WO1999011160A1

WO1999011160A1 - Adjustable mechanic device, for supporting and connecting furniture elements

Info

Publication number: WO1999011160A1
Application number: PCT/IT1998/000241
Authority: WO
Inventors: Roberto Salvi
Original assignee: Roberto Salvi
Priority date: 1997-09-04
Filing date: 1998-09-04
Publication date: 1999-03-11
Also published as: AU9184198A; IT237885Y1; ITMI970635U1

Abstract

An adjustable mechanic device, for supporting and connecting furniture elements comprises a cranked prismatic element having two cavities, and at least a threaded hole in which an adjustable threaded element is engaged, a shoulder defining one of the two cavities being coupled to a cylindric element aiding in supporting the furniture elements.

Description

ADJUSTABLE MECHANIC DEVICE, FOR SUPPORTING AND CONNECTING FURNITURE ELEMENTS

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an adjustable mechanic device, for supporting and connecting furniture elements .

The subject device can be specifically used for storing, exhibiting and partitioning furniture elements which must be either fully or partially assembled or disassembled in order to meet temporary exhibiting requirements.

For furniture kits to be either fully or partially assembled, the assembling facility, together with a proper reliability of the assembled furniture item, frequently represent a "winning" criterion in the selection by an user of the furniture kit.

Thus, for meeting the above need, modular furniture unit have been devised which can be quickly and easily assembled by simple mechanic connecting elements .

While the above mentioned modular furniture units solve the indicated technical problem, they are, on the other hand, affected by several disadvantages such as: a comparatively high complexity in performing the assembling and disassembling steps, because of the great number of the operations required for performing them; possible twisting and bending forces with a consequent breakage of the component elements, up to the end of the assembling thereof; the great amount of different mechanic components required for providing a reliable connection; comparatively long assembling and disassembling times, due to the above mentioned reasons; thus, a great amount of labour must be necessarily used, thereby greatly increasing the end cost of the furniture items, and, in the case of an unskilled user, the assembling and disassembling operation would be very complex; a frequently unsatisfactory aesthetic effect; actually, in prior furniture assembling kits, a great part of the connection elements and seats therefor, are held exposed to the view upon assembling the furniture piece; for assembling a furniture item or piece a large space is frequently required, since this operation must be necessarily performed with the furniture item distended on the ground; a great difficulty in mounting said furniture pieces on not perfectly horizontal floors, since no adjusting system is generally provided for adjusting the bottom and resting feet of the furniture items .

In the case of partially pre-assembled f rniture items , the above mentioned drawbacks are partially overcome, however with a consequent great increase of the product cost due to a lot of labour required for the assembling operations, as well as the packaging and storing operations to be performed on the parts of the furniture item, as well as the shipment of the furniture parts which are usually of very large size and comparatively brittle.

Actually, the already assembled furniture parts are those which can be easily broken and damaged.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the aim of the present invention is to overcome the above mentioned drawback of the prior art.

Within the scope of the above mentioned aim, a main object of the present invention is to provide an adjustable mechanic device for supporting and connecting furniture parts, allowing quick and reliable assembling and disassembling operations to be performed, as well as to properly adjust the furniture resting plane on any types of floor, while alleviating the operating cost as well as possible aesthetic drawbacks .

For achieving the above aim and object, as well as yet other objects, the invention provides a mechanic adjustable device, for supporting and connecting furniture parts or elements, comprising a cranked element, including two cavities therein, said crank element having at least a threaded recess in which an adjustable threaded element is engaged, whereas a shoulder defining one of said two cavities comprising, along a substantial height thereof, a cylindric element aiding in supporting said furniture parts .

The mechanic • adjustable device for supporting and connecting furniture parts or elements, according to the present invention, is characterized by the features of Claim 1, thereby providing the following advantages : a. The device has a reduced cost, since it can be easily series made. b. By using the device according to the invention, the furniture pieces can be quickly and reliably assembled and disassembled. c. The cost of the furniture pieces in kit form, by using the inventive device, can be greatly reduced since is greatly reduced the number of the other connection elements; in the case of a partially preassembled furniture piece, are also reduced the making steps thereof. Accordingly, the overall costs of the furniture pieces in which the inventive device is used are greatly reduced. d. The furniture pieces can be assembled, by using the inventive device, in a vertical direction, with a great reduction of the twisting and bending forces on the furniture parts. Moreover, the furniture pieces can be assembled and disassembled in a reduced space places, not greater than the width dimension of the furniture piece, since horizontal connection elements are omitted. e. With the furniture piece in an assembled condition, the connecting elements and receiving holes therefor are not anaesthetic exposed to the view. f. Finally, yet another advantage is that the subject device allows the furniture piece in which it is used to be easily fitted to any types of floors, even if partially out of level.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further characteristics, advantages and constructional details of the mechanic adjustable device according to the invention will become more apparent from the following disclosure, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which a preferred embodiment of the invention is shown by way of an indicative but not limitative example.

In the drawings :

Figure 1 is a front view of the device according to the invention;

Figure 2 is a side of the device shown in figure 1;

Figure 3 is a top plan view of the device according to the invention;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the device according to the invention; Figure 5 is a front view, as partially cross-sectioned, of the device according to the invention, in an use condition thereof;

Figure 6 is a side view, as partially cross-sectioned, of the device according to the invention, in a possible application mode or condition thereof;

Figure 7 is a front view, as partially cross-sectioned, of the device according to the invention, in a further application mode thereof; Figure 8 is a side view, as partially cross-sectioned, of the device according to the invention, in the application mode thereof shown in Figure 7 ;

Figures 9 and 10 are respectively two front and side views of a simplified modified embodiment of the subject adjustable device for supporting and connecting furniture component elements or parts;

Figure 11 is a side perspective view of the device shown in figures 9 and 10;

Figure 12 is a top plan view of the device shown in figure 11; and Figure 13 is a perspective view showing the subject simplified device including wheels, instead of height adjustable foot elements.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT With reference to the number references of

Figures 1 to 4 , the device 1 according to the invention comprises a prismatic cranked element 2, having a beveled polygonal top surface and two sidewalls 3 and 4, arranged at 90° with respect to one another.

To said walls are connected, by two horizontally extending portions 7 and 8, two shoulders 5 and 6, the parts or elements 3-4-7-8-5-6 defining together two cavities or hollows 9 and 10. The device shown in the figures is a "left" device and comprises a cylindric element 11, constituting an integrating portion of the shoulder 6 of the cavity 10. In a "right" form of the device, according to the invention, said cylindric element 11 constitutes a portion of the shoulder 5 of the cavity or hollow 9, the operation being unaltered.

At the top portion of the cylindric element 11 a recess 12 is advantageously provided, said recess, as it will become more apparent hereinafter, operating to join and hold in a fixed condition the sidewall and other parts of the furniture pieces, as coupled by the subject connecting device.

A threaded seat 13, or recess, which, as shown in the figures, is indicatively arranged at the center of the top portion of the prismatic element 2, is engaged by an adjustable threaded or screw element 14, which, at the bottom thereof, ends with a bottom 15 and, on the top thereof, ending with a seat 16 provided for engaging therein a tool, preferably a simple recessed head wrench, for adjusting said element. With reference to the number references of

Figures 5 to 8 , it should be apparent that the mechanic adjustable device for supporting and connecting furniture elements or parts according to the present invention can be operated in a very functional and reliable manner.

Actually, the subject device can operate according to two operating modes: i.e. the sidewall 19 of the furniture piece either can or cannot directly contact the side socle 24. In the first case, the bottom 18 is not arranged between the sidewall 19 and side socle 24, said bottom bearing on the top portion of the prismatic element 2 of the subject device.

The front 17 and side 24 socles, after having suitably milled the first, and drilled at 26 the second, can be respectively engaged in the seats 9 and 10 and, upon engagement, the subject device will automatically define the squared relationship therebetween .

Then, the sidewall 19 of the furniture piece is engaged on the cylindric element 11. The latter will pass through the hole 21 and seat 20, formed inside said sidewall, and will be fixedly joined at its provided position by a pulling and clamping element, preferably a threaded pin 25, operating in the seat 20 and recess 12 and driven by a driving tool having a cross-like pointed end, as indicatively shown in Figures 6 and 8.

Then, the bottom 18 of the furniture piece will cause to rest on the prismatic element 2.

Said bottom or base 18 is provided, as shown, with a throughgoing hole 22 which will be so sized as to receive therein the threaded or screw element 14. The latter is preferably in turn engaged in a tubular sheath 23, rigid with the prismatic element 2. Finally, the bearing of the movable piece on the floor will be adjusted, if the floor is not perfectly flat, by adjusting the screw or threaded element 14.

If required, the side socle 24 of the furniture piece could be also omitted.

In this case, it will be embedded in the sidewall 19 by simply increasing the length of the latter and will have, in addition, the same connecting elements for receiving the subject device by the first element.

The above disclosed case falls into the first of the two above mentioned operating cases. If the sidewall 19 is not designed for directly contacting the side socle 24, or if said side socle 24 does not constitute portion thereof, with the bottom 18 of the furniture piece not included therebetween, then this would correspond to the second of the above two mentioned cases .

The socles of the furniture piece will preferably have such a height as to exceed the height of the screw element 14. The bottom of the furniture piece is, in this case, indicated by 18-A in Figures 7 and 8 and it will have a larger width thereby it will bear not only on the front socle 17, as in the first case, but also on the side socle 24. Said bottom would be provided with two holes instead of a single hole: The hole 22 will be designed for allowing the driving tool to pass therethrough, in order to adjust the screw element 14, whereas a second hole 27 would be provided at a place suitable for allowing the cylindric element 11 to pass therethrough.

Upon having engaged the sidewall 19 of the furniture piece on the cylindric element 11, the above mentioned furniture parts will be clamped, as in the first above disclosed case, by the device of the invention, by simply clamping the pin element 25.

Finally, the bearing of the furniture piece on the floor will be adjusted or controlled as already disclosed for the first case. With reference to Figures 9 to 12 of the drawings, it would be easily apparent that this figures show the same adjustable device for supporting and connecting furniture elements or parts, while having a simplified construction.

Actually, this modified embodiment comprises a cranked supporting element 2, having a threaded seat 13 in which an adjustable screw element 14 or a wheel supporting pin 30 is engaged.

To said cranked element 2 a cylindric element 11 is moreover applied which,, together with the screw element 14 and its sheath 23, ill provide support and connection for the furniture parts 18 and 19, allowing said parts to be easily and firmly connected.

The device shown in Figure 13 comprises the same cranked supporting element 2 which is provided with a wheel 30, instead of an adjustable foot element 15.

While the invention has been disclosed with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it should be apparent that the disclosed embodiments are susceptible to several modifications and variations without departing from the invention scope, as disclosed and claimed.

Claims

1. A mechanic adjustable device for supporting and connecting furniture elements, characterized in that said device comprises a supporting cranked element (2), including a threaded seat (13) in which an adjustable screw element (14) or a pivoting wheel supporting pin is engaged, to said element (2) a cylindric element (11) cooperating with said element (14) to support and connect the furniture elements being engaged.

2. A mechanic adjustable device (1) for supporting and connecting furniture elements, according to Claim 1, characterized in that said supporting cranked element (2) has a prismatic configuration.

3. A mechanic adjustable device (1) for supporting and connecting furniture elements, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said device further comprises cavities (9 and 10) defining shoulders (5 and 6).

4. A mechanic adjustable device for supporting and connecting furniture elements, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said cylindric element (11) is engaged in seats formed in furniture forming panels.

5. A mechanic adjustable device for supporting and connecting furniture elements, comprising a prismatic cranked element (2) having two cavities (9-10), characterized in that said prismatic cranked element (2) comprises at least a seat (13) in which an adjustable screw element (14) is engaged.

6. A mechanic adjustable device for supporting and connecting furniture elements, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said device comprises a shoulder (5-6) (5 if right, 6 if left) defining one of the two cavities (9-10) and being coupled to a cylindric element (11) aiding in supporting said furniture elements ( 17-24-18A-19 ) .

7. A mechanic adjustable device for supporting and connecting furniture elements, according to Claim 1, characterized in that said prismatic cranked element (2) comprises a polygonal, preferably beveled, top surface and two sidewalls (3- 4) which, as connected to two horizontal portions (7- 8) and to said two shoulders (5-6) define said cavities (9-10).

8. A mechanic adjustable device for supporting and connecting furniture elements, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said cylindric element (11) coupled to said shoulder (5-6) comprises in its top half portion a recess (12) for receiving therein the cusp of a pin (25) for clamping said furniture part or element ( 19 ) .

9. A mechanic adjustable device for supporting and connecting furniture elements, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said screw element (14) comprises a resting bottom (15) and an element having a seat (16) for adjusting it.

10. A mechanic adjustable device for supporting and connecting furniture elements, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said furniture elements or parts (17-24-18-18A-19) comprise: milled (17) and perforated (24) socles, for coupling with said cavities (9-10) and cylindric element (11), bottoms (18) having a hole (22) at said screw element (14) and bottoms (18A) having a hole (27) at said cylindric element (11), as well as sidewalls (19) with a hole (21) and a seat (20) for engaging therein said cylindric element (11) and pin (25).