EP3638075A1

EP3638075A1 - Support frame

Info

Publication number: EP3638075A1
Application number: EP18755295.5A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Stefano GIOVANNINETTI; Fabio BEZZI; Agnese GIOVANNINETTI
Original assignee: Val Di Pejo Servizi Di Giovanninetti Agnese & C Sas
Current assignee: Val Di Pejo Servizi Di Giovanninetti Agnese & C Sas
Priority date: 2017-06-16
Filing date: 2018-06-15
Publication date: 2020-04-22
Anticipated expiration: 2038-06-15
Also published as: EP3638075B1; WO2018229725A1

Abstract

The frame comprises a first part (2) resting on a plane and a second part (3) interlockingly fastened to the first part (2). The first part (2) comprises four vertical uprights (4a and 4b) and a plurality of internally hollow bodies defined by a sleeve with a vertical axis (5, 6, 7 and 8) housing a portion of the respective vertical upright (4a and 4b) and by a sleeve with a horizontal axis (5a, 6a, 7a and 8a) housing the axial end of a respective horizontal bar (13, 15 and 17). The sleeves with a vertical axis (5, 6, 7 and 8) are freely rotatable about the axis of the respective upright (4a and 4b) so that the first part (2) can take a configuration with reduced overall dimensions and a prismatic shaped configuration on which the second part (3) is arranged. The first part (2) defines an inner space housing a first instrument (9), the second part (3) supports a second instrument (10) and the faces of the first part (2) are shaped so as to allow the hooking and the arrangement of members and the passage of assembling means between the inner and outer instruments of the first part (2) and supported by the second part (3).

Description

"SUPPORT FRAME"

PRIORITY CLAIM

This application claims priority from Italian Utility Model Application No. 202017000067001 filed on June 16, 2017, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a support frame that can be used to organize the support of instruments, particularly of laboratory instruments that must be assembled and connected to each other, and that can be used to support and arrange objects in general, e.g. as an expositor or as a rack for flower pots, for supporting instruments, etc.

BACKGROUND ART

As already known, in laboratories and in particular in chemical research laboratories, plants consisting of several instruments connected to each other through various implements, such as pumps, motors, fluid ducts, measuring devices, signalling devices, tools, power supply cables, etc. are assembled for experimental purposes. One of the main problems encountered in connecting these systems consists in the large overall dimensions of the system. A second problem consists in a precarious assembling due to possible accidental collisions or spills of corrosive or flammable liquids. Therefore, an arrangement where pipes in which dangerous liquids and vapours flow or power supply cables and relative connections rest on a bench should be avoided not to expose the operators to the consequences of the aforementioned risks.

Besides chemical laboratories, this support frame might be provided for further uses.

Support frames currently available on the market have drawbacks related to the size of the frame during transportation and to their non-optimal capability of supporting and organising the instruments for which they have been manufactured and which the operator needs when using the frame. There are foldable frames on the market, but these latter need further tools to assemble the frame. DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to provide a support frame, which allows solving the aforesaid problems and which can be available in the form of a kit requiring a minimum storage space that can be quickly and easily assembled and packaged in small containers for shipping. The present invention discloses a support frame comprising a first part resting on a plane and a second part interlockingly supported on said first part and forming an upper wall of said frame, characterized in that said first part comprises four vertical uprights and a plurality of internally hollow bodies defined by a sleeve with a vertical axis configured to house a portion of the respective vertical upright and a sleeve with a horizontal axis configured to house the axial end of a respective first horizontal bar; said sleeve with a vertical axis being freely rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the respective upright so that said first part can take a configuration with reduced overall dimensions for transportation or storage and a prismatic shaped configuration on which said second part is arranged, and characterized in that said first part defines an inner space in which at least one object or a first instrument can be arranged, said second part supports at least one object or second instrument and the faces of said first part are shaped so as to allow the hooking to horizontal bars of elements and/or instruments as well as the passage of assembling means between the elements and/or the instruments arranged inside said first part or hooked to the walls or those supported by said second part.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the invention, a preferred embodiment is given below, purely by way of illustration and not by way of limitation, with the aid of the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a supporting frame; and Figures 2 to 4 are perspective views illustrating the assembling steps of the frame shown in Figure 1.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

With reference to Figure 1, the reference number 1 generally indicates a ready-to-use support frame for various applications having a substantially prismatic shape. The frame 1 comprises a first part 2 resting on a plane (flooring or bench) and a second part 3, which is interlockingly supported on part 2 and which constitutes an upper wall of the frame 1. Part 2 defines an inner space in which an instrument 9 can be arranged, while part 3 can support a second instrument 10. The walls delimiting part 2 are constituted by horizontal bars, which can support tools by means of hooks 19 (or similar elements) and are crossed by assembling means of the instruments 9 (or various elements) arranged inside part 2 with instruments 10 (or various elements) supported by part 3.

Part 2 includes two pairs 4a and 4b of internally hollow vertical uprights. Each vertical upright 4a and 4b is inside a series of sleeves, which are freely rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the respective vertical upright 4a or 4b. As shown in Figure 1, each upright 4a and 4b is inside, from top to bottom, of a first sleeve 5, of a second sleeve 6, of a third sleeve 7, of a fourth sleeve 8 and of a fifth sleeve 11, the aforesaid sleeves 5, 6, 7, 8 and 11 substantially covering the corresponding upright 4a or 4b along its whole length. A sleeve 5a orthogonally originates from a central area of each sleeve 5, said sleeve 5a housing a first axial end of a horizontal bar 13. Basically, this bar 13 has a first axial end housed in the sleeve 5a relative to a first upright 4a and a second axial end housed in the sleeve 5a relative to a first upright 4b. Analogously, a further bar 13 is mounted between the second upright 4a and the second upright 4b with the same methods described above.

A sleeve 11a orthogonally originates from a central area of each sleeve 11, said sleeve 11a housing an axial end of a horizontal bar 15. Basically, this bar 15 has a first axial end housed in the sleeve 11a relative to a first upright 4a and a second axial end housed in the sleeve 11a relative to a first upright 4b.

A respective sleeve 6a, 7a and 8a originates from the central area of each sleeve 6, 7 and 8, said respective sleeve 6a, 7a, 8a housing an axial end of a respective horizontal bar 17. This bar 17 has a first axial end housed in the sleeve 6a relative to a first upright 4a and a second end housed in the sleeve 6a relative to the second vertical upright 4a. What previously described analogously applies to the bars 17 relative to the sleeves 7a and 8a. Part 2 further comprises four further L-shaped sleeves 18 having a first vertical portion 18a housing the lower end of a respective upright 4a or 4b and a second horizontal portion 18b (resting on the floor) housing one end of a horizontal bar 21; the portion 18a being freely rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the respective upright 4a or 4b. As shown in the figures, the horizontal portion 18b relative to a first upright 4a is oriented towards the portion 18b relative to the second upright 4a and, analogously, the portion 18b relative to a first upright 4b is oriented towards the portion 18b of the second upright 4b, so that a first bar 21 connects the pair of uprights 4a and the second bar 21 connects the pair of uprights 4b. It is now evident that, given the shape of part 2, this may have reduced overall dimensions, as shown in Figure 2, namely may be easily packaged in a special package not shown. Part 2 can take the configuration shown in Figure 4 by simply applying a traction, as indicated by the arrows in Figure 3. This traction requires a very low force since, as previously described, the various sleeves are freely rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the respective upright 4a or 4b.

Finally, part 2 consists of four vertical uprights and of a plurality of internally hollow bodies (some of which are shaped as a 90° rotated T, whereas others are L-shaped) defined by a sleeve with a vertical axis configured to house a portion of the vertical upright and by a sleeve with a horizontal axis configured to house the axial end of a horizontal bar. Since the sleeves with a vertical axis are freely rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the respective upright, part 2 can take a configuration with reduced overall dimensions for transportation or storage and a bulkier configuration to form the base of the frame 1.

Part 3, which constitutes a support base for various instruments or objects, has a rectangular frame defined by four horizontal bars, arranged in parallel pairs. Those indicated by 21 have a greater axial length, whereas those indicated by 22 are shorter. Part 3 further comprises four L-shaped sleeves 23 on a horizontal plane, having a first portion configured to house the axial end of a respective bar 21 and a second portion configured to house an axial end of a respective bar 22. Near the axial ends of the bars 21, these are inside a horizontal portion of a respective T-shaped body 24, from whose central area a projection 25 extends vertically downwards. The projection has an end 26, which in use is inserted in the upper axial end of a corresponding upright 4a or 4b.

The aforesaid frame supports a plate 27 defined on a horizontal plane and having a rectangular perimeter profile. All the components of the frame have a notch 28, sealingly housing the corresponding perimeter profile of the plate 27. In the shown embodiment, the plate 27 has a plurality of through holes 29. However, the plate 27 could have no holes, so that any fluids on the plate 27 would not canalize inside the frame 1, thus avoiding to affect any objects or instruments arranged within the space enclosed by the frame 1. In a different embodiment, the plate 27 could have holes with a diameter larger than the one shown in Figure 1 to form, e.g. a seat for a pot (usually having a truncated conical shape) of flowers or ornamental plants. Basically, the shape of the plate 27 can be different to suit the type of supported objects or instruments.

Furthermore, the horizontal bars defined in part 2 could support other instruments, objects or work tools, either directly or through hooks not shown or through compartments having a portion to be hooked on the bar.

In actual use, as shown, parts 2 and 3 can be packaged in a small container. Then, if necessary, part 2 is removed, and from the position shown in Figure 2, part 2 takes the configuration shown in Figure 4 by pulling according to the arrows in Figure 3. Then part 3 can be fastened on part 2 as shown in Figure 4, thus making up the frame 1 shown in Figure 1.

What previously described clearly shows the evident numerous advantages obtained with the embodiments of the present invention. In particular, the manufactured support frame can take a configuration for transportation or storage having a reduced size and a reduced weight. The components of the frame are assembled with no further elements such as glues, screws, bolts, etc., but only by interlocking or melting of the components. The frame can simply and rapidly take its final configuration without any screws, bolts, glues or other fixing methods of its elements. The frame 1 can be used in various sectors such as expositors, flower pot racks, laboratory instrument holders, etc. Furthermore, the plate 27 can be shaped according to the intended use. Finally, the frame 1 is substantially an organizer for the user, as it allows housing instruments inside the space enclosed by part 2, supporting instruments on part 3, supporting any tools or instruments on the faces of part 2 and possibly connecting the instruments inside part 2 to the instruments supported by part 3 through electric cables, fluid pipes, etc. The frame 1 is a safety element, as it protects the user from any contact with dangerous objects or substances.

With regard to frames usable in laboratories, it is provided that all various elements are made of plastic material and preferably of polypropylene, so that these elements are resistant to any chemical agents used in said laboratories. Always with regard to laboratories, even a metal material (e.g. anodized aluminium or titanium) may be used instead of a plastic material, when making the frame with this type of material is considered more convenient. It is even possible to make full walls on the sides of part 2, such walls being possibly sound-absorbing in case there is a noisy instrument inside the space enclosed by the frame .

Finally, it is clear that modifications and variations can be made to the support frame here described and shown without thereby departing from the protective scope of the present invention.

In particular, the various horizontal bars could be telescopic to vary the dimensions of the frame in order to install in it a suitably sized plate 27. Moreover, horizontal bars of different sizes could be provided as spare parts, thus allowing selecting any desired final size of the frame. Finally, the horizontal bars of at least one face of part 2 could be made of two pieces, whose free axial ends are oriented towards each other and are arranged inside a sleeve movable between a position in which it is internally engaged by the ends of the two pieces of the horizontal bar and a position in which it is translated along a piece of the bar, thus allowing the rotation of the two pieces of the bar and therefore an even freer access to the space enclosed by part 2.

Claims

1. A support frame comprising a first part (2) resting on a plane and a second part (3) interlockingly supported on said first part (2) and forming an upper wall of said frame, characterized in that said first part (2) comprises four vertical uprights (4a and 4b) and a plurality of internally hollow bodies defined by a sleeve with a vertical axis (5, 6, 7 and 8) configured to house a portion of the respective vertical upright (4a and 4b) and a sleeve with a horizontal axis (5a, 6a, 7a and 8a) configured to house the axial end of a respective first horizontal bar (13, 15 and 17) ; said sleeves with a vertical axis (5, 6, 7 and 8) being freely rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the respective upright (4a and 4b) so that said first part (2) can take a configuration with reduced overall dimensions for the transportation or storage and a prismatic shaped configuration on which said second part (3) is arranged, and characterized in that said first part (2) defines an inner space housing at least one object or first instrument (9), said second part (3) supports at least one object or second instrument (10) and the faces of said first part (2) are shaped so as to allow the hooking of any elements to be arranged and assembled and the passage of assembling means between the elements and/or instruments inside said first part (2) and supported by said second part (3) .

2. The frame, according to Claim 1, characterized in that at least one of said faces of said part (2) is provided with means (19) for supporting objects or tools.

3. The frame, according to Claim 1 and/or to Claim 2, characterized in that said bodies are shaped as a 90° rotated T.

4. The frame, according to Claim 3, characterized in that each of said vertical uprights (4a and 4b) has its own lower end inside a vertical portion (18a) of a further sleeve (18) having a horizontal portion (18b) configured to house an end portion of a second horizontal bar (21) ; said additional sleeves (18) resting on the floor.

5. The frame, according to at least one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that said second part

(3) has a rectangular frame, which supports a plate (27) resting on a horizontal plane; said frame being defined by four third horizontal bars (21 and 22) arranged in parallel pairs and by four L-shaped sleeves (23) lying along a horizontal plane and having a first portion configured to house the axial end of a respective first bar (21) of said third bars (21) and a second portion configured to house an axial end of a respective second bar (22) of said third bars (22 ) .

6. The frame, according to Claim 5, characterized in that two opposite bars of said third bars (21) have a respective portion on both axial ends inside a sleeve (24) originating a pin (26), which engages the upper axial end of the respective upright (4a and 4b) .

7. The frame, according to Claim 5 and/or to Claim 6, characterized in that all elements making up said frame have a notch (28) configured to be engaged by a respective perimeter portion of said plate (27) .

8. The frame, according to at least one of the Claims from 5 to 7, characterized in that said plate (27) has a plurality of holes (29), which may be configured to be engaged by objects such as e.g. flower pots.

9. The frame, according to the previous Claims, characterized in that all various components making it up are made of a plastic material, and preferably polypropylene .