Abstract:
This museum showcase comprises a bearing frame and fixed and/or openable walls supported by the bearing frame. The bearing frame comprises a platform that includes joints connected to horizontal beams. The fixed and/or openable walls of the showcase are supported only by the joints. The weight of the walls is supported by the joints, whereas the horizontal beams are not subjected to significant stresses. It is thus possible to design the showcase in a particularly simple and therefore quick manner, choosing the lengths of each beam according to the dimensions of the showcase and leaving the support of the weights to just the joints.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application claims priority to Italian Application No. UA2016A002429 filed on Apr. 8, 2016, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
       FIELD 
       [0002]    The present invention concerns a museum showcase, i.e. a showcase intended for being arranged in a display room such as a museum, an exhibition or similar and intended for conserving and displaying items of cultural heritage, such as works of art, historical artefacts and similar, in a protected environment. Hereinafter, sometimes for the sake of brevity just the term showcase will be used, by this in any case still meaning a museum showcase. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Showcases of this type must satisfy various requirements, in relation to the conservation and integrity of the displayed objects. In particular, high security must normally be ensured against possible unauthorised attempts at opening or breaking in, as well as ensuring adequate insulation between the internal and external environment. Moreover, it is suitable for these showcases to have a structure such as to facilitate the production processes. 
         [0004]    For this purpose, showcase manufacturers use metallic materials-typically aluminium and iron-to make support structures, such as a bearing frame and/or a platform of the showcase; the fixed and openable walls of the showcase, typically made of transparent material, are mounted on these structures. Normally, the transparent material used is glass. 
         [0005]    In particular, showcases have been developed with a base having a case formed from the walls mounted on top; the base houses the technical components of the showcase and it is thus normally closed by non-transparent walls, to prevent such components being seen; on the other hand, the walls of the case are totally or largely transparent to allow the displayed objects to be viewed. 
         [0006]    The frame is normally built with beams welded together and then painted. In this way, it is possible to obtain a frame having the necessary solidity to adequately support all of the transparent walls (the weight of which can by very high, in large sized showcases) as well as any other element or accessory of the showcase. 
         [0007]    The Applicant has realised that structures of this type are relatively complex to make. 
         [0008]    The present invention thus sets the problem of facilitating the construction of the showcase. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0009]    Consequently, the present invention concerns a showcase as defined in claim  1 . Preferred characteristics are indicated in the dependent claims. 
         [0010]    In particular, the invention concerns a museum showcase comprising a bearing frame and fixed and/or openable walls supported by the bearing frame, characterised in that the bearing frame comprises a platform that includes joints connected to horizontal beams, in which the fixed and/or openable walls are supported only by the joints. 
         [0011]    In this way, the weight of the walls is supported by the joints, whereas the horizontal beams are not subject to significant stresses. It is thus possible to design the showcase in a particularly simple and therefore quick manner, by selecting the lengths of each beam according to the dimensions of the showcase and leaving the support of the weights to just the joints. Moreover, it is possible to easily define standard sizes for the joints, so as to be able to use the same joints for showcases of even very different sizes, the dimensions of the showcase only requiring the use of horizontal beams of different lengths; this can lead to an oversizing of the joints with respect to the need of any single specific showcase, however the advantages of such standardization certainly outweigh the drawbacks of such possible oversizing. The different lengths of the horizontal beams necessary to make showcases of different sizes do not require particular sizing calculations, except perhaps the choice of the length: indeed, the main weights of the showcase (i.e. the weights of the walls) still remain discharged substantially on only the joints. At most, it may be advantageous to use horizontal beams by selecting a range thereof of differentiated cross sections, since the greater dimensions of a showcase can make it advisable to in any case adopt greater sections for the horizontal beams. 
         [0012]    Moreover, this structure allows quick and easy mounting of the showcase, as well as equally quick and easy dismounting thereof. 
         [0013]    Preferably, the joints comprise corner joints, each connected to two horizontal beams. The presence of the corner joints, each connected to two horizontal beams, ensures the possibility of easily mounting on the joints both the openable walls, by means of hinges or other opening systems, and the fixed walls. 
         [0014]    Preferably, the joints also comprise intermediate joints, arranged in intermediate positions on the horizontal beams. Indeed, the presence of these intermediate joints facilitates the support for horizontal beams of substantial length and also provides a further connection point for possible hinges, in the case in which the showcase has more than one openable wall on the same side. 
         [0015]    Preferably, the platform comprises struts connected to two of the joints. Two joints connected in this way by struts form an assembly having particular solidity. 
         [0016]    Preferably, the bearing frame comprises a ceiling, which includes upper joints connected to upper horizontal beams. The frame equipped with such a ceiling is provided with even greater solidity, which is particularly desirable in showcases of substantial height. 
         [0017]    More preferably, the upper joints comprise upper corner joints, each connected to two horizontal beams. 
         [0018]    More preferably, the upper joints comprise upper intermediate joints, arranged in intermediate positions on the upper horizontal beams. 
         [0019]    These characteristics make it possible to have a substantial correspondence between the platform and the ceiling. 
         [0020]    In order to connect the ceiling to the platform, preferably the museum showcase comprises vertical beams connected to the joints of the platform and to the upper joints of the ceiling. The vertical beams make it possible to discharge onto the platform (in particular onto the joints of the platform) the weight of the ceiling and of all of the possible elements or accessories carried by the ceiling; in this way, the vertical beams are in any case stressed substantially only by compression. 
         [0021]    Preferably, each corner joint of the platform is connected to a respective one of the vertical beams and this vertical beam is connected to a corresponding one of the corner joints of the ceiling. In this way, the bearing frame is formed from joints (which carry substantially the entire weight of the showcase) and beams, including horizontal beams that are not substantially stressed and vertical beams that are stressed only by compression. 
         [0022]    Preferably, each joint comprises a lower shell, an upper shell and connecting tie rods between the lower shell and the upper shell. Indeed, this structure with the two shells and the connecting tie rods makes it possible to adjust the joint in height, thus adapting it to horizontal beams having different sized sections. 
         [0023]    Preferably, the lower shell and the upper shell comprise respective housing seats of the horizontal beams, in which each horizontal beam housed in said housing seats is clamped between said lower and upper shells by means of the tie rods. In this way, the height adjustment of the joint with respect to horizontal beams of different sizes is safe and easy. 
         [0024]    Preferably, each joint comprises a threaded hole in one from the upper shell and the lower shell and a through hole in the other from the upper shell and the lower shell, and the tie rods are inserted in the through holes and in screwing engagement in the threaded holes. 
         [0025]    Preferably, each joint comprises coupling seats provided on faces pointing towards the outside of the showcase. The coupling seats make it possible to couple any element, so that the weight thereof discharges directly onto the joint. 
         [0026]    Preferably, each coupling seat comprises an upper shaped channel formed on the upper shell and a lower shaped channel formed on the lower shell, in which the upper and lower shaped channels are aligned with each other. In this way, the weight of any element coupled with the joint can discharge onto both of the shells thereof. 
         [0027]    Preferably, the showcase comprises a bar inserted into the upper and lower shaped channels of one same coupling seat, wherein in the bar at least one threaded hole is formed. Such a bar allows any element to be coupled quickly and easily with the joint. 
         [0028]    Preferably, the showcase comprises one or more from supports for walls, hinges, clamps or sealing devices, supported by joints by means of the coupling seats. 
         [0029]    In a preferred embodiment, the museum showcase comprises support feet, applied to the joints of the platform, beneath them. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0030]    Further characteristics and advantages of a museum showcase according to the invention will become clearer from the following description of a preferred embodiment thereof, made with reference to the attached drawings. In such drawings: 
           [0031]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a showcase according to an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0032]      FIGS. 2 to 10  show details of the showcase of  FIG. 1 , in partially mounted conditions; in particular: 
           [0033]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a corner joint of the showcase of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0034]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a corner joint of the showcase of  FIG. 1 , in vertical section from inside the showcase; 
           [0035]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of an upper shell of the corner joint of  FIG. 3 , in an enlarged scale; 
           [0036]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a lower shell of the corner joint of  FIG. 3  in an enlarged scale; 
           [0037]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the corner joint of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0038]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the corner joint of  FIG. 6  with an openable wall of the showcase; 
           [0039]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a corner joint of the showcase of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0040]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the corner joint of  FIG. 3 , with two fixed walls of the showcase; 
           [0041]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of an intermediate joint of the showcase of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0042]      FIG. 11  is a view from above of the showcase of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0043]      FIG. 12  is an exploded schematic view of a showcase according to another embodiment of the invention; 
           [0044]      FIGS. 13 and 14  show showcases according to the invention, having a non-parallelepiped shape. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION 
       [0045]    In  FIGS. 1-11 , reference numeral  10  indicates a museum showcase according to the invention. The showcase  10  comprises a bearing frame  11  and fixed and/or openable walls  12 , which are supported by the bearing frame  11  and define a display space S of the showcase. 
         [0046]    In the showcase  10 , the bearing frame  11  comprises a platform  13  which includes corner joints  14  and intermediate joints  15 . The joints  14  and  15  are connected to horizontal beams  16 . The fixed and/or openable walls  12  of the showcase  10  are supported only by the joints  14  and  15 . The corner joints  14  are each connected to two of the horizontal beams  16 ; the intermediate joints  15  are arranged in intermediate positions on some of the horizontal beams  16 . 
         [0047]    The platform  13  can also comprise struts  17 , connected to two of the corner and/or intermediate joints  14 ,  15 , as can be seen in  FIGS. 1 and 9 . 
         [0048]    Each corner joint  14  comprises a lower shell  23 , an upper shell  24  and connecting tie rods  25  between the lower shell  23  and the upper shell  24 , as can be seen in  FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 . Similarly, each intermediate joint  15  comprises a lower shell  26 , an upper shell  27  and connecting tie rods  28  between the lower shell  26  and the upper shell  27 , as can be seen in  FIG. 10 . In detail in  FIG. 4 , it is possible to see the upper shell  24  and in  FIG. 5  it is possible to see the lower shell  23 ; in  FIGS. 2 and 3  it is possible to see tie rods  25 . In  FIG. 10  it is possible to see an intermediate joint  15 , with the connecting tie rods  28  between the lower shell  26  and the upper shell  27 . 
         [0049]    Each corner joint  14  comprises a housing seat  35   a , formed in the lower shell  23 , and a housing seat  35   b , formed in the upper shell  24 . The horizontal beams  16  are housed in the seats  35   a  and  35   b  and are clamped between the lower and upper shells  23  and  24  by means of the tie rods  25 . Similarly, each intermediate joint  15  comprises a housing seat  36   a , formed in the lower shell  26 , and a housing seat  36   b , formed in the upper shell  27 . The horizontal beams  16  are housed in the seats  36   a  and  36   b  and are clamped between the lower and upper shells  26  and  27  by means of the tie rods  28 . 
         [0050]    Each corner joint  14  and intermediate joint  15  comprises threaded holes and through holes. In the corner joint  14 , threaded holes  39  are present in one from the upper shell  24  and the lower shell  23  (in the lower shell  23  in the case of the showcase  10  illustrated); through holes  40  are present in the other from the upper shell  24  and the lower shell  23 . The tie rods  25  are inserted into the through holes  40  and screwed into the threaded holes  39 , as can be seen in  FIG. 2 . In the intermediate joint  15 , threaded holes  41  are present in one from the upper shell  27  and the lower shell  26  (in the lower shell  26  in the case of the showcase  10  illustrated); the through holes  42  are present in the other from the upper shell  27  and the lower shell  26 . The tie rods  28  are inserted in the through holes  42  and screwed into the threaded holes  41 , as can be seen in  FIG. 10 . 
         [0051]    Each corner joint  14  comprises coupling seats  47 , formed on faces pointing towards the outside of the showcase  10 , as can be seen in  FIGS. 2, 3, 7 and 8 . Similarly, each intermediate joint  15  comprises coupling seats  48 , formed on faces pointing towards the outside of the showcase  10 , as can be seen in  FIG. 10 . 
         [0052]    Each coupling seat  47  comprises an upper shaped channel  51   a , formed on the upper shell  24 , and a lower shaped channel  51   b , formed on the lower shell  23 ; the upper and lower shaped channels  51   a  and  51   b  are aligned with each other. Each coupling seat  48  comprises an upper shaped channel  53   a , formed on the upper shell  27 , and a lower shaped channel  53   b , formed on the lower shell  26 ; the upper and lower shaped channels  53   a  and  53   b  are aligned with each other. 
         [0053]    For the attachment (of the walls  12  and of possible other elements or accessories) to the platform  13 , the showcase  10  comprises bars inserted in the coupling seats  47  and  48 . In particular, the showcase  10  illustrated foresees bars  59  inserted in the coupling seats  47  and bars  60  inserted in the coupling seats  48 . 
         [0054]    In the bars  59  and  60  threaded holes  54  are formed, as can be seen in  FIG. 2  and in  FIG. 10 . 
         [0055]    The showcase  10  also comprises supports  63  for fixed walls  12  (see  FIG. 9 ), hinges  64  for mobile walls  12  (see  FIG. 7 ), one or more clamps  65  (see  FIG. 8 ) and sealing devices  66  (see  FIGS. 8 and 10 ). All of these elements are supported by the joints  14  and  15  described above, by means of the coupling seats  47  and  48 ; of course, the showcase  10  can also comprise other elements and accessories as well as those shown, all supported by the joints  14 ,  15  by means of the coupling seats  47 ,  48 . 
         [0056]    Finally, as can be seen in  FIGS. 1 and 3 , the showcase  10  comprises feet  67 , applied to the joints of the platform, both to the corner joints  14  and to the intermediate joints  15 , beneath them. 
         [0057]      FIG. 12  shows a showcase  110  according to another embodiment of the invention. The showcase  110  essentially has all of the characteristics of the showcase  10  just described; therefore, the characteristics of the showcase  110  common to the showcase  10  are not described here in detail and in  FIG. 12  they are simply indicated with the same reference numerals as the showcase  10 . 
         [0058]    In particular, the showcase  110  is provided with a platform  13 , exactly like the showcase  10 . 
         [0059]    Differently from the showcase  10 , the showcase  110  is provided with a ceiling  118 , structured in an analogous manner to the platform  13 . The ceiling  118  thus includes upper corner joints  119  and upper intermediate joints  120  connected to upper horizontal beams  121 . The upper corner joints  119  are each connected to two upper horizontal beams  121  and the upper intermediate joints  120  are arranged in intermediate positions on the upper horizontal beams  121 . The showcase  110  can also comprise vertical beams (not shown in  FIG. 12 ), connected to the corner and intermediate joints  14  and  15  of the platform  13 , and to the upper corner and intermediate joints  119  and  120  of the ceiling  118 . 
         [0060]    Similarly to what is outlined for the platform  13 , each upper corner joint  119  comprises a lower shell  129 , an upper shell  130  and connecting tie rods  131  between the lower shell  126  and the upper shell  127 . Similarly, each upper intermediate joint  120  comprises a lower shell  132 , an upper shell  133  and connecting tie rods  134  between the lower shell  132  and the upper shell  133 . 
         [0061]    Similarly to what is outlined for the platform  13 , each upper corner joint  119  comprises a housing seat  136   a , formed in the lower shell  129 , and a housing seat  136   b , formed in the upper shell  130 . The upper horizontal beams  121  are housed in the seats  136   a  and  136   b  and are clamped between the lower and upper shells  129  and  130  by means of the tie rods  131 . Each upper intermediate joint  120  comprises a housing seat  137   a , formed in the lower shell  132 , and a housing seat  137   b , formed in the upper shell  133 . The upper horizontal beams  121  are housed in the seats  137   a  and  137   b  and are clamped between the lower and upper shells  132  and  133  by means of the tie rods  134 . 
         [0062]    Similarly to what is outlined for the platform  13 , in the upper corner joint  119 , there are threaded holes in one from the upper shell  130  and the lower shell  129  and through holes in the other from the upper shell  130  and the lower shell  129 ; these holes (totally analogous to the holes  39  and  40  of the corner joints  14 ) are not highlighted in  FIG. 12 . The tie rods  131  are inserted in the through holes and screwed into the threaded holes. In the intermediate upper joint  120  there are threaded holes in one from the upper shell  133  and the lower shell  132  and through holes in the other from the upper shell  133  and the lower shell  132 ; these holes (totally analogous to the holes  41  and  42  of the intermediate joints  15 ) are not highlighted in  FIG. 12 . The tie rods  134  are inserted in the through holes and screwed into the threaded holes. The tie rods  134  are inserted in the through holes and screwed into the threaded holes. 
         [0063]    Each upper corner joint  119  comprises coupling seats analogous to the coupling seats  47  (not visible in  FIG. 12 ), formed on faces pointing towards the outside of the showcase  110 . Similarly, each upper intermediate joint  120  comprises coupling seats analogous to the coupling seats  48  (not visible in  FIG. 12 ), formed on faces pointing towards the outside of the showcase  10 . 
         [0064]    The showcase  110  can comprise vertical beams connected to the joints  14 ,  15  of the platform  13  and to the upper joints  119 ,  120  of the ceiling  118 . Each corner joint  14  of the platform  13  is connected to a respective one of the vertical beams and this same vertical beam is connected to a corresponding one of the upper corner joints  119  of the ceiling  118 ; other vertical beams can be connected to the intermediate joints  15  of the platform  13  and to the intermediate joints  120  of the ceiling  118 . 
         [0065]    As stated, the present invention makes it possible to design and make museum showcases in a particularly quick and simple manner. This is true for showcases of any shape and size, not only for parallelepiped shaped showcases like the showcase  10 . In the case of different shapes, like in the case of the showcases  210  of  FIGS. 13 and 310  of  FIG. 14 , it is nevertheless possible to make frames with a shape that approximates the shape of the showcase, using for the support of the walls, depending on the shape thereof, supports of a specific shape or extensions in shaped sheet metal that join the frame (or the frames) to the curvilinear walls of the showcase. It is also possible to combine the frames with each other, so as to make compositions of adjacent showcases. The advantages of the invention remain clearly unchanged.