EP2510832B1

EP2510832B1 - Piece of furniture

Info

Publication number: EP2510832B1
Application number: EP12163046.1A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Franco Lago; Daniele Andrea Lago
Original assignee: Lago SpA
Current assignee: Lago SpA
Priority date: 2011-04-11
Filing date: 2012-04-03
Publication date: 2015-07-08
Anticipated expiration: 2032-04-03
Also published as: EP2510832A1; ITMI20110119U1

Description

The present invention refers to a piece of furniture and/or a similar furnishing element.
The object of the present invention applies to the field of furnishing and furniture in general.
As known, conventional and widely available pieces of furniture, like for example, those used in living rooms and kitchens, cupboards and/or similar, are provided with one or more housing spaces for positioning objects and/or clothes.
In order to protect the content of the housing spaces from dust and/or from any other element that may harm or spoil the objects and/or clothes placed in them and to give the piece of furniture a pleasant appearance, it is known to provide suitable closing doors capable of isolating the respective housing spaces from the surrounding area. The closing doors can be of the balancing leaf type or of the sliding type as disclosed in the document GB 839 312 . In both cases, the closing doors are mobile between a closed condition, in which they at least partially close the respective housing space, and an open condition, in which the housing space is at least partially accessible from the outside.
Despite the well-established use of the aforementioned piece of furniture provided with conventional closing doors, the Applicant has noted that the aforementioned piece of furniture is not without some drawbacks and can be improved from different points of view, mainly in relation to the mass and the overall costs thereof, as well as the bulk thereof both in mounted use condition and in a disassembled condition during storage and transportation of the various components.
In particular, the Applicant has found that each piece of furniture that requires closing doors is particularly heavy and bulky. In fact, the presence of the doors corresponds to a significant increase in material, mass and costs.
It is also to be considered that the presence of leaf and/or sliding doors particularly increases the overall bulk of the aforementioned piece of furniture. This problem is particularly relevant in a disassembled condition, both in storage warehouses and in the loading spaces of the means of transport used to move it.
The aforementioned drawbacks are added to with further drawbacks linked to the difficulties in replacement or interchangeability of the closing doors with other closing doors. This drawback is due to the operative difficulties encountered during the replacement of the aforementioned doors, i.e. the handling and/or movement of heavy and bulky components that are not easy to transport, like for example the aforementioned doors.
It is also to be added that the replacement of the aforementioned closing doors is particularly burdensome due to the valuable materials normally used to make them.
It is also to be noted that the volume and physical shape of conventional closing doors significantly limit the shape and the configuration of the respective piece of furniture and of the housing spaces in it.
With reference to leaf type balancing closing doors, the furniture considered must possess a series of uprights or cross-members capable of providing surfaces for them to rest on. In this case, the leaf type closing doors must be of a size that is kept within predetermined tolerances since, in open condition, such closing doors project canti-levered from the respective furniture increasing its bulk.
Also with reference to sliding closing doors the volume and shape thereof, defined by the dimensions, are particularly limited and must fall within predetermined tolerances because the sliding of each closing door, between the open condition and the closed condition, must be kept within the perimeter bulk of the respective furniture.
The purpose of the present invention is to propose a piece of furniture and/or a similar furnishing element capable of solving the problems encountered in the prior art.
A further purpose of the present invention is to provide a piece of furniture and/or a similar furnishing element that can be closed whose structure is light and simple.
Another purpose of the present invention is to propose a piece of furniture and/or a similar furnishing element that can be closed and that has low overall costs.
Another purpose of the present invention is to provide a piece of furniture and/or a similar furnishing element that can be closed whose overall bulk, both in a mounted condition and in a disassembled condition, is lower than the bulk of a piece of furniture provided with conventional closing doors.
A further purpose of the present invention is to simplify and facilitate the operations of replacing the element(s) and/or component(s) for closing the respective housing spaces of the piece of furniture and/or of the furnishing element, when necessary.
Another purpose of the present invention is to cut the costs necessary for replacing the closing element(s) and/or component(s) foreseen on the piece of furniture and/or on furnishing elements.
Finally, a purpose of the invention is to free the shape and structure of the piece of furniture from the size limitations of the foreseen closing element(s) and/or component(s).
The purposes specified above, and yet others, are substantially accomplished by a piece of furniture and/or a similar furnishing element, as expressed and described in the following claims.
Now, as an example, we will provide the description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of a piece of furniture and/or a similar furnishing element. Such a description will be made hereafter with reference to the attached drawings, provided just for indicating and therefore not limiting purposes, in which:

figure 1 is a perspective view of a piece of furniture and/or a similar furnishing element, in accordance with the present invention represented in a closed condition;
figure 2 is a perspective view of the piece of furniture according to figure 1, represented in a first open condition;
figure 3 is a perspective view of the piece of furniture according to the figures 1 and 2, shown in a second open condition;
figure 4 is a perspective view of the piece of furniture according to the figure 3, shown in a third open condition;
figure 5 is a front view of the piece of furniture according to the figure 4 shown without a component to highlight some parts of the structure thereof;
figure 6 is an enlarged perspective view of a housing space of the piece of furniture according to figure 5;
figure 7 is an enlarged perspective view of a detail of the piece of furniture according to figures 6 and 7;
figure 8 is a cross section of a component of the piece of furniture according to the figures 1 to 7;
figure 9 is a view of a structure of a wardrobe in accordance with a further solution of the present invention;
figure 10 is a perspective view of a component of the piece of furniture according to the figures 1 to 9;
figure 11 is a perspective section view of the component according to the figure 10;
figure 12 is a plan view of the component depicted in the figure 11;
figure 13 is a perspective view of the component according to figures 10 to 12 engaged in part on the structure of the piece of furniture and in part on a slider plate thereof;
figure 14 is a perspective view of the piece of furniture and/or a similar furnishing element, in accordance with a preferred solution of the present invention;
figure 15 is a front view of the piece of furniture and/or of the furnishing element according to figure 14;
figure 16 is a perspective section of a detail of the piece of furniture and/or furnishing element according to figures 14 and 15, carried out along the line XVI-XVI of figure 15;
figure 17 is a perspective section of a detail of the piece of furniture and/or furnishing element according to figures 14 and 15, carried out along the line XVII-XVII of figure 15;
figure 18 is a view of the perspective section shown in figure 17;
figure 19 is a plan view of a detail of the piece of furniture and/or furnishing element according to figures 14 and 15;
figure 20 is a perspective section of a detail of the piece of furniture and/or furnishing element according to figures 14 and 15, carried out along the line XX-XX of figure 16;
figure 21 is a view of the perspective section shown in figure 20;
figure 22 is a perspective view of a detail of the piece of furniture and/or furnishing element.

With reference to figures 1 to 9, reference numeral 1 wholly indicates a piece of furniture and/or a similar furnishing element, in accordance with the present invention.
As can be seen in figures 1 to 9, the piece of furniture 1 comprises at least one structure 2 that defines at least one space 3 intended to house objects, clothes, garments and/or similar.
As can be seen in figures 1 to 6, the piece of furniture 1, shown as an example of an embodiment of a living room cupboard, is provided with a plurality of spaces 3, including two upper ones, two lower ones and one central one arranged between the upper spaces 3 and the lower spaces 3.
Advantageously, the piece of furniture 1 is provided with at least one frame 4 having a first and a second cross-member 5, 6, in particular substantially parallel, and a first and a second upright 7, 8, in particular substantially parallel, which extend transversally with respect to the cross-members 5, 6, to define a framework, preferably squared.
As can be seen in figures 1 to 6, the frame 4 is engaged to the structure 2 at a respective space 3, i.e. the central one.
The first cross-member 5 consists of an aluminium profile that has a first face 5a, facing the opposite way to the structure 2 of the piece of furniture 1 and to the respective space 3. The first face 5a extends from one end of the first cross-member 5 to the other without discontinuity so that the exposed part of the first cross-member 5 appears smooth and continuous.
The first cross-member 5 also has a second face 5b, transversal to the first face 5a and facing the second cross-member 6.
The second face 5b has at least one longitudinal groove 9 that defines an engagement and sliding seat 10 (figure 8) which extends along the entire longitudinal extension of the first cross-member 5, inside the latter.
As can be seen in figures 2 to 6, the second cross-member 6, preferably consisting of an aluminium profile, has a face 6a provided with at least one longitudinal groove 6b that defines a respective engagement and sliding seat. The face 6a of the second cross-member 6 faces the opposite way to the structure 2 of the piece of furniture 1 so as to face outwards. Advantageously, the piece of furniture 1 comprises at least one closing fabric 11 operatively engaged to the frame 4. The closing fabric 11 is preferably mobile between a closed condition (figure 1), in which it closes, in particular completely, the respective space 3, and an open condition (figures 2 to 4) in which the respective space 3 is, at least partially, open.
As can be seen in figures 2 and 4, the closing fabric 11 can be switched from the open condition to the closed condition through a sliding thereof from right to left or from left to right.
As illustrated in figure 3, the closing fabric 11 can be switched from the open condition to the closed condition by moving the opposite ends thereof towards an intermediate central area of the respective space 3. As can be seen in figures 1 to 4 and 8, the closing fabric 11 comprises a main structure 12 on which it is possible to identify at least one engagement portion 13.
As can be seen in figure 8, the engagement portion 13 is located near to an end edge 14 of the closing fabric 11 and allows the mobile engagement of the latter to the frame 4, through the suitable interposition of further components that will be illustrated during the course of the present description.
As an alternative to the closing fabric 11 it is also possible to use a substantially slack closing element, in other words not rigid, capable of taking up a folded or wave-like configuration, when it is switched open, as well as a flat configuration without discontinuity, when it is switched closed.
Generally, the opening and closing of the closing fabric is carried out manually. However, this does not rule out the possibility of the closing fabric 11 being moved in an automated manner by means of suitable driving motors and/or similar movement actuators.
In order to allow the sliding of the closing fabric 11 along the cross-members 5, 6 of the frame 4 between the closed condition (figure 1) and the different open conditions (figures 2 to 4), the piece of furniture 1 comprises two or more support elements 15 of the closing fabric 11, preferably a plurality of support elements 15, operatively engaged in the longitudinal groove 9 of the first cross-member 5.
Each support element 15 is provided with at least one fastening portion 15a operatively engaged in the longitudinal groove 9 of the first cross-member 5.
As can be seen in figure 8, the fastening portion 15a, of each support element 15, extends partially parallel to the second surface 5b of the first cross-member 5 and, at least partially, perpendicular to the latter and inside the longitudinal groove 9.
Advantageously, the fastening portion 15a has one or more end elements 15b operatively engaged in the engagement and sliding seat 10 defined by the longitudinal groove 9 so that the respective support element 15 is fastened to the first cross-member 5 with freedom to slide along the longitudinal extension of the latter.
With reference to figures 7 and 8, each support element 15 is advantageously provided with suitable resting means 16, in particular at least one or more rolling elements, operatively engaged to the first cross-member 5 to ensure a stable set-up of the respective support element 15 both in static condition and in moving condition.
Furthermore, with reference to figures 7 and 8, each support element 15 is equipped with at least one fastening pin 17 that extends substantially parallel to the first face 5a of the first cross-member 5. The fastening pin 17 is advantageously spaced from the first face 5a of the first cross-member 5 according to a predetermined distance.
In order to allow the engagement of the closing fabric 11 to the first cross-member 5 by means of the interposition of the aforementioned support elements 4, the engagement portion 13 of the closing fabric 11 advantageously has a configuration folded in overlapping layers 13a, 13b (figure 8), among which one layer 13a is fixedly connected to the main structure 12 of the closing fabric 11, whereas the other layer 13b, folded over, lies in a position arranged between the main structure 12 of the closing fabric 11 and the support elements 15 thereof.
More in detail, the folded over layer 13b of the engagement portion 13 has an engagement surface 13c that faces the housing space 3 and is provided with a plurality of engagement slots 18 for the insertion of the fastening pins 17 of the aforementioned support elements 15.
Preferably, the engagement slots 18 are formed on at least one multi-pocketed band (not visible in the attached figures) which is engaged to the engagement surface 13c of the folded over layer 13b by means of the respective stitches that are not visible from the outside since the fixedly connected layer 13a completely covers the folded over layer 13b of the engagement portion 13.
The closing fabric 11 can be made according to any known material. For example, the closing fabric 11 can be a soundproofing and/or fireproof fabric. Advantageously, the piece of furniture 1 also comprises tensioning means 19 (figures 10 to 13) operatively arranged between the closing fabric 11 and the structure 2 of the respective piece of furniture 1 to place the closing fabric 11 under tension when it is in the closed condition (figure 1). In this way, when the closing fabric 11 is in the closed condition, it extends without discontinuity substantially on the same plane, ensuring the complete closing of the respective space 3 of the piece of furniture 1.
Advantageously, the tensioning means 19 foresee, for each end of the closing fabric 11, at least one tensioning member 20 and at least one fastening element 21.
Each tensioning member 20 is suitably fixed to a respective slider plate 22 that extends between the cross-members 5, 6 of the frame 4.
In particular, every slider plate 22 slidably engages the longitudinal groove 9, 6b of each cross-member 5, 6 to slide along the longitudinal extension thereof.
Each slider plate 22 has an engagement side on which a respective end of the closing fabric 11 is fixed, by means of a suitable rubber tubular profile P (figure 13), so that the sliding of each slider plate 22 determines the opening out of the closing fabric 11 or the collection thereof according to a wave-like configuration.
As can be seen in figure 13, each fastening element 21 coordinated with the respective tensioning member 20 is fixed to a respective wall M of the space 3. In this case, the fastening member 21 is provided with a suitable projection 21a that interacts with a fastening protuberance 20a of the tensioning member 20 when the respective slider plate 22 is in abutment against the corresponding wall M of the respective space 3, i.e. when the closing fabric 11 is in closed condition (figure 1).
Advantageously, each tensioning member 20 is provided, inside it, with one or more known mechanisms 23 capable, through the cooperation between the respective fastening protuberance 20a and the fastening projection 21a of the respective fastening member 21, of bringing the corresponding slider plate 22 up to the reference wall M of the space 3. In this case, the rubber profile P is pressed between the respective slider plate 22 and the corresponding wall of the space 3.
Of course, the tensioning means 19 described above can be replaced with any other known tensioning system, capable of placing the aforementioned closing fabric 11 under tension.
The tensioning action of the closing fabric 11 must be actuated on both ends thereof in order to create a continuous surface without any fold capable of satisfactorily isolating the space 3 from the outside.
In accordance with the solution illustrated in figure 9, the space 3 is defined by the entire structure of a wardrobe.
In this specific case, both the frame 4 and the closing fabric 11 have been left out of the drawing for the sake of clarity and in order to be able to display the internal configuration of the respective space 3.
In particular, since the closing fabric 11 and the innovative system for opening and closing the space 3 do not require the provision on the inside of vertical uprights, the wardrobe can be designed without the usual limitations dictated by conventional closing doors.
As represented in figure 9, it is possible to arrange a plurality of shelves R directly fixed inside the side walls M or the bottom F of the structure 2.
In addition, it is possible to foresee one or more vertical support elements 24, in particular having a tubular configuration, each suitably equipped with a plurality of horizontal elements 25 for carrying clothes and/or garments, in particular also having a tubular configuration. Each tubular horizontal element 25 is advantageously height-adjustable by means of a respective engagement bushing 25a, which is fitted on the vertical support element 24 and has at least one locking dowel (not represented) or other similar locking element for fixing the vertical position of the tubular horizontal element 25.
Each tubular horizontal element 25 is also able to rotate about the vertical support element 24 between a first position in which it lies substantially inside the respective space 3 (figure 9) and a second position in which it at least partially projects from such a space 3.
Of course, the movement of one or more tubular horizontal elements 25 from the first to the second position can be actuated when the closing fabric 11, associated with the piece of furniture 1, is in open condition.
In accordance with a further solution of the present invention that has not been represented since it is structurally and conceptually very similar to the solutions described above, it is foreseen to have a furnishing element without furniture structures, since the frame 4 can be engaged directly on the inner walls of a building structure, like for example a house, a dwelling and/or similar, to separate and divide the internal volumes into at least two spaces.
In this case, apart from the structure of the furniture, the furnishing element has the same components and works in the same way as the solutions described above.
In accordance with a preferred solution of the invention illustrated in figures 14 to 21, the piece of furniture 1 and/or the piece of furnishing element comprises a structure 2 that at least partially defines a space 3. The piece of furniture 1 and/or the furnishing element also comprises at least one frame 4, which is engaged to the structure 2 at the space 3 and has a first and a second cross-member 5, 6, in particular substantially parallel.
Also in this case, the piece of furniture 1 and/or the furnishing element is provided with at least one closing fabric 11 (schematically illustrated just in figure 19 for the sake of clarity) operatively engaged with the frame 4.
The closing fabric 11 is advantageously mobile between a closed condition, in which it covers, in particular completely, the space 3, and an open condition in which the space 3 is at least partially open and not covered. Similarly to the solution according to figures 1 to 8, the piece of furniture 1 and/or the furnishing element illustrated in figures 14 to 21, is equipped with tensioning means 19 (figures 14 to 16, 19, 22) operatively engaged, optionally by interposition of further components, to the closing fabric 11 to place the latter under tension when it is in the closed condition, so that the closing fabric 11 extends substantially on the same plane without discontinuity. Advantageously, the tensioning means 19 determine the complete covering of the space 3 when the closing fabric 11 is in closed condition.
With reference to the specific solution illustrated in figures 14 and 15, the piece of furniture 1 and/or the furnishing element represents a wardrobe, so that the frame 4 comprises a first and a second upright 7, 8, in particular substantially parallel, which extend transversally with respect to the cross-members 5, 6.
In this case, the cross-members 5, 6 and the uprights 7, 8 at least partially define the space 3.
It should however be highlighted that the piece of furniture 1 and/or the similar furnishing element can also foresee a housing space that is partially defined just by the cross-members 5, 6 and by the closing fabric 11 both in open condition and in closed condition. According to such a solution, the piece of furniture 1 and/or the furnishing element is closed on top and at the bottom, and open at the side, even when the closing fabric 11 is in the closed condition. Similarly to the solution according to figures 1 to 13, the first cross-member 5 has a first face 5a, facing the opposite way to the structure 2 and to the space 3 of the piece of furniture 1 and/or of the furnishing element.
As can be seen in figures 14 and 15, the first cross-member 5 extends without discontinuity from one end to the other and also has a second face 5b (figures 15 and 21) transversal to the first face 5a, which faces the second cross-member 6 and has at least one longitudinal groove 9.
The longitudinal groove 9 of the second face 5b of the first cross-member 5a defines an engagement and sliding seat 10a, 10b, 10c (figure 21) for the engagement and the sliding of the closing fabric 11.
Going into greater detail, as can be seen in figure 21, the first cross-member 5 advantageously comprises two profiles 5c, 5d, which are engaged with one another through a coupled engagement or fastening.
The first face 5a is defined on the first profile 5c, whereas the second face 5b is defined by both of the profiles 5c, 5d.
Advantageously, the longitudinal groove 9 is defined between the profiles 5c, 5d of the first cross-member 5, and preferably defines three engagement and sliding seats 10a, 10b, 10c that will be described in detail in relation to further components of the piece of furniture 1 and/or of the furnishing element.
A first seat 10a is formed inside the first profile 5c of the first cross-member 5. A second seat 10b is defined between the first and the second profile 5c, 5d defining the access for the groove 9. A third seat 10c is defined inside the second profile 5d, on the opposite side with respect to the first profile 5c. Advantageously, the third seat 10c is provided with at least one guide rail 10d, preferably two opposite ones, which extend along the entire extension of the second profile 5d.
The second cross-member 6 has at least one face 6a, facing the opposite way to the structure 2 of the piece of furniture 1 and/or of the furnishing element. The face 6a of the second cross-member 6 is provided with at least one longitudinal groove 6b that defines at least one engagement and sliding seat for the engagement and sliding, through interposition of suitable components, of the closing fabric 11.
With particular reference to figures 14, 15, 20 and 21, the piece of furniture 1 and/or the furnishing element comprises two or more support elements 15 of the closing fabric 11, operatively engaged at least in the longitudinal groove 9 of the first cross-member 5. Advantageously, the piece of furniture 1 and/or the furnishing element comprises a plurality of support elements 15 (not represented for the sake of clarity) of the closing fabric 11, operatively engaged both in the longitudinal groove 9 of the first cross-member 5 and in the longitudinal groove 6b of the second cross-member 6. In this way the closing fabric 11 is supported on both sides, in other words from above and from below.
Each support element 15 is mobile along the respective longitudinal groove 9 of the respective cross-member 5 to allow the switching of the closing fabric 11 between the open condition and the closed condition.
With reference to figures 14, 15, 20 and 21, each support element 15 is provided with at least one fastening pin 17, optionally two substantially parallel ones. Each fastening pin 17 extends substantially parallel with respect to the first face 5a of the first cross-member 5 and is spaced from the latter according to a distance that is sufficient to support at least one portion of the closing fabric 11.
Each support element 15 also comprises, for each fastening pin 17, at least one support tongue 26 (figures 14, 15, 20 and 21), having a fastening portion 26a (figures 20 and 21) able to engage the respective fastening pin 17 to remain in a canti-levered position with respect to the latter according to an orientation parallel to the first face 5a of the first cross-member 5 and a plate-shaped portion 26b (figures 14, 15 and 20) able to be inserted inside a respective engagement pocket Z (figure 19) provided along an edge of the closing fabric 11.
As it can be seen in the attached figures, the fastening portion 26a of each tongue 26 has at least one or two fastening appendages configured substantially like a "clip" the ends of which can be spread to receive in engagement the respective fastening pin 17 on which they press to ensure the engagement of the latter to the support tongue 26. Therefore, the engagement of each support tongue 26 to the respective fastening pin 17 can be actuated by positioning and pushing the fastening portion 26a thereof against the pin 17 to determine a snap engagement of the support tongue 26 on the fastening pin 17.
The disengagement of the support tongue 26 from the respective fastening pin 17 requires the spreading of the ends of the fastening appendages of the fastening portion 26a. Such spreading can take place by using tools or similar elements, like for example screwdrivers and/or similar, or else by pulling the support tongue 26 away from the respective fastening pin 17 so that the latter spreads the fastening portion 26a.
Advantageously, the particular "clip" configuration of the fastening portion 26a of each support tongue 26 allows the firm engagement thereof to the respective fastening pin 17 and, at the same time, the yielding and therefore the disengagement thereof from the respective fastening pin 17, if subjected to excessive loads, mainly directed downwards.
As an example, in the case of accidental excessive pulling of the closing fabric 11, the support tongues 26 involved disengage from the respective support pins 17 protecting the structural integrity thereof.
As can be seen in figures 19 and 20, the plate-shaped portion 26b of each support tongue 26 has toothed opposite longitudinal edges 26c to ensure the engagement thereof to the respective engagement pocket Z of the closing fabric 11.
In addition, in order to lighten the structure of each support tongue 26, the plate-shaped portion 26b is provided with a plurality of through openings 26d. Advantageously, each support tongue 26 is free to rotate about the respective fastening pin 17 between a starting position (figures 14, 15, 20 and 21) in which the respective plate-shaped portion 26b lies on a plane substantially parallel to the first face 5a of the first cross-member 5 and an inclined position, inner or outer, in which the plate-shaped portion 26b extends obliquely with respect to the first face 5a of the first cross-member 5 to facilitate the engagement and disengagement of the tongue in/from the respective engagement pocket Z of the closing fabric 11 or to orient the closing fabric 11 according to a folded configuration when it is in open condition.
With reference to figures 20 and 21, each support element 15 comprises resting means 16, in particular one or more rolling elements, operatively engaged to the respective cross-member 5, 6 to support the fastening pins 17, the respective support tongues 26 and the closing fabric 11 engaged to them. Advantageously, the resting means 16 ensure a stable set-up of the respective support element 15 both in a static condition and in a moving condition.
More in detail, the resting means 16 comprise a first rolling element 28a, optionally a pair, engaged in said first seat 10a of the respective cross-member 5. The engagement of the first rolling elements 28a to the first seat 10a allows the respective support element 15 to slide along the longitudinal extension of the respective cross-member 5, at the same time avoiding translations of the support element 15 parallel and perpendicular to the first face 5a of the first cross-member 5.
The resting means 16 also comprise a second rolling element 28b, optionally a pair, engaged in the second seat 10b of the respective cross-member 5, substantially perpendicular with respect to the first rolling elements 28a. The engagement of the second rolling elements 28b to the second seat 10b allows the respective support element 15 to slide along the longitudinal extension of the respective cross-member 5, at the same time avoiding translations of the support element 15 substantially perpendicular to the first face 5a of the first cross-member 5.
The resting means 16 also comprise a third rolling element 28c, optionally a pair, arranged substantially parallel with respect to the first ones 28a and substantially perpendicular with respect to the second ones 28b. The engagement of the third rolling elements 28c to the cross-member 5 allows the respective support element 15 to slide along the longitudinal extension of the respective cross-member 5, at the same time avoiding translations substantially parallel to the first face 5a of the first cross-member 5, upwards.
The cooperation between the first, second and third rolling elements 28a, 28b, 28c ensures the stability of the respective support element 15, avoiding rotations thereof in space.
With reference to figures 20 and 21, each support element 15 is provided with at least one abutment pin 27 for each support tongue 26. Each abutment pin 27 is arranged between the fastening pins 17 and the resting means 16. Each abutment pin 27 intercepts the respective support tongue 26 moving from the starting position to the inner inclined position to stop its excursion towards the resting means 16 and the respective cross-member 5.
As it can be seen in figure 19, each side end of the closing fabric 11 engages the cross-members 5, 6 of the structure 2 through at least one slider plate 22 that extends transversally between the cross-members 5, 6 (figures 14 and 15).
Each slider plate 22 has an engagement flank on which the respective end of the closing fabric 11 is fixed so that the sliding of each slider plate 22 determines a stretching out of the closing fabric 11 or a collection thereof according to a folded and wave-like configuration.
In addition, each slider plate 22 is provided with at least one support tongue identical to the support tongues 26 found on the support elements 15 provided to engage a respective pocket Z of the closing fabric 11 (figure 19).
As it is shown in figures 16 to 19, each slider bar 22 is provided with a fastening device 29 of the closing fabric 11. Each fastening device 29 is advantageously arranged in the back of the respective slider bar 22 so that the closing fabric 11 extends astride of at least one flank of the slider bar 22 to engage the fastening device 29 with its end.
Each fastening device 29 advantageously comprises a profile 29a in which a substantially "clip" type portion 29b is defined. The "clip" type portion 29b is advantageously arranged to receive the end of the closing fabric 11 by interference and/or coupling according to a stable engagement.
The profile 29a of each fastening device 29 is mobile along the respective slider bar 22 to allow the adjustment of the tension of the closing fabric 11 at the end thereof.
In particular, as illustrated in figures 18 and 19, through one or more screwing adjustment members 30 operatively arranged in the back of each slider bar 22 it is possible to control the movement of the profile 29a of the respective fastening device 29 to adjust the tension at the end of the closing fabric 11 engaged to the respective slider bar 22.
In order to facilitate and simplify the assembling and the disassembling operations of the fabric on/from the fastening device 29, at each slider bar 22, each slider bar 22 comprises a first profile 22a that lies on a plane substantially parallel to the first face 5a of the first cross-member 5 and a second profile 22b rotatably engaged to the first profile 22a, along at least one connection pin 22c projecting from the first profile 22a.
In particular, the second profile 22b is mobile between a first position in which it lies on the same plane as the first profile 22a (figures 17 to 19) and a second position (not represented) in which it lies on an inclined plane with respect to the plane of the first profile 22a, preferably towards the outside, to facilitate the engagement and/or the disengagement operations of the closing fabric to/from the respective fastening device 29.
According to a further advantageous aspect of the solution according to figures 14 to 16, 19 and 22, the tensioning means 19 are operatively arranged between the closing fabric 11 and the structure 2 of the piece of furniture 1 and/or furnishing element. The tensioning means 19 cooperate with the structure 2 of the piece of furniture 1 and/or furnishing element to place the closing fabric 11 under tension when it is in the closed condition.
Preferably, the tensioning means 19 comprise, for each end of the closing fabric 11 and of the cross-members 5, 6, at least one pair of magnets 31, optionally two pairs of magnets 31, one arranged at the first cross-member 5, the other arranged at the second cross-member 6. A first magnet 31a of each pair 31a, 31b is engaged to the slider bar 22 at the respective cross-member 5, 6, whereas a second magnet 31b of each pair 31a, 31b is engaged along the respective cross-member 5, 6, at the end thereof. The magnets 31a, 31b of each pair 31a, 31b attract one another, so that when they are close to one another, they tend to align with one another vertically. The mutual attraction of the aforementioned magnets 31a, 31b determines the structural tension of the closing fabric 11 when the latter is in the closed condition.
Advantageously, the magnets 31a, 31b can be adjusted along a direction substantially parallel to the extension of the cross-members 5, 6 according to requirements. The adjustment is possible by means of mobile engagement elements that allow the movement of the aforementioned magnets 31a, 31b.
The furniture object of the present invention overcomes the drawbacks encountered in the prior art and achieves important advantages.
Firstly, the piece of furniture described above has a light and simple structure since it does not have conventional closing doors.
The lightening of the structure of the furniture allows uses not provided for piece of furniture of that size, i.e. they can be positioned according to suspended positions through suitable support elements fixed to the walls of homes.
In addition, the replacement of conventional closing doors with a single closing fabric allows a significant reduction in the overall costs of the respective furniture. The reduction of such costs depends, on the one hand, on the elimination of conventional closing doors that are normally made with valuable materials, and on the other hand, on the possibility of eliminating the uprights and/or similar vertical dividing walls from the spaces engaged by the closing fabric.
It is also be noted that the use of the aforementioned closing fabric allows a substantial reduction in overall bulk of the piece of furniture in accordance with the present invention, both in mounted condition, inside homes and houses, and in dismounted condition, inside storage warehouses or inside loading spaces of means of transport used to move it.
The reduction in bulk also has a positive impact on the storage and transportation costs since, by occupying less volume, it is possible to transport a greater number of disassembled parts of pieces of furniture for the same cost.
A further advantage that can be found in the aforementioned piece of furniture is the simplicity and ease of replacement of the closing fabric with any other type of closing fabric. In fact, when there is a need to replace the closing fabric in use with another closing fabric having a different appearance or simply a new one that is not worn, it is necessary to disengage the closing fabric from the support elements to replace it with the new closing fabric. This operation cannot be carried out in a simple and easy manner on pieces of furniture that foresees conventional closing doors. The replacement of conventional closing doors requires the correct disassembly of each old door and the correct assembly of each new door. Such an operation, as well as being complex, also requires the presence of a trained and manually skilled person.
It is also be noted that, as already stated above, the elimination of conventional closing doors allows the elimination of the vertical uprights normally arranged inside the spaces, allowing more freedom of design of the accessories and of the internal configuration of the aforementioned piece of furniture.
The elimination of the internal uprights allows an advantageous reduction in the depth of the piece of furniture, especially in wardrobes. In this case, clothes and garments can be arranged according to an inclined orientation with respect to the conventional perpendicular orientation, given that the only two dead points, where the internal volume is not exploited, are the areas close to the vertical uprights of the structure of the piece of furniture/wardrobe. The reduction in depth is particularly advantageous in the furnishing of small homes and rooms that lack space.
In addition, the provision of tensioning means capable of stretching the closing fabric in an adjustable manner makes it possible to obtain, in all situations, a flat surface without irregularities. Such an effect is particularly advantageous in unusual situations where the closing fabric, subjected to tension, does not behave as expected. An example of such situations is encountered when the old closing fabric loses its elasticity, reacting differently to the traction stresses actuated by the tensioning means.

Claims

Piece of furniture and/or similar furnishing element, comprising:
at least one structure (2) at least partially defining at least one space (3);

at least one frame (4) having a first and a second cross-member (5, 6), in particular substantially parallel, said frame (4) being engaged to said structure (2) at said space (3);

at least one closing fabric (11) operatively engaged at said frame (4), said closing, fabric (11) being mobile between a closed condition, in which it closes, in particular completely, said space (3), and an open condition in which said space (3) is, at least partially, open;

tensioning means (19) operatively engaged at said closing fabric (11) to place the latter under tension when it is in the closed condition so that said closing fabric (11) extends substantially on the same resting plane without discontinuity, said tensioning means (19) determining the complete closing of said space (3) when said closing fabric (11) is in closed condition.
Piece of furniture and/or similar furnishing element according to claim 1, wherein said frame comprises a first and a second upright (7, 8), in particular substantially parallel, extending transversally with respect to said cross-members (5, 6), said cross-members (5, 6) and said uprights (7, 8) at least partially defining said space (3).
Piece of furniture and/or similar furnishing element according to claim 1 or 2, wherein:
said first cross-member (5) has a first face (5a), facing the opposite way to said structure (2) of said piece of furniture (1) and to said space (3), said first face (5a) extending without discontinuity from one end to the other; and, a second face (5b), transversal to said first face (5a), facing said second cross-member (6) and having at least one longitudinal groove (9), said second face (5b) being provided with a respective longitudinal groove (9) defining an engagement and sliding seat (10) for the engagement and the sliding of said closing fabric (11);

said second cross-member (6) has at least one face (6a), facing the opposite way to said structure (2) of said furniture (1), said face (6a) being provided with at least one longitudinal groove (6b) defining a respective engagement and sliding seat for the engagement and sliding of said closing fabric (11).
Piece of furniture and/or similar furnishing element according to one or more of the previous claims, comprising two or more support elements (15) of said closing fabric (11), operatively engaged at least in said longitudinal groove (9) of said first cross-member (5), optionally also engaged in said longitudinal groove (6b) of said second cross-member (6), each support element (15) being mobile along the longitudinal groove (6b, 9) of the respective cross-member (5, 6) to allow the switching of said closing fabric (11) between the open condition and the closed condition.
Piece of furniture and/or similar furnishing element according to claim 4, wherein each support element (15) is provided with:
at least one fastening pin (17), optionally two substantially parallel to one another, said fastening pin (17) extending substantially parallel with respect to said first face (5a) of said first cross-member (5) and being spaced from said first face (5a) of said first cross-member (5) according to a distance sufficient to receive at least one portion of said closing fabric (11);

at least one support tongue (26), optionally two, having a fastening portion (26a) able to engage a respective fastening pin (17) of said support element (15) to remain in at least one canti-levered position with respect to said fastening pin (17) according to an orientation parallel to said first face (5a) of said first cross-member (5) and a plate-shaped portion (26b) able to be inserted inside respective engagement pockets (Z) provided along an edge of said closing fabric (11);

resting means (16), in particular one or more rolling elements, operatively engaged at the respective cross-member (5, 6) to support said fastening pin (17), support tongue (26) and closing fabric (11), said resting means (16) ensuring a stable set-up of the respective support element (15) both in static condition and in moving condition.
Piece of furniture and/or furnishing element according to claim 4, wherein said support tongue (26) is free to rotate about the respective fastening pin (17) between a starting position in which said plate-shaped portion (26b) lies on a plane substantially parallel to said first face (5a) of said first cross-member (5) and an inclined position, inner or outer, in which said plate-shaped portion (26b) extends obliquely with respect to said first face (5a) of said first cross-member (5) for the engagement and disengagement of said tongue (26) into/from a respective engagement pocket (Z) of said closing fabric (11), said support element (15) having at least one abutment pin (27) arranged between said fastening pin (17) and said resting means (16), said abutment pin (27) intercepting said support tongue (26) moving from the starting position to the inner inclined position to stop the excursion of said support tongue (26) towards said resting means (16) and respective cross-member (5).
Piece of furniture and/or furnishing element according to claim 6, wherein said plate-shaped portion (26b) of said support tongue (26) has toothed opposite longitudinal edges (26c) to ensure the engagement of the same support tongue (26) with the respective engagement pocket (Z) of said closing fabric (11).
Piece of furniture and/or furnishing element according to one or more of claims 5 to 7, wherein said resting means (16) comprise:
a first rolling element (28a), optionally a pair, engaged in said groove (9) of the respective cross-member (5), the engagement of said first rolling element (28a) with said groove (9) allowing the sliding of said support element (15) along the longitudinal extension of the respective cross-member and avoiding translations of the support element (15) parallel and perpendicular to the first face (5a) of said first cross-member (5);

a second rolling element (28b), optionally a pair, engaged in said groove (9) of the respective cross-member (5) substantially perpendicular with respect to the first rolling element (5, 6a), the engagement of said second rolling element (b) with said groove (9) allowing the sliding of said support element (15) along the longitudinal extension of the respective cross-member (5) and avoiding translation of the support element (15) substantially perpendicular to the first face (5a) of said first cross-member (5);

a third rolling element (28c), optionally a pair, arranged substantially parallel with respect to the first (28a) and substantially perpendicular with respect to the second (28b), the engagement of said third rolling element (28c) allowing the sliding of said support element (15) along the longitudinal extension of the respective cross-member and avoiding translations substantially parallel and towards the top of the first face (5a) of the first cross-member,

the cooperation between said first (28a), second (28b) and third rolling element (28c) ensuring the stability of said support element (15) and avoiding rotations thereof in space.
Piece of furniture and/or furnishing element according to one or more of the previous claims, wherein said closing fabric (11) engages said cross-members (5, 6) of said structure (2) through at least one slider plate (22), preferably two, extending transversally between said cross-members (5, 6), said slider plate (22) having an engagement flank on which a respective end of said closing fabric (11) is fixed so that the sliding of each slider plate (22) determines a stretching out of the closing fabric (11) or a collecting together thereof according to a wave-like configuration.
Piece of furniture and/or furnishing element according to claim 9, wherein said slider bar (22) is provided with a fastening device (29) of said closing fabric (11), said fastening device (29) being arranged in the back of said slider bar (22) so that said closing fabric (29) extends astride of at least one flank of said slider bar (22) to engage, with its own end, said fastening device (29), said fastening device (29) being mobile to regulate the tension of said closing fabric (11) at said fastening device (29).
Piece of furniture and/or furnishing element according to claim 10, wherein said slider bar (22) comprises:
a first profile (22a) lying on a plane substantially parallel to the first face (5a) of said first cross-member (5);

a second profile (22b) rotatably engaged with said first profile (22a), said second profile (22b) being mobile between a first position in which it lies on the same plane as said first profile (22a) and a second position in which it lies on an inclined plane with respect to the plane of said first profile (22a) to facilitate the engagement/disengagement operations of said closing fabric with/from said fastening device (29).
Piece of furniture and/or furnishing element according to one or more of the previous claims, wherein said tensioning means (19) are operatively arranged between said closing fabric (11) and said structure (2) of said piece of furniture (1), said tensioning means (19) cooperating with said structure (2) of said furniture (1) to place the closing fabric (11) under tension when it is in the closed condition.
Piece of furniture and/or furnishing element according to claim 12, wherein the tensioning means (19) comprise, for each end of said closing fabric (11), at least one pair of magnets (31a, 31b), preferably two pairs of magnets (31a, 31b), a first magnet (31a) of said pair is engaged with said slider bar (22) at a respective cross-member (5, 6), whereas a second magnet (31b) of said pair (31a, 31b) is engaged along the respective cross-member (5, 6), said magnets (31a, 31b) of said pair (31a, 31b) attracting one another when they are arranged in close-together position, the attraction of said magnets determining the structural tension of said closing fabric (11) when it is in closed condition.
Piece of furniture and/or furnishing element according to one or more of the previous claims, wherein said space (3) of said piece of furniture (1) is without inner vertical uprights and/or vertical dividing walls.