SUPPORT FRAME

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a support frame that can be used to organize the support of instruments, particularly of laboratory instruments that must be assembled and connected to each other, and that can be used to support and arrange objects in general, e.g. as an expositor or as a rack for flower pots, for supporting instruments, etc.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] As already known, in laboratories and in particular in chemical research laboratories, plants consisting of several instruments connected to each other through various implements, such as pumps, motors, fluid ducts, measuring devices, signalling devices, tools, power supply cables, etc. are assembled for experimental purposes. One of the main problems encountered in connecting these systems consists in the large overall dimensions of the system. A second problem consists in a precarious assembling due to possible accidental collisions or spills of corrosive or flammable liquids. Therefore, an arrangement where pipes in which dangerous liquids and vapours flow or power supply cables and relative connections rest on a bench should be avoided not to expose the operators to the consequences of the aforementioned risks.

[0003] Besides chemical laboratories, this support frame might be provided for further uses.

[0004] Support frames currently available on the market have drawbacks related to the size of the frame during transportation and to their non-optimal capability of supporting and organising the instruments for which they have been manufactured and which the operator needs when using the frame. There are foldable frames on the market, but these latter need further tools to assemble the frame. An example of such a frame is disclosed in EP 0 694 268 A1.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

[0005] The object of the present invention is to provide a support frame, which allows solving the aforesaid problems and which can be available in the form of a kit requiring a minimum storage space that can be quickly and easily assembled and packaged in small containers for shipping. The present invention discloses a support frame comprising a first part resting on a plane and a second part interlockingly supported on said first part and forming an upper wall of said frame, characterized in that said first part comprises four vertical uprights and a plurality of internally hollow bodies defined by a sleeve with a vertical axis configured to house a portion of the respective vertical upright and a sleeve with a horizontal axis configured to house the axial end of a respective first horizontal bar; said sleeve with a vertical axis being freely rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the respective upright so that said first part can take a configuration with reduced overall dimensions for transportation or storage and a prismatic shaped configuration on which said second part is arranged, and wherein said first part defines an inner space in which at least one object or a first instrument can be arranged, said second part supports at least one object or second instrument and the faces of said first part are shaped so as to allow the hooking to horizontal bars of elements and/or instruments as well as the passage of assembling means between the elements and/or the instruments arranged inside said first part or hooked to the walls or those supported by said second part.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] For a better understanding of the invention, a preferred embodiment is given below, purely by way of illustration and not by way of limitation, with the aid of the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a supporting frame; and

Figures 2 to 4 are perspective views illustrating the assembling steps of the frame shown in Figure 1.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0007] With reference to Figure 1, the reference number 1 generally indicates a ready-to-use support frame for various applications having a substantially prismatic shape. The frame 1 comprises a first part 2 resting on a plane (flooring or bench) and a second part 3, which is interlockingly supported on part 2 and which constitutes an upper wall of the frame 1. Part 2 defines an inner space in which an instrument 9 can be arranged, while part 3 can support a second instrument 10. The walls delimiting part 2 are constituted by horizontal bars, which can support tools by means of hooks 19 (or similar elements) and are crossed by assembling means of the instruments 9 (or various elements) arranged inside part 2 with instruments 10 (or various elements) supported by part 3.

[0008] Part 2 includes two pairs 4a and 4b of internally hollow vertical uprights. Each vertical upright 4a and 4b is inside a series of sleeves, which are freely rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the respective vertical upright 4a or 4b. As shown in Figure 1, each upright 4a and 4b is inside, from top to bottom, of a first sleeve 5, of a second sleeve 6, of a third sleeve 7, of a fourth sleeve 8 and of a fifth sleeve 11, the aforesaid sleeves 5, 6, 7, 8 and 11 substantially covering the corresponding upright 4a or 4b along its whole length. A sleeve 5a orthogonally originates from a central area of each sleeve 5, said sleeve 5a housing a first axial end of a horizontal bar 13. Basically, this bar 13 has a first axial end housed in the sleeve 5a relative to a first upright 4a and a second axial end housed in the sleeve 5a relative to a first upright 4b. Analogously, a further bar 13 is mounted between the second upright 4a and the second upright 4b with the same methods described above.

[0009] A sleeve 11a orthogonally originates from a central area of each sleeve 11, said sleeve 11a housing an axial end of a horizontal bar 15. Basically, this bar 15 has a first axial end housed in the sleeve 11a relative to a first upright 4a and a second axial end housed in the sleeve 11a relative to a first upright 4b.

[0010] A respective sleeve 6a, 7a and 8a originates from the central area of each sleeve 6, 7 and 8, said respective sleeve 6a, 7a, 8a housing an axial end of a respective horizontal bar 17. This bar 17 has a first axial end housed in the sleeve 6a relative to a first upright 4a and a second end housed in the sleeve 6a relative to the second vertical upright 4a. What previously described analogously applies to the bars 17 relative to the sleeves 7a and 8a. Part 2 further comprises four further L-shaped sleeves 18 having a first vertical portion 18a housing the lower end of a respective upright 4a or 4b and a second horizontal portion 18b (resting on the floor) housing one end of a horizontal bar 21; the portion 18a being freely rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the respective upright 4a or 4b. As shown in the figures, the horizontal portion 18b relative to a first upright 4a is oriented towards the portion 18b relative to the second upright 4a and, analogously, the portion 18b relative to a first upright 4b is oriented towards the portion 18b of the second upright 4b, so that a first bar 21 connects the pair of uprights 4a and the second bar 21 connects the pair of uprights 4b.

[0011] It is now evident that, given the shape of part 2, this may have reduced overall dimensions, as shown in Figure 2, namely may be easily packaged in a special package not shown. Part 2 can take the configuration shown in Figure 4 by simply applying a traction, as indicated by the arrows in Figure 3. This traction requires a very low force since, as previously described, the various sleeves are freely rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the respective upright 4a or 4b.

[0012] Finally, part 2 consists of four vertical uprights and of a plurality of internally hollow bodies (some of which are shaped as a 90° rotated T, whereas others are L-shaped) defined by a sleeve with a vertical axis configured to house a portion of the vertical upright and by a sleeve with a horizontal axis configured to house the axial end of a horizontal bar. Since the sleeves with a vertical axis are freely rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the respective upright, part 2 can take a configuration with reduced overall dimensions for transportation or storage and a bulkier configuration to form the base of the frame 1.

[0013] Part 3, which constitutes a support base for various instruments or objects, has a rectangular frame defined by four horizontal bars, arranged in parallel pairs. Those indicated by 21 have a greater axial length, whereas those indicated by 22 are shorter. Part 3 further comprises four L-shaped sleeves 23 on a horizontal plane, having a first portion configured to house the axial end of a respective bar 21 and a second portion configured to house an axial end of a respective bar 22. Near the axial ends of the bars 21, these are inside a horizontal portion of a respective T-shaped body 24, from whose central area a projection 25 extends vertically downwards. The projection has an end 26, which in use is inserted in the upper axial end of a corresponding upright 4a or 4b.

[0014] The aforesaid frame supports a plate 27 defined on a horizontal plane and having a rectangular perimeter profile. All the components of the frame have a notch 28, sealingly housing the corresponding perimeter profile of the plate 27. In the shown embodiment, the plate 27 has a plurality of through holes 29. However, the plate 27 could have no holes, so that any fluids on the plate 27 would not canalize inside the frame 1, thus avoiding to affect any objects or instruments arranged within the space enclosed by the frame 1. In a different embodiment, the plate 27 could have holes with a diameter larger than the one shown in Figure 1 to form, e.g. a seat for a pot (usually having a truncated conical shape) of flowers or ornamental plants. Basically, the shape of the plate 27 can be different to suit the type of supported objects or instruments. Furthermore, the horizontal bars defined in part 2 could support other instruments, objects or work tools, either directly or through hooks not shown or through compartments having a portion to be hooked on the bar.

[0015] In actual use, as shown, parts 2 and 3 can be packaged in a small container. Then, if necessary, part 2 is removed, and from the position shown in Figure 2, part 2 takes the configuration shown in Figure 4 by pulling according to the arrows in Figure 3. Then part 3 can be fastened on part 2 as shown in Figure 4, thus making up the frame 1 shown in Figure 1.

[0016] What previously described clearly shows the evident numerous advantages obtained with the embodiments of the present invention.

[0017] In particular, the manufactured support frame can take a configuration for transportation or storage having a reduced size and a reduced weight. The components of the frame are assembled with no further elements such as glues, screws, bolts, etc., but only by interlocking or melting of the components. The frame can simply and rapidly take its final configuration without any screws, bolts, glues or other fixing methods of its elements. The frame 1 can be used in various sectors such as expositors, flower pot racks, laboratory instrument holders, etc. Furthermore, the plate 27 can be shaped according to the intended use. Finally, the frame 1 is substantially an organizer for the user, as it allows housing instruments inside the space enclosed by part 2, supporting instruments on part 3, supporting any tools or instruments on the faces of part 2 and possibly connecting the instruments inside part 2 to the instruments supported by part 3 through electric cables, fluid pipes, etc. The frame 1 is a safety element, as it protects the user from any contact with dangerous objects or substances.

[0018] With regard to frames usable in laboratories, it is provided that all various elements are made of plastic material and preferably of polypropylene, so that these elements are resistant to any chemical agents used in said laboratories. Always with regard to laboratories, even a metal material (e.g. anodized aluminium or titanium) may be used instead of a plastic material, when making the frame with this type of material is considered more convenient. It is even possible to make full walls on the sides of part 2, such walls being possibly sound-absorbing in case there is a noisy instrument inside the space enclosed by the frame.

[0019] Finally, it is clear that modifications and variations can be made to the support frame here described and shown without thereby departing from the protective scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

[0020] In particular, the various horizontal bars could be telescopic to vary the dimensions of the frame in order to install in it a suitably sized plate 27. Moreover, horizontal bars of different sizes could be provided as spare parts, thus allowing selecting any desired final size of the frame. Finally, the horizontal bars of at least one face of part 2 could be made of two pieces, whose free axial ends are oriented towards each other and are arranged inside a sleeve movable between a position in which it is internally engaged by the ends of the two pieces of the horizontal bar and a position in which it is translated along a piece of the bar, thus allowing the rotation of the two pieces of the bar and therefore an even freer access to the space enclosed by part 2.

Claims

1. A support frame comprising a first part (2) resting on a plane and a second part (3) interlockingly supported on said first part (2) and forming an upper wall of said frame, wherein said first part (2) comprises four vertical uprights (4a and 4b) and a plurality of internally hollow bodies defined by a sleeve with a vertical axis (5, 6, 7 and 8) configured to house a portion of the respective vertical upright (4a and 4b) and a sleeve with a horizontal axis (5a, 6a, 7a and 8a) configured to house the axial end of a respective first horizontal bar (13, 15 and 17); said sleeves with a vertical axis (5, 6, 7 and 8) being freely rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the respective upright (4a and 4b) so that said first part (2) can take a configuration with reduced overall dimensions for the transportation or storage and a prismatic shaped configuration on which said second part (3) is arranged, and characterized in that said first part (2) defines an inner space housing at least one object or first instrument (9), said second part (3) supports at least one object or second instrument (10) and the faces of said first part (2) are shaped so as to allow the hooking of any elements to be arranged and assembled and the passage of assembling means between the elements and/or instruments inside said first part (2) and supported by said second part (3); wherein said bodies are shaped as a 90° rotated T and characterized in that each of said vertical uprights (4a and 4b) has its own lower end inside a vertical portion (18a) of a further sleeve (18) having a horizontal portion (18b) configured to house an end portion of a second horizontal bar (21); said additional sleeves (18) resting on the floor.

2. The frame, according to Claim 1, characterized in that at least one of said faces of said part (2) is provided with means (19) for supporting objects or tools.

3. The frame, according to at least one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that said second part (3) has a rectangular frame, which supports a plate (27) resting on a horizontal plane; said frame being defined by four third horizontal bars (21 and 22) arranged in parallel pairs and by four L-shaped sleeves (23) lying along a horizontal plane and having a first portion configured to house the axial end of a respective first bar (21) of said third bars (21) and a second portion configured to house an axial end of a respective second bar (22) of said third bars (22).

4. The frame, according to Claim 3, characterized in that two opposite bars of said third bars (21) have a respective portion on both axial ends inside a sleeve (24) originating a pin (26), which engages the upper axial end of the respective upright (4a and 4b).

5. The frame, according to Claim 3 and/or to Claim 4, characterized in that all elements making up said frame have a notch (28) configured to be engaged by a respective perimeter portion of said plate (27).

6. The frame, according to at least one of the Claims from 3 to 5, characterized in that said plate (27) has a plurality of holes (29), which may be configured to be engaged by objects such as e.g. flower pots.

7. The frame, according to the previous Claims, characterized in that all various components making it up are made of a plastic material, and preferably polypropylene.

Ansprüche

1. Stützrahmen mit einem ersten Teil (2), der auf einer Ebene ruht, und einem zweiten Teil (3), der ineinandergreifend auf dem ersten Teil (2) abgestützt ist und eine obere Wand des Rahmens bildet, wobei der erste Teil (2) vier vertikale Pfosten (4a und 4b) und mehrere innen hohle Körper aufweist, die durch eine Hülse mit einer vertikalen Achse (5, 6, 7 und 8) gebildet sind, welche dazu ausgebildet ist, einen Bereich eines jeweiligen vertikalen Pfostens (4a und 4b) aufzunehmen, und einer Hülse mit einer horizontalen Achse (5a, 6a, 7a und 8a), die dazu ausgebildet ist, das axiale Ende einer jeweiligen ersten horizontalen Stange (13, 15 und 17) aufzunehmen; wobei die Hülsen mit einer vertikalen Achse (5, 6, 7 und 8) frei um die Längsachse des jeweiligen Pfostens (4a und 4b) derart drehbar sind, dass der erste Teil (2) für den Transport oder die Lagerung eine Konfiguration mit reduzierten Gesamtabmessungen sowie eine prismatisch geformte Konfiguration einnehmen kann, auf welcher der zweite Teil (3) angeordnet ist, und dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der erste Teil (2) einen Innenraum bildet, in welchem mindestens ein Objekt oder erstes Instrument (9) aufgenommen ist, wobei der zweite Teil (3) mindestens ein Objekt oder ein zweites Instrument (10) stützt und die Flächen des ersten Teils (2) derart geformt sind, dass sie das Einhaken jeglicher anzuordnender und zu montierender Elemente und den Durchtritt von Montageeinrichtungen zwischen den Elementen und/oder Instrumenten in den ersten Teil (2) und gestützt durch den zweiten Teil (3) erlauben; wobei die Körper in Form eines um 90° gedrehten T ausgebildet sind, und dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das eigene untere Ende jedes vertikalen Pfostens (4a und 4b) in einem vertikalen Bereich (18a) einer weiteren Hülse (18) mit einem horizontalen Bereich (18b) angeordnet ist, welcher derart ausgebildet ist, dass er einen Endbereich einer zweiten horizontalen Stange (21) aufnimmt; wobei die zusätzlichen Hülsen (18) auf dem Boden ruhen.

2. Rahmen nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass mindestens eine der Flächen des Teils (2) mit Einrichtungen (19) zum Tragen von Objekten oder Werkzeugen versehen ist.

3. Rahmen nach mindestens einem der vorangehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der zweite Teil (3) einen rechteckigen Rahmen aufweist, der eine Platte (27) trägt, die auf einer horizontalen Ebene ruht; wobei der Rahmen durch vier dritte horizontale Stangen (21 und 22), die in parallelen Paaren angeordnet sind, und durch vier L-förmige Hülsen (23) gebildet ist, die entlang einer horizontalen Ebene liegen und einen ersten Bereich, der dazu ausgebildet ist, das axiale Ende einer jeweiligen ersten Stange (21) der dritten Stangen (21) aufzunehmen, und einen zweiten Bereich aufweisen, der dazu ausgebildet ist, ein axiales Ende einer jeweiligen zweiten Stange (22) der dritten Stangen (22) aufzunehmen.

4. Rahmen nach Anspruch 3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass zwei einander gegenüberliegende Stangen der dritten Stangen (21) an beiden axialen Enden einen jeweiligen Bereich in einer Hülse (24), von welchem einem Stift (26) ausgeht, der in das obere axiale Ende des jeweiligen Pfostens (4a und 4b) eingreift.

5. Rahmen nach Anspruch 3 und/oder nach Anspruch 4, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass alle Elemente, die den Rahmen bilden, eine Kerbe (28) aufweisen, die dazu ausgebildet ist, mit einem jeweiligen Umfangsbereich der Platte (27) zusammenzugreifen.

6. Rahmen nach mindestens einem der Ansprüche 3 bis 5, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Platte (27) mehrere Löcher (29) aufweist, die derart ausgebildet sein können sein können, dass Objekte, wie z. B. Blumentöpfe, in diese eingreifen können.

7. Rahmen nach den vorhergehenden Ansprüchen, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass sämtliche verschiedenen Bauteile, aus denen er besteht, aus einem Kunststoffmaterial und vorzugsweise aus Polypropylen bestehen.

Revendications

1. Bâti de support comprenant une première partie (2) reposant sur un plan et une deuxième partie (3) en appui interverrouillé sur ladite première partie (2) et formant une paroi supérieure dudit bâti, dans lequel ladite première partie (2) comprend quatre montants verticaux (4a et 4b) et une pluralité de corps creux à l'intérieur définis par un manchon avec un axe vertical (5, 6, 7 et 8) configuré pour loger une partie du montant vertical respectif (4a et 4b) et un manchon avec un axe horizontal (5a, 6a, 7a et 8a) configuré pour loger l'extrémité axiale d'une première barre horizontale respective (13, 15 et 17) ; lesdits manchons avec un axe vertical (5, 6, 7 et 8) pouvant tourner librement autour de l'axe longitudinal du montant respectif (4a et 4b) de sorte que ladite première partie (2) peut prendre une configuration avec des dimensions hors tout réduites pour le transport ou le stockage et une configuration de forme prismatique sur laquelle ladite seconde partie (3) est agencée, et caractérisé en ce que ladite première partie (2) définit un espace intérieur logeant au moins un objet ou premier instrument (9), ladite seconde partie (3) supporte au moins un objet ou deuxième instrument (10) et les faces de ladite première partie (2) sont conformées de manière à permettre l'accrochage de tous éléments à agencer et à assembler et le passage de moyens d'assemblage entre les éléments et/ou instruments à l'intérieur de ladite première partie (2) et supporté par ladite seconde partie (3), dans lequel lesdits corps ont la forme d'un T tourné à 90 ° et caractérisé en ce que chacun desdits montants verticaux (4a et 4b) a sa propre extrémité inférieure à l'intérieur d'une partie verticale (18a) d'un autre manchon (18) ayant une partie horizontale (18b) configurée pour loger une partie d'extrémité d'une seconde barre horizontale (21) ; lesdits manchons supplémentaires (18) reposant sur le sol.

2. Bâti, selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce qu'au moins une desdites faces de ladite pièce (2) est pourvue de moyens (19) pour supporter des objets ou des outils.

3. Bâti, selon au moins l'une des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que ladite deuxième pièce (3) présente un châssis rectangulaire, qui supporte une plaque (27) reposant sur un plan horizontal; ledit cadre étant défini par quatre troisièmes barres horizontales (21 et 22) disposées en paires parallèles et par quatre manchons en forme de L (23) s'étendant le long d'un plan horizontal et ayant une première partie configurée pour loger l'extrémité axiale d'une première barre respective (21) desdites troisièmes barres (21) et une deuxième partie configurée pour loger une extrémité axiale d'une deuxième barre respective (22) desdites troisièmes barres (22).

4. Bâti, selon la revendication 3, caractérisé en ce que deux barres opposées desdites troisièmes barres (21) présentent une portion respective sur les deux extrémités axiales à l'intérieur d'un manchon (24) d'où sort d'une tige (26), qui vient en engagement avec l'extrémité axiale supérieure du montant respectif (4a et 4b).

5. Bâti, selon la revendication 3 et/ou la revendication 4, caractérisé en ce que tous les éléments constituant ledit bâti présentent une encoche (28) configurée pour venir en engagement avec une portion périphérique respective de ladite plaque (27).

6. Le bâti, selon au moins l'une des revendications 3 à 5, caractérisé en ce que ladite plaque (27) a une pluralité de trous (29), qui peuvent être configurés pour être que des objets tels que par ex. pots de fleurs y viennent en engagement.

7. Le bâti, selon les revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que tous les différents composants dont il est constitué sont en matière plastique, et de préférence en polypropylène.

Drawing