A device for supporting a removable panel with respect to a wall of an article of furniture and a method for mounting and demounting a removable panel transversally to a wall of an article of furniture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shelf support devices damage the article of furniture during removal and are aesthetically and practically flawed due to visible components and manual alignment challenges.
Innovation Solution
A concealed shelf support device with a hollow body and movable element, utilizing elastic elements to facilitate easy mounting and demounting without damaging the furniture, featuring a main elastic element for support and a return elastic element for assisted retraction, ensuring the device remains invisible once installed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a pin is used to support the shelf and is moved between inserted and projecting configurations, then the shelf can be mounted and demounted, but the pin damages the wall edges during removal due to prolonged friction in intermediate positions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a return elastic element that acts as a cushioning mechanism before the pin reaches the wall during demounting. This elastic element stores energy during insertion and releases it during removal, absorbing the impact and friction forces that would otherwise damage the wall edges, thereby protecting the furniture structure while enabling easy shelf removal
Solution Approach 2:
The return elastic element serves as an intermediary between the pin and the wall structure. Instead of the pin directly contacting and frictioning against the wall edges in intermediate positions, the elastic element mediates the interaction, providing a compliant connection that reduces harmful friction forces during the demounting process
2Ease of operation
If the pin movement mechanism is made visible and accessible from outside, then manual movement between configurations is enabled, but the aesthetics of the article of furniture is ruined
Solution Approach 1:
The patent conceals the pin and return elastic element mechanism within a hollow body that is inserted into a cavity in the shelf. This nesting arrangement hides the functional components from external view, maintaining the aesthetic appearance of the furniture while still allowing manual operation through a access hole in the shelf bottom or side
3Strength
If multiple devices are installed on the shelf, then support capacity increases, but the time and effort required to manually move each pin increases
Solution Approach 1:
The return elastic element provides self-service functionality by automatically returning the pin to its inserted configuration after manual displacement. This eliminates the need for operators to manually reset each pin after shelf removal, significantly reducing the time and effort required for demounting operations while maintaining the ability to support multiple shelves through multiple devices
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables easy and damage-free mounting and demounting of shelves while maintaining the furniture's aesthetics by using elastic elements to manage the movable element's position, ensuring smooth operation and preventing damage to the article of furniture.
Implementation Method 1
a main elastic element interposed between the bottom and the movable element and configured to move the movable element towards the first operating position
Implementation Method 2
at least one return elastic element interposed between the lateral wall of the hollow body and the movable element and active thereon to cause the movable element to return from the first operating position towards the second operating position
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3a
AI summary
A device for supporting a removable panel with respect to a wall of an article of furniture comprises a hollow body, a movable element slidably arranged inside the hollow body at least between a first operating position, wherein a terminal portion of the movable element is projecting from the hollow body, and a second operating position, and a main elastic element interposed between the bottom and the movable element and configured to move the latter towards the first operating position. The device further comprises at least one return elastic element active on the movable element to return it from the first operating position to the second operating position. The return elastic element is configurable between an inactive condition and an active condition to return the movable element to the second operating position following a triggering movement. A further object of the present invention is to provide a method for mounting and demounting a removable panel transversally to a wall of an article of furniture.