] This therefore allows a high flexibility of each plug which can be mounted quickly and precisely without the need for previous provisions.

[0041] The preset aims are therefore achieved thanks to this supporting device. The four plugs present on the frame allow the frame, once inserted in the openings of the guard, to be kept centred along its width between the right guard and the left guard.

[0042] Simultaneously, the plugs prevent the guard from sliding along the sliding plane of the guides.

[0043] As already mentioned, these plugs can be used for a wide range of thicknesses of the sides of the furniture unit, since the elasticity of the plug will compensate for the difference in thickness of the sides.

[0044] For maintenance or replacement of the frame it is sufficient to press on the upper vertical extension until the first wing comes out from the opening of the guard.

Claims

1. A device for supporting containers extractable from furniture units (1) having at least two side walls (2) opposite each other on which are installed respective guides (3) configured to support and move, slidably along a horizontal plane, respective walls (4) for engaging a frame (5) for supporting the container, characterised in that it comprises: - a covering guard (6) positioned on each guide (3) and provided with at least a first opening (7) in such a way as to obtain a passage towards at least one surface (3a) of the respective underlying guide (3); - at least a first (9) locking plug associated on each wall (4) for engaging the frame (5); each first plug (9) having a first wing (11) which is elastically compliant configured for coupling, in use, inside the respective first opening (7) in such a way as to enter into front contact with the respective surface (3a) of the guide (3) for generating a stable locking of the frame (5) on the respective guard (6) and wherein each first opening (7) made on each guard (6) has an angled extension along the respective edge of the guard (6) and configured to allow a housing of the respective first plug (9) according to a vertical trajectory from the top downwards.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the covering guard (6) positioned on each guide (3) is provided with a first opening (7) and a second opening (8), spaced from each other, in such a way as to obtain a passage towards at least one surface (3a) of the respective underlying guide (3); and on each wall (4) for engaging the frame (5) being associated a first (9) and a second (10) locking plug; each first (9) and second (10) plug having a first wing (11) which is elastically compliant configured for coupling, in use, inside the respective first (7) and second (8) opening in such a way as to enter into front contact with the respective surface (3a) of the guide (3) for generating a stable locking of the frame (5) on the respective guard (6).

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein each first plug (9) comprises the first coupling wing (11) and at least one engaging tooth (12) configured for coupling, in a reversible fashion, to the respective wall (4) for engaging the frame (5) provided with a respective protruding flange (13) having a seat (14) for stable coupling of the engaging tooth (12).

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein each wall (4) for engaging the frame (5) is provided with at least a first flange (13) protruding perpendicularly to a base (4a) for supporting the respective wall (4) for engaging the frame (5) on the respective guard (6) and parallel to a perimeter edge of the respective wall (4) for engaging the frame (5); each first flange (13) having a through seat (14) for coupling with a tooth (12) for engaging the respective first plug (9); each said engaging tooth (12) protruding transversely from the respective first coupling wing (11) of the respective first plug (9).

5. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each first plug (9) is obtained in a single body and comprises: - a first wing (11) for coupling with the respective guards (6) and guide (3); - an engagement tooth (12), positioned transversally relative to the first wing (11), configured for coupling in a through seat (14) made on a first or a second flange (13) present on each engaging wall (4); - a second contact wing (15), positioned above the engaging tooth (12) and transversal to the first wing (11), and configured for making contact, in use, with an internal perimeter edge of the engaging wall (4).

6. The device according to claim 5, wherein each second contact wing (15) has a rigid end intended to make front contact, in use, with the inner perimeter edge of the respective engaging wall (4).

7. The device according to claim 5, wherein each second wing (15) has a lower stabilising enlargement or tooth (16) configured to come into contact, in use, with the upper part of the respective flange (13) in such a way as to constrain the second wing (15) between the flange (13) and the inner perimeter edge of the respective engaging wall (4).

8. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first wing (11) of each first plug (9) is provided with an enlarged head (17) on its free end; said head (17) being elastically deformable and housed, in use, between the surface (3a) of the guide (4) and the respective guard (6).

9. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each first plug (9) comprises a vertical extension (18) of the first wing (11), with an extension opposite to the first wing (11), configured to obtain a manual operating grip for fitting or removing the respective plug (9) from the frame (5) and / or of the frame (5) from the guard (6).

10. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each first plug (9) is made of elastically deformable plastic material.

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