Shelf support with locking lever

Abstract

Device (10) for supporting and fixing shelves (2) to the sides (3) of pieces of furniture (1), such as bookshelves, shelf units and the like, configured to be inserted into the edge of a shelf (2) for engagement with a side (3) of the piece of furniture, said device comprising a substantially cylindrical-shaped casing (11) with an inner cavity (15), having a front opening (33), within which there is fitted a pin (12) which is stressed by elastic means (13), with a tip (16) of the pin (12) normally projecting from the edge of the casing (11) under the action of said elastic means (13), wherein said inner cavity (15) of the casing (11) has at least partially a vertically extended shape, such to loosely house the pin (12) in the vertical direction, the opposite side walls (34) of said cavity (15) having longitudinal recesses (30) adapted to house corresponding reliefs (20) provided for on the pin (12), so that the pin is retained in the casing (11) with the tip (16) protruding therefrom, pushed by said elastic means (13), and so that a transversal force contrary to the action of said elastic means (13) causes a recession of the pin (12) in the casing with a tilting action in a vertical plane parallel to said opposite side walls of said cavity (15), wherein said device provides for locking means (40), which can be operated manually to be brought from an active position in which they prevent the tilting of the pin (12) to an inactive position in which they allow such tilting.

Description

“SHELF SUPPORT WITH LOCKING LEVER”DESCRIPTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for supporting and fixing a shelf of a piece of furniture, also known as shelf supports, mainly but not necessarily designed for bookshelves and shelves in general.

[0002] By way of example referring to a piece of furniture such as a bookshelf or a shelf unit, it typically comprises two uprights, or vertical walls, or sides parallel and opposite to each other between which there are interposed, one or more horizontal shelves having the function of defining a surface for supporting and placing books, magazines, vases and / or other multiple and different objects.

[0003] The shelves are arranged and fixed between the vertical walls using means of various type, normally separated from the shelf, such as brackets, screws, pins and the like, which need to be fitted with special tools. This solution is not satisfactory, because on the one hand it makes the assembly of the shelf rather strenuous, and on the other hand because the fastening means remain exposed.

[0004] Recently, in an attempt to overcome such drawbacks and avoid the use of tools, the prior art provided new solutions for shelf-support devices consisting of an elastic pin which is inserted into an edge of the shelf and having a protruding part which is engaged in a corresponding seat obtained on the side of the piece of furniture, under the action of a spring. The pin is normally protruding from the device, for the action of the spring, and upon mounting the shelf, it interferes with the side of the piece of furniture receding into the device to snap protrude therefrom when it is arranged facing the special seat obtained in the side of the piece of furniture. If tools are not required for mounting the shelf, removing it requires acting with a special tool on the device, so as to recede the pin from the seat of the side.

[0005] Besides the disadvantage of having to use tools so as to be able to remove the shelf from the piece of furniture, it should be observed that it is essential to provide a second opening in the shelf (generally a hole provided below the shelf in correspondence of the height of the elastic pin), through which it is possible to access to the device to cause the recess of the pin against the action of the spring.

[0006] In order to overcome these drawbacks, the PCT application n° WO 2023 / 061683 A1 , on behalf of the present Applicant proposes a shelf-support comprising a substantially cylindrical-shaped casing with a frontally open inner cavity, within which there is fitted a pinwhich is stressed by elastic means, with a tip of the pin normally projecting from the edge of the casing under the action of said elastic means, wherein said inner cavity of the casing has at least partially a vertically extended shape, such to loosely house the pin in the vertical direction, the opposite side walls of said cavity having longitudinal recesses adapted to house corresponding reliefs provided for on the pin, so that the pin is retained in the casing with the tip protruding therefrom, pushed by said elastic means, and so that a force contrary to the action of said elastic means causes a recession of the pin in the casing with a tilting action in a vertical plane.

[0007] Such device proved to be quite effective, given that it allows an easy fitting and removal of the shelf, without having to use any tool, by simply sliding the tip of the pin along the wall of the piece of furniture during assembly, and through the interference of the tip against the edge of the hole in such wall into which they are inserted, which causes the inclination thereof, and therefore recession into the extended cavity during disassembly.

[0008] The device according to the prior art document is also provided with clip engagement means of the pin in its casing adapted to prevent the involuntary release of the shelf, for example during transport.

[0009] However, a such solution did not reveal to be satisfactory both due to the fact that it requires a greater strength to remove the shelf, and due to the fact that it does not guarantee that the shelf is not released if upon it there is exerted a force sufficiently greater than its weight, for example when the piece of furniture is in an overturned position.

[0010] The object of the present invention is to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks.

[0011] More in particular, an object of the present invention to provide a support device and fastening shelves of pieces of furniture as described in WO 2023 / 061683 A1 provided with locking means which prevent the shelf from being released involuntarily under any condition, and that do not impede the normal removal of the shelf, actually making them easier.

[0012] Another object of the invention is to provide such device, in which the locking means mentioned above need to be deactivated voluntarily.

[0013] Another object of the invention is to provide such device that is simple and cost- effective to manufacture.

[0014] These and other objects are attained by the device of the invention which has the characteristics according to claim 1 .

[0015] According to the invention, herein provided is a device for supporting and fixing shelves to the sides of pieces of furniture, such as bookshelves, shelf units and the like, configured to be inserted into the edge of a shelf for engagement with a side of the piece offurniture, said device comprising a substantially cylindrical-shaped casing with an inner cavity having a front opening, within which there is fitted a pin which is stressed by elastic means, with a tip of the pin normally projecting from the edge of the casing under the action of said elastic means, wherein said inner cavity of the casing has at least partially a vertically extended shape, such to loosely house the pin in the vertical direction, the opposite side walls of said cavity having longitudinal recesses adapted to house corresponding reliefs provided for on the pin, or vice versa, so that the pin is retained in the casing with the tip protruding therefrom, pushed by said elastic means, and so that a transversal force contrary to the action of said elastic means causes a recession of the pin in the casing with a tilting action in a vertical plane parallel to said opposite side walls of said cavity, wherein said device provides for locking means, which can be operated manually so as to be brought from an active position in which they prevent the tilting of the pin to an inactive position in which they allow such tilting.

[0016] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are outlined by the dependent claims.

[0017] The construction and functional characteristics of the device of the present invention will be more apparent from the detailed description below, wherein reference is made to the to the attached drawings which represent a preferred and non-limiting embodiment thereof and wherein:- figure 1 is an axonometric schematic view showing a shelf arranged between two sides of a piece of furniture, with cross-sectional and transparent parts, to highlight the positioning of two support and fixing devices according to the present invention;- figures 2 and 2a are exploded axonometric views from opposite angles, showing the device according to the invention between a side portion and a shelf portion of a piece of furniture;- figures 3 and 3a are exploded axonometric views from opposite angles of a device according to the invention;- figure 4 is an axonometric view of the assembled device;- figure 5 is a median vertical cross-sectional view of the casing of the device;- figure 6 is a section taken according to the plane VI-VI of figure 5;- figures 7a, 7b, 7c are median cross-sectional views of the device according to the invention, with the locking lever in an active position for hindering the tilting of the pin (Fig. 7a) and in a deactivated position, so as to allow the tilting thereof (Figs. 7b, 7c);- figures 8a, 8b are median cross-sectional views of the device, with the lever in an active position for hindering the tilting of then pin, which can however move axially;- figures 9a, 9b, 9c are sections like those of figures 7a, 7b, 7c, with the device arranged between a shelf and a side of the piece of furniture, showing the steps for removing the shelf;- figures 10a, 10b are cross-sectional views like those of figures 8a, 8b with the device arranged between a shelf and a side of the piece of furniture, showing the steps for assembling the shelf.

[0018] Figure 1 schematically shows a portion of the piece of furniture 1 , comprising a shelf 2, fitted between two vertical side walls or sides 3 by means of four support and fixing devices 10 according to the invention, two of which are shown in the figure, and one better shown in figures 2, 2a.

[0019] With reference to the exploded views of figures 3, 3a, the device 10 comprises a hollow substantially cylindrical-shaped outer body or casing 1 1 , within which there is fitted a pin 12 which is stressed by a compression spring 13. The figures show a helical spring, but any elastic element is contemplated by the invention.

[0020] The device 10 is housed in a suitably shaped hole 4 obtained in the thickness of the shelf 2 with the front surface of the casing 1 1 practically flush with the edge of the shelf, and the pin 12 protruding from the latter so as to be inserted into a hole 5 obtained in the side 3 of the piece of furniture, as shown in the figures 2, 2a and in the cross-sectional views of figures 8, 9 and as better described below.

[0021] The casing 1 1 is of the tubular type, open on both sides, and it has a suitably shaped inner cavity 15 to house the pin 12 with possibility of sliding and tilting, as better described below. Obviously, the casing 1 1 could be closed at the rear part, for example with a cap.

[0022] The pin 12 is substantially cylindrical-shaped and it has a front section or tip 16, which can at least partially protrude frontally with respect to the casing 1 1 so as to be inserted into the hole 5 obtained in the side of the piece of furniture, and terminating with a bevelled end with flute-shaped spout 17. Behind the tip 16, on the two sides of the pin 12 there are provided for respective substantially rectangular-shaped reliefs 20, which extend in the longitudinal direction of the pin 12 and terminate at the front part with an ogive-shaped rounded end 21 , connected to the base of the rectangular relief with an inclined or concaveshaped section 22.

[0023] Correspondingly, the inner cavity 15 of the casing 1 1 has, on its opposite side walls 34 (one of which is indicated in figure 5), a pair of lateral recesses 30, adapted to longitudinally slidably house the reliefs 20 of the pin 12. The width or height of the recesses 30 tends to reduce in the front part with an upward inclined or convex-shaped section 32which terminates with a substantially semi-circular-shaped rounded end 31 , adapted to house the ogive-shaped rounded end 21 of the reliefs 20 of the pin 12, while the inclined or concave section 22 of the reliefs perfectly matches the inclined or convex section 32 of the recesses.

[0024] Thanks to such abutments, the pin 12 remains retained in the casing 1 1 even when the tip 16 is fully removed, under the action of the elastic means 13, which act between a rear seat 18 obtained in the casing 1 1 and the rear part of the pin 12.

[0025] As observable in particular in figures 3 and 3a, the front opening 33 of the casing 1 1 has a vertical axis substantially elliptical elongated shape with parallel opposite sides, so as to allow the tilting of the pin 12, which has a diameter smaller than the vertical dimension in which said front opening 33 is extended, and it is normally arranged at the upper part thereof. As a result, the cavity 15, which substantially reproduces the shape of the front opening 33, has the substantially flat opposite side walls 34 in which there are obtained the recesses 30 mentioned above, and houses the pin 12 loosely in the vertical direction, that is a plane parallel to said opposite side walls 34.

[0026] Advantageously, in the attached figures the ends of the elastic element 13 are arranged on staggered planes, but they could obviously also be on the same plane.

[0027] The device described up to now precisely corresponds to that of document WO 2023 / 061683 A1 and, thanks to the conformation of the reliefs 20 of the pin and of the recesses 30 of the casing, it allows to stably support the weight of the shelf and of the objects present thereon, given that the tilting of the pin is prevented by the engagement between the ribs and recesses, while if there is exerted a force contrary and greater than the weight force of the shelf and of the objects present thereof, an upward thrust of the shelf allows the tilting of the pin which can recede into the casing 1 1 in an inclined position, allowing the removal of the shelf, by sliding the tip 16 of the pin against the wall of the piece of furniture.

[0028] The shelf 2 can be fitted indistinctively by sliding the tip 16 of the pin 12 against the side 3 of the piece of furniture with a top to bottom, in which case the pin 12 may initially axially recede into the casing 1 1 , or with an opposite action, from the bottom upwards, in which the pin recedes into the casing in an inclined position.

[0029] Described below are the locking means according to the invention which prevent the shelf from being released from its seat, for example following erroneous operations or should the piece of furniture be moved, even when it is overturned and subjected to strong impacts.

[0030] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, such locking means consist of a lever 40, arranged at the front opening 33 of the casing 1 1 , which can be brought from alocking position, in which it prevents the tilting of the pin 12, to a release position in which it allows such tilting.

[0031] Preferably, the lever 40 is fitted so as to rotate to be voluntarily displaced between said locking and release positions. However, it cannot be ruled out that it can be fitted so as to be displaced linearly to obtain the same result.

[0032] In particular, the lever 40 has a substantially triangular central body 41 , with width such to enter into the cavity 15 of the casing 1 1 , on whose two sides there are provided for respective cylindrical protrusions 42. The base of the body 41 extends, in the direction opposite to the front opening 33 of the casing 1 1 , with a flat fin 43 with thin thickness and width greater than the thickness of the body 41 , so as to protrude on the two sides thereof. Such flat fin 43 acts as a gripping element for actuating the lever 40, as shown below.

[0033] Correspondingly, the cavity 15 of the casing 1 1 has a lower slot 19 which extends for a given section, starting from the front opening 33, with length and width such to be able to house the body 41 of the lever 40.

[0034] In the embodiment shown in the figures, in order to be able to house the lever 40, in the front part of the casing 1 1 , there is provided for an annular expansion or collar 50, which extends, starting from the front opening 33, for a length slightly greater than the length of the aforementioned slot 19, at which the collar obviously remains open, leaving only one bottom wall 51 turned up 56 inwards, parallel to the surface of the casing 1 1 , where it determines a seat 52 serving for the purposes that will be described below.

[0035] 0n the two sides of the slot 19 there extend downwards two opposite longitudinal walls 53, joined by said bottom wall 52, in which there are provided opposite inner guide grooves 54 terminating in respective blind holes 55, with diameter such to be able to house said cylindrical protrusions 42 of the lever 40.

[0036] Said opposite longitudinal walls 53 terminate at the lower part with a base 60 widened outwards, and they have a pair of outer guide grooves 61 , substantially at the level of said inner grooves 54, but with smaller height. In this specific case, the outer grooves 61 are determined by the connection of said bases 60 with the collar 50.

[0037] The bases 60 have respective discharges 62, which determine a seat 63 (see Fig. 3a), adapted to house the flat fin 43 of the lever 40.

[0038] With such conformation of the casing 1 1 , the lever 40 may be made to slide with the cylindrical protrusions 42 thereof with a slight forcing along the inner guide grooves 54, until said cylindrical protrusions 42 are engaged in said blind holes 55, therefore determining a rotation axis for the lever 40.

[0039] For the fitting of the device 10 in the shelf 2, the hole 4 obtained in its thickness has an initial section with larger diameter 70, adapted to house the collar 50 of the casing 1 1 , and a lower opening 71 , which determines a pair of opposite wings 72, adapted to be inserted into said outer guide grooves 61 of the casing, so that the lower edge 4 of the casing is arranged in said seat 52 of the casing 1 1 , determined by the turn up 56.

[0040] The collar 50 has longitudinal ribs 57 for improving the gripping in the section of the hole 70.

[0041] It should be observed that the collar 50 could also not be present, given that it is sufficient to provide the structure protruding at the lower part from the casing 11 to support the lever 40.

[0042] Figure 7a is a median section of the assembled device 10, with the lever 40 in a locking position, with its triangular body 41 at a short distance from the pin 12, preventing the tilting thereof should there be exerted a top to bottom force thereon, that is should the casing 1 1 be raised with respect to the pin 12, and this happens for the removal of the shelf. Figure 9a shows the device 10, in the condition of figure 7a, fitted between a shelf 2 and a side 3 of a piece of furniture.

[0043] In figures 7b and 7c, the lever 40 has been rotates in the clockwise direction by about 90°, through the flat gripping fin 43, to move the body 41 away from the pin 12 and allow the inclination thereof and the recession into the casing 1 1 when a top to bottom force is exerted thereon with simultaneous thrust toward the internal of the casing, and this happens when the shelf is raised, as shown in the corresponding figures 9b and 9c, in which the device 10 is mounted on the piece of furniture.

[0044] Figures 8a and 8b are median sections of the device 10 assembled, with the lever 40 in a locking position, and they show how the pin 12 can recede into the casing 1 1 with a linear sliding, without tilting, which is prevented by the position of the lever 40, as shown in the corresponding figures 10a, 10b, which show the device 10 inserted into the shelf, which is shown in the fitting step. In this condition, when lowering the shelf, on the pin there is exerted an axial thrust associated with a possible upward thrust, which does not determine the tilting.

[0045] This is advantageous, given that the shelf can be fitted with the locking lever in the active position, so that it does not have to be reactivated to prevent involuntary releases.

[0046] Obviously, the shelf can be mounted with the locking lever deactivated, in which case it should be reactivated once fitted.

[0047] Should one intend to fit the shelf with a lifting action, one would have to deactivate the locking lever, given that in this case the forces which act on the pin tend to tilt it to recede it into the casing.

[0048] The locking lever 40 is maintained in active and inactive positions by friction between the cylindrical protrusions 42 of the pin 12 and the corresponding blind holes 55 of the casing 1 1 , into which they are inserted with a certain interference.

[0049] In the light of the above the advantages of the invention are clear, which allows a quick fitting and removal of the shelves of the piece of furniture, in which the locking device, to be deactivated voluntarily, prevents the release of the shelf in any condition.

[0050] Given that the invention has been described above with particular reference to an embodiment thereof provided solely by way of non-limiting example, numerous modifications and variants will be evident to person skilled in the art in the light of the description outlined above. Thus, the present invention protects all modifications and variants that fall within the scope of protection of the claims that follow.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Device (10) for supporting and fixing shelves (2) to the sides (3) of pieces of furniture (1 ), such as bookshelves, shelf units and the like, configured to be inserted into the edge of a shelf (2) for engagement with a side (3) of the piece of furniture, said device comprising a substantially cylindrical-shaped casing (1 1 ) with an inner cavity (15), having a front opening (33), within which there is fitted a pin (12) which is stressed by elastic means (13), with a tip (16) of the pin (12) normally projecting from the edge of the casing (1 1 ) under the action of said elastic means (13), wherein said inner cavity (15) of the casing (1 1 ) has at least partially a vertically extended shape, such to loosely house the pin (12) in the vertical direction, the opposite side walls (34) of said cavity (15) having longitudinal recesses (30) adapted to house corresponding reliefs (20) provided for on the pin (12), or vice versa, so that the pin is retained in the casing (1 1 ) with the tip (16) protruding therefrom, pushed by said elastic means(13), and so that a transversal force contrary to the action of said elastic means (13) causes a recession of the pin (12) in the casing with a tilting action in a vertical plane parallel to said opposite side walls of said cavity (15), characterised in that it provides for locking means (40), which can be operated manually to be brought from an active position in which they prevent the tilting of the pin (12) to an inactive position in which they allow such tilting.

2. Device according to claim 1 , characterised in that said locking means consists in a lever (40) having a central body (41 ) pivoted to the casing (1 1 ), and entering into the cavity (15) through a longitudinal slot (19) obtained in the casing, starting from said front opening (33), to be displaced, following a rotation around the pivoting axis, from a position close to or in contact with the pin (12) to prevent the tilting thereof, to a position distant from the pin to allow the tilting thereof.

3. Device according to claim 2, characterised in that on the two sides of said central body (41 ) of the lever (40) there are provided for respective cylindrical protrusions (42), adapted to be engaged in corresponding holes (55) provided for in opposite longitudinal walls (53) extending downwards on the two sides of said slot (19).

4. Device according to claim 3, characterised in that said holes (55) are provided for in opposite inner guide grooves (54) obtained in said opposite longitudinal walls (53).

5. Device according to claim 3 or 4, characterised in that said lever (40) has a flat gripping fin (43) protruding horizontally from said central body (41 ), housed in a seat (63) formed between the bases (60) of said opposite longitudinal walls (53).

6. Device according to claim 4 or 5, characterised in that on said opposite longitudinal walls (53) there are provided for a pair of outer guide grooves (61 ), substantially at the level of said inner grooves (54), but with smaller height.

7. Device according to any one of claims 2 to 6, characterised in that in the front part of the casing (11 ), there is provided for an annular expansion or collar (50), which extends, starting from the front opening (33), for a length slightly greater than the length of said slot(19), at which the collar remains open.

8. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said reliefs(20) are substantially rectangular-shaped and extend in the longitudinal direction of the pin (12) terminating at the front part with an ogive-shaped rounded end (21 ), adapted to house at a rounded end (31 ) of a respective recess (30), said ogive-shaped rounded end (21 ) connected to the base of the rectangular relief with an inclined or concave-shaped section (22), which matches a corresponding an inclined or convex-shaped section (32) of the respective recess.

9. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said elastic means (13) act between a seat (18) of said casing (11 ) and the rear part of said pin (12), arranged on staggered planes or on the same plane.

10. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said tip

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