Furnishing component

Abstract

Described is a component (1) for shelving, shelves, bookcases, stairs and similar furnishing elements which comprises at least two laminar elements (2a, 2b) substantially parallel with each other and which define a housing for at least one metal track (3). The track (3) in turn defines an electrification and support channel for electrified tracks (4), suitable for being mechanically and electrically connected, on the one hand, to a connector (9) and, on the other hand, being an electrical and / or electronic and / or computer connection with an external unit.

Description

[0001] Furnishing component DESCRIPTION

[0002] Technical field

[0003] This invention relates to a furnishing component for shelving, shelves, bookcases, stairs and the like.

[0004] Background art

[0005] The need is increasingly felt to offer original shapes and new functionalities for furnishing by architects and interior designers so as to make the relative environment more comfortable for living or working.

[0006] For this purpose, highly technological articles of furniture are made and constructed which have a formal rigour, thus combining two requirements which unusually are able to be coupled.

[0007] On the other hand, in order to deal with the need to contain (and possibly reduce) the costs, it is important to make the product systematic, that is to say, modular, defining functional construction parameters which, in the practical execution of shelves of this type, start from basic extruded elements, which can be adapted and assembled to the required measurements.

[0008] In addition to this, the users increasingly desire original and personalised furnishing, that is to say, with a “sartorial” design, but which is functional and minimal, with reduced dimensions and clean lines.

[0009] An example of such a furnishing component for shelving, shelves, bookcases, stairs and similar furnishing elements is described in the prior art document WO 2022 / 013389 A1 , which describes a construction frame which has housings in the side part for induction lighting means. The component is substantially a sandwich-type panel with metal cross members which have ducts for the passage of cables, formed inside extruded elements or achieved from solid elements, for bringing the electric connection to elements inside the sandwich which require the power supply, or for carrying a control signal or transmitting a data to be processed. This type of furnishing component is, however, expensive to make and to install since it does not comprise a rapid implementation.

[0010] Further, in the event of a fault or the need to replace internal parts the maintenance is inconvenient, due to the difficulties in removing the powered products.

[0011] Aims and summary of the invention

[0012] The aim of the invention is to overcome the above-mentioned drawbacks of prior art types of furnishing components for shelving, shelves, bookcases, stairs and the like which allows a quick and easy electrical and / or electronic connection.

[0013] In the context of the above-mentioned purpose, an aim of the invention is to provide a furnishing component which allows rapid intervention in the case of a fault or the need to replace electrical or electronic parts or components inside the component.

[0014] Another aim of the invention is to allow an electrical connection in a flexible fashion inside the sandwich-type structure, without the need to use wires.

[0015] Yet another aim of the invention is to provide a component for shelving, shelves, bookcases, stairs and similar furnishing elements with means which are easily available on the market and using materials of common use, in such a way that the device is economically competitive.

[0016] Brief description of the invention

[0017] This purpose, as well as these and other aims, which are described in more detail below, are achieved by a furnishing component for shelving, shelves, bookcases, stairs and similar furnishing elements according to the invention comprising the technical features described in one or more of the appended claims. The dependent claims correspond to possible different embodiments of the invention.

[0018] In particular, according to a first aspect, the invention relates to a component for shelving, shelves, bookcases, stairs and similar furnishing elements, such as a sandwich-type panel, which comprises at least two laminar elements substantially parallel with each other and which delimit, in the space between them, a housing for at least one track, for example metallic. The latter defines, with the other structural elements, an electrification channel which preferably has a groove for access to the outside. The track is formed by a mechanical support and an electrical conductor. The track is suitable for being connected mechanically and electrically, through the mechanical support and the electrical conductor, on one hand, to a connector and, on the other hand, to an external unit.

[0019] Advantageously, the external unit is of the electrical and / or electronic and / or computer type and, consequently, the connection with the track may be of the electrical and / or electronic and / or computer type.

[0020] The electrified tracks are particularly suitable for multi-conductors, which are able to transport power supplies and signals.

[0021] The Applicant has thus understood that by making the furnishing component with a sandwich-type system, as occurs in the prior art, but by providing directly inside the component one or more tracks each provided with the relative electrified track, it would have been possible to create “product” modules which are able to be removed in a simple manner and without the use of particular equipment.

[0022] In this regard, the Applicant has noted that the integrated construction of the track may result in having conductors from one or two sides to be able to increase the number of channels available, also providing the possibility of having an electrical conduction over the entire component, for example making a main connecting track and various tracks which can be connected to it without particular design constraints, other than mechanical (dimensional) and electrical (absorbed current) and geometrical (dimension of the conductor tracks).

[0023] According to a first embodiment, the tracks are made from a structural extruded element and / or have a sandwich inside.

[0024] In this case, the track is made in one piece, with the respective mechanical supports and the respective electrical conductors, made of plastic and / or copper, which are co-extruded, thus forming them in a single block.

[0025] In order to allow an easier assembly, the track advantageously consists of two half-tracks which have respective portions of mechanical supports and electrical conductors, made of plastic and / or copper, which are also coextruded. The portions of mechanical supports and electrical conductors are therefore formed in a single block and are designed in such a way as to be coupled together to form the track.

[0026] Alternatively, the electrified tracks are inserted directly inside the sandwich by means of a snap fitting.

[0027] Advantageously, in order to allow the anchoring of the electrical conductors on the corresponding mechanical supports, there is a fixing coupling, preferably removable, between each mechanical support and the respective electrical conductor.

[0028] More preferably, the coupling can only be removed by means of specific tools, in order to prevent tampering or accidental removal. The two laminar elements cover an intermediate layer, interposed between them and substantially coplanar with the plane of extension of the component.

[0029] According to a first embodiment, the track forms part of or constitutes a supporting frame of the intermediate layer: in this context, the mechanical support of the track is structurally integrated in the frame.

[0030] Alternatively, the track extends along a longitudinal and / or transversal direction (respectively substantially normal and parallel to the plane defined by the laminar elements) and is positioned inside the perimeter defined by the frame.

[0031] According to another variant, the mechanical support for the tracks is present both in the supporting frame and in tracks without any loadbearing function.

[0032] In other words, the electrical conductors may be integrated both in the lateral parts of the product, and also become structural components for supporting the furnishing component, or in the central parts. In the latter, the tracks themselves, in practice their mechanical supports, may also be a structural element for stiffening the sandwich panel.

[0033] For this reason, the above-mentioned “product” modules have electrified tracks inside the sandwich-type system, which may be connected or not connected to each other.

[0034] Another aspect of the invention relates to the making of an electrification device, in this case considered as an external unit, suitable for being connected to the electrified tracks. This device is for connecting between the electrified tracks and a product electrically powered by means of the same component and advantageously has elastic means for inserting in the groove for access to the electrified channels.

[0035] Advantageously, if the external unit is another component for shelving, shelves, bookcases, stairs and similar furnishing elements identical or similar to the component according to the invention, it will consequently have the respective electrified tracks suitable for being electrically connected at the input to the electrified tracks of the component in question.

[0036] Preferably, the tracks are already mechanically constrained during construction.

[0037] At the output, its electrified tracks are, on the other hand, for electrical and / or electronic and / or electronic connection with a further similar furnishing component or with the external unit.

[0038] In this way, the Applicant has provided for modularly making a furnishing element using, in series and / or in parallel, a series of components according to the invention.

[0039] This invention therefore also relates to the protection of a furnishing element which includes one or more components for shelving, shelves, bookcases, stairs and similar furnishing elements, according to the invention, interconnected with each other.

[0040] Brief description of the drawings

[0041] Further features and advantages of the invention are more apparent from the description of a preferred, non-limiting embodiment of the furnishing component for shelving, shelves, bookcases, stairs and the like, illustrated by way of example and without limiting the scope of the invention, with the aid of the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0042] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the furnishing component 1 for shelving, shelves, bookcases, stairs and the like;

[0043] Figure 2 is an exploded view of the component 1 ;

[0044] Figures 3A and 3B show the component 1 respectively disconnected and connected to a connector 9;

[0045] Figure 4 shows a variant of the component 1 , viewed from below;

[0046] Figure 5 shows the coupling 8 during insertion in the component 1 ;

[0047] Figure 6 shows a variant of the component 1 , wherein the electrified track 4 is positioned inside the track 3.

[0048] Detailed description of the actuation of invention

[0049] The above-mentioned drawings show a preferred embodiment of a furnishing component for shelving, shelves, bookcases, stairs and the like, according to the invention, which is denoted in its entirety by the numeral 1 and which comprises two laminar elements 2a and 2b parallel with each other and which define a plane P.

[0050] The component 1 is therefore of the type known as a sandwich panel, wherein the outer thicknesses are determined by the two above- mentioned laminar elements 2a and 2b.

[0051] The two laminar elements 2a and 2b define a housing for an intermediate layer 20 interposed between them, which they cover.

[0052] The housing houses tracks 3, each of which defines an electrification channel. The tracks 3 are formed by a mechanical support 4 for an electrical conductor 5.

[0053] The track 3 is connected mechanically and electrically, on one hand, to a connector 9 and, on the other hand, to an external unit in order to achieve an electrical and / or electronic and / or computer connection.

[0054] Connectors 7, longitudinal or transversal to the direction of extension X of the component 1 , provide a mechanical connection (using the respective mechanical supports 4) and electrical and / or electronic and / or computer connections (using the electrical conductors 5) between two tracks 3.

[0055] The frame 6 is structural for the component 1 being constituted, at least partly, by the track 3.

[0056] According to an embodiment, the intermediate layer 20 has a frame 6 consisting of metal crosspieces 21 and 22, horizontal and vertical, preferably made of aluminium, which, in this case, constitute the tracks 3. With reference to Figure 2, the metal crosspieces 21 and 22 are removably connected to each other by couplings and fixing devices 25.

[0057] In other words, the fixing devices 25 allow the track 3 to be connected mechanically with the profile 21 or 22.

[0058] According to the preferred embodiment (Figure 6), the track 3 is made, on the other hand, from an extruded plastic or aluminium element, which constitutes the mechanical support 4, in combination with a printed circuit board (PCB) for the electrification, which constitutes the electrical conductor 5.

[0059] The track 3 may be made of a co-extruded plastic and copper element (for the electrification instead of the PCB).

[0060] In practice, the track 3 is made in one piece, with the respective mechanical supports 4 and the respective electrical conductors 5 made by co-extrusion, from plastic and / or copper realised in a single block.

[0061] The track 3 is suitable for being associated with the profile 21 and 22 without the use of the fixing means 25.

[0062] According to this variant, therefore, the tracks 3 are co-extruded, made in one piece, composed of the board and the extruded element or the coextruded element made of plastic and copper.

[0063] In order to facilitate the assembly, each track consists of two half-tracks 3a and 3b, provided with the respective portions of mechanical supports 4 and electrical conductors 5, which are also co-extruded elements made of plastic and / or copper and made in a single block, suitable for being coupled to each other in such a way as to form a single track 3.

[0064] Obviously, alternatively, the tracks 3 may be inclined in a different manner (oblique).

[0065] The tracks 3 are thus connected mechanically and electrically to connectors 9 and, in turn, are for electrical and / or electronic and / or computer connection with an external unit (Figures 3A and 3B).

[0066] In practice, each track 3 is connected electrically with the head connectors 9 or there is an internal connection with another track 3 using the connector 7.

[0067] The external unit is, for example, an electrification device for connecting between the tracks 3 and a product electrically powered by means of the component 1 . The electrification device has elastic means for inserting in a groove 51 for access to the tracks 3.

[0068] The external unit may be a lighting device, an electrical or electronic apparatus, or, in general, any product electrically powered by means of the component 1 .

[0069] For example, the external unit may be an electrification device for connecting between the tracks 4 and the electrically powered product, wherein the electrification device has elastic means for its insertion in the groove 5 for access to the electrified channels 4.

[0070] In other words, these electrification devices, which may be made both of metallic material suitably isolated internally and of plastic material, consist of electrical connection systems by means of springs, spring fingers, pogo pins or other electrical connection systems which use an elastic modification of a component to allow the insertion in the groove 5 of the track 4 and, in turn, at the moment of mechanical release, can conduct electrically.

[0071] These devices will allow the electrical connection of both power supply parts and control signals, and also generic data such as, for example, an audio signal to be able to control acoustic loud speakers.

[0072] Otherwise, the external unit may be another furnishing component identical or similar to the component 1 and which therefore has the respective electrified tracks ready to be connected, at the input, mechanically and electrically, to the electrified tracks 4 and, at the output, for electrical and / or electronic and / or computer connection with the external unit provided.

[0073] Lastly, the external unit may be a mechanical and / or electrical adapter 6 for modifying the position of products electrically powered by means of the component.

[0074] In this case, the adapter 10, shown in Figure 2, is advantageously suitable for sliding along the slot 26 defined in the plane P.

[0075] From the point of view of the industrial production, the track 4 is made during the actual construction of the component 1 or it is inserted during a second step but always considering an integration with the sandwich-type structure.

[0076] The electrified track 3 is constructed directly from a structural extruded element and / or present inside the sandwich.

[0077] In this case, as shown in Figure 6, the mechanical support 4 has a male element 42 which can be inserted inside the female element 24 defined in the compartment 28.

[0078] For the correct assembly and locking, the male element 42 is constructed in two parts 42a and 42b mutually fixed to the track 3 by means of a snap- on system 42c / 42d.

[0079] Alternatively, if the track 3 is not a co-extruded element made of copper or plastic, it is inserted directly inside the sandwich by means of a fixing system which comprises making a coupling 8, which is useful for inserting the track 3 to prevent the removal, except with particular equipment.

[0080] In this regard, the coupling 8 advantageously comprises a head 82 suitable for passing, for example by means of a spring system, from an operating position to a rest position, wherein it has smaller dimensions in the working position than in the working position.

[0081] In practice, the head 82, gripping on an elastic pivot, moves the relative arms 82a and 82b, like a pair of scissors: widening them relative to each other (home position) or moving them towards each other (home position). There is therefore a housing compartment 28 on the component 1 shaped like the profile of the coupling 8 when the head 82 is in the operating position.

[0082] For this reason, when the coupling 82 is positioned in the compartment 28, the elastic force of the spring works so that the coupling 82 remains associated with the component 1 and therefore ensures the electrical conductors 5 are connected to the corresponding mechanical support 5 of the corresponding track 3 (Figure 5).

[0083] According to a variant, there is a connector 7 between the vertical tracks 3, that is to say, which extend along the longitudinal direction of extension X of the furnishing component 1 , and one (or more) horizontal tracks, mutually perpendicular, for the electrical connection of the respective electrified tracks 3.

[0084] The complete electrical and electronic connection of the component 1 can be provided with this electrification system.

[0085] The integrated construction of the tracks can therefore result in having conductors on both sides and, in order to be able to increase the number of channels available, electrified tracks 3 which travel along practically the entire component 1 : obviously, there will be main tracks 3 and secondary tracks which can be connected to the main tracks without particular constraints, other than mechanical (dimensional), electrical (absorbed current) and geometrical (dimension of the conductor tracks).

[0086] Therefore, the component 1 comprises the integration of a track-like electrification system which can be connected, by the connector 7, to a further track-like electrification system similar to the previous one.

[0087] The accessory 7 will be suitably sized and provided with suitable flexible electrical connecting systems to allow an easy insertion in the product.

[0088] The combination of several integrated tracks 3 will allow the planar electrical connection inside the sandwich and it will therefore be possible, starting from a single point of the panel, to electrically connect the entire surface of the component 1 .

[0089] The electrified channels inside the component 1 will allow not only the easy removal of powered products (lighting, audio, wireless recharging, etc.) but also the possibility of changing their position when they already are being used by means of the above-mentioned adapters 6.

[0090] Obviously, the track 3 may also not form part of the structural frame of the component 1 and, on the contrary, may be housed between the two laminar elements 2a and 2b, in the intermediate layer identified by them, positioned inside the perimeter defined by the structural frame.

[0091] In this case, the track 3 may also be a structural element for stiffening the furnishing component 1 , that is, the sandwich panel.

[0092] From the above description it may be seen how the invention achieves the preset purpose and aims and in particular it should be noted that a furnishing component is made for shelving, shelves, bookcases, stairs and the like, which is made by integrating directly on the extruded elements or on elements made from solid elements, or on plastic or aluminium moulds or on elements made from three-dimensional printing, channels suitably sized to be able to integrate the mechanical support / electrical conductor system to form an electrified track, allowing the electrical connection, in a flexible manner, inside the sandwich-type structure without the need to use wires.

[0093] In particular, with the aid of suitable channels inside the extruded elements and / or elements made from solid pieces, the step is passed of passing cables inside the sandwich panel for bringing the electric coupling to elements, located inside the furnishing component, which require the electricity supply, or a control signal or data to be processed.

[0094] In fact, this method was time-consuming, without the possibility of rapid implementation, and was inconvenient for removing the powered products in the event of a fault or the need for replacements.

[0095] For example, if the component includes a light source integrated inside it, connected through a suitable cable, for any malfunction or for any need for removal and replacement with a different product, one was forced to perform a very complex manual operation both in terms of removal but especially for implementation of the new component.

[0096] The proposed solution, on the other hand, allows the light source to be easily removed and replaced inside a sandwich panel.

[0097] Another advantage of the invention is due to the fact that the making of the electrified tracks inside the furnishing component makes it possible to integrate, thanks to the coupling system which makes use of solid machined and / or extruded elements, an electrified track in order to have electrical conduction over the entire panel.

[0098] Lastly, the use of means which are easily available on the market and the use of common materials makes the device economically competitive.

[0099] The invention can be modified and adapted in several ways without thereby departing from the scope of the inventive concept.

[0100] Moreover, all the details of the invention may be substituted by other technically equivalent elements.

[0101] In practice, the materials used, as well as the dimensions, may be of any type, depending on requirements, provided that they are consistent with their production purposes.

Claims

1.CLAIMS1 ) A component (1 ) for shelving, shelves, bookcases, stairs and similar furnishing elements comprising at least two laminar elements (2a, 2b) substantially parallel with each other and delimiting a housing for at least one track (3), defining an electrification channel and having a mechanical support (4) and an electrical conductor (5); the track (3) being suitable for being connected mechanically and electrically, on the one hand, to a connector (9) and, on the other hand, being an electrical and / or electronic and / or computer connection with an external unit.2) The component (1 ) according to claim 1 , comprising a connector (7) between two tracks (3) to be connected electrically.3) The component (1 ) according to claim 2, wherein the two laminar elements (2a, 2b) cover an intermediate layer (20), interposed between them and substantially coplanar with the plane of extension (P) of the component (1 ); the intermediate layer (20) having a structural frame (6) for the component (1 ), consisting at least partly of the track (3).4) The component (1 ) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising a coupling (8) for fixing the mechanical support (4) on the frame (6); the coupling (8) being preferably removably connected with the track (3).5) The component (1 ) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the track (3) is made in one piece, with the respective mechanical supports (4) and the respective electrical conductors (5) being co-extruded from plastic and / or copper made in a single block.6) The component (1 ) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the track (3) comprises two half-tracks (3a, 3b), with the respective portions of mechanical supports (4) and electrical conductors (5) co-extruded from plastic and / or copper made in a single block and suitable for being coupled to each other in such a way as to form a single track (3).7) The component (1 ) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, comprising agroove (51 ) for access to the tracks (3) for inserting elastic means for the connection to an external connecting unit between the tracks (3) and an electrically powered external product.8) The component (1 ) according to claim 7, wherein the external unit is another component for shelving, shelves, bookcases, stairs and similar furnishing elements similar to the component (1 ) and having the respective electrified tracks suitable for being connected, at the input, mechanically and electrically to the tracks (3) of the component (1 ), respectively to the mechanical support (4) and to the electrical conductor (5) and, at the output, for electrical and / or electronic and / or computer connection with the external unit.9) The component (1 ) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the external unit is a mechanical and / or electrical adapter (10) for modifying the position of products electrically powered by means of the component (1 ).10) A furnishing element comprising at least one component (1 ) for shelving, shelves, bookcases, stairs and similar furnishing elements according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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