EP2374374A1

EP2374374A1 - Modular sofa

Info

Publication number: EP2374374A1
Application number: EP11161623A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Franco Lago
Original assignee: Lago SpA
Current assignee: LAGO S.P.A.
Priority date: 2010-04-09
Filing date: 2011-04-08
Publication date: 2011-10-12
Anticipated expiration: 2031-04-08
Also published as: EP2374374B1; IT1399219B1; ITMI20100602A1

Abstract

A modular sofa comprising at least one seater (20) and at least one peripheral accessory (30), as well as at least one track (40) firmly connected to a bottom surface of the at least one seater (20), in which the at least one track (40) is equipped on a whole side with a hooking seat (41) for one or more hooking means (31) integral and protruding with respect to the at least one peripheral accessory (30) creating a removable connection between the at least one peripheral accessory (30) and the at least one seater (20).

Description

The present invention refers to a modular sofa.
By the term sofa it is intended any composition comprising one or more seaters, of any shape, size and colour, possibly provided with one or more armrests and/or backs.
The sofa can also have rigid support surfaces integrated in it, like for example commodes or small tables.
In particular, the compositions will be selected, among those available on the market, based on the needs of the location and the user's tastes.
Indeed, in general, there are a predefined number of solutions available to the manufacturer.
The purpose of the present invention is to make a modular sofa in which every seater, back and armrest can be selected independently.
Another purpose of the present invention is to make a modular sofa in which it is possible to position the cushions and the armrests in any position.
A further purpose of the present invention is to make a modular sofa that can be integrated with rigid support surfaces.
Another purpose of the present invention is to make a modular sofa that is particularly simple and functional, with low costs.
These purposes according to the present invention are accomplished by making a modular sofa as outlined in claim 1.
Further characteristics are foreseen in the dependent claims.
The characteristics and advantages of a modular sofa according to the present invention will become clearer from the following description, given as an example and not for limiting purposes, referring to the attached schematic drawings, in which:

figure 1 is an exploded view of a modular sofa according to the invention;
figure 2 is a plan view from below of the sofa of figure 1 assembled;
figure 3 shows a detail of a modular sofa according to the invention provided with a hanging small table;
figure 4 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of a track of the modular sofa according to the invention;
figure 5 is a perspective view of an enlarged detail of a first embodiment of a fastening system to the frame of the modular sofa according to the invention of a peripheral accessory, like for example an armrest;
figure 6 shows an exploded detail of a first embodiment of a fastening system of a seater to the frame of the modular sofa according to the invention;
figure 7 is an elevation view, partially sectioned, of the modular sofa according to the invention equipped with the fastening system of a seater to the frame of figure 6;
figure 8 shows an exploded detail of a second embodiment of a fastening system of a seater to the frame of the modular sofa according to the invention;
figure 9 is an elevation view, partially sectioned, of the modular sofa according to the invention equipped with the fastening system of a seater to the frame of figure 8;
figure 10 is a partially sectioned side elevation view of a modular sofa according to the invention provided with a fastening system of a peripheral accessory, according to a further embodiment
figure 11 shows an enlarged detail of figure 10;
figure 12 is an elevation view, partially sectioned, of the modular sofa according to the invention provided with means for connecting the support plates to the ground, according to an alternative embodiment.

With reference to the figures, a modular sofa is shown, wholly indicated with 10, comprising at least one seater 20 and at least one peripheral accessory 30, as well as at least one track 40, in which the track 40 is firmly connected to a bottom surface of the seater 20 to removably join the at least one peripheral accessory 30 to the at least one seater 20.
The modular sofa 10 according to the invention can clearly comprise any number of seaters 20, even having different depths to one another, and possibly also comprising at least one commode or other rigid support base, such as a shelf, not shown.
Moreover, according to the invention, by peripheral accessory 30 it is intended a back, an armrest or a hanging small table, or other accessories, drawn close to the perimeter of one or more seaters 20 in any position, freely adjustable and modifiable.
The track 40 of the modular sofa according to the invention is provided on a whole side with a hooking seat 41 for one or more hooking means 31, which are integral and protruding with respect to the peripheral accessories 30. If the dimensions so require, a plurality of hooking means 31 can be fixedly connected for example to a single back.
The hooking means 31 of backs, armrests or small tables can be positioned anywhere on the track 40, which allows a free modularity of the elements of the modular sofa 10 according to the invention as wished.
It is clear that the modular sofa 10, when comprising the track 40 provided with the hooking seat 41 for one or more hooking means 31 integral and protruding with respect to the peripheral accessories 30, is covered by the invention also for example according to a pouf configuration, in which the peripheral accessories 31 are not present.
According to a preferred embodiment, shown in the figures, the hooking seat 41 of the track 40 comprises a rounded C-shaped portion 41A and an upper cavity 41B that house the hooking means 31.
The hooking means 31 comprise a plate 32 equipped with a shaped profile 33 complementary to the rounded C-shaped portion and a mobile tooth 34 hinged in a window 35 of the plate 32 and loaded by a spring for engagement in the upper cavity 41B of the hooking seat 41.
The plate 32 of the hooking means 31 is for example screwed to the relative peripheral accessory 30. In the case of a peripheral accessory, consisting of a hanging small table, the plate 32 is connected for example to a support leg thereof.
When the mobile tooth 34 is released, the shaped profile 33 of the plate 32 acts as a pivot on the rounded C-shaped portion 41A of the seat 41 of the track 40 and allows the peripheral accessory 30 to be rotated by a few degrees to make it easier to remove.
According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, in which also the connection between the seaters 20 and the tracks 40 is stable and removable, many tracks 40 are fixedly connected together to form a frame 140 with a closed perimeter, in which every track 40 is arranged with the hooking seat 41 turned towards the outside of the frame perimeter 140.
The opposite side of every track 40, facing the inside of the frame perimeter 140, has at least one upper groove 42A, extending over the whole side, for engaging with opposing connecting means integral with a bottom surface of the at least one seater 20.
The connection means between seater 20 and frame 140 comprise at least one fixed projection 26 with a shape complementary to the at least one upper groove 42A of the tracks 40 and a friction element 27 with respect to the side of the tracks 40 having the at least one upper groove 42A, opposite one another. Preferably, for every seater 20 they comprise two opposite pairs consisting of a fixed projection 26 and a friction element 27.
In particular, the opposing connecting means are fixed to the bottom surface of the seaters 20 so as to be positioned respectively at the sides provided with the at least one upper groove 42A of two tracks 40 arranged facing one another.
According to a first embodiment shown as an example in figures 6 and 7, the fixed projection 26 comprises a cylindrical element 26A, for abutting against the side of the track, from which a truncated-conical element 26B made from teflon extends and is able to be positioned in the upper groove anywhere on the track 40.
The friction element 27, on the other hand, comprises an elastic metal sheet shaped according to first part 27A perpendicular to the bottom surface of the seater, for abutting against the side of the track 40, and according to a triangular tooth 27B protruding towards the outside, to snap fit, through pressure, into a bottom complementary portion 42B of the track 40.
According to a further embodiment shown as an example in figures 8 and 9, the fixed projection 26 comprises, analogously to the first embodiment, a cylindrical element 26A, for abutting against the side of the track, from which a truncated-conical element 26B made from teflon extends, which can be positioned in the upper groove anywhere on the track 40.
The friction element 27, on the other hand, comprises a body protruding perpendicularly with respect to the bottom surface of the seater 20, for example cylindrical in shape and preferably made from elastic rubber material, for abutting with interference against the side of the track 40.
In both of the described embodiments, for each seater 20, the two fixed projections 26 give stability to the connection also in conditions in which the seater 20 is greatly cantilever with respect to the frame 140.
The tracks 40 are stably connected together to form the frame with a closed perimeter 140 through angular elements 43 each fixedly or removably connected to two tracks 40 incident to one another.
In particular, for the connection of the angular elements 43 to the ends of the tracks 40, for example threaded connection components 44, the upper groove 42A has a T-shaped section suitable for defining a cavity 42C to house a part of the connection components 44, like for example a nut.
According to a preferred embodiment, the modular sofa also comprises ground support plates 50, made in the form of square or rectangular slabs, which are removably connected to the tracks 40.
The track 40 for this purpose on a lower side has a housing 45 provided with an external wall 45A oriented perpendicularly to the ground and with an internal wall 45B tilted with respect to the latter so as to form a gap to insert a blocking wedge 46.
The track is also provided on the lower side with a cavity with a T-shaped section 47 to house a nut 48 cooperating with a clamping screw 49, which engages the blocking wedge 46 with the track.
The ground support plates 50 can be positioned inside the housing 45 anywhere on the tracks 40. The insertion of the blocking wedge 46 between the ground support plates 50 and the tilted wall 45B of the housing 45 of the track 40 blocks the slabs 50 in a stable position.
In order to modify the position of the ground support plates 50 with respect to the frame 140 it is sufficient to remove the blocking wedge 46 and position it elsewhere on the frame 140.
Figures 10 and 11 show a further embodiment of the fastening system of the peripheral accessories 30 to the tracks 40. In particular, the hooking seat 41 of the track 40, shown schematically, comprises a double step 41C, in which every cavity is located at different heights and depths.
The relative hooking means 31, integral and protruding with respect to the peripheral accessories 30, comprise the plate 32 ending with a hook 36, able to engage in any of the grooves of the double step 41C.
According to this embodiment the peripheral accessories 30 can be removably connected to the seaters 20 according to two inclined positions.
The ground support plates 50 can be removably connected to the frame 140, through alternative connection means, shown in figure 12.
A crossbar 51 engages at the opposite ends through screws 49, respectively, in the T-shaped cavity 47 of two opposing tracks 40. The crossbar 51 has at least one bushing 52 in which the slab for resting on the ground 50 is inserted and locked.
According to the embodiment shown, the tracks 40 have shorter sides facing towards the inside than the sides facing outwards, provided only with the upper groove 42A. The crossbar 51 abuts at the ends against the wall 45A of the housing 45 of the track 40, which is perpendicular to the seater 20, contributing to the stability and the rigidity of the frame 140.
The track 40, preferably made from aluminium, has a section that is the same along its entire axial extension, with the exception of the cut ends, for example with an inclination of 45°, to make a frame 140 with tracks 40 incident at a right angle.
This allows the seats themselves to be placed anywhere on the frame for the removable connection of seaters 20, peripheral accessories 30 or ground support plates 50.
According to a preferred embodiment, described above, the modular sofa 10 object of the present invention comprises four levels of components, in other words seaters 20, peripheral accessories 30, ground support plates 50 and a frame 140, in which the seaters 20, the peripheral accessories 30 and the ground support plates 50 are all connected to the frame 140, and in particular to the tracks 40 that make it up, in a stable but removable manner.
According to simplified embodiments of the present invention, the modular sofa could be equipped with tracks directly connected to the seaters, for example through screws, or it may not be provided with ground support elements at all, as well as having ground support elements, of various forms, directly connected to the seater instead of to the track.
The modular sofa object of the present invention has the advantage of allowing the composition of infinite different configurations of shapes and colours through a relatively small number of standardised components.
Advantageously, the modular sofa according to the invention allows modular solutions in the composition of seaters, backs and armrests.
Moreover, a further advantage consists of the splitting into single components of very small size, irrespective of the final size of the sofa. This has a positive impact both on the storage of components and on the problems of transporting them.
Advantageously, the modular sofa is easy to dismount and transport during its entire lifetime.
The replacement of single components as well as subsequent adaptation of the shape and size to different spaces, for example after moving home, is also made particularly desired.
The modular sofa according to the invention, being able to be reduced into different components in turn able to be recycled, advantageously has a particularly low environmental impact.
The modular sofa thus conceived can undergo numerous modifications and variants, all of which are covered by the invention; moreover, all of the details can be replaced by technically equivalent elements. In practice, the materials used, as well as the sizes, can be whatever according to the technical requirements.

Claims

Modular sofa comprising at least one seater (20) and at least one peripheral accessory (30), said sofa comprising at least one track (40) firmly connected to a bottom surface of said at least one seater (20), wherein said at least one track (40) is provided on an entire side with a hooking seat (41) for one or more hooking means (31) integral and protruding with respect to said at least one peripheral accessory (30) creating a removable connection between said at least one peripheral accessory (30) and said at least one seater (20) said sofa being characterised in that it comprises a plurality of said tracks (40) firmly connected together to form a frame with a closed perimeter (140), wherein every track (40) is placed with said hooking seat (41) turned towards the outside of the frame perimeter (140), and wherein on a whole opposite side of every track (40), facing the inside of the frame perimeter (140), there is at least one upper groove (42A), said side of the track (40) being engageable with opposing connecting means (26, 27) permanently linked to a bottom surface of said at least one seater (20), forming a firm and removable connection between said frame (140) and said at least one seater (20).
Sofa according to claim 1, characterised in that said frame (140) is firmly connected in a removable manner to a plurality of seaters (20) possibly also comprising at least one commode or another rigid support base.
Sofa according to claim 1, characterised in that said opposing connecting means comprise at least one fixed projection (26) of a form complementary to the at least one upper groove (42A) of said opposite tracks (40) of the frame (140) and a friction element (27) with respect to the side of the tracks (40) having said at least one upper groove (42A).
Sofa according to claim 3, characterised in that said fixed projection (26) comprises a cylindrical element (26A), to stop against the side of the track (40), from which a truncated-conical element (27B) extends and is able to be positioned in said upper groove (42A) in any point of the track (40), and in that said friction element (27) comprises a elastic metal sheet shaped according to first part (27A) perpendicular to the bottom surface of the seater (20), to abut against the side of the track (40), and a triangular tooth (27B) protruding towards the outside, to snap fit into a bottom complementary portion (42B) of the track (40).
Sofa according to claim 3, characterised in that said fixed projection (26) comprises a cylindrical element (26A), to stop against the side of the track (40), from which a truncated-conical element (27B) extends and can be positioned into said upper groove (42A) anywhere on the track (40), and in that said friction element (27) comprises a body protruding perpendicularly with respect to the bottom surface of the seater (20) made of elastic material, in order to abut with interference against the side of the track (40).
Sofa according to any one of the previous claims, characterised in that said track (40) comprises on a bottom side a housing (45) and a cavity with a T-shaped section (47) to house ground support plates (50) that can be placed anywhere on the track (40).
Sofa according to claim 6, characterised in that said housing (45) comprises an external wall (45A) oriented perpendicularly with respect to the seater and an internal wall (45B) tilted with respect to the latter so as to form a gap to insert a blocking wedge (46), said blocking wedge (46) being pressed against the track (40) through a clamping screw (49) cooperating with a nut (48) housed in said cavity with a T-shaped section (47).
Sofa according to claim 6, characterised in that said ground support plates (50) are fixed to a crossbar (51), the ends of which can be engaged to said track (40) through a clamping screw (49) cooperating with a nut (48) housed in said cavity with a T-shaped section (47).
Sofa according to any one of the previous claims, characterised in that said hooking seat (41) houses said one or more hooking means (31) to be positioned anywhere on the track (40).
Sofa according to claim 9, characterised in that said hooking seat (41) comprises a rounded C-shaped portion (41A) and an upper cavity (41B), said hooking means (31) comprise a plate (32) equipped with a shaped profile (33) complementary to the rounded C-shaped portion (41A) and a mobile tooth (34) hinged to said plate (32) and loaded by a spring to engage in said upper cavity (41B).
Sofa according to claim 9, characterised in that said hooking seat (41) comprises a double step (41C), wherein every cavity is placed at different heights and depths, said hooking means (31) comprise a plate (32) ending with a hook (36), to be engaged in any one of the grooves of the double step (41C).
Sofa according to claims 10 or 11, characterised in that every peripheral accessory (30) is integrally connected to at least one plate (32) of the hooking means (31).
Sofa according to any one of the previous claims, characterised in that said at least one peripheral accessory (30) can be a back and/or an armrest and/or a hanging small table.
Sofa according to any one of the previous claims, characterised in that said tracks (40) are firmly connected together through angular elements (43) each of which is connected in a fixed or removable way to two tracks (40) incident one to the other.
Sofa according to claim 14 when dependent on 3, characterised in that said upper groove (42A) comprises a T-shaped section (42C) in order to form a cavity to house a part of connection components (44) between said angular elements (43) and said incident tracks (40).