A furniture item with two surfaces movable in relation to each other

Abstract

 A first plate (1) can be placed on the floor and a second plate (7) forming the usable surface is engaged with a support (3) capable of sliding on the first plate, with linear and angular movements.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a furniture item capable of providing various performances through simple and easy movements, as well as also offering agreeable aesthetic aspects.

[0002] Said furniture item - which offers a usable flat surface - in substance comprises a first plate to be placed on the floor, a second plate forming the usable surface, and a support engaged with the second plate and capable of sliding on the first plate. Therefore, linear and angular movements of the second plate - in the geometric plane thereof - in relation to the first plate are possible. The support has a sufficiently wide base to guarantee stability.

[0003] The surface for placing the support on the first plate is advantageously provided with means to facilitate movements of the support on the first plate, such as omnidirectional wheels, or balls or a layer with low friction characteristics in relation to the surface of the first plate.

[0004] The two plates can have a similar geometric shape, although it would also be possible for them to have different geometric shapes.

[0005] If similar, the two plates can have the same dimensions.

[0006] At least the second plate can be transparent - or almost transparent - to allow the support, which can be fashioned according to aesthetic requirements, to be visible.

[0007] The invention will be better understood by following the description and accompanying drawing, which shows various non-limiting possible embodiments of the invention. In the drawing:

Figures 1 to 5 illustrate a structure of the item in question, in a front view and in plan views, in various positions that can be obtained by moving the second plate;

Figures 6 and 7, and respectively 8 and 9 show two further embodiments of the plates, in the plan views both with the two plates in alignment and misaligned.

[0008] According to the illustration, the numeral 1 indicates - in all the variants exemplified - a first plate, which is intended to be placed on the floor P. This plate 1 can be transparent or opaque, and made of any material, compatible with aesthetic requirements.

[0009] The numeral 3 indicates a support (which can have any shape for aesthetic requirements), which extends sufficiently inferiorly to ensure stability, and is advantageously provided on the inferior surface with means - such as balls, omnidirectional wheels or the like - or even simply with a layer 5 of felt or the like with friction characteristics that in any case allow easy angular and linear movement of the support 3 in relation to the lower plate 1, on which it is placed. The support 3 engages in one piece with the bottom surface of a second plate 7, preferably in a substantially central position.

[0010] With regard to the description above, the second (upper) plate 7 is capable of being moved in the horizontal geometric plane thereof, in relation to the first plate 1, both linearly and angularly, with possible limits obtained by means of a perimeter restraining rim in the bottom plate.

[0011] In Figure 2 the two plates (shows by way of example as rectangular and in particular almost square) are represented identical to each other and positioned to coincide perfectly. In Figure 3 the second upper plate 7 is moved linearly, according to any direction, in Figure 4 the plate 7 is moved angularly; in Figure 5 the plate 7 is moved both linearly and angularly. The presence of wheels of the like or of the layer 5 makes the various desired movements, which are limited by the extension of the first plate 1, very easy.

[0012] The two plates 1 and 7 can - advantageously from the aesthetic viewpoint - be identical to each other or at least geometrically similar (i.e. they have the same shape but different dimensions). However, it would also be possible for the two plates to be geometrically different.

[0013] Advantageously, at least the second upper plate 7 can be transparent, to allow visibility of the support 3 and of the extent to which it is placed on the plate 1. The plate 1 can also be transparent, to allow visibility of the floor or rug on which it is placed.

[0014] The plates 1 and 7 are preferably of any shape, the same or geometrically similar. In Figures 6 and 7 a circular shape is shown; in Figures 8 and 9 a polygonal shape is shown. The two plates 1 and 7 can be provided with other shapes - the same or different.

[0015] It is understood that the drawing shows aesthetic variants but with the same concept, provided purely as a practical embodiment of the invention, which can vary in forms and arrangements without however departing from the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A furniture item offering a usable flat surface, characterized in that it includes a first plate to be placed on the floor, a second plate forming the usable surface, and a support engaged with the second plate and capable of sliding on the first plate, thereby allowing movements of the second plate in the geometric plane thereof.

2. Furniture item according to claim 1, characterized in that the second plate is movable with respect to the first plate according to linear and angular movements.

3. Furniture item as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the surface with which the support is placed on the first plate extends to ensure stability and is provided with devices to facilitate movements of the support on the surface of the first plate.

4. Furniture item according to claim 3, characterized in that said devices are selected from the group including: omnidirectional wheels; pivoting wheels; balls; low friction coating; textile layers; non-woven layers; felt layers.

5. Furniture item as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first plate has a peripheral retaining rim.

6. Furniture item as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the two plates have a similar geometric shape.

7. Furniture item as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that the two plates have the same dimensions.

8. Furniture item as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least said second plate is transparent or almost transparent.

9. Furniture item as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said support is fashioned according to aesthetic requirements.

Drawing