Folding connector, folding support structure, and folding cabinet

Abstract

A folding cabinet, comprising a folding support structure rotatably opened and closed by means of a folding connector and a folding enclosure structure wrapping the outer periphery of the folding support structure. The folding support structure and the folding enclosure structure are units capable of being continuously folded, so that compared with conventional assembled loose structures, the folding support structure and the folding enclosure structure have the characteristics of high speed of assembly, high strength, and superior overall connectivity while the storage volume of the cabinet is reduced. Flanges are arranged on the folding enclosure structure, and the use of flanges to support shelves not only simplifies an internal connection structure of the cabinet but also allows for more flexible spatial division in the cabinet.

Description

A folding connector, a folding support structure, and a folding cabinet

[0001] Cross-references to related applications

[0002] This application claims priority to and is based on Chinese Patent Application No. 2024213052605, filed on June 7, 2024, with the invention entitled "A Folding Connector, Folding Support Structure and Folding Cabinet", the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] This invention relates to the field of folding cabinet technology, and in particular to a folding connector, a folding support structure, and a folding cabinet. Background Technology

[0004] Modern home living champions minimalist aesthetics. Simplicity is not only environmentally friendly and economical, but it also brings a simple and natural lifestyle to modern people with fast-paced work lives. Traditional wardrobes are non-disassembly and non-folding, making packaging, moving, and storage extremely inconvenient. Therefore, simple wardrobes have become a common household item in modern home decoration design. Currently, the commonly used quick-assembly simple wardrobe structure often requires the use of iron pipes and plastic connectors for assembly. The disadvantages of this structure are: the plastic connectors are prone to cracking, resulting in poor structural stability; the components are too scattered, making assembly time-consuming and laborious, leading to low installation efficiency; the assembled simple wardrobe lacks strength, the storage space is fixed, and the wardrobe's function is limited. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In summary, the purpose of this invention is to provide a folding cabinet that solves the problems existing in the background art.

[0006] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the present invention provides a folding connector, including a first support and a second support pivotally connected, wherein the two supports are close to each other and partially overlapped at one end, and a plug-in block for limiting and cooperating is provided.

[0007] When the folding connector is opened, the two plug blocks close together and extend outward, and are limited and fitted between the two supports in the opposite direction of the support rotation.

[0008] When the folding connector is folded up, the two supports rotate towards each other along the pivot position, causing the plug block to retract inward in the opposite direction of rotation.

[0009] In a preferred embodiment: the two supports are respectively provided with a first interface and a second interface in opposite directions along their rotation surfaces. When the second support rotates and drives the second interface to move closer to the first interface on the first support, the folding connector is folded.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment: a third interface perpendicular to the first interface is provided in the height direction of the first support, and the third interface is fixedly connected to the first interface.

[0011] In another preferred embodiment: including the folding connector described in the previous embodiment, it further includes a first folding frame that rotates and opens and closes around the folding connector as an axis, and a second folding frame that is rotatably connected to both sides of the first folding frame. The first folding frame and the second folding frame rotate relative to each other to realize the switching of the folding support structure between the stored state and the unfolded state.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment: the first folding frame includes three vertical bars and four horizontal bars, the three vertical bars being parallel to each other and connected by the horizontal bars.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment: the longitudinal bar includes a first longitudinal bar at both sides and a second longitudinal bar at the middle position, and the end of the second longitudinal bar is connected to the crossbars on both sides by a folding connector.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment, the system further includes a support rod, one end of which is rotatably connected to one side of the first longitudinal rod, and the other end is plugged into an interface on the connecting assembly.

[0015] In a preferred embodiment: the second folding frame includes a long rod, which is positioned and fitted between the support rods in the opposite direction of the opening and closing of the first folding frame, and its two ends are plugged into the connecting components.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment: the side of the long rod is provided with a socket for inserting a limiting rod, one end of the limiting rod is inserted into the socket, and the other end is tightly fitted with the plug block on the folding connector.

[0017] In a preferred embodiment: the connecting component is a right-angle bend, and its end face in the height direction is provided with a shaft hole.

[0018] In another preferred embodiment: a folding cabinet including the folding connector and / or folding support structure of the above embodiments, the folding cabinet further including a folding enclosure structure surrounding the folding support structure, the folding enclosure structure being limited and engaged on the support structure, the folding enclosure structure being provided with a protrusion, the bottom of the shelf being placed on the protrusion.

[0019] In a preferred embodiment: the enclosure structure includes a back plate, side plates rotatably connected to both sides of the back plate, and a panel pivotally connected to the side plates via a pivot.

[0020] In a preferred embodiment: the two ends of the rotating shaft are inserted into the shaft holes of the connecting assembly.

[0021] In a preferred embodiment, the folding enclosure structure is made of a thermoformed panel.

[0022] Compared with the prior art, the technical solution of the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0023] 1. The folding support structure and folding enclosure structure are designed as a continuously foldable unit, reducing the storage volume and overcoming the inconvenience of packaging, handling and storage in the background technology.

[0024] 2. The folding support structure achieves switching between the storage and unfolded states through the rotation and opening of the folding connectors, making the overall assembly more convenient and efficient, and featuring strong overall connectivity and good stress resistance.

[0025] 3. The folding enclosure structure is made of vacuum forming material, which is lightweight, high-strength, and easy to transport.

[0026] 4. By extracting protrusions from the folding enclosure structure to place shelves, the bolted and anchored assembly structure inside the traditional cabinet is replaced, increasing the flexibility of space division. Attached Figure Description

[0027] Figure 1 is an overall axial view of the folding cabinet of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the folding cabinet of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the storage state of the first folding frame in the folding support structure;

[0030] Figure 4 is an enlarged view of position A1 in Figure 3;

[0031] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the unfolded state of the first folding frame in the folding support structure;

[0032] Figure 6 is an enlarged view of position A2 in Figure 5;

[0033] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of the assembly of the second folding frame in the folding support structure;

[0034] Figure 8 is an enlarged view of position B in Figure 7;

[0035] Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of the folded enclosure structure in its stored state;

[0036] Figure 10 is a schematic diagram of the unfolded state of the folded enclosure structure;

[0037] Figure 11 is a schematic diagram of the combination of the folded enclosure structure and the folded support structure. Detailed Implementation

[0038] The technical solutions of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0039] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that the terms "upper," "lower," "inner," "outer," "top / bottom," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are used only for the convenience of describing the invention and for simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on the invention. Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0040] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installed", "equipped", "sleeved / connected", "connected", etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, "connection" can be a wall-mounted connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; it can be a connection within two components. For those skilled in the art, the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention can be understood according to the specific circumstances.

[0041] Example 1

[0042] Referring to Figures 1-11, this embodiment provides a folding cabinet, which includes a folding support structure 1 and a folding enclosure structure 2 surrounding the folding support structure 1. Unlike traditional folding cabinets that use scattered parts for assembly, the folding support structure 1 and the folding enclosure structure 2 of this invention are both pre-folded integrated connection structures. The opening and closing of the overall structure enables rapid support of the internal frame and convenient closure of the external cabinet panel. Specifically, the folding support structure 1 includes a first folding frame 11 that rotates and opens around its own centerline, and a second folding frame 12 rotatably connected to both sides of the first folding frame 11. The rotation of the first folding frame 11 and the second folding frame 12 relative to each other allows the folding support structure 1 to switch between a stowed state and an unfolded state.

[0043] The first folding frame 11 includes three vertical bars spaced apart along the height of the cabinet and four horizontal bars 113 arranged horizontally. The four horizontal bars 113 are parallel vertically and distributed between the three vertical bars. The vertical bars include first vertical bars 111 at both ends and a second vertical bar 112 in the middle. One end of each horizontal bar 113 is fixed to the first vertical bar 111, and the other end is detachably connected to the second vertical bar 112 via a folding connector 115. The first folding frame 11 achieves rotational opening and closing of its main body through symmetrical connections to the folding connectors 115 at its own central axis. Structurally, in the unfolded state, the folding connector 115 has a third interface 115-3 in the height direction connecting to the second vertical bar 112, and two interfaces in the horizontal direction connecting to the two horizontal bars 113. The openings at the two interface ends are oppositely positioned, and folding is achieved by rotation via a connecting shaft. The second folding frame 12 is pivotally connected to the upper and lower sides of the first folding frame 11 via support rods 114 on the first folding frame 11, as shown in Figure 3. One end of the support rod 114 is rotatably connected to the first folding frame 11, and the other end is plugged into the insertion interface 124-1 on the connecting assembly 124. The connecting assembly 124 and the long rod 122 on the second folding frame 12 abut against each other to form the second folding frame 12. Since the connecting assembly 124 plays a right-angle bend role in the rod connection, meaning the two rod connection ports on the connecting assembly 124 form abutting right angles, the connecting assemblies 124 arranged on both sides of the first folding frame 11 connect to the long rod 122. The long rod 122 supports the opening and closing angles of the first folding frame 11, providing a limiting fit. The rotation of the support rod 114 and the longitudinal rod 111 of the second folding frame 12 is longitudinal. When supporting the frame, it is necessary to fix the relative position of the first folding frame 11 and the second folding frame 12. Therefore, the present invention provides a socket for the insertion of the limiting rod 123 in the middle of the long rod 122. One end of the limiting rod 123 is inserted into the socket, and the other end is tightly fitted with the plug block 115-0 on the folding connector 115 to achieve relative fixation between the first folding frame 11 and the second folding frame 12.

[0044] In this embodiment, the folding enclosure structure 2 is a panel made by vacuum forming, which has the advantages of being lightweight, having a large surface area, and being easy to transport. Its assembly includes a back panel 21, side panels 22 that can be folded and connected to both sides of the back panel 21, and a panel 23 pivotally connected to the side panels 22 via a pivot 202. The folding enclosure structure 2 encloses and surrounds the folding support structure 1 in its unfolded state, and the pins at the upper and lower ends of the pivot 202 are inserted into the shaft holes 124-2 on the connecting components 124 at the upper and lower positions, allowing the back panel 21 and side panels 22 to be stably attached to the three sides of the folding support structure 1. The panel 23 rotates and opens / closes around the fixed pivot 202. Upper end plates 31 are fitted to the top and bottom of the cabinet, making the entire cabinet enclosed to form a sealed space for storage. In addition, considering the need to effectively divide the internal space for placing items, the present invention has a concave protrusion 201 along the enclosing direction of the folding enclosure structure 2. The bottom of the shelf 33 for placing items is placed on the protrusion 201. This not only allows the shelf 33 to be flexibly distributed, but also has a lower assembly cost and significantly improved assembly efficiency compared to the traditional method of fixing the shelf in the cabinet using a bolt and anchor assembly structure.

[0045] Example 2

[0046] Referring to Figures 4 and 6, this embodiment provides a folding connector 115, which includes a first support and a second support pivotally connected. The second support rotates around the first support to switch the folding connector 115 between a stowed state and an unfolded state. Specifically, both the first and second supports are provided with insertion blocks 115-0 for limiting and engaging. The insertion blocks 115-0 are located at the overlapping ends of the two supports and are connected by a connecting shaft. When the folding connector 115 is opened, the two insertion blocks 115-0 close together and extend outwards, and the first and second supports are in a straight line; when the folding connector 115 is folded up, the two supports rotate towards each other along the pivot position, the insertion blocks 115-0 abut against each other and close together, and the first and second supports are parallel.

[0047] As a rod-connecting support, the first support has a first interface 115-1 along its rotational plane, and the second support has a second interface 115-2 along its rotational plane. When the folding connector 115 is opened, the opening direction of the first interface 115-1 is opposite to the opening direction of the second interface 115-2. When the second support rotates and moves the second interface 115-2 closer to the first interface 115-1, the folding connector 115 folds. Additionally, a third interface 115-3 is provided vertically to and fixed to the first interface 115-1 along the height direction of the first support. In the unfolded state, the first interface 115-1, the third interface 115-0, and the outwardly extending plug-in block 115-0 on the first support are perpendicular to each other. When the second support rotates the second interface 115-2 around the connecting shaft until it is in the same direction as the first interface 115-1, the plug-in block 115-3 retracts inward against the direction of rotation, at which point the folding connector 115 is folded.

[0048] Example 3

[0049] Referring to Figures 4-8, the folding support structure 1 provided in this embodiment includes a first folding frame 11 that rotates and opens around a folding component 115 and a second folding frame 12 that is rotatably connected to both sides of the first folding frame 11. The first folding frame 11 and the second folding frame 12 rotate relative to each other to achieve the switching between the folding support structure 1 in a stowed state and an unfolded state.

[0050] The first folding frame 11 includes three vertical bars and four horizontal bars. The three vertical bars are parallel to each other and connected by the horizontal bars. The vertical bars include first vertical bars 111 at both ends and a second vertical bar 112 at the middle position. The end of the second vertical bar 112 is connected to the horizontal bars 113 on both sides through a folding assembly 115. A support rod 114 is rotatably connected to one side of the first vertical bar 111, and its end away from the first vertical bar 111 is inserted into the insertion interface 124-1 and connected to the second folding frame 12 through the connecting assembly 124.

[0051] The second folding frame 12 includes a long rod 122 and a limiting rod 123 with one end inserted into the long rod 122. The long rod 122 is fitted between the support rods 114 in a limiting manner against the opening and closing direction of the first folding frame 11, and its two ends are axially connected to the connecting assembly 124. The side of the long rod 122 is provided with a socket for the limiting rod 123 to be inserted. One end of the limiting rod 123 is inserted into the socket, and the other end is tightly fitted with the third radial joint 115-3 on the folding assembly 115 to limit the relative swing of the second folding frame 12 relative to the first folding frame 11.

[0052] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention, but the design concept of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any non-substantial modifications made to the present invention by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in the present invention using this concept shall be deemed as an infringement of the protection scope of the present invention. Industrial applicability

[0053] This invention provides a folding cabinet, comprising a folding support structure that can be rotated and opened via folding connectors and a folding enclosure structure surrounding the folding support structure. The folding support structure and the folding enclosure structure are continuously foldable units, reducing the storage volume of the cabinet. Compared with traditional piecemeal structures, they feature faster assembly speed, higher strength, and better overall connectivity. The folding enclosure structure is equipped with protrusions that support shelves, which not only simplifies the internal connection structure of the cabinet but also makes the internal space division of the cabinet more flexible, thus possessing industrial practicality.

Claims

1. A folding connector, comprising a pivotally connected first support and a second support, wherein the two supports are close to each other and partially overlapped at one end, and a pivotally connected plug-in block (115-0) is provided thereon; When the folding connector (115) is opened, the two plug blocks (115-0) close together and extend outwards, and the first support and the second support are on a straight line; When the folding connector (115) is folded up, the two plug blocks rotate toward each other along the pivot position, and the first support and the second support are parallel to each other.

2. A folding connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The two supports are respectively provided with a first interface (115-1) and a second interface (115-2) in opposite directions along their rotation surfaces. When the second support rotates and drives the second interface (115-2) to move closer to the first interface (115-1) on the first support, the folding connector (115) is folded.

3. A folding connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: A third interface (115-3) perpendicular to the first interface (115-1) is provided in the height direction of the first support, and the third interface (115-3) is fixedly connected to the first interface (115-1).

4. A folding support structure comprising the folding connector (115) according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that: It also includes a first folding frame (11) that rotates and opens and closes around the folding connector (115) and a second folding frame (12) that rotates and connects to both sides of the first folding frame (11). The first folding frame (11) and the second folding frame (12) rotate relative to each other to realize the switching of the folding support structure (1) between the stored state and the unfolded state.

5. A folding support structure according to claim 4, characterized in that: The first folding frame (11) includes three vertical bars and four horizontal bars. The three vertical bars are parallel to each other and connected by the horizontal bars.

6. A folding support structure according to claim 5, characterized in that: The longitudinal bar includes a first longitudinal bar (111) at both sides and a second longitudinal bar (112) at the middle position. The end of the second longitudinal bar (112) is connected to the cross bars (113) on both sides through a folding connector (115).

7. A folding support structure according to claim 5, characterized in that: It also includes a support rod (114), one end of which is rotatably connected to one side of the first longitudinal rod (111), and the other end is plugged into the connector (124-1) on the connecting assembly (124).

8. A folding support structure according to claim 4, characterized in that: The second folding frame (12) includes a long rod (122), which is positioned and fitted between the support rods (114) in the opposite direction of the opening and closing of the first folding frame (11), and its two ends are plugged into the connecting assembly (124).

9. A folding support structure according to claim 8, characterized in that: The side of the long rod (122) is provided with a socket for the insertion of the limiting rod (123). One end of the limiting rod (123) is inserted into the socket, and the other end is tightly fitted with the plug block (115-3) on the folding connector (115).

10. A folding support structure according to claim 7, characterized in that: The connecting component (124) is a right-angle bend, and its end face in the height direction is provided with a shaft hole (124-2).

11. A folding cabinet comprising a folding support structure (1) according to any one of claims 4-10, and further comprising a folding enclosure structure (2) surrounding the folding support structure (1), the folding enclosure structure (2) being limited and engaged on the support structure (1), the folding enclosure structure (2) being provided with a protrusion (201), and the bottom of a shelf (33) being placed on the protrusion (201).

12. A folding cabinet according to claim 11, characterized in that: The enclosure structure (2) includes a back plate (21), side plates (22) rotatably connected to both sides of the back plate (21), and a panel (23) pivotally connected to the side plates (22) via a pivot (202).

13. A folding cabinet according to claim 12, characterized in that: The two ends of the rotating shaft (202) are inserted into the shaft holes of the connecting assembly (124).

14. A folding cabinet according to claim 11, characterized in that: The folding enclosure structure (2) is made of thermoformed board.

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