WO2005003500A1

WO2005003500A1 - Multifunction door

Info

Publication number: WO2005003500A1
Application number: PCT/IT2004/000382
Authority: WO
Inventors: Roberto Canalini
Original assignee: Roberto Canalini
Priority date: 2003-07-02
Filing date: 2004-07-01
Publication date: 2005-01-13
Also published as: ITRM20030119V0; ITRM20030119U1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a m multifunction door comprising at least one wing suitable to be joined both in the open and closed mode to a frame (22) juxtaposed to a counter frame (21), said counter frame (21) being coupled with the surrounding wall (20) of said door (1), said wing comprising a handle (11) and a lock, characterised in that said wing comprises at least two uprights (23) and at least a traverse (23’), defining a cavity within said wing, suitable to house containment means and/or at least a device suitable to operate inside the door.

Description

MULTIFUNCTION DOOR

The present invention relates to a multifunction door. More specifically the invention concerns a door of the above kind, studied and realised particularly to be equipped with electric and/or electronic devices of for placing objects inside the door. At present, a problem mainly existing in the large city homes is the lack of space. It is in fact known that the average square meters available for each person reduces always more. This is due also by the tendency to build apartments and homes with always more reduced dimensions. Another problem concerns furnishing of the hotel rooms. It is known the hotel-keepers tend to equip the rooms of their hotels with as many comfort as possible. However, for the above it is necessary to invest money and increase the number of rooms, or it is necessary widen those already existing, thus reducing the total number. Naturally, it could reduce incomes. It would be ideal to be able to equip the hotel rooms with an always higher number of comfort, such as TV set, frigdes, etc., assembling the devices and saving space. At present, modern technology allows to produce audio- video systems allowing to optimise the space within an environment thanks to their reduced thickness, and they can be advantageously used to optimise spaces inside a home. Among these device we can mention LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or plasma TV. However, often these devices are not sufficient to completely solve the above needings. In view of the above, it is well evident the need of having a system allowing to integrate in a part of a house, such as a door, one or more functions and/or devices and/or openings to overcome the problem of lack of space. It is therefore specific object of the present invention a multifunction door comprising at least one wing suitable to be joined both in the open and closed mode to a frame juxtaposed to a counter frame, said counter frame being coupled with the surrounding wall of said door, said wing comprising a handle and a lock, characterised in that said wing comprises at least two uprights and at least a traverse, defining a cavity within said wing, suitable to house containment means and/or at least a device suitable to operate inside the door. In this way, it is possible to house within the door controls to switch on the heating system, to open and close the shutters, to switch on and off white goods, to switch on and off antitheft system, to operate apparatuses, system failure signalling, a videophones or video intercommunication system or phone, an outer temperature sensor, barometric pressure, a radio alarm, a calendar, a watch, a phone agenda, environment lights or outlets. But it is also possible housing inside the wing a TV, a monitor, an aquarium, a DVD, VHS, cassette, or CD driver, loudspeakers, a decoder, a computer, bar mobile, fridge, pipe, cigar or cigarette containers, a CD/DVD container, a bookshelf, a working plane, an ironing board, drawers, films, a shoe holder, a first aid cassette, a key holder, a safe, a hair dryer, a mirror, a towel, a clothes-hook, a umbrella stands, a cosmetic product container, a chrono-thermostate, gas and/or smoke detectors, emergency lights, an anti closure system, antitheft systems such as TV cameras, volume signalling devices, contacts. Always according to the invention, said door can house at least an electronic and/or electric device and can comprise means for electric supply that can be connected with an electric connector block, preferably provided above said traverse of said wing and preferably covered by a removable cover. Still according to the invention, said electric supply means can provide a cable passage guide for the passage of the electric cables, that can be then introduced within the profile of said frame and through said upright to enter inside said cavity. Furthermore, according to the invention, said cables are electric supply cables and/or audio signal cables, and/or video signal cables and/or optic fibre cables. Still according to the invention, said containment means can provide shelves and/or a chest of drawers and/or hooks and/or an aquarium. Always according to the invention, said devices can comprise means for domestic safety, such as failure and/or smoke and gas detecting devices, and/or emergency lights, and entertainment means such as TV set and/or loudspeakers and/or DVD driver. Still according to the invention, said door can include control devices and/or adjustment devices, on the plate of the handle, such as displays and/or electric switches. Furthermore, according to the invention, said at least one wing can comprise an inner perimetral stiffening, under said at least two uprights and said at least one traverse. Still according to the invention, said door can comprise a front case and a rear case coupled with said frame and a movable covering panel, joined with sliding guides, that can be comprised of wood and/or glass and/or plastic. Furthermore, according to the invention, said door can comprise a curtain panel. Always according to the invention, said at least one wing can be of the leaf type, that can be joined with said frame by at least one hinge or slidable, that can be joined with said frame by sliding joining means, or said wing can be of the disappearance type. Still according to the invention, said wing can comprise a first and a second panel, said first panel can slide parallel along said second panel by sliding means and said second panel can be joined with said frame of said leaf door by said at least one hinge. Always according to the invention, said sliding means can comprise at least one guide, preferably two guides provided above and at the bottom and integrally coupled with said second panel, each of them being allowed to slide on wheels along a rail. Still according to the invention, said multifunction door can comprise two wings. Furthermore, according to the invention, said door can comprise an automatic door-closing device and a door closing slide. The present invention will be now described, for illustrative but not limitative purposes, according to its preferred embodiments, with particular reference to the figures of the enclosed drawings, wherein: Figure 1 shows a front view of a first embodiment of a leaf door according to the invention; Figure 2 shows a rear view of the door of figure 1 ; Figure 3 shows a lateral vertical section of the door of figure 1 ; Figure 4 shows a horizontal top section of the door of figure

1 ; Figure 5 shows a further horizontal top section of the door of figure 1 ; Figure 6 shows a particular of figure 3; Figure 7 shows a front view of a second embodiment of a leaf door according to the invention; Figure 8 shows a front view of a third embodiment of a leaf and sliding door according to the invention; Figure 9 shows a vertical section of the door of figure 8; Figure 10 shows a horizontal top section of the door of figure 8; Figure 1 1 shows a further horizontal top section of the door of figure 8; and Figure 12 shows the sliding means of the door of figure 8. To better understand the present invention, the operation mode of some preferred embodiments will be described in the following, analogous mode being valid for other embodiments. Making reference to figures 1 and 2, it is possible to note the two sides of a door 1 of the leaf type, wherein a TV set 2, preferably a plasma or LCD TV set, characterised by very reduced thicknesses, and a chest of drawers 3 are integrated. On the upper part of the door 1 , some devices are provided, such as two loudspeakers 4, a gas detection device 5 or a smoke detection device 6, a sound alarm 7 and a volume detection device 8. In the lower part of the door 1 , on both sides, an emergency light 9 is present. In the above door 1 , controls of devices are obtained by a remote control (not shown in the figures) or by controls on the plate

10 of the handle 1 1 , comprising, in the present figure, a display 12, a failure signalling device 13, two switches 14, 15 for inner or outer lights, respectively, and a pawl 16. Always in figures 1 and 2, there are shown some constructive parts of the door, such as the outer case 17 and the inner case 18, and the supporting hinges 19. furthermore, in the upper part of the door 1 it is present a connector block29, suitably covered by an easily removable cover 30. from the electric connector block is possible to address the electric supply cables for the operation of the various devices. Making reference to figures 3, 4, 5 and 6, it is possible to note the parts comprising the door 1 . particularly, it can be noted the wall 20, on which the counter frame 21 is mounted, the frame 22, the outer case 17 and the inner case 18. it is also possible to see one of the uprights 23 of the door 1 wing, the space 24 and the stiffening

25. on the side of the hinge, the structure is symmetrical, having a hinge 19 and a cable passage guide 26 for electric power or signals, the passage of which is obtained in the frame 22. Said cable passage guide passes through the upright 23, usually at the half of the height of the door 1 , up to reaching the supply means by the cable passage guide 26' passing inside the wing, between the upright 23 and the stiffening 25. Uprights 23, and traverse 23', comprising the door 1 wing, realise an inner cavity wherein the devices or possible shelves or drawers can be provided, useful to save space. A movable covering panel 27 is provided in front of the TV set 2, that can be comprised of various materials, such as wood, glass, aluminium or steel, just to mention some of them. Laterally with respect to said movable covering panel 27 there are sliding guides 28. on the opposite side it can be seen the curtain panel 31 . On the upper side of the door 1 , beside the inner case 18, there are provided the counter frame 21 , the frame 22 and the traverse 23' of the door, the upper stiffening 25, the removable cover

30 and the connector block29 inserted within the wall 20. In figure 6 it is possible to observe also the automatic door closing device 32 and the door closing slide 33. finally, in figure 5 it is possible to observe the total dimension of the door 1 when open. Figure 7 shows a modification of the present invention, wherein instead of the TV set 2, an aquarium is inserted in the central part of the door 1 . In figures 8, 9, 10, 1 1 and 12 a further modification of the present invention is shown, namely a door operating both as leaf and sliding door. In fact, the door shown has a wing with a first panel 35, that can slide parallel to a second panel 36, within which the devices, such as the TV set 2, the chest of drawers 3, the emergency light 9, etc. are inserted. Finally, the second panel 36 can rotate about hinges 19 as a leaf door, as it can be easily noted from figures 10 and 1 1 . Finally, in figure 12 the means are shown allowing the sliding of the first panel 35 with respect to the second panel 36. observing in detail the figure, it is possible to note the guides 37, integral with said second panel 35, rails 38 and the wheels 39. the wheels 39 are hinged on the sides of the guides 37 and slide along the rails 38. Main advantage of the present invention is the possibility of making it possible to integrate some devices within the volume of a door, so as they do not occupy space. Another advantage concerns the possibility, of being possible to change the set of devices introduced within he door. It allows a large versatility of the same door, making it completely customised also in a second moment, thus becoming an original furnishing element. A distinctive feature of the present invention concerns the possibility of providing the door with a very wide range of devices such as radio, TV set, computer, frigdes, radio alarm, telephone, videophone, current outlets, shoe-holder, first aid, working plane, safe, and so on. The present invention has been described for illustrative but not limitative purposes, according to its preferred embodiments, but it is to be understood that modifications and/or changes can be introduced by those skilled in the art without departing from the relevant scope as defined in the enclosed claims.

Claims

1 . Multifunction door comprising at least one wing suitable to be joined both in the open and closed mode to a frame (22) juxtaposed to a counter frame (21 ), said counter frame (21 ) being coupled with the surrounding wall (20) of said door (1 ), said wing comprising a handle (1 1 ) and a lock, characterised in that said wing comprises at least two uprights (23) and at least a traverse (23'), defining a cavity within said wing, suitable to house containment means and/or at least a device suitable to operate inside the door.

2. Multifunction door according to claim 1 , characterised in that it houses at least an electronic and/or electric device and in that it comprises means for electric supply.

3. Multifunction door according to claim 2, characterised in that said electric supply means are connected with an electric connector block (29), preferably provided above said traverse (23') of said wing.

4. Multifunction door according to claim 3, characterised in that said electric connector block is covered by a removable cover (30) .

5. Multifunction door according to one of the claims 2-4, characterised in that said electric supply means provide a cable passage guide for the passage of the electric cables, that are then introduced within the profile of said frame and through said upright (23) to enter inside said cavity.

6. Multifunction door according to claim 5, characterised in that said cables are electric supply cables and/or audio signal cables, and/or video signal cables and/or optic fibre cables.

7. Multifunction door according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said containment means provide shelves and/or a chest of drawers (3) and/or hooks and/or an aquarium (34).

8. Multifunction door according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said devices comprise means for domestic safety.

9. Multifunction door according to claim 8, characterised in that said means for domestic safety comprise failure and/or smoke (6) and gas (5) detecting devices, and/or emergency lights (9).

10. Multifunction door according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said devices comprise entertainment means.

1 1 . Multifunction door according to claim 10, characterised in that said entertainment means comprise TV set and/or loudspeakers and/or DVD driver.

12. Multifunction door according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said door includes control devices and/or adjustment devices, on the plate (10) of the handle (1 1 ), such as displays (12) and/or electric switches (14, 15).

13. Multifunction door according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said at least one wing comprises an inner perimetral stiffening, under said at least two uprights (23) and said at least one traverse (23').

14. Multifunction door according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it comprises a front case (17) and a rear case (18) coupled with said frame (22).

15. Multifunction door according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it comprises a movable -covering panel (27), joined with sliding guides (28) .

16. Multifunction door according to claim 1 5, characterised in that said movable covering panel (27) is comprised of wood and/or glass and/or plastic.

17. Multifunction door according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it comprises a curtain panel (31 ) .

18. Multifunction door according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said at least one wing is of the leaf type, and is joined with said frame (22) by at least one hinge (19).

19. Multifunction door according to one of the preceding claims 1 - 17, characterised in that said at least one wing is slidable, and is joined with said frame (22) by sliding joining means.

20. Multifunction door according to claim 19, characterised in that said wing is of the disappearance type.

21 . Multifunction door according to one of the preceding claims 1 - 17, characterised in that said wing comprises a first (35) and a second (36) panel, said first panel (35) sliding parallel along said second panel (36) by sliding means and said second panel (36) is joined with said frame (22) of said leaf door (1 ) by said at least one hinge (19).

22. Multifunction door according to one of the preceding claims 19 or 21 , characterised in that said sliding means comprise at least one guide (37), preferably two guides provided above and at the bottom and integrally coupled with said second panel (36), each of them being allowed to slide on wheels (39) along a rail (38).

23. Multifunction door according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it comprises two wings.

24. Multifunction door according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it comprises an automatic door-closing device (32) and a door closing slide (33).