SUPPORTING MODULAR STRUCTURE FOR PREFABRICATED UNIT PANEL FURNITURE

Abstract: Supporting modular structure for prefabricated unit panel furniture, having as a base element (1), a supporting metal section of a particular shape which can take all the functional and connecting elements of the furniture, which are also of a particular shape, especially devised to fit smoothly and perfectly together. According to the invention, the structure consists of a supporting metal element (1) with a "C" shaped cross-section, sides of equal width, which have ribs running through (1C), broken at regular intervals (1D), thus forming protruding segments equal in length to the spaces, which house and support the elements necessary for assembling the furniture.

Description: Supporting modular structure for prefabricated unit panel furniture. This patent application for an industrial invention, refers to a supporting modular structure for prefabricated unit panel furniture, having as a base element, a supporting metal section of a particular shape, which can take all the furniture's functional and connecting elements, which are also of a suitable shape, especially devised to fit smoothly and perfectly together. To be more precise, we refe to hinges, shelf brackets, handles, adjustable feet for .support and balance, anti- dust trimmings, all elements which would be impossible to use if they weren't mounted on the above-mentioned sup_ porting structure, which, in turn, could not otherwise be utilized. The chief advantage in being able to attach or fix any element to the above metal structure, is in having panels free of holes or permanent marks, thus easily interchange¬ able, in that each panel, measurements permitting, can be used as a side, door, or back, as far as the vertical pa¬ nels are concerned, or as a base, top, or intermediate shelf,- where horizontal panels are concerned. The fact that all the functional elements of the furnitu- re can be attached along the said supporting structure, means that during assembly of the furniture, the said ele- ments can be attached, such as the shelf brackets, at any height according to the needs and preferences of the user. Furthermore the former position or arrangement can be eventually changed without leaving any marks on the panels. According to the invention, the structure consists of a supporting metal element with a "C" shaped cross-section, sides of equal length, with ribs running through, broken at regular intervals, thus forming protruding segments equal in length to the spaces, which house and support the elements necessary for the assembly of the furniture. Combined with the "C" shaped supporting structure or auto¬ nomously, the invention also provides a metal structure with an "L" shaped cross-section, sides of equal width, and structural characteristics perfectly identical to the "C" shaped base section already mentioned. It differs only slightly from the latter by the absence of one of the two sides, being this section L-shaped, in so far as it has been devised. for application onto the vertical si¬ des of the doors or onto the external sides of the fur¬ niture. For a clearer explanation of the invention, we shall proceed with references to the drawings attached for illustrative and not restrictive purposes, where: - Fig. 1 is an axonometric drawing of a part of the "C" shaped structure, according to the invention; - Fig. 2 is an axonometric drawing of a part of the "L" shaped structure according to the invention; - Fig. 3 is an axonometric drawing of the shelf bracket to be applied to the supporting structure according to the invention; - Fig. shows, with an axonometric drawing, the shelf bracket installed onto the supporting structure according to the invention; - Fig. 5 shows, with an exploded and axonometric drawing, the hinge to be applied on the supporting structure accord¬ ing to the invention; - Fi ; 6 shows, with an axonometric drawing, the hinge applied to the supporting structure according to the invention; - Fig.s 7 and 8 show, with an axonometric drawing, two executive versions of the base for support and balance of the furniture, to be applied to the supporting structure according to the invention; - Fig. 9 shows, with an axonometric drawing, the base for the support and balance of the furniture applied to the structure according to the invention; - Fig.s 10 and 11 show, with an axonometric drawing, the " supporting bracket for the back panels, applied to the sup¬ porting structure according to the invention, in the case of hidden back panels or visible ones respectively; - Fig. 12 shows, with an axonometric drawing, a part of the handle to be applied to the supporting structure ac¬ cording to the invention; - Fig. 13 shows, with an axonometric drawing, the handle applied to the supporting structure according to the invention; - Fig. 14 shows, with an axonometric drawing, the support¬ ing bracket for the magnetic door stop applied to the sup¬ porting structure according to the invention. With reference to Fig. 1, the structure (1) according to the invention, shows a "C" shaped cross-section with three equal sides; the two opposite sides have two small longi¬ tudinal grooves (la) on the outside, facing each other and having a "T" shaped cross-section. On the front side of the structure there is a large groove (lb), which covers nearly the whole width of the front side. Internally, both opposite sides have a longitudinal rib at the back of the rear edge, broken at regular intervals, thus form- ing protruding segments (lc) and spaces of equal length (id). Said spaces act as inserting points by simply fitting all the functional elements of the furniture, which all have a suitable shape, especially devised for a smooth and perfect fit into the spaces (id) and with the segments (lc), provided for inside the opposite sides of the sup¬ porting structure ( 1 ) . The above mentioned L-shaped section (1'), illustrated in Fig. 2,differs solely, as already explained, from the supporting structure by the absence of one of the two op¬ posite sides. With reference to Fig.s 3 and 4, the shelf bracket (2), devised especially to be applied onto the supporting structure (1), consists of a horizontal small arm at right angles (2a), which terminates at one end with two rectan¬ gular and vertical pieces (2b and 2c) symmetrical in re- spect to a horizontal median axis of the small arm (2a) connected together by a horizontal segment (2d) placed at a distance equal to the width of the rib (lc) of the structure (l), as a height equal to space (id) between two segments (lc) has been provided for piece (2b); like- « wise a height, double that of piece (2b) has been provided for piece (2c), so that once piece (2b) is horizontally inserted tightly into space (id) by a simple movement downwards of the bracket (2), the said piece (2b) can be attached to the structure (1 ) , thus confining it between segment (lc) and the internal wall (le) of the structure's (1) external groove (la) as shown in Fig. 4- To prevent the shelf of the furniture from sliding hori¬ zontally on the shelf brackets (2), the latter are equip- ped with a peg (2e) which is inserted from the top into an appropriate hole (2f) provided at the end of the small arm (2a); for a shelf in crystal, peg (2e) can be replaced by a suction cup. It goes without saying that this kind of fitting for the shelf bracket (2) makes it removable as it can be taken out by a simple backward movement, horizontally and ver¬ tically, from the structure (1) where it can be replaced in another space (id) just as easily and quickly by an inverse procedure. With reference to Fig.s 5 and 6, the hinge (3) ? especially devised to be fitted to structure's (1) and (l 1 ), accord¬ ing to the invention, includes a centre piece at right angles, where two sides (3a) and (3b) orthogonal to one another and different in height can be seen. The lower side (3b) is perfectly housed in the horizontal recess (3b') at the centre of piece (3c), whose cross- section on a horizontal plane has a 'U' shape with pa¬ rallel sides (3c) and (3d) different in length,and di¬ vided by a distance equal to the thickness of the support¬ ing structure's (1) side walls. Side (3d) shorter with respect to side (3c) ends with a forked edge, of such a shape and size that it can be com¬ pletely inserted into two consecutive spaces (Id) mounted over a protruding segment (lc) of structure (1), as shown in Fig. 6, as side (3c) and (3b) must be hinged together, in respect to a vertical axis (A) at their external edge. Side (3a) ends with a projection in the centre (3a'), where an 'L' shaped piece is hinged in respect to a ver¬ tical axis (B) . Side (3e) of this piece has the same shape and dimensions as side (3d), whilst side (3f) is broken in the centre by a horizontal passing through hole, into which the protrusion (3a 1 ) mentioned earlier is fitted and hinged perfectly; the space between side (3e) and side (3a). should they be lying parallel, must be exactly equal to the thickness of the side of the struc- ture (1), so that the hinge can be easily fixed to the structures (1) and (l 1 ) as shown in Fig. 6. Such a hinge (3) can be secured firmly onto the structures (1) and (1') by screws fastened into holes (3g) found on sides (3a) and (3c) of hinge (3), and which screw into a suitable threaded nut, which slides and is confined with¬ in the groove (la) of structures (1) and (1'); also pro¬ vided is a further hole (3g') at the centre of side (3b) of hinge (3), which takes a screw to be screwed into a threaded nut that slides and is confined within the groove (lb) of structure (!'). With reference to Fig. 7, the bracket (5), also securable inside the supporting structure ( 1 ) , and intended to support the horizontal panels which close the top and bottom of the furniture, consists of a parallelepiped small base (5a), from the centre of which a square plat¬ form juts out to the front (5b); its sides are equal to those of the supporting structure (1). From platform (5b) two small plates (5c) jut out at the sides , which from the bottom to the top, have a vertical stretch, an intermediate horizontal stretch facing the outside, and a final vertical stretch (5c'), each with dimensions that enable the final stretch (5c 1 ) to be inserted perfectly between two segments (lc) within a space (Id) of the structure (1), so that, as a result of a longitudinal sliding of the plates (5) within structure (1), the stretch (5c') already mentioned, is confined beyond segment (lc), between the same segment (lc) and wall (le) of the structure (1) as shown in Fig. 9- On the front edge of platform (5b) rises a small parapet (5b 1 ) with dimensions that enable it to slip perfectly into the front groove (lb) of structure (1). Attention is brought to the fact that on base (5) there are two threaded holes (5d) at both ends, where the stem of a screw (6) is tightened , whose head consists of a small circular plate (6a) intended to act as a supporting base for the furniture if the bracket (5) is utilized for securing the base panel (7) of the furniture as shown in Fig. 9. In the latter case, after having regulated the height of the foot securing screw (6) accordingly, provided with a diametrical notch on the tip, the base panel (7) can be inserted onto screw (6), where it is then tightened by means of a small cap threaded internally (8), to be tighter ed onto screw (6) until the base jutting out (8a) joins the surface of the base panel (7) already mentioned, as shown in Fig. 9. Attention is brought to the fact that base (8a) has a hole passing through the centre (8b), which permits adjustment of screw (6) without unscrewing cap (8). Should the supporting bracket (5) described above be at¬ tached to a structure (1') applied to the sides of the external side walls of the furniture, its shape will be as illustrated in Fig. 8, that is with platform ( 5^ ) cut across by a vertical plane flush with the left side of the platform (5b), (seen frontally as indicated by arrow (C) regarding the left side in this case, and vice-versa the right side of the furniture. With reference to Fig. 10, the supporting bracket for the back panels of the furniture, devised especially for as¬ sembly on structure (1), utilizes as a point of attachment to structure (1) two vertical rectangular pieces (9b) and (9c), parallel but different in height, identical in shape and size to pieces (2b) and (2c) of the shelf supporting bracket (2) previously described. From the edge of the higher piece (9c), a horizontal sec¬ tion juts out in the centre and at right angles, termi¬ nating with an opening (9d), where the fastening screw for the back panel (10) of the furniture can be inserted, as shown in Fig. 10. In Fig. 11, it is assumed that the back panel (10') of the furniture is in view, thus it turns out to be a finished panel mounted between two structures (l 1 ); in this case, the securing screw for the panel (10') is screwed within a suitable inserted nut, which slides and is confined with¬ in groove (la) of structure (l 1 ), instead of being inserted directly into the panel. With reference to Fig. 12, the handle (11), especially devised for application onto the structure (l), consists of a thin strip made of plastic, which has a longitudinal edge that can be perfectly inserted into groove (lb) of structure (l 1 ), thanks to two ribs (lla), found on the internal wall of strip (11); their shape and size allow for a perfect union with the protruding edges of groove (lb) already mentioned, as shown in Fig. 13. The other longitudinal side of strip (11), which will be cut accordingly so that its length is equal to the height of the door, has an enlarged edge (lib) at the end to enable an easy grip. With reference to Fig. 14, the supporting bracket for the magnetic door stop consists of a small plate (12), at the end of which are complanate 'T' shaped sections (12a), spaced out and of such a size to be perfectly inserted within two consecutive spaces (Id), over the intermediate protruding segment (lc), so that, following a simple sliding of the plate (12) along the interior of the side of the structure (1), said sections (12a) slide beyond segment (lc) between the same segment (lc) and the internal wall (le) of the structure (l) as shown in Fig. 14• From the centre of the back edge of plate (12), which lies flush with the edge of the side of the structure (l),when mounted, an arm at right angles* (12b) juts out towards the inside terminating with a cylindrical cap (12c) at a horizontal axis, into which the magnetic door stop is inserted and where axial adjustment is possible. Finally, it is pointed out that the 'C' shaped structure is solely applied to the edges of the upright intermediate panels of the furniture, which fit perfectly into the op- posite sides of the same structure (1) whilst the external upright panels, as already mentioned, are fixed to the 'L' shaped structures ( 1 ' ) . It is also pointed out that in the external side grooves (la) of the structures (l) and (1'), rubber trimmings can be inserted to prevent dust from entering the furniture, or finished ledges in any colour or material according to preference. Fig.s 15, 16 and 17 show a multi-functional element, especially devised for application on the supporting structures, as it is structured and fitted out in such a way as to be used, according to requirements, as a supporting shelf bracket, or support for back panels, or finally support for the magnetic door stop, thus replacing the three corresponding elements, capable of fulfilling a sole specific function described above. It consists primarily of a small supporting base from which a vertical plate juts out at the side, like the one provided on the supporting shelf bracket or on the support for the magnetic door stop and shaped in such a way as to be easily applied or released from the afore-mentioned supporting structures. At the top and bottom of the small prismatic base there is a transversal, horizontal rail in relief, which slides along a similar groove cut out from the supporting base of the magnetic door stop. The polivalent supporting bracket in question has a hole passing through the centre at a vertical axis, where an appropriate peg can be completely inserted, should the base be utilized as a supporting bracket for internal shelves in furniture having four corner holes at the bottom; in the case of shelves where holes are not provided, the peg can be replaced by a normal suction cup. The polivalent base in question also has a hole passing through horizontally, in a transversal direction, perpendi- cular to the 'T" shaped rails already mentioned. Should the small base be utilized as a supporting bracket for the furniture's back panels, a screw of suitable length is inserted into the said hole, by which the back panel is supported and fitted in place. For a clearer explanation of the polivalent supporting bracket in question, the description proceeds with re¬ ferences to the drawings attached for illustrative and not restrictive purposes, where: - Fig. 15 shows, with an axonometric drawing, the small polivalent supporting base attached to the 'C' shaped supporting structure, marked with the number (l), next to which an 'L' shaped structure marked with the number (1') has also been drawn, which is supposedly attached, on one side, with a finished back panel, and on the two vertical sides, with two 'L' shaped structures; - Fig. 16 shows, with an axonometric drawing, the small polivalent supporting base in isolation; - Fig. 17 is an exploded drawing of the base, which shows, axonometrically, all the accessories for the supporting bracket. With reference to the above-mentioned figures, the model in question consists of a small supporting base (13), of symmetrical shape with respect to a horizontal plane,fitted out with a rail (13a) at the top and bottom, and having a 'T' shaped cross-section, along which a prismatic slider (14) runs, when required, as a support for the magnetic door stop (15) • The supporting bracket (13) also presents a centre passing hole, at a vertical axis (13b), where, if necessary, a peg (l6) can be completely inserted for the furniture's internal horizontal shelves. The securing of the small supporting base (13) to the up¬ right metal structures ( 1 ) or ( 1 ' ) is had through a small side plate (13c), with an 'H' section and sides of different heights but of such a size that they can be easily inserted and attached to the empty spaces (id), lying between the protruding segments (lc) found on the internal opposite sides of the upright structures (l) and (1'). Finally, a hole (13d) horizontally passes through the sup¬ porting bracket (13), where if .necessary, a screw is in¬ serted to support the back panel of the furniture. Should the back of the furniture be in view, the back panel is finished, at the two vertical sides, with two 'L' shaped sections (1') as hypothesized in Fig. 15• In this case, screw (17) is inserted in the threaded hole (l8a) of a thin strip (l8) which is inserted and confined, considering its shape, within the 'T' shaped grooves on the outside of the 'L' shaped structure (l'), instead of being screwed directly into the back panel. With number (19) a small packing element is shown, having a 'C' shaped cross-section, to be placed between structure (l 1 ) and base (1) as a spacer, when the latter is utilized as a securing and supporting bracket for the furniture's back panel.

Claims: Claims. 1) Supporting modular structure for prefabricated unit panel furniture, which utilizes as a supporting base element, an upright consisting of a metal structure (1) which has a 'C' shaped cross-section with three equal sides. The two opposite ones present two small exterior longitudinal grooves (la) opposite each other with a 'T' shaped cross-section, whilst on the front side of the structure there is a large groove (lb) which almost covers the whole width of the front side, each opposite side in- ternally having a longitudinal rib at the back of the rear edge, broken at regular intervals to form protruding seg¬ ments (lc) and spaces of equal length (Id). 2) Supporting modular structure for prefabricated unit panel furniture, utilizing a further upright consisting of a metal structure (1') hinged to the structure (1) or autonomously, whose structural characteristics and func¬ tions are identical to the aforesaid structure ( 1 ) , dif¬ fering only by the absence of one of the two lateral sides. 3) Supporting modular structure for prefabricated unit pa¬ nel furniture, according to claims 1) and 2), which uti¬ lizes a shelf supporting bracket (2) consisting of a hori¬ zontal arm at right angles .(2a), which'terminates at one eno - with two rectangular and vertical pieces (2b) and (2c), symmetrical in respect to a horizontal median axis of the small arm (2a) connected together by a horizontal segment (2d), placed at a distance equal to the width of the rib (lc) of structure (l), a height equal to space (id) between two segments (lc) being' allowed for piece (2b); likewise, a height double that of piece (2b) is provided for piece (2c), so that once piece (2b) has been horizontally and completely inserted into space (id) by a simple downward movement of the bracket (2), said piece (2b) can be attached to structure (1), thus confining it between segment (lc) and internal wall (le) of the structure's (1) external groove (la). 4) Supporting modular structure for prefabricated unit pa¬ nel furniture according to claims 1) and 2) characterized by the use of a hinge ( 3 ) > which consists of a centre plate at right angles, where two sides (3a) and (3b) orthogonal to one another and different in height can be seen; the lower side (3b) is perfectly housed in the horizontal re¬ cess (3b 1 ) at the centre of plate (3c), whose cross-section on a horizontal plane has a 'U' shape with parallel slides (3c) and (3d) different in length and divided by a distance equal to the thickness of the supporting structure's (1) side walls. Side (3d) shorter with respect to side (3c) ends with a forked edge, of such a shape and size that it can be completely inserted into two consecutive spaces (id), and mounted over a protruding segment (lc) of structure (l)j side (3c) and side (3b) are hinged together, in respect to a vertical axis (A), at their external edge. Side (3a) ends with a projection in the centre (3a'), where an 'L' shaped piece is hinged in respect to a vertical axis (B), whose side (3e) has the same shape and dimensions as side (3d), while side (3f) is broken in the centre by a horizontal passing through hole, into which the protrusion (3a') is installed and hinged perfectly, as the space between side (3e) and (3a), should they be lying parallel, is exactly equal to the thickness of the side of the structure (l), so that the hinge can be easily fixed to the structures (1) and (l 1 ); such a hinge (3) can be secured firmly on¬ to the structures (1) and (1') by screws going through holes (3g). found on sides (3a) and (3c) of hinge (3), and which screw into a suitable nut, which slides and is confined within the groove (la) of structures (1) and (1'); a further hole is provided ( 3g ' ) at the centre of side (3b) of hinge (3). which takes a screw to be then screwed into a nut that slides and is confined within the groove (lb) of structure (l 1 ). 5) Supporting modular structure for prefabricated unit pa¬ nel furniture, according to claims (l) and (2), character¬ ized by the use of a small parallelepiped base (5a), as support for the top and bottom closing panels of the fur¬ niture, from the centre of which a square platform (5b) juts out at the front, whose sides are equal to those of the supporting structure (1): from platform (5b) two small plates (5c) jut out at the sides, which from the bottom to the top, have a vertical stretch, an intermediate hori¬ zontal stretch facing the outside and a final vertical stretch (5c'), each with dimensions that enable the final stretch (5c 1 ) to be inserted perfectly between two sections (lc) within a space (id) of structure (1), so that as a result of a longitudinal sliding of the plates (5) within structure (1), stretch (5c') is confined beyond segment (lc), between the same segment (lc) and wall (le) of struc ture (1); on the front edge of platform (5b) rises a small parapet (5b'), with dimensions that permit it to slip per * ^ fectly into the front groove (lb) of structure (1). 6) Supporting modular structure for prefabricated unit panel furniture, according to claim (5), characterized by the fact that said base (5) has two threaded holes (5d) at both ends, where the stem of a screw (6) can be inserted, whose head consists of a small circular plate (6a 1 ), intended to act as a supporting base for the fur- niture, if the bracket (5) is used for securing the base panel (7) of the same furniture, which can be inserted on screw (6), where it is then tightened by a small cap, threaded internally (8), to be tightened onto screw (6), until the base part jutting out (8a) joins the surface of the base panel (7) already mentioned. The base (8a) has been provided with a hole passing through the centre (8b), which permits adjustment of screw (6) without un¬ screwing the cap (8). 7) Supporting modular structure for prefabricated unit panel furniture, according*to claims (1) and (2), char¬ acterized by the use of a supporting bracket for the .fur¬ niture's back panels, which has, as a point c-f attachment to the structure (1), two vertical, rectangular plates (9b) and (9c), parallel but different in height, identi¬ cal in shape and size to plates (2b) and (2c) of the shelf supporting bracket (2), according to claim 3). from the edge of the higher plate (9c), a horizontal plate (9a) juts out in the centre and at right angles, terminating with an opening (9d), where the fastening screw for the furniture's back panel (10) can be inserted into its hole (9e). 8) Supporting modular structure for prefabricated unit panel furniture according to claims 1) and 2), character¬ ized by the use of a thin strip made of plastic, as a handle, which has a longitudinal edge suitable for a per¬ fect insertion into groove (lb) of the structure (1'), thanks to two ribs (11a) found on the internal wall of the strip (11), whose shape and size allow for a perfect union with the protruding edges of said groove (lb); the other longitudinal side of the strip (11), which will be cut accordingly, so that its length is equal to the height of the door, has an enlarged edge (lib) at the end to permit an easy grip. 9) Supporting modular structure for prefabricated unit panel furniture, according to claims 1) and 2) character¬ ized by the use of a supporting bracket for the magnetic door stop, consisting of a small plate (12), at the end of which are two complanate 'T' shaped sections (12a), spaced out and of such a size to be perfectly inserted within two consecutive spaces (Id), over the intermediate protruding segment (lc), so that, following a simple slid- ing of the plate (12) along the interior of the side of the structure (1), said sections (12a) slide beyond a segment (lc), between the segment (lc) and the internal wall (le) of the structure (1). From the centre of the rear edge of the plate (12), which lies flush with the side of the structure (1), when mounted, an arm at right angles (12b) juts out towards the inside, terminating with a cylindrical cap (12c) at a horizontal axis, into which the magnetic door stop is inserted, and where axial adjust ^ ment is possible. 10) Supporting modular structure for prefabricated unit panel furniture, according to claims 1) and 2), character¬ ized by a polivalent supporting bracket, comprising a small prismatic base ( 13 ) , fitted out with two rails (13a) at the top and bottom on which the small supporting block (14) of the magnetic door stop (15) can slide, if re¬ quired. The supporting bracket (13) has a vertical pass¬ ing through hole (13b), where, if necessary, a peg (16) for the furniture's inside shelves can be completely in- serted; furthermore the said bracket (13) has a horizontal passing through hole (13d), where, if necessary, a screw (12) is inserted to support and secure the furniture's back panel. Finally, the securing of the said small sup¬ porting base of the upright metal structures forming the furniture's supporting framework, can be made quickly and easily through a plate (13c), jutting out from the side of plate (13), which presents a 'H' shaped section and sides of different heights, but with dimensions that per¬ mit a quick and easy fitting of the plate (13c) into the empty spaces lying between the protruding sections on the internal side of the aforesaid upright metal structures.

Inventors: GHIRARDELLI ENZO, GHIRARDELLI PAOLO, GHIRARDELLI, ENZO, GHIRARDELLI, PAOLO
Applicants: IDEAL FORM TEAM SRL, SOCIETA IDEAL FORM TEAM - S.R.L.
Application year: 1985
Main classification: A47B47
IPC codes: A47B47, A47B96, E05D5, E06B3