EP2756779A1

EP2756779A1 - Sliding bookcase

Info

Publication number: EP2756779A1
Application number: EP14151806.8A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Simona Vignudelli
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2013-01-22
Filing date: 2014-01-20
Publication date: 2014-07-23
Anticipated expiration: 2034-01-20
Also published as: ITBO20130025A1; EP2756779B1

Abstract

A sliding bookcase comprises: a fixed back panel (2) which can be stably associated with a wall; a movable back panel (8) at least partly superposed on the fixed back panel (2) and slidable in a plane parallel to the plane defined by the fixed back panel (2); at least one fixed shelf (4) associated to the fixed back panel (2); and at least one movable shelf (10) associated to the movable back panel (8), the shelves (4, 10) extending from the respective back panels (2, 8) transversely to the planes defined by the panels (2, 8) themselves; the movable back panel (8) being slidable between the fixed back panel (2) and the respective fixed shelf (4).

Description

This invention relates to a sliding bookcase, used in particular for holding books or small objects such as ornaments, picture frames and the like.
As is known, bookcases comprise a number of shelves, generally horizontal, on which books or small decorative items are placed. The shelves are mounted on a load-bearing frame extending vertically from the floor, abutting against a wall and, if necessary, resting on the floor.
More specifically, the frame has a back panel with a visible outside surface and an inside surface which abuts against, and is preferably attached to, a wall. The frame also has a border surrounding the back panel to define the upper and lateral perimeter of the bookcase.
The shelves, which may be of any size or shape and arranged in any way on the panel, have a rear edge which is attached to the visible surface of the back panel. Thus, the shelves are cantilevered from the back panel and each provides a book supporting surface which is perpendicular to the main plane of extension of the back panel itself.
There may also be shelves adjacent to the frame border and attached thereto at at least one respective lateral portion. In this situation, the shelf may be fixed both at the rear edge and at the lateral edges so as to make it more stable and able to support heavy loads.
Also known are moving or sliding bookcases, that is to say, bookcases which are equipped with a sliding structure, mounting one or more shelves, in addition to the fixed part of the kind described above.
More specifically, the sliding structure is placed in front of the shelves associated with the back panel and is less wide than the back panel so as to be able to slide in front of it.
The sliding structure is defined by a movable panel having a visible outside surface to which one or more shelves are mounted. At the top of it, the movable panel is slidably engaged in a runner made in the frame. Thus, the movable panel and the respective shelves are slidable along the runner in a direction corresponding to the main plane of extension of the bookcase.
The shelves of the sliding structure therefore provide additional storage space for books. To access the shelves of the back panel hidden behind the sliding structure, this structure can be moved to one side by making it slide along the runner. Besides providing extra space for storing books, moving bookcases are used to hide or close parts of the back panel. For example, the moving structure can be used to hide a part of the panel which, for aesthetic or functional purposes, must not remain visible at all times. By making the moving structure slide along the front of the back panel, it is possible to cover or uncover that part using the moving structure as a sliding door.
Sliding bookcases of the type described above have major disadvantages, however.
In effect, the moving structure is very bulky, which means that the bookcase as a whole occupies an excessive amount of space. It should be remembered that the moving structure is located in front of the fixed shelves and thus projects quite markedly from the fixed structure of the bookcase.
Moreover, the moving structure is always in front of a part of the fixed panel, covering at least part of the shelves mounted to the fixed panel. Consequently, it is very complicated to gain access to the shelves mounted to the fixed panel and, at the same time, to the shelves mounted to the moving structure.
This invention therefore has for an aim to provide a sliding bookcase which overcomes the above mentioned disadvantages of the prior art.
More specifically, the aim of this invention is to provide a sliding bookcase which is reduced in its overall dimensions, especially in the size of its sliding structure.
A further aim of the invention is to provide a sliding bookcase which is easy to use and which allows simultaneous access to all the shelves, irrespective of the position of the moving structure relative to the fixed structure.
These and other aims are fully achieved by the sliding bookcase according to this invention, as characterized in claim 1.
The technical features of the invention, according to the above aims, are clearly described in the claims below and its advantages are more apparent from the detailed description which follows, with reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred, non-limiting embodiment of it and in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the sliding bookcase according to the invention in a respective first operating condition;
Figure 2 is a perspective view of the sliding bookcase according to the invention in a respective second operating condition; and
Figure 3 is a perspective view of a constructional detail of the sliding bookcase illustrated in Figures 1 and 2.

In the accompanying drawings, the numeral 1 denotes in its entirety a sliding bookcase according to this invention.
The bookcase 1 comprises a fixed back panel 2 which can be stably associated with a wall.
The fixed back panel 2 lies in a respective vertical plane and has a visible outside surface 3 and an inside surface, not shown in the accompanying drawings, abutting against the wall.
Associated with the fixed panel 2 there is at least one fixed shelf 4 defining a surface 4a for supporting books or small ornaments. Advantageously, the supporting surface 4a lies in a respective horizontal plane perpendicular to the plane in which the fixed back panel 2 lies.
Preferably, the fixed panel 2 has, associated with it, a plurality of fixed shelves 4 located above one another, vertically spaced as illustrated in the drawings and lying in respective parallel horizontal planes. It should be noted that the accompanying drawings show three fixed shelves 4 located above one another, offset and differing in length. The shelves 4 on the fixed panel 2 may be of any number and size and mounted in any position, as a function of the size of the bookcase 1 and production requirements. More in detail, each fixed shelf 4 comprises at least a first portion 5 stably engaged with the fixed panel 2 and at least a second portion 6 adjacent to and made in one piece with the first portion 5.
As better illustrated in Figure 3, the second portion 6 protrudes in cantilever fashion from the first portion 5 to be spaced from the fixed back panel 2.
In other words, the fixed shelf 4 is stably engaged with the fixed panel 2 only at the first portion 5. The second portion 6 is thus spaced from the fixed panel 2 to define a gap 7 for the passage of a movable back panel 8 described in more detail below.
In this situation, it should be noticed that the visible outside surface 3 of the fixed panel 2 has a first zone 3a which is at least partly covered by the movable panel 8 and a second zone 3b located further to one side of the of the fixed panel 2 and to which the first portions 5 of the fixed shelves 4 are attached.
As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the first portions 5 of the fixed shelves 4 are placed above one another and are all attached by customary fastening structures not described in detail to the second zone 3b of the visible outside surface 3.
As described above, the bookcase 1 also comprises a movable back panel 8 at least partly superposed on the fixed back panel 2 and slidable in a plane parallel to the plane defined by the fixed back panel 2. The movable back panel 8 comprises a visible outside surface 8a and a hidden inside surface adapted to abut the outside surface 3 of the fixed panel 2 in the condition where the movable panel 8 is at least partly superposed on the fixed panel 2.
Associated with the movable panel 8 there is at least one movable shelf 10 defining a surface 10a for supporting books or small ornaments. Advantageously, the supporting surface 10a lies in a respective horizontal plane perpendicular to the plane in which the fixed back panel 2 and the movable back panel 8 lie.
Preferably, there are a plurality of movable shelves 10 located above, and parallel to, one another As illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the fixed shelves 4 and the movable shelves 10 are located above one another and have an equivalent depth defined by the distance between a visible outside edge 11, 12 and an inside edge (hidden) abutting the respective back panel 2, 8. In this case, too, it should be noted that the movable shelves 10 may be of any shape or size By way of an example, the accompanying drawings also illustrate a movable bottom shelf 10 in the form of a chest of drawers 13 also associated with the movable panel 8.
In this situation, it should be noted that the movable back panel 8 and the respective movable shelves 10 are slidable in a plane defined by the fixed back panel 2 without interfering with the fixed shelves 4. In effect, as it slides, the movable back panel 8 moves between the fixed back panel 2 and the respective fixed shelves 4.
As better illustrated in Figure 3, the movable panel 8 is slidable inside the gaps 7 formed between the fixed shelves 4 and the first zone 3a of the visible surface 3 of the fixed panel 2.
Advantageously, irrespective of the position of the movable panel 8, access is always possible to the fixed and movable shelves 4, 10, which are always visible from the outside.
Preferably, the bookcase 1 also comprises a mounting frame 9 for supporting the panels 2, 8 and located at the peripheral edges of the panels 2, 8 themselves.
More in detail, the frame 9 comprises a first side upright 14, engaged with the fixed back panel 2, and a second side upright 15 distal from the first upright 14 to define an abutment surface 15a of the movable back panel 8. Above the uprights 14, 15 there extends a horizontal crosspiece 16 engaged with the fixed back panel 2 and having a runner - not illustrated or described in detail since it is of known type - in which the movable back panel 8 slides.
More specifically, the movable back panel 8 has a lateral edge 17 which abuts against the abutment surface 15a of the second upright 15 during the sliding of the movable panel 8 itself away from the fixed back panel.
It should also be noted that the first portion 5 of each fixed shelf 4 is also stably engaged with the first side upright 14.
The movable back panel 8 comprises a sliding element such as, for example, a slide shoe or roller. This sliding element is engaged in known manner in the runner so as to allow the movable panel 8 to be moved along a path defined by the runner itself, that is to say, in both directions along the plane defined by the fixed panel 2 and the movable panel 8.
As illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the movable panel 8 is thus slidable between a "closed" first position, where it is distal from, the fixed panel 2 (Figure 1) and an "open" second position, where it partly covers the first zone 3a of the visible surface 3 of the fixed panel 2 (Figure 2).
Thus, the frame 9 internally defines an area totally covered by the back panels 2, 8 at the position where the movable panel 8 is furthest away from the fixed panel 2 (closed position of Figure 1). At the position where the movable panel 8 partly covers the fixed panel (open position of Figure 2), on the other hand, the area defined by the frame 9 is covered partly and leaves an opening.
Advantageously, the movable panel 8 may be used as a cover for a part of the wall which must not normally be visible for aesthetic reasons. For example, the movable panel 8 may be used as a sliding door giving access to another room or to a safe built into the wall, and so on.
It should also be noted that the sliding bookcase 1 described above is limited in size because the sliding panel 8 and hence also the movable shelves 10 mounted thereto are contained within the volumetric dimensions defined by the fixed panel 2, the fixed shelves 4 and the frame 9.
In other words, the movable shelves 10 do not project further out than the fixed shelves 4 but are the same in depth and the respective visible outside edges 11 and 12 lie in the same plane. This advantage is made possible by the position of the movable panel 8 which slides between the fixed shelves 4 and the fixed panel 2. Consequently, the movable panel does not project outside the dimensions of the fixed shelves 4.
A further advantage of the sliding bookcase 1 of this invention is the possibility of accessing all parts of the shelving irrespective of the position the movable panel 8 has been moved to. In effect, it should be noted that the movable panel 8 slides into the gaps 7 and thus never covers the fixed shelves 4. As a result, direct access to all the shelves 4, 10 is possible whether the movable panel 8 is at the closed or open position.

Claims

A sliding bookcase comprising:
at least one fixed back panel (2) which can be stably associated with a wall;

at least one movable back panel (8) slidable in a plane parallel to the plane defined by the fixed back panel (2);

at least one fixed shelf (4) associated to the fixed back panel (2) and

extending therefrom transversely to the plane defined by the fixed back panel (2); and

at least one movable shelf (10) associated to the movable back panel (8) and extending therefrom transversely to the plane defined by the movable back panel (8);

the movable back panel (8) being slidable between the fixed back panel (2) and the respective fixed shelf (4), the bookcase being characterized in that the fixed shelf (4) comprises at least a first portion (5) stably engaged with the fixed back panel (2) and at least a second portion (6) protruding in cantilever fashion from the first portion (5) to be spaced from the fixed back panel (2); the movable back panel (8) being located at the second portion (6) of the fixed shelf (4).
The bookcase according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the fixed back panel (2) comprises a visible outside surface (3) having a first zone (3a) which is at least partly covered by the movable back panel (8) and a second zone (3b) which is not covered by the movable back panel (8); the first portion (5) of the fixed shelf (4) being connected to the second zone (3b) of the visible outside surface (3) of the fixed back panel (2).
The bookcase according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of fixed shelves (4) having respective first portions (5) superposed on, and associated with, the second zone (3b) of the outside surface (3) of the fixed back panel (2).
The bookcase according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the fixed shelves (4) lie in respective horizontal planes which are parallel to each other.
The bookcase according to any of the claims from 1 to 4, characterized in that it comprises a mounting frame (9) which supports the fixed back panel and the movable back panel (2, 8) and which is located at the peripheral edges thereof.
The bookcase according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the frame (9) comprises:
a first side upright (14) engaged with the fixed back panel (2);

a second side upright (15) distal from the first upright (14) to define an abutment surface (15a) of the movable back panel (8); and

a horizontal crosspiece (16) engaged with the fixed back panel (2) and having a runner in which the movable back panel (8) slides.
The bookcase according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the movable back panel (8) comprises a lateral edge (17) abuttable against the abutment surface (15a) of the second upright (15) when the movable back panel (8) slides away from the fixed back panel (2), and an upper edge having a sliding member associated with the runner to move the movable back panel (8) along a path defined by the selfsame runner and parallel to the planes defined by the fixed and movable back panels (2, 8).
The bookcase according to claim 6 o 7, characterized in that the first portion (5) of each fixed shelf (4) is stably engaged with the first side upright (14).
The bookcase according to any of the claims from 5 to 8, characterized in that the frame (9) internally defines an area which is totally covered by the fixed and movable back panels (2, 8) when the movable back panel (8) is furthest away from the fixed back panel (2) and partly covered by the fixed and movable back panels (2, 8) in at least one condition where the movable back panel (8) is close to the fixed back panel (2).
The bookcase according to claim 3, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of movable shelves (10) lying in respective horizontal planes which are parallel to each other and to the planes defined by the fixed shelves (4).
The bookcase according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the fixed shelves (4) and movable shelves (10) are superposed on each other and have the same depth defined by the distance between a respective outer edge (11, 12) which is visible and an inner edge which faces the respective fixed or movable back panel (2, 8).