EP1275812A1 - Cupboard with a deformable, slidable mounted, curtain - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a storage cabinet, of the type comprising at least one deformable closing curtain (20) sliding in two superimposed slides (25) arranged respectively in the upper and lower part of the cabinet. According to the invention, each slide (25) has a notch (26) opening onto the front face of the cabinet, these two notches (26) being arranged vertically to one another and being dimensioned to allow the establishment of the deformable curtain (20) from the front of the cabinet during the initial assembly of said cabinet. <IMAGE>

Description

The present invention relates to a cabinet storage, of the type comprising at least one closing curtain deformable sliding in two overlapping slides arranged respectively at the top and bottom of the cabinet.

The term "deformable curtain" currently used must be understood in its widest sense, including naturally hinged or slatted curtains, but also all types of soft or flexible curtains, able to deform so that their profile follows a curve particular while having sufficient stiffness so that their top and bottom edges follow the paths of associated sliding defined by the superimposed slides.

Cabinets of this type have been used since very long in offices and factories for the storage of documents or spare parts or other (see for example GB-A-877 222). The front of the cabinet is then closed by a sliding curtain single for the entire front panel, or alternatively by two complementary sliding curtains able to conceal, in the closed position, each a half of the front of the cabinet. The curtain (s) are guided at their upper and lower ends passing through slides with a profile adequate. Each of the slides extends in a plane horizontal, and has a profile comprising a section straight for the front face part, and a section curved at the left and right side parts of the cabinet for clearing the curtain in position opening. In general, it is intended for the or each curtain an internal lining wall extending in parallel to the side walls of the cabinet, so as to form a box receiving the retracted part of the curtain in at least partially open position thereof.

During the initial assembly of the storage cabinets of the aforementioned type, it is necessary to set up the single curtain or two complementary curtains. This installation takes place after assembly of all the structure of the cabinet with its vertical panels and horizontal.

A first technique sometimes used consists to disassemble the screwed bottom of the cabinet if said bottom is already mounted, to access the rear of each slides, so as to mount the deformable curtain or curtains from the back of the cabinet. In this case, a times the or each curtain inserted in its slides, the bottom is mounted and screwed in the rear part of the cabinet, which is then ready for use.

Another technique commonly used now, which avoids having to dismantle the bottom of the cabinet, consists of presenting a louvered curtain from the front by deforming the curtain like a deformable parallelogram so that the normally vertical end edges of the curtain become oblique. In this case, well of course, we manage to artificially reduce the height of the leaf curtain, which allows insertion above and below the two overlapping slides corresponding. Once this position is reached, we straighten the leaf curtain to bring its edges in a vertical direction, the overall height becoming normal again, and the lower and upper edges of each curtain then being received in the corresponding slides.

However, such a bias mounting presents several disadvantages.

First of all, the need to have to tilt in bias each of the blades constituting the hinged curtain prohibits the use of stiffening strips between adjacent boards. In addition, the establishment, which requires several operators, remains delicate to ensure the correct positioning of the curtain during assembly, and in practice it is frequent to note the presence breaks at the upper and / or lower ends of the curtain when operators had to force to do retract the curtain in its slides. Another downside is that the or each curtain has usually a terminal blade which includes a handle, and often also a locking member of the type lock. The tendency is then to make a particular blade integrating the mechanisms concerned, this blade being generally made of aluminum or other metal, that is to say that said handle blade is not foldable. It is therefore easy to understand that the use of a such blade-handle of rigid structure is hardly compatible with bias mounting from the front of the cabinet.

The invention aims to design a cabinet storage cabinet whose structure avoids the disadvantages and limitations which have just been recalled traditional structures.

The object of the invention is in particular to achieve a storage cabinet whose structure allows placement of a single deformable curtain or two additional deformable curtains, from the front of the cabinet, this installation must be both easy and fast.

The invention also aims to achieve a storage cabinet with compatible structure with storage of the dismantled components, with a view to kit marketing.

This problem is solved in accordance with the invention thanks to a storage cabinet of the type comprising at minus a deformable curtain of sliding closure in two superimposed slides arranged respectively in upper and lower part of the cabinet, each slide comprising a notch opening onto the front of the cabinet, these two notches being arranged vertically from each other and being sized to allow the installation of the deformable curtain from the front of the cabinet during the initial assembly of said cabinet.

Thanks to these notches, it becomes possible to quickly and easily set up the or each deformable curtain from the front of the cabinet without risk of deterioration of the upper and lower ends of curtains. In addition, in the particular case of deformable curtains with vertical blades, as avoiding setting place on the bias of the curtain (s), we can provide stiffening strips between adjacent boards. Finally, there are of course no contraindications for using a handle blade made of rigid material.

When it is a storage cabinet from type with two complementary deformable curtains two respective edges of which come into contact with one of the other in the closed position of the curtain, it will be advantageous to provide that each slide has a single through-cut notch common to the upper slides, respectively lower, allowing the setting placing one after the other of the two deformable curtains from the front of the cabinet.

As a variant, one could naturally provide a double notch associated with each curtain, both for upper runners than lower runners.

Preferably, the two through notches superimposed are centered on either side of a plane vertical symmetry of the cabinet perpendicular to the bottom of said cabinet.

It will also be interesting to predict that the upper slide (s), respectively lower, are part of a top unit panel, respectively lower, closing the cabinet, each panel also having means for inserting the faces side and bottom of said cabinet, as well as means for fixing an inner cover plate, all of which can be supplied as a kit.

Given the complexity of the structure of each of the aforementioned panels, it will be interesting to use an embodiment in plastic material, by example in polystyrene, each panel then being obtained by injection molding.

In accordance with a particularly embodiment advantageous, each notch is equipped with a clip of corresponding dimensioning, intended for be installed after the installation of the curtain (s) deformable, each clip being additionally provided a stop against which the free edge abuts respective deformable curtain corresponding in position closing.

Each closing clip then ensures a double function, which is not only the primary function of closing of the notch to avoid letting appear a dangerous angular edge, but also a function stop marking the closed position of or each closing curtain.

In the case of a cabinet with two curtains additional deformable, it will be advantageous to plan that each clip has a double central stop.

More preferably, each clip is provided with latching means cooperating with associated notches arranged in the wing of the slides which is behind of the wing in which the notch is practiced associated. Such a method of attachment allows in particular disassembly of the clip if you want to replace it with another clip or in case of dismantling of the cabinet and / or replacement of a deformable curtain.

Advantageously still, each clip presents emerging vertical notches intended to overlap transverse stiffeners formed at the bottom of slide in the corresponding notch area. We is thus ensured of a perfect positioning of each clip, which positioning is not affected in any way case of vigorous handling of the curtain during closing of it, with a percussion on the corresponding stops.

Preferably finally, each clip is provided with a front facet, whose contour is complementary to that of the notch and having a peripheral rebate. In particular, it will be advantageous to provide that the front side of at least one of the clips is provided a marking, in particular a screen-printed marking.

• la figure 1 illustre en perspective une armoire de rangement conforme à l'invention, ici du type comportant deux rideaux déformables complémentaires du type à lames verticales,
• la figure 2 est une vue de détail montrant, à plus grande échelle, la zone de l'échancrure des glissières inférieures de l'armoire de la figure 1,
• les figures 3 à 5 sont des vues de dessus schématiques, en coupe, illustrant la mise en place d'un rideau par l'avant de l'armoire, respectivement pour un rideau déformable unique par l'échancrure unique associée, pour deux rideaux déformables complémentaires par l'échancrure unique associée, et pour deux rideaux déformables complémentaires par deux échancrures associées,
• la figure 6 est une vue en perspective illustrant la face interne d'un panneau intégrant les glissières associées aux deux rideaux déformables, cette structure convenant aussi bien pour le panneau supérieur que pour le panneau inférieur,
• la figure 7 est une vue partielle en perspective correspondant à celle de la figure 2, illustrant le cas avantageux de l'utilisation d'un clip de fermeture associé à chaque échancrure des glissières,
• la figure 8 est une vue en perspective du clip précité, du côté arrière de celui-ci,
• la figure 9 est une vue correspondant à celle de la figure 7 après mise en place du clip dans l'échancrure associée.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly in the light of the description which follows and of the appended drawings, concerning a particular embodiment, with reference to the figures where:

• FIG. 1 illustrates in perspective a storage cabinet in accordance with the invention, here of the type comprising two complementary deformable curtains of the type with vertical blades,
• FIG. 2 is a detail view showing, on a larger scale, the area of the notch of the lower slides of the cabinet of FIG. 1,
• Figures 3 to 5 are schematic top views, in section, illustrating the installation of a curtain from the front of the cabinet, respectively for a single deformable curtain by the associated single notch, for two deformable curtains complementary by the associated single notch, and for two complementary deformable curtains by two associated notches,
• FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating the internal face of a panel integrating the slides associated with the two deformable curtains, this structure being suitable for both the upper panel and the lower panel,
• FIG. 7 is a partial perspective view corresponding to that of FIG. 2, illustrating the advantageous case of the use of a closure clip associated with each notch of the slides,
• FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the aforementioned clip, from the rear side thereof,
• Figure 9 is a view corresponding to that of Figure 7 after placement of the clip in the associated notch.

In Figure 1, there is a storage cabinet whose general structure is classic, apart the presence of a front notch for the upper and lower slides. We distinguish thus a cabinet denoted 10, having a lower panel 11 and an upper panel 12 corresponding to the bottom and at the top of the cabinet, a bottom panel 13, and two side panels 14, 15, panels 11 and 12 being essentially horizontal and the panels 13 to 15 being essentially vertical. The storage cabinet 10 comprises also a lower inner cover plate 17 which is fixed by screw means 18 in engagement with homologous organs associated with the bottom panel lower 11.

A storage cabinet 10 of the type has been illustrated. comprising two deformable closing curtains 20, here of the vertical strip type, of which two respective edges 20.1 come into contact with each other in the position of closing said curtains. In Figure 1, the position illustrated corresponds to a partial opening of each two curtains 20. Conventionally, it is provided, at vicinity of each side panel of the cabinet 14, 15, a doubling panel 19 delimiting with the side panel adjacent a box in which the part moves rear of each curtain deformable when sliding of it in the opening direction, for its erasure integrated into the general structure of the cabinet. This avoids any risk of catching the internal parts of the curtain when opening it with the objects contained in the cabinet.

It goes without saying of course that the invention is not in no way limited to this type of cabinet and that it may as well be question of a deformable curtain cabinet single closure.

In addition, as indicated above, the invention is in no way limited to an arrangement associated with one or more curtains with parallel slats, as currently illustrated in the figures, but includes any type of arrangement associated with a deformable curtain soft or flexible whose structure allows scrolling between two superimposed slides. In the rest of the description, only deformable curtains will be discussed with parallel blades.

Each curtain 20 has a respective edge 20.1 which can be constituted by a metal blade, by aluminum example, in which a mechanism is integrated closing: here we have illustrated schematically closing and locking members denoted 21, 22. It will be understood that in the closed position of the curtains, the two blades corresponding to the two end edges 20.1 are in contact with each other, thus ensuring the perfect closing of the front face of the cabinet 10.

As an indication, a cabinet of the type illustrated in Figure 1 may have a front face of one meter 1.38 m wide and 0.4 m deep. The components will advantageously be made in terms of plastic, for example made of polystyrene. The two curtains deformable with vertical blades 20 are guided by their upper and lower ends in overlapping slides associated which are noted 25. These overlapping slides 25 are arranged respectively in the upper and lower parts of the cabinet 10.

In accordance with an essential characteristic of the invention, each slide 25 has a notch 26 opening onto the front of the cabinet, these two notches 26 being arranged directly above each other and being sized to allow the installation of the deformable curtain 20 from the front of the cabinet when initial assembly of said cabinet.

The partial views of Figures 3 to 5 allow to understand the mode of insertion of the or each curtain 20 thanks to the presence of superimposed notches 26 practiced in the upper and lower slides 25.

In each of these figures, we recognize a slide 25, which can be a single or a double lower slide, with its central guide rail 28 and its transverse stiffeners 29. Each slide 25 has thus a general U-shaped structure, at the bottom of which is the central rail 28 which extends parallel on the wings of the slide, the stiffeners 29 ensuring sufficient rigidity of the wings of the slide 25 despite the efforts that could be transmitted to these wings during opening operations or closing curtains. These components are better visible in the partial view of Figure 2 where we distinguish part of the double slide 25, with its notch here unique 26, its central rail 28 and its stiffeners 29. There is also a part of the plaque cover 17 with its screw fixing means 18. The inner wing of the slide 25 has at in addition to a vertical groove 30 and two through notches 31 arranged on either side of this groove. He will return later to the function performed by this groove 30 and these notches 31.

In Figure 3, we illustrated the implementation a curtain 20, by the front of the cabinet, made possible thanks to the progressive insertion of the blades through the openings access formed by superimposed notches 26 of the upper and lower slides 25. The arrow 100 indicates the progressive installation of the curtain in its slide. Once the terminal blade 20.1 has been turn inserted in the slide, the curtain 20 is in place and can slide between its closed positions and opening.

In Figure 4, we illustrated the implementation a second additional curtain, after the installation preliminary place of the first curtain. Again, the arrow 100 symbolizes the insertion of the second curtain 20, here passing through the same notch 26 as that which served for the installation of the first curtain 20.

As illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the upper and lower slides 25 have a single notch 26, which is essentially centered of on either side of a vertical vertical plane denoted P of the cabinet (see figure 1). Thus, each slide 25 has a through opening 26 common to the slides respectively lower, allowing the placing one of the two leaf curtains one after the other 20 through the front of the cabinet.

Alternatively, as illustrated in the figure 5, it will naturally be possible to provide two 26 separate notches for the same double slide 25, in which case each individual notch 26 serves to the establishment of an associated curtain 20. Such a variant is less interesting in practice, insofar as it complicates the production of the slides.

In the case, not illustrated here, of a cabinet comprising a single closing curtain, the terminal blade comprising the curtain lock mechanism is then, in the closed position of the curtain, adjacent to one of the vertical uprights on the front of the cabinet. We can then provide an offset positioning of the two superimposed notches 26 used for the establishment of this unique curtain. Indeed, if we kept the position central superimposed notches 26, this would imply to have a longer slide for the part curtain erase back.

Figure 6 makes it easier to distinguish the structure internal of a single panel constituting either the bottom lower 11 is the upper roof 12 of the cabinet.

We recognize on this panel the presence of a double slide 25 ending at the notch common 26. The double slide 25 ends, towards the back of the cabinet, by a curved guide path corresponding to the erasure of the rear part of the curtain, in the open position thereof. The double slide 25 is here an integral part of the panel, which can be made by plastic molding, for example in polystyrene. It was also planned that the panel 11 or 12 has insertion means 30 on the other three sides, for the placement of the two side and bottom sides of the cabinet. We finally recognize the presence of fixing means 18 ', here constituted by blind holes at the junction of ribs of stiffening of the panel, for screwing the screws 18 used fixing the inner cover plate inside the cabinet.

We will have understood that with such a structure mode, all components can be delivered as a kit and be easily assembled by the user. Of course, the operator can set up easily and very quickly, the or each curtain of the cabinet after mounting the supporting structure of the cabinet, thanks to the presence of the aforementioned superimposed notches.

We will now describe, with reference to the figures 7 to 9, a particular embodiment in which we use a closing clip associated with each notch 26 of slides 25.

It can be seen in FIG. 7 that the notch 26 is fitted with a sizing clip 50 corresponding, intended to be installed after installation in place of the leaf curtain (s) 20, each clip 50 being further provided with a stop 54 against which abuts the respective free edge 20.1 of the leaf curtain 20 corresponding in the closed position thereof. In this case, as we use a common notch 26 for the two curtains 20, the closing clip 50 has a double central stop 54. If we decided to do without such closing clips, it would naturally provide a stop integral with the slide corresponding, for example a stiffener 29 extended by moving away from the bottom of the slide.

The clip 50 is provided with a front facet 51 of which the contour is complementary to that of the notch 26 and having a peripheral rebate 52 arranged to that the front face of said facet 51 is coplanar with the front face of the corresponding slide 25. This provision in a single plan is clear of the illustration which is given in figure 9. The face front of the front facet 51 of the clip 50 may further be provided with a marking, in particular a marking screen printed, as illustrated here by the letters A, B, C. This allows you to allocate a particular reference to the cabinet, which can be changed by replacing with another clip 50 as soon as the means of positioning said clip are arranged to allow disassembly of this one.

As is best seen in Figure 8, the clip 50 has a horizontal facet 53, on the and other of the double stop 54 which, when the clip 50 is mounted in place, completes the upper edge of the central rail 28, preferably being arranged at a level slightly lower than that of said upper edge. So when one or the other of the curtains 20 comes in closed position, the free edge of it comes abut against the stop 54, and its last blade 20.1 rests on the associated part of the support facet 53.

In the lower part of the clip, we see the presence, on either side of a vertical central fin 58, two pairs of vertical fins 57. Between each fin 57 of the same pair, is arranged a leg U-shaped latching 55, the free edge of which rear projection 56 forms a latching lug cooperating with an associated notch 31 formed in the wing of the slides 25 which is behind the wing in which the associated notch is practiced 26.

On either side of each snap tab 55 is provided an intermediate space with the vertical wing 57 adjacent, so that we have four intermediate spaces intended to each receive a stiffener 29 associated with the positioning of the clip 50. Similarly, the central fin 58 is received in an associated groove 30, which has an L shape with a vertical branch visible in Figures 7 and 9, arranged in the rear wing of the slide 25, and a branch horizontal not visible in the figures arranged in the background of slide. These arrangements form a shaped assembly comb which ensures a perfectly stable positioning of the closing clip 50 once this has been put in regardless of the efforts exerted by the terminal blade 20.1 of a curtain 20 tapping against the central stop 54.

It will be understood that the click system with lugs 56 allows perfect positioning of stop 54 and secure locking to prevent the deformable curtain or curtains to come out of their slides. This system also allows disassembly of the clip in view of a replacement by another clip, either in case of defective clip, either to use a different marking reference on the front of said clip.

We thus managed to make a storage whose structure allows mounting by the front, both quick and simple, of the curtain (s) sliding blades, without having to tilt said blades, and without risk of damaging the ends thereof.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments which has just been described, but on the contrary includes any variant using, with equivalent means, the essential characteristics set out above.

Claims (10)

Storage cabinet, of the type comprising at least one deformable closing curtain (20) sliding in two superimposed slides (25) arranged respectively in the upper and lower part of the cabinet, characterized in that each slide (25) has a notch ( 26) opening onto the front face of the cabinet, these two notches (26) being arranged directly above each other and being dimensioned to allow the deformable curtain (20) to be put in place from the front of the cabinet during the initial assembly of said cabinet. Storage cabinet according to claim 1, of the type comprising two complementary deformable curtains (20) of which two respective edges (20.1) come into contact with one another in the closed position of said curtains, characterized in that each slide (25 ) has a single through notch (26) common to the upper and lower rails respectively, allowing the positioning, one after the other, of the two deformable curtains (20) from the front of the cabinet. Storage cabinet according to claim 2, characterized in that the two superimposed through notches (26) are centered on either side of a vertical plane of symmetry (P) of the cabinet perpendicular to the bottom (13) of said wardrobe. Storage cabinet according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the upper or lower rails (25) respectively are part of an upper unit panel (12), respectively lower (11), closing the cabinet, each panel also having means for inserting (30; 31) the side faces and the bottom of said cabinet, as well as means (18 ') for fixing an inner cover plate (17), the assembly can be supplied as a kit. Storage cabinet according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that each notch (26) is equipped with a closure clip (50) of corresponding dimensioning, intended to be put in place after the establishment of the or deformable curtains (20), each clip (50) being further provided with a stop (54) against which abuts the respective free edge (20.1) of the deformable curtain (20) corresponding in the closed position. Storage cabinet according to claims 2 and 5, characterized in that each clip (50) has a double central stop (54). Storage cabinet according to claim 5 or claim 6, characterized in that each clip (50) is provided with latching means (55, 56) cooperating with associated notches (31) formed in the wing of the slides (25 ) which is behind the wing in which the associated notch (26) is practiced. Storage cabinet according to any one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that each clip (50) has vertical through slots (59) intended to overlap transverse stiffeners (29) formed at the bottom of the slide in the region of the corresponding notch (26). Storage cabinet according to any one of claims 5 to 8, characterized in that each clip (50) is provided with a front facet (51), the contour of which is complementary to that of the notch (26) and having a peripheral rebate. Storage cabinet according to claim 9, characterized in that the front face of the front facet (51) of at least one of the clips (50) is provided with a marking, in particular with a screen-printed marking.

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