Furnishing element

Abstract

A furnishing element (10) comprising a container body(100) delimiting a variable volume cavity (120), a movable compartment (200), housed at least partially inside said variable volume cavity (120) and coupled with the container body (100) so as to move along a movement stroke (140), from a closed or retracted configuration, wherein said variable volume cavity (120) has a minimum volume, to an open or extracted configuration, wherein said variable volume cavity (120) has a maximum volume, wherein the movable compartment (200) comprises a sealing wall (220), at least partially counter-shaped with respect to the variable volume cavity (120), so as to sealingly delimit said variable volume cavity (120) along the movement stroke (140), wherein the furnishing element(10) comprises a pneumatic duct (202) pneumatically connecting said variable volume cavity (120) to an external environment with respect to the furnishing element (10), opening in an engagement point (204).accessible from outside the furnishing element (10) and arranged on the container body (100) or on the movable compartment (200). Said engagement point (204) is pneumatically connectable to an air supply and / or suction device (300), wherein the furnishing element (10) further comprises stopping means (203) for the movable compartment (200) with respect to the container body(100).

Description

"Furnishing element”DESCRIPTIONFIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a furnishing element with pneumatic opening / closing, a furnishing kit , and a corresponding method for opening / closing a furnishing element .Prior art

[0002] In the furnishing sector, furnishing elements are known with fixed parts and movable parts , openable and closable manually and / or by means of spring actuation or with electric motors or counterweights .

[0003] Furnishing elements are al so known that are partially retractable , provided, for example , with li ftable and / or extractable parts and subsequently closable , in order to reduce the bulk when not in use .

[0004] The bulk issue i s particularly relevant especial ly in confined spaces , wherein the avai lable spaces are limited and wherein it is di f ficult to obtain an electric power supply .

[0005] Furthermore , it is also known that the volumes of rooms are underexploited, especially in height , usually because the exploitation of vertical spaces is made di f ficult by the need to use ladders or similar devices .

[0006] There is therefore on the one hand the need toprovide furnishing elements that can make the best use of space , and on the other hand the need to implement devices that are easy, economical , and practical to operate . Furthermore , it is desired that the movement device does not entail additional bul k .DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The need is there fore felt to overcome the drawbacks and limitations mentioned with reference to the prior art .

[0008] This need is satis fied by a furnishing element in accordance with claim 1 , by a furnishing kit in accordance with claim 28 , and by a method for opening / closing a furnishing element in accordance with claim 29 .DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] Further features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description of its preferred and non-limiting embodiments , in which :

[0010] - f igure 1 shows a perspective view of a furnishing element in accordance with a possible embodiment of the present invention;

[0011] - f igures 2- 6 show perspective views , from di f ferent angles , of furnishing elements in accordance with possible embodiments of the present invention;

[0012] - f igure 7 shows a sectional view of a furnishing element in accordance with a possible embodiment of the present invention;

[0013] - f igure 8 shows a bottom perspective view of a furnishing element in accordance with the present invention;

[0014] - f igure 9 shows a sectional view of the furnishing element of figure 8 ;

[0015] - f igures 10-29 show perspective views of furnishing elements in accordance with possible embodiments of the present invention .

[0016] The elements or parts of elements in common between the embodiments described below will be denoted by the same reference numerals .DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] With reference to the above figures , 10 globally denotes a schematic overall view of a furnishing element .

[0018] For the purposes of the present invention, the type of furnishing element is irrelevant and may be of any kind, in terms of shape , si ze , weight , and materials .

[0019] The furnishing element 10 comprises a container body 100 delimiting a variable volume cavity 120 .

[0020] The container body 100 may have any shape , and the same applies to the variable volume cavity 120 , which does not necessarily have to be counter-shaped withrespect to the container body 100 . In general , the furnishing element can either be placed / fixed to the ceiling or rested against the wall or the floor .

[0021] The furnishing element 10 also comprises a movable compartment 200 , housed at least partially inside said variable volume cavity 120 and coupled with the container body 100 so as to move along a movement stroke 140 , from a closed or retracted configuration, wherein said variable volume cavity 120 has a minimum volume , to an open or extracted configuration, wherein said variable volume cavity 120 has a maximum volume .

[0022] The movable compartment 200 defines an internal space 201 adapted to house obj ects of any kind .

[0023] The movable compartment 200 compri ses a sealing wal l 220 , at least partially counter-shaped with respect to the variable volume cavity 120 , so as to sealingly delimit said variable volume cavity 120 along the movement stroke 140 .

[0024] It is to be noted that the sealing between the sealing wall 220 and the variable volume cavity 120 can be increased due to the vacuum created inside the variable volume cavity 120 : in fact , such vacuum may facilitate an elastic deformation of the side walls 130 of the container body 100 that delimit the variable volume cavity 120 . Such deformation, i f properlycontrolled by specific design of the side walls 130, can enhance the airtightness of the sealing wall 220.

[0025] In accordance with a possible embodiment (figure 24) , it is possible to provide laminas or coverings 224 at said side walls 130 of the container body 100 and / or of the sealing wall 220. The laminas or coverings 224 may comprise metal materials, but also for example Formica, in order to promote both the sliding of the sealing wall and the airtightness. In particular, the laminas or coverings 224 may deform under the effect of the vacuum so as to enhance the airtightness of the sealing wall 220.

[0026] In accordance with a further embodiment (figures 25- 29) , the interposition of a gasket 228 is provided, placed for example at the sealing wall 220. For example, the gasket 228 is at least partially housed in a peripheral seat 230 formed on a lateral peripheral edge of said sealing wall 220. In accordance with a further embodiment, it is also possible to provide a peripheral spring 232 that pushes the gasket 228 into abutment against the walls delimiting said variable volume cavity 120. The gasket 228 may be, for example, an 0-ring or a lip seal.

[0027] In accordance with a further embodiment (figure 29) , the peripheral seat 230 that houses the gasket 228 is influid communication with atmospheric pressure by means of a ventilation channel 236 that opens onto the gasket 228 on the side opposite the variable volume cavity 120 . In this way, the pressure di f ference created between the atmospheric pressure and the vacuum inside the variable volume cavity 120 contributes to the compression of the gasket 228 against the side walls 130 of the container body 100 , and thereby increasing the pneumatic seal between the container body 100 and the movable compartment 200 .

[0028] The furnishing element 10 also comprises a pneumatic duct 202 pneumatically connecting said variable volume cavity 120 to an external environment with respect to the furnishing element 10 , opening in an engagement point 204 , accessible from outside the furnishing element 10 and arranged on the container body 100 or on the movable compartment 200 .In accordance with a possible embodiment , the pneumatic duct 202 is formed directly on the container body 100 and / or on the movable compartment 200 .

[0029] For example , the pneumatic duct 202 is formed on a side wall 130 or inside a side wall 130 of the container body 100 near an upper wall 150 of the container body 100 , opposite the sealing wall 220 of the movable compartment 200 , or is formed directly on said upper wall150 of the container body 100 .

[0030] For example , the pneumatic duct 202 is formed on the movable compartment 200 .

[0031] For example , the pneumatic duct 202 is formed between a side wall 130 of the container body 100 and the movable compartment 200 , so as to al low not only the passage of air but also to act as a guide for the relative sliding of the movable compartment 200 with respect to the container body 100 , along the movement stroke 140 .

[0032] In accordance with a possible embodiment , the pneumatic duct 202 passes through the movable compartment 200 up to opening into said variable volume cavity 120 .

[0033] For example , the pneumatic duct 202 extends from a loading wall 240 of the movable compartment 200 , opposite the sealing wall 220 , to the sealing wall 220 itsel f . Said loading wall 240 delimits the lower part of said internal space 201 of the movable compartment 200 , constituting a loading and support surface for obj ects to be housed in said internal space 201 .

[0034] In accordance with a possible embodiment , the pneumatic duct 202 is provided with a check valve 206 which allows an air flow only to enter into the variable volume cavity 120 and not to escape therefrom, or vice versa .

[0035] The engagement point 204 is pneumatically connectable to an air supply and / or suction device 300 .

[0036] The air supply and / or suction device 300 may be of a portable type , battery-powered and / or connectable to the electricity grid; a manual air supply and / or suction device 300 may also be used .

[0037] The furnishing element 10 further comprises stopping means 203 of the movable compartment 200 with respect to the container body 100 .

[0038] For example , said stopping means 203 comprise a hook which locks onto a corresponding catch; the hook is fixed to the movable compartment 200 and the catch is anchored to the container body 100 or vice versa .

[0039] Said hook may be a rotating element 208 , for example manually rotatable by a user .

[0040] In accordance with a possible embodiment , the stopping means 203 comprise at least one cam 209 rotating from a locking position, in which it abuts against a stop 207 , preventing the movement stroke 140 , to a releasing position in which it allows free relative movement between the movable compartment 200 and the container body 100 .

[0041] Preferably, said stopping means 203 comprise at least one end stop 211 which defines the maximum extension of the movable compartment 200 with respect tothe container body 100 , along the movement stroke 140 .

[0042] Said end stop 211 is configured as an undercut and constitutes a safety element that prevents the detachment of the movable compartment 200 from the container body 100 . In particular, said end stop 211 abuts against an appendix 212 associated with the movable compartment 200 , for example , but not exclusively, at the sealing wall 220 or at another point of the lateral wall of the movable compartment 200 . The abutment between said appendix 212 and the end stop 211 defines the maximum extraction or opening stroke o f the movable compartment 200 . A safety element may be added, such as a safety rope or cord, connecting the movable compartment 200 and the container body 100 so as to prevent their complete detachment .

[0043] In accordance with a further embodiment ( figure 16 ) , the movable compartment 200 is provided with at least one handle 213 equipped with at least one protrusion 214 which abuts against a recess or step 215 , so as to provide a mechanical stop and thus an end stop in the opening of the movable compartment 200 . For example , the movable compartment 200 is provided with a pair of handles 213 arranged on opposite sides .

[0044] In accordance with a further embodiment ( figure 17 ) , a laterally insertable and extractable element 216 is provided which, when the movable compartment 200 reachesthe maximum extraction position, abuts against said recess or step 215 .

[0045] In accordance with a further embodiment ( figures 18 - 19 ) , the furnishing element 10 provides at least one safety door 400 , associated with the movable compartment 200 , typically by means of hinges , so as to move from a closed configuration, in which it prevents access to the internal space 201 , to an open configuration in which it allows access to said internal space 201 and interferes with the possible li fting or closing of the movable compartment 200 . It is also possible to provide , for example , two safety doors 400 hinged at opposite uprights of the movable compartment 200 .

[0046] The at least one safety door 400 constitutes a safety element because it does not allow the closing, that is the li fting of the movable compartment 200 , unless the user has first placed said safety door 400 in the closed configuration : there is therefore no possibility that the user might accidentally insert , for example , a hand or even j ust a finger during the li fting of the movable compartment 200 .

[0047] In accordance with a further embodiment ( figures 20- 22 ) , the furnishing element 10 provides at least one safety bellows 500 , slidingly associated with the movable compartment 200 , so as to move from a closedconfiguration, in which it prevents access to the internal space 201 , to an open configuration in which it allows access to said internal space 201 and interferes with the possible li fting or closing of the movable compartment 200 . In particular, said interference is due to the fact that i f not completely closed, that is extended, the at least one bellows 500 presents folds 505 which interfere at least partially with the container body 100 .

[0048] In accordance with a possible embodiment , said at least one bellows 500 is provided with a safety pin 510 configured to enter into a corresponding safety seat 520 formed on the container body 100 . In particular, as long as the safety pin 510 is not inserted into the safety seat 520 , it interferes with the container body 100 and prevents the li fting or closing of the movable compartment 200 . The insertion of the safety pin 510 into the corresponding safety seat 520 can occur only after having fully extended the safety bellows 500 , that is after having blocked access to the movable compartment 200 .

[0049] The furnishing element 10 preferably comprises guides 205 for the relative sliding of the movable compartment 200 with respect to the container body 100 , along the movement stroke 140 .

[0050] Preferably but not necessarily, said movement stroke140 is linear, as are the guides 205 themselves .

[0051] The present invention also relates to a furnishing kit comprising a furnishing element 10 and an air supply and / or suction device 300 having a dispensing mouth 310 selectively connectable to said engagement point 204 , wherein the air supply and / or suction device 300 is configured to send or suck an air flow inside the variable volume cavity 120 so as to create a pressure di f ference between said variable volume cavity 120 and the outside of the furnishing element 10 .

[0052] The operation of a furnishing element in accordance with the present invention will now be described .

[0053] In particular, i f the furnishing element 10 is already in the closed or retracted configuration, the stopping means 203 are unlocked .

[0054] For example , i f the movable compartment 200 is positioned at the top, it is suf ficient to unlock the stopping means and, consequently, the movable compartment 200 can descend by gravity . It is also possible, as mentioned, to actuate the movable compartment 200 with the aid of the air supply and / or suction device 300 .

[0055] In the latter case , the air supply and / or suction device 300 is prepared, having a dispensing mouth 310 connectable to said engagement point 204 .

[0056] The dispensing mouth 310 of the air supply and / or suction device 300 is fluidically connected to the engagement point 204 and the air supply and / or suction device 300 is operated so as to create a pressure di f ference between the external environment and the variable volume cavity 120 , so as to move the movable compartment 200 along the movement stroke 140 .

[0057] As can be appreciated from the foregoing, the present invention makes it possible to overcome the drawbacks presented in the prior art .

[0058] In particular, the solution is compact , lightweight , and economical to implement .

[0059] Furthermore , the movement of the movable compartment takes place by means of a simple pressure di f ference between the external environment and the variable volume cavity, which can be achieved by any air suction or blowing device commonly available to a user .

[0060] The operation is simple and reliable , and at the same time , safe .

[0061] The furnishing element also makes it possible to exploit the available spaces of environments , for example vertically, but , i f necessary, also hori zontally, as illustrated in figure 10 .

[0062] The furnishing element can be used, for example , to store large-si zed obj ects ( such as bicycles ortelevisions ) which, when not in use , can be li fted so as to exploit the height space of the environment .

[0063] In this way, it is possible to make the most of the volumes available in each environment and, at the same time , to protect and conceal from view the obj ects contained within the furnishing element when not in use .

[0064] The kit proves to be particularly convenient to use , as the user can have a portable air supply and / or suction device , which can be battery-powered or powered by the electricity grid .

[0065] Advantageously, the present invention requires no maintenance or only limited mainte-nance .

[0066] The device is characteri zed by ease of use and installation, high safety, it does not break, and does not necessarily require electrical connections .

[0067] A skilled person in the field, in order to meet contingent and speci fic needs , may make numerous modi fications and variations to the solutions described above .

[0068] The scope of protection of the invention is defined by the following claims .Reference list:10: furnishing element100: container body120: variable volume cavity130: side wall140: movement stroke150: upper wall200: movable compartment201: internal space202: pneumatic duct203: stopping means204: engagement point of the pneumatic duct205: guides206: non-return valve207: stop208: rotating element209: cam211: end stop212: catch213: handles214: protrusion215: recess or step216: laterally insertable and extractable element220: sealing wall224: laminas or coverings228: gasket230: peripheral seat232: peripheral spring236: ventilation channel 240: loading wall300: air supply and / or suction device310: dispensing mouth400: safety door500: safety bellows 505: folds510: safety pin520: safety seat

Claims

Claims1. Furnishing element (10) comprising- a container body (100) delimiting a variable volume cavity (120) ,-a movable compartment (200) , housed at least partially inside said variable volume cavity (120) and coupled with the container body (100) so as to move along a movement stroke (140) , from a closed or retracted configuration, wherein said variable volume cavity (120) has a minimum volume, to an open or extracted configuration, wherein said variable volume cavity (120) has a maximum volume, -wherein the movable compartment (200) comprises a sealing wall (220) , at least partially counter-shaped with respect to the variable volume cavity (120) , so as to sealingly delimit said variable volume cavity (120) along the movement stroke (140) , -wherein the furnishing element (10) comprises a pneumatic duct (202) pneumatically connecting said variable volume cavity (120) to an external environment with respect to the furnishing element (10) , opening in an engagement point (204) , accessible from outside the furnishing element (10) and arranged on the container body (100) or on the movable compartment (200) ,-said engagement point (204) being pneumatically connectable to an air supply and / or suction device (300) ,-the furnishing element (10) further comprising stopping means (203) for the movable compartment (200) with respect to the container body (100) .

2. Furnishing element (10) according to claim 1, wherein the pneumatic duct (202) is formed directly on the container body (100) and / or on the movable compartment (200) .

3. Furnishing element (10) according to claim 2, wherein the pneumatic duct (202) is formed on a side wall (130) or inside a side wall (130) of the container body (100) .

4. Furnishing element (10) according to claim 3, wherein the pneumatic duct (202) is formed near an upper wall (150) of the container body (100) , opposite the sealing wall (220) of the movable compartment (200) , or is formed directly on said upper wall (150) .

5. Furnishing element (10) according to claim 2, wherein the pneumatic duct (202) is formed on the movable compartment (200) .

6. Furnishing element (10) according to claim 2, 3, 4, or 5, wherein the pneumatic duct (202) is formed between a side wall (130) of the container body (100) and the movable compartment (200) so as to allow not only the passage of air but also a guide for the relative sliding of the movable compartment (200) with respect to thecontainer body (100) , along the movement stroke (140) .

7. Furnishing element (10) according to claim 1, wherein the pneumatic duct (202) passes through the movable compartment (200) up to opening into said variable volume cavity (120) .

8. Furnishing element (10) according to claim 7, wherein the pneumatic duct (202) extends from a loading wall (240) of the movable compartment (200) , opposite the sealing wall (220) , to the sealing wall (220) itself.

9. Furnishing element (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the pneumatic duct (202) is provided with a check valve (206) which allows an air flow only to enter into the variable volume cavity (120) and not escape therefrom, or vice versa.

10. Furnishing element (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein laminas or coverings (224) are provided at the side walls (130) of the container body (100) and / or at the sealing wall (220) , so as to promote both the sliding of the sealing wall (220) and the airtightness .

11. Furnishing element (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein a gasket (228) is interposed at the sealing wall (220) .

12. Furnishing element (10) according to claim 11, wherein the gasket (228) is partially housed in aperipheral seat (230) formed on a lateral peripheral edge of said sealing wall (220) .

13. Furnishing element (10) according to claim 12, wherein a peripheral spring (232) is housed in said peripheral seat (230) , pushing the gasket (228) into abutment against the walls delimiting said variable volume cavity (120) .

14. Furnishing element (10) according to any one of claims 12 to 13, wherein the peripheral seat (230) housing the gasket (228) is in fluid communication with atmospheric pressure by means of a ventilation channel (236) that opens onto the gasket (228) on the side opposite the variable volume cavity (120) .

15. Furnishing element (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the furnishing element (10) comprises guides (205) for the relative sliding of the movable compartment (200) with respect to the container body (100) , along the movement stroke (140) .

16. Furnishing element (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein said stopping means (203) comprise at least one end stop (211) defining the maximum extension of the movable compartment (200) with respect to the container body (100) , along the movement stroke (140) .

17. Furnishing element (10) according to claim 16,wherein said end stop (211) comprises an undercut.

18. Furnishing element (10) according to claim 16 or 17, wherein said end stop (211) is configured to abut against an appendix (212) associated with the movable compartment (200) , wherein the abutment between said appendix (212) and the end stop (211) defines the maximum extraction or opening stroke of the movable compartment (200) .

19. Furnishing element (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein said stopping means (203) comprise a hook which locks onto a corresponding catch, the hook being fixed to the movable compartment (200) and the catch being anchored to the container body (100) , or vice versa.

20. Furnishing element (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 19, wherein the movable compartment (200) is provided with at least one handle (213) equipped with at least one protrusion (214) that abuts against a recess or step (215) , so as to provide a mechanical stop and thus an end stop for the opening of the movable compartment (200) .

21. Furnishing element (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 20, wherein said stopping means (203) comprise at least one cam (209) rotating from a locking position, in which it abuts against a stop (207) , preventing the movement stroke (140) , to a releasingposition in which it allows free relative movement between the movable compartment (200) and the container body (100) .

22. Furnishing element (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 21, wherein the furnishing element (10) comprises at least one safety door (400) , associated with the movable compartment (200) , so as to move from a closed configuration, in which it prevents access to an internal space (201) of the movable compartment (200) , to an open configuration in which it allows access to said internal space (201) and interferes with the possible lifting or closing of the movable compartment (200) .

23. Furnishing element (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 22, wherein said furnishing element (10) comprises at least one safety bellows (500) , slidingly associated with the movable compartment (200) , so as to move from a closed configuration, in which it prevents access to the internal space (201) , to an open configuration in which it allows access to said internal space (201) and interferes with the possible lifting or closing of the movable compartment (200) .

24. Furnishing element (10) according to claim 23, wherein the at least one safety bellows (500) is configured so that, if not completely closed, i.e. extended, it presents folds (505) which interfere atleast partially with the container body (100) .

25. Furnishing element (10) according to any one of claims 23 to 24, wherein said at least one bellows (500) is provided with a safety pin (510) configured to enter into a corresponding safety seat (520) formed on the container body (100) , and wherein the safety pin (510) , as long as it is not inserted into the safety seat (520) , interferes with the container body (100) .

26. Furnishing element (10) according to claim 25, wherein the safety bellows (500) is configured such that the insertion of the safety pin (510) into the respective safety seat (520) can occur only after the safety bellows (500) has been fully extended, that is, after blocking access to the movable compartment (200) .

27. Furnishing element (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 26, wherein said movement stroke (140) is linear .

28. Furnishing kit comprising a furnishing element (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 27, and an air supply and / or suction device (300) having a dispensing mouth (310) selectively connectable to said engagement point (204) , the air supply and / or suction device (300) being configured to send or suck an air flow inside the variable volume cavity (120) so as to create a pressure difference between said variable volume cavity (120) andthe outside of the furnishing element (10) .

29. Method for opening / closing a furnishing element (10) comprising the steps of:-providing a furnishing element (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 27,-providing an air supply and / or suction device (300) having a dispensing mouth (310) connectable to said engagement point (204) ,-fluidically connecting the dispensing mouth (310) of the air supply and / or suction device (300) to said engagement point (204) ,-operating the air supply and / or suction device (300) so as to create a pressure difference between the external environment and the variable volume cavity (120) , so as to move the movable compartment (200) along the movement stroke (140) .

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