Abstract:
A supporting structure includes an outer body and an inner body that can be lowered. The supporting structure includes two side elements to be installed on the wall at a distance from each other, and at least one cross member detachably connecting the side elements to each other. The supporting structure also has separate fastening points for independently installing the outer body and the inner body on the supporting structure. Each side element has a preferably preinstalled, vertically movable supporting element on the inside facing the inner body, and the supporting elements have the fastening points for the inner body.

Description:
This application is a Continuation of International application No. PCT/AT2009/000497, filed Dec. 28, 2009, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a supporting structure for a furniture carcass to be mounted to a wall, having an outer carcass and an inner carcass which can be lowered relative thereto. The supporting structure includes two side elements which are to be mounted to the wall in a mutually spaced relationship, and at least one transverse member which can releasably connect the side elements together. The supporting structure has separate fastening locations for independently mounting the outer carcass and the inner carcass to the supporting structure. 
     The invention further concerns an article of furniture having a supporting structure of the kind to be described and a method of mounting an article of furniture to a wall. 
     An article of furniture having an outer carcass and an inner carcass which can be lowered relative thereto is known for example from AT 503 671 B1. In that case, the inner carcass is motionally coupled to an upwardly movable flap by way of an actuating drive and a transmission mechanism. A relatively stable outer carcass is to be provided for mounting the mechanically relatively heavily loaded actuating drive. 
     The JP 2007-260200 reference describes a supporting structure for an upper cupboard which can be lowered and which is mounted movably in respect of height relative to a wall panel to be mounted to the wall. Mounted to the wall panel are carriers to which a decorative panel is fitted. When the upper cupboard is in a raised position, the open cupboard compartment of the upper cupboard is concealed by the decorative panel. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the present invention to simplify mounting of such an article of furniture to a wall, in which respect the need for a stable outer carcass can also be eliminated. 
     According to the invention that is achieved by the features of the present invention. Further advantageous configurations of the invention are recited in the appendant claims. 
     According to the invention it is provided that, on the inside that is towards the inner carcass, each side element has a, preferably pre-mounted, vertically movable supporting element. The supporting elements have the fastening locations for the inner carcass. In that way, the inner carcass is movable vertically relative to the side elements fastened to the wall, in which case the movement of the supporting elements (and therewith the inner carcass) can also be effected by an electric drive device. The inner carcass can be moved from an upper end position—in which the inner carcass is substantially completely received between the side elements—into a lower end position, whereby the inner carcass can be more easily filled with items to be stowed therein. 
     The two side elements and the transverse member which connects the side elements together can form a U-shaped profile in the mounted position. That U-shaped profile can be pre-mounted to the wall in a mounting step. The side elements with the transverse member form a skeleton-like structure, and the fastening locations for the inner carcass are provided at the inside of the supporting structure and the fastening locations for the outer carcass are provided at the outside of the supporting structure. 
     The proposed supporting structure makes it possible for the inner carcass to be mounted to the supporting structure independently and in an uncoupled relationship from the outer carcass. That is to say that the outer carcass is relieved of the load of the weight of the inner carcass. It is therefore not necessary for the outer carcass to be made from a solid wood material (such as for example chipboards or solid wood boards). Rather, it may be sufficient if the outer carcass assumes a purely decorative function to achieve a clean neat image. Therefore, the outer carcass can basically be formed from a light structural material (such as for example lightweight building panels involving a honeycomb structure). The arrangement of an outer carcass on the supporting structure can even be entirely omitted if the image is not adversely affected. 
     In an embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that at least one side element is at least partially formed from a strut structure. It is therefore not absolutely necessary for the side elements to be produced from flat portions in plate form. By virtue of using a framework-like strut structure, it is possible for the weight of the supporting structure to be considerably reduced, whereby mounting to the wall is also simplified. For stability reasons it may be advantageous if the strut structure is at least partially formed from metal or metal profile members. 
     In a preferred embodiment of the invention, at least one side element has a, preferably substantially frame-shaped, side portion and an upper portion projecting substantially at a right angle therefrom. The side elements therefore each form an L-shaped profile, wherein the longer limb of the L-shaped profile is associated with the outside of the inner carcass and the shorter limb of the L-shaped profile is associated with the top side of the inner carcass. The transverse member can be connected to the two upper portions of the side elements by way of suitable fastening devices. In that case, the transverse member can be in the form of a modular interchangeable element of various nominal lengths so that the width of the supporting structure can be adapted to correspond to the width of the inner carcass to be mounted. It may also be advantageous for the transverse member to be variable in length (for example telescopically). 
     To provide for selective adaptation of the supporting structure to the respective dimensions of the inner carcass, it may be desirable if the side elements are adapted to be variable in length in at least one direction. In that case, the supporting structure in its entirety can be adapted to be displaceable in respect of height, laterally displaceable and/or displaceable in respect of depth. 
     For length adaptation there can be provided at least two portions which can be connected together and which can be releasably connected together in modular-like fashion. To provide for stepless adaptation of the supporting structure to the respective size of the inner carcass, there can be at least two portions which are displaceable relative to each other and which can be fixed after positioning relative to each other. 
     In the simplest case, the fastening locations for the inner carcass and/or for the outer carcass can be in the form of screw connections. Alternatively, the fastening locations can be in the form of mechanical latching connections, wherein there is provided at least one resilient or spring-loaded latching portion which releases the inner carcass and/or the outer carcass from the supporting structure by pressure against the resilient effect. In that way, the inner carcass and/or the outer carcass can be snapped on to the supporting structure and can also be removed again if required without a tool. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the outer carcass can be formed from plate-shaped wall portions. As the outer carcass only has to fulfil decorative purposes, it is also possible to provide lightweight boards or panels, as already mentioned. 
     The article of furniture according to the invention is characterized by at least one supporting structure of the kind in question. 
     The method according to the invention of fastening an article of furniture—which has an outer carcass and an inner carcass which can be lowered—to a wall is characterised by the following steps:
         mounting two side elements to the wall at a spacing from each other, wherein the side elements each have a vertically movable supporting element,   inserting the inner carcass between the two side elements,   connecting the inner carcass to the two supporting elements, and   connecting the outer carcass to the supporting structure.       

    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Further details and advantages of the present invention are described with reference to the specific description hereinafter and the drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a possible embodiment of a side element of the supporting structure according to the invention, 
         FIG. 2  shows the supporting structure with the two side elements and the transverse member in the released condition, 
         FIG. 3  shows the supporting structure in the assembled condition, 
         FIG. 4  shows the supporting structure with the outer carcass mounted thereto, 
         FIG. 5  shows the supporting structure with the drive device to be mounted thereto for a furniture flap and with the switches to be mounted for lowering an inner carcass, 
         FIG. 6  shows the supporting structure with a mounted outer carcass and a wall holder pre-mounted to the wall, 
         FIG. 7  shows the supporting structure fastened to the wall, with the inner carcass to be mounted to the supporting structure, 
         FIG. 8  shows the article of furniture fastened to the wall with the actuating arms to be mounted for moving a vertically movable furniture flap, 
         FIG. 9  shows the article of furniture fastened to the wall with the furniture flap to be mounted in place, 
         FIG. 10  shows the article of furniture in its entirety with the opened furniture flap, 
         FIG. 11  shows the article of furniture with the opened furniture flap and the lowered inner carcass, and 
         FIGS. 12   a ,  12   b  show a typical installation situation of the article of furniture as an upper cupboard in a kitchen, with the inner carcass in an upper and in a lowered lower end position. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIG. 1  shows a possible embodiment of a side element  1  of a supporting structure according to the invention, wherein an inner carcass (not shown here) can be fastened at the inside of the side element  1 , at diagrammatically indicated fastening locations  2   a  and  2   b . The framework-like side element  1  is at least partially formed from a strut structure of metal. The side element  1  has a—preferably frame-shaped—side portion  3  (i.e., the side portion  3  has a framework with a strut structure) which is to be stationarily fastened to a wall. An upper portion  4  projecting at a right angle to the side portion  3  is arranged at the top side so that the side element  1  is substantially in the form of an L-shaped profile. The upper portion  4  has a trough-shaped configuration so that an electric drive device  5  for driving the vertically movable supporting element  6  has space to be accommodated therein. The electric drive device  5  acts on the supporting element  6  by way of a transmission mechanism  7  (for example a cable arrangement, a toothed belt and/or a gear transmission), whereby the supporting element  6  is vertically movable relative to the stationary side portion  3 . The supporting element  6  which is adjustable in respect of height has a horizontal support limb  8  so that the inner carcass to be mounted can be pushed from the front on to that support limb  8  and can be fixed after positioning by way of the fastening locations  2   a  and  2   b  on the supporting element  6 . To adapt the side element  1  to the respective depth of the inner carcass, the side element  1  in the illustrated embodiment is adapted to be displaceable in respect of depth. For that purpose, a movable portion  3   a  is telescopically displaceable relative to the stationary side portion  3  and can be fixed after positioning has been effected. The side element  1  can also be adapted to be displaceable in respect of height in a similar fashion. The side element  1  also has a holding device  9  for a drive device  10  by which a flap which is movable in respect of height relative to the side element  1  is movable between a closed position and an open position. 
       FIG. 2  shows the supporting structure  11  according to the invention, which in the assembled condition forms a U-shaped profile to be mounted to the wall. The (first) side element  1  which is shown in  FIG. 1  and which has already been described can be seen at the left in this view. Shown at the right in the view is a second side element  1   a  which has a similar configuration to the left-hand (first) side element  1 , the same parts of the side element  1   a  being denoted by the same reference numbers. At the outside of the right-hand side element  1   a  it is possible to see fastening locations  13   a ,  13   b  by way of which an outer carcass can be fastened to the supporting structure  11 . It should be noted that the inner fastening locations  2   a  and  2   b  for the inner carcass and the outer fastening locations  13   a  and  13   b  for the outer carcass are only diagrammatically illustrated. Firstly, the position of the fastening locations  2   a  and  2   b  and the fastening locations  13   a  and  13   b  on the supporting structure  11  can differ from the positions shown in the Figure. In addition, the fastening devices  2   a ,  2   b  and  13   a ,  13   b  can be in the form of screw connections and/or inserts and/or mechanical latching connections which in particular allow mounting and/or removal of the inner carcass and/or the outer carcass on the supporting structure  11 , without the use of a tool. In the illustrated embodiment, each side element  1  has an electric drive device  5  for moving the vertically displaceable supporting element  6 . It will be appreciated that it is possible to provide only one single electric drive device  5 . The upper portions  4  of the two side elements  1  can be releasably connected by way of a transverse member  12 . That fastening can also be effected by means of screw connections and/or mechanical latching connections so that the transverse member  12  can be latched to the two upper portions  4  and can be dismantled without a tool. The transverse member  12  has a trough-like configuration so that, for example, a power supply device P for the two electric drives  5  can be accommodated therein. 
       FIG. 3  shows the supporting structure  11  with the two side elements  1 , the upper portions  4  of which are connected to the transverse member  12 . It is also possible to see the two electric drive devices  5  for raising and lowering the two supporting elements  6 . Provided at the inside of the supporting structure  11  are fixing locations  2   a  and  2   b  for the mounting inner carcass, while provided at the outside are fixing locations  13   a  and  13   b  for mounting the outer carcass. The side portions  3  can be connected in the lower region by a strut  14  serving for stability. 
       FIG. 4  shows the supporting structure  11  of  FIG. 3 , to the outside of which the outer carcass  15  has been fastened in a subsequent mounting step. The outer carcass  15  has plate-shaped wall portions  15   a ,  15   b ,  15   c  which were fixed at the outer fastening locations  13   a  and  13   b  diagrammatically shown in  FIG. 3 . It is possible to see a frame-shaped wall holder  14   a , by way of which the supporting structure  11  together with the outer carcass  15  can be fixed to a wall. 
       FIG. 5  shows the supporting structure  11  with the mounted outer carcass  15 , wherein a drive device  16  can be inserted into and fixed in the holding device  9  of the supporting structure  11 . The drive device  16  comprises a spring device (not shown) and/or an electric motor, wherein a vertically movable flap which is still to be fitted in place can be acted upon by the drive device  16 . It is also possible to see switches  17  by which a movement of the downwardly movable inner carcass can be triggered. The two switches  17  are held by a holding device  9   a  on the left-hand and right-hand sides of the supporting structure  11 . The drive device  16  and/or the switches  17  are mounted displaceably in respect of depth within the holding devices  9  and  9   a  with respect to the side portions  3  (so that they can align in the mounted position with the front edge of the carcass) and can be fixed after positioning has been effected. 
       FIG. 6  shows the supporting structure  11  with the mounted drive device  16  for a furniture flap which is movable in respect of height, as well as the fitted switches  17  for triggering a motor-assisted movement of the vertical movable supporting element  6 . A wall  18  is diagrammatically shown, to which the frame-shaped wall holder  14   a  is pre-mounted. It is possible to see the horizontal support limb  8  of the vertically movable supporting element  6 , by which the inner carcass which is still to be mounted in place can be pushed in and fixed by the fastening locations  2   a  and  2   b.    
       FIG. 7  shows the supporting structure  11  fastened to the wall  18 , with the outer carcass  15  pre-mounted thereto, with the plate-shaped wall portions  15   a ,  15   b ,  15   c . In the next mounting step, an inner carcass  19  in cupboard form is pushed on to the support limbs  8  shown in  FIG. 6  and provided at the right and at the left, and is fixed by way of the fastening locations  2   a  and  2   b . The inner carcass  19  is then fixedly connected to the vertically movable supporting elements  6  and can be lowered relative to the outer carcass  15  upon actuation of the switch  17 . 
       FIG. 8  shows the supporting structure  11  with the outer carcass  15  fastened thereto at the outside and the box-shaped inner carcass  19  which is fastened at the inside. In a subsequent mounting step, actuating arms  20  are releasably latched to the two drive devices  16 . The actuating arms  20  serve to move a furniture flap which is movable in respect of height and can be connected to a furniture flap without the use of a tool by way of the fastening devices  20   a , by way of a snap connection, and can also be removed therefrom again without a tool. 
       FIG. 9  shows mounting of the furniture flap  21  which is movable in respect of height and which in the illustrated embodiment includes two flap portions  21   a  and  21   b . The upper flap portion  21   a  is arranged with respect to the carcass by way of a hinge system known in the state of the art. The lower flap portion  21   b  is hingedly connected to the upper flap portion  21   a  and fixed to the fastening devices  20   a  of the actuating arms  20 . 
       FIG. 10  shows the arrangement of the article of furniture  22  with the mounted outer carcass  15 , the mounted inner carcass  19  and the connected furniture flap  21 . The inner carcass  19  can be lowered as desired by the actuation of a switch  17 , in which case the inner carcass  19  can be more easily filled with items to be stowed therein. The illustrated article of furniture  22  can be used in particular as an upper cupboard in kitchens. 
       FIG. 11  shows the article of furniture  22  with the stationary outer carcass  15  and an inner carcass  19  which has been lowered relative thereto. By actuation of a switch  17 , the inner carcass  19  can be moved into the upper end position again, in which case the inner carcass  19  is substantially completely accommodated within the outer carcass  15 . In the illustrated embodiment, the inner carcass  19  is movable in a manner independent of the movement of the furniture flap  21 , but there can also be a motion coupling between the movement of the furniture flap  21  and the movement of the downwardly movable inner carcass  19 . 
       FIG. 12   a  shows a typical installation situation of the article of furniture  22  which can be used in particular as an upper cupboard in kitchens. The article of furniture  22  has the stationary outer carcass  15  with opened furniture flap  21  and the inner carcass  19  in the upper end position.  FIG. 12   b  shows the inner carcass  19  which has been lowered so that the inner carcass  19  has been moved closer to the worktop  23 . In that way the inner carcass  19  can be more easily filled with items to be stowed therein and also facilitates taking stored articles therefrom. 
     The present invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiments, but includes or extends to all variants or technical equivalents which can fall within the scope of the claims appended hereto. The positional references adopted in the description such as for example up, down, lateral, left, right are also related to the usual position of installation of the supporting structure  11  or to the directly described and illustrated Figure and are to be appropriately transferred to the new position upon a change in position.