EP2412906B1

EP2412906B1 - Coplanar closure sliding mechanism for two or three wing wardrobes and the like

Info

Publication number: EP2412906B1
Application number: EP20110174928
Authority: EP
Inventors: Luigi Mascheroni; Angelo Molteni
Original assignee: Mixal Srl
Current assignee: MIXAL Srl
Priority date: 2010-07-30
Filing date: 2011-07-21
Publication date: 2015-05-06
Anticipated expiration: 2031-07-21
Also published as: ES2544280T3; IT1401908B1; CN102383684A; EP2412906A1; ITMI20101444A1

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a coplanar closure sliding mechanism to be applied to a two or three wing wardrobe and the like.
Slidable wing wardrobes provided with sliding wings which, in a closure condition thereof, are arranged in a mutual coplanar position are already known.
In the above wardrobes, for operatively driving the wardrobe wings, very complex driving mechanisms are conventionally used.
Another problem is that the movable wings are frequently locked, under the applied closing and opening forces, in a non baricentric position.
A further problem of prior slidable wing wardrobes is that the wing driving mechanisms comprise a high number of component elements which are susceptible to frequent damages.
EP 0 195 880 A2 discloses substantially the preamble of claim 1.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the aim of the present invention is to overcome the above mentioned drawbacks, by providing a coplanar closure sliding mechanism to be applied to a two or three wing wardrobe and the like, assuring a harmonic and even driving and sliding movement of the wardrobe wings without jammings,
Within the scope of the above mentioned aim, a main object of the invention is to provide such a wing driving mechanism which is very simple construction wise and comprises few component elements adapted to be easily and quickly assembled.
Another object of the present invention is to provide such a coplanar closure sliding mechanism to be applied to a two or three wing wardrobe and the like, which, owing to its specifically designed structural characteristics, is very reliable and safe in operation.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide such a coplanar closure sliding mechanism to be applied to a two or three wing wardrobe and the like, which may be easily made and which, moreover, is very competitive from a mere economic standpoint.
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 coplanar closure sliding mechanism to be applied to a two or three wing wardrobe and the like according to claim 1.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

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 coplanar closure sliding mechanism according to the invention, to be applied to a two or three wing wardrobe and the like, which is illustrated, by way of an indicative, but not limitative, example in the accompanying drawings, where:

Figure 1 is a partially exploded axonometric view showing a top carriage of the mechanism, being shown for the left door wing, the right door wing being a mirror-like one, at a closed wing position;
Figure 2 is a schematic, top plan view showing the positions of the left, central and right wardrobe wings at a closed wing condition;
Figure 3 is a further partially exploded axonometric view showing the mechanism during a starting operating step of opening the wardrobe left wing;
Figure 4 shows the mutual positions of the left, central and right wardrobe wings, the left wardrobe wing being shown in an opening starting condition thereof;
Figure 5 is a further partially exploded axonometric view showing an intermediate operating step for sliding the wardrobe left wing;
Figure 6 is a top plan view showing the mutual positions of the left, central and right wardrobe wing, the left wing being shown in a starting opening sliding step thereof;
Figure 7 is a further partially exploded axonometric view showing the subject mechanism in an end operating step thereof for closing the left wardrobe wing;
Figure 8 is a further top plan view showing the mutual positions of the left, central and right wardrobe wings during the left wardrobe wing starting operating step;
Figure 9 is a further partially exploded axonometric view showing the top carriage of the subject mechanism, shown for the central door at a closed wing position;
Figure 10 is a schematic top plan view showing the mutual positions of the left, central and right wardrobe wings in a closed wing position;
Figure 11 is a further partially exploded axonometric view of the subject mechanism during the central wing opening starting operating step; and
Figure 12 is a top plan view showing the mutual positions of the left, central and right wardrobe wings, the central wardrobe wing being shown in an opening starting condition thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference to the number references of the above mentioned figures, the coplanar closure sliding mechanism to be applied to a two or three wing wardrobe and the like, according to the present invention, comprises, with respect to the wardrobe left wing, the wardrobe right wing being a mirror like one, a carriage 1 which is made starting from a tubular element 2 and a Z-shape bracket 3 which are rigidly coupled to one another.
The carriage 1 may be longitudinally slidably driven with respect to the wardrobe body by four sheaves 4 which are engaged in an engagement rail 5 fixed to the top portion of the wardrobe.
The tubular element 2 of the carriage 1 longitudinally projects from the bracket 3 so as to counteract, during the sliding movement, the lever effect generated by the cantilever wardrobe wing 14 weight.
The two sheaves 4 clamped to said tubular element 2 are adapted to slide in a dedicated track 5' formed in said rail 5 so as not to interfere against a corresponding tubular element 29 of the carriage 28 of the adjoining wing.
On the base of the sliding carriage are clamped, by clamping pins 6, first and second, guide elements 7 and 8 engaging first and second sliding blocks 9 and 10 which are designed for sliding on said guide elements 7, 8 by first wheels 11 engaging in cavities or hollows 12 defined by said guide elements.
On said sliding blocks 9 and 10 a left wing supporting bracket 13, for supporting the left wing 14, is clamped.
On the first sliding block 9 is clamped a coupling assembly 15, said coupling assembly 15 having a bottom end portion therewith a first cam follower wheel 16 is associated engageable on a first cam 17 formed on a plate 18 fixed to said rail 5.
To the coupling assembly 15 a rod leverage or mechanism for driving the follower wheels 16 is connected, said leverage or mechanism comprising a first rod 19 at one end portion thereof a second rod 20 is hinged or pivoted. At the pivoting region between the first and second rods, a second follower wheel 21 engaging in said cam 17 is pivoted.
At the other end portion thereof, said second rod 20 is pivoted to an arm 22 which is rotatably driven about a rotary pin 23 clamped to the carriage 1 and including a vertical portion supporting a wheel 24 engaging in a slot 25 formed in the left wing 14 supporting bracket 13.
Thus, by applying an opening force to the handle 26, arranged at the end portion of the left wing 14, the wing supporting bracket 13 will project perpendicularly from the wardrobe while driving therewith the first sliding block 9 which, in turn, will entrain the wheel 16 which, by performing its movement depending on the cam 17 configuration, will entrain or drive the first rod 19, the second follower wheel 21 arranged inside the cam 17, the second rod 20, the arm 22 which, in turn, by rotating about the rotary pin 23, will drive the wheel 24 engaged in the slot 25 formed through the wing supporting bracket 13 thereby causing the latter to project.
After having moved away the wardrobe wing from the wardrobe, while continuing to press on the handle 26, the first sliding block 9 will be so driven as to further entrain the elements connected thereto while turning the arm 22 and pushing the wheel 24 into the bracket 13 slot 25, thereby causing the left wing 14 to fully exit the wardrobe opposite side from the handle.
In this connection it should be pointed out that the opening movement of the wardrobe wing 14 is an "harmonic" smooth and even one without jammings as typically occur as an opening force is applied to the wing at a non baricentric position.
After having withdrawn the wing, it is possible to drive said wing by causing a sliding movement of the cam follower wheel in the cam 17 and by causing the left wing to be overlapped on the wardrobe central wing, thereby fully opening the wardrobe.
More specifically, the tubular element 2 of the carriage 1, sliding in a dedicated track 5' formed in the rail 5, will longitudinally cross the wardrobe central wing carriage 28, thereby nullifying the lever effect generated by the wardrobe cantilever wing 14 weight.
As shown in figure 9, the central wing 27 comprises a carriage 28 constituted by a tubular element 29 and a Z-shaped bracket 30 rigid with one another and longitudinally sliding with respect to the wardrobe by four sheaves 31 engaged on the rail 5 clamped to the wardrobe top portion.
The tubular element 29 of the carriage 28 longitudinally projects from the bracket 30 thereby to counteract, during the sliding movement, the lever effect generated by the wardrobe cantilever wing 27 weight.
The two sheaves 31 clamped to said tubular element 29 are slidable on a dedicated sliding track 5" formed in the rail 5 thereby, during the sliding movement, the tubular element 29 of the carriage 28 will not interfere against the corresponding tubular element 2 of the adjoining wing carriage 1.
On said sliding base are clamped, by clamping pins 32, a first guide element 33 and a second guide element 34 engaging a first sliding block 35 and a second sliding block 36 which slide on said guide elements by sliding wheels 37 engaging in corresponding cavities or hollows 38.
On said sliding blocks 35 and 36 a supporting bracket 39 for supporting the central wing 27 is clamped.
On the sliding block 35, in turn, is clamped a coupling or connecting assembly 40 having a bottom end portion thereat is arranged a. first cam follower wheel 41 engaged in a cam 17 formed on a plate 18 clamped on the rail 5.
To said coupling assembly 40 a rod mechanism for driving cam follower wheels is connected, said mechanism comprising a first rod 42 having an end portion to which is pivoted a second rod 43.
At the pivoting region, of the first and second rod, a second cam follower wheel 44, which engages in a portion of the cam 17 and then in a track 50 parallel to a cam 17 at a higher level from the first cam follower wheel 41 of the central wing is engaged.
At the other end portion thereof, the second rod 43 is pivoted to an arm 45 turning about the pivot pin 46 clamped to the carriage 28 and including a vertical portion supporting a wheel 47 engaged in a slot 48 formed through the supporting bracket 39 to which the central wing 27 is connected.
Thus, by applying an opening force on a handle 49, at the end portion of the central wing 27, the supporting bracket 39 will project perpendicularly from the wardrobe entraining therewith the first sliding block 35 which in turn will entrain or drive the wheel 41 which, by moving depending on the cam 17 contour, will entrain the first rod 42, the second follower wheel 44, also engaged in the cam 17, the second rod 43 and arm 45 which, by tuning about the rotary pin 46, will drive the wheel 47 engaged in the slot 48 formed through the bracket 39 thereby causing the latter to project.
By continuously operating the handle 49 of the wing 27, the first sliding block 35 will further drive the elements coupled thereto while causing the arm 45 to rotate and the wheel 47 to be pushed through the slot 48 of the bracket 39, and the central wing 27 to exit at the opposite side of the operating handle 49.
Differently from the above disclosed opening process for the left side wing 14, the second follower wheel 44 does not fully follow the path defined by the cam 17 but, as it arrives at the point thereat the wing 27 is parallel to the wing 14, will follow a track 50 parallel to the cam 17,
The opening movement of the central wing 27 is an one without jammings which would typically occur under the opening forces applied at a non baricentric position.
With the central wing in a fully projected condition, it will be caused to parallel translate to the left wing laying plane with a full overlapping and consequently a full opening of the wardrobe space.
In particular, the tubular element 29 of the Carriage 28, slidable in a dedicated sliding track 5" formed on the rail 5, will cross the carriage 1 of the wardrobe left wing thereby contributing to nullify the lever effect generated by the wardrobe cantilever wing 27 weight.
From the above disclosure it should be apparent that the invention fully achieves the intended aim and objects.
In the fact is to be pointed out that the invention has provided a sliding mechanism which is very safe and operatively reliable thereby allowing to optimize all the driving operation of the coplanar closure sliding wings,
The invention, as disclosed, is susceptible of several modifications and variations all of which will come within the scope of the invention.
Moreover, all the details may be replaced by other technically equivalent elements.
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.

Claims

A coplanar closure sliding mechanism to be applied to a two or three wing wardrobe and the like, wherein said sliding mechanism comprises a rail (5) fixed to a top surface of said wardrobe and thereon a sliding carriage (1) that is longitudinally driven with respect to the wardrobe body, said sliding carriage being coupled to a support bracket (13, 39) fixed to a wardrobe wing (14), said support bracket (13, 39) being supported by first and second sliding blocks (9, 10), said sliding blocks (9, 10) being rigidly associated with said wing support bracket (13, 39), and able of sliding in a direction perpendicular to the plane of said wardrobe wing (14), characterized in that said sliding mechanism further comprises first (7) and second (8) guide elements fixed to said slidable carriage (1) and engaged by said first and second sliding blocks (9, 10) through engaging wheels (11) in turn engaged in cavities (12) of said sliding blocks (9, 10), and in that on the first sliding block (9) is clamped a coupling assembly (15), said coupling assembly (15) having a bottom end portion therewith a first cam follower wheel (16) is associated engaging in a first cam (17) formed on a plate (18) fixed to said rail (5), to the coupling assembly (15) a rod leverage for driving the first cam follower wheel (16) is connected, said leverage comprising a first rod (19) at one end portion of which a second rod (20) is pivoted, at a pivoting region between the first and second rods, a second cam follower wheel (21) engaging in said first cam (17) being pivoted, at the other end portion thereof, said second rod (20) being pivoted to an arm (22) which is rotatably driven about a rotary pin (23) clamped to the sliding carriage (1) and including a vertical portion supporting a wheel (24) engaging in a slot (25) formed in the wing (14) supporting bracket (13, 39).
A sliding mechanism, according to claim 1, characterized in that said sliding carriage (1) is slidably driven by driving sheaves (4) engaged on said rail (5) and comprising a Z-shape bracket (30) rigidly coupled to a tubular element (2) longitudinally projecting from said bracket and the sheaves (4) of which are engaged in an engagement track (5') formed in said rail (5).
A sliding mechanism, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said sliding blocks (9, 10) are synchronously driven by said sliding carriage (1) as said wing (14) is opened, thereby causing said first cam (17) to engage with the cam follower wheels (16, 21) connected to the rod leverage.
A sliding mechanism, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that one of said wings is a central wing (27) including a second cam follower wheel (44) engageable in a track (50) extending substantially parallel to said second cam (17).
A sliding mechanism, according to claim 4, characterized in that said rail (5) comprises a plurality of rail tracks parallel to one another whereon the sheaves (4) of said tubular elements (2) included in said sliding carriages (1) may parallely slide.
A sliding mechanism, according to claim 5, characterized in that said carriage tubular elements (2) are adapted to slide in parallel to one another without interfering against one another, thereby, as one wing is opened, said sliding carriages (1) are arranged in an aligned relationship with respect to a perpendicular line to said wing.