EP2005860B1

EP2005860B1 - Furnishing element

Info

Publication number: EP2005860B1
Application number: EP08158612A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Agostino Pettarini; Maurizio Micheloni
Original assignee: Viteria Pettarini Srl
Current assignee: Viteria Pettarini Srl
Priority date: 2007-06-21
Filing date: 2008-06-19
Publication date: 2010-01-13
Anticipated expiration: 2028-06-19
Also published as: EP2005860A1; DE602008000531D1; ATE454837T1; ITUD20070113A1

Abstract

A furnishing element (10) comprises two frames (12, 14) positioned opposite each other and at least a connection element (16, 18) opposite the two frames (12 and 14), the two frames (12, 14) and the connection element (16, 18) being coupled so as to define a surface (20) in cooperation with which a supporting plane (22) is positioned. The furnishing element (10) also comprises a traction element (21) able to be driven rotationally and able to act on the two frames (12, 14) and to be selectively driven so as to determine a desired traction of the two frames (12, 14), at least one connection element (16, 18) being pre-positioned with respect to the two frames (12, 14).

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention concerns a furnishing element of the type provided with legs which support a supporting or resting plane, such as for example but not only, a seating element, a table and suchlike. In particular, the furnishing element according to the present invention is of the type able to be assembled and dis-assembled and does not need, in order to be assembled, the normal hardware attachment elements such as screws, bolts or suchlike.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is known to make furnishing elements of the type able to be assembled and dis-assembled, for example chairs, stools, sofas, armchairs, tables, desks, benches or other. Furnishing elements which have a wooden frame have the relative components assembled by means of reciprocal geometric coupling and attached to each other by means of screws, bolts or other hardware attachment elements.
The disadvantage of such known furnishing elements is their use of hardware attachment elements, which can be expensive and complex. This also leads to the possibility that the attachment elements come loose over time, with the repeated use of the furnishing element, due to the relative grip that the attachment element has on the wood and the possibility of partial yielding due to the stresses deriving from use.
Another disadvantage is the need to use assembly tools that require a certain level of expertise in use. Correlated to this, there is the further disadvantage of the long assembly times.
One solution to some of these disadvantages is known from the patent application UD 2006A000221 in the name of the present Applicant.
However, although it does not include the use of hardware attachment elements, this known solution is complex, it provides to use at least two telescopic tie rods put in traction by levers in order to keep the various components assembled under traction and requires a high number of auxiliary clamping elements.
Another prior art document addressing this technical field is US-A-5 988 755 .
One purpose of the present invention is to overcome the aforesaid disadvantages by making a furnishing element which is easy and quick to assemble, which does not need hardware attachment elements, which uses a limited number of components and which has a reduced economic cost, while at the same time guarantees overall solidity and resistance.
Another purpose is to achieve an assembly system which is easy and quick to restore in the event that any loosening or partial yielding occur over time and with use.
The Applicant has devised, tested and embodied the present invention to overcome the shortcomings of the state of the art and to obtain these and other purposes and advantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is set forth and characterized in the independent claims, while the dependent claims describe other characteristics of the invention or variants to the main inventive idea.
The furnishing element according to the present invention can be a seating element such as a chair, a stool, a sofa, an armchair or other, or a table, a desk, a bench, a work plane or suchlike.
In accordance with the above purposes, a furnishing element according to the present invention comprises at least two frames able to be positioned opposite each other and at least a connection element, or cross-piece, according to an advantageous variant at least two, able to be positioned opposite the two frames.
The two frames and the two connection elements are able to be coupled so as to define a surface in cooperation with which a supporting plane is positioned.
According to a characteristic feature of the present invention, the furnishing element also comprises a traction element able to be driven rotationally, able to act on the two frames and to be selectively driven to determine the desired traction between the two frames, at least one connection element being pre-positioned with respect to the two frames.
In this way a stable and secure assembly condition is achieved.
In particular, in a preferential embodiment, the traction element is able to be disposed in a co-planar position and performs a substantially median action with respect to the frames, so as to exert an action of reciprocal drawing together, when regulated in traction, on the frames.
The furnishing element according to the present invention is easy and quick to assemble, it uses a limited number of components, has a reduced economic cost and at the same time guarantees overall solidity and resistance.
A preferential embodiment provides that the traction element comprises at least a first component, advantageously two first components, which according to a variant allow the cooperation of the traction element with a fixed translation element.
In another variant, the first component or components cooperate with each other by means of a second component which functions as a drive element of the traction element. The first component or components and the second component are at least partly mobile with respect to each other.
The second component which functions as a drive element can be tubular or solid.
The reciprocal movement of the first component or components and the second component is obtained by means of a screw connection.
The first components are either one only or both threaded, and anchored to one or both of the frames. The anchorage can be direct or indirect.
The second component advantageously has one or both ends threaded and can be driven in rotation on itself, so as to selectively determine the desired traction.
In the solution where the drive element has both ends threaded, its rotation determines the simultaneous displacement of the two frames.
If the threads are identical, this displacement is substantially symmetrical.
According to a variant, the drive element has only one end threaded, and the other end is connected to a corresponding part of the traction element.
A variant of the present invention provides that the traction element acts directly on the two frames.
Another variant provides that the traction element acts indirectly on one or both of the frames by means of one or more attachment elements anchored to the relative frame.
By pre-positioning of the connection element or elements, we mean that they are temporarily associated with the two frames, for example by partly inserting their ends, which are for example provided with a tenon or tongue in relative attachment seatings, or mortises, in the frames, and that another action is necessary, determined according to the present invention by the traction element, in order to assemble everything stably and make it secure.
To achieve assembly, the final user only has to position the two frames vertically and opposite each other, to pre-position the connection element or elements and to drive the traction element so that the two frames are brought together, determining the stable anchorage of the connection element or elements in the relative seatings, so that everything is stable and secure.
The whole assembly step is effected manually, with a limited number of components, without needing hardware attachment elements and the relative tools.
Other advantages of the present invention are the ease of packing, transport and storage, in the dismantled condition, and the relative saving of space during these operations.
Another advantage is the ease and speed of restoring the furnishing element in the event that the components come loose.
A variant provides to use auxiliary connection elements, attached below the vertical frames by means of geometric coupling of the relative ends in mating seatings made below the vertical frames. A particular solution provides that the coupling is determined by the dove tailed ends of the auxiliary connection elements.
The supporting plane can be a seat or a surface of a table or suchlike, and is assembled in a known manner on the surface defined by the frames and the connection elements, for example by jointing.
In the variant where the furnishing element is a seating element with a back rest, one of the two frames can be provided with the pre-assembled back rest.
It is clear that the present invention also includes a traction device comprising a traction element which is anchored to the frames and which is driven rotationally in order to bring the frames together so as to create a stable connection between the frames and the at least one connection element.
According to an advantageous variant, the traction device also comprises the attachment element or elements, having converging arms, substantially V-shaped, able to be attached to one of the frames.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other characteristics of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of a preferential form of embodiment, given as a non-restrictive example with reference to the attached drawings wherein:

fig. 1 is a perspective view of a furnishing element according to the present invention; and
fig. 2 is a perspective view of the furnishing element in fig. 1 in separate parts.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERENTIAL FORM OF EMBODIMENT

With reference to fig. 1, a chair 10 comprises a first vertical frame 12 with a pre-assembled back rest 58, and a second vertical frame 14, opposite the first. Each frame 12 and 14 has two legs 52, connected by two horizontal cross-pieces, upper 54 and lower 56.
The two frames 12 and 14 are connected by other horizontal cross-pieces 16 and 18, in this case mounted perpendicular to the upper end of the frames 12 and 14.
The horizontal cross-pieces 16 and 18, as shown in fig. 2, have connection pins or tenons 17 and 19, which are able to be inserted into corresponding seatings or mortises 13 and 15, made in determinate positions on the frames 12 and 14.
The two frames 12 and 14 and the relative cross-pieces 16 and 18 define, in the assembled condition, a horizontal surface 20 on which a seat 22 is positioned, for example by jointing.
The chair 10 also comprises a single traction element or tie rod 21, disposed horizontally and at the center with respect to the frames 12 and 14 and the horizontal cross-pieces 16 and 18; the tie rod 21 is below the seat 22, and therefore hidden from view, in the normal use of the chair 10.
The tie rod 21 is put in cooperation with the two frames 12 and 14 so as to determine, when driven, a desired traction of reciprocal drawing together of the two frames 12 and 14. In particular, the tie rod 21 is formed by two parts with threaded ends 25 and 27, connected to each other by means of a hollow knob with an internal female thread 29, disposed in a substantially central position between the two threaded parts 25 and 27.
Each threaded part 25 and 27 has a relative end with an eyelet 36 and 38 for attachment with attachment elements 24 and 26, which in turn allow connection with the frames 12 and 14.
Each attachment element 24 and 26 is formed by two arms 28 and 30 converging in correspondence with relative vertexes 32, 34, to determine a convex geometry, substantially V-shaped. Each V- shaped arm 28 and 30 has a curved shaped end 47 which, by means of bolts or other hardware attachment, not shown in the drawings, is first of all attached by the producer inside seatings 50 made in proximity with relative lateral edge ends of each frame 12 and 14, so that the traction force is distributed uniformly over the whole edge.
The eyelets 36 and 38, in the pre-assembly step of the frames 12 and 14, in particular before the attachment elements 24 and 26 are definitively attached to the frames 12 and 14, are threaded along the arms 28 and 30, until they are positioned in correspondence with the vertexes 32 and 34.
The tie rod 21 is able to exert a linear traction on the two frames 12 and 14, arrow F in fig. 1. In particular, the rotation of the knob 29, as indicated by the arrow R in fig.1, determines the screwing of the two threaded parts 25 and 27 inside the knob 29.
Consequently, this generates a traction on both the attachment elements 24 and 26 which, in turn, displace the two frames 12 and 14 toward the center, thus determining the reciprocal drawing together thereof.
This drawing together is contrasted by the cross-pieces 16 and 18 which are thus anchored with force to the frames 12 and 14, putting the chair 10 under the desired tension and stability. In fact, the displacement also determines the stable insertion of the pins 17 and 19 into the relative seatings 13 and 15, in this way defining a stable and secure assembly condition of the chair 10.
The knob 29 and the two threaded parts 25 and 27 thus constitute an effective device 40 to regulate the traction.
It is clear that to dis-assemble the chair 10, an operation substantially inverse to the one described above is used.
A variant of said geometric disposition, not shown in the drawings, provides that the two arms 28 and 30 are substantially T-shaped, so that all in all the attachment elements 24 and 26 and the tie rod 21 are substantially shaped like a double T.
A variant solution, not shown, provides to use only one of the attachment elements 24 and 26 and the other end 36 or 38 of the tie rod 21 is directly attached to the relative frame 12 or 14.
According to another variant, not shown, the two threaded parts 25 and 27 are directly attached with their terminal ends to the respective frames 12 and 14, without using attachment elements 24, 26.
In combination with the alternatives described above, it is possible that the tie rod 21 has only one threaded part, and the knob 29 has a single inner thread end, while the other end is connected, rotatably or rigidly, with the corresponding non-threaded part of the tie rod 21, but is not active in traction. In this case we have an asymmetrical traction and the displacement of only one of the frames 12 and 14 with respect to the other, which remains stationary.
Alternatively, it is possible that the knob 29 is externally threaded and that the parts 25 and/or 27 are internally threaded.
The solution shown provides auxiliary cross-pieces 42 and 44, in a lower position, substantially opposite the cross-pieces 16, 18 and parallel thereto. In this way we have a still greater stability of the chair 10.
In particular, the cross-pieces 42 and 44 have dovetail shaped ends 46, which are able to achieve a stable same-shape coupling with mating seatings 48 made on each lower cross-piece 56. In a variant, the coupling of the auxiliary cross-pieces 42 and 44 is made by means of a U-shaped milling, astride the lower cross-pieces 56 of the frames 12 and 14. The auxiliary cross-pieces 42 and 44 are also easily assembled by the final user, without the aid of screws or other hardware attachment elements.
As far as the construction materials are concerned, the frames 12 and 14, the cross-pieces 16 and 18 and the auxiliary cross-pieces 42 and 44 are preferably made of wood, the tie rod 21 is preferably made of metal, but can have plastic parts, whereas the knob 29, ergonomically shaped so as to facilitate grip, is preferably made of rubber, but can be rigid plastic with rubber gripper inserts.
It is clear that modifications and/or additions of parts may be made to the furnishing element as described heretofore, without departing from the field and scope of the present invention.
It is also clear that, although the present invention has been described with reference to specific examples, a person of skill in the art shall certainly be able to achieve many other equivalent forms of furnishing element, having the characteristics as set forth in the claims and hence all coming within the field of protection defined thereby.

Claims

Furnishing element comprising two frames (12, 14) able to be positioned opposite each other and at least a connection element (16, 18) that connects the two frames (12 and 14), the two frames (12, 14) and the connection element (16, 18) being coupled so as to define a surface (20) in cooperation with which a supporting plane (22) is positioned, characterized in that it also comprises a traction element (21), positioned under said supporting plane (22), able to be driven rotationally and having at least a threaded end (25, 27) connected on one side to one respective of said two frames (12, 14) and on the other side screwable to a drive threaded element (29) associated with the other one of said two frames (12, 14), so as to be selectively driven to determine a desired traction of the two frames (12, 14), at least one connection element (16, 18) being pre-positioned with respect to the two frames (12, 14).
Furnishing element as in claim 1, characterized in that the drive threaded element is a knob (29).
Furnishing element as in claim 2, characterized in that the knob (29) is hollow.
Furnishing element as in claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the knob (29) has an internal female thread.
Furnishing element as in claim 2, 3 or 4, characterized in that the knob (29) is ergonomically shaped so as to facilitate grip.
Furnishing element as in claim 2, 3, 4 or 5, characterized in that the knob (29) is made of rubber or is made of rigid plastic with rubber gripper inserts.
Furnishing element as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that the traction element (21) is disposed in a co-planar position and performs a substantially median action with respect to the two frames (12, 14).
Furnishing element as any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that the drive threaded element (29) is at least partly mobile and cooperates with two opposite fixed threaded ends (25, 27).
Furnishing element as in claim 1, characterized in that said at least a threaded end (25; 27) is at least partly mobile and cooperates with the fixed drive threaded element (29).
Furnishing element as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that the drive threaded element (29) includes means to anchor rotation elements, for example a rod or key.
Furnishing element as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that the traction element (21) has two ends (36, 38) by means of which it is attached directly to the two frames (12, 14).
Furnishing element as in any claim from 1 to 10, characterized in that it also comprises at least an attachment element (24, 26) attached to one of the two frames (12, 14), and in that the traction element (21) is attached by means of one end (36) to the attachment element (24, 26), and by means of another end (38) directly to the other of the two frames (12, 14).
Furnishing element as in any claim from 1 to 10, characterized in that it comprises two attachment elements (24, 26) attached respectively to one and the other of the two frames (12, 14), and in that the traction element (21) is attached by means of a first end (36) to a first (24) of said attachment elements and by means of a second end (38) to a second (26) of said attachment elements.
Furnishing element as in claim 12 or 13, characterized in that at least one of the two attachment elements (24, 26) comprises two arms (28, 30) converging in correspondence with a relative vertex (32, 34).
Furnishing element as in claim 14, characterized in that the two arms (28, 30) are symmetrical with respect to the relative vertex (32, 34) and are anchored in proximity with the respective lateral edges of the relative frame (12, 14).
Furnishing element as in claim 14 or 15, characterized in that the traction element (21) is connected, by means of the first end (36) and by means of the second end (38), to the corresponding vertexes (32, 34).
Furnishing element as in claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the attachment element (24, 26) has shaped ends (47) for insertion and clamping into corresponding seatings (50) made on one or the other of the frames (12, 14).
Furnishing element as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that each of the two frames (12, 14) is able to be positioned vertical and comprises, preassembled, two supporting legs (52), a first cross-piece (54) disposed in a first position to connect the two supporting legs (52) and a second cross-piece (56) disposed in a second position, opposite said first position, which also connects the two supporting legs (52), and a possible back piece.
Traction device for a furnishing element.comprising two frames (12, 14) able to be positioned opposite each other and at least a connection element (16, 18) that connects the two frames (12 and 14), the two frames (12, 14) and the connection element (16, 18) being able to be coupled so as to define a surface (20) in cooperation with which a supporting plane (22) is positioned, characterized in that it comprises a traction element (21) which is able to be positioned under said supporting plane (22), anchored to the frames (12, 14) and which is driven rotationally, said traction device comprising at least a threaded end (25, 27) connected on one side to one respective of said two frames (12, 14) and on the other side screwable to a drive threaded element (29) associated with the other one of said two frames (12, 14), so as to be selectively driven in order to bring said two frames (12, 14) closer to each other to create a stable connection between the frames and the at least one connection element (16, 18).