"Handling system for the multi-sensory fruition of artworks "

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The present invention relates to a handling system for the multi-sensory fruition of artworks.

In particular, the present invention relates to a handling system for the multi-sensorial fruition of artworks conceived in order to make available a set of artistic works through the reproduction and the combination of multiple stimuli, i.e. a multi-sensory fruition, mainly in special seats designed for users with disabilities.

As it is known, at present most of the museums or exhibition spaces are primarily usable through the sense of sight. For this reason, in the traditional exhibition spaces, the usability is limited or even prevented to people having partial or total disability of vision.

To overcome this problem special seats or tactile museums have been developed. In these places the user is allowed to touch the exhibited artwork. The results obtained from these systems, especially in the case of pictorial artworks, however, is limited when the user has visual disability. In fact, even if the shapes painted on a framework are somehow reproducible in relief and perceptible to the touch, the artwork is not usable as whole as a set of textures, lights and shadows.

Devices have been developed for multi-sensory fruition of artworks to recreate sounds or play video in order to complete the visual perception of the artwork.

For example, the patent application WO2011067801 describes a system for the fruition of multi-sensory artworks, intended in particular for users with disabilities. The described solution comprises a panel on which an artwork reproduction with relief is placed. Such reproduction is accompanied by means of detection of the position of the fingers on the artwork reproduction. The system further comprises devices for reproducing sound, odors, videos that are activated thanks to the detector of the position of the fingers, thus by means of the touch by the user to specific areas of the artistic reproduction.

However, in the known solutions for the multi- sensorial fruition of the artworks by disabled or users in general, single special locations where the user can approach the work, or its reproduction, and perceive it through touch are provided. Although, in some cases, as in the patent application described before, the user can operate the reproduction of auditory, visual or tactile stimuli related to the artwork, each multisensory station always provides for the display and the fruition of a single artwork. This results in a consequent encumbrance of the museum hall or of the room used for the education and in more difficulties in the organization of exhibition itineraries .

Overall these problems and difficulties in the exhibition are particularly important when the exhibition space is intended exclusively or additionally for disabled users .

In fact, the user must move in correspondence of each station in order to benefit of the exposed artwork, and move between one station and another one. When the user has mobility or visual disabilities the itinerary is particularly difficult and problematic.

In the light of the above, it appears evident the need of finding a solution that enables to make available in a unique exposure station able to be used also by disabled users, a set of artistic works, selectable by the user, so as to be automatically positioned and physically accessible to the touch.

The object of the present invention is to provide a handling system for the multi-sensory fruition of artworks, which allows to reduce the encumbrance associated with individual multisensory stations, i.e. able to expose a single work, and to be physically and simply accessible to the touch, therefore, having characteristics such as to overcome the limitations which still affect the previously described system with reference to the known technique.

According to the present invention, a handling system for the multi-sensory fruition of artworks, as defined in claim 1.

For a better understanding of the present invention is now described a preferred embodiment, purely by way of non- limiting example, with reference to annexed drawings, in which :

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a handling system for the multi-sensory fruition of artworks, according to the invention;

Figure 2 shows a detailed perspective view of a loading unit of artworks of the handling system for the multi-sensorial fruition of artworks, according to the invention;

- Figure 3 shows an enlarged perspective view of a group of vertical translation of artworks of the handling system for the use of multi-sensory artworks, according to the invention; - Figure 4 shows a perspective view of the vertical translation group with an artwork in a loading / unloading position on / from a bookstand of the handling system for the use of multi-sensory artworks, according to the invention;

- Figure 5 shows a side perspective view of a boosting unit connected to the vertical translation group of handling system for the use of multi-sensory artworks, according to the invention;

- Figure 6 shows a side perspective view of the handling system for the use of multi-sensory artworks with an artwork placed on the bookstand, according to the invention .

With reference to Figure 1, the handling system 100 for the use of multi-sensory artworks is shown, according to the invention.

In particular, with reference to Figure 2, the handling system 100 comprises a horizontal translation group 101 of artworks, a loading unit 102 of the artworks able to slide thanks to the horizontal translation group 101, a vertical translation group 103 of the artworks connected to the horizontal translation group 101, a boosting unit 104 of the artworks and a bookstand 105. More in detail, the horizontal translation group 101 comprises a pair of horizontal elements 101a internally equipped with rail tracks 101b between which a carriage 106 is able to slide. The carriage 106 is substantially constituted by a base 106a provided with recesses 106b in which support elements 102a of a support rack which substantially constitutes the loading unit 102 are inserted. Therefore, since the rack 102 is integral with the carriage 106, it is also able to slide along the rail tracks 101b of the horizontal translation group 101.

As shown in figures 2-6, each support element 102a of the support rack 102 is configured to house an artwork 107, for example a paint, selectable by the user through a dedicated control device, such as a button 108, so as to be automatically handled by the system 100 to be at the end exposed on the bookstand 105.

More in detail, as shown in figures 2-4, the vertical translation group 103 comprises first vertical fixed support elements 103a connected perpendicularly and second vertical movable support elements 103b able to slide vertically along the fixed vertical support elements 103a.

According to an aspect of the invention, the second vertical movable support elements 103b able to slide have selection buttons 108 at their ends. Furthermore, according to another aspect of the invention, the second vertical movable support elements 103b able to slide of the vertical translation group 103 comprise, each internally, a coupling element, for example a pin 109, configured to engage a slot 107a positioned at the upper end of the lateral edge of each artwork 107.

According to another aspect of the invention, the boosting unit 104 of the system 100 is connected between the vertical translation group 103 and a rear wall 110 of the system 100 and is positioned at a height correspondent to a loading / unloading position at which the artwork 107 selected is lifted. The boosting unit 104 comprises a pair of horizontal guide elements 104a between a carriage 106 is able to slide, substantially constituted by a base 116a on which a system of pistons 111 configured to push horizontally the artwork is mounted.

At this point the artwork 107 is positioned on the bookstand 105 in a position physically accessible by a user .

Advantageously, the lower part of the handling system

100 presents conformation, height and width such as to allow a user with limited mobility to get closer with the wheelchair . According to one aspect of the invention, the handling system 100 may include one or more audio playback devices, not shown in the figures.

According to another aspect of the invention, the handling system 100 may include olfactory devices and / or devices for visual reproducing images and / or videos, not shown in the figures. In particular, according to an aspect of the invention, said devices are able to be controlled by means of an electronic processor.

According to another aspect of the invention, the handling system 100 may include activation buttons or sensors that trigger audio playback, video playback and / or reproduction of olfactory stimuli. Advantageously according to the invention, such sensors and buttons are accessible by the user who may operate it by means of touch or a voice command.

According to another aspect of the invention the handling system may also include captions, to print characters and / or Braille characters.

According to another aspect of the invention, the artwork handled by the handling system according to the invention is a reproduction of an artwork which consists of a panel on which the work is played by means of samples of materials and / or embossed elements that constitute a so- called "touch panel".

According to a further aspect of the invention the artwork 107 comprises sensors that detect the user's finger position on the surface of the same artwork and based on the detected position enable devices emitting an acoustic, thermal, vibration, visual or olfactory signal. Those devices can be integrated into the surface of the artwork or placed in special housings of the handling system for the multi-sensory fruition of artworks.

In use, the selection button of an artwork 107, from among those available, by means of at least one of buttons 108, allows the operation of the horizontal translation group 101, on which the vertical translation group 103 is able to slide. The carriage 106 slides along the track rails 101b and stop when the selected artwork 107 has reached a position of loading / unloading in correspondence of the vertical support elements 103a of the vertical translation group 103. Once the pin 109 of each of the vertical movable support element 103b has hooked the slot 107a, the artwork 107 is moved vertically and lifted to be free of obstacles positioned in such a way as to be arranged on the bookstand 105. At this point the boosting unit 104 pushes horizontally the artwork and simultaneously the second vertical movable elements 103b of the vertical translation group are lowered to a height corresponding to the position of possible coupling of the artwork 107 in support guides 112 of the bookstand 105.

Therefore, the handling system for the multi-sensory fruition of artworks according to the invention allows to reduce the size of the individual artworks exposure stations .

In addition, the handling system for the multi-sensory fruition of artworks according to the invention and consent to a user, in particular to a disabled user, to be able to enjoy the artworks without having to move along a display path .

Another advantage of the handling system for the multi-sensory fruition of artworks according to the invention is to allow the user to select the artwork of his interest, to move and position the artwork automatically selected .

Another advantage of the handling system for the multi-sensory fruition of artworks according to the invention is to allow to expose the artwork so as to be accessible to the touch and sight and operate multisensory devices able to reproduce visual, auditory, olfactory and tactile stimuli. In addition, the handling system for the multi-sensory fruition of artworks according to the invention allows a user to choose an artwork within a proposed group and to be able to benefit both from the view and the touch, the hearing and the smell.

In addition, the handling system for the multi-sensory fruition of artworks according to the invention allows to reproduce and transmit multiple stimuli multisensory able to illustrate an artistic work, wherein said system can be realized and operated with low costs.

Finally, the handling system for the multi-sensory fruition of artworks according to the invention is simple, safe and reliable.

Clearly, it is apparent that the handling system for the multi-sensory fruition of artworks here described may be subject to modifications and variations without thereby departing from the protective scope of the present invention, as defined in the appended claims.