EP3397116B1

EP3397116B1 - Versatile furniture item

Info

Publication number: EP3397116B1
Application number: EP15840976.3A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Anna Luisa CIMADAMORE
Original assignee: Hsign SRL
Current assignee: Hsign SRL
Priority date: 2015-12-31
Filing date: 2015-12-31
Publication date: 2020-07-01
Anticipated expiration: 2035-12-31
Also published as: US20180360224A1; CN108601457A; WO2017115390A1; CA3007445C; EP3397116A1; ES2817474T3; CA3007445A1; WO2017115390A8

Description

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to a motorized furniture item, configured to assume a plurality of different configurations.

Background of the invention

Nowadays, the need for transformable and versatile furniture items is strongly felt, due to more and more people living or working in environments of limited size. For instance,such an item is known from US2008028535 A1 .
Such need is felt particularly when an environment is intended for several destinations of use, for example as a living room and a dining room, and when a variable number of people should be received into it. In fact, depending upon the different destinations of use and number of people, chairs, beds and sofas need to be alternatively put in, and removed from, the available environment. However, moving furniture can be hard to be managed in practice. Moreover, it implies a significant waste of time and a relevant risk of damaging the furniture or the surrounding environment.
Moreover, even when only one or few people occupy a given environment, a full furnishing requires having a sofa, a bed, a chair and eventually a chaise longue as separate pieces.

Summary of the invention

The technical problem underlying the present invention is therefore that of overcoming the drawbacks mentioned above with reference to the state of the art.
Such problem is solved by a motorized furniture item according to claim 1. Preferred features of the invention are recited in the dependent claims.
The furniture item according to the present invention is able to transform and adjust its configuration in a simple and effective way. Moreover, it is conceived as a module of a furnishing assembly. When taken alone or in such assembly, the furniture item(s) transforms, for example, from chair or stool to sofa, armchair, "triclinio" (triclinium), chaise longue or bed, depending upon specific requirements and needs.
Therefore, the furniture item of the invention provides a plurality of functionalities into a single object. As it will be appreciated also from the detailed description that follows, its destination of use can be simply and quickly changed, even without the need for additional components.
Advantageously, the furniture item according to the invention allows optimizing the use of space.

Brief description of the drawings

Reference will be made to the figures of the annexed drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a motorized furniture item according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, in a stool configuration;
Figures 2 shows a perspective view of the furniture item of Figure 1 in a chair configuration;
Figure 3 shows a perspective view of two furniture items according to the embodiment of Figure 1, which are joined to implement a bed configuration;
Figure 4 shows a perspective view of the furniture items of Figure 3 in a chaise longue configuration;
Figure 5 shows a perspective view of the furniture items of Figure 3 in a triclinium configuration;
Figures 6 and 7 each show a respective perspective view of two furniture items according to the embodiment of Figure 1, which are joined to implement a sofa configuration;
Figure 8 shows a schematic perspective view taken from above of inner components of the furniture item of Figure 1, according to a preferred implementation;
Figure 8A shows a schematic frontal view of a detail of the furniture item of Figure 8;
Figure 9 shows schematically a perspective view of inner components of the furniture item of Figure 1, according to a preferred implementation;
Figure 10 shows schematically a perspective view of a detail of the furniture item of Figure 9;
Figures 11 and 11A each show a schematic perspective view of a detail of a mechanism of the furniture item of Figure 9, in a lowered and a raised position, respectively; and
Figure 12 shows a block diagram of a preferred embodiment of a controlling scheme of the furniture item of Figure 1.

Detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention

With reference initially to Figures 1 and 2, a preferred embodiment of a motorized furniture item according to the present invention is globally denoted by 1.
As will be appreciated in the following, the furniture item 1 is capable of assuming a plurality of different configurations.
In Figure 1, a stool configuration of the furniture item 1 is shown. In Figure 2, a chair configuration of the furniture item 1 is depicted.
The furniture item 1 comprises a main body 2 and first and second movable bodies, respectively denoted by 31 and 32, which are capable of receiving and supporting a user's body.
Preferably, the main body 2 has a substantially polyhedral shape, in particular a parallelepiped shape. The main body 2 has four lateral (vertical) sides, one of which defined by a lateral wall 22. The main body 2 has also a bottom horizontal wall 21 apt to be rested on the floor and an upper horizontal supporting wall 20. Both walls 20 and 21 are substantially rectangular in plan view.
Preferably, (part of) the exterior surfaces of the main body 2 are lined with natural wood panels and leather.
Furthermore, the main body 2 provides, between its bottom wall 21 and its supporting wall 22, a housing 100 for an extractable table unit 5. The housing 100 is accessed at three sides of the main body 2, i.e. the sides not having the lateral wall 2.
As visible in Figures 4 and 5, the table unit 5 can be prismatic shaped, in the present example with a rectangular basis.
The table unit 5 comprises a first basic member 52, in particular box-shaped, which houses telescopically, or slidably, a second raisable member 53. The upper raisable member 53 preferably has the same shape of the basic member 52, but reduced overall dimensions so that it can be housed therein.
The second member 53 has a support surface 50 which is suitable to bear objects. In particular, the support surface 50 is useful for reading, eating and, in general, for supporting objects needed during activities performed while sitting or lying on the furniture item 1.
The second member 53 is selectively movable upwards/downwards. In particular, the extractable table unit 5 is configured so that it can assume a first minimal-encumbrance arrangement, wherein it is housed inside the main body 2, and a second operative, or use, arrangement, wherein it is extracted from the main body 2.
In the stool configuration of Figure 1, the upper supporting wall 20 supports the weight of both the movable bodies 31 and 32 and the user received thereon.
The first and second movable bodies 31 and 32 are arranged side by side upon the upper face of the supporting wall 20, in particular along a longitudinal direction L of main development of the furniture item 1. The longitudinal direction L is also the direction according to which a user rests upon the furniture item 1, corresponding to the user's body height.
In the embodiment described, the movable bodies 31 and 32 are prismatic shaped, with a rectangular basis.
In the present embodiment, the movable bodies 31 and 32 have substantially the same shape and overall dimensions.
The first movable body 31 is rotatably connected, at a first end side 311 thereof, to the main body 2 and can accordingly rotate about a first horizontal rotation axis 11.
The second movable body 32 is rotatably connected to the first movable body 31 at a second end side 312 of the latter, which second end side 312 is opposite to the first end side 311. So, the second movable body 32 can accordingly rotate about a second horizontal rotation axis 12, parallel to the first rotation axis 11.
Preferably, the lateral side of the main body 2 at which the extractable table unit 5 is provided is a side perpendicular to the rotation axes 11 and 12, so that the table 5, in use, is arranged laterally with respect to the user.
Preferably, the surface extension of the movable bodies 31 and 32 is such that when they are superimposed and lay upon the upper supporting wall 20 in the stool configuration, they cover substantially all the upper supporting face 20.
Advantageously, each of the first and second movable body 31, 32 can have a cushion-like, or pad-like covering, for a more comfortable sitting and resting, preferably with a fabric or leather lining.
The furniture item 1 preferably comprises connection means 9 configured for a removable attachment to one or more other equal furniture items, as shown by way of example in Figure 3. The connection means 9 can be provided at every lateral side of the main body 2, so that there is no limit to the number of items can be connected together. The connection means 9 can be of electromagnetic type, in particular realized by means of an electromagnetic plate system. To connect/disconnect the items it is simply necessary to push a button, which inverts the module polarity of the system and makes the items be joined/separated by virtue of the electromagnetic attraction/repulsion force between the systems provided by each item.
In particular, Figure 3 shows a perspective view of two furniture items according to the described embodiment, joined according to a first attachment configuration which realizes a bed configuration.
In the configuration shown, the furniture item 1 is connected to another equal item 1' at a contact plane parallel to the rotation axes 11 and 12.
In addition, such attachment configuration allows the assembly to realize a chaise longue configuration and a triclinium configuration, shown in Figures 4 and 5, by adjusting the reciprocal inclination of the two movable bodies 31 and 32.
In Figures 4 and 5, the extractable table unit 5 in the use arrangement is also visible. In the embodiment shown, an additional service surface 51 is provided, preferably having substantially the same width of the support surface 50 so that it can also lie superimposed to the latter. The additional service surface 51 is pivotally connected to the support surface 50 according to a pivot axis 13, in particular an axis perpendicular to the support surface 50, preferably a vertical axis. The additional service surface 51 is useful for providing a support moved away or approachable to the user by a simple rotation.
A second attachment configuration of two furniture items 1 and 1' according to the embodiment herein described is shown in Figures 6 and 7. As can be seen, the furniture items can be attached at lateral sides perpendicular to the rotation axes 11 and 12, thus realizing a sofa configuration.
To pass from one configuration to another one, the first and second movable bodies 31 and 32 are actuated to rotate about the first and second horizontal rotation axes 11 and 12 by driving, or actuation, means 4 which are shown in Figures 8, 9, 10 and 12. Preferably, the driving means 4 includes a plurality of linear and/or rotational actuators or motors housed inside the main body 2 and at least one of the movable bodies 31 and 32.
As shown schematically in Figure 12, the driving means 4 are commanded by a control unit 400, the latter in communication with a user interface 444.
In particular, the driving means 4 moves, directly or through the interposition of transmission or actuation means, an articulated supporting structure 40 received inside the first and second movable bodies 31 and 32.
The overall arrangement is such that it is possible to adjust the position of each movable body 31, 32 with respect to the other one and to the main body 2. In particular, the inclination of the first movable body 31 with respect to the main body 2 can be selected according to specific needs.
Furthermore, independently from the just mentioned position/inclination of the first movable body 31, the inclination of the second movable body 32 with respect to the first movable body 31 can be selected as well, and consequently the global positioning of the second movable body 32 with respect to the main body 2 can be chosen.
Making reference to Figure 2, it can be seen an example of regulation of the inclination of the second movable body 32 with respect to the first movable body 31 and the main body 2, so as to realize a chair configuration.
The articulated supporting structure 40 and the operation mode of the driving means 4 will be now described in detail.
A preferred embodiment of an articulated supporting structure 40 is shown in Figure 9. The structure 40 comprises a polygonal frame, comprising a first and a second frame portions 41 and 42, each following the (rectangular) perimeter of a respective movable body 31, 32 and joined at second rotation axis 12. The frame portions 41, 42 can comprise also reinforcing rods, extending perpendicular to, and in general inclined versus, the rotation axes 11 and 12, as visible in Figure 9. The first frame portion 41 is received inside the first movable body 31 and it is rotatably connected at its proximal end 411 to a support structure 200 of the main body 2 according to rotation axis 11.
The first frame portion 41 is rotatably connected at its distal end 421 to the second frame portion 42 according to second rotation axis 12, in particular by pivotal connections as shown in Figure 9.
The second frame portion 42 is received inside the second movable body 32. The frame portions 41 and 42 rotate about the rotation axes 11 and 12 integrally with the movable bodies 31 and 32.
As shown in Figure 8, the aforementioned support structure 200 of the main body 2 comprises a polygonal frame, having rods developing along the edges of the lateral sides of the main body 2. The structure 200 is preferably made of metal and comprises facilities for housing the driving means 4 and associated supply means which will be shortly.
With reference to Figure 10, the driving means 4 preferably comprises also rods of the movable bodies 31, 32, and low voltage electric motors (or equivalent actuators), each located in a respective housing integral to the support structure 200 and/or the first frame portion 41 and/or the second frame portion 42. The arrangement is such that rotation of the motors determines a relative rotation of the movable bodies 31, 32.
Furthermore, the motors are coordinated by a dedicated circuit which balances each change of position of the movable part of the furniture item 1. In particular, the absolute and relative position of the movable bodies 31 and 32 can be controlled directly by the user and/or according to predetermined movement programmes pre-stored in the control unit 400.
Preferably, the driving means 4 also comprises means for moving the table unit 5 according to a sliding movement of insertion/extraction within/from the main body 2. In variant embodiments, such movement could be also manually operated.
Such means preferably comprises hydraulic and/or pneumatic cylinders extending along the extraction direction of the table 5, having a first terminal end fixed to the support structure 200 and a second terminal end fixed to the basic member 52. In the configuration shown in Figure 10, a cylinder 14 is shown which is in a configuration of maximum extension and the table unit 5 is extracted from the main body.
In Figures 11 and 11A, a mechanism 550 housed within the basic part 52 of the table unit 5 is shown. The mechanism 550 is in particular a lifting mechanism, preferably a pantograph-line mechanism, configured to move the raisable member 53 according to a sliding movement along a vertical direction of insertion/extraction in/from the basic member 52. The mechanism 550 comprises a plate member 551 fixed over a lower part of the basic member 52, having at two opposite sides a rectilinear slot 552 configured to allow the insertion of an arm 554, 555 at a first end thereof and the sliding of such arm.
The arms 554, 555 are pivotally connected at a second end thereof to respective supporting bars 556, 557, configured to support the upper raisable part 53. To pass from the first rest configuration of Figure 11 to the extracted configuration of Figure 11A, and vice-versa, the first ends of the arms 554, 555 slide along the slots 552 and the second ends of the arms pivotally rotate with respect to th 556, 557, so that the bars and the upper raisable part 53 do not change their inclination during the extraction movement.
Both the insertion/extraction movement and the raising/lowering movement of the table unit 5 can be commanded through the user interface 444. In particular, the furniture item 1 can be configured in such a way that by pressing a single button, or operative control, both movements are actuated in an automatic sequence, either for extracting and raising the table unit 5 or for (re-)storing it inside the main body 2.
Figure 8A shows one of a plurality of wheels 8 of the furniture item 1, which are advantageously provided in order to allow an easy displacement thereof. Preferably, each wheel 8 is housed within the main body 2, at a bottom portion thereof. Each wheel 8 is associated with a respective spring, or contrast, element 81 so as to assume an exposed position, shown in Figure 8A, wherein the wheel contacts the ground, and an hidden position, wherein the wheel is reacted inside the main body 2. Spring elements 81 can be calibrated so that the respective wheels contact the ground only when a person, or, generally speaking, a load, is not received upon the furniture item 1.
The furniture item 1 according to the present invention preferably comprises the aforementioned control unit 400 of the driving means 4, as shown in Figure 12. The control unit 400 can be connected by connecting means or networks (e.g. Bluetooth or Internet) to the remote interface 444, which can be implemented as a stationary or mobile device (e.g. mobile phone or tablet, pc). By means of the interface 444 is possible to control the movements of item 1 and choose a specific configuration thereof. By the interface 444 is it possible both to insert preferable inclination values relative to the movable bodies 31, 32 and/or a preferable extraction position of the table 5 and/or to choose particular pre-set positions or configurations pre-stored in storage means of the control unit 400.
Advantageously, the furniture item 1 according to the invention can comprise rechargeable supply means, as a rechargeable Lithium-Ion battery. The battery, which is easily to pull out and charge in his charger, makes possible the item 1 can be moved or transported without moving or disconnecting electrical cables.
The present invention has been described so far with reference to preferred embodiments. It is intended that there may be other embodiments which refer to the same inventive concept and fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

A motorized furniture item (1),
configured to assume a plurality of different configurations wherein it makes a stool, a chair, a sofa, a chaise longue or other,
which motorized furniture item (1) comprises:
▪ a main body (2) having a bottom wall (21) apt to be rested on the floor and an upper supporting wall (20);

▪ a first (31) and a second (32) movable body, capable of supporting a user's body and arranged side by side upon said upper supporting wall (20) of said main body (2) according to a longitudinal direction (L),
wherein said first movable body (31) is rotatably connected to said main body (2) at a first end side (311) of said first movable body (31) and according to a first horizontal rotation axis (11)
and said second movable body (32) is rotatably connected to said first movable body (31) at a second end side (312) of said first movable body (31) opposite to said first end side (311) thereof according to a second horizontal rotation axis (12) parallel to said first rotation axis (11),
said first and second rotation axis (11, 12) being perpendicular to said longitudinal direction (L);

▪ driving means (4) of said first (31) and second (32) movable body, housed inside said main body (2) and/or said first (31) or second (32) movable body; and

▪ an extractable table unit (5), configured so that it can assume a first minimal-encumbrance arrangement, wherein it is housed inside said main body (2) and a second operative arrangement, wherein it is extracted from said main body (2) and provides a support surface (50),
said furniture item (1), comprising an articulated supporting structure (40) received inside said first (31) and a second (32) movable body and actuated by said driving means (4),
wherein said articulated supporting structure (40) comprises a polygonal frame, having a first frame portion (41), received inside the first movable body (31) and rotatably connected at a first end (411) to a support structure (200) of said main body (2) according to said first rotation axis (11), and a second frame portion (42), received inside said second movable body (32) and rotatably connected at a distal end (421) to said first frame portion (41) according to said second rotation axis (12).
The furniture item (1) according to claim 1, wherein said main body (2) and/or each of said first (31) and second (32) movable body has a substantially polyhedral shape.
The furniture item (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein each of said first (31) and second (32) movable body has a cushion-like, or pad-like, covering.
The furniture item (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said driving means (4) comprises a plurality of linear and/or rotative actuators.
The furniture item (1) according to any of the preceding claims, comprising connection means configured for a removable attachment to one or more other equal furniture items (1'), wherein said connection means are preferably of an electromagnetic type.
The furniture item (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said extractable table unit (5) comprises a basic member (52) and an upper extractable member (53), and wherein preferably said basic member (52) houses a mechanism (550) configured to move said upper extractable part (53) according to a sliding movement along a vertical direction of insertion/extraction in/from the basic part (52).
The furniture item (1) according to any of the preceding claims, comprising a control unit (400), configured to command movement of said first (31) and second (32) movable body so that the furniture item (1) assumes a selected configuration, which control unit (400) is preferably configured for communication with a remote control device (444), in particular a smart phone or a tablet.
A furniture product, comprising a furniture item (1) according claim 7 and said remote control device (444).
A furniture assembly, comprising a plurality of furniture items (1, 1') or products according to any of the preceding claims.