IT201800000777A1 - KIT AND METHOD FOR MAKING A FURNITURE MODULE, AS WELL AS A FURNITURE MODULE INCLUDING THIS KIT - Google Patents

Description

Patent Application for Industrial Invention entitled:

"KIT AND METHOD FOR REALIZING A FURNITURE MODULE, AS WELL AS A FURNITURE MODULE INCLUDING THIS KIT"

DESCRIPTION

Field of application

The present invention is generally applicable to the technical field of furniture. In particular, the invention relates to a kit for making a furniture module, even more particularly a kitchen cabinet.

State of the art

As is known, there are modular furniture for kitchens consisting of several modules that are mutually fixed. Each of the modules defines a compartment accessible from the outside to receive one or more respective built-in appliances such as oven, dishwasher, refrigerator. Alternatively, each module supports a sink, a hob, a worktop or whatever and the respective compartment is used for the shelter of various objects. For example, the compartment arranged under the sink is generally used to house waste containers. The modules are fixed together in order to define a piece of furniture.

According to a known technique, each module is made starting from two wooden panels which define the sides of the module and which are rigidly fixed to each other by means of two prismatic connecting elements, known in jargon as "catenaries", also made of wood, which they are connected to the panels at their respective upper sides and arranged mutually spaced so that a space remains between them for the possible housing of the sink. To fix the catenaries to the panels, plugs are used inserted in special seats previously made in the aforementioned components and fixed there by means of an adhesive substance which guarantees the stability of the connection.

The two panels are further fixed on their respective lower sides by means of an additional wooden panel which defines the base of the module and which supports built-in appliances or other objects. One of the remaining sides of the module is sometimes closed by an additional wooden panel that defines the back of the module.

Generally, when assembling the kitchen, a door is hinged to the open side of the module, while the upper side of the module is closed by a sink, a hob, a worktop or whatever.

The aforesaid known technique has a first drawback linked to the material used. Specifically, wood is not very suitable for use in humid environments, such as kitchens, since humidity causes deformations and surface deterioration of the panels, which are detrimental to both the functionality of the furniture and its aesthetic appearance. This drawback is particularly evident for chipboard, generally used to make panels and catenaries, since it tends to deteriorate relatively quickly.

A further drawback of the aforesaid known technique is linked to the thickness of the panels and of the catenaries, which must be high enough to allow the seats for the pins to be made therein. As a result, the overall weight of each module is relatively high, with repercussions on transport and assembly costs.

The high transversal dimension of the panels and catenaries causes the further drawback that, with the same external dimensions of the module, its internal space is reduced. This drawback is particularly important in modules that must house built-in appliances, since the dimensions of the latter are constrained to the internal space of the modules.

A known variant embodiment provides for the use of plastic panels covered with a sheet of wood or metal material having a purely aesthetic function, and / or for the use of metal catenaries. In this embodiment variant, the assembly takes place in a completely similar way to that of the previous variant, ie by means of pins and glue. As is also known, sometimes the seats for the pins belong to wooden or plastic inserts which are coupled to respective housings obtained in the panels and / or in the catenaries and fixed there by means of glue or screws.

The aforementioned variant allows to reduce the sensitivity of the modules to humidity, as well as to limit their weight and increase their robustness, but it is not able to effectively solve the problem of limiting the internal space of the modules, since also in this case the use of glued pins constrains the thickness of the components.

Furthermore, both the aforesaid known technique and its variant described above have a drawback linked to the fact that, in order to obtain sufficient stability and assembly precision, each module must be assembled and glued in the factory. This entails a greater expense for the transport of the modules to the customer, due to the size of the mounted modules.

A further drawback is the fact that the gluing of the various components hinders their subsequent disassembly and disposal at the end of the use of the module.

According to a second known technique, the furniture structure is produced in welded steel.

The structures made with the aforesaid second known technique are robust and resistant to humidity.

However, the aforesaid structures must necessarily be supplied to the customer already welded and, therefore, have the same transport drawbacks already mentioned for the previously described technique.

Furthermore, the aforesaid structures have as further disadvantages weight and costs higher than structures of equal size obtained with the previous known technique. For these reasons, welded steel structures are essentially used in professional kitchens, while they are generally unsuitable for use in domestic kitchens.

Presentation of the invention

The present invention aims to at least partially overcome the aforementioned drawbacks of the prior art.

In particular, the purpose of the invention is to create a furniture module, preferably but not necessarily of a kitchen cabinet, which can be assembled by the fitter directly at the site of use.

It is another purpose of the invention that the aforementioned module can be dismantled once use is terminated.

It is also the purpose of the invention that the aforementioned module does not undergo alterations in the presence of humidity.

It is also an object of the invention that the aforesaid module is stronger and lighter than the modules of the known art obtained by gluing.

Not least object of the invention is that the internal space delimited by the aforementioned module is wider than that of the modules made according to the known techniques described above, with the same overall dimensions.

The aforesaid objects are achieved by a furniture module according to claim 9, as well as by a kit according to claim 1 and by a method according to claim 10 for making this module.

Further detailed features of the invention are specified in the related dependent claims.

Advantageously, the possibility that the assembly of the module can be carried out directly on site by the fitter allows to optimize transport costs, since the module can be shipped disassembled and, therefore, with a drastically smaller footprint than that of the assembled module. The lightness of the kit can also contribute to this advantage.

Still advantageously, the possibility of disassembling the module at the end of its use facilitates the disposal of the constituent materials, in particular their recycling.

Furthermore, advantageously, the larger space offered by the module makes it possible to house built-in appliances that are more bulky than that allowed by the known art.

The aforementioned purposes and advantages, together with others mentioned below, will appear more evident from the following description of some preferred embodiments of the invention, which are illustrated for indicative and non-limiting purposes with the aid of the accompanying drawing tables.

Brief description of the drawings

Fig. 1 represents the furniture module obtained by assembling the kit of the invention, in an axonometric view.

Fig. 2 represents a detail of the module of Fig.1, indicated therein with A, in an exploded axonometric view.

Fig. 3 represents the kit of the invention for the realization of the module of Fig. 1, in an exploded axonometric view.

Fig. 4 represents the module of Fig. 1, in a right side view and with an element removed to allow the view of the interior.

Fig. 5 represents an enlarged detail of Fig.4, indicated therein with B. Fig. 6 represents a detail of the module of Fig.4, indicated therein by C, in a sectional view.

Detailed description of some preferred embodiments The module of the invention, indicated in Fig. 1 as a whole with 2, is particularly suitable for use in the construction of a piece of furniture, preferably for the kitchen. The aforesaid module 2 is particularly suitable for being used to support a sink.

In the following a kit is described, indicated in Fig. 3 as a whole with 1, to realize the aforementioned module 2.

The aforementioned kit 1 comprises metal profiles 3, each developed according to a respective longitudinal direction X with uniform cross-section. Although the figures represent three of the aforesaid metal sections 3, in executive variants of the invention their number can be two or more than three, according to requirements.

As can be observed in particular in Fig. 2, which represents an enlarged and exploded view of the detail indicated in Fig. 1 with A, and in Fig. 5, each metal section 3 comprises respective cavities 3a which form an integral part of the section and which are they extend according to the respective longitudinal direction X between the two opposite ends of the section itself.

Preferably, each metal section 3 internally delimits a tubular space, inside which the respective cavities 3a are arranged. More precisely and as can be seen in detail in Fig. 5, the cross section of the metal profile 3 comprises a first annular profile 3b which externally delimits the aforementioned tubular space and from whose internal wall second annular profiles 3c project, in a single piece with the first annular profile and which respectively delimit the cavities 3a. Although the first annular profile shown in the figures is closed, in executive variants of the invention, not shown in the drawings, it can be open.

Preferably but not necessarily, the metal profiles 3 have the same cross section, with the advantage of being obtained by cutting from the same bar. Furthermore, preferably, the metal profiles 3 also have the same length, so as to be interchangeable with one another, to the advantage of the ease of assembly of the kit 1.

The kit 1 also includes screws 7, which are screwed to the two end portions of each cavity 3a of each metal section 3. It should be noted right now that, for simplicity, the figures show the numerical references only for some of the screws therein. represented. The same applies to other components of kit 1 which will be described later. It should also be noted that the use of the same numerical reference 7 to indicate all screws does not imply that these screws are identical.

The kit 1 also comprises two first sheet metal elements 5, also made of metallic material, each provided with a plurality of through holes 6 to accommodate the aforementioned screws 7. Preferably but not necessarily, the first through holes 6 have a diameter greater than that of the screws 7, so as to accommodate them with a slight play and facilitate the assembly of kit 1.

Preferably but not necessarily, two or more of the aforesaid screws 7 are identical to each other, so as to limit the number of elements that differ from each other in the kit 1 and to facilitate their assembly, as will become clearer hereinafter.

The metal sections 3 and the two first sheet metal elements 5 described above are positioned in an operating configuration in which the metal sections 3 are interposed between the first sheet metal elements 5, the latter arranged facing each other. In particular, each metal section 3 has its respective opposite ends arranged in contact respectively with the two first sheet metal elements 5 so that the two cavities 3a are aligned with the through holes 6 of the two first sheet metal elements 5.

The screws 7 are screwed to the cavities 3a so as to fix the two first sheet metal elements 5 to the ends of the two metal profiles 3 so as to obtain the module 2. It is understood that the aforementioned module 2 is functionally similar to the wooden modules for modular furniture for kitchens of the known types described above. In particular, the first two sheet metal elements 5 correspond to the side panels of a wooden module of a known type and define the sides of the module, while the metal profiles 3 correspond to the catenaries.

However, unlike the modules of the known type, the module 2 described above is assembled using exclusively mechanical elements, in particular screws 7 screwed to seats belonging to the elements of the kit 1. In particular, the use of metal profiles and sheet metal elements it allows to obtain a sturdy module 2 without the need to use glue for the connections, but using only the aforementioned screws 7. It follows that a module made with the aforementioned kit 1 does not require assembly in the factory but can be assembled directly at the construction site of the furniture. This allows to considerably limit the space occupied by the kit 1 during shipment compared to the size of the assembled module, achieving the purpose of allowing a corresponding reduction in transport costs.

The use of mechanical connecting elements also allows the module to be easily disassembled once its use is finished, achieving a further object of the invention.

Furthermore, since the aforesaid module 2 is made of metal, it is insensitive to humidity and, therefore, achieves a further object of the invention. In particular, the aforesaid module 2 is particularly suitable for being used as a support module for a sink.

For the same reason, the module 2 is stronger and lighter than the modules of the known art obtained by gluing, thus achieving a further object of the invention.

A further advantage of the kit 1 is linked to the metal profiles 3 used as catenaries, which can be obtained by means of a single cutting operation from an extruded profile and which are already provided with cavities 3a which can be used directly as seats for the screws 7, without the need for a further operation to make the seats themselves, nor to add further components to the kit 1, as instead occurs in the known art described above.

The first sheet metal elements 5 have the further advantage of having a reduced thickness with respect to the wooden panels of known types of furniture with the same mechanical strength, so that the module 2 delimits a correspondingly larger internal space, with the same overall dimensions. total.

The module 2 is shown in side view in Fig. 4, in which one of the first two sheet metal elements 5 has been removed to highlight the position of the three metal profiles 3. As can be seen in the figure, the metal profiles 3 connect the first elements in sheet metal 5 in correspondence with two first opposite edges of the latter, so as to obtain a stable and robust module. In particular, two metal sections 3 are arranged in correspondence with two opposite vertices of the upper edge of the first sheet metal elements 5, so that a free space is defined between them to accommodate a sink. A third prismatic element 3 is instead arranged in correspondence with the lower edge of the first sheet metal elements 5, to the advantage of the stability of the module 2. Furthermore, the third prismatic element 3 also has the function of delimiting the internal space of the module 2 at the rear, acting as from the containment edge.

Obviously, the through holes 6 of the first sheet metal elements 5 are arranged in such a way as to allow the positioning of the metal profiles 3 as described above and, therefore, are located near each of the two opposite edges of the first sheet metal elements 5. Furthermore preferably, the aforementioned through holes 6 are arranged so that, when the two first sheet metal elements 5 are arranged in an operative configuration, the through holes 6 are mutually aligned in parallel directions, so that the metal profiles 3 are fixed in mutually parallel positions.

In the variant in which only two metal sections 3 are used instead of three, these are preferably arranged at the upper edge of the first sheet metal elements 5, as described above, while the third metal section 3 is omitted. In this case, the functions of the third metal section 3 can be performed by a second sheet metal element 8, which will be described below.

Preferably, each metal section 3 comprises two cavities 3a, to the advantage of the stability of the connection. Consequently, each first sheet metal element 5 has pairs of through holes 6 in a number equal to the number of metal sections 3, the two through holes 6 of each pair being mutually spaced by a distance equal to the distance between the two cavities 3a of a corresponding section metal 3 to accommodate the two screws 20 which fix said metal section 3 to the first sheet metal element 5.

However, it is evident that, in executive variants of the invention not shown in the drawings, each metal section 3 can have any number of cavities 3a according to requirements, even just one.

As regards the screws 7, they are preferably self-tapping and the cavities 3a have a transversal dimension smaller than the diameter of the screws themselves, so that the screwing of the latter determines the creation of the nut screw in the cavity 3a. Advantageously, the use of self-tapping screws allows to reduce the production cost of the kit 1, since it avoids a separate operation for threading the cavities 3a. It should be noted that, for the sake of simplicity, the screws 7 shown in the drawings have a generic shape, but they are preferably of the type specifically suited to the type of metal of the elements into which they are screwed.

Preferably, the metal sections 3 are made of aluminum, which in addition to its lightness has a high ductility which makes it particularly suitable for penetration by the aforementioned self-tapping screws.

As regards the first two sheet metal elements 5, they are preferably made of steel sheet, which advantageously combines high strength with good workability.

Still preferably, each of the first sheet metal elements 5 comprises a respective flat portion 5a and edge portions 5b projecting from the flat portion 5a and perimetrically delimiting the latter. The edge portions 5b are obtained by bending from a single sheet to which the flat portion 5a also belongs. Advantageously, the edge portions 5b give stiffness to the respective sheet metal element and therefore allow the thickness of the latter to be reduced, to the advantage of lower weight and lower cost. Preferably, each first sheet metal element 5 is arranged so that one of the edge portions 5b is arranged on the side of the module 2 facing forward when the latter is in operation. Still preferably, each first sheet metal element 5 has a generally rectangular shape and comprises four of the aforementioned edge portions 5b, which delimit the first sheet metal element on the respective sides, to the advantage of the latter's stiffness.

Still preferably, the two sheet metal elements 5 have mutually mirror shapes.

Furthermore, preferably, one of the first sheet metal elements 5 has two or more further through holes 13 to allow the possible fixing of two hinges of a door, not shown in the figures but known per se.

Preferably, the kit 1 also comprises a second element in bent sheet metal 8 which defines the lower wall of the module 2 and has a similar function to the corresponding panel used in the wooden modules of known type described above. The second element in folded sheet metal 8 is provided with a flat portion 8a and with two edge portions 8b which project from two respective opposite sides of the aforementioned flat portion 8a and which are provided with respective through holes 10. In particular, the edge portions 8b are obtained by bending a single sheet to which the flat portion 8a also belongs.

The second element in bent sheet metal 8 is positioned with the edge portions 8b in contact respectively with the first two elements in folded sheet metal 5 and with the through holes 10 aligned respectively with as many through holes 6 of the first elements in folded sheet 5 when the latter they are arranged in the aforementioned operating configuration. The aforementioned through holes 6, 10 are used to fasten the second bent sheet metal element 8 to the two first bent sheet metal elements 5 by means of preferably self-tapping screws 7.

The second element in folded sheet metal 8 preferably has a generally rectangular shape. Still preferably, it is delimited on the other two sides by two further edge portions 8c, which contribute to the stiffness of the second bent sheet metal element 8 and which have an aesthetic function.

Preferably, the aforementioned edge portions 8b, 8c project from the flat portion 8a in the same direction and the second sheet metal element 8 is connected to the other components of the kit 1 so that the aforementioned edge portions all project downwards.

According to what has been mentioned above, an executive variant not shown in the drawings provides only the two metal profiles 3 arranged on the upper side of the module 2, while the function of the third metal profile arranged on the lower side is fulfilled by the aforementioned second element in bent sheet metal 8. In the latter case, when the kit 1 is assembled, one of the edge portions 8c of the second bent sheet metal element 8 projects upwards and acts as a rear containment edge of the internal space of the module 2.

Preferably, the kit 1 also comprises one or more support bars 11, preferably of metal, for example of aluminum. The support bars 11, visible in Figs. 3 and 6, are positioned in contact with the face of the second bent sheet metal element 8 which, in the aforementioned operating configuration, is opposed to the metal profiles 3, i.e. the face which in operation is facing downwards, and are fixed to the rest of the module 2 to give stiffness to the second bent sheet element 8 so as to increase its load capacity.

Preferably, the support bars 11 develop according to respective longitudinal directions with uniform sections. Still preferably, the two opposite ends of each support bar 11 are fixed respectively to the first two bent sheet metal elements 5 by means of respective screws 7, which are also preferably self-tapping. To this end, each support bar 11 is provided at the respective ends with corresponding first holes 12, visible in Fig. 3, which receive the aforementioned screws 7 and which, in the assembly position, are aligned with as many through holes 6 of the first elements in sheet metal 5. Still preferably, the through holes 6 just mentioned coincide with those used to fasten the second bent sheet metal element 8 to the first sheet metal elements 5, with the advantage of limiting the number of screws 7 to be screwed and increasing strength of module 2.

Preferably, the kit 1 also comprises a plurality of support feet 14 which are fixed to corresponding holes 15 of the support bars 11 by means of corresponding screws 7, which are also preferably self-tapping, as can be seen in Fig. 6. In operation, the aforementioned support feet 14 keep the module 2 slightly raised with respect to the floor to define an underlying space which, advantageously, allows the passage of cables or pipes, the evaporation of humidity and the drainage of any water spills.

Preferably, the kit 1 also comprises a third laminar element, not shown in the drawings, arranged perpendicularly to the two first sheet metal elements 5 to close, partially or completely, the side of the module 2 which is arranged at the rear in operation. The third laminar element therefore defines the back of the module 2. Preferably the third laminar element is provided with a plurality of through holes which receive screws, preferably self-tapping, for fixing to the two first sheet elements 5.

Preferably, one or each of the metal profiles 3 comprises one or more through grooves 4, extended according to the longitudinal direction X of the prismatic element, which interlocks a corresponding edge of the aforementioned third laminar element to the advantage of the stability of the connection of the latter. .

As previously described, the module 2 obtained by assembling the kit 1 in any of its variants described above is particularly suitable to be used for the construction of a modular piece of furniture, in particular for the kitchen. Even more particularly, the aforesaid module 2 is suitable for being used as an under-sink module.

As anticipated, the invention also relates to a method for making a module 2 for a piece of furniture.

The method comprises a first step of providing two sheet metal elements 5 and two metal sections 3 of the type described above. The method also provides for an operation of arranging the aforementioned metal sections 3 between the two sheet metal elements 5 arranged facing each other, with the ends of each metal section 3 in contact respectively with the two sheet metal elements 5.

The method provides a further operation of inserting a screw 7 in each through hole 6 and screwing it directly into the longitudinal through cavity 3a of a corresponding metal section 3 so as to fix the latter to the corresponding first sheet metal element 5.

Preferably, the sheet metal elements 5 are obtained by shearing and bending a sheet.

Still preferably, the metal sections 3 are obtained by cutting to size from a corresponding section.

Still preferably, the sheet metal elements 5 and / or the metal profiles 3 are painted and / or surface treated in order to increase their resistance to corrosion and / or obtain particular aesthetic effects.

From what has been described above, it is understood that the kit of the invention, as well as the module for furniture obtained from the kit itself and the method for making the module, achieve all the intended purposes.

In particular, the kit is assembled exclusively with screws and without glue. Therefore, the module can be assembled by the fitter directly at the site of use. For the same reason, the module can be dismantled once use is complete.

Furthermore, the module does not undergo alterations in the presence of humidity, as it is made of metal. For the same reason, the module is more robust and lighter than the modules of the prior art obtained by gluing.

Furthermore, since the walls of the module are made of sheet metal, the internal space delimited by the module itself is larger than that of the modules made according to the known techniques described above, with the same overall dimensions.

The invention is susceptible of modifications and variations, all of which fall within the inventive concept expressed in the attached claims. In particular, the elements of the invention may be replaced by other technically equivalent elements and different but equivalent materials to those described above may be used depending on the needs, without however departing from the scope of the invention.

Where the technical elements specified in the claims are followed by reference signs, these reference signs are included for the sole purpose of improving the intelligence of the invention and, therefore, they do not involve any limitation to the scope of protection claimed.

Claims (10)

CLAIMS 1. Kit (1) for furniture module (2), said kit comprising: - a plurality of metal profiles (3) developed with uniform sections according to respective longitudinal directions (X) and provided with respective cavities (3a) extended according to said longitudinal directions (X) between the opposite ends of said metal profiles (3); - a plurality of screws (7) which can be screwed to the end portions of said cavities (3a); - two first sheet metal elements (5), each provided with a plurality of through holes (6) for the passage of said screws (7) and their screwing to said end portions of said cavities (3a) when said metal sections ( 3) are interposed between said two first sheet metal elements (5) arranged facing each other. 2. Kit (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said screws (7) are of the self-tapping type and that said cavities (3a) have a transversal dimension smaller than the diameter of said screws (7). Kit (1) according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that each of said metal sections (3) comprises two of said cavities (3a). 4. Kit (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the through holes (6) of a first of said two first sheet metal elements (5) are aligned with the through holes (6) of a second of said two first sheet metal elements (5) in directions parallel to each other when said two first sheet metal elements (5) are arranged facing each other. 5. Kit (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said plurality of metal sections (3) comprises at least three of said metal sections (3) and that said through holes (6) of each first element in sheet metal (5) are arranged in proximity to each of two opposite edges of said first sheet metal element (5) to fix two of said three metal sections (3) in correspondence with one of said two opposite edges and a third of said three metal profiles (3) in correspondence with the other of said two opposite edges. 6. Kit (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that each of said two first sheet metal elements (5) is a folded sheet metal and comprises a respective flat portion (5a) bounded perimeter by edge portions (5b) projecting from said flat portion (5a). 7. Kit (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it comprises a second element in folded sheet metal (8) provided with a flat portion (8a), with two edge portions (8b) projecting from two respective opposite sides of said flat portion (8a) and of through holes (10) belonging to each of said two edge portions (8b) for fixing to corresponding through holes (6) of said first sheet metal elements (5) by means of said screws (7) when said second sheet metal element (8) is interposed between said two first sheet metal elements (5) arranged facing each other. 8. Kit (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it comprises one or more support bars (11) provided with corresponding first holes (12) for fixing to respective through holes (6) of said first sheet metal elements (5) by means of said screws (7). 9. Furniture module (2) comprising a kit (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, said metal profiles (3) being interposed between said two first sheet metal elements (5) arranged facing each other and being fixed to said two first sheet metal elements (5) by means of said screws (7). 10. Method for making a furniture module (2), comprising the following operations: - providing two first sheet metal elements (5), each provided with a respective plurality of through holes (6); - providing a plurality of metal profiles (3) developed with uniform sections according to respective longitudinal directions (X) and provided with respective cavities (3a) extended according to said longitudinal directions (X) between two opposite ends of said metal profiles (3); - arranging said two metal sections (3) between said two first sheet metal elements (5) arranged facing each other, with said ends of each metal section (3) in contact respectively with said two first sheet metal elements (5); - insert a screw (7) in each of said through holes (6) and screw it to an end portion of a corresponding cavity (3a) of a corresponding one of said metal sections (3) to fix said metal section (3) to a of said two first sheet metal elements (5).