OR ROTO-TRANSLATION TYPE"

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention refers to a device for the assisted movement of drive means rotary or roto-translating actuations, in the field of kitchen furniture.

In particular, the present invention refers to a device for damping the movement of a rotary or roto-translating drive means for shelves for kitchen furniture and the like.

STATE OF THE ART

With reference to furniture, and in particular kitchen furniture, it is known to use shaped shelves or containers, for holding and containing products of various kinds, able to be moved through articulated mechanisms or actuations that allow it to be moved from inside the furniture to outside of it, and vice versa.

Such mechanisms facilitate the movement of the shelf or of the container to make the products positioned there easily accessible, which otherwise could not be easily reached.

European patent application EP 2174568, to the same Applicant, discloses a device, for supporting and moving support and containment elements of a piece of furniture, comprising a mechanism provided with guides articulated to each other and that is fixed in a rotary manner to a support column, and that is suitable for moving, independently from each other, one or more support and containment elements from a pick-up area, foreseen outside of the piece of furniture, to a rest area, inside the piece of furniture itself, and vice versa.

It has been found that there is a need to improve the characteristics of such a type of device with particular reference to the possibility to control in an assisted way the movement of the support elements bringing them back inside a piece of furniture, in an automated and damped manner.

Currently, indeed, it is necessary to act completely manually to move the single support and containment elements from the pick-up configuration, in which they are arranged outside the piece of furniture, to the rest configuration in which they are positioned inside the piece of furniture. With reference to the step of insertion of the support and containment elements inside the piece of furniture, it is necessary to pay particular attention in order to avoid suddenly reaching the end stop position of the articulated mechanism, which could cause collisions and, moreover, the tipping over of the products positioned on the shelf itself, as well as the possibility of damaging the mechanism itself.

In general, in the case of drive means with rotary or roto-translating motion, it has been found that there is the need to provide a device that allows the movement of the drive means themselves from an employment configuration to a rest configuration to be guided in a semi-automated and damped manner, so as to be able to avoid the drawbacks indicated above.

The state of the art comprises document WO2012/159641 that describes a support mechanism for corner furniture comprising at least one guide element for a shelf and a return device fixed to the guide element and actuated by a pin connected to the shelf.

PURPOSES OF THE INVENTION

According to what has been disclosed earlier, a purpose of the present invention is to provide a device for the assisted movement of rotary or roto-translating drive means for furniture from a use configuration to a non-use configuration.

Another purpose of the present invention is to provide a device for the assisted movement of rotary or roto-translating drive means for furniture that makes it possible to dampen the movement of such drive means, at least between a use configuration and a non-use configuration.

A further purpose of the present invention is to provide a device for the assisted movement of rotary or roto-translating drive means for furniture equipped with a simple and easy-to-use structure.

A further purpose of the present invention is to provide a device for the assisted movement of rotary or roto-translating drive means for furniture that is easy and practical to assemble inside a piece of furniture.

Another purpose of the present invention is to provide a device for the assisted movement of rotary or roto-translating drive means for furniture between an initial configuration and a final configuration, suitable for damping the motion of the drive means in order to prevent collisions due to the reaching of an end stop position by themselves.

According to an aspect of the present invention a device for the assisted movement of rotary or roto-translating drive means for furniture is provided according to claim 1. The dependent claims refer to preferred and advantageous embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention shall become clearer from the detailed description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of a device for the assisted movement of rotary or roto-translating drive means for furniture, illustrated for indicating but not limiting purposes in the attached drawing tables, in which:

figure 1 is a perspective view from above of a device for the assisted movement of rotary or roto-translating drive means according to the present invention, arranged in initial configuration;

figure 2 is a perspective view from above of the device for the assisted movement of rotary or roto-translating drive means according to figure 1 , arranged in final configuration;

figure 3 is a perspective view from below of the device for the assisted movement of rotary or roto-translating drive means, according to figure 1 ;

figure 4 is a schematic perspective view from above of a piece of furniture comprising a pair of devices for the assisted movement of rotary or roto-translating drive means operatively associated with corresponding articulated mechanisms;

figure 5 is a schematic view from above of the device for the assisted movement of rotary or roto-translating drive means according to the present invention, in initial configuration, operatively associated with an articulated mechanism;

figure 6 is a schematic view from above of the device for the assisted movement of rotary or roto-translating drive means according to the present invention, in final configuration, operatively associated with an articulated mechanism.

EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION With reference to the attached figures, a device for the assisted movement of rotary or roto-translating drive means for furniture according to the present invention is wholly indicated with reference numeral 1.

The device for the assisted movement 1 is operatively associable with rotary or roto- translating drive means for furniture that are movable between an initial configuration and a final configuration, and vice versa.

In particular, the device for the assisted movement 1 according to the present invention is associable with manually actuatable rotary or roto-translating drive means for furniture, to control their movement, in a semi-automatic manner, between a final configuration, of use, and an initial configuration, of non-use, or vice versa.

Moreover, the device for the assisted movement 1 allows to assist the movement of a rotary or roto-translating drive means and to guide its movement in a damped manner, in order to avoid bumps due to suddenly reaching an end stop position according to the initial configuration of the drive means itself.

Hereafter, reference will be made to the application of a device for the assisted movement 1 to an articulated system for moving a support and containment element for furniture, movable, through roto-translation, between an initial configuration, in which it is arranged inside a piece of furniture, corresponding to a non-use condition, to a final configuration, in which it is arranged outside of the piece of furniture, in use condition, and vice versa.

An example of such an articulated system for the assisted movement of support and/or containment elements for furniture is described in European patent application no. EP 2174568, to the same Applicant.

However, it is possible to use the device for the assisted movement 1 according to the present invention by operatively associating it with different types of movement systems, not illustrated in the attached figures, without for this reason departing from the scope of protection of the present invention.

As a non-limiting example, the device for the assisted movement 1 according to the present invention could be operatively associated with a rotary shelf that can be extracted from a piece of furniture M or from a support surface. Furthermore, the device for the assisted movement 1 according to the present invention could be operatively associated with a wing of a piece of furniture, with a door or more generally with an element rotatably connected about a rotation axis or provided with a connection suitable for allowing roto-translation movement thereof.

The device for the assisted movement 1 according to the present invention comprises a jaw element 2 provided with a fixed portion 3 and with a mobile portion 4, and arm means 11 , operatively connected to the mobile portion 4.

The fixed portion 3 is connectable to support means 5, that in turn are rigidly connectable to the inside a piece of furniture M.

In particular, the fixed portion 3 is connectable to the support means 5, in a removable manner, through suitable fixing means 6, as described more clearly hereafter.

The mobile portion 4 is connected to an end of the fixed portion 3 rotatable, about a rotation axis 7, between an initial configuration and a final configuration, and vice versa.

The arm means 11 can be actuated in movement with respect to the support means 5, for example rotatably, and consequently to the fixed portion 3 as made clearer in the following description.

The jaw element 2 comprises actuation means 8, arranged between the fixed portion 3 and the mobile portion 4, suitable for controlling the movement of the latter between a final configuration and an initial configuration.

According to a version of the present invention, the actuation means 8 are of the single-acting type, with variable length, like for example a gas spring.

The actuation means 8, which have a substantially elongated shape, are connected at a first end thereof 9 to the fixed portion 3 and at a second end thereof 10, opposite the first, to the mobile portion 4.

In particular, the actuation means 8 are connected in a rotary manner both to the fixed portion 3 and to the mobile portion 4.

The jaw element 2 can be moved between an initial configuration (see figures 1 , 3, 4 and 5), wherein the mobile portion 4 is positioned away from the fixed portion 3, and a final configuration (see figures 2 and 6), in which the mobile portion 4 is arranged close to the fixed portion 3, and vice versa. It should be observed that during the movement of the mobile portion 4 of the jaw element 2, the fixed portion 3 remains immobile with respect to the support means 5 to which it is connected.

The movement of the mobile portion 4 with respect to the fixed portion 3 is controlled through arm means 11 , about an axis 13, which in turn are connectable to a shelf, a wing of a piece of furniture, a flap or a door or, in general, to an element associated in a mobile manner to a piece of furniture.

The arm means 11 comprise an arm 11 ', which is illustrated with a broken line for greater clarity, which can rotate about a rotation axis 13 that is substantially parallel to the rotation axis 7 of the mobile portion 4.

The arm 11 ' can have a linear and/or curvilinear configuration or, in general, can be suitably profiled as a function of specified applications.

According to a version of the present invention, the rotation axis 13 can, be mobile with respect to the rotation axis 7, for example along a circular trajectory, whilst still maintaining a parallel orientation with the latter.

The angular stroke of the arm 11' is predetermined and is a function of the element to which it is connected, shelf or wing, etc.

The arm 11 ' interacts, for at least a portion of its angular stroke, with the aforementioned mobile portion 4 through moving means 12.

According to a version of the present invention, the moving means 12 comprise an engagement element 12', for example a pin or a similar element, for the engagement with the mobile portion 4 of the jaw element 2.

The engagement element 12' projects from the arm means 11.

According to a version of the present invention, the engagement element projects at the bottom from the same arm 11 ' and can be selectively inserted in a corresponding profiled seat 14, formed in the mobile portion 4.

According to a further version, not illustrated in the figures, the engagement element 12' can project at the top from the arm 11'. According to this case, the mobile portion 4 can be foreseen arranged above the arm means 11 and comprise a profiled seat 14 that can be selectively engaged by the engagement element 12'. According to a version of the present invention, the profiled seat 14 has an open end, through which the engagement element 12' can insert or come out.

The movement of the arm 11', between an initial position and a final position, and vice versa, causes the displacement of the moving means 12 along a substantially curvilinear trajectory.

In turn, the moving means 12, engaged with the profiled seat 14, determined the movement of the mobile portion 4 with respect to the fixed portion 3, between an initial position and a final position, and vice versa.

According to a version of the present invention, the arm means 11 can interact with the mobile portion 4 only during a predetermined portion of their angular stroke.

For example, when the device for the assisted movement 1 is arranged in initial configuration (see figure 1) the moving means 12 connected to the arm means 11 are engaged in the profiled seat 14 of the mobile portion 4.

By moving the arm means , from an initial configuration to a final configuration, the moving means 12 cause the rotation of the mobile portion 4 about the rotation axis 7. Consequently, the actuation means 8 are loaded by moving them from an initial rest configuration to a final configuration in which, indeed, the actuation means 8 are loaded.

The moving means 12 engage the profiled seat 14 until the mobile portion 4 reaches its predetermined final configuration, i.e. close to the fixed portion 3 (figure 2).

Moving the arm means 11 further, until their predetermined angular end stop position is reached, final configuration (figure 2), causes the disengagement between the moving means 12 and the mobile portion 4, since the moving means 12 come out from the profiled seat 14.

By doing the opposite, i.e. moving the arm means 11 from a final configuration (figure 2) to an initial configuration (figure 1), along a predetermined initial portion of the angular stroke of the arm 11 ', the moving means 12, which follow a substantially curvilinear trajectory, are not engaged with the profiled seat 14. Continuing in their movement, the moving means 12 engage, at a predetermined angular position thereof, with the profiled seat 4, being introduced into it. The engagement and subsequent movement of the moving means 12 along the profiled seat 14 causes the rotation of the mobile portion 4 from the final configuration, reached previously, in which the mobile portion 4 is positioned close to the fixed portion 3, to the initial configuration and, at the same time, the activation of the actuation means 8 that cause the mobile portion 4 to be moved away from the fixed portion 3. The activation of the actuation means 8 causes the automatic movement, along a predetermined angular stroke portion, of the arm means 1 1 , actually not requiring further manual intervention on the arm means 1 1 , or on the shelf, or on the wing or similar connected to them.

With reference to what has been stated above, for example, the arm means 1 can interact with the mobile portion 4 during the final step of their movement, from a final position (figure 2) to an initial position (figure 1) that corresponds, for example, to the return step of a shelf or to the closing step of a wing.

Therefore, by moving the arm means 11 from an initial configuration (see figure 1) to a final configuration (see figure 2) it is caused the loading of the actuation means 8, whereas doing the opposite, from the final configuration to the initial configuration, it is caused the activation of the previously loaded actuation means 8.

The moving means 12 engaged with the profiled seat 14 of the mobile portion 4 constitute a cam-cam follower or equivalent type of kinematic mechanism.

Therefore, through a suitable design of the profiled seat 14 it is possible to obtain a desired movement ratio, possibly variable, between the rotation of the arm 1 1 ', to which the moving means 12 are connected, and the rotation of the mobile portion 4.

According to a further version of the present invention, not illustrated in the attached figures, the moving means 12 can comprise a pinion engageable with a corresponding toothing - rack - provided along the walls of the profiled seat 4, thus making a rack- pinion type connection.

According to another version of the present invention, the fixed portion 3 of the jaw element 2 can possibly comprise a recess 15 for housing the pin 12 (see figure 2), in order not to hinder the movement of the arm means 1 1 with respect to the jaw element 2. According to a further version of the present invention, not illustrated in the figures, the recess 15 can extend passing horizontally through the entire fixed portion 3, in order to avoid the moving means being placed in abutment against the fixed portion 3 during the operation of the device for the assisted movement 1.

As stated, the jaw element 2 can be removably connected to the support means 5.

The support means 5 can be made as a fixed structure like, for example, a column element able to be fixedly connected inside a piece of furniture M, a wall of a piece of furniture M or in general to a fixed structure for stably supporting the device for the assisted movement 1 inside such a piece of furniture M.

With reference to the embodiment illustrated in the attached figures, the support means 5 can be configured as a column equipped with a plurality of through openings engageable by the fixing means 6.

The fixed portion 3 of the jaw element 2 has a through opening 16 having a shape substantially matching that of the support means 5.

In this way, the jaw element 2 can be slidably slotted along the support means 5.

In order to constrain the position of the jaw element 2 with respect to the support means 5, fixing means 6 are foreseen.

These comprise a pin 17 (see figure 3), engageable through the openings provided along the support means 5.

With reference to what is illustrated in figure 3, the fixed portion 3 comprises, at the bottom, an abutment seat 18 for the fixing means 6, in order to constrain the jaw element 2 to the support means 5.

The seat 18 is configured to house the pin 17.

According to an aspect of the present invention, the seat 18 can be provided in a substantially diametral position with respect to the through opening 16.

According to a version, the seat 18 can have a wedge-shaped configuration, i.e. with inclined side walls, to facilitate the connection and engagement between the pin 17 and the seat 18.

In practice, the pin 17 progressively wedges inside the seat 18, thus engaging firmly to it. The seat 18, therefore, ensures a stable connection without clearances, that could compromise the correct operation of the device for the assisted movement 1 , between the support means 5 and the jaw element 2.

According to a further version of the present invention, the seat 18 can be slightly off- centre with respect to the diametral position of the through opening 16.

In this way, during the connection between the pin 17 and the seat 18 there is greater interference due to the offsetting present between them.

According to a further version, not illustrated in the figures, the seat 18 can pass through the fixed portion. In this case, to connect the jaw element 2 to the support means 5 it is sufficient to face the through seat 18 towards a through opening 16, provided along the support means 5, and then introduce the pin 17 inside them.

The operation of the device for the assisted movement 1 according to the present invention will be outlined more clearly in the rest of the description.

Initially, the device for the assisted movement 1 is connected to the support means 5, in turn fixedly connected inside a piece of furniture M.

The device for the assisted movement 1 is connected to the support means 5 through the fixing means 6, fixedly connecting the fixed portion 3 of the jaw element 2 to the support means 5.

The device for the assisted movement 1 is arranged in initial configuration, with the mobile portion 4 away from the fixed portion 3 (see figure 1).

In such a configuration, the moving means 12 are operatively engaged with the profiled seat 14 of the mobile portion 4.

Then the arm means 11 are acted upon, moving them from an initial position (figure 1) to a final position (figure 2).

During the movement of the arm means 11 , the moving means 12 connected to the arm 11 ' force the rotation of the mobile portion 4 with respect to the fixed portion 3, and the loading of the actuation means 8.

Thereafter, moving the arm means 11 from a final configuration to an initial configuration, close to a predetermined portion of the angular stroke of the arm 11', again causes the engagement of the moving means 2 with the profiled seat 4. Continuing with the movement of the arm 11' the rotation of the mobile portion 4 from the final position to the initial position is caused, thus activating the actuation means 8. The latter, after their activation, move the mobile portion 4, rotating it away from the fixed portion 3 until the latter is brought back into the final position (figure 1).

The actuation means 8, being of the damped type, force the mobile portion 4, and of the arm 11' operatively connected to it, to move in a gradually decelerated motion, which is smooth and without jarring.

The actuation means 8, along a predetermined angular stroke portion of the arm means 11 , comprised between the final configuration (figure 2) and the initial configuration (figure 1), force the arm 11 ' to move in a gradually decelerated manner, thus avoiding possible collisions once the mobile portion 4 reaches the end stop position.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, the engagement element 12' is connected in a mobile manner to the arm 11 ' through elastic means, for example a spring, not illustrated in the figures.

In particular, the engagement element 12' can be mobile along a substantially vertical direction.

The mobility of the engagement element 12' makes it possible to automatically reload the device for the assisted movement 1 , as described more clearly hereafter.

In practice, the elastic means keep at least one portion of the engagement element 12' in external position with respect to the arm 11 ', to allow its use with the profiled seat 14. The elastic means, since they are yieldable, allow the engagement element 12' to move in a vertical direction with respect to the arm 11 ' and to at least partially go inside it.

If during the actuation of the device for the assisted movement 1 the engagement element 12' accidentally comes out from the profiled seat 14 it is possible to put it back inside the profiled seat 14 by simply acting on the arm 11'.

Indeed, it is possible to reinsert the engagement element 12' inside the profiled seat 14 by moving the arm 11 ' from an initial configuration (figure 1) to the final configuration (figure 2) and, then, in the opposite direction, i.e. from the final configuration to the initial configuration. During the movement of the arm 11 ' from the final configuration towards the initial configuration, at a predetermined angular stroke portion of the arm 11', the engagement element 2' is brought into abutment against the mobile portion 4.

The mobile portion 4 can have an inclined side 19, from the bottom towards the top, which substantially acts as a slipway or ramp for the engagement element 12'.

By continuing with the movement of the arm 11 ' the engagement and the sliding of the engagement element 12' with and along the inclined side 19 of the mobile portion 4 is caused.

During the sliding along the inclined side 19, the engagement element 12' is moved along a vertical direction, making it go up with respect to the arm 11 '. The contact between the engagement element 12' and the inclined side 19 is ensured by the elastic means operatively connected to the engagement element 12'.

As soon as the engagement element 12' is arranged close to the profiled seat 14, facing onto it, the elastic means push the engagement element 12' inside the profiled seat 14, actually making it engage with it again.

The present invention is also relative to a device for the movement and support of at least one support and containment element for a piece of furniture comprising at least one device for the assisted movement 1.

With reference to figures 4, 5 and 6, a device for the movement and support of at least one support and containment element 26 for a piece of furniture M is illustrated, wholly indicated with reference numeral 20.

It should be understood that the aforementioned device for the movement 20 can be associated with a mobile element for furniture such as a wing and the like, without for this reason departing from the scope of protection of the present invention.

The device for the movement 20 substantially corresponds to the device described in European patent application no. EP 2174568.

Figure 4 illustrates two devices for the movement 20 housed inside a piece of furniture M, each equipped with a device for the assisted movement 1 according to the present invention. However, it is possible to foresee a greater or smaller number of devices for the movement 20 without for this reason departing from the scope of protection of the present invention.

According to a version of the present invention, the device for the movement 20 comprises support means 5, for example shaped like a column, able to be fixedly connected inside the piece of furniture M through fixing means 21 of the known type that will not be described further hereafter.

Articulated means 22 for the movement of a support and containment element 26 from a position inside the piece of furniture M (see figure 5) to a position outside (see figure 6) can be connected to the support means 5.

In particular, the articulated means 22 comprise a first guide 23 and a second guide 24.

In practice, the second guide 24 corresponds to the arm 11 ' described earlier.

The second guide 24 comprises an engagement element 12' that projects from it at the bottom.

According to a version, the engagement element 12' is mobile in a vertical direction. The first guide 23 comprises two portions 23', 23" connected together, at a respective end, in a rotary manner through hinge means 25.

At a first end, the first guide 23 and the second guide 24 are connected, in a rotary or roto-translating manner, to the support means 5 and at an opposite end, in a rotary manner, to a support and containment element 26.

The guides 23, 24 can be made with profiled tubular elements, with circular, oval, square section, etc., without any limitation.

A device for the assisted movement 1 is removably connected, according to the methods described earlier, to the support means 5.

According to a version, the device for the assisted movement 1 can be connected to the support means 5 in a lower position with respect to that at which the guides 23, 24 are connected.

In order to obtain roto-translating movement of the support and containment element 26, between a configuration inside the piece of furniture M and a configuration outside the piece of furniture M, there is a tie rod 27. A first end 28 of the tie rod 27 is connected, in a rotary manner, to the fixed portion 3 of the jaw element 2, whereas a second end 29 of the tie rod 27 is connected, in a rotary manner, to hinge means 25.

The presence of a device for the assisted movement 1 allows the support and containment element 26 to be drawn back inside the piece of furniture M in a smooth and damped manner, preventing it from being subjected to collisions due to reaching the end stop position, inside the piece of furniture M.

Similarly to what has been described earlier, during the extraction step of a support and containment element 26, the rotation of the second guide 24, due to the engagement of the engagement element 12' along the profiled seat 14 of the mobile portion 4, causes the jaw element 2 to pass from an initial configuration to a final configuration.

In practice, when the support and containment element 26 is arranged outside the piece of furniture M, the jaw element 2 is arranged in final configuration.

During the step of insertion of the support and containment element 26 inside the piece of furniture M, there is a rotation, in the opposite direction, of the second guide 24.

When the engagement element 12' engages in the profiled seat 14 of the mobile portion 4, the previously loaded actuation means 8 are activated causing the support and containment element 26 to be drawn back inside the piece of furniture M in an automated manner.

The presence of the actuation means 8, for example a gas spring, of the damped type, causes the support and containment element 26 to be drawn smoothly and with gradually decelerated motion back inside the piece of furniture M, avoiding collisions at the moment when the means for the movement 20 reach the position inside the piece of furniture M.

Moreover, the presence of a device for the assisted movement 1 automates the return of the support and containment element 26, drawing it back softly inside the piece of furniture M, until it is completely inside it.

The device for the assisted movement 1 according to the present invention thus makes it possible to control the movement of a rotary or roto-translating drive means for furniture between a final configuration and an initial configuration, or vice versa, avoiding collisions upon reaching a final or initial end stop position. The damped actuation means 8, which in practice are loaded along a portion of the angular stroke of the arm means 11 , from an initial configuration to a final configuration, and activated during a portion of the angular stroke of the arm means 11 , during the rotation thereof in the direction opposite to the previous one, allow the motion of the arm means 11 to be slowed down.

In particular, the arm means 11 are gradually decelerated close to reaching an end stop position, initial position (figure 1), thus avoiding collisions and overcoming the drawbacks described earlier. Moreover, the device for the assisted movement 1 is simple to assemble.

In particular, the connection means 6 make it possible to easily connect the device for the assisted movement 1 to the support means 5, in turn fixedly connected inside the piece of furniture M, thus simplifying the installation of a device for the assisted movement 1 inside the furniture M itself.

The invention thus conceived can undergo numerous modifications and variants all of which are covered by the inventive concept.

Moreover, all of the details can be replaced by other technically equivalent elements. In practice, the materials used, as well as the contingent shapes and sizes, can be whatever according to the requirements without for this reason departing from the scope of protection of the following claims.