(19)
(11)EP 3 253 252 B1

(12)EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION

(45)Mention of the grant of the patent:
30.03.2022 Bulletin 2022/13

(21)Application number: 16701863.9

(22)Date of filing:  21.01.2016
(51)International Patent Classification (IPC): 
A47B 43/04(2006.01)
A47B 96/20(2006.01)
A47B 61/00(2006.01)
A47B 43/02(2006.01)
(52)Cooperative Patent Classification (CPC):
A47B 43/02; A47B 61/00; A47B 96/202
(86)International application number:
PCT/GB2016/050137
(87)International publication number:
WO 2016/124888 (11.08.2016 Gazette  2016/32)

(54)

FURNITURE UNIT

MÖBELEINHEIT

UNITÉ DE MEUBLE


(84)Designated Contracting States:
AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

(30)Priority: 03.02.2015 GB 201501789

(43)Date of publication of application:
13.12.2017 Bulletin 2017/50

(73)Proprietor: Foldsmart Ltd
City of London London EC1V 2NX (GB)

(72)Inventor:
  • VINCENT, Pelham James
    Caversham Reading RG4 6DN (GB)

(74)Representative: CSY London 
10 Fetter Lane
London EC4A 1BR
London EC4A 1BR (GB)


(56)References cited: : 
WO-A1-01/37705
FR-A1- 2 904 924
GB-A- 2 459 246
US-A1- 2004 150 302
FR-A1- 2 817 454
GB-A- 1 043 938
US-A- 1 342 269
US-A1- 2011 115 350
  
      
    Note: Within nine months from the publication of the mention of the grant of the European patent, any person may give notice to the European Patent Office of opposition to the European patent granted. Notice of opposition shall be filed in a written reasoned statement. It shall not be deemed to have been filed until the opposition fee has been paid. (Art. 99(1) European Patent Convention).


    Description


    [0001] The present invention relates to a furniture unit.

    [0002] Furniture units may be obtained pre-assembled, or alternatively in flat pack format. Flat pack furniture is generally assembled by an end user. The assembly process invariably requires the use of tools and fasteners to connect components of the furniture unit together. The assembly is often time consuming. Furthermore, separately packaged fasteners such as screws, nails and lugs are easy to lose, further delaying the assembly process.

    [0003] Flat pack furniture is also difficult to dis-assemble. Permanent fasteners such as screws and nails are difficult to remove. Even when they have been removed, the components of the furniture unit may be damaged, making it difficult to re-assemble the components. This is particularly inconvenient for those in rented and temporary accommodation, who may need to move location regularly, taking their furniture with them. The document GB1043938A discloses a folding wardrobe having struts which are screwed into its side panels to retain it in its unfolded configuration. A further furniture unit is known from WO0137705A1.

    [0004] It is amongst the objects of the present invention to address these problems.

    [0005] In a first aspect the invention provides a furniture unit according to claim 1. The unit may be moved from a deployed configuration to a flat pack configuration (and vice versa) without detaching or assembling any of the components. The spacer remains mounted on the first and second body panels in both the deployed and flat pack configurations. This enables fast deployment. It also enables fast conversion of the unit to a flat pack configuration, in which it is easy to transport. No tools are required for deployment, or for conversion to the flat pack configuration. No fasteners need to be provided to the user because in the flat pack configuration, the unit is completely ready for deployment.

    [0006] The spacer need not be mounted at corresponding points on the first and second body panels. That is, the mounting locations of the spacer may differ between the first and second body panels.

    [0007] The spacer comprises first and second portions which have generally equal lengths and which are pivotally connected to each other, wherein the first portion is moveably mounted to the first body panel and the second portion is moveably mounted to the second body panel, such that in the flat pack configuration, the two portions of the spacer adopt a side by side orientation between the body panels. The equal length of the spacer portions enables the body portions to remain parallel when they are brought together. It also enables the body panels to lie directly on top of one another when in the flat pack configuration, so that the two largest dimensions of the flat pack are the same as the two largest dimensions of the body panels, when the body panels are the same sizes (or of the largest body panel if the body panels are of different sizes). The generally equal lengths of the spacer portions therefore provides a space efficient flat pack configuration.

    [0008] In some embodiments the two spacer portions are connected to each other by a hinge, which is optionally a one way hinge. A hinge provides a convenient folding axis to enable easy folding. It also provides a defined folding direction, in case a user is in any doubt as to how to move from the deployed to the flat pack configuration. A one way hinge only permits folding in one direction. This is useful as it may force the user to move the unit in a direction which obtains the most space-efficient flat pack configuration.

    [0009] In some embodiments the spacer is pivotally mounted to one, or both, of the body panels. The pivotal mounting provides a smooth range of movement between the deployed and the flat pack configurations.

    [0010] The unit further comprises a brace which is removably engageable with a body panel or with the spacer to retain the unit in its deployed configuration. This ensures that the unit is rigid and is not liable to move from the deployed to the flat pack configuration. The brace may be provided separately to a user, for installation by a user. It may be necessary to remove the brace in order to move the unit from the deployed configuration to the flat pack configuration.

    [0011] The brace is a rigid panel. In some embodiments the brace may comprise a batten. The body panels are provided with a track, with which edges of the brace may be slidably engaged. This permits easy engagement of the brace with the body panels. The track and the respective edges of the brace may have corresponding interlocking dovetails.

    [0012] In some embodiments the unit comprises more than one brace to enhance the rigidity of the unit.

    [0013] In some embodiments the unit comprises two or more spacers to enhance the rigidity of the unit. In some embodiments when the unit is moved from its deployed configuration to its flat pack configuration, two spacers fold towards each other. This ensures a space-efficient and rigid flat pack configuration, in which the body panels are well supported over their length (ie. there are fewer large gaps between the body panels in the flat pack configuration).

    [0014] In some embodiments when the unit is moved from its deployed configuration to its flat pack configuration, two spacers fold in orthogonal directions. This helps to prevent unwanted movement from the deployed configuration to the flat pack configuration.

    [0015] In some embodiments, in the deployed configuration, two spacers are panels which are disposed orthogonal to one another. This helps to prevent unwanted movement from the deployed configuration to the flat pack configuration.

    [0016] In some embodiments, in the deployed configuration, the spacer forms a top or bottom panel of the furniture unit. This reduces the amount of material required to produce the unit as separate top or bottom panels are not required.

    [0017] In some embodiments, in the deployed configuration, the spacer forms a shelf within the furniture unit.

    [0018] In some embodiments the spacer is connected to the body panels by hinges, which are optionally one way hinges. The hinges provide a smooth range of movement between the deployed and flat pack configurations. A hinge also provides a convenient folding axis to enable easy folding. It also provides a defined folding direction, in case a user is in any doubt as to how to move from the deployed to the flat pack configuration. A one way hinge only permits folding in one direction. This is useful as it may force the user to move the unit in a direction which obtains the most space-efficient flat pack configuration.

    [0019] In some embodiments, in the flat pack configuration, the thickness of the unit is less than 100mm.

    [0020] In some embodiments the unit is provided with means for attaching a door or cover.

    [0021] In some embodiments the rigid body panels or the spacer is made from wood. Other materials such as plastics and metals may also be used.

    [0022] In some embodiments the first and second body panels have generally the same dimensions. This provides a flat pack configuration which is space efficient and which is easy to handle.

    [0023] In some embodiments, in the flat pack configuration, corresponding edges of the first and second body panels are generally in registry with each another. That is, although the body panels may not be physically touching in the flat pack configuration, they may lie directly on top of one another, such that their outlines are coterminous when viewed from above. This is shown for a preferred embodiment in figure 5 and the associated description. This provides a flat pack configuration which is space efficient.

    [0024] In some embodiments the furniture unit is a wardrobe, a bedside unit, or a frame for a chest of drawers. In other embodiments the furniture unit is a kitchen unit.

    [0025] In some embodiments the body panels of the furniture unit are provided with supports upon which a drawer may be removably located.

    [0026] Embodiments of the invention are now described with reference to the figures of the drawings, in which:

    Figure 1 is a perspective view of the front of a wardrobe according to the invention.

    Figure 2 is an exploded view of a drawer falling outside the scope of the invention.

    Figure 3 is an exploded rear perspective view of a wardrobe according to the invention, showing the insertion of brace panels.

    Figure 4 is an exploded front perspective view of a wardrobe according to the invention, showing the insertion of brace panels. The wardrobe is provided with a removable drawer according to the invention.

    Figure 5 shows a perspective schematic view of a wardrobe according to the invention in its flat pack configuration.

    Figure 6 shows a perspective schematic view of the wardrobe shown in Figure 3 when provided with further brace members.

    Figure 7 shows an alternative view of part of the wardrobe shown in Figure 6.



    [0027] Figure 1 shows a wardrobe (101) in its deployed configuration. The wardrobe comprises two rectangular body panels (102, 103) which are parallel and vertical when the wardrobe is in its deployed configuration and stood upon a floor. The body panels are made of wood. The body panels are connected by three spacers (104, 105, 106). The spacers are flat panels when in the deployed configuration and are connected by hinges (not shown) at each of their ends to each of the body panels. The first spacer (106) extends from the upper edge (108) of a first body panel (103) to the upper edge (107) of the second body panel (102). A second spacer (105) is disposed between the body panels (103, 102) at a height which is lower than the first spacer, but which is raised above the lower edges (109, 110) of the body panels. A third spacer (104) extends between a front edge (111) of the first body panel (103) and a front edge (112) of the body second panel (102). In the deployed configuration, the third spacer (104) is disposed parallel to the front edges (111, 112) of the body panels (103, 102). It is therefore orthogonal to the first (106) and second (105) spacers. A lower edge (113) of the third spacer is in line with the lower edges (110, 109) of the body panels.

    [0028] Each of the spacers (106, 105, 104) are formed of two portions of equal size. The two portions of each spacer are connected by a hinge (not shown) where they abut, such that the two portions may pivot relative to each other along the fold lines (114, 115, 116). The hinges are one way hinges. The hinge which connects the two portions of the first spacer is arranged such that when the body panels (102, 103) are bought towards each other, the fold line (114) may only move in a downwards direction (as indicated by the arrow in the figure). The hinge connecting the two portions of the second spacer (105) is arranged so that when the body panels (102, 103) are bought towards each other, the fold line (1 15) may only move in an upwards direction (as indicated by the arrow in the figure). The hinge connecting the two portions of the third spacer (104) is arranged so that when the body panels (102, 103) are bought towards each other, the fold line (1 16) may only move towards the rear of the panels (102, 103) (as indicated by the arrow in the figure).

    [0029] When the body panels (102, 103) are mover together the three spacers fold such that the body panel (102) lies directly alongside the body panel (103). This means that the two largest dimensions of the flat pack (the height and width) are the same as (and not greater than) the height and width of the body panels. In the flat pack configuration, the spacers (106, 105, 104) are folded in half and sandwiched between the body panels in a concertina manner. The fact that the two portions of each spacer are of generally equal length allows the spacers to fold such that the body panels remain parallel as they are bought together, and lie directly alongside one another in the flat pack configuration.

    [0030] The wardrobe is provided with fittings (117) for attaching a door. The fittings are vertically spaced at points near the front edges (111, 112) of the body panels, and on faces of the body panels which face each other, when in the deployed configuration. Each body panel is provided with two fittings. In a lower portion of the body panels, on faces of the panels which face each other, there are provided runners (118) for supporting a removable drawer (not shown).

    [0031] Figure 2 shows an exploded view of a drawer (200), in its deployed configuration. The drawer comprises a front rectangular body panel (201) and a rear rectangular body panel (202). The two body panels are connected by spacers (203, 204). The front body panel has a slightly larger area than the second body panel. The spacers (203, 204) are rectangular panels formed from two portions. The two portions are connected to the front and rear body panels at their outer ends. Their inner ends are connected to each other by a hinge (not shown). The inner ends of each of the spacer portions are connected at the first (206) second (205) fold lines. The hinges connecting the inner ends of the spacers are one way hinges arranged such that when the body panels (201, 202) are brought together, the fold lines (206, 205) may only fold inwards (ie. towards each other). The equal length of the spacer portions allows the front and rear body panels to remain parallel when they are brought together to move the drawer from its deployed configuration to its flat pack configuration. In the flat pack configuration the two potions of each spacer lie parallel to one another and are sandwiched between the front and rear body panels.

    [0032] In order to retain the drawer in the deployed configuration, a rectangular brace panel (207) is located between the spacers and the front and rear body panels. The brace panel may be removed by moving it the direction shown by the arrow in the figure. By moving the brace panel in the opposite direction, the brace panel may be push fitted between the spacers and the front and rear body panels. The brace panel may be prevented from being pushed all the way through the aperture created by spacers and front and rear panels by way of a stop, or several stops (not shown). The brace panel ensures that the angle between the spacers and the front and rear panels is as close to 90° as possible. The brace panel also forms a bottom working surface of the drawer, upon which contents of the drawer rest. In order to move the drawer from the deployed to the flat pack configuration, the brace panel must be removed.

    [0033] Figure 3 is a rear exploded perspective view of the wardrobe shown in figure 1. The wardrobe is in its deployed configuration. The wardrobe is provided with three brace panels (301, 302, 303). Near their rear edges (304, 305) the body panels (102, 103) are each provided with a track having a square-U shaped cross section (not shown). The tracks run parallel to the rear edges of the body panels, on the faces of the body panels which face each other when the wardrobe is in the deployed configuration. The tracks run over the entire length of their respective body panel except for a portion near the upper ends (308, 309) of the panels. The points at which the tracks end act as stops. The edges (306, 307) of the brace panel (303) are slid into the tracks from the lower end (310, 311) of the body panels. The brace is slid up the tracks until it reaches the stops near the upper ends (308, 309) of the body panels. A similar procedure is used to insert the two further brace panels (302, 301). The brace panels maintain the wardrobe in its deployed configuration.

    [0034] Figure 4 is an exploded front perspective view of a wardrobe (401) according to the invention, showing the brace panels (402) ready for insertion. The wardrobe is identical to the one shown in figures 1 and 5, except that it is provided with a removable drawer (200) as shown in figure 2.

    [0035] Figure 5 shows a perspective schematic view of a wardrobe (101) according to the invention in its flat pack configuration. The spacers (104, 105, 106) are folded in half and sandwiched between the body panels (103, 102). The body panels lie directly above one another, meaning that the height and width of the flat pack configuration is no greater than the height and width of the body panels themselves. That is, when viewed from the 'above' direction shown by arrow 'A' in figure 5, the edges of the first and second body panels are coterminous.

    [0036] Figures 6 and 7 show the wardrobe of Figure 3 when provided with further braces or brace members (601-604) in the form of battens. Three of these battens (601 - 603) brace and support the three spacers (104-106) - with one provided for each spacer (104-106). The battens (601 -603) help support the respective spacer (104-106) against load and help keep the furniture unit in its deployed configuration.

    [0037] The fourth batten (604) serves to help retain the brace panels (301-303) in position in the tracks (607). It also further assists in keeping the furniture unit in its deployed configuration.

    [0038] Each batten (601-604) is received in a respective pair of slots or tracks provided in the body panels (102, 103). One of these slots (605) can be seen in Figure 7. Each batten can be slid into its respective pair of slots. In a development rather than simple U-shaped slots, the slots (eg 605) for receiving one or more of the battens (601-604) may be dovetail slots with corresponding dovetails provided on the ends of the battens (601-604). This can provide interlocking whilst still allowing sliding engagement.

    [0039] Whilst in the above embodiment, the furniture units described are what might be termed bedroom or living room furniture units, the present invention may also be embodied in kitchen furniture, in particular kitchen units. That is the furniture unit may be a kitchen unit.


    Claims

    1. Afurniture unit (101,401) comprising;

    first (102) and second (103) rigid body panels and a spacer (104, 105, 106) which is moveably mounted to both of the body panels, such that the unit is moveable between;

    a flat pack configuration in which the spacer is disposed flat between the body panels, and

    a deployed configuration in which the body panels are separated by the spacer to define a space between the body panels,

    wherein,

    the spacer comprises first and second portions which have generally equal lengths and which are pivotally connected to each other, wherein the first portion is moveably mounted to the first body panel and the second portion is moveably mounted to the second body panel, such that in the flat pack configuration, the two portions of the spacer adopt a side by side orientation between the body panels,

    the furniture unit further comprises a rigid brace panel (301, 302, 303, 402), and the first and second rigid body panels are each provided with a track (607) with which edges of the rigid brace panel are slidably and removably engaged to retain the furniture unit in its deployed configuration, and

    wherein the furniture unit is a wardrobe, bedside unit, frame for chest of drawers, or a kitchen unit,

    characterized in that the furniture unit further comprises a brace batten (604) which is received in a pair of slots (605) which are provided in the body panels so that, when the furniture unit is in its deployed configuration and the brace batten (604) is received in the pair of slots (605), the brace batten (604) retains the rigid brace panel (301, 302, 303, 304) in the tracks (607).


     
    2. A furniture unit according to claim 1 wherein the two spacer portions are connected to each other by a hinge, which is optionally a one-way hinge.
     
    3. A furniture unit according to any preceding claim wherein the spacer is pivotally mounted to one, or both, of the body panels.
     
    4. A furniture unit according to claim 1 wherein the unit comprises more than one rigid brace panel.
     
    5. A furniture unit according to any preceding claim wherein the unit comprises two or more spacers.
     
    6. A furniture unit according to claim 5 wherein, when the unit is moved from its deployed configuration to its flat pack configuration, two spacers fold towards each other.
     
    7. A furniture unit according to claim 5 wherein, when the unit is moved from its deployed configuration to its flat pack configuration, two spacers fold in in orthogonal directions.
     
    8. A furniture unit according to claim 5 wherein, in the deployed configuration, two spacers are disposed orthogonal to one another.
     
    9. A furniture unit according to any preceding claim wherein, in the deployed configuration, the spacer forms a top or bottom panel of the furniture unit.
     
    10. A furniture unit according to any preceding claim, wherein in the deployed configuration, the spacer forms a shelf within the furniture unit.
     
    11. A furniture unit according to any preceding claim wherein the spacer is connected to the body panels by hinges, which are one-way hinges.
     
    12. A furniture unit according to any preceding claim wherein, in the flat pack configuration the thickness of the unit is less than 100mm.
     
    13. A furniture unit according to any preceding claim wherein the unit is provided with means for attaching a door or cover.
     
    14. A furniture unit according to any preceding claim wherein the rigid body panels or the spacer is made from wood.
     
    15. A furniture unit according to any preceding claim wherein the first and second body panels have generally the same dimensions.
     
    16. A furniture unit according to any preceding claim wherein, in the flat pack configuration, corresponding edges of the first and second body panels are generally in registry with each another.
     


    Ansprüche

    1. Möbeleinheit (101, 401), umfassend:
    eine erste (102) und eine zweite (103) starre Körperplatte und einen Abstandhalter (104, 105, 106), der bewegbar an beiden Körperplatten angebracht ist, sodass die Einheit bewegbar ist zwischen:

    einer Flachpack-Konfiguration, in der der Abstandhalter flach zwischen den Körperplatten angeordnet ist, und

    einer aufgeklappten Konfiguration, in der die Körperplatten von dem Abstandhalter auseinandergehalten werden, um einen Zwischenraum zwischen den Körperplatten zu definieren,

    wobei

    der Abstandhalter einen ersten und einen zweiten Abschnitt umfasst, die allgemein gleiche Längen aufweisen und die schwenkbar miteinander verbunden sind, wobei der erste Abschnitt bewegbar an der ersten Körperplatte angebracht ist und der zweite Abschnitt bewegbar an der zweiten Körperplatte angebracht ist, sodass in der Flachpack-Konfiguration die zwei Abschnitte des Abstandhalters eine Seite-an-Seite-Orientierung zwischen den Körperplatten annehmen,

    die Möbeleinheit ferner eine starre Stützplatte (301, 302, 303, 402) umfasst und die erste und die zweite starre Körperplatte jeweils mit einer Schiene (607) versehen sind, mit der sich Kanten der starren Stützplatte verschiebbar und herausnehmbar im Eingriff befinden, um die Möbeleinheit in ihrer aufgeklappten Konfiguration zu halten, und

    wobei es sich bei der Möbeleinheit um einen Kleiderschrank, einen Nachtschrank, einen Rahmen für eine Kommode oder einen Küchenschrank handelt,

    dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Möbeleinheit ferner eine Stützleiste (604) umfasst, die in einem Paar Schlitze (605) aufgenommen ist, die in den Körperplatten bereitgestellt sind, sodass, wenn sich die Möbeleinheit in ihrer aufgeklappten Konfiguration befindet und die Stützleiste (604) in dem Paar Schlitze (605) aufgenommen ist, die Stützleiste (604) die starre Stützplatte (301, 302, 303, 304) in den Schienen (607) hält.


     
    2. Möbeleinheit nach Anspruch 1, wobei die zwei Abstandhalterabschnitte durch ein Gelenk miteinander verbunden sind, bei dem es sich optional um ein Einwegegelenk handelt.
     
    3. Möbeleinheit nach einem der vorangehenden Ansprüche, wobei der Abstandhalter schwenkbar an einer oder beiden der Körperplatten angebracht ist.
     
    4. Möbeleinheit nach Anspruch 1, wobei die Einheit mehr als eine starre Stützplatte umfasst.
     
    5. Möbeleinheit nach einem der vorangehenden Ansprüche, wobei die Einheit zwei oder mehr Abstandhalter umfasst.
     
    6. Möbeleinheit nach Anspruch 5, wobei, wenn die Einheit aus ihrer aufgeklappten Konfiguration in ihre Flachpack-Konfiguration bewegt wird, zwei Abstandhalter aufeinander zu klappen.
     
    7. Möbeleinheit nach Anspruch 5, wobei, wenn die Einheit aus ihrer aufgeklappten Konfiguration in ihre Flachpack-Konfiguration bewegt wird, zwei Abstandhalter in orthogonalen Richtungen klappen.
     
    8. Möbeleinheit nach Anspruch 5, wobei in der aufgeklappten Konfiguration zwei Abstandhalter orthogonal zueinander angeordnet sind.
     
    9. Möbeleinheit nach einem der vorangehenden Ansprüche, wobei in der aufgeklappten Konfiguration der Abstandhalter eine Deck- oder Bodenplatte der Möbeleinheit bildet.
     
    10. Möbeleinheit nach einem der vorangehenden Ansprüche, wobei in der aufgeklappten Konfiguration der Abstandhalter eine Ablage innerhalb der Möbeleinheit bildet.
     
    11. Möbeleinheit nach einem der vorangehenden Ansprüche, wobei der Abstandhalter durch Gelenke mit den Körperplatten verbunden ist, bei denen es sich um Einwegegelenke handelt.
     
    12. Möbeleinheit nach einem der vorangehenden Ansprüche, wobei in der FlachpaccKonfiguration die Dicke der Einheit weniger als 100 mm beträgt.
     
    13. Möbeleinheit nach einem der vorangehenden Ansprüche, wobei die Einheit mit Mitteln zum Befestigen einer Tür oder Abdeckung versehen ist.
     
    14. Möbeleinheit nach einem der vorangehenden Ansprüche, wobei die starren Körperplatten oder der Abstandhalter aus Holz hergestellt sind/ist.
     
    15. Möbeleinheit nach einem der vorangehenden Ansprüche, wobei die erste und die zweite Körperplatte allgemein die gleichen Abmessungen aufweisen.
     
    16. Möbeleinheit nach einem der vorangehenden Ansprüche, wobei in der Flachpackkonfiguration einander entsprechende Kanten der ersten und der zweiten Körperplatte allgemein sich deckend aufeinander liegen.
     


    Revendications

    1. Unité formant meuble (101, 401) comportant :

    des premier (102) et deuxième (103) panneaux de corps rigides et une pièce d'écartement (104, 105, 106) qui est montée de manière mobile sur les deux panneaux de corps, de telle sorte que l'unité est mobile entre eux ;

    une configuration sous forme de kit dans laquelle la pièce d'écartement est disposée à plat entre les panneaux de corps, et

    une configuration déployée dans laquelle les panneaux de corps sont séparés par la pièce d'écartement pour définir un espace entre les panneaux de corps,

    dans laquelle,

    la pièce d'écartement comporte des première et deuxième parties qui ont des longueurs généralement égales et qui sont reliées de manière pivotante l'une par rapport à l'autre, dans laquelle la première partie est montée de manière mobile sur le premier panneau de corps et la deuxième partie est montée de manière mobile sur le deuxième panneau de corps, de telle sorte que, dans la configuration sous forme de kit, les deux parties de la pièce d'écartement adoptent une orientation de type côte à côte entre les panneaux de corps,

    l'unité formant meuble comporte par ailleurs un panneau de renfort rigide (301, 302, 303, 402), et les premier et deuxième panneaux de corps rigides sont chacun dotés d'un chemin de roulement (607) avec lequel les bords du panneau de renfort rigide sont mis en prise de manière coulissante et amovible pour retenir l'unité formant meuble dans sa configuration déployée, et

    dans laquelle l'unité formant meuble est une armoire, une unité de chevet, un cadre pour une commode, ou un meuble de cuisine,

    caractérisée en ce que l'unité formant meuble comporte par ailleurs un tasseau de renfort (604) qui est reçu dans une paire de fentes (605) qui sont mises en oeuvre dans les panneaux de corps de telle sorte que, quand l'unité formant meuble est dans sa configuration déployée et que le tasseau de renfort (604) est reçu dans la paire de fentes (605), le tasseau de renfort (604) retient le panneau de renfort rigide (301, 302, 303, 304) dans les chemins de roulement (607).


     
    2. Unité formant meuble selon la revendication 1, dans laquelle les deux parties de la pièce d'écartement sont reliées l'une à l'autre par une charnière, qui est éventuellement une charnière unidirectionnelle.
     
    3. Unité formant meuble selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans laquelle la pièce d'écartement est montée de manière pivotante sur l'un des panneaux de corps, ou sur les deux.
     
    4. Unité formant meuble selon la revendication 1, dans laquelle l'unité comporte plus d'un panneau de renfort rigide.
     
    5. Unité formant meuble selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans laquelle l'unité comporte deux pièces d'écartement ou plus.
     
    6. Unité formant meuble selon la revendication 5, dans laquelle, quand l'unité est déplacée depuis sa configuration déployée jusqu'à sa configuration sous forme de kit, deux pièces d'écartement se pliant l'une vers l'autre.
     
    7. Unité formant meuble selon la revendication 5, dans laquelle, quand l'unité est déplacée depuis sa configuration déployée jusqu'à sa configuration sous forme de kit, deux pièces d'écartement se pliant vers l'intérieur dans des directions orthogonales.
     
    8. Unité formant meuble selon la revendication 5, dans laquelle, dans la configuration déployée, deux pièces d'écartement sont disposées de manière orthogonale l'une par rapport à l'autre.
     
    9. Unité formant meuble selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans laquelle, dans la configuration déployée, la pièce d'écartement forme un panneau supérieur ou inférieur de l'unité formant meuble.
     
    10. Unité formant meuble selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans laquelle, dans la configuration déployée, la pièce d'écartement forme une étagère dans l'unité formant meuble.
     
    11. Unité formant meuble selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans laquelle la pièce d'écartement est reliée aux panneaux de corps par des charnières, qui sont des charnières unidirectionnelles.
     
    12. Unité formant meuble selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans laquelle, dans la configuration sous forme de kit, l'épaisseur de l'unité est inférieure à 100 mm.
     
    13. Unité formant meuble selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans laquelle l'unité comporte des moyens permettant de fixer une porte ou un couvercle.
     
    14. Unité formant meuble selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans laquelle les panneaux de corps rigides ou la pièce d'écartement sont réalisés en bois.
     
    15. Unité formant meuble selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans laquelle les premier et deuxième panneaux de corps ont généralement les mêmes dimensions.
     
    16. Unité formant meuble selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans laquelle, dans la configuration sous forme de kit, des bords correspondants des premier et deuxième panneaux de corps sont généralement alignés les uns par rapport aux autres.
     




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    Cited references

    REFERENCES CITED IN THE DESCRIPTION



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    Patent documents cited in the description