RU2777591C2 - Connecting and leveling system for furniture parts and furniture items with a shoulder on the floor - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: furniture design.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to connecting and leveling systems for furniture parts. The connecting and leveling system is suitable for use for furniture and furnishings with a bottom (12) and at least one shoulder (11) positioned relative to the floor. The specified system contains at least a front element (14) and at least a rear element (15), and each of the front and rear elements contains at least one connecting group and a blocking group of a connecting device suitable for stable mutual connection of the bottom and at least one shoulder, and a leveling group. In this case, the connecting group, the blocking group and the leveling group can be operated from the front of the furniture, with the front element and the rear element are located on their short side in contact with the shoulder and under the bottom. The actuation points of the connecting group, the blocking group and the leveling group of the front and rear elements are located on a horizontal plane parallel to the floor and the bottom, next to each other. Two additional design variants of the system are disclosed.

EFFECT: creating a furniture alignment system that provides adjustment and alignment in front, as well as for joints and aligners in the rear elements located under the bottom.

12 cl, 26 dwg

Description

The present invention relates to a connecting and leveling system for furniture pieces and furnishings with a shoulder on the floor.

Various joining and alignment systems are known for pieces of furniture and furnishings which involve the formation of a series of visible openings and spaces designed to actuate the joints and in particular the use of some free space under the furniture to connect the shoulder and bottom and to adjust the front and rear levelers in furniture.

Solutions are also known in which connecting and leveling systems for pieces of furniture and pieces of furniture are located in a limited space under the furniture and, in general, they offer actuation from the front, which includes both a device for connecting the bottom to the shoulder and a leveling device for furniture.

In all these cases, however, the placement of the piece of furniture occurs in which the arm or arms rest on the floor and the bottom or lower shelf is raised relative to the floor underneath, however, some space is required under the bottom.

In the prior art, or in all these cases, there are connecting and leveling devices necessarily in the same housing under the bottom, but located at different heights relative to the bottom and/or floor.

Therefore, in order to have access to both the connecting and leveling devices between the shoulder and the floor, the free space to the floor must be of a fairly significant size.

However, these solutions are not satisfactory when very limited spaces are needed between the lower shelves or furniture bottoms and the floor.

This becomes even more necessary when these pieces of furniture in the form of, for example, living room furniture including built-in chests of drawers cannot provide leg adjustment from within the furniture which is occupied by the drawer groove.

The main object of the present invention is to provide a joining and leveling system for pieces of furniture and furnishings that solves the problems and disadvantages mentioned above.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a connecting and aligning system for pieces of furniture and furnishings which is very simple, compact and which can be located in very limited spaces with severe accessibility.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a connecting and leveling system for pieces of furniture and furnishings, which allows connection and adjustment from the front, also for connections and alignments in the rear elements located under the bottom.

The above goals are achieved using a system with features defined in the attached paragraph 1 and subparagraphs.

The structural and functional characteristics of the present invention and the advantages over the prior art can be clearly understood from the following description, with reference to the appended figures, which show various embodiments of the invention itself.

On the figures:

- fig. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a joining and aligning system for pieces of furniture and furnishings, obtained according to the present invention and designed to connect the shoulder on the floor and the base or bottom of the piece of furniture using connecting and aligning devices located in the front and rear element under the bottom of the furniture;

- fig. 2 is an elevated sectional view taken along line II-II of FIG. 4 of the front element shown in FIG. one;

- fig. 3 is an elevated sectional view taken along line III-III of FIG. 4 of the back member shown in FIG. one;

- fig. 4 is a planar sectional view from below that shown in FIG. one;

- fig. 5 and 6 are perspective views from different directions of a front member provided with a connector and an alignment device inserted according to the system of the present invention;

- fig. 7 and 8 are top and bottom plan views of the element shown in FIG. 5 and 6;

- fig. 9, 10 and 11 are elevational views from the two long sides and the short side of the element of FIG. 5 and 6;

- fig. 12 is a perspective view similar to that of FIG. 5, but at a different angle, with the connecting countersunk screw and leveling device undocked from the element;

- fig. 13 is an exploded perspective view of the leveling device of FIG. 12;

- fig. 14 and 15 are perspective views from various directions of a rear member provided with a connector and an alignment device inserted according to the system of the present invention;

- fig. 16 and 17 are top and bottom plan views of the element shown in FIG. 14 and 15;

- fig. 18, 19 and 20 are elevational views from the two long sides and the short side of the element of FIG. 14 and 15;

- fig. 21 is a perspective view similar to that of FIG. 14, but at a different angle, with the leveling device undocked from the rear member;

- fig. 22 is an exploded perspective view of the leveling device of FIG. 21;

- fig. 23-26 are perspective views showing the successive steps of inserting the front and rear elements into the bottom, the transmission rods therein, locking said transmission rods in place, and assembling the arm relative to the bottom provided with the front and rear elements.

In general, with reference to the figures, it may be noted that the figures partially show a piece of furniture M having arms 11 (side walls in the examples) (only one of which is shown) and a bottom 12.

The front element 14 and the rear element 15 located under the bottom 12 are also shown. Neither the front element 14 nor the rear element 15 rest on the floor P (FIGS. 2 and 3), but the arm 11 connected to the bottom 12 rests on the underlying floor P.

As can be seen, in this type of furniture, a relatively small space is defined under the bottom 12. The arm 11 or the arms of the piece of furniture M bears all of its weight (shoulders, bottom and shelves), in addition to the additional content, without any other support.

The height distance h of the space between the bottom 12 and the floor P makes it difficult for the operator to access the connecting and leveling devices of the front element 14 and, above all, the rear element 15.

Thus, it is very difficult to provide a connection and, above all, any adjustment in use due to the small distance h between the floor P and the bottom 12 of the furniture M.

In fact, it should be noted that the elements 14, 15 have a height h', which is essentially equal to the height or distance h between the floor P and the bottom 12. In this case, the weight will be placed not only on the arms 11, as previously indicated, but also on elements 14 and 15.

In addition, it should be noted that the distance or height h' can be substantially equal to the thickness of the bottom 12, providing a uniformity of means to facilitate the arrangement of various parts and minimizing the number of different means between them.

Fig. 1-17 show, by way of a non-limiting example of the system of the present invention, how at least the front element 14 and the rear element 15 are fixed to the bottom or base 12, creating an entirely new connecting and leveling system.

Both the front element 14 and the rear element 15 comprise connecting devices between the shoulder and the bottom of the furniture and furnishings and leveling devices relative to the floor P.

In FIG. 1-13 it can be seen how, according to the present invention, each front element 14 and rear element 15, for example, prismatic, can be fixed under the bottom 12 and along their short side in contact with the shoulder 11.

The front element 14 and the back element 15 are molded, for example, from zamak or other material suitable for this purpose. The element 14, 15 has voids and ribs to lighten and/or increase rigidity.

Both the front element 14 and the rear element 15 have a first recessed slot or seat 20, 20' for the alignment device 21 in addition to receiving in suitable threaded holes 39, 64 of the blocking countersunk screw 29 of the blocking group GB of the connecting device, which works in conjunction with the corresponding GC connecting group.

It should also be noted that the axis of symmetry X of the connecting group GC coincides with or substantially close to the center line of the front 14 and rear 15 elements. In this case, the horizontal opening 27, 27' of the elements 14, 15, in contrast to what is shown, is preferably located on the axis of symmetry X, coinciding with the axis of symmetry of the bottom 12.

In addition, both the front element 14 and the rear element 15 have a protrusion 80 protruding above the element 14, 15. The specified protrusion 80 is placed in the hole 79 formed in the bottom surface of the bottom 12 and cooperating to provide a stable connection between the element 14, 15 and bottom 12.

The connecting group GC of the connecting device is arranged as follows. Shoulder 11 has a groove S1 in the form of a horizontal blind hole 24, and the threaded end 25 of the pin 26, 26' protrudes from the shoulder 11 when located in said hole 24.

Both pins 26, 26', in their protruding part, have a seat 28 for the tip of the blocking countersunk screw 29 of the blocking group GB of the connecting device. Studs 26, 26' should be used for front element 14 and rear element 15, respectively.

In addition, they are available in various lengths to ensure they can be actuated from the front of the furniture. It can be seen in the figures that the pin 26 of the front member 14 is shorter than the pin 26' of the rear member 15. The seat 28 in the pin 26 is located at a smaller distance a from the arm 11 relative to the distance b at which the seat 28 of the pin 26' is located.

The pin 26, 26' with an axis located in a plane parallel to the bottom 12 and the floor P is placed in the horizontal hole 27, 27' of the element 14, 15. It can also be noted that the hole 27 lies on the same line with the hole 24 of the arm 11 of the furniture M .

It should be noted that both the front member 14 and the rear member 15 have a plug-like protrusion 78 on their short shoulder side. This lug 78 fits into a blind hole 77 formed in the arm 11. The presence of at least one plug-like lug 78 gives greater stability to the connection between the arm 11 and the front and rear member 14, 15.

Thus, it can also be seen how the blocking group GB of the connecting device is obtained by means of threaded holes 39, 64 and countersunk screws 29.

The action of the tool for rotating the countersunk screw 29 inside the threaded holes 39, 64 causes the tip of the countersunk screw 29 to move between a disengaged position and an engaged position with the socket 28 of the respective pin 26, 26'.

This causes the pin 26, 26' and thus the element 14, 15 integral with the bottom 12 to lock against the arm 11 of the furniture M.

Fig. 23 shows how part of the leveling device 21 is inserted into the blind hole 43 formed in the bottom surface 23 of the bottom 12 from below.

The leveling device 21 has a cylindrical shell formed, for example, by a pair of half-shells 44, 45 locked together by a bottom cover or cap 53. In the half-shell 44 of the shell, an opening 46 is provided at the bottom to actuate the leveling device 21. The opening 46 provides access for the means of movement aligner 21. Gear-toothed crown is actually located inside the shell 44, 45. Gear 47 is located with the possibility of rotation within the shell 44, 45 and engages with a toothed crown 48, made as the head of a screw 49 with a thread. The toothed crown 48 is rotatable within the seat 50 of the shell 44, 45 and is free to rotate but not move. The threaded screw 49 is in turn located in the threaded hole 51 within the hollow inverted cup pusher 52 . The hollow push member 52 is positioned coaxially with the outside of the shell 44, 45. Rotation of the threaded screw 49 causes the hollow push member 52 to move up and/or down and adjust the equalizer by interference engagement within the blind hole 43 of the bottom 12.

With the help of these means, an arrangement is obtained at the level of the furniture M relative to the floor P.

A tool (not shown) adjusts, by means of its tip, the gear 47 passing through the hole 46 of the half shell 44 of the shell.

For this operation, however, the tool must pass into the front hole 75 of the front element 14.

Fig. 23 shows how the front member 14 and the rear member 15, provided with the connector and leveling device part, are integral with the bottom 12. The reason is that the leveling device part 21 and the protrusion 80 protruding above the element 14, 15 are inserted into respective openings 43 and 79 formed in the bottom surface 23 of the bottom 12 facing down towards the floor P.

Fig. 24 shows how, when positioned in this way, the front element 14 and the rear element 15, complete with the connecting device and the alignment device, are provided with two transmission rods 54. The first transmission rod 54 is located in the threaded holes 76 of the element 14 and 15 until it engages the countersunk screw 29 located in the rear element 15.

The second rod 54 is located in the holes 55, 56, passing through the front element 14 and the rear element 15 to reach and engage its end in the gear 47 of the leveling device located in the rear element 15.

Next fig. 25 shows how the blocking comb 59 is inserted into the socket 60 of the front element 14 to ensure that the transmission rod 54 for the alignment device 21 located in the rear element is blocked in this working position.

Finally, fig. 26 shows the final stage in which the arm 11 is mounted on the bottom 12.

For this purpose, the pins 26, 26' protruding from the shoulder 11 are inserted into the holes 27, which are formed horizontally in the bottom 12 in a direction parallel to the floor P. In addition, the protrusions 78 in the form of a plug of the front element 14 and the rear element 15 are placed in the holes 77 in arm 11, giving stability to the connection between arm 11 and elements 14, 15.

It can also be seen how FIG. 1 or fig. 25, 26 show that the actuation points of the connecting group GC, the blocking group GB and the alignment group 21 of both the front element 14 and the rear element 15 are located side by side on a horizontal plane parallel to the floor P and the bottom 12. The size of the element 14 or 15, thus is minimized.

In the plane view of Fig. 4 and perspective views, such as FIG. 1 and 26 it can also be seen that the aligner 21 of the front element 14 and the aligner 21 of the rear element 15 are offset. This offset arrangement also applies to the countersunk screw 29 of the blocking group GB and the sockets 28 of the pins 26, 26' of the connecting group GC of the connecting device.

Thus, due to this arrangement, the transmission rods 54 are always in a position parallel to each other, regardless of the depth of the furniture.

This arrangement makes actuation easier and safer when forces are applied from the front and perpendicular to the furniture.

In addition, this offset arrangement ensures the smallest possible space requirement and easy actuation of both.

The operation of the connecting and leveling system for pieces of furniture and furnishings with a shoulder on the floor and with a minimum dimension previously described is simple and can be easily understood from what has just been indicated and shown in the attached figures.

This type of connecting and leveling system for pieces of furniture and furnishings with a shoulder on the floor according to the present invention ensures that there are no visible holes and also allows for easy joining and leveling of furniture.

The system is fixed to the bottom of the furniture and provides actuation in front of the furniture through the space between the bottom, arm and floor, even when the space between the bottom and the arm and the floor is very limited due to the minimum size of the system enclosures containing various devices.

It should also be noted that this type of system according to the present invention contains both a connecting group GC and a blocking group GB, as well as an alignment group 21.

Any disadvantage of actuation is eliminated, since it is possible to operate both when connecting and, above all, when aligning with the front of the furniture without any visible opening in the furniture itself.

Once the parts of the system have been positioned as indicated in FIG. 23-26 as shown in FIG. 1, you can operate with the tool.

The first operation is carried out by passing the tool through the threaded front hole 39 of the front member 14 and acting on a countersunk screw 29 which can be screwed into the same hole. The countersunk screw 29 is thus located in the seat 28 of the pin 26 located at a distance a from the arm 11. The blocking function of the blocking group GB of the front member 14 is thus activated.

In addition, the same tool acts on the end of the transmission rod 54 located in the hole 76 of the front member 14. On the other hand, the transmission rod 54 engages with the countersunk screw 29 of the blocking group GB of the rear element 15. When said countersunk screw 29 is screwed into the hole 74 with threaded, it is located in the socket 28 of the pin 26' located at a distance b from the arm 11. Blocking of the blocking group GB of the rear element 15 thus takes place.

Thus, the shoulder 11, the bottom 12 and the front element 14 and the rear element 15 are locked together and entirely by the presence of the respective connecting group GC and the blocking group GB.

A similar action is also performed for alignment in this system.

Again in FIG. 1, it can be seen that by operating a tool passing through the hole 75 of the front element 14 on the gear 47 of the leveling device 21 of the front element 14, the front part of the leveling is adjusted. This is due to the movement of the hollow pushing element 52 inside the blind hole 43 of the bottom 12, which by pushing the bottom 12 causes it to move upwards and regulate the equalizer.

This alignment operation is completed by acting with a tool on the head of the corresponding transmission rod 54. Said transmission rod 54 is located in the hole 55 of the front element 14. The opposite end of the transmission rod 54 thus acts on the gear 47 of the alignment device 21 located in the rear element 15 This action likewise causes the hollow pusher element 52 to engage within the blind hole 43 of the bottom 12. Raising or lowering the bottom allows adjustment of the equalizer also present in the rear element 15.

Considering the functions shown above, the characteristics of the system of the present invention are thus repeated.

This type of joining and leveling system for furniture pieces and furnishings ensures that there is no visible hole once it has been correctly assembled to join and level the furniture, thus giving the furniture a good aesthetic and functional performance.

This type of system is limited and reduced in size and makes it possible to have a front element and a rear element containing connecting and leveling devices while having a minimum clearance between the shoulder and the bottom relative to the floor.

In addition, even with such a reduced gap, it is possible to perform both connection and blocking between the shoulder and the bottom, together with furniture leveling from the front of the furniture.

This is all achieved by actuating from the front of the furniture through the minimum space between the bottom and the shoulder and the floor, in the very limited space between the bottom, the shoulder and the floor and generally considered very limited by the operator.

Preferably, with the system of the present invention, both the connecting or connecting group with appropriate blocking and the leveling group under the thickness of the bottom and arm of the furniture are very compact and easy to operate by any operator.

Any disadvantage of actuation is eliminated, since it is possible to operate both when connecting and, above all, when aligning with the front of the furniture without any visible opening in the furniture itself.

This condition also provides for the exclusion of any additional element that serves to ensure the correct direction or orientation of the screwdriver, which must be present in known additional systems in the form of a guide or similar element fixed to the bottom of the furniture.

Thus, the objectives indicated in the introductory part of the description have been achieved.

The scope of protection of the present invention is defined by the appended claims.

Claims (33)

1. Connecting and leveling system suitable for use with furniture and furnishings (M) with a bottom (12) and at least one arm (11) positioned relative to the floor (P), while this system contains in combination at least a front element (14) and at least a rear element (15), with each front and rear element (14, 15) containing at least one connecting group (GC) and a blocking group (GB) of a connecting device suitable for stable interconnection of said bottom (12) and said at least one shoulder, and an alignment group (21), moreover, the specified connecting group (GC), the specified blocking group (GB) of the connecting device and the specified leveling group (21) are made with the possibility of actuating the furniture and furnishings from the front, and the specified front element (14) and the specified rear element (15) are located along their short side in contact with said shoulder (11) and under said bottom (12), and the actuation points of said connecting group (GC), blocking group (GB) and alignment group (21) of said front and rear elements (14,15) are located on a horizontal plane parallel to said floor and said bottom (12), next to each other with a friend, moreover, the specified blocking group (GB) and the alignment group (21) of the specified rear element (15) are connected to the specified front element (14) using return rods (54). 2. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the thickness of said bottom (12) is equal to the distance (h) between said floor (P) and said bottom (12). 3. System according to claim 2, characterized in that the height (h') of said elements (14, 15) is equal to the specified distance (h). 4. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that said alignment group (21) of said front element (14) is offset relative to alignment group (21) of said rear element (15). 5. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that said return rods (54) for each blocking group (GB) and each leveling group (21) of said rear element (15) are arranged parallel to each other. 6. The system of claim. 1, characterized in that each front and rear element (14, 15) is a molded zinc alloy element and has cavities and ribs to lighten and/or increase rigidity. 7. The system according to claim. 6, characterized in that the specified element (14, 15) of the prismatic type is made with the possibility of attachment under the bottom (12) and next to the specified at least one shoulder (11) and provides at least on the short side at least one protrusion (78) in the form of a pin, which is placed in a blind hole (77) formed in the specified shoulder (11), located nearby. 8. System according to claim 7, characterized in that each front and rear element (14,15) has a plurality of holes (39, 76, 75, 55; 64, 74, 56) for adjusting the tool for the connecting group (GC) , a blocking group (GB) and an alignment group (GL). 9. The system according to any one of paragraphs. 6-8, characterized in that said front and rear element (14, 15) has a hollow groove or socket (20, 20') for the leveling device (21). 10. The system according to claim 9, characterized in that said hollow groove or socket (20, 20') in said front element (14) is offset from said hollow groove or socket (20') formed in said rear element ( 15) in order to take up the smallest possible space and to enable actuation from the front of the connecting group (GC), the blocking group (GB) and the equalizing group (21). 11. Connecting and leveling system suitable for use with furniture and furnishings (M) with a bottom (12) and at least one arm (11) positioned relative to the floor (P), while said system contains in combination at least a front element (14) and at least a rear element (15), with each front and rear element (14, 15) containing at least one connecting group (GC) and a blocking group (GB) of a connecting device suitable for stable interconnection of said bottom (12) and said at least one shoulder, and an alignment group (21), moreover, the specified connecting group (GC), the specified blocking group (GB) of the connecting device and the specified leveling group (21) are made with the possibility of actuating the furniture and furnishings from the front, and the specified front element (14) and the specified rear element (15) are located along their short side in contact with said shoulder (11) and under said bottom (12), and the point of actuation of the specified connecting group (GC), blocking groups (GB) and leveling group (21) of the specified front and rear elements (14, 15) are located on a horizontal plane parallel to the specified floor and the specified bottom (12), next to each other, moreover, the specified blocking group (GB) and the alignment group (21) of the specified rear element (15) are connected to the specified front element (14) using return rods (54), and the specified locking group (GB) of the connecting device of each front element (14) and the rear element (15) contains a pin (26) located entirely in the shoulder (11), and the specified blocking group (GB) of the connecting device contains a countersunk screw (29) , which is located in the threaded hole (39) and which can move between the engaged position and the disengaged position with said pin (26). 12. Connecting and leveling system suitable for furniture and furnishings (M) with a bottom (12) and at least one arm (11) positioned relative to the floor (P), while this system contains in combination at least a front element (14) and at least a rear element (15), with each front and rear element (14, 15) containing at least one connecting group (GC) and a blocking group (GB) of a connecting device suitable for stable interconnection of said bottom (12) and said at least one shoulder, and an alignment group (21), moreover, the specified connecting group (GC), the specified blocking group (GB) of the connecting device and the specified leveling group (21) are made with the possibility of actuating the furniture and furnishings from the front, and the specified front element (14) and the specified rear element (15) are located along their short side in contact with said shoulder (11) and under said bottom (12), and the point of actuation of the specified connecting group (GC), blocking groups (GB) and leveling group (21) of the specified front and rear elements (14, 15) are located on a horizontal plane parallel to the specified floor and the specified bottom (12), next to each other, the specified alignment group (21) of the specified front element (14) is located with an offset relative to the alignment group (21) of the specified rear element (15), moreover, the specified blocking group (GB) and the alignment group (21) of the specified rear element (15) are connected to the specified front element (14) using return rods (54), and the specified alignment group (21) contains a cylindrical shell (44, 45) containing inside the transmission (47,48) gear-toothed crown, and the specified gear (47) is located for rotation inside the shell (44,45) and engages with the specified a toothed crown (48) made as a head of a screw (49) with a thread, and the specified toothed crown (48) rotates inside the shell (44, 45) without moving, and the specified screw (49) with a thread, in turn, is located in a hole (51) threaded inside a hollow pusher element (52) located coaxially with the outer side of the shell (44, 45), wherein the rotation of the threaded screw (49) causes the hollow pusher element (52) to move up and/or down and adjust the equalizer by interference engagement within the blind hole (43) formed in said bottom (12).

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