Modular piece of furniture with extractable chairs and tables

Abstract

 The present invention concerns a bookcase (1) comprising a frame (2) and characterized in that it further comprises at least a modular element (6; 16) and a seat (11; 17) for holding when in use such a modular element in such a way that it results selectively extractable/insertable from/into the said bookcase.
In particular, the modular element (6) can be constituted by only one small table (6) that can be folded into two halves. In that case, the seat (11) is delimited superiorly by a shelf (11"), inferiorly by a shelf (11') and laterally by the lateral panels (2') of the frame (2). Moreover, the shelves (11') and (11") are overlapped according to such a height as to hold between them the said small table when folded.
Alternatively, the modular element can be a chair or a stool or a combination of chair and/or stool with the small table.

Description

Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention concerns the technical field of furniture components. In particular, it refers to a new type of piece of modular furniture able to perform, when needed, multiple functions.

Background Art

[0002] Furniture in general used to furnish rooms and dedicated to specific functions have long been known. For example, a desk or a table is commonly used as a supporting plane to have a meal or to work or study. The shelves of a bookcase are commonly used as support both for books and for objects in general. Chairs, on the other hand, normally arranged around a table, for example, allow people to seat comfortably during meals or at any moment it becomes necessary. All these furniture components are commonly known and used in all environments, both domestic and working ones. Each single furniture component, therefore, has a specific function to perform.

[0003] However, also by virtue of the continuous rise of the cost of living, it always becomes more and more difficult to rent or buy places of big dimensions. It is therefore always more frequent to find families or single people that have to satisfy themselves with houses of few square metres. This implies a non indifferent technical problem that concerns the rational economization of the spaces available. In houses of few square metres, currently being each one of the said furniture elements separate and an encumbrance on its own, it is not possible to cram the rooms with several single furniture components, since this would impede to move freely around the house. The furnishing will therefore have to consist of furniture that is adequate and rationally distributed, both as per the number of pieces and their dimensions.

[0004] All this, however, leads to the following technical problem. In such circumstances, it may happen that, in case a number of persons exceeding the ordinary number are in the house, the number of chairs and/or the dimensions of the table can result absolutely insufficient with respect to the real need of the moment.

[0005] This implies the consequent need to get in any way, for example by asking a neighbour, the number of chairs and/or the extra table necessary to supplement the existing furniture. In that case, a third person would be necessarily involved, with all the consequences this implies, including the time to move the pieces of furniture momentarily, or the availability or possibility of such a move. Moreover, the move from one room to another of such furniture components is not an easy operation. During transport, such components or some parts of the house are often damaged, for example by undesired and accidental blows.

[0006] The problem is anyway present also in big rooms, since also in this case there exists a limit in the furniture that can be rationally used and beyond which the encumbrance of each single component results excessive. Also in this case, therefore, an extra table or chairs may be needed, which are not available in the immediate future.

Brief description of the invention

[0007] It is therefore the aim of the present invention to provide a piece of furniture in general, in particular a piece of furniture such as a bookcase or similar, that allows to solve at least in part the above-mentioned inconveniences.

[0008] In particular, it is the aim of the present invention to provide a piece of furniture that is modular, thus allowing the easy extraction of accessory furnishing elements, such as chairs and/or small tables, when needed, thus reducing and rationalizing to the maximum the encumbrance spaces otherwise occupied by each single piece of furniture.

[0009] It is also the aim of the present invention to provide a piece of furniture of extreme flexibility, that can be easily transported from a room to the other and of a good aesthetic aspect.

[0010] These and other aims are therefore obtained with the present bookcase (1), as per claim 1.

[0011] In accordance with the invention, the modular element (6) is provided with a small table (6) that can be folded in two halves, that is inserted into a seat (11) of the bookcase delimited superiorly by a shelf (11"), inferiorly by a shelf (11') and laterally by lateral panels (2') of the frame (2) itself. The shelves (11') and (11") are therefore overlapped according to a height such as to hold between them the small table when folded.

[0012] In such a manner, the bookcase becomes very versatile, since, when needed, it is possible to extract and use the small table that it contains for the destined purpose, while the library is used in normal conditions, the small table is concealed, avoiding any encumbrance.

[0013] Advantageously, for the purpose of allowing a perfectly concealed insertion of the small table, each lateral panel (2') of the frame (2) is provided with a first and a second seat (12), substantially C-shaped, which runs vertically along each one of the two lateral panels (2'). Having established that the width of the small table H coincides with the overall width of the bookcase and the overall length L of the legs (8), when the small table is folded, coincides substantially with the length of the said seat (12), in such a manner the legs (8) of the small table fall back and couple in a concealed complementary way to the said seats (12) when the folded small table is inserted entirely into the seat (11).

[0014] It is clear that such a solution allows both a perfect integration of the small table with respect to the frame constituting the bookcase and therefore a better aesthetic effect.

[0015] In particular, the depth of the seats (12) is substantially equal to the width or thickness of the legs (8) of the small table in such a way that the profile of the lateral panels is kept substantially linear when, in use, the small table is inserted into the seat (11).

[0016] In addition, a further modular element (16) can be provided, constituted of at least the following elements at choice:

• A chair (16) realized in two halves that can be reciprocally folded one onto the other and of a width H₁ that coincides with the width of the bookcase;
• A stool realized in two halves that can be reciprocally folded one onto the other and of a width H₁ that coincides with the width of the bookcase.

[0017] In that case, the width H₁ is considered to be the width measured along two legs overlapped when the chair is folded.

[0018] Such a modular element can be provided in combination with the small table or on its own.

[0019] In both cases, it is anyway provided a seat (17) for holding, when in use, the chair (16) or stool when folded, the seat being arranged in correspondence of the inferior part of the bookcase and delimited laterally by two vertical panellings (17') and (17"), inferiorly by the frame (2) and superiorly by a shelf (16").

[0020] The seat holds, when in use, two folded chairs (16) inserted respectively in front and at the back of the seat.

[0021] In particular, the chairs are inserted in such a way that the legs run parallel along the width of the bookcase and therefore orthogonal with respect to the arrangement of the legs of the small table.

[0022] Advantageously, the small table or the chair comprise a block element (15), operable between a block position in which it binds the chair or the small table in the open configuration of use, and an unblock configuration in which it releases the two halves of the chair or small table in such a way that they can be folded.

[0023] It is also further included a seat (18) arranged at the back for holding when in use a back panel (13).

[0024] The said bookcase (1) can therefore comprise only one or more than one modular elements as described. In particular, the bookcase can involve one of the following constructive choices:

• Only one folding table (6) of a width that coincides with the width of the bookcase and only one seat (11) for holding, when in use, the small table (6) when folded in such a way that it results selectively removable/insertable from/into the said bookcase. In that case, the seat (11) results interposed between the upper part of the bookcase and the lower part of the bookcase and delimited superiorly by a shelf (11"), inferiorly by a shelf (11') and laterally by lateral panels (2') of the frame (2). The lateral panels (2') are cut in a substantially C shape in such a way as to define a first and a second seat (12) for holding the legs (8) of the small table when folded;
• A seat (11) in combination with a further seat (17), a folding small table (6) and a pair of folding chairs (16) or stools of a width equal to the width of the bookcase, the said seat (11) being for holding, when in use, the small table (6) when folded in such a way that it results selectively removable/insertable from/into the said bookcase. The seat (11) is therefore interposed between the upper part of the bookcase and the lower part and delimited superiorly by a shelf (11"), inferiorly by a shelf (11') and laterally by lateral panels (2') of the frame (2) cut in such a way as to define a first and a second seat (12) for holding the legs (8) of the table when folded. The seat (17) is arranged in correspondence of the lower part of the bookcase and results delimited laterally by two vertical panellings (17') and (17"), inferiorly by the frame (2) and superiorly by a shelf (16"). In such a manner, the seat (17) results configured for holding, when in use, the two chairs when folded (16) or stools and inserted respectively at the front and at the back with respect to it.

[0025] Last, in all the described solutions wheels (19) are comprised, arranged at the base of the bookcase.

Brief description of the drawings

[0026] Further features and advantages of the present modular bookcase, according to the invention, will result clearer with the description of one of its embodiments that follows, made to illustrate but not to limit, with reference to the annexed drawings, wherein:

• Figure 1 represents an axonometric view of the modular bookcase wherein a table 6, folded, is highlighted and inserted into the appropriate seat obtained in the piece of furniture.
• Figure 2 and figure 3 represent two subsequent phases of extraction and subsequent opening of the small table, in addition to the extraction of a back panel.
• Figure 4 represents a lateral view of the modular piece of furniture;
• Figure 5 represents three subsequent phases A, B, C of opening and blocking in the specific example of a small table in the use configuration.
• Figures from 6 to 9 represent an alternative solution of a modular bookcase, in accordance with the present invention, with integrated small table and chairs.

Description of some preferred embodiments

[0027] With reference to figure 1, a first possible realization example of piece of furniture 1 is described, in particular a bookcase, in accordance with the present invention. In the specific case the bookcase comprises, in an absolutely non limiting manner, a frame 2 in which an upper part and a lower part are distinguished. The upper part comprises, in the example, three shelves 3 that can be used to put books on, for example, while the lower portion indicates some shelves 4 and some drawers 5. It is anyway clear that pieces of furniture with an absolutely different structure in the arrangement or presence of shelves or drawers can anyway be used without for this moving apart from the present inventive concept.

[0028] In accordance with the invention, interposed between the upper part and the lower part of the bookcase a modular element 6 is comprised, in the specific example of the figure a small table 6, appropriately folded in such a way as to be able to be inserted concealed into the piece of furniture itself. Figure 2 shows an extraction phase of the small table when folded and wherein the four legs 8 result overlapped in pairs among them, by virtue of such a folding. Always figure 2 shows, by means of the directional line 10, the direction of extraction and, eventually, of reinsertion of the small table. The piece of furniture is therefore appropriately configured in such a way as to hold the small table when folded practically concealed. For that purpose, a seat 11 is comprised, constituted of two shelves 11' and 11" overlapped by such height and depth as to hold between them the table when folded.

[0029] A first and a second seat 12, in that case configured in a C shape, are cut along the height of the edge of the lateral panels 2' that constitute part of the frame 2, in such a way as to allow the insertion of the legs 8 of the small table when it is folded. In that sense, the seats trace in negative the profile of the legs in such a way that they couple perfectly inside of the said two said seats 12. Such a solution allows to insert the modular small table into the desk, thus avoiding that the legs of the table interfere or occupy useful spaces for the bookshelves. Moreover, by simply varying the depth of the cut 12, it is possible to dimension the legs of the table at will. Last, from the aesthetic point of view, the fact that the legs of the table are "cut" in the lateral uprights allows the interaction of different materials and a "lack" effect that is very valuable when the elements are separate.

[0030] In particular, but not necessarily, figure 1 shows a solution wherein the dimensions of the legs 8 and of the two seats 12 (length and depth) are therefore such by which the profile of the frame is maintained substantially linear when the small table is inserted in position into the piece of furniture. Always as shown in figure 1, four wheels 19 allow to render the desk easily transportable, therefore rendering the whole system particularly flexible.

[0031] Figure 3 shows the small table arranged in an open configuration when extracted from the piece of furniture. Always the figure in question shows the hinge line 14 around which the two halves constituting the small table rotate. In addition, a back panel 13 (visible also in figure 2) can be eventually included, extractable in such a way as to be able to be substituted with one of the same dimensions but with different decorations, for example.
Also in this case, figure 3 indicates with a dotted line 13' an extraction/retraction direction. The panel can be made of any material. In that sense, a particularly valuable solution from the aesthetic point of view concerns the use of a panel of a transparent material, for example PVC, which allows the passage of light or particular light effects.

[0032] Figure 4, just for clarity purposes, shows the table 6 when closed and partially inserted into the seat 11. Always in the same figure the position reached by the four legs 8 is seen when reciprocally overlapped in pairs as a consequence of the folding of the table. Moreover, figure 1 highlights the width H of the small table measured along its rotation line (that coincides with the width of the bookcase) and the overall length L of a couple of legs resulting overlapped when the table is folded and such that they can be inserted in a complementary way into the two opposed lateral seats 12. Figure 5 describes, for clarity purposes, three subsequent phases A-B-C of opening of the small table following its complete extraction from the piece of furniture. Phase A indicates the table closed, while phase B indicates the approach to the opening. Final phase C indicates the small table open and provided with a simple blocking element 15 selectively operable between a block position and a release position. The blocking element can, for example, be constituted by a simple lever 15, sliding along a seat 9 obtained in correspondence of one or more than one side of the small table. The lever therefore slides between the block position in which it impedes the reciprocal rotation of the two halves constituting the small table (final phase C) and the unblock position. Naturally, both phase A and phase B represent the said lever 15 in the unblock configuration, that is translated along its sliding seat in such a way as to liberate the two halves of the table and allow their reciprocal rotation.

[0033] A second possible embodiment of the invention (see figure 6) involves instead a piece of furniture that comprises both the small table 6, as previously described, and a pair of chairs 16, always folded in such a way as to be inserted concealed into appropriate seats obtained in the piece of furniture. For that purpose (see figure 7), the piece of furniture comprises in its lower portion a vertical seat 17 realized by means of two vertical panellings 17' and 17" into which the two chairs folded to the small table are inserted at the front of the seat and at the back of the seat in the same way. In that case, the depth of each chair when folded will be substantially the half of the entire seat 17 (that is the depth of the bookcase). Always as shown in figure 6, the present solution, like the first configuration comprising only the modular small table, takes advantage of the concept of optimization of encumbrances. The stools, appropriately folded, are configured in such a way that the overall length H₁ of two legs 16' overlapped following the folding trace the profile of the upper shelf 16" and lower shelf of the frame 2 when inserted into seat 17 along the width of the bookcase. The subsequent figures 8 and 9 represent the opening phase of the two chairs and of the small table in such a way as to arrange them in a use configuration. The same block element 15 used for the small table can be equally used for the stools or chairs described.

[0034] Naturally, equivalent solutions wherein, for example, the piece of furniture comprises modular elements constituted only by chairs or stools, not necessarily folding ones, can be similarly realized without for this moving apart from the present inventive concept.

[0035] It is therefore clear how all the aims preestablished by the present invention have been reached. In particular, it is clear that the present modular piece of furniture allows an extreme flexibility both because of its modularity and because of its easy transportation in all domestic rooms where its use may be required. Moreover, it is clear that the single furnishing component or in combination or addition with similar units can allow different articulations of the space in reply to the different needs that commonly arise in modern domestic life.

Claims

1. Bookcase (1) comprising:

- A frame (2);

- At least a modular element (6; 16) and;

- At least a seat (11; 17) for holding, when in use, the said modular element in such a way that, when in use, it results selectively removable/insertable from/into the said bookcase and characterized in that the modular element (6; 16) comprises at least a table (6) foldable into two halves and wherein the said seat (11) is delimited superiorly by a shelf (11"), inferiorly by a shelf (11') and laterally by the lateral panels (2') of the frame (2), the said shelves (11') and (11") being overlapped according to such a height as to hold between them the table when folded.

2. Bookcase (1), according to claim 1, wherein a first (12) and a second seat (12) are further comprised, substantially C-shaped, obtained in correspondence of each one of the said two lateral panels (2'), the width H of the table coinciding with the width of the bookcase and the length L of the legs (8) when the table is folded with the length of the said seat (12), so that the legs (8) of the table couple in a complementary manner into the said seats (12) when the table is entirely inserted into the seat (11).

3. Bookcase (1), according to claim 2, wherein the depth of the seats (12) is substantially equal to the width of the legs (8) of the table so that the profile of the lateral panels is kept substantially linear when in use the table is inserted into the seat (11).

4. Bookcase (1), according to one or more claims from 1 to 3, wherein at least an additional modular element (16) is further provided, comprising a chair (16) or a stool realized in two halves that can be reciprocally folded one onto the other and a further seat (17) for holding when in use the said chair (16) or stool when folded.

5. Bookcase (1), according to claim 4, wherein the said seat (17) is arranged in correspondence of the lower part of the bookcase and delimited laterally by two vertical panellings (17') and (17"), inferiorly by the frame (2) and superiorly by a shelf (16').

6. Bookcase (1), according to claim 5, wherein the said seat (17) is configured in such a way as to hold when in use two folded chairs or stools (16) and inserted respectively one at the front and the other one at the back of the bookcase.

7. Bookcase (1), according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the said table or the said chair comprise a blocking element (15), operable between a block position in which it binds the said chair or the said table in the open use configuration, and an unblock configuration, in which it releases the two halves of the said chair or table in such a way that they can be folded.

8. Bookcase (1), according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein a seat (18) is further provided, arranged at the back for holding when in use a back panel (13).

9. Bookcase (1), according to one or more of the preceding claims, comprising one of the following constructive choices:

- A foldable table (6) of a width that coincides with the width of the bookcase and only one seat (11) for holding when in use the said table (6) when folded so that the table results selectively removable/insertable from/into the said bookcase, the said seat (11) being delimited superiorly by a shelf (11"), inferiorly by a shelf (11') and laterally by the lateral panels (2') of the said frame (2), the said lateral panels (2') being cut in a substantially C shape so as to define a first and a second seat (12) for holding the legs (8) of the table when folded;

- A seat (11) in combination with a further seat (17), a foldable table (6) and a pair of foldable chairs (16) of a width equal to the width of the bookcase, the said seat (11) being for holding when in use the table (6) when folded so that the table is selectively removable/insertable from/into the said bookcase, the seat (11) being interposed between the upper part of the bookcase and the lower part and being limited superiorly by a shelf (11"), inferiorly by a shelf (11') and laterally by the lateral panels (2') of the said frame (2) cut in such a way as to define a first and a second seat (12) for holding the legs (8) of the table when folded, the said seat (17) being arranged in correspondence of the lower part of the said bookcase and resulting limited laterally by two vertical panellings (17') and (17"), inferiorly by the frame (2) and superiorly by a shelf (16"), the said seat (17) holding when in use the said two folded chairs (16) inserted respectively at the front and at the back with respect of the said seat.

10. Bookcase (1), according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein wheels (19) are provided, arranged at the base of the bookcase.

Drawing