The present invention relates to an opening and closing device, in particular for suspended cabinets and the like.
Suspended cabinets, which are mainly used for kitchen furniture arrangement, but also in other rooms in which it is desired to have a free under region, for example for providing a working surface, are already known.
Said suspended cabinets can comprise either laterally hinged wings or tilting wings.
Tilting wings, as is known, provide the advantage that they do not obstruct the front part of the suspended cabinet, as the tilting wings are opened. However, they are also affected by some drawbacks.
Actually, a main drawback, for a user of small height, is the difficulty of opening and closing the tilting wing of the cabinet.
A further drawback, for users of a comparatively high height, is that the wing may impact against the head of the user as the tilting wing is brought to its closing position.
The document
Accordingly, the aim of the present invention is to provide an opening and closing device, for suspended cabinets and the like, which solves the above mentioned problems or drawbacks of the prior art.
Within the scope of the above mentioned aim, a main object of the invention is to provide such an opening and closing device which can be operated in a very simple manner.
Another object of the present invention is to provide such an opening and closing device which can be easily associated with existing suspended cabinet constructions.
Another object of the present invention is to provide such an opening and closing device which have a small size, so as not to negatively affect the holding capability of the cabinet.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide such an opening and closing device which has very good aesthetic properties and, in particular, affording the possibility of concealing to view its mechanical parts, while providing aesthetically patterned opening wings.
According to one aspect of the present invention, the above mentioned aim and objects, as well as yet other objects, which will become more apparent hereinafter, are achieved by an opening and closing device, for suspended cabinets and the like, according to claim 1.
The tilting wing and slidable wing are pivoted to one another by a pivoting mechanism, thereby, to a translatory movement of the slidable wing will correspond a tilting or swinging movement of the tilting wing, to define at least a closed position and at least an open position of said wings.
Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent hereinafter from the following detailed disclosure of a preferred, though not exclusive, embodiment of the invention, which is illustrated, by way of an indicative, but not limitative, example in the accompanying drawings, where:
With reference to the number references of the above mentioned figures, the opening and closing device, according to the invention, which has been generally indicated by the reference number 1, comprises a tilting or swinging wing 2, cooperating with a slidable wing 3 for closing a front opening 4 of a suspended cabinet, including two sidewalls 5, a bottom panel 6, a top panel 7 and a bottom proper 24.
More specifically, the tilting or swinging wing 2 and slidable wing 3 are pivoted to one another by a pivoting or hinging mechanism, generally indicated by the reference number 8, which is applied either to one or both said sidewalls 5.
The pivoting device 8 operates so that, as the slidable wing 3 is raised and lowered, also the tilting wing 2 will be respective raised and lowered.
Said pivoting mechanism 8 comprises a vertical bracket 9, having a top end portion thereof hinged to a hinge 13, supporting said tilting wing 2, and having its bottom end portion coupled to a supporting bracket 14 for said slidable wing 3.
The swinging or tilting wing 2, in addition to being supported by the articulated assembly 13, is also pivoted to the furniture construction, through a top hinge 18, which is preferably fixed inside the top panel 7.
The vertical bracket 9 can slide along a guide 10 included in a box-like body 11 which can be associated with the sidewall 5 and including a protective cover element 12.
The vertical bracket 9 has an adjustable length, thereby to allow the articulation mechanism to be easily fitted to furniture pieces of different heights.
To that end, the vertical bracket comprises a top portion 15 and a bottom portion 16, each of which includes a perforated portion, so as to adjust the overall length of the bracket 9, by arranging at a different spacing the perforated portions onto one another and by fixing them by bolts, rivets or the like, engaged through holes 17 as suitably formed through said two portions.
The opening and closing device comprises moreover dampening means, adapted to operate as end of stroke dampening elements, both for the opening and for the closing movements of the wings.
More specifically, said dampening means comprises a first piston dampening device 19 and a second piston dampening device 20, which are assembled in opposition to one another on a supporting block 21 coupled to the body 11 of the device in parallel to a guide 10 at a middle position, thereby they are respectively and alternatively engaged by the top portion 15 and supporting bracket 14.
To reduce the force necessary for operating the device, the articulation 13 comprises a return spring 22 which is so calibrated as to operate against the weight of the swinging or tilting wing 2.
To allow an easy gripping and for properly operating the slidable wing 3, a handle or other suitable gripping member 23 is moreover provided.
The opening and closing device according to the present invention operates in a very simple manner.
In fact, it is sufficient to downward pull the slidable wing 3 to open said slidable wing and causing the tilting wing 2 to be raised, without any effort by the user, owing to the provision of the spring 22.
The first dampening device 19 will smoothly interrupt the opening stroke or displacement of the device.
For closing the device, it is sufficient to raise the slidable wing, thereby causing the tilting wing to be automatically lowered.
The second dampening device will prevent any closure impact from occurring.
It has been found that the invention fully achieves the intended aim and objects.
In fact, the invention provides an opening and closing device allowing to easily open a suspended cabinet by a mixed type of opening and closing system, i.e. including a slidable wing and a tilting wing, thereby combining the advantages provided by the tilting wing with the easy opening of the slidable wing.
In practicing the invention, the used materials, as well as the contingent size and shapes, can be any, depending on requirements.
This list of references cited by the applicant is for the reader's convenience only. It does not form part of the European patent document. Even though great care has been taken in compiling the references, errors or omissions cannot be excluded and the EPO disclaims all liability in this regard.