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(11) | EP 1 680 976 A1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | Modular equipped wall |
| (57) The present invention refers to a modular equipped wall, composed of a bearing frame
fixed to the masonry wall and comprising a series of boxes arranged in regular rows
and columns that can exactly receive covering panels or, alternatively, corresponding
box-shaped elements open in the front and equipped with object-holding compartments,
lamps or electrical appliances of different type.
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[0002] This expression refers to a special furniture solution basically consisting in a vertical structure made of wood, metal, etc. and positioned on an ordinary masonry wall in order to cover it.
[0003] As it is known, this type of equipped walls has become very popular on the market, not only as a solution for private houses, but also for working environments, such as offices, stores, workshops and similar places.
[0004] Equipped walls provided with a standardized modular structure, preferably made of wood or metal, have been especially successful on the market. In fact, this solution simplifies mounting and is extremely flexible in terms of installation.
[0005] The use of an equipped wall can be determined by different reasons, including aesthetical, technical and functional characteristics.
[0006] From a technical viewpoint, the presence of the equipped wall is justified by the need to hide the irregularities of the masonry wall, or cover different types of installations (electrical wires, air conditioning conduits, water pipes, audio and video systems, information networks, etc.) that are present on the masonry wall.
[0007] From an aesthetical viewpoint, the decision to use an equipped wall is determined by the need to enrich the general appearance of the room, by using fine materials and appealing shapes.
[0008] From the functional viewpoint, the presence of the equipped wall provides a vertical structure that can be also used to fix hooks, brackets, shelves or other furniture elements used to hang or support different objects.
[0009] So far, the accessories that are possibly provided with traditional modular or ordinary equipped walls are always fixed in projecting position on the front of the equipped wall.
[0010] Evidently, the presence of projecting parts creates considerable volumes, often with irregular shape, on the front of the equipped wall to the detriment of the linear, clean shape of the structure.
[0011] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a modular structure that allows for the creation of a new type of equipped walls, characterised by perfect organization and use of the space behind it, meaning the space comprised between the rear side of the equipped wall and the bearing masonry wall.
[0012] More precisely, the equipped wall of the invention can be provided with deep object-holding compartments that can occupy the rear space without creating volumes or irregular shapes on the front of the equipped wall.
[0013] Another purpose of the present invention is to provide an equipped wall characterised by simple and easy mounting, limited production costs and, most of all, unmatched versatility and flexibility in the organization of the vertical surface.
[0014] Finally, another important purpose of the present invention is to permit perfect harmonization of the equipped wall with the masonry structure of the place where it is installed.
[0015] Once it is installed and suitably finished, the new equipped wall produces the effect of a no-depth structure with the front surface flush to the wall.
[0016] In fact, the equipped wall of the invention can look exactly as a masonry wall or an equipped section of a masonry wall; this is due to the fact that its components comprise finishing end sections that can be used to fill the spaces that are left laterally, with respect to the length of the rear masonry wall.
[0017] The aforementioned purposes have been achieved thanks to the fact that the equipped wall of the invention is provided with a modular structure, in which the main element is a frame formed by cross-pieces and uprights made of metal sections and provided with a surface preferably corresponding to the masonry wall to be covered.
[0018] The cross-pieces and uprights create a series of boxes regularly arranged in horizontal rows and vertical columns, in chessboard configuration
[0019] The frame, which represents the vertical bearing structure of the equipped wall of the invention, is provided with rear horizontal arms fixed to the rear masonry wall and used as spacing elements, since their length also determines the depth of the space comprised between the metal frame and the rear masonry wall.
[0020] The frame is provided with box-shaped hollow elements with parallelepiped structure, with a front opening; the box-shaped elements are standard modules that can be combined with the bearing frame according to the user's requirements.
[0021] In fact, each box-shaped element is designed to be exactly received inside one of the boxes of the bearing frame, in such a way that the front opening is flush with the vertical surface of the frame and the box-shaped body projects in the space existing between the metal frame and the rear masonry wall.
[0022] Once it is fixed in this position, each box-shaped element becomes a compartment of the equipped wall and can be used to contain objects.
[0023] This new technology allows to obtain a modular structure characterised by easy and fast installation and by the presence of projecting compartments on the rear of the front surface, a feature that in the past could only be obtained with plasterboard equipped walls produced by artisans with a long, complex procedure.
[0024] In order to improve the functionality and flexibility of the invention, different versions of the box-shaped modules have been devised in order to create different configurations.
[0025] In these alternative versions the box-shaped element can be provided with sliding doors, pull-out drawers, shelves or partitions to create separate volumes.
[0026] Alternatively, a version of box-shaped elements can be also provided with a TV set, a hi-fi installation, a computer monitor, a lighting fixture or any other appliance, so that the installation of the aforementioned electrical devices can be integrated into the equipped wall of the invention when the corresponding box-shaped element is fixed to the vertical frame.
[0027] Moreover, the equipped wall of the invention is provided with a second modular element consisting in a simple panel used to exactly cover the boxes of the bearing frames that do not contain the box-shaped elements, in order to ensure surface continuity of the equipped wall.
[0028] As illustrated hereinafter, the box-shaped elements and panels are fixed in a very simple and fast way, using ordinary screws that, after going through the box-shaped elements and panels, are engaged into threaded holes suitably located on the front of the metal bearing frame on the four corners of each box.
[0029] The above description clearly shows that, once the bearing frame is mounted, the user can configure the equipped wall as desired, choosing from the different versions of box-shaped elements.
[0030] In fact, the user can choose the number and combination of the different versions of box-shaped elements, thus creating an equipped wall with open and closed compartments, as well as with compartments provided with drawers or built-in electrical appliances.
[0031] Another advantage in terms of flexibility of the equipped wall of the invention is that the user can choose the location of each box-shaped element from the variety of boxes that are available on the bearing frame, and change their location as desired.
[0032] It is worth noting that the user can increase the number of the compartments used to hold objects, as an alternative solution to cover panels.
[0033] This possibility is especially useful when the objects contained in the compartment gradually increase in number (for example, in case of collections of books, records, or documents to be filed).
[0034] If boxes of the bearing frame are empty, they can be suitably covered with the aforementioned panels, thus covering anti-aesthetical empty spaces in the equipped wall of the invention.
[0035] When the user needs more space to contain objects, he can remove one or more panels and use the boxes to receive the box-shaped elements.
[0036] Another advantage is represented by the possibility to integrate new technological appliances in the box-shaped elements of the equipped wall of the invention, since this type of appliances is subject to continuous evolution (i.e. audio-visual systems or computers).
[0037] A further advantage of the invention refers to considerable rationality in production and installation.
[0038] With reference to production, it is worth saying that the box-shaped modules (as well as the panels used to cover the boxes) can be made of wood, metal and also moulded plastic materials, thus permitting production in large series with extremely reduced costs.
[0039] With reference to installation, it must be noted that the equipped wall of the invention can be provided with box-shaped elements of any type, without the need of using the vertical structures (such as partitions, lateral or back panels) that are indispensable for the creation of traditional fixed or mobile cabinets, thanks to the fact that it can take advantage of the bearing wall on which it is positioned.
[0040] The only function of the bearing frame of the equipped wall of the invention is to create a space and transfer loads with respect to the masonry wall, and for this reason it can be made of metal or any other material according to functional criteria, also in consideration of the fact that it is not visible.
[0041] Moreover, it must be noted that the frame does not need to be positioned on the floor, it being sufficient to engage one of the rear horizontal arms against the masonry bearing wall; this allows to hang the equipped wall of the invention and the space underneath for traditional furniture or other articles (sofas, desks, etc.).
[0042] The presence of the end panels used as finishing elements in lateral position (according to the specific requirements) allows to combine the advantages of large-scale industrialized production with custom-made solutions.
[0043] For purposes of clarity the description of the invention continues with reference to the enclosed drawings, which are intended for purposes of illustration only and not in a limiting sense, whereby:
- figure 1 is an axonometric view of the bearing frame used in the equipped wall of the invention;
- figure 2 is basically identical to fig. 1 and shows the combination of the modular elements with the frame;
- figure 3 is an axonometric view of a possible composition of the equipped wall of the invention;
- figure 4 is basically identical to fig. 2 and shows the equipped wall of the invention integrated into a suitable masonry structure and equipped with the finishing end elements in lateral position.
[0044] With reference to figure 1, the wall of the invention is composed of a "chessboard-like" bearing frame (1), formed of multiple uprights (2) and cross-pieces (3) that create a series of boxes (C) arranged in regular rows and columns.
[0045] The back of the frame (1) is provided with horizontal arms (4) engaged against the rear masonry wall (P).
[0046] As mentioned earlier, the boxes (C) of the frame may be alternatively covered with panels (5) or used to receive suitable box-shaped hollow elements (6) with front opening, as expressly shown in figure 2.
[0047] Each panel (5) is provided with through holes (5a) on the four corners, used to insert screws (V) designed to engage in corresponding threaded holes on the front of the frame (1) on the four corners of each box (C).
[0048] Each box-shaped element (6) is frontally provided with an externally projecting frame (6a) designed to be engaged against the four sections that border each box (C).
[0049] The four corners of the frame (6a) are provided with suitable through holes (6b) used to insert the screws (V) designed to be engaged in the threaded holes on the front of the frame (1) on the four corners of each box (C).
[0050] Figure 3 shows a possible composition of the front wall of the invention, in which the panels (5) alternate with box-shaped open elements (6), with box-shaped elements provided with shelves (60), partitions (61) or niches (62), with box-shaped elements provided with drawers or sliding containers (63) and with box-shaped elements provided with built-in electrical appliances and/or audio visual devices (64).
[0051] As shown in figure 4, the equipped wall of the invention is perfectly integrated and flush with the surrounding masonry wall, practically being a sort of "framing".
[0052] In this configuration the frame (1) of the equipped wall and the rear projecting box-shaped elements (6) are perfectly hidden.
[0053] As shown in figure 4, the equipped wall of the invention can be provided with end panels (7) mounted at one or both ends of the equipped wall, if the equipped wall is shorter than the masonry structure.
[0054] For this reason, the end panels (7) are provided with through holes used to insert the screws (V) designed to be engaged against the front of the bearing frame.
[0055] The panels (7) are cut to measure in order to effectively act as finishing end elements to ensure perfect integration of the equipped wall of the invention with the masonry structure.
1. Modular equipped wall, characterised in that it comprises a bearing frame (1) formed of multiple uprights (2) and cross-pieces
(3) in chessboard-like configuration that create a series of boxes (C) arranged in
regular rows and columns, also provided with rear arms (4) engaged against the rear
masonry wall (P), and characterised in that it comprises two modular elements (5 and 6) fixed in the boxes (C) of the frame (1),
respectively consisting in a panel (5) used to exactly cover the box (C) and a box-shaped
hollow element (6) with front opening, designed to be contained in the box (C) in
such a way that the front opening is basically flush with the uprights and cross-pieces
(2, 3) that border the box (C) and the box-shaped element projects from the space
created between the metal frame (1) and the masonry wall (P).
2. Equipped wall as defined in claim 1, characterised in that each panel (5) is fixed to the box (C) by means of four screws (V) that engage into
through holes (5a) on the four corners of the panel (5) and into the threaded holes
on the front of the frame (1) on the four corners of the box (C).
3. Equipped wall as defined in claim 1 or in both claims, characterised in that each box-shaped element (6) is fixed to the box (C) by means of four screws (V) that
engage into through holes (6b) on the four corners of a suitable frame (6a) that projects
externally around the opening of the box-shaped element (6) and is engaged into the
threaded holes on the front of the frame (1) on the four corners of the box (C).
4. Equipped wall as defined in one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that the box-shaped element (6) contains one or more shelves (60).
5. Equipped wall as defined in one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that the box-shaped element (6) contains one or more partitions (61).
5. Equipped wall as defined in one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that the box-shaped element (6) contains one or more small niches (62).
7. Equipped wall as defined in one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that the box-shaped element (6) contains one or more drawers or sliding containers (63).
8. Equipped wall as defined in one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that the box-shaped element (6) incorporates built-in electrical appliances, lighting
fixtures and/or audio visual devices (64).
9. Equipped wall as defined in one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that it integrates flat panels (7) cut to measure in order to act as finishing end elements
and also provided with suitable holes to insert the screws (V) used to fix them on
the front of the frame (1).
10. Equipped wall as defined in one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that the panels (5, 7) and the box-shaped elements (6) are made with moulded plastic materials.
11. Equipped wall as defined in one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that the panels (5, 7) and the box-shaped elements (6) are made with translucent material.