EP1688068A1

EP1688068A1 - Cardboard furniture for children

Info

Publication number: EP1688068A1
Application number: EP05425049A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Claudia Lavra
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-02-03
Filing date: 2005-02-03
Publication date: 2006-08-09

Abstract

The structure of didactic support for children includes a table unit and a board unit fixed in vertical position on the table unit; the board unit includes a board plate with a horizontal upper edge and two lateral vertical edges, two vertical rods extending along the lateral edges of the board plate and fixed thereto, a crossbar extended along the upper edge of the board plate and fixed thereon and to the vertical rods; the structure of didactic support includes also fixing means of the board unit to the table unit, and is characterized in that these fixing means include two brackets each one of which is constrained to a respective one of the vertical rods and to the table unit, every bracket having a lower side of support on the table unit with enough extension that stops substantially any flexion of the vertical rods and thus of the board unit with respect to the table unit. Preferably all the above mentioned elements are made of cardboard, or string if necessary. The two brackets allow - in a very simple and effective way - to maintain the board plate in vertical position on the table unit, so that one side thereof can be used by one or more children, while other children can use the opposite side.

Description

The present invention regards a structure of didactic support for children, made of cardboard.
By structure of didactic support a structure is intended which can be used by a child as a support for writing, drawing, painting, colouring, either alone or together with other children, either at home or at nursery school. A structure like this includes at least one table unit, on which the child can put all the various work instruments he uses, like paper, exercise books, books, pens, pencils, brushes, colours, scissors, glue, adhesive tape etc..
There are many structures of this type, starting from normal desks up to complex structures designed for specific activities. The possibility of slightly inclining the work surface is also known, in order to facilitate the child during some activities.
The problem at the basis of this invention is to provide a structure of didactic support for children that could be particularly economic but not for this reason less effective and versatile.
Consequently, the present invention regards a structure defined in its more general terms in claim 1. Preferred characteristics are reported in the dependent claims.
In particular, the structure includes a table unit and a board unit fixed in vertical position on the table unit; the board unit includes a board plate with a horizontal upper edge and two vertical lateral edges, two vertical rods extended along the lateraledgp-s of the board plate and fixed thereto, a crossbar extended along the upper edge of the board plate and fixed thereto and to the vertical rods; the structure of didactic support includes also board fixing means of the board unit to the table unit, and is characterized in that these fixing means include two brackets, each one of which is constrained in a respective one of the vertical rods and in the table unit, every bracket having a lower support side on the table unit with an extension sufficient to substantially prevent any flexion of the vertical rods and therefore of the board unit relative to the table unit.
The two brackets allows - in a really simple but effective way - to maintain the board plate in vertical position on the table unit, so that one of its sides can be used by one or more children, while other children can use the opposite side.
Preferably, the structure includes a block element for keeping the board unit against the table unit in vertical position. The stability of the board unit is in this way increased, because the downward traction exerted against the table unit by the block unit makes the brackets exert their contrast action against overturning of the board unit in the best way.
Preferably, the board unit includes a lower part which prolongs underneath a worktop of the table unit through a slit formed in this worktop, and the block element includes a blocking shelf of the table unit, kept in cuts in the table unit underneath the worktop and inserted in a slit formed in the lower part of the board plate. This configuration results easy to make and really effective, thanks to the reciprocal engagement of relatively large elements, such as the blocking shelf and the lower part of the board plate.
Preferably, the table unit includes at least three leg elements, of which two lateral leg elements assembled to the worktop through auxiliary portions of the leg elements, inserted in respective slits formed in the worktop and protruding above the worktop so as to form guide bars on the table unit, the brackets being fixed on these guide bars, and a central leg element, inserted in slits of the lateral leg elements. In this way, clamping of the brackets occurs in a precise and safe way on the guide bars, simply formed from the reciprocal constraint amongst the leg elements and the worktop of the table unit.
Preferably the structure includes accessories, like a pencil holder, brush holder and similar, provided with a respective C shaped seat and mounted on the guide bars or fixed on the brackets using string.
Preferably, each of the brackets includes at least three superimposed, coupled cardboard layers, the internal layer having a smaller extension compared to the extension of the external layers at the lower rest side of the bracket, so that a C shaped rest seat is formed that embraces the guide bars, the external layers resting on the worktop and the internal layer resting on the guide bar. This configuration ensures a very good strength and consequently a very good effectiveness, despite being very easy to make. More preferably, the cardboard layers of the brackets are four, of which two internal ones having the same extension.
Preferably, the fixing means include also two external through holes formed in the external layers of the bracket in reciprocal alignment, a corresponding internal through hole formed in the guide bar and aligned with the external through holes, and a pin element inserted in the three aligned through holes. In this way fixing stability is ensured, always with the maximum simplicity. Preferably, the pin element is a section of a string.
Preferably, the table unit, the board unit and the fixing means are made of cardboard elements only, fixed together by constraint. This allows to obtain a true ecological structure with substantially no environmental impact when it is to be disposed of. In case, it is possible to use another type of material, anyway similar to the cardboard from the disposing point of view, so as to guarantee a very low environmental impact; in particular, it is possible to provide string components as pin elements so that it is possible to provide that every part of each element (i.e. cardboard layers) are stuck together by vinyl glue.
Preferably, at least one of the faces of the worktop and/or of the board plate is plasticized, by application of a removable adhesive plastic film. The plasticization protects the structure, in particular from liquids that can wet the cardboard compromising its resistance; the removable application of the plasticization allows to separate easily the plastic from the cardboard when disposing of a damaged element.
Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will better result from the following detailed description of some preferred embodiments, given with reference to the attached drawings. In these drawings:

figures 1 and 2 are two axonometric projections views, front and rear respectively, of a structure of didactic support in accordance with the invention;
figure 3 is an exploded view of the structure of figures 1 and 2;
figures from 4 to 8 are partially exploded axonometric projections views of parts of the structure of figures 1 and 2;
figures 9 and 10 are magnified scale views of accessories mounted on the structure of figures 1 and 2;
figure 11 is an overall view of a complex assembly that includes a plurality of structures like that of figures 1 and 2.

A structure of didactic support according to the invention is globally indicated with 1 in the figures, and includes a table unit 10 and a board unit 30, connected together by fixing means 50.
The table unit 10 includes a table plate or worktop 11, supported by two lateral leg elements 12 and by one central leg element 13. The worktop 11 is made of at least one and preferably two coupled corrugated cardboard layers, while the three leg elements 12 and 13 are made of at least one, preferably two, and more preferably three coupled corrugated cardboard layers.
It can be noted that, in the scope of the present patent text, the indication that one element is made of two or more coupled corrugated cardboard layers usually means that corrugated cardboard layers have substantially the same thickness and are positioned so that they are joined together, possibly but not necessarily with the help of a adhesive. Nevertheless it is to be considered included in the above-mentioned definition also the fact that for any elements different cardboards are used having different thickness, as thicker as higher is the number of the layers indicated; for example, the indication in the previous paragraph that worktop 11 is made of two layers of cardboard while the leg elements 12 and 13 are made of three layers of cardboard, is satisfied if the leg elements have a larger overall thickness (about 50%) than the overall thickness of the worktop.
In case an adhesive is used, either for the above-mentioned reciprocal fixing of different cardboard layers, either for other possible fixing on the structure 1 of which it will be said below, the adhesive is preferably a vinyl or anyway a water-soluble adhesive, to guarantee that the product can be entirely disposed of as paper material once it has became unusable.
The lateral leg elements 12 include auxiliary upper portions 121, inserted in corresponding slits 122 formed parallel amongst each other in the worktop 11; these auxiliary portions 121 result then protruding above the worktop 11, so that they form two guide bars on the worktop 11 itself; in the following, these guide bars will be indicated with the same reference number 121. The central leg element 13 include two lateral auxiliary portions 133 inserted in corresponding slits 134 formed in the lateral leg elements 12; on such central leg element 13 the worktop 11 rests.
The table unit 10 includes also a "T" shaped blocking shelf 14, which has a main portion 141, inserted horizontally through a slit 142 formed in the central leg element 13, and a crosspiece portion 143 connected to both lateral leg elements 12 through cuts 144 formed in the crosspiece portion 143 and corresponding cuts 145 formed in the leg elements 12. The blocking shelf 14 is made of at least one and preferably two coupled corrugated cardboard layers.
Also, the table unit 10 includes a rectangular auxiliary shelf 15, inserted through two opposing slits 151 formed in the lateral leg elements 12. The auxiliary shelf 15 is made of two coupled corrugated cardboard layers.
The blocking shelf 14 and the auxiliary shelf 15 are both placed underneath the worktop 11, spaced out from this and substantially at the same level, with the auxiliary shelf 15 resting on the blocking shelf 14.
Between the blocking shelf 14 and the worktop 11 some spacers 16 are interposed, formed by cylindrical portions of cardboard tube. The spacers 16 can be simply constrained separately between the blocking shelf 14 and the worktop 11, or preferably be fixed together, for example by adhesive tape (not shown in the figures).
The board unit 30 includes a board plate 31 having a rectangular shape, with a horizontal lower edge 311, a horizontal upper edge 312 and two lateral vertical edges 313. The board plate 31 is made of at least one and preferably two coupled corrugated cardboard layers.
Along the two lateral edges 313, two vertical rods 32 are provided, fixed to the board plate 31. The two vertical rods 32 are made of two respective cylindrical portions of cardboard tube, and fixing to the board plate 31 is obtained thanks to two longitudinal cuts 321, each one formed respectively in each vertical rod 32 along a generatrix; the board plate 31 is constrained in each of these cuts 321. Inferiorly every cut 321 is extended up to the lower end of the respective vertical rod 32, while superiorly it is interrupted just before the upper end of the vertical rod 32.
Along the upper edge 312, a crosspiece 33 is provided, fixed to the board plate 31 and to the vertical rods 32. As better seen in figure 8, the crosspiece 33 is made of at least three and preferably four coupled corrugated cardboard layers, the two internal layers having a smaller dimension compared to the two external layers so that they form a lower seat 331 having substantially "C" shaped transversal section; moreover, the crosspiece 33 has two vertical cuts 332. The crosspiece 33 is constrained to its seat 331 on the board plate 31, while the vertical rods 32 result constrained to the cuts 332 with their complete upper portions, not involved by the cuts 321; the number of internal cardboard layers is equal to the number of the layers of which the board plate 31 is made, in order to allow a proper constraint.
The fixing means 50 of the board unit 30 on the table unit 10 include two brackets 51, better seen on figures 4 to 7; each one of them has a shape defined by a thinner central zone 52 placed side by side with two thicker lateral zones 53. From the structural-constructive point of view (see in particular figure 4), every bracket 51 is formed of at least one and preferably two internal coupled cardboard layers 51a, and its two lateral zones 53 are obtained by adding, at each one of them, two more external cardboard layers 53a, one on every face. Every one of the external layers 53a has a downward extension larger than the internal layers 51 a (see figures 4 and 5), with consequent formation of wings 54 and 55. After all, at the central zone 52 the bracket 51 includes two cardboard layers, while at the two lateral zones 53 the bracket 51 includes four cardboard layers and - because of the wing 54 and 55 due to the different downward extensions of the internal and external cardboard layers- is provided with a lower seat 56 having a substantially "C" shaped transversal section. The lower side of every bracket 51, formed by the wings 54 and 55 and by the seat 56, has globally a sufficient extension to prevent substantially any flexion of the vertical rods 32 and hence any flexion of the board unit 30 relative to the table unit 10.
The board plate 31, at its lower part, is inserted through the worktop 11 in a slit 132, resulting at the side of the leg element 13 underneath the worktop 11. Therefore, the board plate 31 has a slit 314 that results exactly faced at the slit 142; the main portion 141 of the blocking shelf 14 extends also through this slit 314, together with the already mentioned slit 142, blocking in this way the board plate 31 in vertical position.
Every bracket 51 is constrained with its seat 56 onto a respective bar 121, at the side of the board plate 31 (see in particular figure 6), and rests with the wings 54 and 55 on the worktop 11 (see figures 1, 2, and 7); the number of the internal cardboard layers 51 a is the same as the number of the layers of which the bars 121 are made, in order to allow a proper constraint. Every vertical rod 32 is constrained to a respective bracket 51, through a couple of opposed and aligned cuts 322, formed inferiorly in every vertical rods 32, in engagement in corresponding cuts 511 formed in the bracket 51, between its central zone 52 and its lateral zones 53.
Every wing 54 of the bracket 51 is provided with a hole 541, formed in the external cardboard layer 53a, and every bar 121 has a hole 1211; the holes 541 and 1211 result aligned, and a string 57 is inserted in them and remains extended between the opposed brackets 51, on the worktop 11. The string 57 inserted in the holes 541 and 1211 constitutes a pin element that keeps the bracket 51 in position on the bar 121. On the string 57, there is inserted a roll 61 of board paper 612, which is extended along the board plate 31 up to a slit 315, formed in the upper part of the board plate 31; through this slit 315, the paper 612 passes to the opposite side of the board plate 31. A divider 62 is mounted adjacent to the roll 61 fixed to the bars 121 through constraint in cuts 621 formed in the divider 62.
As the worktop 11 and board plate 31 are particularly subjected to get dirty or even wet, they can be plasticized. For this purpose, these worktop and board plate are coated on one or both of their faces by a plastic film, adhesive and removable, not shown in the figures. If, as for the worktop 11, only one of the faces of the worktop is subjected to get dirty, the provision of the film on both faces allows to double the useful life of the worktop itself, allowing to reuse a worktop in overturned position when one of its faces is too dirty to be still used; in fact both the worktop 11 and the board plate 31 are symmetrical and thus reversible,
The structure 1 can be supplemented with specific accessories, which typically can be placed simply by leaning or preferably through constraint to the bars 121. To this end, these accessories will be preferably provided with a "C" shaped lower seat, to allow constraint coupling to the bars 121. For example, these accessories can includes a pencil holder 70, a brush holder 80 and similar.
As illustrated in figure 9, the pencil holder 70 is made from a portion of cylindrical cardboard tube, and is provided inferiorly with a "C" shaped seat 71, through which it can be constrained to one of the guide bars 121, on a position at choice.
As illustrated in figure 10, the brush holder 80 - similarly to the pencil holder 70 - is obtained from a portion of cylindrical cardboard tube; like the pencil holder 70, the brush holder 80 could be provided inferiorly with a "C" shaped seat, suitable for constraining to one of the guide bars 121, on a position at choice. However, for a more stable positioning, particularly useful when relatively large brushes are used, it is provided that the brush holder 80 has two holes 82 and 83, that at least one of the brackets 51 has corresponding holes 551 and 552 (formed the first in the wings 55 and the second in the zone 53 above the wings 55), and also that the corresponding guide bar 121 has itself a hole 1212; a string 557 inserted in the holes mentioned above and laced on itself allows a stable anchorage of the brush holder 80 to the bracket 51.
In figure 11, a complex assembly is shown, typically addressed to scholastic use, which assembly includes some structures 1 according to the invention, provided with a table unit 10 and with a board unit 30, and some structures 2 similar thereto, provided with a table unit 20 but without any board unit.
The destination of the structure 1 for children use requires specific demands, which are met by the characteristics of the structure 1 itself.
First of all, the structure 1 is absolutely not dangerous for a child, also in case of incorrect use of the structure by the child. To this end, this structure is made using not dangerous materials, both from the chemical point of view and from the mechanical point of view; in fact cardboard, string and vinyl glues are non-toxic materials and also not sharp when broken.
Also, the structure 1 results sufficiently strong in order to support stresses due to users that normally aren't inclined to paying attention to the work tools they use. This guarantees a low cost for using, limiting the necessity of replacement for breaking or wear. Furthermore, in case of limited breakings, that most likely are the most frequent, it is often possible an easy replacement of the broken parts only.
Furthermore, the production cost is particularly limited, in order to allow the purchase of this structure also by people (either families or communities) with limited economic possibilities.
Furthermore, the structure 1 results didactically neutral for the child, i.e. it doesn't interfere with its activities; in fact, this structure doesn't have characteristics of form and/or colour and/or material such as to distract the child from its activities.
Finally, the structure 1 has a very limited environmental impact; in fact, the cardboard of which it is prevalently made can come from recycling of paper and cardboard, and, when the structure is to be disposed of, it is made of materials that can be easily recycled. This limited environmental impact is itself important, but above all it has a high didactic value for the children it is destined to, mainly if used in a scholastic context.

Claims

Cardboard structure of didactic support for children, including a table unit (10) and a board unit (30) fixed in a substantially vertical position onto the table unit (10), wherein the board unit (30) includes a board plate (31) with a horizontal upper edge (312) and two vertical lateral edges (313), two vertical rods (32) extended along the lateral edges (313) of the board plate (31) and fixed thereto, a crossbar (33) extended along the upper edge (312) of the board plate (31) and fixed thereto and to the vertical rods (32), the structure (1) of didactic support including also fixing means (50) of the board unit (30) to the table unit (10), characterized in that such fixing means (50) include two brackets (51) each one constrained to a respective one of the vertical rods (30) and to the table unit (10), every bracket (51) having a lower side (54, 55, 56) of support onto the table unit (10) with a sufficient extension able to stop substantially any flexion of the vertical rods (32) and therefore of the board unit (30) with respect to the table unit (10).
Structure according to claim 1, including also a block element (14) for blocking the board unit (30) against the table unit (10) in vertical position.
Structure according to claim 2, wherein the board plate (31) includes a lower part which extends below a worktop (11) of the table unit (10) through a slit (132) formed in such worktop (11), and wherein the block element includes a blocking shelf (14) of the table unit (10), kept in cuts (145) in the table unit (10) below the worktop (11) and inserted in a slit (314) formed in the lower part of the board plate (31).
Structure according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the table unit (10) includes three leg elements (12,13), of which:
- two lateral leg elements (12), assembled to the worktop (11) through auxiliary portions (121) of the leg elements (12), inserted in respective slits (122) formed in the worktop (11) and protruding above the worktop (11) so as to form guide bars (121) on the table unit (10), the brackets (51) being fixed onto these guide bars (121);

- a central leg element (13), assembled between the two lateral leg elements (12), inserted in slits (134) of the lateral leg elements (12).
Structure according to claim 4, wherein every bracket (51) includes at least three superimposed and coupled cardboard layers (51a, 53a), the internal layer (51 a) having a smaller extension than the external layers (53a) at the lower side of the support of the bracket (51), so as to form a "C" shaped seat (56) that embraces the guide bars (121), the external layers (53a) resting onto the worktop (11) and the internal layer (51a) resting onto the guide bar (121).
Structure according to claim 5, wherein the fixing means include also two external through holes (541) formed in the external layers (53a) of the bracket (51) in reciprocal alignment, a corresponding internal through hole (1211) formed in the guide bar (121) and aligned with the external through holes (541), and a pin element (57) inserted in the three aligned through holes (541, 1211).
Structure according to claim 6, wherein the pin element is a section of string (57).
Structure according to any of the previous claims, wherein every single element of the table unit (10), of the board unit (30) and of the fixing means (50) consists only of cardboard elements or string, fixed together through constraint or vinyl glue.
Structure according to claim 1, wherein every vertical rod (32) of the board unit (30) is made of a cardboard tube with a longitudinal cut (321) in which the board plate (31) is constrained.
Structure according to any of the previous claims, wherein at least one of the faces of the worktop (11) and/or the board plate (31) is plasticized, by application of an adhesive and removable plastic film.