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(11) | EP 3 150 788 A1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | SYSTEM FOR SELECTIVELY SLIDING AND ROTATING A DOOR AND PIECE OF FURNITURE PROVIDED WITH SUCH A SYSTEM |
| (57) The present invention relates to a system for selectively sliding and rotating a
leaf (2, 2') of a piece of piece of furniture (1, 1'), said system comprising: at least one first carriage (4) configured to translate along a predetermined first direction with respect to said piece of piece of furniture (1, 1'); a second carriage (21) configured to translate along a predetermined second direction which is parallel to said predetermined first direction; at least one hinge member (8) coupled with said at least one first carriage (4) and configured to be connected with said leaf (2, 2'), such that said leaf (2, 2') is rotatable around a predetermined axis (V); at least one rotation locking/releasing device (9) to selectively allow said leaf (2, 2') to rotate around said predetermined axis (V), said at least one rotation locking/releasing device (9) being connected with said at least one first carriage (4) and is capable of taking a coupling position, wherein said at least one rotation locking/releasing device (9) is coupled, in use, with said leaf (2, 2') arranged according to a predetermined angular position with respect to said predetermined axis (V), and an uncoupling position, wherein said at least one rotation locking/release device (9) is uncoupled, in use, with said leaf (2, 2'); at least one activating member (29) for activating said at least one rotation locking/release device (9), said at least one activating member (29) being fixable to said piece of piece of furniture (1, 1'); at least one translation locking/release device (30) to selectively allow said at least one first carriage (4) to translate along said predetermined first direction; wherein said at least one activating member (29) is configured such that, when said at least one first carriage (4) is arranged, in use, in a predetermined position along said predetermined first direction, said at least one rotation locking/release device (9) interacts with said at least one activating member (29) such that said at least one rotation locking/release device (9) is positioned in said uncoupling position; and wherein said at least one translation locking/release device (30) is configured such as to block translation of said at least one first carriage (4) along said predetermined first direction when said at least one first carriage (4) is arranged, in use, in said predetermined position. |
[0001] The present invention relates to a system for the sliding and rotation, selective, of a door.
[0003] In particular, the system proposed here has a principle of operation such that the door leaf can move in sliding or in rotation at different times, or not simultaneously.
[0004] This system finds advantageous application in various types of piece of furniture, i.e. destined for different uses, such as for example kitchens, cupboards or libraries.
[0005] Pieces of furniture are known which are equipped with sliding and hinged doors that open when carried in a predetermined position.
[0007] The mechanisms normally mounted in traditional piece of furniture of this type operate in such a way as to leave visible many, or at least some, of their components, so as to make them not particularly pleasing to the eye.
[0008] Under the purely technical point of view, however, these mechanisms typically present movements that are not perfectly synchronized.
[0009] In many cases, in fact, these do not allow a clear separation in time between the leaf sliding phase and the phase of relevant leaf opening. This implies in many cases some difficulty of use for the user and, above all, a malfunction or breakage as a result of a prolonged and continuous use.
[0010] In the light of the above, it is, therefore, object of the present invention to provide a system for the selective sliding and rotation, of a door, which allows to move the door in a precise manner, without the occurrence of blockages in the operation.
[0011] Another object of the invention is to provide a system for the selective sliding and rotation, of a door, which is reliable in use.
[0012] A further object of the present invention is to provide a system for the selective sliding and rotation, of a leaf, such that when mounted on a piece of furniture together with the relevant leaf, allows the user to leave the respective components hidden during the various steps the leaf movement.
[0013] It is therefore specific subject-matter of the present invention a system for the selective sliding and rotation, of a leaf of a piece of furniture, said system comprising: at least a first carriage configured to move along a predetermined first direction with respect to said piece of furniture; a second carriage configured to translate along a second predetermined direction parallel to said first predetermined direction; at least one hinge member coupled to said at least a first carriage and configured to be connected to said leaf, so that said leaf is rotatable about a predetermined axis; at least one locking/release device of the rotation to allow, selectively, the rotation of said leaf around said predetermined axis, said at least one locking/release device of the rotation being connected to said at least a first carriage and being able to assume a coupling position, in which said at least one locking/release device of the rotation is coupled in use with said leaf disposed in a predetermined angular position with respect to said predetermined axis, and a decoupling position, in which said at least one rotation locking/release device is decoupled in the use with said leaf; at least one actuating member for actuating said at least one rotation locking/release device, said at least one actuating member being fixable in said piece of furniture; at least one translation locking/release device to allow, selectively, the translation of said at least a first carriage along said first predetermined direction; wherein said at least one actuating member is configured such that, when said at least a first carriage is arranged in use in a predetermined position along said first predetermined direction, said at least one rotation locking/release device interacts with said at least an actuating member so that said at least one rotation locking/release device takes said decoupling position; and wherein said at least one translation locking/release device is configured in such a way as to block the translation of said at least a first carriage along said first predetermined direction when said at least a first carriage is disposed in use in said predetermined position.
[0014] Preferably according to the invention, said system can comprise at least a first and a second linear guide element the configured to guide the movement of said at least a first carriage and said second carriage.
[0015] Furthermore according to the invention, said at least one rotation locking/release device may comprise a direct pivotable pin which is pivotable according to a predetermined direction and provided with at least a protuberance directed substantially orthogonally to said predefined direction.
[0016] Still according to the invention, said system can comprise at least one housing element coupled to said leaf, in said at least one housing element being formed a cavity configured to receive at least a portion of said pin and communicating with the outside through an opening having a shape substantially equal to the shape of a section of said pin concerned from said at least one protuberance.
[0017] Advantageously according to the invention, said at least one rotation locking/release device may comprise a contact element axially fixed to said pin and configured to contact said at least one actuating member when said at least a first carriage is disposed in use in said predetermined position along said first predetermined direction.
[0018] Preferably according to the invention, said contact element may have a substantially "V" shape.
[0019] Furthermore according to the invention, said at least one translation locking/release device can be configured so as to unlock the translation of said at least one carriage along said first predetermined direction when said at least one carriage moves a further distance from said predetermined position.
[0020] Still according to the invention, said system may comprise a security member configured in such a way to allow the translation of said at least a first carriage and said second carriage when said at least one rotation locking/release device is coupled, in use, with said leaf, and in such a way as to prevent the translation of said at least a first carriage and said second carriage when said at least one rotation locking/release device is in said decoupling position and said leaf is disposed, in use, in an opening position, in which it is rotated by a certain angle around said predetermined axis.
[0021] Preferably according to the invention, said system can comprise a second rotation locking/release device to allow, selectively, the rotation of said leaf around said predetermined axis; said second rotation locking/release device being connected to said second carriage.
[0022] Furthermore according to the invention, said system can comprise a second translation locking/release device to allow, selectively, the translation of said second carriage.
[0023] It is also subject-matter of the invention a piece of furniture comprising at least one leaf and a system as indicated above.
[0024] The present invention will be now described, for illustrative but not limitative purposes, according to its preferred embodiments, with particular reference to the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figures 1-3 show a library with desk in three different configurations, provided with a mechanism according to the present invention;
Figures 4-7 show a library with television piece of furniture in four different configurations, provided with a mechanism according to the present invention;
Figure 8 is a detailed view of some parts of the mechanism according to the present invention placed on top of the piece of furniture;
Figure 9 is a detailed view of some parts of the mechanism according to the present invention placed at the base of the piece of piece of furniture;
Figure 10A is an exploded view of a component of the kinematic mechanism according to the invention;
Figure 10B is a perspective view of the component of Figure 10A, in an assembled configuration;
Figure 10C is another perspective view of the component of Figure 10A, in the assembled configuration, associated with a security member;
Figure 11 is a top plan view of a part of the kinematic system according to the invention placed on top of the piece of piece of furniture, in a first operating position;
Figure 12 is a detailed view extracted from Figure 11;
Figure 13 is a view taken along the section line B-B shown in Figure 11;
Figure 14 is a view taken along the section line A-A shown in Figure 11;
Figure 15 is a top plan view of a part of the kinematic system according to the invention placed on top of the piece of piece of furniture, in a second operating position;
Figure 16 is a detailed view taken from Figure 15;
Figure 17 is a view taken along the section line C-C in Figure 11;
Figure 18 is a view taken along the section line D-D shown in Figure 11;
Figure 19 is a top plan view of a part of the kinematic system according to the invention placed on top of the piece of piece of furniture, in a third operating position;
Figure 20 a detailed view extracted from figure 19;
Figure 21 is a view taken along the section line E-E shown in figure 19;
Figure 22 is a view taken along the section line F-F shown in figure 19;
Figure 23 is a top plan view of a part of the kinematic system according to the invention placed on top of the piece of piece of furniture, in a fourth operative position; and
Figure 24 is a view taken along the section line D-D shown in Figure 23.
[0026] Referring now to Figures 1-3, with 1 a library is indicated which has a built-in desk in its central part and two column shelving placed at respective sides of the desk.
[0027] On this library two leaves 2 are mounted, which have a height substantially equal to that of the library 1, and a higher kinematic unit 3 for their handling.
[0028] More in detail, the aforementioned upper kinematic unit 3 allows to slide the leaves 2 along the front of the piece of piece of furniture from a central position (see Figure 1) to a respective lateral position (see Figure 2) and, only once clasped in the latter position, to open them rotating around two hinges placed at the base and the top of the same leaves 2.
[0029] Figures 4-8 show a library 1' similar to the previous one, and equipped with a central pedestal to support a TV instead of the aforementioned desk.
[0030] Even the library 1' has two panels 2' and a higher kinematic unit 3' that is identical to that shown in Figures 1-3 and operated in accordance with the same procedures.
[0031] The upper kinematic unit 3 comprises an upper carriage 4 provided with four wheels 5 and configured to slide along an upper guide rail 6 placed on the front edge of the top plane of the piece of piece of furniture 1.
[0032] To an end portion of the upper carriage 4, a top bracket 7 with a substantially "L" shape is fixed, to which is pivotally connected the upper edge of a leaf 2 by means of an upper hinge 8 operating according to a vertical axis of rotation V.
[0034] The first locking/release device 9 comprises a support bracket 10 fixed to said upper carriage 4 and on which a through hole 11 is formed which is directed substantially orthogonally to the upper carriage 4.
[0035] The first locking/release device 9 provides, in addition, a movable member 12 formed by a pin 13 and a cam member 14, which is substantially in the shape of "V" and is rigidly coupled to one end of the pin 13.
[0036] On this cam member 14, at least a return spring acts (in particular a first 14a and a second 14b return spring act), which performs the function of keeping the pin 13 in a predetermined rest position, in the absence of external forces.
[0037] In this regard, it is noted that, according to further variants of the present invention not represented in the figures, this cam member 14 can also take forms other than the "V" shape indicated above.
[0038] The first locking/release 9 also comprises a shaped collar 14' equipped having a safety function and proivided, in the lower part, with a safety plug 14" protruding in the axial direction.
[0039] Between the shaped collar 14' and the bracket support 10 a precompressed compression spring 15' is present, that constantly tends to move said shaped collar 14' from the bracket support 10.
[0040] Specifically, in the first locking/release device 9, the pin 13 is mounted so as to pass through both the through hole 11 of the bracket 10, and the compression spring support 15' and the shaped collar 14'.
[0041] The pin 13 has, at the end opposite to the one concerned by the coupling with the cam member 14, an enlarged portion 15 of substantially conical shape from which a first 16a and a second 16b hooking protrusion project laterally, in opposite directions.
[0042] At the upper inner edge of the leaf 2, a top plate 17 is present, in which an upper cavity 18 is formed, which is dimensioned to receive the enlarged portion 15 of the pin 13.
[0043] This upper cavity 18 communicates with the outside through an opening 19 having a layout development substantially complementary to that of the said enlarged portion 15.
[0044] The above-mentioned upper plate 17 is disposed in such a position that, when the leaf 2 is rotated in the closed position, the pin 13 is inserted into the upper cavity 18 of the upper plate 17.
[0045] Similarly, on the front of the library 1 stand, a lower guide rail 20 that may be interrupted is provided, i.e. it is formed by two portions which are aligned, so as not to hinder access to certain parts of the library 1, as shown in Figures 2 and 3 in which such guide rail is interrupted in correspondence of the desk.
[0046] As shown in Figures 4-7, the library 1' presents, instead, a lower guide rail 20' which continuously extends along the entire width of library 1'.
[0047] On the lower guide rail 20, 20', a lower carriage 21 is constrained to move, which is provided with four wheels 22 and forms part of a lower kinematic unit 23.
[0048] To an outer end of the lower carriage 21, a lower bracket 24 with substantially L-sheped profile is fixed, to which the lower edge of the leaf 2 is pivotally connected by means of a lower hinge 25 which operates according to the said vertical axis of rotation V.
[0049] Therefore, the upper 4 and lower 21 carriages, in cooperation with the upper 6 and lower guide rails 20, act as both carriers and as elements for translating leaf 2.
[0050] Furthermore, according to a variant of the present invention not represented in the attached figures, the aforesaid upper 4 and lower 21 carriages may be alternatively formed by groups of wheels interconnected by one or more brackets of different length.
[0051] At the other end of the lower kinematic unit 23, a second locking/release device 26 is provided, which is substantially identical to the first locking/release 9 device.
[0052] In the lower inner edge of the same leaf 2 there is a bottom plate 27, substantially equal to the upper plate 17 described above and provided with a lower cavity 28 communicating with the outside through an opening 28' and configured to couple with the second locking/release device 26.
[0053] On the top plane of the library 1, an upper operation member 29 is also provided, which is fixed between the upper guide rail 6 and the front part of the library 1, and arranged, with respect to a side of the latter, at a distance substantially equal to that intercurrent between the first locking/release 9 device and the upper bracket 7.
[0054] In particular, the upper actuating member 29 is configured to cooperate with the cam member 14 of the first locking/release device 9, by virtue of the sliding of the upper carriage 4 on the upper guide rail 6.
[0055] Similarly, in the base of the library 1 there is a lower actuating member (not shown in the figures) substantially equal to the above upper drive member 29 and adapted to interact with the cam member (not shown) of the second locking/release device 26.
[0056] It is also provided a first locking/release device 30 consisting of a male element 31, fixed on an end portion of the upper guide rail 6, and a female element (not shown in the figures) housed in a corresponding cavity 32 formed in the end of the upper carriage 4, on which the upper bracket 7 is mounted.
[0057] In particular, the first locking/release device 30 operates in such a way that, when the male element 31 is inserted in said female element, there is a coupling between the two, and then the locking of the upper carriage 4 on the upper guide rail 6, and that, when the male element 31 inside the female element accomplishes a further stroke to the latter, their decoupling iks achieved, namely the unlocking of the upper carriage 4.
[0058] On the top part of the piece of furniture 1, there is also provided a safety member 40, in a position adjacent to the upper drive 29 and fixed as well.
[0059] In particular, such a safety member 40 comprises an arm 41 which extends longitudinally with respect to the piece of piece of furniture 1, i.e. in the same direction of the upper guide rail 6 development.
[0061] On the base of the library 1 there is also present a second locking/release device (not shown in the figures), substantially identical to the first lock/release device 30 described above, to allow the locking and unlocking of the lower carriage 21 on the lower guide rail 20, 20'.
[0062] Concluding the description of the structure of the proposed system, it is evident that even for the other leaf 2 of the library 1, the same organs and components indicated above are provided, obviously arranged so as to permit symmetrical movements and displacements with respect to those of the previously described leaf 2.
[0064] According to the operation of the handling system described above, each leaf 2 may be made slid, or moved in translation, by a respective central position (see Figure 1) to a respective lateral position (see Figure 2) and vice versa.
[0065] Specifically, when each door 2 is disposed in its central position, the first locking/release 9 and the second locking/release device 26 are both configured in the locking position with the leaf 2, i.e. with the widened portions of the respective pins arranged in the respective upper cavity 18 and lower cavity 28 according to an orientation such that its coming out through the respective openings 19, 28' is prevented by contrast between the respective engagement protrusions 16a, 16b and the respective upper 17 and lower plates 27.
[0066] Therefore, during the movement from the central position to the lateral position, the leaf 2 is constrained to remain rigidly connected to the upper 4 and bottom 21 carriages.
[0067] When, instead, each leaf 2 reaches the respective lateral position, the cam member 14 of the first locking/release device 9 and the cam member of the second locking/release device 26 abut respectively with the upper actuating organ 29 and with the lower actuating organ, undergoing, from these, a tangential force that causes the rotation, about their respective axes, of the pins fixed to said cam members.
[0068] In particular, these upper and lower actuating organs are configured so as to impart to the cam members, and therefore also to the related pins, a degree of rotation such as to bring the locking protuberances of the respective enlarged portions in alignment with the respective upper opening 19 and lower opening 28', respectively defined in the upper plate 17 and lower plate 27, so as to allow the leaf 2 uncoupling from said first 9 and second 26 locking/release device, and then the rotation of the same leaf 2 around the vertical axis of rotation V.
[0069] Simultaneously with the step of releasing the above described leaf 2, the first 30 and the second locking/release device operate.
[0070] In fact, when the door 2 reaches the relative lateral position, the male element of the first 30 and the second locking/release device enters into the respective female element, thereby determining the relative coupling, and then the locking of the upper 4 and lower 21 carriages.
[0071] The safety member 40, however, operates in such a way that when the leaf 2 is closed, i.e. disposed aligned with the front of the piece of furniture 1 (see Figures 13, 18 and 22), the shaped collar 14' abuts with the upper plate 17, which, overcoming the force of the compression spring 1', pushes it back towards the bracket to the support 10.
[0072] When, instead, the door leaf 2 is made slide in said lateral position and rotated about the vertical axis of rotation V thanks to the release of the rotation caused by the upper 29 and lower actuating organ, the shaped collar 14', not being more in abutment with the upper plate 17, is pushed forward by the compression spring 15' allowing the insertion of the safety pin 14" in the hole 42 of the safety organ 40 (see Figures 23 and 24).
[0073] Therefore, in the case in which the leaf 2 is in lateral position and opened in accordance with a certain angle of rotation, any attempt to further slide the leaf 2 towards the outside of the piece of furniture 1 would be hampered and made impossible by the coupling between the safety pin 14" and the hole 42.
[0074] The safety member 40 then functions independently from the first and second locking/release device, preventing in any case the possibility to slide the door 2 when it is in the open position, namely rotated by a certain angle around the axis vertical rotation V.
[0075] In this way, therefore, when each leaf 2 reaches the lateral position, it can only be opened by rotating it about the axis of vertical rotation V, without the possibility of sliding on the upper 6 and the bottom 20 guide rails.
[0076] To instead return the door 2 in the central position shown in Figures 1 and 4, it is first necessary to close it, or make it rotate so as to move the safety pin about the axis of vertical rotation V up to place it in alignment with the front of the library 1, so as to space away the safety pin 14" from the hole 42, and then make it slide by a minimum length outwards from the library 1, in such a way that, by virtue of this additional stroke, the male element of the first 30 and the second locking/release device decouples from the respective female element, again allowing the leaf sliding 2 on the upper 6 and lower 20 guide rails.
[0077] In addition, when the leaf 2 performs the above-mentioned further sliding towards the outside of the library 1, the cam member 14 of the first locking/release device 9 and of the second locking/release device 26 undergo, by the upper actuating organ 29 and lower actuating organ, a further rotation such as to bring the locking protuberances of the respective pins in position such as to prevent its coming out from the respective upper cavity 18 and lower cavity 28 formed in the upper 17 and lower 27 plates.
[0078] Therefore, in the latter case, the mutual decoupling of the male element and the female element of the first and second locking/release device occurs simultaneously in the first 9 and second 26 locking/release device with the respective top plate 17 and bottom plate 27 provided in the leaf.
[0079] The absolute coincidence of the actions carried out by the upper 9 and lower 26 locking/release devices for the selective rotation of the leaf 2 and by the locking/release devices for the selective sliding of the leaf 2, allows the user to move each leaf 2 with ease, without the occurrence of blockages or jams during the movements of door 2.
[0080] The present invention has been described for illustrative but not limitative purposes, according to its preferred embodiments, but it is to be understood that variations and/or modifications may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the relative scope of protection, as defined by the appended claims.
1. System for selectively sliding and rotating a leaf (2, 2') of a piece of piece of
furniture (1, 1'), said system comprising:
at least one first carriage (4) configured to translate along a predetermined first direction with respect to said piece of piece of furniture (1, 1');
a second carriage (21) configured to translate along a predetermined second direction which is parallel to said predetermined first direction;
at least one hinge member (8) coupled with said at least one first carriage (4) and configured to be connected with said leaf (2, 2'), such that said leaf (2, 2') is rotatable around a predetermined axis (V);
at least one rotation locking/releasing device (9) to selectively allow said leaf (2, 2') to rotate around said predetermined axis (V), said at least one rotation locking/releasing device (9) being connected with said at least one first carriage (4) and is capable of taking a coupling position, wherein said at least one rotation locking/releasing device (9) is coupled, in use, with said leaf (2, 2') arranged according to a predetermined angular position with respect to said predetermined axis (V), and an uncoupling position, wherein said at least one rotation locking/release device (9) is uncoupled, in use, with said leaf (2, 2');
at least one activating member (29) for activating said at least one rotation locking/release device (9), said at least one activating member (29) being fixable to said piece of piece of furniture (1, 1');
at least one translation locking/release device (30) to selectively allow said at least one first carriage (4) to translate along said predetermined first direction;
wherein said at least one activating member (29) is configured such that, when said at least one first carriage (4) is arranged, in use, in a predetermined position along said predetermined first direction, said at least one rotation locking/release device (9) interacts with said at least one activating member (29) such that said at least one rotation locking/release device (9) is positioned in said uncoupling position; and
wherein said at least one translation locking/release device (30) is configured such as to block translation of said at least one first carriage (4) along said predetermined first direction when said at least one first carriage (4) is arranged, in use, in said predetermined position.
2. System according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises at least one first and one second linear guide element (6, 20, 20')
configured to guide the movement of said at least one first carriage (4) and of said
second carriage (21).
3. System according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said at least one rotation locking/release device (9) comprises a rotatable pin (13)
directed according to a predetermined direction and provided with at least one protrusion
(16a, 16b) directed substantially orthogonal to said predetermined direction.
4. System according to claim 3, characterized in that it comprises at least one housing element (17) capable to be coupled with said leaf
(2, 2'), a cavity (18) being formed in said at least one housing element (17), the
cavity (18) being configured to receive at least a portion of said pin (13) and being
in communication with the outside through an opening (19) having a shape which is
substantially identical to the shape of a section of said pin (13) affected by said
at least one protrusion (16a, 16b).
5. System according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that said at least one rotation locking/release device (9) comprises a contact element
(14) which is axially fixed to said pin (13) and configured to contact said at least
one activating member (29) when said at least one first carriage (4) is arranged,
in use, in said predetermined position along said predetermined first direction.
6. System according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said contact element (14) is substantially V-shaped.
7. System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said at least one translation locking/release device (30) is configured such as to
unblock the translation of said at least one carriage (4) along said predetermined
first direction when said at least one carriage (4) translates by a further distance
from said predetermined position.
8. System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a safety member (40) configured such as to allow said at least one first
carriage (4) and said second carriage (21) to translate when said at least one rotation
locking/release device (9) is coupled, in use, with said leaf (2, 2'), and such as
to prevent said at least one first carriage (4) and said second carriage (21) from
translating when said at least one rotation locking/release device (9) is in said
uncoupling position and said leaf (2, 2') is arranged, when in use, in an opening
position, wherein it is rotated by a predetermined angle around said predetermined
axis (V).
9. System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a second rotation locking/release device (26) to selectively allow said
leaf (2, 2') to rotate around said predetermined axis (V); said second rotation locking/release
device (26) being connected with said second carriage (21).
10. System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a second translation locking/release device to selectively allow said
second carriage (21) to translate.
11. Piece of piece of furniture (1, 1') comprising at least one door (2, 2') and a system
according to any one of the preceding claims.