FURNITURE, PREFERABLY FOR A BUILT-IN APPLIANCE

Abstract

A cabinet (1), preferably for a built-in household appliance, comprising a first side wall (2) and a second side wall (3) facing each other and opposite each other to define an internal volume (V) of the cabinet. The cabinet (1) includes a vertical partition (4) extending orthogonally with respect to the first side wall (2) and the second side wall (3) so as to divide the internal volume (V) of the cabinet into a technical compartment (VT) and at least one operational volume (VO), located on the other side of the vertical partition (4) with respect to the technical compartment (VT).In addition, the furniture (1) includes at least one active pressure-fixing device (5) between the vertical partition (4) and at least the first side wall (2) and / or the second side wall (3) and configured to generate a thrust between the vertical partition (4) and at least the first side wall (2) and / or the second side wall (3) so that the vertical partition (4) remains fixed in a predetermined operational position. [FIG. 1].

Description

Title of the invention: FURNITURE, PREFERABLY FOR A BUILT-IN HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCE

[0001] The present invention relates to a piece of furniture, preferably for a built-in household appliance.

[0002] In particular, the present invention finds wide application in the field of kitchen furniture, including furniture intended to support household appliances such as, for example, hoods for extracting vapors generated during the cooking of food. For purely indicative and non-exhaustive purposes, other possible applications of the present invention may be the protection of drains under a sink, for example in an island kitchen where the drains and inlets come from the floor, or for the installation of household appliances of various types, for example a waste grinder, not expressly mentioned here or for making a simple partition of a volume inside a piece of furniture.

[0003] With particular regard to extractor hoods, it should be noted that currently the extractor hoods on the market are divided into two main types: extractor hoods and filter hoods.

[0004] The extractor hood is a household appliance that serves to capture the vapors and odors produced by cooked food and transport them outside the house. Usually placed above the hob, this type of hood sucks in air thanks to the action of an electric fan placed inside. The sucked air, saturated with vapors and odors, passes through a system of grease filters that purifies it. These filters can be made of different materials, such as aluminum and steel, which make them washable and reusable. After being filtered, the sucked air is conveyed outside the kitchen through a special duct.

[0005] Unlike the extractor hood, the filter hood does not need a duct to the outside. In fact, the filter hood collects, filters and purifies the air in order to retain the odors, fumes and grease that are released in the kitchen during meal preparation and returns clean air to the same environment. In practice, once purified of the most harmful substances, the air collected by the filter hood is returned to the same environment. For efficient operation, the filter hood must include appropriate ventilation systems, such as electric fans and ventilation holes, to allow for greater and more efficient air renewal.

[0006] In general, to make the furnishings of your house, for example the kitchen furnishings, more aesthetically homogeneous, we usually embed the household appliances in furniture produced with the same style and material as the rest of the room.

[0007] Therefore, hoods that can be built into a piece of furniture have been developed, for example by creating solutions such as induction hobs with an integrated extractor hood.

[0008] According to these solutions, the hood has an opening placed directly on the cooking plate through which it sucks up the vapors generated by means of a suction device housed inside the unit.

[0009] In particular, a vertical partition defines inside the furniture a technical volume, between the kitchen wall and the vertical partition inside which the suction device is housed, and a capacity volume, usable, for example, to contain foodstuffs.

[0010] Disadvantageously, the connection of the partition to the furniture must be carried out by specialized personnel during the installation of the system. This connection is preferably carried out by means of screws or similar which are put in place at the time of installation. These operations imply that the fixing may not be perfectly correct in relation to the technical volume necessary to contain the technical equipment and, in any case, they involve an additional operational phase which must be carried out by the installer.

[0011] Disadvantageously, this solution is also highly invasive and may also present a questionable aesthetic taste because the screws remain visible.

[0012] Alternatively, during the construction of the furniture, special millings or holes are made on the internal side walls of the furniture so as to define connections for receiving the vertical partition as a stop. These millings or holes must be sufficiently far from the rear wall of the kitchen to guarantee the aforementioned technical volume sufficient space to accommodate the suction device, a space which can no longer be modified during assembly of the furniture.

[0013] Disadvantageously, the difficult accessibility to the internal walls of the furniture makes the milling and fixing operations particularly uncomfortable and long.

[0014] Furthermore, insufficient freedom of movement very often results in poor quality of the final result.

[0015] Indeed, the millings are often not aligned, causing uncertainty in the positioning of the partition.

[0016] In this context, the present invention has the technical task of providing a piece of furniture, preferably for a built-in household appliance, which overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages of the known technique.

[0017] In particular, the present invention aims to provide a piece of furniture, preferably for a built-in household appliance, making it possible to simplify the installation procedures for a built-in household appliance, preferably an extractor hood, traps, sink drains or a waste disposer.

[0018] Another object of the present invention is to provide a piece of furniture, preferably for a built-in household appliance, capable of speeding up the installation procedures of a built-in household appliance, preferably an extractor hood.

[0019] Another object of the present invention is to provide a furniture, preferably for an integrated household appliance, having a greater aesthetic than the furniture of the known art.

[0020] Another object of the present invention is to provide a furniture, preferably for an integrated household appliance, ensuring great flexibility in the positioning of the vertical partition and in the management of the internal volumes.

[0021] Another object of the present invention is to provide a furniture, preferably for an integrated household appliance, allowing the positioning of the vertical partition without the need to resort to invasive interventions.

[0022] The specified technical objective and the specified aims are essentially achieved by a piece of furniture, preferably for a built-in household appliance, comprising the technical characteristics set out in one or more of the appended claims.

[0023] The dependent claims correspond to possible embodiments of the invention.

[0024] Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will appear more clearly in the indicative, and therefore non-limiting, description of a preferred but non-exclusive embodiment of a piece of furniture, preferably for a built-in household appliance, as illustrated in the attached drawings where:

[0025] [Fig. 1] is a perspective view of a piece of furniture, preferably for a built-in household appliance, in accordance with a possible embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] [Fig.2] is a partial perspective view of the furniture, preferably for an appliance built-in household appliance, from [Fig.l];

[0027] [Fig.3] is an exploded perspective view of a portion of the furniture, preferably for a built-in household appliance, of [Fig.l];

[0028] [Fig.4A], [Fig.4B] are detailed exploded and assembled views respectively of a portion of the furniture, preferably for a built-in household appliance, of [Fig.l].

[0029] With reference to the attached figures, a piece of furniture, preferably for a built-in household appliance, has been designated as a whole by the reference numeral 1, which, subsequently, will be indicated as piece of furniture 1 to simplify the description.

[0030] The piece of furniture 1 comprises a first side wall 2 and a second side wall 3 facing each other and opposite each other to define an internal volume “V” of the piece of furniture 1.

[0031] Furthermore, the piece of furniture 1 comprises a vertical partition 4 extending orthogonally relative to the first side wall 2 and to the second side wall 3 so as to divide the internal volume “V” into a technical compartment “VT” and at least one operational volume “VO”, arranged on the other side of the vertical partition 4 relative to the technical compartment “VT”.

[0032] By way of purely non-limiting example, the technical compartment “VT” may be intended to house at least partially a built-in household appliance, for example a suction device for an extractor hood, and the operational volume “VO” may be intended to house foodstuffs and the like.

[0033] Preferably, the vertical partition 4 can be reversibly movable relative to the first side wall 2 and to the second side wall between at least a first operational position, in which it defines a condition of maximum extension of said technical compartment “VT”, and at least a second operational position, in which it defines a condition of minimum extension of the technical compartment “VT”.

[0034] In this way, the vertical partition 4 gives the piece of furniture 1 marked operational flexibility and adaptability to different operational requirements.

[0035] Furthermore, the piece of furniture 1 may comprise a lower support base 50 capable of delimiting said operational volume below. In particular, the lower support base 50 may be configured to define a lower stop capable of ensuring precise positioning of the vertical partition 4.

[0036] The piece of furniture 1 may also comprise an upper shelf (not illustrated in the attached figures), capable of at least partially delimiting the internal volume “V”, at least one foot 60, capable of supporting the piece of furniture 1, and / or at least one base (not illustrated in the attached figures).

[0037] Advantageously, the piece of furniture 1 comprises at least one pressure fixing device 5 active between the vertical partition 4 and at least the first side wall 2 and / or the second side wall 3. In particular, the pressure fixing device 5 is configured to generate a thrust between the vertical partition 4 and at least the first side wall 2 and / or the second side wall 3 so that the partition 4 remains stationary in a predetermined operational position.

[0038] In this way, the present invention allows the fixing of the vertical partition 4 without the need for machining, for example milling, on the side walls of the furniture, which facilitates and accelerates the fixing of the vertical partition.

[0039] In particular, the pressure fixing device 5 can be configured to achieve a fixing of the vertical partition 4 to the first side wall 2 or to the second side wall 3 without the use of threaded means.

[0040] In this way, the pressure fixing device 5 overcomes the need to resort to drillings in the side walls to achieve the fixing of the vertical partition 4.

[0041] It should be noted that the pressure fixing device 5 can allow reversible fixing of the vertical partition 4 in a plurality of operational positions between the first operational position and the second operational position without the need for any invasive intervention on the side walls and without having to resort to the use of special movement guides for the vertical partition 4.

[0042] In this way, the pressure fixing device 5 gives the piece of furniture 1 a marked operational flexibility.

[0043] According to certain possible embodiments and as illustrated in the attached figures, the pressure fixing device 5 may comprise a fixed body 6, connected to the vertical partition 4, and a movable body 7 reciprocally movable to fix the vertical partition 4 at least to the first side wall 2 and / or to the second side wall 3. In particular, the movable body 7 may be reversibly movable relative to the fixed body 6 between a fixing position, in which it is active on the first side wall 2 or on the second side wall 3 to generate the aforementioned thrust on the first side wall 2 or on the second side wall 3, and a rest position, in which it is not active on the first side wall 2 or on the second side wall 3 allowing a reciprocal movement between the vertical partition 4 and the side walls 2, 3.

[0044] According to certain possible embodiments and as illustrated in the attached figures, the fixed body 6 and the movable body 7 may respectively comprise a guide 8 and a sliding coupling element 9. In particular, the sliding coupling element 9 may be at least partially inserted into the guide 8 to provide a sliding coupling between the fixed body 6 and the movable body 7.

[0045] For example, the movable body 7 can be reversibly slidable relative to the fixed body 6 between a configuration of minimum bulk, in which it can define the aforementioned rest position, and a configuration of maximum bulk, in which it can define the aforementioned fixing position.

[0046] Advantageously, the sliding coupling element 9 may further comprise an anchoring portion 70 inserted into the guide 8 and configured to prevent uncoupling between the sliding coupling element 9 and the guide 8.

[0047] Preferably, the pressure fixing device 5 may comprise elastic means 10 active between the fixed body 6 and the movable body 7 to push the movable body 7 towards the fixing position.

[0048] By way of purely non-limiting example, the fixed body 6 may define a plurality of seats 11 superimposed vertically capable of housing a respective plurality of springs 12. In particular, the springs 12 may be active between the fixed body 6 and the mobile body 7 to push the mobile body 7 towards the fixing position.

[0049] For example, the movable body 7 may comprise at least one activation portion 80 defining a stop for at least one spring 12. In particular, the activation portion 80 may have at least one coupling tooth 81 at least partially inserted inside the spring 12 to ensure efficient operation of the spring 12.

[0050] According to another advantageous aspect, the movable body 7 may comprise a rubberized portion and / or one having an increased coefficient of friction capable of being placed in abutment against the first side wall 2 or the second side wall 3 to maintain the vertical partition 4 in the aforementioned predetermined operational position.

[0051] By way of purely non-limiting example, at least one pressure fixing device 5 may be arranged at at least one vertical edge 13 of the vertical partition 4.

[0052] Preferably, the piece of furniture 1 may comprise at least one pair of pressure fixing devices 5 arranged at opposite vertical edges 13 of the vertical partition 4 to activate on the first side wall 2 and on the second side wall 3.

[0053] According to a possible embodiment and as illustrated in the attached figures, the piece of furniture 1 may comprise a first upper pressure-fixing device 511 and a second upper pressure-fixing device 512 arranged respectively at an upper portion 13A of a first vertical edge 113 and a second vertical edge 213 of the vertical partition 4. In addition, the piece of furniture 1 may comprise a first lower pressure-fixing device 521 and a second lower pressure-fixing device 522 arranged respectively at a lower portion 13B of the first vertical edge 113 and the second vertical edge 213 of the partition 4.

[0054] Preferably, the piece of furniture 1 may comprise at least one fixing profile 14 having at least one groove 15 capable of receiving by insertion an upper horizontal edge 16 or a lower horizontal edge 17 of the vertical partition 4. In particular, the fixing profile 14 may develop between a first end 14A and a second end 14B.

[0055] Advantageously, at least one pressure fixing device 5 can be mounted on at least one fixing profile 14 at the first end 14A and / or the second end 14B so as to ensure effective fixing of the vertical partition 4 to the side walls 2, 3.

[0056] By way of purely non-limiting example, the fixing profile 14 may have at least one housing 18 capable of receiving, at least partially, at least one pressure fixing device 5.

[0057] For example, the housing 18 may develop along a longitudinal development direction of the fixing profile 14.

[0058] In particular, the pressure-fixing device 5, preferably the fixed body 6, is at least partially insertable into the housing 18 along an insertion direction parallel to said longitudinal direction of the fixing profile 14 to achieve mounting of the pressure-fixing device 5 on the fixing profile 14.

[0059] According to a possible embodiment of the present invention, the fixing profile 14 may have a length less than the upper horizontal edge 16 or the lower horizontal edge 17 of the vertical partition 4. In addition, the pressure fixing device 5 may have at least one transverse recess 19 counter-shaped to the upper horizontal edge 16 and / or to the lower horizontal edge 17 so as to accommodate a part of the upper horizontal edge 16 or of the lower horizontal edge 17.

[0060] Thus, it is found that the present invention achieves the proposed aims by providing a piece of furniture, preferably for a built-in household appliance, capable of simplifying the installation procedures of a built-in household appliance, preferably an extractor hood, thanks to the presence of at least one pressure fixing device, active between the vertical partition and the side walls, configured to generate a thrust between the vertical partition and the side walls so that the vertical partition remains stationary in a predetermined operational position.

[0061] Advantageously, the pressure fixing device gives the furniture significant operational flexibility.

[0062] Furthermore, the fixing device very advantageously makes it possible to speed up and simplify the operations of positioning and fixing the vertical partition.

Claims

Claims

1. Furniture (1), preferably for a built-in household appliance, comprising: - a first side wall (2) and a second side wall (3) facing each other and opposite each other to define an internal volume (V) of the furniture (1); - a vertical partition (4) extending orthogonally to said first side wall (2) and said second side wall (3) so as to divide the internal volume (V) of the furniture (1) into a technical compartment (VT) and at least one operational volume (VO), arranged on the other side of said vertical partition (4) relative to the technical compartment (VT);- at least one pressure fixing device (5) active between said vertical partition (4) and at least said first side wall (2) and / or said second side wall (3) and configured to generate a thrust between said vertical partition (4) and at least said first side wall (2) and / or said second side wall (3) so that said vertical partition (4) remains stationary in a predetermined operational position.;

2. Furniture according to claim 1, wherein said pressure fixing device (5) comprises a fixed body (6), connected to said vertical partition (4), and a movable body (7) reciprocally movable to fix said vertical partition (4) to at least said first side wall (2) and / or said second side wall (3); and wherein said movable body (7) is reversibly movable relative to said fixed body (6) between a fixing position, in which it is active on said first side wall (2) or on said second side wall (3) to generate said thrust on said first side wall (2) or on said second side wall (3), and a rest position, in which it is not active on said first side wall (2) or said second side wall (3) allowing reciprocal movement between said vertical partition (4) and said side partitions (2, 3).

3. Furniture according to claim 2, wherein said fixed body (6) and said movable body (7) respectively comprise a guide (8) and a sliding coupling element (9), said sliding coupling element (9) being at least partially inserted into said guide (8) to provide a sliding coupling between said fixed body (6) and said mobile body (7).

4. Furniture according to claim 2 or 3, wherein said pressure fixing device (5) comprises elastic means (10) active between said fixed body (6) and said movable body (7) for pushing said movable body (7) towards said fixing position.

5. Furniture according to one or more of claims 2-4, wherein said fixed body (6) defines a plurality of seats (11) vertically superimposed capable of housing a respective plurality of springs (12), said springs (12) being active between said fixed body (6) and said movable body (7) to push said movable body (7) towards said fixing position.

6. Furniture according to one or more of claims 2-5, wherein said movable body (7) comprises a rubberized portion capable of being positioned in abutment against said first side wall (2) or said second side wall (3) to maintain said vertical wall (4) in said predetermined operational position.

7. Furniture according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said at least one pressure fixing device (5) is arranged at at least one vertical edge (13) of said vertical partition (4).

8. Furniture according to one or more of the preceding claims, comprising at least one pair of pressure fixing devices arranged at opposite vertical edges of said vertical partition (4) for activating on said first side wall (2) and said second side wall (3).

9. Furniture according to one or more of the preceding claims, comprising a first upper pressure fixing device (511) and a second upper pressure fixing device (512) respectively arranged at an upper portion (13A) of a first vertical edge (113) and a second vertical edge (213) of the partition; and / or comprising a first lower pressure fixing device (521) and a second lower pressure fixing device (522) respectively arranged at a lower portion (13B) of the first vertical edge (113) and the second vertical edge (213) of the vertical partition (4).

10. Furniture according to one or more of the preceding claims, comprising at least one fixing profile (14) extending between a first end (14A) and a second end (14B) and having at least one groove (15) capable of receiving by insertion an upper horizontal edge (16) or a lower horizontal edge (17) of the vertical partition (4); and wherein said at least one pressure fixing device (5) is mounted on said fixing profile (14) at said first end (14A) and / or said second end (14B).

11. Furniture according to claim 10, wherein said fixing profile (14) has at least one housing (18) capable of receiving, at least partially inserted, said pressure fixing device (5), said housing (18) developing along a longitudinal development direction of said fixing profile (14).

12. Furniture according to claim 10 or 11, wherein said fixing profile (14) has a length less than said upper horizontal edge (16) or said lower horizontal edge (17) of the vertical partition (4); and wherein said pressure fixing device (5) has at least one transverse recess counter-shaped to said upper horizontal edge (16) or said lower horizontal edge (17) so as to accommodate a part of said upper horizontal edge (16) or said lower horizontal edge (17).

13. Furniture according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said at least one pressure fixing device (5) is configured to effect a fixing of the vertical partition (4) to said first side wall (2) or said second side wall (3) without the use of threaded means.

14. Furniture according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said vertical partition (4) is reversibly movable relative to said first side wall (2) and said second side wall (3) between at least a first operational position, in which it defines a condition of maximum extension of said technical compartment (VT), and at least a second operational position, in which it defines a condition of minimum extension of said technical compartment (VT).

15. Furniture according to one or more of the preceding claims, comprising a lower support base (50) capable of delimiting said operational volume (VO) below, said lower support base (50) being configured to define a lower stop for said vertical partition (4).