Abstract:
The present invention relates to a wheel construction, particularly for furniture and furnishing pieces and trolleys, comprising a box-like body including two half-shells which can be coupled to one another and defining a cylindric hub, rotatably supporting an annular band defining the wheel sliding surface.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to a wheel construction, particularly for furniture and furnishing pieces and trolleys and the like. 
         [0002]    As is known, wheels conventionally used for furniture and furnishing pieces, trolleys and the like, generally comprise a pivot pin operating as a rotary seat for a wheel which has a wheel configuration depending on the user requirements. 
         [0003]    In this construction, the assembling of the wheel is a comparatively complex operation, since the shaft has a small size and, accordingly, it is necessary to adopt further structural auxiliary means for properly supporting the wheel. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    Accordingly, the aim of the present invention is to solve the above mentioned problem, by providing a wheel construction, specifically designed for furniture and furnishing pieces, trolleys and the like, allowing to include therein a comparatively large size hub, while providing a very compact wheel construction, thereby facilitating the assembling of said wheel even in a non exposed to the view assembling application. 
         [0005]    Within the scope of the above mentioned aim, a main object of the invention is to provide such a wheel construction which can be easily and quickly assembled, without requiring special surface machining operations. 
         [0006]    Another object of the present invention is to provide such a wheel construction which, owing to its specifically designed structural features, is very reliable and safe in operation. 
         [0007]    Yet another object of the present invention is to provide such a wheel construction for furniture and furnishing pieces, trolleys and the like, which can be easily made starting from easily available elements and materials and which, moreover, is very competitive from a mere economic standpoint. 
         [0008]    According to one aspect of the present invention, the above mentioned aim and objects, as well as yet other objects, which will become more apparent hereinafter, are achieved by a wheel construction for furniture and furnishing pieces, trolleys and the like, characterized in that said wheel construction comprises a box-like body including two half-shells adapted to be coupled to one another and defining a cylindric hub rotatably supporting an annular band providing a wheel sliding surface. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]    Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent hereinafter from the following detailed disclosure of a preferred, though not exclusive, embodiment of a wheel construction specifically designed for furniture and furnishing pieces, trolleys and the like, which is illustrated, by way of an indicative, but not limitative example, in the accompanying drawings, where: 
           [0010]      FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view showing the wheel construction according to the present invention; 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  shows the wheel construction according to the invention with the two half-shells thereof shown in an exploded form; 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is a further perspective view showing the wheel construction in an assembled condition thereof; 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is a further perspective view showing the inventive wheel construction in a braking position thereof; 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  is a front view showing the wheel construction in an operating condition thereof; 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view, taken along a plane perpendicularly to the wheel construction rotary axis, showing said wheel construction in an operating condition thereof; 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  is a front view showing the inventive wheel construction in a braking condition thereof; 
           [0017]      FIG. 8  is yet another cross-sectional view, taken along a plane perpendicularly to the wheel axis, showing the wheel construction in a braking condition thereof; and 
           [0018]      FIG. 9  shows the wheel construction in an open condition thereof, to clearly illustrate the structure of the two half-shells forming the box-like construction of the wheel. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0019]    With reference to the number references of the above mentioned figures, the wheel construction, specifically designed for furniture and furnishing pieces, trolleys, and the like; which has been generally indicated by the reference number  1 , comprises a box-like body  2  consisting of two body half-shells and, more specifically, a first male half-shell  2   a  including projecting pegs  30 , and a second half-shell  2   b  including corresponding seats or recesses for housing said projecting pegs  30 , which respectively define a first half-hub  3  and a second half-hub  4 . 
         [0020]    The latter are arranged in a mutual alignment relationship, thereby providing a hub assembly thereon can be rotatably supported an annular band  10 , providing the wheel construction sliding element. 
         [0021]    The projecting pegs or pins  30 , in turn, are adapted to engage, as the wheel construction is assembled, in the corresponding seats or recesses  31 , thereby firmly coupling the two male  2   a  and female  2   b  half-shells. 
         [0022]    The pegs  30  have a slightly conical configuration and, as they are engaged in their housing recesses  31 , provide, because of a clamping mechanical action of two like materials, a firm locking of said male  2   a  and female  2   b  half-shells. 
         [0023]    Thus, the wheel construction  1  can be assembled in a much more quick and easy manner than a prior wheel construction. 
         [0024]    In addition, the wheel assembling does not require to use assembling screws or specifically designed tools. 
         [0025]    In this connection it should be pointed out that the male half-shell  2   a  further comprises projecting elements  33 , having any desired suitable configurations, operating as abutment elements adapted to slide, and engage, in turn, on contoured projecting elements  34  thereby further stabilizing the two male  2   a  and female  2   b  half-shells. 
         [0026]    More specifically, said contoured projecting elements  33  and  34  comprise respective holes  35  for engaging therein corresponding clamping screws, for clamping the wheel construction to the furniture piece (not shown). 
         [0027]    Said clamping screws, moreover, provide a further locking element for properly locking the two half-shells  2   a  and  2   b.    
         [0028]    As shown, between the hub formed by said half-hubs  3  and  4  and said annular band  10 , an anti-friction ring  11 , facilitating the rotary sliding of the annular band, is arranged. 
         [0029]    Moreover, the wheel construction further comprises braking means, formed by a braking element, generally indicated by the reference number  20 , which is rotatably supported by a small peg  21  defined by one of said half-shells, for example the half-shell  2   b , and including an operating lever  23  projecting from a slot  24  formed on the other of said half-shells. 
         [0030]    As shown, the braking element comprises a cam portion  25  and an indicating band  26  which is advantageously colored in red and can be seen from the slot  24 . 
         [0031]    As shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , in a regular operation condition, the braking element  20  is arranged with its lever  23  located at the slot  24  and with the cam portion  25  being spaced from the wheel surface. 
         [0032]    To brake the wheel, it is sufficient to rotatively drive the lever  23  to bring the cam element  25  to interfere against the wheel, while uncovering the slot  24 , to show the red color of the band element  26 , indicating the braked condition of the wheel. 
         [0033]    The braking element  20  further comprises a built-in lamellar steel spring  36  operating to lock the wheel as the lever  23  brings the cam element  25  to interfere against the wheel. 
         [0034]    From the above disclosure it should be apparent that the invention fully achieves the intended aim and objects. 
         [0035]    In fact, the invention has provided a wheel construction which is structurally very compact, while comprising a large size hub, allowing to better distribute the operating forces, and allowing moreover the wheel to optimally slide, owing to the provision of the anti-friction ring element arranged between the annular band and the wheel hub. 
         [0036]    In practicing the invention, the used materials, provided that they are compatible to the intended application, as well as the contingent size and shapes, can be any, depending on requirements.