The present invention relates to a concealed hanging-bracket group with easy access to ad ustments, The technical field is that relating to concealed hanging brackets, suitable for being mounted in a rear outer position with respect to a wall cupboard. In particular, this type of hanging bracket is generally coupled with a shoulder beneath the top, close to the lining of the wall cupboard, so that once constrained to the wall, the hanging bracket is well concealed.

These hanging brackets generally consist of a single plate element provided with various side protrusions (pins) which, in the assembly phase, are coupled with holes produced on a shoulder of the wall cupboard. These hanging brackets also comprise a movable hooking element connected to the relative plate for fixing the hanging bracket to the wall.

An example of a hanging bracket is described in international patent application WO2004/032681 Al .

An access to the various adjustments in height and in depth present in hanging brackets is provided by a pair of holes produced in the rear part of the furniture or lining.

In order to reduce perforated surfaces in the lining of the furniture, a single hole having a certain size is provided, from which access is given to both adjustments of the hanging bracket.

This solution is object of patent EP1008316B1, in this solution, however, there is also a certain structure complication. The reason for this is that some elements are produced from separate moulds and must therefore be joined to the base plate, thus requiring an increase in the production costs associated with the production of different pieces and an increase in the assembly costs for making them integral with each other before being mounted on the furniture .

WO 2009/077828 relates to a concealed hanging- bracket group according to the preamble of claim 1.

The general objective of the present invention is to solve the drawbacks of the known art indicated above in an extremely simple, economical and particularly functional manner.

A further objective of the present invention is to provide a concealed hanging-bracket group which ensures an easy and stable assembly with as few components as possible .

Another objective of the present invention is to provide a concealed hanging-bracket group which minimizes separate moulded pieces to be joined to the base plate to form the hanging bracket.

In view of the above-mentioned objectives, according to the present invention, a concealed hanging-bracket group with easy access to adjustments has been conceived, having the features specified in the enclosed claims.

The structural and functional characteristics of the present invention and its advantages with respect to the known art will appear even more evident from the following description, referring to the enclosed drawings, which show a concealed and adjustable hanging bracket for mounting a wall cupboard to a wall, produced according to the present invention.

In the drawings:

figure 1 shows a raised sectional view of an embodiment of a concealed hanging bracket for mounting a wall cupboard to a wall, produced according to the present invention;

- figure 2 is a view of the hanging bracket of figure

1 from inside the furniture;

figures 3 and 4 show a raised front view and a raised sectional side view of the plate alone of the hanging bracket of figure 1;

- figure 5 is an exploded perspective view of the hanging bracket of figure 1 ;

figure 6 is an enlarged sectional view of a detail of the hanging bracket of figure 4 with a sheet folded on itself;

- figure 7 is an enlarged sectional view of a variant of the detail of the hanging bracket of figure 4 with the sheet welded;

figure 8 is an enlarged sectional view of a variant of the detail of the hanging bracket of figure 4 with the sheet riveted;

figure 9 is an enlarged sectional view of the detail of the hanging bracket shown in figure 6 illustrating the position of a tip of a screwdriver in an operational adjustment position;

- figure 10 is a perspective view of part of what is shown in figure 9 with the tip of a screwdriver in a position ready for being inserted;

figures 11 and 12 are perspective views of a variant of what is shown in figure 10 in two different positions of the tip;

figures 13 and 14 are perspective views of a hanging bracket and a detail thereof in a different access position to the adjustment in height.

With particular reference to figures 1 and 2, these show an embodiment of a concealed hanging-bracket group with easy access to adjustments according to the present invention.

Said hanging-bracket group is of the adjustable type and suitable for being assembled at the rear, in a concealed position, of a wall-cupboard M.

The hanging-bracket group comprises a plate element 11 of a hanging bracket 10 provided with a plurality of fixing pins 12, 12' _f 12", which extend towards the outside on one side (or in some embodiments, also on both sides) of the plate element 11, and a hooking element 14 coupled, in the front with the plate element 11 to constrain the actual hanging bracket with a. supporting element fixed to the wall, such as a supporting element 50. The plurality of fixing pins 12, 12' , 12" can be coupled in holes formed on a shoulder S of the ^* wall cupboard M whereas, for example, the supporting element 50 fixed to the wall on 'which the hanging bracket 10 is to be constrained, can be a common bar 70.

As in the known hanging brackets, the hooking element 14 in the hanging bracket 10, object of the invention, can also be adjusted in depth and in height with respect to the relative plate element 11 and is provided with an upper hook-shaped portion 15 (hook) to be coupled with the above-mentioned bar 70 fixed, to the wall by means of dowels 71.

In order to proceed with this adjustment in depth and in height, movement means 16, 17 horizontally and vertically are provided, such as, for example, two known screw-nut screw mechanisms possibly equipped with angular return elements. Said movement means according to the invention are easily accessible for a user during both the assembly phases and when the hanging bracket 10 has been mounted from a single hole 21 formed in a rear lining F of the furniture M.

It should also be noted that the plate element 11 comprises, in its upper portion, at least, one pair of holes 20, 20' for screw coupling the plate element itself 11 with the wall cupboard M (lining F and top C) .

A tilted side wall 19 of the plate 11 is provided with at least one pass-through hole 22 for screw coupling with the shoulder S of the wall cupboard M, in which the fixing pins 12, 12', 12" are inserted.

According to the present invention, the plate 11 is produced from a single moulded sheet which provides a fixing arrangement for the movement means 16, 17 and adjustments horizontally and vertically.

The plate in fact has a window 23, produced by means of a half-blanking step, from an end. of which an. appendix 24 extends, which is box-folded. On one of its sides parallel to the plate 11, said appendix 24 has a threaded hole 25 suitable for receiving an adjustment screw 26, or grub screw, provided with a recessed head 27. The recessed head 27 is inserted in a groove 28 provided on the box-shaped body of the hooking element 14.

It should be pointed out that, at an end opposite to the hook-shaped portion 15, the hooking element 14 has slots 29 suitable for receiving pin ends 31 of a platelet 30 which make it integral and articulated with respect to the plate 11.

The plate 11 also has two further appendices 32 and 33 obtained by half-blanking beneath the window 23. The two further appendices 32 and 33 are square-folded with respect to the surface of the plate 11.

The first further appendix 32 has a recess 34, rounded and open towards the outside. The second further appendix 33, on the other hand, has a pass- through hole 35.

A screw 36 is provided at one end with a toothed crown 37 and a narrow cylindrical section 38 and is positioned between the two further appendices 32 and 33. The screw 36 beneath the toothed crown 37 has a flange or collar 39 protruding outwardly, which is engaged in the recess 34, rounded and open towards the outside, of the first further appendix 32. Furthermore, the narrow cylindrical section 38 of the screw 36 is engaged in the pass-through hole 35 of the second appendix 33. The screw 36 is therefore free to rotate when actuated by the toothed crown 37,

It should also be noted that an intermediate section of the screw 36 is screwed into a threaded pass-through, hole 40 of the platelet 30, which carries the hooking element 14 integrally and articulated.

Finally, it should be pointed out that, at the end opposite to the recessed, head 27, the adjustment screw 26 provides a shaped seat 41 for a tip of a screwdriver 42.

It should also be noted that the plate 11 beneath the 'window 23, has a pair of pass-through holes 43 and 44 that are aligned with the hole 21 produced in the lining F of the furniture M.

The rotation of the screw 26 using the tip of the screwdriver 42 inserted in the hole 21 and immediately afterwards in the hole 43 of the plate 11, effects an adjustment in height of the hanging bracket according to the a row K.

A tip of a screwdriver 42, when inserted in the hole 21 and. immediately afterwards in the hole 44 of the plate, causes an engagement on the toothed crown 37 of the screw 36. A rotation of said screw 36 forces the platelet 30, which carries the hooking element 14 integrally and articulated, to move upwards effecting an adjustment in height of the wall cupboard according to the arrow H.

It should be no ed that, in the present invention, the movement means 16, 17 and adjustments of the hanging bracket horizontally and vertically, are basicall contained inside the appendix 24 of the plate 11. This appendix 24, obtained by means of a half- blanking ^' step of a window 23 in the plate 11, is square-folded to form a containment casing of at least part of said adjustments or movement means 16, 17. Said casing is produced without any addition of material but by simply folding the appendix 24 in the form of a "C", to be closed on the plate 11.

Figure 6 simply shows an enlarged detail of this area of the hanging bracket 11. Said casing is obtained by means of a simple folding of the appendix 24 on itself. In a further example, figure 7 shows how the end of this appendix 24 can be welded in 45 to the plate 11 thus forming a closed and blocked casing, which is much more stable and secure.

Finally, figure 8 shows how a more forced folding of the appendix 24 allows its free end to be riveted in 46 to the plate 11, also in this case forming a stable positioning of the parts.

It should also be observed that the appendix 24 in its free end, when not welded or riveted, has a U-bolt or wave folding 47 of a central end part which is also half-blanked. This U-bolt folding 47 defines a guide for the tip of the screwdriver 42 and also a stop 48 in the part where the half-blanking has been effec ed.

Figures 11 and 12 show another variant in the embodiment of the flap 24. In this further example, the appendix 24 has, in i s free end, when not welded or riveted, a U-bolt or wave folding of a central end part which is also half-blanked, produced in two parts 47' separated in the centre by a blanking. The abutment stop 48 of the tip of the screwdriver is completely identical to that of the previous example .

As can be clearly seen in the drawings (figures 9 and 12), the tip of the screwdriver passes through an opening 44' and, in an operational phase, is abutted against the stop 48' .

Finally, figures 13 and 14 are perspective views of a hanging bracket 10 and a detail thereof in a different access position to the adj stment in height. The examples of figures 1 and 2 showed, in fact, how the tip of the screwdriver is inserted from the hole 21 of the lining F to effect both ad ustments in depth and height thanks to the presence of the holes 43 and 44 in the plate 11.

This example, on the other hand, shows how the adjustment in height can also be effected by passing the tip of the screwdriver 42 from the groove 28 provided on the box-shaped body of the hooking element 14. There is therefore access from the side opposite to the previous side with advantages for whoe er is installing ^' the hanging bracket if there is no access from the rear part or if said access is difficult. The tip of the screwdriver 42, in fact, passes from the groove 28 of the hooking element 14 and becomes engaged with and acts on the toothed crown of the screw 36, effecting the adjustment in height.

Some of the advantageous solutions provided by a hanging-bracket group according to the present invention, have therefore been highlighted.

It should be pointed out that the hanging-bracket group of the present invention is characterized in that the sheet of the body (half-blanked appendix 24) , or of the plate 11, is folded on itself creating a seat for the threaded hole 25 which receives the grub screw 26 or screw for the adjustment in depth. With this operation, a U-bolt folding 47 of a central end part is also defined, which is also half-blanked and which acts as a guide for the tip of the screwdriver 42. At the same time, an abutment or stop 48 is also created, effected by half-blanking without processing and additional pieces, as for the previous U-bolt folding 47.

As can be seen, the half-blanked flap 24 is produced as part of the sheet of the plate 11 and can be:

simply folded on itself (figure 6)

folded on itself and welded, to the end (figure 7) folded on itself and riveted to the end (figure 8) , To be able to effect the movement transmission between the tip of the screwdriver and toothed crown 37 of the screw 36, 'which effects the adjustment in height, it is essential that the tip of the screwdriver be placed in a precise position (figure 9) thanks to the presence of the U-bolt 47 and stop 48' .

The tip of the screwdriver 42 is held in the guide by the hole 44 formed on the plate 11, the U-bolt 47 and the stop or abutment 48 of the tip 42.

The access of the tip of the screwdriver 42 for the adjustment in height, moreover, can also be provided from the opposite side of the hanging bracket 11, therefore from behind the lining F of the furniture M (figures 13 and 14) .

From what is described above with reference to the figures, it is evident that a concealed hanging bracket according to the present invention is particularly useful and advantageous. The objectives mentioned in the preamble of the description have therefore been achieved .

The concealed and. ad ustable hanging bracket for the wall assembly of a wall cupboard according ^' to the present invention, guarantees, in fact, an easy and stable assembly on any type of wall cupboard, whether it has an upper panel flush with the bottom panel or an upper panel flush with the side panels.

The forms and materials of the concealed and adjustable hanging bracket for the wall assembly of a wall cupboard according to the present invention can naturally differ from those shown for purely non- limiting illustrative purposes in the drawings .

The protection scope of the invention is therefore defined by the enclosed claims.