CONCEALED DEVICE FOR FITTING A WALL UNIT

Abstract: A concealed device (10) for fitting a wall unit comprises a plate (11) designed to be fixed to the wall unit, a coupling element (12) connected to the plate (11) and designed to engage in a support fixed to the wall, a first screw (13) acting between the plate (11) and the coupling element (12) to adjust the latter to a vertical position with respect to the plate (11) and a second screw (14), the end of which is fitted with the coupling element (12), for adjusting the distance between the coupling element (12) and the plate (11). The plate (11) is provided with a number of fixing pins (15) positioned all along one side (16) of the plate (11) and symmetrically with respect to a centre line of the device (10).

Description: Concealed device for fitting a wall unit The present invention concerns a concealed device for fitting a wall unit. Different devices are known for fitting a wall unit to an anchoring element on the wall, for example a bar, all adjustable. A known fitting device comprises a plate designed to be fixed to the unit and a coupling element consisting of a head combined with a screw, which is connected to the plate and can engage m a support of the wall unit, for example a bar fixed to the wall. This fitting device also has a first screw that acts between the plate and the coupling element to adjust the latter to a vertical position with respect to the plate and a second screw, the end of which is fitted with the coupling element, as said, for adjusting the distance between the coupling element and the plate. The plate is provided with a number of fixing pins which extend along one side of it and along a portion located below the coupling element. The plate is also provided with a number of holes for fixing screws, made all along the side opposite the plate with respect to the side that houses the fixing pins. Devices of the type described, although able to perform the function for which they were designed, can be improved in a number of interesting and important ways. In the first place, the devices described have an asymmetrical shape and as such are not particularly suitable for automatic handling. Secondly, the particular shape of the plate of the device is not ideal as regards capacity to uniformly withstand the wall unit load. The plate of the device is also excessively and unnecessarily bulky. The aim of the present invention is, therefore, to produce a concealed device for fitting a wall unit that solves the above problems and permits the automatic fitting of said devices. A further aim of the present invention is to produce a fitting device with a particularly compact, rational and therefore economic shape. These and other aims are achieved by a concealed device for fitting a wall unit, according to claim 1, which is referred to for the sake of brevity. Further characteristics of this invention are defined, furthermore, m the subsequent claims. Further aims and advantages of this invention will become clear from the following description and the attached drawings, provided only as an illustrative and non-restrictive example, m which: figure 1 represents an overhead view of a concealed device for fitting a wall unit, according to the present invention; figure 2 represents a first side view of the device of figure 1 ; figure 3 represents a second side view of the device of figure 1; figure 4 represents an overhead view of the plate belonqmg to the device of figure 1; - figure 5 represents a first side view of the plate of figure 4; figure 6 represents a second side view of the plate of figure 4; figure 7 represents an overhead view of a number of devices, according to the invention, arranged on an automatic loading system; figure 8 represents a view, partially m section, of a number of devices, according to the invention, arranged on an automatic loading system; - figure 9 represents a view, partially m section, of a device of the invention, the pins of which are inserted m the back of a wall unit; figure 10 represents a view, partially in section, of a device, according to the invention, arranged on an automatic loading system; and figures 11-13 are enlarged perspective views of the device illustrated m figures 1-10. With particular reference to the figures mentioned, the concealed device for fitting a wall unit, according to the invention, is indicated overall by reference number 10. The fitting device 10 comprises a plate 11, which is designed to be fixed to a wall unit, and a coupling element 12, connected to the plate 11 via a slide mechanism. The coupling element 12 is designed to engage m a support of the wall unit fixed to the wall (not shown for the sake of simplicity) , for example a bar . The fitting device 10 comprises, furthermore, a first screw 13, which acts between the plate 11 and the coupling element 12, to adjust the latter to a vertical position with respect to the plate 11. The fitting device 10 also comprises a second screw 14, the end of which is fitted with the coupling element 12, and which can be used to adjust the distance between the coupling element 12 and the plate 11. More m particular, the first screw 13 and the second screw 14 are both fitted on a slide 18, which can run between guides 19. The slide 18 is moved by reaction of the screw 13 against the stop 20. The plate 11 is provided with a number of fixing pins 15, which are located on one side 16 of the device 10, symmetrically with respect to a centre line of the fitting device 10. The fixing pins 15 are located all along one side 16 of the plate 11, and are obtained from the latter, as can be clearly seen m figures 11-13, by means of punching, drawing and forming. In addition, the side pins 15, or end pins, are interconnected by a drawn stiffening rib 15a. On the same side 16, there are also holes 17 for the fixing screws of the fitting device 10. It should be noted that the plate 11 comprises, m addition to the side that houses the fixing pins 15 and the holes l 1 for the fixing screws, a further three sides forming a basically flat edge 21. The particular shape of the fitting device 10, and m particular of its flat edge 21, permits automatic conveying of the same to the assembly area, as shown m figures 7-10. More m particular, the devices 10 are conveyed by a feeder 22, shown schematically m figures 7-8 and m figure 10; this feeder is provided with apertures 23 for the flat edges 21 of the plate 11. Finally, each device 10 is conveyed, for example by means of a robot and/or a plunger (not shown for the sake of simplicity) , so that its fixing pins 15 fit into corresponding holes 25 on the back 24 of a wall unit. Furthermore, the fact that the fixing pms 15 and the holes 17 for further fixing screws are located on one side of the plate 11, symmetrically with respect to a centre line of the fitting device 10, permits ideal distribution of the wall unit load. This is due also to the fact that the slide 18, fitted with the adjustment screws 13, 14 is contained m the same space as the pms 15. The above description provides a clear illustration of the characteristics of the concealed device for fitting a wall unit subject of the present invention; likewise, the advantages are evident . Finally it is clear that numerous variations can be made to the concealed device for fitting a wall unit, subject of this invention, without deviating from the principles of novelty inherent m the inventive idea. In practice, the details illustrated may be implemented m any materials, forms and dimensions according to requirements and the same may be replaced by other technically equivalent means.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. Concealed device (10) for fitting a wall unit comprising a plate (11) designed to be fixed to said unit, a coupling element (12), connected to the above-mentioned plate (11) and designed to engage in a support fixed to the wall, a first screw (13), acting between the above plate (11) and the above coupling element (12) to adjust the latter to a vertical position with respect to the above plate (11), and a second screw (14), the end of which is fitted with the above coupling element (12), to adjust the distance between the coupling element (12) and the plate (11), where the above plate (11) is provided with a number of fixing pins (15) characterised in that said fixing pins (15) are located all along one edge (16) of the above plate (11) . 2. Device (10), as in claim 1, characterised in that the above fixing pins (15) are positioned symmetrically with respect to a centre line of the above device (10) . 3. Device (10), as in claim 1, characterised in that said fixing pins (15) are obtained from the plate (11) by means of punching, drawing and forming. 4. Device (10), as m claim 3, characterised m that of said pms (15), the side or end ones are interconnected by a drawn stiffening rib (15a) . 5. Device (10), as m claim 1 or 2, characterised m that a number of holes (17) are provided for fixing screws, located on the same side (16) as the plate (11) which houses the above fixing pms (15) . 6. Device (10), as m claim 5, characterised m that the above plate (11) comprises, m addition to the side that houses the fixing pms (15) and the holes (17) for the fixing screws, a further three sides forming a basically flat edge (21) . 7. Device (10), as claim 6, characterised that it can be conveyed by a feeder (22), where the above feeder (22) is provided with apertures (23) for the flat edges (21) of the plate (11) . 8. Device (10), as m claim 1, characterised m that the above first screw (13) and the above second screw (14) are both fitted on a slide (18) which can run between guides (19) as far as a stop (20) . 9. Device (10), as m claim 1 or 8, characterised that said screws (13, 14) are contained the same space as said pms (15) . 10. Concea. ed device for fitting a wall unit, as basically described and illustrated in the attached drawings .

Inventors: CATTANEO CARLO, CATTANEO, CARLO
Applicants: CATTANEO CARLO, LEONARDO SRL, CATTANEO, CARLO, LEONARDO S.R.L.
Application year: 2001
Main classification: A47B95
IPC codes: A47B95