WO2005099515A1

WO2005099515A1 - Support portion of a piece of furniture and piece of furniture comprising said portion, as well as a method for realising said support portion

Info

Publication number: WO2005099515A1
Application number: PCT/IT2004/000243
Authority: WO
Inventors: Mayer H. Jurgen
Original assignee: Bisazza S.P.A.
Priority date: 2004-04-14
Filing date: 2004-05-04
Publication date: 2005-10-27
Also published as: ITBS20040049A1

Abstract

Support portion (2) of a piece of furniture comprising a support structure (3) with a body that presents an essentially elastic initial pliability, when stressed; said body presenting an external surface (10); at least one portion of said external surface being connected to a plurality of pieces of mosaic; said plurality of pieces being connected to said surface to allow said at least one portion of external surface to deform and follow said essentially elastic sagging of said body.

Description

"SUPPORT PORTION OF A PIECE OF FURNITURE AND PIECE OF

FURNITURE COMPRISING SAID PORTION, AS WELL AS A METHOD FOR REALISING SAID SUPPORT PORTION" DESCRIPTION tO001] . The present invention relates to a. support portion of a piece of furniture, a piece of furniture comprising said portion, as well as a method for realising said support portion. [0002] . Pieces of furniture are known, which present pieces of mosaic fixed to a structure in stone for aesthetic purposes, so that said pieces are clearly- visible and therefore suitable for creating particularly valuable environments from an aesthetic point of view. At the same time, these known pieces of furn ture with visible mosaics are very resistant and, sometimes also suitable for rather aggressive environments, such as bathrooms, swimming pools, outside areas and such. [0003] . However, despite the fact that tt-tese known pieces of furniture are satisfactory from many points of view, they are not particularly suitable or comfortable for realising support portions. [0004] . The object of the present invention is to propose a support portion of a piece of furnitι-ιre that is aesthetically pleasing, and which is also comiΞOrtable at the same time. [0005] . This object is achieved from a support portion of a piece of furniture in keeping with claim 1. The claims depending on this describe practicable variations. [0006] . The features and advantages of the support portion of a piece of furniture according to the present invention will be evident from the description reported below of examples of embodiment, given by way of example that is not limiting, in keeping with the accompanying figures, wherein:

[0007]. - figure 1 shows a perspective view of a piece of fiirniture in keeping with the present invention; [0008] . - figure 2 represents a perspective view of a detail of the support portion of the piece of furniture in figure 1;

[0009] . - figure 3 illustrates a section of the support portion in figure 2, according to the arrows III-III; [001O] . - figure 4 illustrates a perspective view of an initial phase of realisation of the piece of furniture in figure 1;

[0011] . - figure 5 illustrates a perspective view of a detail of a second phase of realisation of the piece in figure 1; [0012] . - figure 6 illustrates a perspective view of a third, phase of realisation of the piece in figure 1; [0013] . - figure 7 illustrates a perspective view of a fourth phase of realisation of the piece in figure 1; [0014] . - figure 8 illustrates a perspective view of a detail of a deformed support portion after stressing by compression;

[0015] . - figure 9 represents a side view of a piece of furniture according to a form of embodiment ; [0016] . - figure 10 represents a side view of a piece of furniture according to a further form of embodiment; [0017] . - figure 11 represents a side view of a piece of furniture again according to a further form of embodiment ;

[0018] . - figure 12 represents a side view of a piece of furniture according to a form of embodiment; [0019] . - figure 13 represents a perspective view of a piece of urniture according to a form of embodiment . [0020] . In keeping with the accompanying figures, a piece of furniture is globally indicated with reference numeral 1. [0021] . The piece of furniture 1 comprises a support portion 2 suitable for allowing support, for example, of a person. Purely to give an example, a support portion 2 comprises a seat or back part, a foot rest or arm of an armchair or of a sofa, as well as a cushion or similar. By support portion we also mean any covering, where it is possible, for example for a person to rest, by way of example, on a back or head of a bed or also a wall or a portion of wall, as well as a floor or portion of this.

[0022] . The support portion 2 comprises a supple support structure 3 with a body 4. When stressed, said body 4 deforms in an essentially elastic manner. In other words, when said body 4 is subject to stress, for example by compression action due to direct or indirect support on this by a person, it presents an essentially elastic initial suppleness capable of partially receiving the part of the person, who is resting. [0023] . According to an embodiment, said body 4 is made of synthetic material, for example a foam capable of considerable essentially elastic deformations. [0024] . In keeping with a further form of embodiment, said body 4 is made of fireproof or delayed combustion material, so it is safe to use for pieces of furniture, that are also to be placed in closed environments. [0025] . By way of example, the deformable body of the support portion comprises polyurethane foam (polyurethane) . [0026]. Said body 4 comprises an external surface 5. According to an embodiment, at least one portion of said external surface 5 is connected to a plurality of pieces of mosaic 6, for example a plurality of mosaic tile. [0027] . Said pieces of mosaic 6 are arranged in such a way that they are connected to said body, so they remain at least partially visible, or, in other words, visible. At the same time, said plurality of pieces, at least in part, forms a surface 7 that is suitable for providing support, for example, for a person. [0028] . According to an embodiment, said plurality of pieces is without a cover, so that the material, which forms said pieces comes directly into contact with the person who is resting on said support portion. [0029] . At least part of said plurality of pieces 6 is made of an essentially rigid material, essentially rigid material meaning a material that is able to be essentially non deformable in comparison with the pliable support 3. Purely by way of example, said plurality of pieces can comprise pieces comprising silicon or glass, coloured silicon, stone, marble, metal, ceramic and similar. In particular, pieces comprising silicon are particularly resistant and also safe. [0030] . According to an embodiment, said plurality of pieces of mosaic comprises pieces, with a shape for example parallelepiped, with a height or thickness, or size that is transversal to the surface 5 of the body and variable by 4mm to 8mm and, preferably from 4mm to 6mm. Advantageously, said sb-ape of said piece presents a width and depth that varies from 8mm a 40mm and, preferably from 8mm to 12mm. With a further advantage, at least one of the pieces of said plurality of pieces presents rounded edges 30 for safety in the event of rubbing or accidental knocking.

[0031] . In keeping with a further form of embodiment, said plurality of pieces 6 is stuck to said external surface 5 of the body with a layer of glue 8. The glue is chosen to prevent it from chipping and at the same time also be able to guarantee the necessary adhesion of the pieces to said body. This glue is chosen so it stays essentially elastic and keeps said plurality of pieces connected to said surface, when said at least one portion of external surface is deformed, thus following an essentially elastic sagging of said body.

[0032] . Advantageously, said Layer of glue 8 presents a thickness of between 2mm and 6mm inclusive and, preferably between 3mm and 5mm.

[0033] . According to an embodiment, each piece 6 is at least partially received or en-bedded or built into said body 4. Advantageously, said pieces are built into said body, so that the external surface 7 of said plurality of pieces 6 is aligned with the surrounding external surface 10 of the deformable body 4 free of said pieces (references 11 and 12 Figure 3a) . [0034] . Advantageously, the external surface 5 of said -body 4 comprises a slot 13 suitable for receiving said plurality of pieces 6 so they, with one of their external surfaces 7, are aligned with the external surface 10 of the body 4, which surrounds said slot 13. [0035] . According to an embodiment, said plurality of pieces 6 is connected to the body 4 with a layer of glue 8, which is able to keep the plurality of pieces 6 connected to the external surface 5 of the body 4 and at the same time allow an essentially elastic deformation of said surface 5, a deformation that can follow the sagging of the body 4 of the support portion, which is determined by external stressing, such as for example the resting of a hand 14 on the shaping portion 2, for example, on the back of an armchair (Figure 8) . [0036] . Advantageously, said glue of said layer of glue 8 comprises polyurethane. With a further advantage, both the body 4 of said support portion and the layer of glue suitable for making the plurality of pieces 6 stick to the surface 5 of said body are made of material comprising polyurethane. [0037] . According to an embodiment, each piece 6 of said plurality of pieces is arranged on said surface of the body spaced by each of the adjoining pieces to allow the surface to which it is connected to deform so it can follow the sagging of the body when stressed (Figures 3a and 3b) .

[0038]. Advantageously, the space, or distance (d) , between any two of the pieces 6 of said plurality of pieces is greater than l/5 of the height (w) of one of said- pieces 6. With a further advantage, the space (d) between any two of the pieces 6 of said plurality of pieces is between 25% and 50% inclusive of: the height (w) of one of said pieces 6.

[0039]. By way of example, the space (d) between any two of the pieces 6 of said plurality of pieces is between 1,5mm and 2,5mm inclusive and it is preferably 2mm-.

[0040] . According to a further embodiment, a groove 15 is defined between any two of the pieces 6 of said plurality of pieces, with a depth (p) greater than 25% of the height (w) of a piece 6 (Figure 3a) . Preferably, a groove 15 is defined between any two of the pieces 6 of said plurality of pieces, with a depth (p) greater than 1, 5mm. [0041] . According to yet a further embodiment, each piece 6 of said plurality of pieces is arranged on said surface 5 of the body 4 spaced by each of the adjoining pieces 6 with a distance (d) that is essentially equal to the height (w) of a piece 6 (Figure 3b) . [0042] . Advantageously, glue 16 is put between any two of the pieces 6 of said plurality of pieces substantially to completely fill the interstice between two adjoining pieces. For example, the external surface 7 of the pieces 6, the glue 16 for filling the interstices between the pieces 6 and the surface 10 of the portion of the body 4, set laterally to the plurality of pieces, forms a surface 17 that is essentially on the same level or in a continuous section (Figure 3b) .

[0043] . According to an embodiment, the body 4 of said support portion 2 is covered, at least partially, by a layer of material, or coating 20, which is essentially elastic (Figure 3a) . Advantageously, said plurality of pieces 6 is arranged above said layer of elastic material 20. With a further advantage, said body 4 is entirely covered by said essentially elastic material 20. Preferably, said, layer 20 is essentially uniformly distributed on said body 4 and it is, for exiample, uniformly coloured. Particularly advantageously, said essentially elastic layer 20 comprises the same material as the layer of: glue 8 and as the deformable body 4, preferably, said material comprises polyurethane. For example, said body 4 comprises foam material, advantageously, foam material comprising polyurethane, and said coating- 20 is polyurethane based. [0044] . According to a further embodiment, said, body presents an external rounded surface 5, and preferably said body forms a continuous cover with a gradual variation in shape, so that the plurality of pieces 6 connected to said cover can follow the rounded shape, without sharp directional variations. [0045] . According to an embodiment, said plurality of pieces 6 comprises at least one coloured piece, preferably, at least one piece being of a colour or shade that is essentially similar to the colour of the external surface 5, 10 of the body 4 or to the colour of the coating 20. [0046] . It is possible to realise seats, backs, arms or entire pieces of furniture by means of a support portion 2, as described above, such as for example, armchairs 40 (Figure 11) , double armchairs 50, or chairs with two seats 51, 52 and a back with two surfaces for support 53, 54 (Figures 9 and 13) , as well as poufs 60 (Figure 10) and chaiselongues 70, or small beds with a predominant surface 71 and small back 72 (Figure 12) . [0047] . According to an embodiment, these pieces of furniture present a support portion 2 comprising a -body 4 shaped as an armchair 40 or as an armchair with two opposite seats 50 or shaped as a sofa or pouf 60, and also as a c-tiaiselongue 70 or cushion. [0048] . A possible method for realising a support portion as described above is reported below.

[0049] . Said method for realising a support portion 2 of a piece of furniture 1, principally comprising the following phases . [0050] . Shaping a body 4 of a support structure in a material that is capable of an essentially elastic initial sagging (Figure 4) , when stressed. Advantageously, a phase of cutting a block in supple material in an essentially elastic manner is foreseen for the shaping of the body 4. With a further advantage, a phase of moulding this in a die is foreseen for the shaping of the body 4. [0051] . Advantageously, said body is shaped as a seat of a piece of furniture. [0052] . With a further advantage, said body is shaped as a back of a piece of furniture . [0053] . After the shaping of the body, the phase of connecting a plurality off pieces of mosaic 6 to at least one portion of external surface 5 of said body is foreseen to allow said at least one portion of external surface to deform so it can follow said essentially elastic sagging of said b>ody (Figure 6) . [0054] . Advantageously, an interposition phase of one layer of glue 8 between said body 4 and said plurality of pieces 6 is foreseen between said moulding phase of the body and said connection of the plurality of pieces to said body. With a further advantage, said layer of glue 8 is placed on the body 4 with a specific tool 80, for example a spatula with a fLat or indented edge (figure 5), after previously protecting the adjoining surface 10 of the body 4 with sticky tape 81, for example. [0055] . According to an advantageous embodiment, said connection phase of said plurality of pieces 6 to said body 4 comprises the phase of arranging the pieces so they are spaced out . [0056] . According to a particular procedure, after placing small areas of pieces, for example using pieces that are mounted previously onto a means of transfer, such as for example an adhesive sheet 85 (Figure 6) , the pieces set on the and/or in the layer of glue 8 are aligned (Figure 7) . [0057] . Therefore, the quantity of glue between one piece and the adjoining one is determined according to the type of pieces used and the desired effect required, to form a groove 15, or the space between two adjoining pieces is completely filled in with glue to form an essentially continuous surface 17 (Figures 3a and 3b) . Advantageously, also in the case of pieces with a more consistent thickness (Figure 3a) it is possible to foresee completely filling the space between adjoining pieces with glue, taking care to use a glue comprising a material that is particularly elastic, besides being adhesive . [0058] . According to a further embodiment, a covering or coating phase of said body is foreseen before the connection phase of said plurality of pieces 6 to the body 4, with an essentially elastic layer 20, such as with a layer of polyurethane coating. [0059] . Advantageously, the glue can also be the same colour or shade as the colour of the pieces and/or of the body and/or coating. [0060] . As it is possible to note, it is unusually possible to realise portions or pieces of furniture with a support portion such as the one described above able to offer all of the practical and aesthetic advantages of pieces of furniture made with pieces of mosaic, and at the same time give comfortable support, which is guaranteed by the essentially elastic sagging with deformation of the support portion; this sagging is guaranteed by the body and plurality of pieces that are- connected to it so it can follow said sagging. [0061] . When resting on a support portion such as the one described above, you can feel the presence of a rigid structure, which gives way beneath the weight and contemporarily adapts to the form that is resting, which is also particularly comfortable.

[0062] . Advantageously, said piece of furniture is only made of said support portion without an additional rigid structure for support or essentially non deformable in comparison with the body of the portion of furniture, such as a metal or wooden frame. Contrary to what is formerly known, the piece of furniture proposed here offers a pliable support structure that is covered, at least in part, with pieces that are, in comparison, non deformable, and which create the sensation of a structure that is hard to the touch, but at the same time soft or pliable when resting.

[0063] . It is also possible to realise coverings, for example for walls, with pliable mosaic, thanks to the support portion proposed here.

[0064] . It is possible to obtain a uniform colour of the portion, in tone with the colours of the pieces of mosaic, thanks to the covering with a coating.

Claims

1. Support portion of a piece of furniture comprising:

- a pliable support structure with a bod-y, which presents an essentially elastic initial pliability that is partially able to receive the object being rested, when stressed;

- said body presenting an external surface;

- at least one portion of said external surface being connected to a plurality of pieces of mosaic, so that said pieces of mosaic are visible at least in part, partially forming a suitable resting su face;

- at least part of said plurality of pieces being made of essentially rigid material, so they are essentially non deformable in comparison with the pliable support material ;

- said plurality of pieces being stuck to said external surface of the body with a layer of glue, which is kept essentially elastic so that said plurality of pieces is connected to said surface to allow said at least one portion of external surface to deform and follow said essentially elastic sagging of said body.

2. Support portion according to claim 1, wherein each piece is at least partially built into said body, so that its external surface is aligned with the surrounding external surface of the deformable body free of said pieces .

3. Support portion according to claim 1 or 2 , -wherein said layer of glue is able to keep the plura-Lity of pieces connected to the external surface of the body and at the same time allow an essentially elastic deformation of said surface, following the sagging of thve body imposed by external stressing.

4. Support portion according to claim 1 or 2 or 3 , wherein said glue comprises polyurethane.

5. Support portion according to any one of the previous claims, wherein each piece of said plurality of pieces is arranged on said surface of the body spaced from each of the adjoining pieces to allow the surface to which it is connected to deform and follow the sagging of the body when stressed.

6. Support portion according to claim 5, wherein the space between any two of the pieces of said plurality of pieces is greater than 1/5 of the height of said pieces.

7. Support portion according to claim 5, wherein the space between any two of the pieces of said plurality of pieces is between 25% and 50% inclusive of the height of one of said pieces

8. Support portion according to claim 5, wherein the space between any two of the pieces of said plurality of pieces is between 1,5mm and 2,5mm inclusive.

9. Support portion according to claim 5, wherein the space between any two of the pieces of said plurality of pieces is 2mm.

10. Support portion according to any one of the previous claims, wherein a groove is defined between any two of the pieces of said variety of pieces, with a dept-h that is greater than 25% of the height of a piece.

11. Support portion according to any one of the previous claims, wherein a groove is defined between any two of the pieces of said variety of pieces, with a depth that is greater than 1,5mm.

12. Support portion according to claim 1, wherein the body of said portion is covered, at least partially, by a layer of material, or coating that is essentially elastic.

13. Support portion according to claim 12 , wherein said plurality of pieces is arranged on said layer of elastic material .

1 . Support portion according to claim 12 or 13 , Wherein the body is entirely covered by said layer of essentially elastic material .

15. Support portion according to any one of the claims from 12 to 14, wherein said layer is essentially uniformly distributed on said body.

16. Support portion according to any one of the claims from 12 to 15, wherein said essentially elastic layer is uniformly coloured.

17. Support portion according to any one of the claims from 12 to 16, wherein said essentially elastic layer comprises a polyurethane coating.

18. Support portion according to any one of the previous claims, wherein said body comprises foam material.

19. Support portion according to any one of the previous claims, wherein said body comprises material comprising polyurethane .

20. Support portion according to claim 1, wherein said body presents an external rounded surface.

21. Support portion according to claim 20, wtierein the external surface of said body forms a continuous cover with a gradual variation in shape.

22. Support portion according to claim 20 or 21, wherein the external surface of said body comprises a slot suitable for receiving said variety of pieces , so that they, with one of their surfaces, are aligned with the external surface of the body, which surrounds said slot.

23. Support portion according to any one of th-e previous claims, wherein said plurality of pieces comprises at least one piece comprising silicon.

24. Support portion according to any one of th-e previous claims, wherein said plurality of pieces comprises at least one coloured piece.

25. Support portion according to claim 24, wherein said plurality of pieces comprises at least one piece, whose colour is basically similar, or in tone with ttie colour of the external surface of the body.

26. Support portion according to any one of the previous claims, wherein at least one piece of said plu-rality of pieces comprises a parallelepiped body shaped with rounded edges .

27. Support portion according to any one of the previous claims, wherein at least one piece of said plurality of pieces comprises a parallelepiped shaped body wi th a 12mm side base, side 12mm, and height of 6mm.

28. Piece of furniture comprising a support portion according to any one of the previous claims .

29. Piece of furniture according to claim 28, -wherein a body shaped as an armchair is included.

30. Piece of furniture according to claim 28, -wherein a body shaped as an armchair with two opposite seats is included.

31. Piece of furniture according to claim 28, wherein a body shaped as a sofa.

32. Piece of furniture according to claim 28, wherein a body shaped as a pouf is included.

33. Piece of furniture according to claim 28, wherein a body shaped as a chaiselongue is included.

34. Piece of furniture according to claim 28, wherein a cushion shaped body is included.

35. Method for realising a support portion of a piece of furniture, comprising the phases of:

- shaping the body of a support structure in material that is capable of an essentially eLastic initial pliability, when stressed;

- connecting a plurality of pieces of mosaic to at least one portion of external surface of said body to allow said at least one portion of external surface to deform and follow said essentially elastic pliability of said body.

36. Method according to claim 35, wherein an interposition phase of a layer of glue between said body and said plurality of pieces is foreseen between said moulding phase of the body and said connection of the variety of pieces.

37. Method according to claim 35 or 36, wherein said connection phase of said plurality of pieces to said body comprises the phase of arranging the pieces so they are spaced out .

38. Method according to any one of the claims from 35 to 37, wherein a covering or coating phase of said body with an essentially elastic layer is foreseen before the connection phase of said plurality of pieces to the body.

39. Method according to claim 38, wherein the body is covered with a layer of polyurethane coating.

40. Method according to any one of the claims from 35 to 39, wherein a cutting phase is foreseen for the shaping of the body.

41. Method according to any one of the claims from 35 to 39, wherein a moulding phase in a die is foreseen for the shaping of the body.

42. Method according to any one of the claims from 35 to 41, wherein said body is shaped as a seat of a piece of furniture.

43. Method according to any one of the claims from 35 to 41, wherein said body is shaped as a back of a piece of furniture.

44. Piece of furniture according to any one of the claims from 28 to 34, wherein said piece of furniture is made up only of a support portion, without any additional rigid support structure or is essentially non cLeformable in comparison with the body of the portion of fxirniture.

45. Support portion of a piece of furniture comprising a support structure with a body that presents an essentially elastic initial pliability wlαen stressed; said body presenting an external surface; at least one portion of said external surface being connected to a plurality of pieces of a mosaic; said plurality of pieces being connected to said surface to allow said at least one portion of external surface to deform and follow said essentially elastic sagging of said body.