WO2018065871A1

WO2018065871A1 - Device for moving sliding doors and article of furniture comprising such a device

Info

Publication number: WO2018065871A1
Application number: PCT/IB2017/056013
Authority: WO
Inventors: Adele Caimi; Giorgio CALEFFI
Original assignee: Caimi S.R.L.
Priority date: 2016-10-03
Filing date: 2017-09-29
Publication date: 2018-04-12
Also published as: EP3519655B8; EP3519655A1; IT201600098928A1; EP3519655B1; CN110023577A

Abstract

The present invention refers to a device (1) for moving a sliding door (2), adapted to close a compartment of an article of furniture (3), and an article of furniture (3) comprising such device (1). The device (1) comprises a longitudinal bar (4) fixed to the door (2), to the ends a first and second sliding elements (5', 5") are applied, and a guide (6) mountable to the top (7) of the article of furniture (3), which comprises a first portion and second portion (6', 6") disposed in continuity to each other, the first portion (6') being substantially curvilinear, the second portion (6") being substantially rectilinear. In the closed position of the door (2), the first sliding element (5') is engaged on the first portion (6') of the guide (6) and the second sliding element (5") is disengaged from the guide (6), while in the open position, the first and second sliding elements (5', 5") are both engaged on the second portion (6") of the guide (6).

Description

TI TLE : "DEVICE FOR MOVING SLIDING DOORS AND ARTICLE OF FURNI TURE COMPRISING SUCH A DEVICE "

D E S C R I P T I O N

The object of the present invention is a device for moving sliding doors, particularly for moving doors of a wardrobe which, when the wardrobe is in a closed position, are aligned and juxtaposed in a same plane and, in an open position, lie parallel and overlapped on each other.

Known devices which implement this type of movement are disclosed in patent EP 1 613 831, patent US 4,704,819, patent application WO 2010/095029 and patent US 7,647,728, for example.

The device of patent EP 1 613 831 comprises, for each sliding door, a bracket integrally constrained to the respective door at an upper edge of the same. Two longitudinal trolleys are slidable on a profile disposed along all the width of the furniture which support the doors. A small trolley is mounted to each of the longitudinal trolleys, which can slide on the respective trolley in a direction substantially transversal to the profile and is integral with the door. Moreover, the small trolleys are guided by means of respective idle rolls along recesses or cams developing along the profile, and exhibit curved portions.

The device of patent US 4,704,819 comprises a pair of rolls integral with a door, and sliding inside a guide integral with the furniture. The roll positioned towards the shoulder of the furniture, remains always inside said guide, while the other roll in the closed position of the door is outside the guide and is constrained, by a hook, to a pin supported by an arm hinged to a block integral with the furniture. When opening the door, a portion of the same is firstly extracted normal to the guide with a movement guided by the roll and arm. The arm rotates until it moves the roll into the guide and then releases it. Now, both the rolls slide in the guide 1 together with the door.

The device of the patent application WO 2010/095029 comprises a rectilinear guide mountable along the width of a compartment closable by a door. A first trolley, slidingly movable along the rectilinear guide, is connected to a connecting element integrally constrainable to the door; an auxiliary trolley is mounted on the first trolley and freely slides, with respect to the first trolley, along a direction transversal to the rectilinear guide. The auxiliary trolley is connected to a connecting element integrally constrainable to the door. Moreover, the device comprises an auxiliary guide exhibiting a rectilinear portion substantially parallel to the rectilinear guide and an end portion developing transversally to the rectilinear portion. The auxiliary trolley is guided by the auxiliary guide. A second trolley is slidingly movable along a rectilinear guide. The device described in the patent application WO 2010/095029 moreover comprises a rotating arm hinged on the second trolley and exhibiting an end hinged to the connecting element, the rotating arm being movable between a first position, wherein it lies substantially aligned with the rectilinear guide, and a second position, wherein it lies transversally to the rectilinear guide.

The device of patent US 7,647,728 comprises a bracket which makes a panel of a sliding door integral with a pair of small trolleys mounted on respective trolleys and having the possibility of translating longitudinally with respect to such trolleys. The trolleys in turn can translate along a track, in order to be capable of sweeping the opening of a compartment and closing or opening it by means of such panel. While the trolleys move along the track, the small trolleys move along the path of a cam guide to which they are engaged. The track and cam guide are longitudinally coaxial .

The above described devices, despite being capable of ensuring suitable opening and closing movements of the doors, by holding them coplanar in the closed position, are not devoid of problems, particularly with reference, for example, to the complexity of the mechanisms themselves and to their inherent cost. Moreover, the same are sized for supporting heavy doors by ensuring at the same time always an optimal operability over time.

However, the known mechanisms are bulky and oversized and therefore they are unsuitable for structures of articles of furniture which are lighter and/or simpler.

Therefore, despite the known mechanisms move accurately and smoothly in the opening and closing steps, and are safe, user-friendly, and rugged, they are not simple and compact and are very pricey so that their use with reference to inexpensive articles of furniture is substantially limited.

Further, the same devices of the prior art can be also simplified with reference to the components and kinematics of the opening movement while keeping unaltered the precision and smoothness of the opening and closing movements.

Further, such known devices of the prior art exhibit the problem of being too complex for a simple maintenance and are expensive to be repaired when they fail. Referring particularly to the technical solutions of the patent application WO 2010/095029 and patent US 7,647,728, it is then observed that they both require to install a pair of guides or tracks on the top of the furniture with coplanar doors, so that it is necessary, when assembling the movement device of each door, to simultaneously perform two adjustments, with the consequent evident inconveniences with reference to: the intricacy of the assemblage, the susceptibility of positioning defects which impair, over time, a smooth movement of the doors, and the time required for assembling .

In this context, the technical task underlying the present invention consists of providing a device for moving sliding doors which is simple and relatively not expensive and capable of moving the respective door along a predefined path in an extremely accurate and smooth way.

A further object of the present invention consists of providing a device for moving sliding doors which, during the movement of the door, prevents any interferences between the different moving elements.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a precise mechanism which enables to open and close doors which can also be very thick by holding them juxtaposed and very near to each other when the furniture is closed .

A further object of the present invention consists of providing a device for moving sliding doors which can be adapted to articles of furniture of different sizes, from wardrobes, also of large size, to medium-sized structures, such as kitchen cupboards or similar.

Then, an object of the present invention consists of providing a structurally simple, compact and rugged device which is as much as possible modular so that it can adapt to any size of wardrobe/kitchen cupboard/hanging .

A further object of the present invention consists of providing a device for moving doors of a wardrobe with coplanar doors, which is particularly economical and particularly simple to be assembled and to be operated .

The defined technical task and the specified objects are substantially met by a device for moving sliding doors and by a wardrobe, comprising the technical characteristics disclosed in one or more of the attached claims, and/or the technical characteristics disclosed in one or more of the following aspects:

i) one first aspect of the invention refers to a device (1) for moving a sliding door (2), said door (2) being adapted to close a compartment of an article of furniture (3), such as a wardrobe or a kitchen cupboard or a hanging, characterized in that it comprises:

- a longitudinal bar (4) fixed to said door (2), said bar (4) developing along the width of said compartment, substantially at the ends of said bar (4) a first sliding or rolling element (5') and a second sliding or rolling element (5") being applied, and

- a guide or track (6) mountable on the top (7) of said article of furniture (3) along the width of said compartment and configured so that it can be travelled by said first sliding or rolling element (5') and by said second sliding or rolling element (5"), said guide or track (6) comprising at least one first portion (6') and one second portion (6") disposed in continuity with each other, said first portion (6') being substantially curvilinear and extending towards an edge (8) of said top, said second portion (6") being substantially rectilinear;

said device (1) being configured for causing said door (2) to take a closed position and an open position, in said closed position said first sliding or rolling element (5') being engaged on said first portion (6') of said guide or track (6) and said second sliding or rolling element (5") being disengaged from said guide or track (6), in said open position said first sliding or rolling element (5') and said second sliding or rolling element (5") being both engaged on said second portion (6") of said guide or track (6);

ii) a second aspect of the invention, dependent on the first aspect, refers to a device (1) comprising a mechanism (9) adapted to enable to switch from said closed position of said door (2) to said open position of said door (2) and from said open position of said door (2) to said closed position of said door (2), said mechanism (9) being configured so that, in said closed position of said door (2), said bar (4) is constrained to said mechanism (9) and in said open position of said door (2), said bar (4) is not constrained to said mechanism ( 9 ) ,

iii) a third aspect of the invention, dependent on the second aspect, refers to a device (1), wherein said bar (4) rigidly carries at least one appendage or seat, said appendage or seat being particularly disposed in proximity of said second sliding or rolling element (5') and being distanced from said edge (8) more than said second sliding or rolling element (5"), and wherein in said mechanism (9) at least one seat configured for housing said appendage of the bar or an appendage configured for engaging said seat of the bar is made, so that, by such housing and in said closed position of said door (2), said bar (4) is at least partially supported by said mechanism (9), in an arrangement so that the distance of said first sliding or rolling element (5') from said edge (8) and the distance of said second sliding or rolling element (5") from said edge (8) are substantially equal; iv) a fourth aspect of the invention, dependent on the third aspect, refers to a device (1), wherein said mechanism (9) is configured for being capable of causing a rotation of said bar (4) during the switching from said closed position of said door (2) to said open position of said door (2), and during the switching from said open position of said door (2) to said closed position of said door (2), such rotation occurring along an axis substantially normal to said bar (4) and in a direction so that, during said rotation, the distance between said first sliding or rolling element (5') and said edge (8) remains not less than distance of said second sliding or rolling element (5") from said edge (8) ;

v) a fifth aspect of the invention, dependent on anyone aspects between the second and fourth, refers to a device (1), wherein said mechanism (9) comprises:

- a stationary structure (70) adapted to be mounted on said top (7) of said article of furniture (3), the distance between said stationary structure (70) and said edge (8) being particularly greater than the distance between said guide or track (6) and said edge (8);

- a first movable element (80) constrained to said stationary structure (70) so that it freely translates, with respect to said stationary structure (70), along a direction transversal, optionally substantially normal, to said edge (8), the translation of said first movable element (80) with respect to said stationary structure

(70) being such to cause said first movable element (80) to take a retracted position at said closed position of said door (2) and an extracted position at said open position of said door (2), the distance between said first movable element (80) and said edge (8) in said retracted position of said first movable element (80) being greater than the distance between said first movable element (80) and said edge (8) in said extracted position of said first movable element (80);

- a second movable element (90) constrained to said stationary structure (70) so that it freely rotates, with respect to said stationary structure (70) about an axis transversal, optionally substantially normal, to said top (7) of said article of furniture (3), the rotation of said second movable element (90) with respect to said stationary structure (70) being such to cause said second movable element (90) to take a retracted position at said closed position of said door

(2) and an extracted position at said open position of said door (2), the distance between said second movable element (90) and said edge (8) in said retracted position of said second movable element (90) being greater than the distance between said second movable element (90) and said edge (8) in said extracted position of said second movable element (90);

said first movable element (80) being interposed between said second movable element (90) and said top (7) of said article of furniture (3) or said second movable element (90) being interposed between said first movable element (80) and said top (7) of said article of furniture ( 3 ) ;

vi) a sixth aspect of the invention, dependent on the fifth aspect, refers to a device (1), at least one elastic element, such as a first spring, being applied between said first movable element (80) and said stationary structure (70), preferably at least two first springs (81', 81") being applied between said first movable element (80) and said stationary structure (70), wherein said first elastic element is adapted to thrust said first movable element (80) towards its own retracted position;

vii) a seventh aspect of the invention, dependent on the fifth aspect or on the sixth aspect, refers to a device (1) according to claim 5 or 6, wherein at least one damper (81) is applied between said first movable element (80) and said stationary structure (70), wherein said damper (81) is adapted to slow said first movable element (80) during the translations towards its own retracted position;

viii) an eighth aspect of the invention, dependent on anyone aspects between the fifth and the seventh, refers to a device (1), at least one second spring (91) being applied between said second movable element (90) and said stationary structure (70), said second spring

(91) is adapted to thrust said second movable element

(80) towards its own extracted position;

iv) a ninth aspect of the invention, dependent on anyone aspect between the fifth and the eighth, refers to a device (1), wherein on said first movable element

(80) a first groove (82) is made, said first groove (82) developing substantially parallel to said edge (8), and wherein on said second movable element (90) a second groove (92) is made, said second groove (92) developing substantially tangent to the rotation axis of said second movable element (90), said appendage of said bar

(4) being housed, in said closed position of said door

(2), both in said first groove (82), and in said second groove ( 92 ) ;

x) a tenth aspect of the invention, dependent on the ninth aspect, refers to a device (1) wherein said appendage comprises a first projection (4') adapted to be housed, in said closed position of said door (2), in said first groove (82) and a second projection (4") adapted to be housed, in said closed position of said door (2), in said second groove (92), said first projection (4') and said second projection (4") being substantially coaxial to each other, the axis being disposed transversal, optionally substantially normal, to said top (7) of said article of furniture (3), and projecting from opposite faces of a connecting plate (40) of said appendage to said bar (4);

xi) an eleventh aspect of the invention, dependent on the ninth aspect or tenth aspect, refers to a device (1), wherein the rotation of said second movable element (90) is adapted to enable a change of the orientation of said second groove (92) with respect to said first groove (82) during the switching from said closed position of said door (2) to said open position of said door (2) and/or during the switching from said open position of said door (2) to said closed position of said door (2), said second groove (92) being disposed substantially parallel to said first groove (82) when said first movable element (80) and said second movable element (90) are both in the respective extracted position, said second groove (92) being disposed transversal, optionally substantially normal, to said first groove (82) when said first movable element (80) and said second movable element (90) are both in the respective retracted position;

xii) a twelfth aspect of the invention, dependent on anyone aspect between the ninth and the eleventh, refers to a device (1) wherein, during the switching from said closed position of said door (2) to said open position of said door (2) and/or during the switching from said open position of said door (2) to said closed position of said door (2), said appendage of said bar (4) is capable of translating both along said first groove (82) and along said second groove (92), and of generally describing a roto-translating trajectory with respect to said stationary structure (70);

xiii) a thirteenth aspect of the invention, dependent on anyone aspect between the ninth and the twelfth, refers to a device (1), wherein said appendage abuts against the bottom (83) of said first groove (82) and/or the bottom (93) of said second groove (92) when said first movable element (80) and said second movable element (90) are both in the respective retracted position;

xiv) a fourteenth aspect of the invention, dependent on anyone aspect between the ninth and thirteenth, refers to a device (1), wherein said first groove (82) is configured for exhibiting a base surface (84), said base surface (84) comprising at least one first portion

(85) and one second portion (86), said second portion

(86) being interposed between said first portion (85) and the bottom (83) of said first groove (82), said second portion (86) being substantially parallel to said top (7) of said article of furniture (3), and said first portion (85) being slightly sloped with respect to said second portion (86);

xv) a fifteenth aspect of the invention, dependent on the fourteenth aspect, refers to a device (1), wherein said second portion (86) has an extension comprised between the extension of said first portion (85) and twice the extension of said first portion (85); xvi) a sixteenth aspect of the invention, dependent on anyone aspect between the fifth and the fifteenth, refers to a device (1), wherein to said stationary structure (70) and/or to said first movable element (80) hooking means (20) adapted to hold said first movable element (80) in the respective retracted position are applied, for particularly overcoming the return force exerted by said first elastic element;

xvii) a seventeenth aspect of the invention, dependent on the sixteenth aspect, refers to a device (1), wherein said hooking means (20) comprise:

at least an abutment surface (77) rigidly connected to said stationary structure (70), said abutment surface (77) being disposed transversal, optionally substantially normal, to said top (7) of said article of furniture (3) and substantially parallel to said edge (8) and being preferably made in one piece with said stationary structure (70);

- at least one lever (31) articulated to said first movable element (80), said lever (31) comprising at least one first portion (32) and one second portion

(33), to said first portion (32) at least one pin (30) being applied, and to said second portion (33) at least one protrusion (34) adapted to abut against said abutment surface (71) in said extracted position of said first movable element (80), being applied, and

- at least one seat (87) made in said first movable element (80), said pin (30) of said lever (31) being adapted to be housed in said seat (87) according to an arrangement so that the rotation axis of said pin (30) in said seat (87) is substantially parallel to said edge

(8) ;

xviii) an eighteenth aspect of the invention, dependent on the seventeenth aspect, refers to a device (1), wherein the distance of said pin (30) from said top (7) of said article of furniture (3) is greater than the distance of said abutment surface (77) from said top (7) of said article of furniture (3);

xix) a nineteenth aspect of the invention, dependent on anyone aspect between the sixteenth and eighteenth, refers to a device (1), wherein said hooking means (20) further comprise a third spring (21), a first end (21') of said third spring (21) being applied to said first movable element (80) and a second end (21") of said third spring (21) being applied to said lever (31) for thrusting said protrusion (34) against said abutment surface (71) when said first movable element (80) is in its own extracted position;

xx) a twentieth aspect of the invention, dependent on the nineteenth aspect, refers to a device (1), wherein the distance between the application point of said third spring (21) on said lever (31) and said top (7) of said article of furniture (3) is less than the distance of said pin (30) from said top (7) of said article of furniture (3);

xxi) a twenty-first aspect of the invention, dependent on anyone aspect between the sixteenth and twentieth, refers to device (1), wherein said hooking means (20) further comprise at least one sliding surface

(71) adapted to be contacted by said lever (31), particularly by said protrusion (34), during the switching from said closed position of said door (2) to said open position of said door (2) and during the switching from said open position of said door (2) to said closed position of said door (2), said sliding surface (71) being rigidly connected to said stationary structure (70) and being disposed transversal, optionally substantially normal, to said abutment surface (77) and substantially parallel to said top (7) of said article of furniture (3), said sliding surface

(71) being preferably made in one piece with said stationary structure (70), wherein said sliding surface (71) is adjacent said abutment surface (77), the corner between said sliding surface (71) and said abutment surface (77) being preferably radiused;

xxii) a twenty-second aspect of the invention, dependent on anyone of the preceding aspects, refers to a device (1), wherein said sliding or rolling element

(5") has an axisymmetric shape and comprises a first shoulder (50'), a recess (51) and a second shoulder

(50"), said recess (51) being interposed between said first shoulder (50') and said second shoulder (50"), said first shoulder (50') being adapted to contact the side of said guide or track (6) nearer said edge (8) and said second shoulder (50") being adapted to contact the side of said guide or track (6) farther from said edge

(8), wherein said first shoulder (50') has a smaller extension than said second shoulder (50"), the corner between said second shoulder (50") and said recess (51) being preferably radiused;

xxiii) a twenty-third aspect of the invention, dependent on anyone between the preceding aspects, refers to a device (1), further comprising a bracket

(15) adapted to rigidly connect said bar (4) to said door (2), said bracket (15) being applied to said bar

(4) in proximity of said first sliding or rolling element ( 5' ) ; xxiv) a twenty-fourth aspect of the invention, dependent on the twenty-third aspect, refers to a device

(1) , wherein said bracket (15) comprises an intermediate portion (18) adapted to hold said door (2) at a predetermined distance from said bar (4), at least part of said intermediate portion (18) being configured for having a depth greater than the thickness of said door

(2) and a width less than half the width of said door (2) and for being disposed at a level greater than the one of said door (2);

xxv) a twenty-fifth aspect of the invention, dependent on anyone between the preceding aspects, refers to a device (1), wherein said first portion (6') of said guide or track (6) has a substantially "S" shape, the inflection being particularly positioned at half said first portion (6') of said guide or track (6); xxvi) a twenty-sixth aspect of the invention refers to an article of furniture (3), such as a wardrobe or a kitchen cupboard or a hanging, comprising:

- a first door (2 ) ;

- a second door (2a) ;

- a first device (1) for moving a sliding door; and

- a second device (la) for moving a sliding door, wherein said first device (1) connects said first door (2) to said article of furniture (3) and wherein said second device (la) connects said second door (2a) to said article of furniture (3), said first device (1) and/or said second device (la) being according to anyone of the preceding aspects, said first door (2) being particularly symmetric to said second door (2a) with respect to the mid plane of said article of furniture

(3) and said first device (1) being particularly symmetric to said second device (la) with respect to a mid plane of said article of furniture (3); and

xxvii) a twenty-seventh aspect of the invention, dependent on the twenty-sixth aspect, refers to an article of furniture (3), wherein said first device (1) and said second device (la) share the same guide or track (6), said guide or track (6) being particularly symmetric to a mid-plane of said article of furniture

(3) .

Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will better appear from the illustrative and therefore non-limiting description of two improving but non-excluding embodiments of a device for moving sliding doors, as illustrated in the attached drawings, wherein:

- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a wardrobe with sliding doors, provided with a device according to the invention, such wardrobe being particularly provided with a pair of devices according to the invention;

- Figures from 2 to 4 illustrate a scaled-up portion of the top of the wardrobe in Figure 1, the device, according to the present invention, being, in these figures, respectively in the closed condition of the door, when the door is going to be opened and when the door is completely open;

- Figures from 5 to 16 are detailed axonometric or cross-section views of a mechanism of the device according to the present invention, with different configurations corresponding to different positions of the door with respect to such mechanism;

Figures 17 and 18 are exploded views of the mechanism in Figures from 5 to 16, and

- Figure 19 is a plan view of a scaled-up portion of the top of the wardrobe in Figure 1, as it appears in the completely open condition of the door.

Referring to the attached figures, reference number 3 generally indicates an article of furniture, and particularly a wardrobe or a kitchen cupboard or a hanging. In the following, for the sake of simplicity it is made reference to a wardrobe, however it is understood that the device is not only limited to this article .

Generally, the article of furniture 3 is provided with two sliding doors 2 and 2a which close a compartment of the wardrobe 3. To each of the two doors 2 and 2a, a device 1 and la, object of the present invention, is associated. The door 2 is movable by means of the device 1, between an aligned position coplanar with the other door 2a (as illustrated in Figure 2), when the compartment of the wardrobe 3 is arranged in a completely closed condition, and an overlapped position with respect to the other door 2a (as illustrated in Figure 4), when the compartment of the wardrobe 3 corresponding to the door 2 is opened. The doors 2 and 2a and devices 1 and la are preferably a mirror-image of each other, so that what was hereinbefore discussed and generally all what will be discussed with reference to the door 2 and device 1, must be intended valid also for the door 2a and device la.

The devices 1 and la are mounted or mountable to the top 7 of the wardrobe 3 and therefore are particularly disposed as a mirror-image of each other with respect to a symmetry plane of the wardrobe 3 itself, such symmetry plane particularly coinciding with the mid vertical plane of the wardrobe 3, disposed substantially normal to the doors 2 and 2a.

The devices 1 and la comprise a guide or track 6 mountable to the top 7 along the width of the wardrobe 3 compartment. Such guide or track 6 is configured for being used for defining the opening and closing trajectories of the door 2, and comprise a first substantially curvilinear portion 6' extending towards the edge 8 of the top 7, and a second substantially rectilinear portion 6", which advantageously develops immediately at the end of the first portion 6' and is radiused with it, in order to prevent from forming unsuitably sharp edges along the path of the guide or track 6.

The path of the guide or track 6 is clearly visible in Figure 19, wherein particularly one can appreciate the "S" shape of the first portion 6' , such shape particularly exhibiting the inflection at half of its extension .

With reference to the cost-effectiveness and simplicity of the components, and with reference to the speed and reliability of the assembling process, it is advantageous that the devices 1 and la share the same guide or track 6 and, additionally, that such shared guide or track 6 is symmetric with respect to the midplane of the wardrobe 3. Therefore, such shared guide or track 6 is formed by a pair of first portions 6' connected to each other by the second portion 6", the first portions 6' being advantageously a mirror-image of each other with respect to the midplane of the wardrobe 3.

Advantageously, the guide or track 6 is made by a single profile (for example of metal material or plastic material) suitably shaped or by a plurality of profiles disposed one following the other: for example, the guide or track 6 can be obtained by arranging adjacently to each other a first profile suitable for forming the first portion 6' and a second profile suitable for forming the second portion 6".

According to a particularly advantageous embodiment of the present invention, at first the shared guide or track 6 is manufactured by making a pair of curvilinear profiles integral with a pair of plates, then such plates are fixed (by screws, for example) to the top 7 and in remote (and preferably specular) positions with respect to the mid plane of the wardrobe 3, so that then each curvilinear profile is adapted to act as a first portion 6' , and to the top 7 a rectilinear profile adapted to act as a second portion 6" between the two curvilinear profiles, is applied, advantageously by constraining it to these latter.

It is noteworthy to point out that the technical solution using a shared guide or track enables per se to obtain substantial benefits, most of all enables to easily and reliably assembly the components.

The device 1 for moving the door 2 according to the present invention comprises a longitudinal bar 4 fixed to the door 2, such bar 4 develops along the width of the wardrobe 3 compartment. To the ends of the bar 4, a first sliding or rolling element 5' and a second sliding or rolling element 5" are respectively applied, such sliding or rolling elements can be devices adapted to roll on the guide or track 6, for example wheels, rolls, or balls, or as an alternative, devices adapted to slide along the guide or track 6, for example, runners, slides or sleeves (to this matter, the first sliding or rolling element 5' can be identical to the second sliding or rolling element 5" or can be different from the second sliding or rolling element 5", particularly it is provided, for the second sliding or rolling element 5", an embodiment which is particularly adapted to be used in the device 1 according to the present invention and which will be described in the following) . Advantageously, a bracket 15 is used for rigidly connecting the bar 4 to the door 2. The bracket 15, preferably made in a single body, has roughly a "L" shape and develops between a pair of connecting flanges, connectable respectively, by screws for example, to the upper portion of the door 2 surface facing the wardrobe 3 compartment and to the portion of the upper surface of the bar 4 adjacent the first sliding or rolling element 5' . Therefore, the intermediate portion 18 of the bracket 15 is disposed between the connecting flanges, the main purpose of said bracket 15 being holding the door 2 at a predetermined distance from the bar 4. It is important to size the intermediate portion 18 for preventing it from restricting the door 2 stroke. For example, it is important that the intermediate portion 18, when is substantially coplanar or parallel to the flange connecting the bracket 15 to the bar 4, has a depth suitably greater than the thickness of the door 2

(and therefore than the thickness of the door 2a, assuming that the two doors 2 and 2a have substantially the same size) , in order to enable the door 2, when it opens, to overlap the door 2a. As a further example, it is important that the intermediate portion 18 has a width less than half the width of the door 2 (and therefore than the width of the door 2a) in order to not abut against the associated bracket of the other door 2a

(assuming the two bracket have substantially the same size) , not even at the position of maximum opening of the door 2. As a further example, it is important that the intermediate portion 18 is at a level greater than the maximum level reached by the door 2 (and therefore than the maximum level reached by the door 2, under the assumption the two doors 2 and 2a are installed substantially at the same height, besides of substantially having the same size), so that the door 2, during its opening movement, it does interfere with the other door 2a.

The movement device 1, according to the present invention, is capable of causing the door 2 to take at least one closed position and an open position (represented in Figure 2 and in Figure 4, respectively) . Since the doors 2 and 2a are juxtaposed to each other, when the wardrobe 3 is closed, the door 2 requires to follow, during the initial opening step thereof, a trajectory such to prevent impacts against the other door 2a, wherein the displacement of the door 2 towards the opening occurs after, or is combined with, the detachment of the door 2 from the wardrobe 3. Advantageously, the trajectory of the door 2 during its final closing step, reproduces the trajectory followed by the door 2 during its initial opening step, in order to always prevent impacts against the door 2a. Figure 3 shows a frame of the device 1 according to the present invention, and of the door 2 during the initial step of opening the door 2, or in the same way during the final step of closing the door 2, particularly such frame representing the movement necessary for completing the detachment, from the wardrobe 3, of the door 2 edge adjacent the door 2a.

The solution chosen for detaching the door 2 from the wardrobe 3 during its initial opening step, comprises a prevalent detachment of door 2 side adjacent the door 2a with respect to a detachment of the opposite side of the door 2, consequently the door 2 is sloped with respect to the door 2a according to an axis substantially parallel to the height of the wardrobe 3. Such slope is particularly obtained by a sudden roto- translation movement imparted to the door 2 side adjacent the door 2a, by means of a suitable mechanism which will be specifically described in the following. On the contrary, the opposite side of the door 2 more gradually detaches, however the same being mainly determined by the curvilinear trajectory of the first portion 6' of the guide or track 6 and continues until the first sliding or rolling element 5' reaches the second portion 6" of the guide or track 6.

Specularly, when the door 2 is closing, the door 2 side distant from the door 2a gradually approaches the wardrobe 3, while the door 2 side distant from the door 2a is subjected to a sudden roto-translational movement simultaneously with the final step of closing the door 2. Therefore, it is substantially formed a slope as the one of the door 2 with respect to the door 2a.

Advantageously, the device 1, according to the present invention, is configured for automatically generating, during the step of opening the door 2, the roto-translational movement of the door 2 edge adjacent the door 2a, since the device 1 is operated by a pulling force imparted on the door 2 (by the user of the wardrobe 3 which pulls towards himself/herself the door 2 by typically acting on a handle applied to such door 2, for example) . In addition, the device 1, according to the present invention, is configured so that, during the final step of closing the door 2, the inertia itself of the door 2 (moved by the user which pushes the door 2 in a direction parallel to such door) causes an automatic activation in order to automatically generate, also during the step of closing the door 2, the roto- translational movement of the door 2 edge adjacent the door 2a.

Advantageously, the device 1 according to the present invention, is configured for automatically sloping, both during the initial step of opening the door 2 and during the final step of closing the door 2, the door 2 with respect to the door 2a along an axis substantially parallel to the depth of the wardrobe 3. Such further slope of the door 2, substantially more limited than the beforehand described slope, is for slightly lifting the door 2 (this lifting step is useful particularly during the step of opening the door 2, for engaging the second sliding or rolling element 5" with the second portion 6" of the guide or track 6 and, during the step of closing the door 2, for disengaging the second sliding or rolling element 5" from the second portion 6" of the guide or track 6, as it will be better described in the following) .

According to the present invention (and as it can be easily inferred by comparing Figure 2 with Figure 4), when the door 2 is in the closed position, the first sliding or rolling element 5' is engaged on the first portion 6' of the guide or track 6, on the other hand, the second sliding or rolling element 5" is disengaged from the guide or track 6, while when the door 2 is in the open position, the first sliding or rolling element 5' and the second sliding or rolling element 5" are both engaged on the second portion 6" of the guide or track 6.

The device 1, according to the present invention, uses a mechanism 9 adapted to enable to switch from the closed position of the door 2 to the open position of the door 2, and from the open position of the door 2 to the closed position of the door 2. Besides making possible some characteristic steps of the open and closing movements of the door 2, the mechanism 9 has also the function of supporting the bar 4 in the closed condition of the door 2, by enabling a substantial parallel condition between the bar 4 and edge 8 of the top 7 of the wardrobe 3, and by consequently enabling the coplanarity between the doors 2 and 2a (as is better visible in Figure 2) . Supporting the bar 4 portions adjacent the second sliding or rolling element 5" by means of the mechanism 9, according to the present invention, compensates the configuration of the outline of the guide or track 6 which is generally concave and which otherwise would jeopardize the coplanarity between the doors 2 and 2a. Therefore, the mechanism 9, supporting the bar 4 in the closed condition of the door 2, enables (as opposed to the technical solution disclosed in patent US 7,647,728, for example) to avoid installing two distinct guides or tracks on the top 7 of the wardrobe 3, and therefore avoid managing the beforehand discussed following inconveniences.

The bar 4, as is clearly visible in Figure 2, in the closed position of door 2, is stably constrained to the mechanism 9. As it is clearly visible in Figure 3 in the detached position of the door 2, which occurs, for example, in the first step of opening the door 2, the bar 4, which until now was stopped by the mechanism 9, is released by any constrains to the mechanism 9 and is capable of following the trajectory set by the guide or track 6. Lastly, as it is clearly visible in Figure 4, in the open position of door 2, the bar 4 is not constrained to the mechanism 9, which is held in the same configuration of Figure 3, in order to be ready to receive the bar 4 during the following switching from the open position of door 2 to the closed position of door 2.

In order to enable the mechanism 9 to retain the bar 2 and in this way to command the movement of the door 2, to the bar 4, preferably to the side of the bar 4 more distant from the edge 8, at least one appendage, preferably disposed in proximity of the second sliding or rolling element 5", is rigidly applied. In the same way, on the mechanism 9 at least one seat (advantageously two distinct seats are made) for housing such appendage, is made. In this way, in the closed position of the door 2, the bar 4 is at least partially supported by the mechanism 9 and is disposed so that the first sliding or rolling element 5' and the second sliding or rolling element 5" are substantially at the same distance from the edge 8.

Moreover, the mechanism 9 is configured for being capable of generating, both when switching from the closed position of door 2 to the open position of door 2, and when switching from the open position of the door 2 to the closed position of door 2, a rotation of the bar 4 about an axis transversal to it, optionally substantially normal. Particularly, the bar 4 follows a predefined trajectory during such rotation, along all the trajectory described by the bar 4, the distance between the second sliding or rolling element 5" and the edge 8 being never greater than the distance between the first sliding or rolling element 5' and the edge 8.

Optionally, the mechanism 9 is configured also for being capable of generating, both when switching from the closed position of the door 2 to the open position of the door 2, and when switching from the open position of the door 2 to the closed position of the door 2, a slight rotation of the bar 4 about a different axis, in order to enable the second sliding or rolling element 5" to engage or disengage the second portion 6" of the guide or track 6.

The mechanism 9, in a particularly advantageous embodiment of the present invention, is represented in all the figures attached to the present description, especially in Figures 17 and 18 both representing an exploded view of the mechanism 9, respectively with a top axonometric view and with a bottom axonometric view.

The mechanism 9 comprises three main elements which can be made of a plastic material or metal material: a stationary structure 70 and two movable members 80 and 90 constrained to the stationary structure 70, so that the first movable element 80 has one translational degree of freedom with respect to the stationary structure 70, while the second movable element 90 has a rotational degree of freedom with respect to the stationary structure 70.

The stationary structure 70 is adapted to be fixed (preferably by screws) to the top 7 of the wardrobe 3, particularly at a distance from the edge 8, greater than the distance between the guide or track 6 and the edge 8. The stationary structure 70 has a configuration such to enable the movable members 80 and 90 to be suitably constrained to it. The stationary structure 70 comprises a substantially quadrangular-shaped body on which seats, openings, flanges, edges, projections, outlines, depressions and similar are integrally made or are rigidly connected.

The first movable element 80 consists also in a quadrangular-shaped body on which elements such as seats, openings, flanges, edges, projections, outlines, depressions, and similar are integrally made or are rigidly connected. The first movable element 80 has a width similar to the one of the stationary structure 70 and a depth suitably smaller than the one of the stationary structure 70 (such depth difference affects also the distance between the door 2 and wardrobe 3 in the open position of the door 2, as it will be better understood in the following) .

The first movable element 80 is constrained to the stationary structure 70 in order to be capable of freely translating with respect to the stationary structure 70, along a direction transversal, optionally substantially normal, to the edge 8. In this way, the first movable element 80 is advantageously provided with at least one series of rolls rolling on the base surface of the stationary structure 70, and is guided, when sliding, by its lateral walls optionally provided with further series of rolls, which are held adjacent to the internal surfaces of lateral profiles integral with the stationary structure 70. The rear wall of the stationary structure 70 acts then as a stop element for the displacements of the stationary structure away from the edge 8 of the top 7 of the wardrobe 3. Lastly, in order to prevent the first movable element 80 from separating from the stationary structure 70, the lateral profiles of this latter are suitably folded inwardly, in order to obtain a pair of seats extending depthwise into the stationary structure 70, in which are received lateral portions of the first movable element 80, correspondingly extending and obtained by reducing the height of the first movable element 80.

The first movable element 80, since is constrained to the stationary structure 70 for being capable of freely translating along the depth of the stationary structure 70, can take a retracted position at the closed position of door 2 and an extracted position at the open position of the door 2, the distance between the first movable element 80 and edge 8 in the retracted position of the first movable element 80 being greater than the distance between the first movable element 80 and edge 8 in the extracted position of the first movable element 80. In order to be capable of thrusting the first movable element 80, without actions and/or constrains, towards the retracted position thereof, the mechanism 9 comprises at least one first spring applied between the first movable element 80 and the stationary structure 70. In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, only in an exemplifying and non-limiting way, two first springs 81' and 81" are applied between the first movable element 80 and the stationary structure 70. Particularly, the first springs 81' and 81" extend along the depth of the stationary structure 70, each being hooked to the first movable element 80 and to the rear wall of the stationary structure 70.

In order to temper the action of the first spring, for slowing the first movable element 80 while it translates towards the retracted position thereof, the mechanism 9 comprises at least one damper 81 applied between the first movable element 80 and the stationary structure 70, particularly between the first movable element 80 and the stationary structure 70, substantially parallel to the first spring.

On the contrary, the second movable element 90 consists in a body having substantially the shape of a circular sector (suitably reinforced by ribs, especially when is made of plastic material) and disposed substantially parallel to the stationary structure 70. The second movable element 90 is suitably positioned at a lateral region of the stationary structure 70, particularly the lateral region of the stationary structure 70 which is located farther from the first portion 6' of the guide or track 6 when the stationary structure 70 is mounted on the top 7.

The second movable element 90 is capable of rotating with respect to the stationary structure 70, about an axis transversal, optionally substantially normal, to the base surface of the stationary structure 70, and consequently transversal, optionally substantially normal, to the top 7 of said wardrobe 3. For this reason, suitable means in the second movable element 90 and/or in the stationary structure 70, such as pins, holes and similar, are provided.

The rotation of the second movable element 90 with respect to the stationary structure 70 is such to locate the second movable element 90 in a retracted position at the closed position of the door 2 and in an extracted position at the open position of the door 2, the distance between the second movable element 90 and the edge 8 in the retracted position of the second movable element 90 being greater than the distance between the second movable element 90 and the edge 8 in the extracted position of the second movable element 90.

In order to thrust the second movable element 90, without further actions and/or constrains, towards the extracted position thereof, the mechanism 9 advantageously comprises a second spring 91 applied between the second movable element 90 and the stationary structure 70. The ends of the second spring 91 are respectively hooked to an arm integral with the stationary structure 70, and to a boss integral with the second movable element 90 and made in this latter in an eccentric position. Moreover, on the second movable element 90 there is a recess disposed around the rotation axis of the second movable element 90 and distant from such axis approximately almost as the hooking point of the second spring 91 is distant on the second movable element 90. Such recess is adapted to house the second spring 91 when the second movable element 90 is in the retracted position thereof.

In the figures attached to the present description, the second movable element 90 is disposed above the first movable element 80, therefore this latter being interposed between the second movable element 90 and the top 7 of the wardrobe 3. However, the present invention is not considered to be limited in this way, indeed, in a viable embodiment alternative to the one shown in the figures, the second movable element 90 can be possibly interposed between the first movable element 80 and the top 7. Referring again to the movable members 80 and 90, although they never come in contact with each other, it is pointed out that the geometrical and/or operative characteristics thereof exhibit substantial relationships and/or interdependencies . For example, the rotation of the second movable element 90 from the extracted position to the retracted position or from the retracted position to the extracted position causes, along the depth of the stationary structure 70 (therefore transversal, optionally normal, to the door 2) a positional change of a peripheral portion of the second movable element 90 which has the same magnitude as the stroke required to the first movable element 80 for translating from the extracted position thereof to the retracted position thereof or from the retracted position thereof to the extracted position thereof.

The movable members 80 and 90 are both provided with own means for interfacing with the bar 4, configured for implementing a kinematic system with which both the first movable element 80 and the second movable element 90 cooperate. The purpose of such kinematic system consists of enabling the mechanism 9 to switch between the condition wherein the mechanism 9 supports the bar 4, by retaining it in a position so that the door 2 is held closed, and the condition wherein the mechanism 9 does not constrain the movement of the bar 4 (so that the door 2 can be taken to an open condition) , but is held anyway in a position so that it is predisposed to receive the bar 4 for consequently closing the door 2. Such kinematic system causes the movable members 80 and 90 to be located both in the respective retracted position in the closed condition of the door 2, and in the respective extracted position in the open condition of the door 2.

With such kinematic system, engaging the bar 4 with the movable members 80 and 90 occurs by means of projections 4' and 4" integral with the bar 4 which engage or disengage from grooves 82 and 92 made on the first movable element 90 and on the second movable element 90 respectively, such grooves 82 and 92 being configured for being substantially disposed aligned with each other when the door 2 is in an open position and transversal to each other when the door 2 is in an open position and transversal to each other, optionally substantially normal to each other, when the door 2 is in a closed position. Switching the reciprocal orientation between the grooves 82 and 92 is made possible by the rotational degree of freedom with respect to the stationary structure 70, with which the second movable element 90 is provided.

Therefore, rotating the second movable element 90 is adapted to enable to change the orientation of the second groove 92 with respect to the first groove 82 when the door 2 switches from the closed position to the open position and/or when the door 2 switches from the open position to the closed position, the second groove 92 being substantially disposed parallel to the first groove 82 when the first movable element 80 and second movable element 90 are both located in the respective extracted position, the second groove 92 being disposed transversal, optionally substantially normal, to the first groove 82 when the first movable element 80 and second movable element 90 are both in the respective extracted position.

When switching from the closed position of the door 2 to the open position of the door 2 and/or when switching from the open position of the door 2 to the closed position of the door 2, the above cited appendage of the bar 4 is capable of translating both along the first groove 82, and along the second groove 92 and describing generally a roto-translational trajectory with respect to the stationary structure 70.

The first groove 82 is made on the first movable element 80 with a configuration so that it develops substantially parallel to the edge 8, while the second groove 92 is made on the second movable element 90 with a configuration so that it develops substantially tangent to the rotation axis of the second movable element 90. Moreover, the respective configurations of the grooves 82 and 92 are adapted to enable, the appendage of the bar 4 to be housed, in the closed position of the door 2, both in the first groove 82, and in the second groove 92. In addition, the appendage abuts against the bottom 83 of the first groove 82 and/or the bottom 93 of the second groove 92 when the first movable element 80 and second movable element 90 are both in the respective retracted position.

Advantageously, the bar 4 comprises a first projection 4', destined to be housed in the first groove 82, and a second projection 4", destined to be housed in the second groove 92. The first projection 4' and second projection 4", as clearly shown in Figure 9, are substantially coaxial to each other, the axis being disposed transversal, optionally substantially normal, to the top 7 of the wardrobe 3, and projects from opposite faces of a connecting plate 40 rigidly connected to the bar 4.

Advantageously, the first groove 82 is obtained by making a longitudinal boss, particularly shaped as a "U", on the upper surface of the first movable element 90. Such boss substantially develops along the width of the first member 80 and is closed in the direction facing the first portion 6' of the guide or track 7, and is open in the opposite direction. In the exemplary embodiment shown in the figures attached to the present description, the first groove 82 develops along a straight line. It is also possible that the first groove 82 develops, on the contrary, along a curvilinear trajectory. The first projection 4' of the bar 4 moves along the first groove 82, the movement thereof being guided by the lateral walls of the boss which defines the first groove 82, until it stops when such first projection 4' abuts against the bottom 83 of the first groove 82.

Advantageously, the first projection 4', when it slides along the first groove 82, is kept in contact with the base surface 84 of the first groove 82. In this way, it is possible to change the level at which the first projection 4' is located when slides along the first groove 82, for lifting and/or lowering the bar 4, by sloping the base surface 84 or at least part of it with respect to a reference plane substantially parallel to the top 7 of the wardrobe 3.

In this way, the bar 4 is enabled to be slightly lifted for allowing the second sliding or rolling element 5" to be engaged on or disengaged from the guide or track 6, for example, particularly from the second portion 6". Since the engagement and disengagement of the second sliding or rolling element 5" occurs simultaneously with the final step of sliding the first projection 4' along the first groove 82 and the disengagement simultaneously with the initial step of sliding the first projection 4' along the first groove 82, it is particularly advantageous to slope the base surface 84 with respect to the top 7 at the area of the first groove 82 farther from the bottom 83.

The base surface 84 comprises at least one first portion 85 and one second portion 86, the second portion 86 being interposed between the first portion 85 and the bottom 83 of the first groove 82. Preferably, the second portion 86 is substantially parallel to the top 7, while the first portion 85 is slightly sloped with respect to the second portion 86, such slope occurring towards or away from the top 7. According to a possible size of the mechanism 9, according to the present invention, the second portion 86 has an extension comprised between the extension of the first portion 85 and twice the extension of the first portion 85.

Advantageously, the second groove 92 is obtained by shaping the second movable element 90 in order to make, on a lateral surface of the second movable element 90, a longitudinal lead-in particularly shaped as an "U" . In the exemplary embodiment shown in the figures attached to the present description, the second groove 92 develops along a straight line. On the other hand, the second groove 92 can also develop along a curvilinear trajectory, particularly along an arc of a circle, wherein the center coincides substantially with the rotation pin of the second movable element 90. The second projection 4" of the bar 4 follows the second groove 92 since its movement is guided by the lateral walls of the cavity defining the second groove 82, until it stops at the instant in which such second projection 4" abuts against the bottom of the second groove 92.

Advantageously, the second groove 92 has an extension smaller than the one of the first groove 82.

Advantageously, the mechanism 9, according to the present invention, comprises hooking means 20 having the function of holding the first movable element 80 in the respective extracted position, without further actions and/or constrains. Therefore, the hooking means 20 are useful for countering the return force exerted on the first movable element 80 by the first springs 81' and 81". Since the first movable element 80 remains in the respective extracted position, the first groove 82 consequently is disposed in a position wherein is ready to receive the first projection 4' for closing the door 2.

Advantageously, the hooking means 20 or a plurality of components of such hooking means 20 have a symmetric shape .

In the exemplary embodiment of the hooking means 20 in the figures attached to the present description, at least an abutment surface 77 is rigidly connected to the stationary structure 70. The abutment surface 77 is disposed transversal, optionally substantially normal, to the top and is substantially parallel to the edge 8. Preferably, it is made in one piece with the stationary structure 70, for example by suitably deep drawing the base surface of the stationary structure 70. Advantageously, two abutment surfaces, substantially equal and slightly distanced from each other, are made on the stationary structure 70.

Therefore, a lever 31 is articulated to the first movable element 80, the lever 31 developing along the depth of the first movable element 80 and advantageously having a symmetric shape. The lever 31 comprises at least one first portion 32 and one second portion 33. Advantageously, the distance between the first portion 32 of the lever 31 and the edge 8 is greater than the distance between the second portion 33 of the lever 31 and the edge 8. At least one pin 30 is applied to the first portion 31 while, at least one protrusion 34 (particularly, a pair of protrusions disposed symmetrically to each other) adapted to abut against the abutment surface 71 in the extracted position of the first movable element 80, is applied to the second portion 33. Lastly, at least one seat 87 is made in the first movable element 80, for housing the pin 30 of the lever 31 according to an arrangement so that the rotation axis of the pin 30 in the seat 87, is substantially disposed parallel to the edge 8. The position of the seat 87 in the first movable element 80 is such to make the distance of the pin 30 of the lever 31 from the top 7, greater than the distance of the abutment surface 77 of the stationary structure 70 from the top 7.

Moreover, the hooking means 20 comprise a third spring 21, a first end 21' of the third spring 21 being applied to the first movable element 80 and a second end 21" of the third spring 21 being applied to the lever 31 in order to thrust each protrusion 34 against the respective abutment surface 71 when the first movable element 80 is located in its own extracted position. Due to this action exerted by the third spring 21, the stability of the position of the first movable element 80 in the extracted location thereof, is substantially improved. Such position can be made more stable, by providing, adjacent to each abutment surface 71, a respective folded edge acting as a lead-in for each protrusion 34, which makes easier to correctly position it.

Since the pin 30 of the lever 31 is the farthest from the top 7 with respect to the abutment surface 77 of the stationary structure 70, the third spring 21, for exerting its action, is applied at a point of the lever 31 positioned at a distance from the top 7, less than the distance of the pin 30 from the top 7. Advantageously, the third spring 21, in order to bolster the pulling action on the lever 31 without substantially increasing the size, is folded until it takes, between the first end 21' and second end 21", a substantially "U" shape. A housing for the third spring 21 is made on the first movable element 80, adjacent the seat 87, such housing being particularly delimited by a pair of containing walls extending along the depth of the first movable element 80.

Preferably, the hooking means 20 further comprise at least one sliding surface 71 rigidly connected to the stationary structure 70 and adapted to guide with a suitable precision, the displacements of the lever 31 when the door 2 switches from the closed position to the open position and when the door 2 switches from the open position to the closed position. The sliding surface 71 is disposed transversal, optionally substantially normal, to the abutment surface 77 and is substantially parallel to the top 7. Advantageously, two sliding surfaces, substantially equal and slightly distanced from each other, are made on the stationary structure 70, each abutment surface 71 being adjacent the respective abutment surface 77.

When the first movable element 80 slides with respect to the stationary structure 70, each protrusion 34 of the lever 31 slides along the respective sliding surface 71. At least a further protrusion (advantageously two further protrusions disposed symmetrically to each other) can project from the first portion 32 of the lever 31 for better supporting the lever 31. Such further protrusion slides along the sliding surface 71 when the first movable element 80 slides with respect to the stationary structure 70 and is kept in contact with the sliding surface 71 until the protrusion 34 reaches the abutment surface 77.

Advantageously, the corner between each sliding surface 71 and the respective abutment surface 77 is radiused .

It is possible to obtain each sliding surface 71 by making it in one piece with the stationary structure 70. According to an alternative embodiment of the present invention, each sliding surface 71 and each abutment surface 77 are integral to a kind of an enclosure, acting also as a container for the lever 31 and for the third spring 21, such enclosure being rigidly connected (for example by welding) to the stationary structure 70.

Since the second sliding or rolling element 5", as explained beforehand, should engage or disengage the second portion 6" of the guide or track 6, herein it is given a configuration for such second sliding or rolling element 5" which is particularly adapted for such engagement and disengagement. Suitably, it is noted that the following configuration can be recognized as an invention, since such configuration is useable not only for making the second sliding or rolling element 5" inside the device 1, but also for different devices and for different objects.

The second sliding or rolling element 5" has an axisymmetric shape and consequently is shaped as a roll, capable of rolling along the guide or track 6. Particularly, the configuration of the second sliding or rolling element 5" does not provide any symmetry plane normal to the rotation axis. More specifically, the second sliding or rolling element 5" comprises a first shoulder 50' , a recess 51 and a second shoulder 50", the recess 51 being made between the first shoulder 50' and second shoulder 50". The first shoulder 50' of the second sliding or rolling element 5" is destined to come in contact with the side of the guide or track 6 nearer to the edge 8, while the second shoulder 50" of the second sliding or rolling element 5" is the one destined to come in contact with the side of the guide or track 6 farther from the edge 8.

The first shoulder 50' is shorter (particularly has a smaller diameter) than the second shoulder 50". In this way, the first shoulder 50' can (particularly by simultaneously slightly lifting the bar 4 by means of the mechanism 9) more easily bypass the obstacle represented by the guide or track 6. In order to further aid the first shoulder 50' to get past the guide or track 6 and to come in contact with the side of the guide or track 6 nearer to the edge 7, the corner between the first shoulder 50' and recess 51 is suitably radiused, as is clearly visible in Figure 7, for example. On the other hand, the second shoulder 50" of the second sliding or rolling element 5", since it has a diameter greater than the one of the first shoulder 50' , ensures an extensive contact with the side of the guide or the track 6 farther from the edge 8 and therefore ensures the bar 4 to accurately slide along the guide or track 6.

Instead, with reference to the first sliding or rolling element 5' , it can be analogous to the second sliding or rolling element 5" (so that the components of the device 1 can be advantageously standardized) , or can be different from it. For example, the first sliding or rolling element 5' can be shaped as a roll, both shoulders being extended for ensuring to stably position the same on the guide or track 6.

In the following it is particularly described the sequence by which the mechanism 9 executes the switching from the closed position of door 2 to the open position of door 2 and the opposite sequence by which the mechanism 9 instead executes the switching from the open position of the door 2 to the closed position of the door 2, illustrated in Figures from 5 to 16.

The door 2, in the closed position, is in contact with the wardrobe 3 and is disposed adjacently to the other door 2a. The bar 4 is substantially oriented parallel to the edge 8. The second sliding or rolling element 5" is disengaged from the guide or track 6, on the other hand, the first sliding or rolling element 5' is engaged with the first portion 6' of the guide or track 6.

As it is visible in the Figures from 5 to 9, the movable members 80 and 90 are both disposed in the respective retracted position, in which, the grooves 82 and 92 of the movable members 80 and 90 are positioned transversally to each other. Since the projections 4' and 4" abuts against the bottoms of the respective grooves 82 and 92, the bar 4 is prevented from moving with respect to the mechanism 9. The elastic force exerted by the first springs 81' and 81" of the first movable element 80 ensures the bar 4 to be stably held in position, while the elastic force exerted by the second spring 91 is not capable of actuating the second movable element 90. Lastly, the hooking means 20 are disposed in their rest configuration.

Applying a pulling force to the door 2 at the edge adjacent the other door 2a causes it to detach from the wardrobe 3. Consequently, the bar 4 slopes and the first sliding or rolling element 5' starts moving along the first portion 6' of the guide or track.

As it is visible in Figure 10, the projections 4' and 4" (rigidly connected to the bar 4 and therefore subjected to the same pulling force) thrust the first movable element 80 to advance towards the second portion 6" of the guide or track 6, since the elastic force exerted by the first springs 81' and 81" prevails. The hooking means 20 advance along the sliding surface 71 still in an inactive condition. The second movable element 90, subjected to the action of the elastic force of the second spring 91, rotates about the pin thereof on the stationary structure 70 and in turn advances coordinately with the first movable element 80, since this latter is indirectly constrained by means of the bar 4.

Rotating the second movable element 90 causes the first projection 4' to ascend along the groove 82, by moving from the second portion 86 to the first portion 85 and therefore progressively increasing the level thereof . As it is visible in Figures from 11 to 16, when both the movable members 80 and 90 reach the respective extracted position, the hooking means 20 are activated, and therefore each protrusion 34 of the lever 31 moves to abut against the respective abutment surface 77, so that is therefore thrusted against this latter by the action of the third spring 21.

The grooves 82 and 92 of the movable members 80 and 90 attain the reciprocal orientation by which they are substantially aligned with each other. Therefore, the projections 4' and 4" can disengage from the respective grooves 82 and 92 along the substantially common orientation direction, such direction being substantially parallel to the edge 8.

It follows that the bar 4 is disengaged by the constrain implemented by the mechanism 9. The second sliding or rolling element 5" almost simultaneously engages the second portion 6" of the guide or track 6, while the first sliding or rolling element 5' attains the second portion 6" of the guide or track 6. At this point, the door 2 is parallel to and overlapped the door 2a and can attain the complete open position thereof, by the bar 4 sliding along the second portion 6" of the guide or track 6.

The movable members 80 and 90 remain both in the respective extracted position. The constrain implemented by the hooking means 20 consequently prevails against the elastic force exerted by the first springs 81' and 81" and therefore makes stable the position of the first movable element 80, while the elastic force exerted by the second spring 91 makes stable the position of the second movable element 90.

Therefore, applying a force to the door 2 in the open condition in a direction parallel to the second portion 6" of the guide or track 6, the projections 4' and 4" enter the grooves 82 and 92 which are ready to receive them.

The bar 4 slightly changes the level thereof due to the slope of the first portion 85 of the base surface 84 of the first groove 82. The second sliding or rolling element 5" almost simultaneously disengages the second portion 6" of the guide or track 6, while the first sliding or rolling element 5' attains the first portion 6' of the guide or track 6.

When the second projection 4" attains the bottom of the second groove 92 of the second movable element 90, the bar 4 is again subjected to the constrain implemented by the mechanism 9, which supports it and causes it to slope. Therefore, the first projection 4' drives the first movable element 80 away from the edge 8, and with it also the pin 30 of the lever 31, such pin being constrained to the first movable element 80. Therefore, the lever 31 is rotated, for overcoming the elastic force of the third spring 21. Consequently, each protrusion 34 is released from the constrain represented by the respective abutment surface 77. Therefore, the hooking means 20 are no more operative and the first movable element 80 can return towards the retracted position thereof, by moving away from the edge 8 by the elastic force of the first springs 81' and 81". As the first movable element 80 gradually approaches the retracted position thereof, the damper 81 activates itself for suitably slowing the speed of the first movable element 80.

In turn, the second movable element 90 can return towards the retracted position, by overcoming the opposite elastic force exerted by the second spring 91. After rotating the second movable element 90, the grooves 82 and 92 return in a position transversal to each other.

The movement of the movable members 80 and 90 end when they attain the respective retracted position, when the door 2 comes in contact with the wardrobe 3 and is located adjacent the other door 2a.

The present invention fulfills the proposed objects and obtains important advantages.

The device, according to the present invention, ensures accurate opening and closing movements of the door by a structure which is more simple and compact than the ones of the prior art.

Consequently, the discussed device is sturdy, reliable, and inexpensive and can be easily mounted to wardrobes of different size. The device for moving sliding doors, according to the present invention, is particularly suitable for being reliably used when combined with very heavy doors, weighing more than 100 kg .

Moreover, the device in question enables to avoid any interferences of the door itself with other portions of the wardrobe.

In addition, it is evident that the present invention fully meets all the objects for which it was devised. Particularly, the provision of the mechanism 9, which makes possible to install a single guide or track 6 for moving both the doors 2 and 2a, enables to obtain very substantial benefits with reference to the cost- efficiency of the technical solution, and to the simplicity of the components assemblage.

Lastly, it is clearly understood from the present description that plural modifications to the components of the device and wardrobe according to the present invention, for example with reference to the size, configuration and materials, still falling completely in the scope defined by the following claims, which form also an integrating part of the present description, are possible .

Claims

C LA I M S

1. Device (1) for moving a sliding door (2), said door (2) being adapted to close a compartment of an article of furniture (3) such as a wardrobe or a kitchen cupboard or a hanging, characterized in that it comprises :

said device (1) being configured for causing said door (2) to take a closed position and an open position, in said closed position said first sliding or rolling element (5') being engaged on said first portion (6') of said guide or track (6) and said second sliding or rolling element (5") being disengaged from said guide or track (6), in said open position said first sliding or rolling element (5') and said second sliding or rolling element (5") being both engaged on said second portion (6") of said guide or track (6) .

2. Device (1) according to claim 1, comprising a mechanism (9) adapted to enable to switch from said closed position of said door (2) to said open position of said door (2) and from said open position of said door (2) to said closed position of said door (2), said mechanism (9) being configured so that, in said closed position of said door (2), said bar (4) is constrained to said mechanism (9) and in said open position of said door (2) said bar (4) is not constrained to said mechanism (9), wherein preferably said bar (4) rigidly carries at least one appendage or seat, said appendage or seat being particularly disposed in proximity of said second sliding or rolling element (5') and being spaced from said edge (8) more than said second sliding or rolling element (5"), and wherein in said mechanism (9) at least one seat configured for housing said appendage of the bar or an appendage configured for engaging said seat of the bar is made, so that, by such housing and in said closed position of said door (2), said bar (4) is at least partially supported by said mechanism (9), in an arrangement so that the distance of said first sliding or rolling element (5') from said edge (8) and the distance of said second sliding or rolling element (5") from said edge (8) are substantially equal, wherein still more preferably said mechanism (9) is configured for being capable of causing a rotation of said bar (4) during the switching from said closed position of said door (2) to said open position of said door (2) and during the switching from said open position of said door (2) to said closed position of said door (2),

such rotation occurring along an axis substantially normal to said bar (4) and in a direction so that, during said rotation, the distance between said first sliding or rolling element (5') and said edge (8) remains not less than distance of said second sliding or rolling element (5") from said edge (8) .

3. Device (1) according to claim 2, wherein said mechanism (9) comprises:

- a first movable element (80) constrained to said stationary structure (70) so that it freely translates, with respect to said stationary structure (70), along a direction transversal, optionally substantially normal, to said edge (8), the translation of said first movable element (80) with respect to said stationary structure (70) being such to cause said first movable element (80) to take a retracted position at said closed position of said door (2) and an extracted position at said open position of said door (2), the distance between said first movable element (80) and said edge (8) in said retracted position of said first movable element (80) being greater than the distance between said first movable element (80) and said edge (8) in said extracted position of said first movable element (80);

- a second movable element (90) constrained to said stationary structure (70) so that it freely rotates, with respect to said stationary structure (70) around an axis transversal, optionally substantially normal, to said top (7) of said article of furniture (3), the rotation of said second movable element (90) with respect to said stationary structure (70) causing said second movable element (90) to take a retracted position at said closed position of said door (2) and an extracted position at said open position of said door (2), the distance between said second movable element (90) and said edge (8) in said retracted position of said second movable element (90) being greater than the distance between said second movable element (90) and said edge (8) in said extracted position of said second movable element (90);

said first movable element (80) being interposed between said second movable element (90) and said top (7) of said article of furniture (3) or said second movable element (90) being interposed between said first movable element (80) and said top (7) of said article of furniture (3), wherein particularly at least a first elastic element, such as a first spring, is applied between said first movable element (80) and said stationary structure (70), preferably at least two first springs (81', 81") being applied between said first movable element (80) and said stationary structure (70), said first elastic element being adapted to thrust said first movable element (80) towards its own first retracted position and/or wherein particularly at least one damper (81) is applied between said first movable element (80) and said stationary structure (70), wherein said damper (71) is adapted to slow said first movable element (80) during the translations towards its own retracted position, and/or wherein particularly at least one second spring (91) is applied between said second movable element (90) and said stationary structure (70), said second spring (91) being adapted to thrust said second movable element (80) towards its own extracted position .

4. Device (1) according to claim 3, wherein on said first movable element (80) a first groove (82) is made, said first groove (82) developing substantially parallel to said edge (8), and wherein on said second movable element (90) a second groove (92) is made, said second groove (92) developing substantially tangent to the rotation axis of said second movable element (90), said appendage of said bar (4) being housed, in said closed position of said door (2), both in said first groove (82), and in said second groove (92); wherein particularly :

A) said appendage comprises a first projection (4') adapted to be housed, in said closed position of said door (2), in said first groove (82) and a second projection (4") adapted to be housed, in said closed position of said door (2), in said second groove (92), said first projection (4') and said second projection (4") being substantially coaxial with each other, the axis being disposed transversal, optionally substantially normal, to said top (7) of said article of furniture (3), and projecting from opposite faces of a connecting plate (40) of said appendage to said bar (4), and/or B) the rotation of said second movable element (90) is adapted to enable a change of the orientation of said second groove (92) with respect to said first groove

(82) during the switching from said closed position of said door (2) to said open position of said door (2) and/or during the switching from said open position of said door (2) to said closed position of said door (2), said second groove (92) being disposed substantially parallel to said first groove (82) when said first movable element (80) and said second movable element

(90) are both in the respective extracted position, said second groove (92) being disposed transversal, optionally substantially normal, to said first groove

(82) when said first movable element (80) and said second movable element (90) are both in the respective retracted position, and/or

C) during the switching from said closed position of said door (2) to said open position of said door (2) and/or during the switching from said open position of said door (2) to said closed position of said door (2), said appendage of said bar (4) is capable of translating both along said first groove (82) and along said second groove (92), and of generally describing a roto- translating trajectory with respect to said stationary structure (70), and/or

D) said appendage abuts against the bottom (83) of said first groove (82) and/or bottom (93) of said second groove (92) when said first movable element (80) and said second movable element (90) are both in the respective retracted position, and/or

E) said first groove (82) is configured for exhibiting a base surface (84), said base surface (84) comprising at least a first portion (85) and one second portion (86), said second portion (86) being interposed between said first portion (85) and bottom (83) of said first groove (82), said second portion (86) being substantially parallel to said top (7) of said article of furniture (3), and said first portion (85) being slightly sloped with respect to said second portion (86), said second portion (86) preferably having an extension comprised between the extension of said first portion (85) and twice the extension of said first portion ( 85) .

5. Device (1) according to claim 4, wherein to said stationary structure (70) and/or to said first movable element (80) hooking means (20) adapted to hold said first movable element (80) in the respective retracted position are applied, for particularly overcoming the return force exerted by said first elastic element; wherein preferably:

A) said hooking means (20) comprise: at least one abutment surface (77) rigidly connected to said stationary structure (70), said abutment surface (77) being disposed transversal, optionally substantially normal, to said top (7) of said article of furniture (3) and substantially parallel to said edge (8) and being preferably made in one piece with said stationary structure (70);

- at least one lever (31) articulated to said first movable element (80), said lever (31) comprising at least one first portion (32) and one second portion (33), to said first portion (32) at least one pin (30) being applied and to said second portion (33) at least one protrusion (34) adapted to abut against said abutment surface (71) in said extracted position of said first movable element (80) being applied, and

- at least one seat (87) made in said first movable element (80), said pin (30) of said lever (31) being adapted to be housed in said seat (87) according to an arrangement so that the rotation axis of said pin (30) in said seat (87) is substantially parallel to said edge (8), wherein the distance of said pin (30) from said top (7) of said article of furniture (3) is preferably greater than the distance of said abutment surface (77) from said top (7) of said article of furniture (3); and/or

B) said hooking means (20) further comprise a third spring (21), a first end (21') of said third spring (21) being applied to said first movable element (80) and a second end (21") of said third spring (21) being applied to said lever (31) by thrusting said protrusion (34) against said abutment surface (71) when said first movable element (80) is in its own extracted position, wherein the distance between the application point of said third spring (21) on said lever (31) and said top

(7) of said article of furniture (3) is preferably less than the distance of said pin (30) from said top (7) of said article of furniture (3); and/or

C) said hooking means (20) further comprise at least one sliding surface (71) adapted to be contacted by said lever (31), particularly by said protrusion (34), during the switching from said closed position of said door (2) to said open position of said door (2) and during the switching from said open position of said door (2) to said closed position of said door (2), said sliding surface (71) being rigidly connected to said stationary structure (70) and being disposed transversal, optionally substantially normal, to said abutment surface (77) and substantially parallel to said top (7) of said article of furniture (3), said sliding surface

(71) being preferably made in one piece with said stationary structure (70), wherein said sliding surface

(71) is adjacent said abutment surface (77), the corner between said sliding surface (71) and said abutment surface (77) being preferably radiused.

6. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said second sliding or rolling element

(5"), said recess (51) being interposed between said first shoulder (50') and said second shoulder (50"), said first shoulder (50') being adapted to contact the side of said guide or track (6) nearer said edge (8) and said second shoulder (50") being adapted to contact the side of said guide or track (6) farther from said edge

(8), wherein said first shoulder (50') has a smaller extension than said second shoulder (50"), the corner between said second shoulder (50") and said recess (51) being preferably radiused.

7. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a bracket (15) adapted to rigidly connect said bar (4) to said door (2), said bracket (15) being applied to said bar (4) in proximity of said sliding or rolling element (5'), wherein said bracket (15) preferably comprises an intermediate portion (18) adapted to hold said door (2) at a predetermined distance from said bar (4), at least part of said intermediate portion (18) being configured for having a depth greater than the thickness of said door (2) and a width less than half the width of said door (2) and for being disposed at a level greater than said door ( 2 ) .

8. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said first portion (6') of said guide or track (6) has a substantially "S" shape, the inflection being particularly positioned at half said first portion (6') of said guide or track (6) .

9. Article of furniture (3), such as a wardrobe or a kitchen cupboard or a hanging, comprising:

- a first door (2 ) ;

- a second door (2a) ;

- a first device (1) for moving a sliding door, and

- a second device (la) for moving a sliding door, wherein said first device (1) connects said first door (2) to said article of furniture (3) and wherein said second device (la) connects said second door (2a) to said article of furniture (3), said first device (1) and/or said second device (la) being according to any one of the preceding claims, said first door (2) being particularly symmetrical to said second door (2a) with respect to the mid plane of said article of furniture (3) and said first device (1) being particularly symmetrical to said second device (la) with respect to a mid plane of said article of furniture (3) .

10. Article of furniture (3) according to claim 9, wherein said first device (1) and said second device (la) share the same guide or track (6), said guide or track (6) being particularly symmetrical to a mid plane of said article of furniture (3) .