Patent Publication Number: US-2020275782-A1

Title: Multifunctional seating system

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a U.S. National Phase filing of PCT International Patent Application No. PCT/IB2018/000654, having an international filing date of Jun. 22, 2018, which claims priority to Italian Patent Application No. 102017000072669, filed Sep. 14, 2017 each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention finds application in the field of customizable furnishings. 
     In particular, it refers to a modular system for the composition of seats of different configuration, shape and use. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     As is known, in the setting up of customized furnishings, such as interior furnishings, exhibition stands, offices, co-working areas, public premises, etc., a fundamental element is constituted by the creation of seats suitable for different uses. 
     The main problem is constituted by the geometric constraints of the type of furniture, which requires spatial adaptations in the realization of various combinations of seats (armchairs, tables, sofas, etc.) and their placement within the spaces to be furnished. 
     The topicality of the State of the Art sees the use of different types of modular seating; these are synthetically defined as padded blocks, of pre-established measures, which can be put together in predetermined ways. In some cases, the current systems provide for anchoring means to consolidate the composition of elements that are juxtaposed to each other. 
     The versatility is therefore currently limited, and the final achievements are expensive or not very stable. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The aim of the present invention is to define a modular seating system, which allows to accurately adapt the seats to the spaces to be furnished. Another purpose is to define a system as above, which allows to be assembled with ease, that is, without using expert technical personnel. 
     Another purpose is to define a system as above, which allows to be assembled on site, reducing the dimensions during transport. Another purpose is to define a system as above, which allows it to be positioned also in outdoor environments, or directly exposed to atmospheric agents. 
     Another purpose is to define a system as above, which allows to create seats of different softness. 
     Another purpose is to define a system as above, which can be implemented and offered for sale at low costs. 
     These and other objects will appear as achieved by reading the following detailed description, illustrating a multifunctional seating system. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention is also illustrated purely by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying figures, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  shows a side view of an exemplary seating made according to the present invention, with partially sectioned backrest and support foot rear. 
         FIG. 2  shows three different measures of soft elements and the structural elements in a single overall axonometric view. 
         FIG. 3  shows a detail of the intersection between cross-shaped elements and crossbars, where the crossbars appear in longitudinal section. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     With reference to the aforementioned figures, a seat  1  of an exemplary sofa configuration consists of a structural platform  2  on which a plurality of soft puff  3  is housed. The platform  2  is made up of a combination of crossbars  4  and cruises  5 , and can be distanced from the ground by means of feet  6 . The crossbars  4  are preferably produced with aluminum alloy extrusions having a profile conjugated with ends  7  of the cruises  5 . The ends  7  are also provided with reliefs  7   a  for their elastic engagement within corresponding holes  4   a  provided in the crossbars  4 . 
     Each crosspiece  5  is shaped so as to fit in close conjugation with a female cross-shaped bottoms  8  integral with the soft puff  3 . 
     The platform  2  is therefore formed according to free measurements flanked by an appropriate number of crossbars  4  joined together by means of cruises  5 . Above the platform  2  a plurality of cruciform supports ( 5 ) will thus be obtained, on which an equal number of finishing elements, for example soft blades  3 , is fitted by means of their female cross-shaped bottoms  8 . 
     The soft blades  3  are preferably made by injection molding of expansive rubber-like polymer mixes, able to give the desired degree of softness according to the type of seat. In the case of external realizations, the foams used must have a closed cell structure, i.e. without absorbing power. 
     The constructive geometry of the soft blades  3  is preferably of a parallelepiped type, in order to reduce the spaces between them when side by side. It is likewise possible to make soft blades  3   a  intended to rest on two or more crosses  5 , in order to produce small overhangs or particular shapes. 
     In addition to the soft blades  3 , the present invention provides for the possibility of accompanying the seat with different additional special elements, including support surfaces, backs, partitions, objects, arm rests, etc. 
     Soft blades  3  may also be made in composite mode, i.e. with advanced molding techniques with two or more different mix densities. The hardness of the base  8  is in fact decisive in conferring rigidity to the finished combination, i.e. solidity between the soft blades  3  or the special elements ( 9 ) and the bottoms  8 . The bottoms  8  may be functionally replaced by monolithic blocks  10  to be glued to the soft blades  3 . Likewise, the aesthetics of the lower part of the soft blades  3  can be harmonized by applying, again for general gluing, a molding casing  11  shaped in conjugation to the bottom  8 . 
     The presence of the monolithic blocks  10 , forming part of the present illustrative example, constitutes the solution which allows the maximum structural strength of the finished seat. 
     In order to avoid incidental unthreading of the bottoms  8  or of the monolithic blocks  10  from the cruises  5 , it is envisaged to provide elastic tabs  12  provided with teeth  12   a  with a harrowing undercut profile; the teeth  12   a  are designed to embrace the crossbars  4  and to latch onto them thus preventing accidental removal of the soft blades  3 . 
     Another equivalent solution, always suitable as the previous one to any circumstances that require an irreversible assembly, such as urban furnishings subject to public degradation, is to adopt bonding glues of suitable tenacity. 
     On the other hand, if the furnishings and seats are susceptible to subsequent modifications or partial removal of one or more soft blades  3  or other additional elements ( 9 ), the present invention envisages conforming the tabs  12  so as to provide a release grip  12   b  consisting of an extension of the tab  12  reachable manually. 
     The joints between the cruises  5  through their ends  7  and the crossbars  4  can be partially released by conferring one or two degrees of freedom to the zenith rotation (upward or downward rotation or both) in order to make platforms  2  able to flex slightly in concavity or convexity so as to satisfy particular aesthetic or ergonomic needs. If the special elements  9  have a considerable height such as, for example, the necessary height to form backrests ( 3   a ,  FIG. 1 ), they may be implemented with reinforcing bars  13  embedded in said elements  9 . 
     The cruises  5  also have a central hole  14  for receiving pins  15 , possibly threaded, to support the feet  6 . 
     The system of the present disclosure makes it possible to realize any complementary element  9 , such as holders, arm rests, elements with orthopedic purposes, etc., keeping the lower functional part  5 ,  8 ,  10  constant of said element.