KITCHEN ASSEMBLY

Description

[0001] the object of the present invention is a kitchen assembly, particularly a kitchen assembly suitable to constitute a kitchen of the so-called "assembled" type.

[0002] With reference particularly to houses, for example, apartments, it is known to provide a portion equipped as living room/dining room and a portion equipped as kitchen in a single room. The living room/dining room and kitchen portions are divided by a counter one from the other. A counter top on which sinks and cooktops can be for example arranged is generally provided on the side of the counter facing the kitchen portion. In this manner, the dishes prepared in the kitchen portion can be directly passed to the living room/dining room portion via the counter, and vice versa. Spaces can be provided beneath the counter, for example, for household appliances, garbage containers, or to house sink waste tubes. A structure supporting shelves, cabinets, or the like, can be optionally associated with the counter. Such structure is shaped such as to keep the passage between kitchen portion and living room/dining room portion, via the counter, clear.

[0003] Rooms having such a configuration have the advantage that they allow obtaining two autonomous and communicating units, particularly living room or dining room, and kitchen, while just one room is available to obtain such units. Furthermore, rooms with such configuration require reduced, if any, building works, to obtain the two distinct portions. Finally, the described rooms allow optimizing the available spaces also, for example, in the presence of a reduced area of the room equipped both as the living room or dining room, and as the kitchen.

[0004] However, since living room/dining room portion and kitchen portion are mutually directly communicating, the malodour diffusion is considerable, for example, odours due to food preparation in the kitchen portion. [0005] Furthermore, the impossibility to isolate kitchen portion from sitting room portion makes so that potential guests received within the living room/dining room are likely forced to share in all the operations that are performed in the kitchen portion, such as, for example, food preparation or dish washing. In addition, such operations can produce irritating noises, unsuitable to those who are in the living room/dining room portion.

[0005] Partitions to separate a space are for example known from US4553359A, US6241330 and US1822288.

[0006] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a kitchen assembly suitable to divide a single room in two distinct portions, allowing achieving the advantages described with reference to the prior art, while allowing, if required, reducing the diffusion of odours and noises, as well as reducing the field of vision between the two room portions .

[0007] These and other objects are achieved by a kitchen assembly according to claim 1.

[0008] In order to better understand the invention, and appreciate the advantages thereof, some non-limiting, exemplary embodiments thereof will be described herein below, with reference to the annexed figures, in which:

[0009] Fig. 1 is a perspective, schematic view of a kitchen assembly according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0010] Fig. 2 is a side schematic view of the kitchen assembly in Fig. 1;

[0011] Fig. 3 is a side schematic view, partially in transparency, of the kitchen assembly in Fig. 2 according to a further possible embodiment of the invention;

[0012] Fig. 4 is a plan schematic view of the kitchen assembly in Fig. 1;

[0013] Figs. 5a and 5b are schematic sectional views, according to the V-V line, of the kitchen assembly in Fig. 2 in two different configurations;

[0014] Fig. 6 is a partial perspective, exploded, schematic view of the kitchen assembly in Fig. 1;

[0015] Fig. 7 is a further partial, perspective, exploded schematic view of the kitchen assembly in Fig. 1;

[0016] Fig. 8 is a partially sectional, perspective schematic view of a detail of the kitchen assembly in Fig. 7;

[0017] Fig. 9 is a perspective, exploded, schematic view of the detail A in Fig. 8;

[0018] Fig. 10 is a perspective, schematic view of the detail B in Fig. 8;

[0019] Fig. 11 is a perspective, schematic view of the detail C in Fig. 8;

[0020] Fig. 12 is a partial, perspective, schematic view of a further detail of the kitchen assembly in Fig. 1 according to a possible embodiment of the invention;

[0021] Fig. 13 is a partial, perspective, schematic view of the detail in Fig. 12 according to a further possible embodiment of the invention;

[0022] Fig. 14 is a perspective, schematic view of a further detail of the kitchen assembly in Fig. 1;

[0023] Fig. 15 is a side schematic view of a further detail of the kitchen assembly in Fig. 1.

[0024] With reference to the annexed Figures, a kitchen assembly is generally indicated with the reference numeral 1.

[0025] The kitchen assembly 1 comprises a portal-shaped main structure 2, particularly provided with a first vertical rod 3, a second vertical rod 4, and a crosspiece 5. The main structure 2, due to the conformation thereof, is suitable to be inserted in a single room (not shown in the Figures) and divides it in two portions, particularly a kitchen portion and a service portion, for example a living room or dining room portion. In the kitchen portion, the usual activities which take place in an independent kitchen can be performed, such as, for example, food preparation or dish washing. A dining room or a living room can be equipped in the service portion in which, for example, it is possible to receive guests.

[0026] The main structure 2 has a kitchen side 6 and a service side 7. The kitchen side 6 is intended to be facing the kitchen portion of the room in which the kitchen assembly is inserted, while the service side 7 is intended to be facing the service portion of such room. With reference for example to Fig. 2, in which the kitchen side 6 is illustrated, the first vertical rod 3 is arranged on the left, while the second vertical rod 4 is arranged on the right.

[0027] The main structure 2 forms a passage opening 8 suitable to communicate the kitchen side 6 and the service side 7 of the kitchen assembly. For example, through the passage opening it is possible to pass the dishes cooked in the kitchen side 6 towards the service side 7, or to pass dirty dishes and glasses from the service side 7 to the kitchen side 6. The passage opening 8 is laterally delimited by at least two main structure side walls, particularly by the first and the second vertical rods. Advantageously, such at least two side walls at the passage opening are without means to guide the closing member 19 between lowered position and raised position. In other terms, the closing member is not guided in the movements thereof by the first and the second vertical rods in their portions arranged at the passage opening, which remain visible. In such manner, a small interspace is left between vertical rods and closing member. In this manner, the kitchen assembly overall esthetical value is increased. Possible guide modes of the closing member in its movements will be described herein below.

[0028] The kitchen assembly 1 preferably comprises a main counter top 9 which is connected on the two opposite sides thereof to the first vertical rod 3 and the second vertical rod 4. In this manner, the passage opening 8 is delimited by the first vertical rod 3, the second vertical rod 4, the crosspiece 5, and the main counter top 9.

[0029] Special counter top seats 10 can be provided on the main counter top 9 which are adapted to receive kitchen implements. For example, the counter top seats 10 can be so provided as to receive one or more sinks 11 and/or one or more cooktops 12 (Fig. 3).

[0030] In the following of the description, and in the annexed claims, the terms "above", "under", "upper", "lower", or the like are referred to the kitchen assembly 1 positioned in the standard use condition thereof.

[0031] A housing 13 is preferably obtained beneath the main counter top 9. Such housing 13 can house further kitchen elements 14, such as, for example, household appliances (dishwashing machine, oven), dishdrawers, garbage bins, or the like. Such kitchen elements 14 can be provided with wheels (not shown in the Figures) in order to allow the withdrawal thereof from the housing 13. Furthermore, tubes connected to the sinks 11 or the cooktops 12 can be for example received within the housing 13. In order not to make the kitchen elements visible from the service side 4, a hiding panel 18 can be provided, preferably laterally connected to the first vertical rod 3 and the second vertical rod 4 beneath the main counter top 9 (Fig. 6).

[0032] According to a possible embodiment, the main structure 2 comprises an upper counter top 15 acting as a shelf. The upper counter top is preferably connected on two sides thereof opposite the main structure 2, particularly to the first 3 and second 4 vertical rods. The upper counter top 15 can optionally support a hood 16 to suck the fumes coming, for example, from the cooktop 12 (Fig. 3). According to a possible embodiment, one or more openable panels 17 are provided for the access to the upper counter top 15.

[0033] The kitchen assembly 1 comprises a closing member 19 which is movable according to a sliding direction S between a lowered position and a raised position. -In the lowered position (Fig. 5b), the closing member 19 essentially closes the passage opening 8 and preferably, abuts against the main counter top 9. In this manner, the kitchen side 6 and the service side 7 are divided, so that service portions and kitchen portions of the room in which the kitchen assembly 1 is received turn out to be not communicating via the kitchen assembly. In other terms, in the lowered position the closing member divides the main counter top 9 in two distinct portions, which can be autonomously exploited on the two distinct kitchen 6 and service 7 sides. In this kitchen assembly configuration, the diffusion of odours and noises between the two room portions is thereby reduced. Furthermore, the presence of the closing member 19 in the lowered position makes so that the view between the two portions of room is occluded. In this manner, a person being in the service portion cannot see what is happening in the kitchen portion, and vice versa.

[0034] On the other hand, when the closing member is in the raised position (Fig. 5a), the passage opening 8 is open, therefore it is possible to pass objects, such as, for example, foods or dirty dishes, between the room kitchen portion and service portion. Such passage preferably takes place via the main counter top 9, on which the objects- can be rested from a side of the kitchen (the kitchen side 6 or the service side 7) and taken from the other side opposite the first one. It shall be apparent that the main counter top, in such configuration, can be used both on the kitchen side and the service side.

[0035] In the raised position, the closing member is at least partially received within a housing seat 20 formed by the main structure 2. The housing seat 20 is preferably formed at the crosspiece 5 of the main structure 2 and, still more preferably, it is defined by two housing panels, particularly a kitchen side housing panel 21 and a service side housing panel 22. According to a possible embodiment, the kitchen side 21 and service side 22 housing panels are connected on two respective sides thereof opposite the first vertical rod 3 and the second vertical rod 4, and are mutually facing. In this manner, the housing seat turns out to be obtained in the interspace between the kitchen side 21 and service side 22 housing panels.

[0036] Advantageously, the closing member 19, when it is in the raised position thereof, is completely received within the housing seat 20 formed in the above-mentioned interspace between the kitchen side 21 and service side 22 housing panels. In this manner, in such configuration, the closing member 19 turns out to be completely hidden to the view, with a considerable advantage in terms of overall aesthetics.

[0037] In order to make the handling of the closing member 19 between the raised position thereof and the lowered position thereof possible, the kitchen assembly 1 advantageously comprises one or more actuators 23 which are operatively connected to the same closing member 19. Still more advantageously, the actuators 23 are at least partially received inside the housing seat 20, particularly they are completely received within the housing seat 20 when the closing member 19 is in the raised position thereof. In this manner, when it is in the raised position, the dividing member and the system for the handling thereof turn out to be essentially invisible to the view, both from kitchen side 6, and service side 7. With further advantage, the actuators are at least partially received within seats that are obtained inside the closing member, with the aim to be further hidden to the view. Possible modes to receive the actuators in the closing member will be described herein below.

[0038] The actuators 23 are advantageously so shaped as to induce sliding movements of the closing member 19 between raised position and lowered position along the sliding direction, which is preferably rectilinear. This makes it possible to adopt a plate-like and essentially rigid closing member 19. Particularly, the actuators 23 are advantageously of the electric, linear and column type. Such actuators comprise a plurality of sliding portions telescopically inserted one into the other. The actuation of each actuator involves the sliding of each of such sliding portions one to the others. Consequently, the actuators of this type are able to pass from an extended configuration, of maximum extension, in which all the sliding portions turn out to be drawn out, and a retracted position, in which such sliding portions are instead telescopically collected one into the other. The actuators 23 are advantageously arranged so that the movements of the sliding portions take place along the sliding direction S of the closing member 19.

[0039] In order to make the handling of the closing member 19 relative to the main structure 2 possible through the actuators 23, the latter are advantageously connected to the one and/or the other one between the kitchen side 21 and service side 22 housing panels. According to a possible embodiment, such actuators 23 are in a number of two, arranged respectively in the proximity of the first vertical rod 3 and the second vertical rod 4, and are preferably connected to the kitchen side housing panel 21.

[0040] In accordance with an embodiment, the kitchen side housing panel 21 comprises, on a inner face 24 thereof facing the service side housing panel 22, actuator connecting seats 25 in an at least even number, and in positions corresponding to the number and the positions provided for the actuators 23 (Figures 8 and 9). Such actuator connecting seats 25 are advantageously shaped as recesses on the inner face 24 surface, so as to be able to house actuator connecting plates 26 to connect the kitchen side housing panel 21 to the closing member 19. With further advantage, the actuator connecting plates 26 are essentially L shaped, so that a first arm of the L can be received within one of the actuator connecting seats 25, and a second arm, preferably orthogonal to the first one, can abut against an upper head 27 of the corresponding actuator 23. In this manner, the actuator 23 turns out to be hung to the actuator connecting plate 26 inside the housing seat 20, being not visible outside it. The connection of the actuator connecting plates 26 to the kitchen side housing panel 21 and the actuators 23 heads 27, respectively, can take place, for example, through threaded connection members.

[0041] In order to make the actuators 23 invisible from outside the kitchen assembly also when the closing member 19 is in the lowered position, the latter advantageously comprises through openings 28 adapted to at least partially house the actuators 23 therein, particularly one or more of the sliding portions thereof. Such through openings extend parallel to the sliding direction S of the closing member 19 relative to the main structure 2, as well as parallel to the sliding direction relative to the sliding portions of the actuators.

[0042] Advantageously, the operative connection between actuators 23 and closing member 19 is implemented through connection means 29 which comprise means for the retrieval of the clearances optionally present between closing member 19 and main structure 2 when the closing member is in the lowered position thereof. In fact, due for example to processing irregularities and/or an imperfect orthogonality between the closing member 19 movement and the main counter top 9 surface, when the closing member 19 abuts against the main counter top 9, an imperfect closure of the passage opening 8 could occur. The clearance retrieving means allow obviating these drawbacks in accordance with the following modes. According to a possible embodiment, the connection and clearance retrieving means comprise a support plate 32 provided with a loop 33 adapted to house a pin 34 associated to the closing member 19 with clearance (Fig. 11). The support plate 32 is preferably connected to an actuator lower head 30, for example through threaded connection members, and the pin 34, which is inserted in the loop 33, is connected to the closing member 19 preferably at a lower portion 31 thereof. In this manner, the closing members 19 turns out to be non-rigidly hung in the lower portion 31 thereof to the closing member 19. Particularly, the closing member 19 is able to perform small oscillations relative to the actuators 23, thus relative to the main structure 2, since the pin 34 is free to oscillate inside the loop 33. In this manner, when the closing member 19 abuts against the main counter top 9, if these are not perfectly aligned, then an oscillation of the closing member 19 occurs as long as this is not perfectly resting on the main counter top 5. Such solution has the further advantage to allow a gradual resting of the closing member 19 on the main counter top 9, when the main counter top is in the proximity of the lowered position thereof. In fact, upon reaching such position, the closing member 19 does not rigidly abut against the main counter top 9, but gradually rests upon it, thanks to the possibility of the pin 34 to oscillate in the loop 33.

[0043] The pin 34 is preferably oriented transversally to the closing member 9 sliding direction, and it is supported in supporting holes 35 drilled in the closing member 19.

[0044] In accordance with a possible embodiment, the supporting holes 35 are arranged on side walls 36 of the closing member 19 facing the vertical rods 3 and 4, and on inner walls 37 of the closing member 19 preferably parallel to the same side walls 36 (Figs. 11 and 12).

[0045] In accordance with a further possible embodiment, the supporting holes 35 are arranged on front walls 38 of the closing member 19, transversal to the side walls 36, facing respectively the kitchen side 6 and the service side 7 (Fig. 13).

[0046] Advantageously, the kitchen assembly 1 comprises guide means adapted to guide the closing member in its movements between the lowered position and the raised position along the sliding direction S (Figs. 8 and 10). Such guide means serve to avoid undulations of the closing member 19 relative to the main structure 2, particularly during the movements thereof between the lowered and raised positions.

[0047] In accordance with an embodiment, the guide means comprise rollers 39 connected to the closing member 19 adapted to slide in corresponding tracks 40 formed in the main structure 2, which extend parallel to the sliding direction S. Preferably, the tracks 40 are formed in the vertical rods 3 and 4 on inner faces 41 thereof facing the passage opening 8. However, such tracks preferably do not extend along the vertical rods at the passage opening. Instead, the rollers 39 are connected to the closing member 19 preferably at the side walls 36 thereof, facing the inner faces 41 of the first and the second vertical rods 3 and 4, still more preferably at the closing member portion upper. According to a possible embodiment, the rollers 39 are supported by a roller support plate 42 which is connected to the closing member 19, for example, through at least two screws, so that the roller support plate 42 does not rotate relative to the closing member 19 wall on which it is secured. The roller support plates 42 are preferably, but not necessarily, connected to the closing member 19 side walls 36 at an inner space 43 defined by side wall 36, inner wall 37, and front walls 38 (Fig. 10). Alternatively, the roller support plates 42 can be externally connected to the side walls 36.

[0048] Advantageously, the kitchen assembly 1 comprises actuator control means 23. In accordance with an embodiment, such control means comprise a control panel 44, preferably arranged on the first 3 or the second 4 vertical rods facing the passage opening 8, provided with buttons or equivalent means to activate and move the closing member (Figs. 1, 14, 15). For example, the control panel 44 can comprise a handling button 45 which can be pushed according to two different modes, particularly one to raise and one to lower the closing member 19. Following the actuation of the handling button 45, the closing member 19 can be brought to the lowered or raised positions, or stopped in any intermediate positions. The control means are furthermore advantageously so shaped that the actuators 23 are automatically stopped when the closing member 19 reaches the lowered position thereof or the raised position thereof. Optionally, the control panel 44 can comprise a supply button 45 adapted to connect/disconnect the actuators 23 from the electrical power supply. When the actuators 23 are not supplied, an actuation of the handling button 45 does not produce any movements on the closing member. The control panel 44 preferably comprises an indicator light 48 to inform the user of the presence or absence of the supply to the actuators. The control panel 45 can further provide one or more power sockets 49, for example for the connection of household appliances such as blenders, ovens, or the like. It will be recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art that it is apparent that the kitchen assembly can be provided with further known electrical systems for the supply of all the components and/or fixtures (hood, optional illumination lights) and relative safety systems (for example earthings, or the like). In order to allow the passage of the electric cables to optional household appliances housed in the housing 13, cable holes 58 can be provided, preferably drilled in the vertical rods 3 and 4 (see, for example, Fig. 6).

[0049] Advantageously, the control means further comprise sensing means so arranged as to detect the presence of material objects in the proximity or at the closing member 19 closing position. Such sensing means are so connected to the actuators 23 as to deactivate them following such detection of the material objects, thus preventing the closing member 19 movement. The control means can be so shaped that, following the detection by the sensing means, the closing member 19 is stopped whichever the movement thereof is (both a raising movement, and a lowering movement), or is stopped only during lowering movements thereof.

[0050] In accordance with an embodiment, the sensing means comprise one or more photoelectric cells 50 arranged in the proximity of the main counter top 9 and facing the passage opening 8 (see, for example, Figs. 1, 5, 6). A first pair of photoelectric cells 50 is preferably provided on the first vertical rod 3, and/or a second pair of photoelectric cells 50 is preferably provided on the second vertical rod 4. Each pair of photoelectric cells 50 is so arranged as to be able to detect the presence of foreign material objects on the main counter top 9 in the area where the closing member 19 drop takes place, and in the vicinity thereof. For example, the photoelectric cells 50 of each pair of photoelectric cells can be arranged so as to be on two opposite sides of the closing member 19 when it is in the lowered position thereof (Fig. 5b).

[0051] With reference to the annexed Figures, some possible particular constructive contrivances adapted to make the kitchen assembly 1 easy to assemble, as well as adapted to increase the esthetical value will be now described.

[0052] In accordance with an embodiment, the main structure 2 comprises a plurality of feet 51 which are adjustable and insertable into the bottom of the first 3 and the second 4 vertical rods in such a manner as to adjust the height thereof (Fig. 6). Such adjustment is particularly advantageous for the connection to the transversal member vertical rods (for example, the main counter top 9), which takes place via threaded connections which require aligning the parts.

[0053] In accordance with an embodiment, the crosspiece 5 comprises a crosspiece first panel 52 and a crosspiece second panel 53 adapted to stiffen the main structure 2, which are respectively arranged on two outer sides of the kitchen side housing panel 21 and the service side housing panel 22 (Fig. 1). The panel crosspiece 52 and 53 can be coated with materials of choice, according to the end aesthetical appearance which is intended to impart to the kitchen assembly.

[0054] According to a possible embodiment, the first 3 and second vertical 4 rods are coated by a first 54 and a second 55 vertical rod coating panels, also coatable with materials of choice, outwardly facing the kitchen assembly (Fig. 1). The vertical rod coating panels 54 and 55 serve to hide the electrical connections as well as the connections between vertical rods and transversal members to the view. In order to implement the connection between vertical rod coating panels and vertical rods, the latter can provide snap connection means 56 (Fig. 14).

[0055] According to a possible embodiment, the first 3 and second 4 vertical rods are coated by further vertical rod coating panels 56, obtained with materials of choice, facing the passage opening 8 (Fig. 14). The connection of the further vertical rod coating panels 56 to the vertical rods 3 and 4 can take place, for example, through threaded connection members.

[0056] In accordance with an embodiment, the main structure 2 comprises covering grids adapted to superiorly close the vertical rods (Figs. 1 and 4).

[0057] In accordance with an embodiment, the closing member 19 comprises a network structure 59 provided with mutually interconnected tubular members 60 (Fig. 8). Preferably, the hollow spaces between the network structure tubular members are filled with filling material 61, particularly a honeycomb-shaped material. The network structure 59 and the filling material are preferably coated by coating plates 62, which can be made of materials of choice.

[0058] From the description previously given, those skilled in the art will be able to appreciate how the kitchen assembly according to the invention allows obtaining two distinct portions from a single room, particularly a kitchen portion and a service portion, for example, a living room portion or a dining room portion.

[0059] Furthermore, those skilled in the art will be able to appreciate how the kitchen assembly according to the invention allows conveniently pass objects between the two portions of the room in which the kitchen assembly is housed, when the closing member is in the raised position. For example, it is possible to directly pass cooked foods to be served or dirty dishes to be washed between the two portions, for example via the main counter top, which is common to the two portions when the closing member is raised.

[0060] Furthermore, those skilled in the art will be able to appreciate how the presence of the movable member allows essentially isolating the two room portions if needed. In this manner it is possible to reduce odours and noises diffusing from the kitchen portion to the service portion, for example, during the operations of food cooking, by simply bringing the closing member in the lowered position thereof.

[0061] Furthermore, those skilled in the art will be able to appreciate how the particular and advantageous actuators position makes them essentially invisible from the outside of the kitchen assembly, much to the advantage of the overall aesthetics thereof.

[0062] To the above-described embodiments of the kitchen assembly according to the invention, those skilled in the art, with the aim of meeting contingent, specific needs, will be able to make a number of adaptations, modifications, or replacements of elements with functionally equivalent others, however without departing from the scope of the annexed claims. Each of the characteristics described as belonging to a possible embodiment can be implemented independently from the other embodiments described.

Claims

1. A kitchen assembly (1) comprising:

- a portal-shaped main structure (2) having a kitchen side (6) and a servile side (7) opposite the kitchen side (6);

- a passage opening (8) formed by said main structure (2) to communicate said kitchen side (6) and said service side (7), and laterally delimited by at least two side walls of the main structure (2) comprising first vertical rod (3) and a second vertical rod (4); said kitchen assembly (1) comprising a main counter top (9) which is connected on its two opposite sides thereof with said first vertical rod (3) and said second vertical rod (4); the said passage opening (8) being delimited by the first vertical rod (3), the second vertical rod (4), a crosspiece (5), and the main counter top (9);

- a closing member (19) movable according to a sliding direction (S) between a lowered position, in which the closing member (19) essentially closes said passage opening (8) so as to divide the kitchen (6) and service (7) sides, and a raised position, in which the closing member (19) is at least partially received within a housing seat (20) of the main structure (2) formed at said crosspiece, and leaves said passage opening (8) at least partially opened;

- one or more actuators (23) operatively connected to said closing member (19) in order to move it between said lowered and raised positions, said actuators (23) are so shaped as to induce sliding movements of the closing member (19) between raised position and lowered position along a sliding direction, preferably rectilinear;

wherein said at least two side walls with said first vertical rod (3) and second vertical rod (4) at said passage opening (8) are without means to guide said closing member (19) during the movements thereof;
characterized in that:

said actuators (23) are at least partially received within said housing seat (20) and at least partially received within respective seats (28) obtained inside said closing member (19) also when the closing member (19) is in the lowered position;

said closing member (19) being a rigid plate-like panel.

2. The kitchen assembly (1) according to claim 1, in which said sliding direction (S) is rectilinear.

3. The kitchen assembly (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein, in the lowered position, said closing member (19) divides said main counter top (9) in two distinct portions, respectively on the kitchen side (6) and on the service side (7) .

4. The kitchen assembly (1) according to any claim 1 to 3, wherein said housing seat (20) is defined by a kitchen side housing panel (21) and a service side housing panel (22), mutually facing and which are laterally connected to said first (3) and said second (4) vertical rods.

5. The kitchen assembly (1) according to the preceding claim wherein said one or more actuators (23) are supported by a supporting panel selected from one and/or the other one of said kitchen side (21) and service side (22) housing panels.

6. The kitchen assembly (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein said actuator supporting panel comprises, on an inner face (24) thereof facing said housing seat (20) , actuator connecting seats (25) adapted to house actuator connecting plates (26) for the connection of the actuators (23), said actuator connecting plates (26) being essentially L shaped, so that a first arm of the actuator connecting plate (26) is received within the actuator connecting seat (25), and a second arm of the actuator connecting plate (26) is abutting against an upper head (27) of the actuator (23).

7. The kitchen assembly (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein said actuators (23) are of the electrical, linear and column type, and comprise one or more sliding portions telescopically inserted one into the others to perform relative sliding movements along said sliding direction (S), said actuators (23) being adapted to take an extended configuration, of maximum extension of the sliding portions, and a retracted position, wherein said sliding portions are collected the ones into the others.

8. The kitchen assembly (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein, when said actuators (23) take the extended configuration thereof, said closing member (19) is in the lowered position thereof, and when said actuators (23) take the retracted configuration thereof, said closing member (19) is in the raised position thereof.

9. The kitehen assembly (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein said actuators (23) are at least partially inserted in corresponding through openings (28) obtained in the closing member (19), said through openings (28) extending parallel to said sliding direction (S).

10. The kitchen assembly (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein said operative connection between said actuators (23) and said closing member (19) is implemented through connection means comprising clearance retrieving means which are optionally present between said closing member (19) and said main structure (2) when the closing member (19) is in the lowered position thereof.

11. The kitchen assembly (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein said connections means and clearance retrieving comprise supporting plates (32) connected to the actuators (23), said supporting plates (32) having loops (33) adapted to house with clearance pins (34) associated to said closing member (19), so as to sallow oscillations of the pins (34) in said loops (33), and of the closing member (19) relative to the main structure (2) .

12. The kitchen assembly (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein said supporting plates (32) are connected to the actuators (23) at a lower head (30) thereof, and said pins (34) are connected to the closing member (19) at a portion lower thereof (31) .

13. The kitchen assembly (1) according to any preceding claim, comprising guide means (39, 40) adapted to guide said closing member (19) in its movements between said lowered position and said lowered position along said sliding direction, (S).

14. The kitchen assembly (1) according to any preceding claim, comprising means to control the movement of said actuators (23) .

15. The kitchen assembly (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein said control means comprise sensing means (50) so arranged as to detect the presence of material objects in the proximity or at said closing position of the closing member (19) , said sensing means (50) being connected to the actuators (23) so as to deactivate them following said detection, thus stopping the closing member (19) movements.

Ansprüche

1. Küchenanordnung (1), umfassend:

- eine portalförmige Hauptstruktur (2) mit einer Küchenseite (6) und einer der Küchenseite (6) entgegengesetzten Serviceseite (7);
eine Durchgangsöffnung (8), die durch die Hauptstruktur (2) gebildet ist, um die Küchenseite (6) mit der Serviceseite (7) zu verbinden, und die seitlich durch zumindest zwei Seitenwände der Hauptstruktur (2) begrenzt ist, welche einen ersten vertikalen Stab (3) und einen zweiten vertikalen Stab (4) aufweisen; wobei die Küchenanordnung (1) eine Haupttresenoberseite (9) aufweist, die an ihren zwei entgegengesetzten Seiten mit dem ersten vertikalen Stab (3) und dem zweiten vertikalen Stab (4) verbunden ist, wobei die Durchgangsöffnung (8) durch den ersten vertikalen Stab (3), den zweiten vertikalen Stab (4), ein Querstück (5) und die Haupttresenoberseite (9) begrenzt ist;

- ein Verschlusselement (19), dass gemäß einer Verschieberichtung (S) zwischen einer abgesenkten Stellung, in der das Verschlusselement (19) die Durchgangsöffnung (8) im Wesentlichen verschließt, um die Küchen- (6) und Service-(7)-Seiten zu trennen, und einer angehobenen Stellung, in der das Verschlusselement (19) zumindest teilweise in einem an dem Querstück ausgebildeten Aufnahmesitz (20) der Hauptstruktur (2) aufgenommen ist und die Durchgangsöffnung (8) zumindest teilweise offen lässt, bewegbar ist;

- einen oder mehrere Aktuatoren (23), die mit dem Verschlusselement (19) betriebsmäßig verbunden sind, um es zwischen der abgesenkten und der angehobenen Stellung zu bewegen, wobei die Aktuatoren (23) so gestaltet sind, dass sie dem Verschlusselement (19) zwischen der angehobenen Stellung und der abgesenkten Stellung entlang einer bevorzugt geradlinigen Gleitrichtung Gleitbewegungen verleihen;
worin die zumindest zwei Seitenwände mit dem ersten vertikalen Stab (3) und dem zweiten vertikalen Stab (4) an der Durchgangsöffnung (8) ohne Mittel sind, um das Verschlusselement (19) während seinen Bewegungen zu führen;
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass:

die Aktuatoren (23) zumindest teilweise in dem Aufnahmesitz (20) aufgenommmen sind und zumindest teilweise in jeweiligen Sitzen (28) aufgenommen sind, die innerhalb des Verschlusselements (19) erhalten werden, auch wenn das Verschlusselement (19) in der abgesenkten Stellung ist;

wobei das Verschlusselement (19) eine starre, plattenartige Tafel ist.

2. Die Küchenanordnung (1) nach Anspruch 1, worin die Gleitrichtung (S) geradlinig ist.

3. Die Küchenanordnung (1) nach dem vorangehenden Anspruch, worin in der abgesenkten Stellung das Verschlusselement (19) die Haupttresenoberseite (9) in zwei getrennte Abschnitte, jeweils an der Küchenseite (6) und an der Serviceseite (7), unterteilt.

4. Die Küchenanordnung (1) nach einem von Anspruch 1 bis 3, worin der Aufnahmesitz (20) durch eine küchenseitige Aufnahmeplatte (21) und eine serviceseitige Aufnahmeplatte (22) definiert ist, die aufeinander zu weisen und die mit dem ersten (3) und dem zweiten (4) vertikalen Stab seitlich verbunden sind.

5. Die Küchenanordnung (1) nach dem vorangehenden Anspruch, worin der eine oder die mehreren Aktuatoren (23) an einer Trägerplatte gelagert sind, die aus einer und/oder der anderen der küchenseitigen (21) und serviceseitigen (22) Aufnahmeplatten ausgewählt ist.

6. Die Küchenanordnung (1) nach dem vorangehenden Anspruch, worin die Aktuatorträgerplatte an ihrer zum Aufnahmesitz (20) weisenden Innenseite (24) Aktuatorverbindungssitze (25) aufweist, die dazu ausgelegt sind, die Aktuatorverbindungsplatten (26) für die Verbindung der Aktuatoren (23) aufzunehmen, wobei die Aktuatorverbindungsplatten (26) im Wesentlichen L-förmig sind, so dass ein erster Schenkel der Aktuatorverbindungsplatte (26) in dem Aktuatorverbindungssitz (25) aufgenommen ist, und ein zweiter Schenkel der Aktuatorverbindungsplatte (26) sich gegen einen oberen Kopf (27) des Aktuators (23) abstützt.

7. Die Küchenanordnung (1) nach einem vorangehenden Anspruch, worin die Aktuatoren (23) elektrisch, linear und säulenartig sind und eine oder mehrere Gleitabschnitte aufweisen, die teleskopisch in die anderen eingesetzt sind, um relative Gleitbewegungen entlang der Gleitrichtung (S) durchzuführen, wobei die Aktuatoren (23) dazu ausgelegt sind, eine ausgefahrene Konfiguration mit maximaler Ausfahrung der Gleitabschnitte und eine eingefahrene Stellung, worin die einen Gleitabschnitte in den anderen aufgenommen sind, einzunehmen.

8. Die Küchenanordnung (1) nach dem vorangehenden Anspruch, worin, wenn die Aktuatoren (23) ihre ausgefahrene Konfiguration einnehmen, das Verschlusselement (19) in seiner abgesenkten Stellung ist, und wenn die Aktuatoren (23) ihre eingefahrene Konfiguration einnehmen, das Verschlusselement (19) in seiner angehobenen Stellung ist.

9. Die Küchenanordnung (1) nach einem vorangehenden Anspruch, worin die Aktuatoren (23) zumindest teilweise in entsprechende Durchgangsöffnungen (28) eingesetzt sind, die in dem Verschlusselement (19) erhalten werden, wobei sich die Durchgangsöffnungen (28) parallel zu der Gleitrichtung (S) erstrecken.

10. Die Küchenanordnung (1) nach einem vorangehenden Anspruch, worin die betriebsmäßige Verbindung zwischen den Aktuatoren (23) und dem Verschlusselement (19) durch Verbindungsmittel implementiert ist, die Spielkorrekturmittel aufweisen, die optional zwischen dem Verschlusselement (19) und der Hauptstruktur (2) vorhanden sind, wenn das Verschlusselement (19) in seiner abgesenkten Stellung ist.

11. Die Küchenanordnung (1) nach dem vorangehenden Anspruch, worin die Verbindungsmittel und Spielkorrekturmittel Trägerplatten (32) aufweisen, die mit den Aktuatoren (23) verbunden sind, wobei die Trägerplatten (32) Schleifen (33) aufweisen, die zur Aufnahme mit Spielstiften (34) ausgelegt sind, die dem Verschlusselement (19) zugeordnet sind, um Schwingungen der Stifte (34) in den Schleifen und des Verschlusselements (19) relativ zu der Hauptstruktur (2) zu erlauben.

12. Die Küchenanordnung (1) nach dem vorangehenden Anspruch, worin die Trägerplatten (32) mit den Aktuatoren (23) an einem unteren Kopf (30) davon verbunden sind, und die Stifte (34) mit dem Verschlusselement (19) an einem darunter liegenden Abschnitt (31) davon verbunden sind.

13. Die Küchenanordnung (1) nach einem vorangehenden Anspruch, die Führungsmittel (39, 40) aufweist, die dazu ausgelegt sind, das Verschlusselement (19) bei seinen Bewegungen zwischen der abgesenkten Stellung und der abgesenkten Stellung entlang der Gleitrichtung (S) zu führen.

14. Die Küchenanordnung (1) nach einem vorangehenden Anspruch, die Mittel zur Bewegungssteuerung der Aktuatoren (23) aufweist.

15. Die Küchenanordnung (1) nach dem vorangehenden Anspruch, worin die Steuermittel Sensormittel (50) aufweisen, die angeordnet sind, um das Vorhandensein von Materialobjekten in der Nähe oder an der Verschlussposition des Verschlusselements (19) zu detektieren, wobei die Sensormittel (50) mit den Aktuatoren (23) verbunden sind, um diese nach einer Detektion zu deaktivieren und somit Bewegungen des Verschlusselements (19) zu stoppen.

Revendications

1. Ensemble cuisine (1) comprenant:

une structure principale en forme de portail (2) ayant un côté cuisine (6) et un côté service (7) opposé au côté cuisine (6) ;

une ouverture de passage (8) formée par ladite structure principale (2) pour faire communiquer ledit côté cuisine (6) et ledit côté service (7), et délimitée latéralement par au moins deux parois latérales de la structure principale (2) comprenant une première tige verticale (3) et une seconde tige verticale (4) ; ledit ensemble cuisine (1) comprenant un plan de travail principal (9) qui est raccordé sur ses deux côtés opposés à ladite première tige verticale (3) et à ladite seconde tige verticale (4) ; ladite ouverture de passage (8) étant délimitée par la première tige verticale (3), la seconde tige verticale (4), une traverse (5) et le plan de travail principal (9) ;

un élément de fermeture (19) mobile selon une direction de coulissement (S) entre une position abaissée dans laquelle l'élément de fermeture (19) ferme essentiellement ladite ouverture de passage (8) de manière à diviser les côtés cuisine (6) et service (7), et une position levée dans laquelle l'élément de fermeture (19) est au moins partiellement reçu à l'intérieur d'un siège de logement (20) de la structure principale (2) formée au niveau de ladite traverse, et laisse ladite ouverture de passage (8) au moins partiellement ouverte ;

un ou plusieurs actionneurs (23) raccordés de manière opérationnelle audit élément de fermeture (19) afin de le déplacer entre lesdites positions abaissée et levée, lesdits actionneurs (23) sont formés de manière à induire des mouvements de coulissement de l'élément de fermeture (19) entre la position levée et la position abaissée le long d'une direction de coulissement, de préférence rectiligne ;

dans lequel lesdites au moins deux parois latérales avec ladite première tige verticale (3) et ladite seconde tige verticale (4) au niveau de ladite ouverture de passage (8) sont dépourvues de moyens pour guider ledit élément de fermeture (19) pendant ses mouvements ;

caractérisé en ce que :

lesdits actionneurs (23) sont reçus au moins partiellement à l'intérieur dudit siège de logement (20) et reçus au moins partiellement à l'intérieur des sièges (28) respectifs obtenus à l'intérieur dudit élément de fermeture (19) également lorsque l'élément de fermeture (19) est dans la position abaissée ;

ledit élément de fermeture (19) étant un panneau rigide en forme de plaque.

2. Ensemble cuisine (1) selon la revendication 1, dans lequel ladite direction de coulissement (S) est rectiligne.

3. Ensemble cuisine (1) selon la revendication précédente, dans lequel, dans la position abaissée, ledit élément de fermeture (19) divise ledit plan de travail principal (9) en deux parties distinctes, respectivement du côté cuisine (6) et du côté service (7).

4. Ensemble cuisine (1) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 3, dans lequel ledit siège de logement (20) est défini par un panneau de logement du côté cuisine (21) et un panneau de logement du côté service (22), se faisant mutuellement face et qui sont latéralement raccordés à ladite première (3) et ladite seconde (4) tige verticale.

5. Ensemble cuisine (1) selon la revendication précédente, dans lequel lesdits un ou plusieurs actionneurs (23) sont supportés par un panneau de support sélectionné à partir de l'un et/ou de l'autre parmi lesdits panneaux de logement du côté cuisine (21) et du côté service (22).

6. Ensemble cuisine (1) selon la revendication précédente, dans lequel ledit panneau de support d'actionneur comprend, sur sa face interne (24) faisant face audit siège de logement (20), des sièges de raccordement d'actionneur (25) adaptés pour loger les plaques de raccordement d'actionneur (26) pour le raccordement des actionneurs (23), lesdites plaques de raccordement d'actionneur (26) étant essentiellement en forme de L, de sorte qu'un premier bras de la plaque de raccordement d'actionneur (26) est reçu à l'intérieur du siège de raccordement d'actionneur (25), et qu'un second bras de la plaque de raccordement d'actionneur (26) vient en butée contre une tête supérieure (27) de l'actionneur (23).

7. Ensemble cuisine (1) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel lesdits actionneurs (23) sont du type électrique, linéaire et colonnaire, et comprennent une ou plusieurs parties de coulissement insérées de manière télescopique les unes dans les autres afin de réaliser des mouvements de coulissement relatifs le long de ladite direction de coulissement (S), lesdits actionneurs (23) étant adaptés pour prendre une configuration étendue, d'extension maximum des parties de coulissement, et une position rétractée dans laquelle lesdites parties de coulissement sont collectées les unes dans les autres.

8. Ensemble cuisine (1) selon la revendication précédente, dans lequel, lorsque lesdits actionneurs (23) prennent leur configuration étendue, ledit élément de fermeture (19) est dans sa position abaissée, et lorsque lesdits actionneurs (23) prennent leur configuration rétractée, ledit élément de fermeture (19) est dans sa position levée.

9. Ensemble cuisine (1) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel lesdits actionneurs (23) sont au moins partiellement insérés dans des ouvertures traversantes (28) correspondantes obtenues dans l'élément de fermeture (19), lesdites ouvertures traversantes (28) s'étendant parallèlement à ladite direction de coulissement (S).

10. Ensemble cuisine (1) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel ledit raccordement opérationnel entre lesdits actionneurs (23) et ledit élément de fermeture (19) est mis en oeuvre via des moyens de raccordement comprenant des moyens de récupération de jeu qui sont facultativement présents entre ledit élément de fermeture (19) et ladite structure principale (2) lorsque l'élément de fermeture (19) est dans sa position abaissée.

11. Ensemble cuisine (1) selon la revendication précédente, dans lequel lesdits moyens de raccordement et de récupération de jeu comprennent des plaques de support (32) raccordées aux actionneurs (23), lesdites plaques de support (32) ayant des boucles (33) adaptées pour loger des broches de dégagement (34) associées audit élément de fermeture (19) de manière à permettre les oscillations des broches (34) dans lesdites boucles (33), et de l'élément de fermeture (19) par rapport à la structure principale (2).

12. Ensemble cuisine (1) selon la revendication précédente, dans lequel lesdites plaques de support (32) sont raccordées aux actionneurs (23) au niveau de leur tête inférieure (30), et lesdites broches (34) sont raccordées à l'élément de fermeture (19) au niveau de sa partie inférieure (31).

13. Ensemble cuisine (1) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, comprenant des moyens de guidage (39, 40) adaptés pour guider ledit élément de fermeture (19) dans ses mouvements entre ladite position abaissée et ladite position abaissée le long de ladite direction de coulissement (S).

14. Ensemble cuisine (1) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, comprenant des moyens pour commander le mouvement desdits actionneurs (23).

15. Ensemble cuisine (1) selon la revendication précédente, dans lequel lesdits moyens de commande comprennent des moyens de détection (50) agencés de manière à détecter la présence d'objets matériels à proximité ou au niveau de ladite position de fermeture de l'élément de fermeture (19), lesdits moyens de détection (50) étant raccordés aux actionneurs (23) de manière à les désactiver suite à ladite détection, arrêtant ainsi les mouvements de l'élément de fermeture (19).

Drawing