EP4678064A1

EP4678064A1 - Rotation mechanism for the rotation of a sofa element and sofa comprising the same

Info

Publication number: EP4678064A1
Application number: EP24207649.5A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Jiang Hao CHENG
Original assignee: Dongguan Longyousi Hardware Technology Co Ltd; Ipea Srl
Current assignee: Dongguan Longyousi Hardware Technology Co Ltd; Ipea Srl
Priority date: 2024-07-08
Filing date: 2024-10-18
Publication date: 2026-01-14
Also published as: CN222675813U

Abstract

The present invention relates to a rotation mechanism for the rotation of a sofa element, the rotation mechanism comprising:- a supporting base fixedly couplable with a sofa seat,- a rotatable body rotatably connected to the supporting base and couplable with the sofa element and configured to rotate integral with the sofa element with respect to the supporting base,- blocking means coupled to the rotatable body and adapted to stop the movement of the rotatable body with respect to the supporting base into a first and a second position, wherein in each one of the first and second position the rotatable body has a respective orientation with respect to the supporting base and the sofa element has at least a portion parallel to the sofa seat, the rotatable body rotating around a rotation axis in the movement between the first and second positions.

Description

The present invention relates to a rotation mechanism for the rotation of a sofa element. In particular, the rotation mechanism may be coupled with the sofa backrest or armrest to allow a movement of the same with respect to the sofa seat.

Background art

In the state of the art, many kinds of modular sofas with movable elements are known.
Modular sofas comprise a plurality of separate modules with a respective seat, backrest and optionally armrest. The modules may be moved and rearranged in their position to change the layout of the sofa. Modular sofas allow the user to modify the layout of the sofa and, therefore, they offer the most adaptability and comfort.
However, the modular sofas require to move the entire module to rearrange the sofa and it is not always possible or comfortable to do so, for example it could be difficult to move the modules when the sofa is positioned in small rooms. Sofas with a reclining backrest or with extendable seats have been developed to allow the user to change the arrangement of the sofa without having to move modules around the room. Both types of sofas have a single and non-divisible base defining the seats; and therefore, they do not present separate movable modules.
Sofas with reclining backrest has the backrest connected to the seat through a tilting mechanism which allow a user to control the inclination of the backrest, or of a portion of the latter, with respect to the seat.
On the other hand, sofas with extendable seats comprises independent cushions that slide forward or backward with respect to the backrest to increase or reduce the seat dimension. To extend the seats, when sitting, a user activates a sliding system by applying pressure on the backrest.
However, these known systems have the disadvantage of having complex movement mechanisms that do not allow the user to completely decide and change the layout of the sofa.
Indeed, the Applicants realized that there is a need to develop a sofa and a movement mechanism that allow a movement of the backrest or armrest in an easy manner and without needing to move the seat, or respective modules, around the room in which the sofa is placed.

Objective of the invention

The object of the invention is to provide a rotation mechanism and a sofa which allow a rotation of the backrest and of the armrest to rearrange the latter in the most comfortable position for a user when needed.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a rotation mechanism and a sofa which is more versatile and with a reduced number of components.
A further object of the invention is to provide a rotation mechanism which can be coupled both with the backrest and the armrest.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a rotation mechanism which may allow a 180° and/or 90° rotation of the backrest or the armrest with respect to the sofa seat ensuring that such backrest or armrest be oriented substantially parallel to the sofa seat.
The object of the invention is to provide a rotation mechanism and a sofa which allows the aforementioned drawbacks of the prior art to be overcome within the framework of a simple, rational, easy, and effective to use as well as cost-effective solution.
The aforementioned objects are achieved by the rotation mechanism according to claim 1.
The aforementioned objects are achieved by the sofa according to claim 14.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of the invention, illustrated by way of an indicative, yet non-limiting example in the accompanying tables of drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows a sofa with some elements removed to better shown others according to the present invention;
Figure 2 is a perspective view of a rotation mechanism according to the invention;
Figure 3 shows a lateral perspective view of the rotation mechanism according to the invention;
Figure 4 is an exploded view of the rotation mechanism of figure 3.

Embodiments of the invention

The present invention relates to a rotation mechanism 1 for the rotation of a sofa element B. In detail, the rotation mechanism 1 is configured to be coupled to the backrest or to the armrest of the sofa to allow a user to rotate the backrest/armrest with respect to the sofa seat.
The rotation mechanism 1 comprises a supporting base 2 fixedly couplable with a sofa seat 3 and a rotatable body 4 rotatably connected to the supporting base 2. In detail, the supporting base 2 is fixed to the sofa seat 3 by means known to the skilled person and which are adapted to allow a solid connection between the two bodies. For example, the supporting base 2 may be fixed to the sofa seat 3 by means of screws and/or nails.
The rotatable body 4 is couplable with the sofa element B and configured to rotate integral with the sofa element B with respect to the supporting base 2. The rotation mechanism 1 may be at least partly located and hidden into a cushion of the backrest or of the armrest. In detail, in use, the rotation mechanism 1 has at least a part that is located inside the cushion of the sofa seat and another part that is located inside the cushion of the sofa element. Advantageously, in use, when comprised by a sofa S, the rotation mechanism 1 is not visible to a user.
The rotation mechanism 1 comprises blocking means 5 coupled to the rotatable body 4. The blocking means 5 are adapted to stop the movement of the rotatable body 4 with respect to the supporting base 2 into a first and a second position. In detail, in each one of the first and second position, the rotatable body 4 has a respective orientation with respect to the supporting base 2 and the sofa element B has at least a portion substantially parallel to the sofa seat 3. More in detail, the bottom of the backrest or of the armrest is parallel to the sofa seat 3 when the rotatable body 4 is in the first position and in the second position. In particular, the cushion of the backrest or of the armrest is adjacent to the cushion of the sofa seat when the rotatable body is in the first and second position.
In other words, the rotatable body 4 is movable between a first position and a second position, wherein the rotatable body 4 has a respective angular position with respect to the supporting base 2 in each position.
In detail, the rotatable body 4 rotates around a rotation axis R in the movement between the first position and the second position.
The rotatable body 4 may be configured to rotate:

clockwise around the rotation axis R in the movement from the first position to the second position, and
anticlockwise in the movement from the second position to the first position.

It is not excluded that the rotatable body 4 may rotate anticlockwise around the rotation axis R in the movement from the first position to the second position and clockwise in the movement from the second position to the first position. Moreover, it is not excluded that the rotatable body 4 may rotate in the same direction around the rotation axis when moving between the first and second positions, i.e. always clockwise or always anticlockwise.
In an embodiment, the rotatable body 4 comprises an elongated portion 9 which extends along the rotation axis R between a bottom 9a and a top 9b. In detail, the bottom 9a is connected to the supporting base 2 and the top 9b is couplable to the sofa element B. In use, the top 9b is fixedly connected to the sofa element B such that a rotation of the top 9b around the rotation axis R causes a movement of the sofa element B with respect to the sofa seat 3. In detail, the elongated portion 9 is configured to rotate around the rotation axis R when the rotatable body 4 moves between the first and second positions.
According to an aspect, the rotatable body 4 comprises a positioning element 6. In detail, the positioning element 6 may project from the elongated portion 9, preferably at the top 9b. In particular, the positioning element 6 moves integral with the elongated portion 9 in its rotation around the rotation axis R when the rotatable body 4 moves from the first position to the second position and vice versa.
The blocking means 5 may define at least two movement limiting surface portions 7. In particular, the positioning element 6 of the rotatable body 4 is configured to abut against one of the movement limiting surface portions 7 when the rotatable body 4 is in the first position and/or in the second position. Therefore, the positioning element 6 is adapted to stop the rotation of the elongated portion 9 around the rotation axis R in the first position and in the second position.
In other words, the first position and the second position are two end-of-stroke positions of the rotation of the rotatable body 4 around the rotation axis R. In use, the rotation of the elongated portion 9 around the rotation axis R is stopped by the positioning element 6 when the latter abuts against one of the movement limiting surface portions 7 defined by the blocking means 5.
In an embodiment, the blocking means 5 comprise a blocking plate 8 which has a through hole 8a.
The rotatable body 4 is inserted into the through hole 8a of the blocking plate 8 and projects from it. The blocking means 5 are connected to the rotatable body 4 at the through hole 8a of the blocking plate 8. In detail, the elongated portion 9 of the rotatable body 4 is arranged in the trough hole 8a of the blocking plate 8. In other words, the rotatable body 4, particularly the elongated portion 9, passes through the through hole 8a of the blocking plate 8.
The blocking plate 8 is located between the top 9b and the bottom 9a of the elongated portion 9 along the rotation axis R. In particular, the top 9b of the elongated portion 9 projects upwards from the through hole 8a of the blocking plate 8. More in detail, the positioning element 6 is located above the blocking plate 8 along the rotation axis R.
According to an aspect, the blocking plate 8 may define one or both the movement limiting surface portions 7.
In an embodiment, the blocking plate 8 comprises at least a tilted portion that is inclined with respect to the rotation axis R. In particular, the rotation axis R is transverse to the tilted portion of the blocking plate 8. More in detail, the rotation axis R is perpendicular to the tilted portion of the blocking plate 8. The through hole 8a of the blocking plate 8 is defined at the tilted portion of the blocking plate.
The elongated portion 9 may be perpendicular to the blocking plate 8 and the positioning element 6 may be configured to move parallel to the blocking plate 8 in the movement between the first and second positions. In detail, the elongated portion 9 is perpendicular to the tilted portion of the blocking plate. According to an aspect, the blocking plate 8 has at least a seat 10 arranged at the through hole 8a. In particular, the seat 10 is located at the tilted portion of the blocking plate 8.
The blocking means 5 may further comprise an insert 11 removably connected to the seat 10. The insert 11 is configured to define at least one of the movement limiting surface portions 7.
In detail, the blocking plate 8 may have a couple of seats 10 arranged around the through hole 8a of the blocking plate 8 and spaced apart from each other. Each of the seats may be located at the tilted portion of the blocking plate 8.
The blocking means 5 may comprise a couple of inserts 11, each one removably connected to a respective seat10 to define a respective movement limiting surface portion 7.
In an embodiment, the rotation mechanism 1 comprises a frame 12 fixedly connected to the rotatable body 4. In detail, the frame 12 is connected to the top 9b of the elongated portion 9. The frame 12 is configured to be connected to the sofa element B.
In particular, the frame 12 may be located inside a cushion of a backrest or of an armrest of the sofa S such that it is hidden from the user, and it is able to offer support to the user's back when the user is sitting on the sofa.
According to an aspect, the frame 12 has a main extension axis A. The frame 12 extends mainly along said main extension axis A. More in detail, the frame 12 has a length along the main extension axis A and a width perpendicular to the main extension axis A.
The main extension axis A may be transverse to the rotation axis R. Preferably, the main extension axis A is perpendicular to the rotation axis R.
In detail, the frame 12 has a first side 12a and a second side 12b transversal to each other. The first side 12a defines the width of the frame 12 and the second side 12b defines the length of the frame. In particular, the frame 12 may have a rectangular or square shape.
However, it is not excluded that the frame 12 may have a linear shape, for example a rod shape extending along the main extension axis A.
In an embodiment, the first side 12a and the second side 12b are respectively parallel and perpendicular to the rotation axis R and/or to the main extension axis A.
The first side 12a may extends along the rotation axis R and the second side 12b may extends along the main extension axis A. The first side 12a may be positioned along the rotation axis R.
In an embodiment, both the first side 12a and the second side 12b are transverse to the rotation axis R. In other words, the frame 12 and the rotatable body 4 are connected to each other defining an interposed angle. Each one of the first side 12a and the second side 12b of the frame 12 is therefore angularly offset with respect to the rotation axis R.
According to an aspect, the frame 12 lies on plane that is inclined with respect to a vertical direction and/or with respect to the rotation axis R. Moreover, the plane on which the frame 12 lies is inclined with respect to the supporting base 2 and/or to the top of the sofa seat 3.
According to an aspect, the rotation mechanism 1 comprises a connecting block 16 connecting the frame 12 and the rotatable body 4. In detail, the connecting block 16 is connected to the top 9b of the elongated portion 9. The connecting block 16 may have a hole shaped to mate with the top 9b of the elongated portion 9. The connecting block 16 and the top 9b of the elongated portion 9 are coupled by interlocking.
According to an aspect, the supporting base 2 has a sleeve 13 to receive the rotatable body 4 and a fixing plate 14 coupled to the sleeve 13. The sleeve 13 may be connected to the fixing plate 14 in a rotatable manner such that the sleeve 13 may rotate around the rotation axis R when the rotatable body moves between the positions. However, it is not excluded that the sleeve 13 is fixed to the fixing plate 14 and its rotation around the rotation axis is hindered.
The sleeve 13 may comprises a notch at one end, wherein the notch is configured to couple with the positioning element 6 of the rotatable body 4. The positioning element 6 is configured to move inside the notch of the sleeve 13 in the movement of the rotatable body 4 between the first and second positions.
According to an aspect, the elongated portion 9 ha a cylindrical shape defining an outer diameter. An inner diameter of the sleeve 13 is equal to the outer diameter of the elongated portion 9 such that elongated portion 9 is tightly fitted into the sleeve 13.
The fixing plate 14 is fixedly couplable with the sofa seat 3. The fixing plate 14 has a bottom face fixable parallel to the top sofa seat 3. The bottom face of the fixing plate 14 is tilted with respect to the rotation axis R. In detail, the bottom face of the fixing plate is, in use, horizontal.
As already specified, the fixing plate 14 is fixed to the sofa seat 3 by means known to the skilled person and which are adapted to allow a solid connection between the two bodies. For example, the supporting base 2 may be fixed to the sofa seat 3 by means of screws and/or nails.
In an embodiment, the supporting base 2 comprises a top connecting plate 15a and a bottom connecting plate 15b. In detail, the fixing plate 14 and the sleeve 13 may be connected to each other through the top and bottom connecting plates 15a, 15b.
More in detail, the fixing plate 14 may have U-shaped or V-shaped portion. The connecting elements 15a, 15b may be connected to the fixing plate 14 at the inside the U-shaped or V-shaped of the same.
In particular, the top and bottom connecting plates 15a, 15b are perforated to receive the sleeve 13. In detail, at least one of the top and bottom connecting plates 15a, 15b has a surface perpendicular to the rotation axis R and/or parallel to the tilted portion of the blocking plate 8.
In detail, the top connecting plate 15a is configured to receive and to support the blocking plate 8 of the blocking means. The top connecting plate 15 has a U-shape, preferably a U-serif-shape. The connecting plate 15a is located at the top of the fixing plate 14 arranged between two vertical sides of it. The top connecting plate 15a defines a seat for receiving the blocking plate 8 of the blocking means. The dimensions of the top connecting plate 15a and of the blocking plate 8 of the blocking means 5 are compatible to allow the top connecting plate 15a to receive the blocking plate 8.
The bottom connecting plate 15b is located at the bottom of the fixing plate 14 and adapted to receive and support the sleeve 13. In detail, the bottom connecting plate 15b is arranged inside the U-shaped fixing plate 14, preferably between two vertical sides of the fixing plate 14.
The bottom connecting plate 15b has a tilted upper face that is inclined with respect to a vertical direction. The tilted upper face of the bottom connecting plate 15b is perpendicular to the rotation axis R. In detail, the tilted upper face is inclined with respect to the bottom face of the fixing plate 14 and/or to the top of the sofa seat 3. The tilted upper face of the bottom connecting plate 15b is oriented between 10° and 30°, more preferably about 14°about 14° tilted with respect to the bottom face of the fixing plate and/or to the top of the sofa seat 3. The rotatable body 4 is at least partly inserted into the sleeve 13 to project from it. In detail, the bottom 9a of the elongated portion 9 is inserted into the sleeve 13. More in detail the top 9b of the elongated portion 9 extends outside of the sleeve 13.
According to an aspect, the rotation axis R is transverse to a vertical direction. The rotation axis R may be tilted of an angle comprised between 1° and 40° from the vertical direction, preferably between 10° and 30°, more preferably about 14°.
The rotatable body 4 may be configured to rotate by an angle around the rotation axis R in the movement between the first position and the second position. The angle is comprised between 180° and 30°. In detail, the sofa element B may be rotated of an angle comprised between 180° and 30° around the rotation axis.
In detail, the rotatable body 4 rotates 180° or 90° or 45° around the rotation axis R in the movement between the first position and the second position. Therefore, the angle may be equal to 180° or 90° or 45°.
However, it is not excluded that the rotation mechanism 1 may be configured to allow a rotation of the sofa element B, therefore of the rotatable body 4, around the rotation axis R of a different angle, for example 270°.
According to an aspect, the rotatable body 4 is configured to rotate 180° around the rotation axis R in the movement between the first and second position when the limiting movement surface portions 7 are defined only by the blocking plate 8 and the blocking means 5 do not comprise any insert 11.
According to a further aspect, the rotatable body 4 is configured to rotate 90° around the rotation axis R in the movement between the first and second position when the blocking means 5 comprise two inserts 11 defining the limiting movement surface portions 7.
The present invention also relates to a sofa S comprising at least a rotation mechanism 1 according to any one of the embodiments herein described.
The sofa S comprises a sofa seat 3 and at least a sofa element B coupled to each other to offer support to a user. In detail, the sofa element B is a backrest able to support the user's back when the user is sitting on the sofa seat.
In particular, the rotation mechanism 1 connects the sofa seat 3 and the sofa element B allowing a movement of the sofa element B with respect to the sofa seat 3. The rotation mechanism 1 is configured to allow a 180° or a 90° rotation of the sofa element B around the rotation axis R.
In an embodiment, the sofa S comprises at least one, preferably two, first rotation mechanisms 1 configured to allow a 90° rotation of the respective sofa element B around the respective rotation axis R.
In another embodiment, the sofa S can comprise a second rotation mechanism 1 configured to allow a 180° rotation of the respective sofa element B around the respective rotation axis R. In detail, the rotatable bodies of the first mechanisms and the rotatable body of the second mechanism respectively rotates 90° and 180° around the respective rotation axis in the movement between the first and second positions.
In a preferred embodiment, the sofa S comprises two first rotation mechanisms 1 configured to allow a 90° rotation of the respective sofa element B around the respective rotation axis R and a second rotation mechanism 1 configured to allow a 180° rotation of the respective sofa element B around the respective rotation axis R.
According to an aspect, the sofa seat 3 comprises a front edge, a back edge and two side edges connecting the front and the back edges. The rotation mechanism may be connected to the sofa seat 3 at the back edge and/or at the side edges.
In detail, the first rotation mechanism is arranged at the corner between the back edge and one of the side edges of the sofa seat. Preferably, the first rotation mechanism has the rotation axis R inclined towards the respective corner of the sofa seat.
The second rotation mechanism is arranged at the back edge of the sofa seat with the rotation axis R inclined towards the same back edge.
Preferably, the main extension axis A and the rotation axis R of the first rotation mechanism defines an interposed angle, faced towards the sofa seat, comprised between 2° and 90°, preferably about 70°. In this way, it allows the sofa element B (e.g. the bottom part of the cushion) to be parallel to the sofa seat. Even more preferably, the main extension axis A and the rotation axis R of the second rotation mechanism defines an interposed angle, faced towards the sofa seat, of about 90°. In this way, it allows the sofa element B (e.g. the bottom part of the other cushion) to be parallel to the sofa seat.

Claims

Rotation mechanism (1) for the rotation of a sofa element (B), the rotation mechanism (1) comprising:
- a supporting base (2) fixedly couplable with a sofa seat (3),

- a rotatable body (4) rotatably connected to the supporting base (2) and couplable with the sofa element (B) and configured to rotate integral with the sofa element (B) with respect to the supporting base (2),

- blocking means (5) coupled to the rotatable body (4) and adapted to stop the movement of the rotatable body (4) with respect to the supporting base (2) into a first and a second position, wherein in each one of the first and second position the rotatable body (4) has a respective orientation with respect to the supporting base (2) and the sofa element (B) has at least a portion parallel to the sofa seat (3), the rotatable body (4) rotating around a rotation axis (R) in the movement between the first and second positions.
Rotation mechanism (1) according to claim 1, wherein the rotatable body (4) comprises a positioning element (6), the blocking means (5) defining at least two movement limiting surface portions (7), the positioning element (6) being configured to abut against one of the movement limiting surface portions (7) when the rotatable body (4) is in the first position and in the second position.
Rotation mechanism (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the blocking means (5) comprise a plate (8) having a through hole (8a) into which the rotatable body (4) is inserted projecting from it.
Rotation mechanism (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the rotatable body (4) comprises elongated portion (9) arranged in the through hole (8a) of the plate (8), the elongated portion (9) extending along the rotation axis (R) between a bottom (9a) connected to the supporting base (2) and a top (9b) couplable to the sofa element (B).
Rotation mechanism (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the positioning element (6) projects from the elongated portion (9) at the top (9b).
Rotation mechanism (1) according to any one of the preceding claims 3 to 5, wherein the plate (8) comprises a tilted portion with respect to the rotation axis (R), optionally the rotation axis (R) being perpendicular to the tilted portion of the plate (8).
Rotation mechanism (1) according to any one of the preceding claims 3 to 6, wherein the plate (8) has at least a seat (10) arranged at the through hole (8a), the blocking means (5) comprising an insert (11) removably connected to the seat (10) and configured to define at least a respective one of the movement limiting surface portions (7).
Rotation mechanism (1) according to any one of the preceding claims 4 to 7, comprising a frame (12) fixedly connected to the rotatable body (4) at the top (9b) of the elongated portion (9) and configured to be connected to the sofa element (B).
Rotation mechanism (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the frame (12) extends along a main extension axis (A) transverse to the rotation axis (R), optionally the main extension axis (A) being perpendicular to the rotation axis (R).
Rotation mechanism (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the supporting base (2) has a sleeve (13) to receive the rotatable body (4) and a fixing plate (14) coupled to each other, the fixing plate (14) being fixedly couplable with the sofa seat (3), the rotatable body (4) being at least partly inserted into the sleeve (13) projecting from it.
Rotation mechanism (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the rotation axis (R) is transverse to a vertical direction.
Rotation mechanism (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the rotatable body (4) is configured to rotate by an angle around the rotation axis (R) in the movement between the first and second positions, the angle being comprised between 180° and 30°, optionally the angle being 180° or 90° or 45°.
Sofa (S) comprising:
a sofa seat (3) and at least sofa element (B) coupled to each other to offer support to a user,

at least a rotation mechanism (1) connecting the sofa seat (3) and the sofa element (B) allowing a movement of the sofa element (B) with respect to the sofa seat (3), the rotation mechanism (1) being according to any one of the preceding claims.
Sofa (S) according to the preceding claim, wherein the rotation mechanism (1) is configured to allow a 180° or 90° rotation of the sofa element (B) around the rotation axis (R).
Sofa (S) according to claim 13 or 14, comprising:
two first rotation mechanisms coupled to respective sofa elements, each of the first rotation mechanisms being configured to allow a 90° rotation of the respective sofa element around the respective rotation axis,

a second rotation mechanism coupled to a respective sofa element and configured to allow a 180° rotation around the respective rotation axis.