| CLAIMS 1. Adaptable system for making structures with shelves (30, 30', 40, 50), comprising: - a plurality of shelf elements (1 , 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 9', 10, 11 ), and - one or more longitudinal supports (15, 16, 17, 18), each shelf element (1 , 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 9', 10, 1 ) comprising one or more housing seats (2) capable to house one or more corresponding longitudinal supports (15, 16, 17, 18), a shelf (30, 30', 40, 50) being formed by one or more shelf elements (1 , 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 9', 10, 11) supported by said one or more longitudinal supports (15, 16, 17, 18) housed in said one or more housing seats (2) of each one of said one or more shelf elements (1 , 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 9', 10, 11) forming the shelf (30, 30', 40, 50). 2. System according to claim 1 , characterised in that said plurality of shelf elements comprises two or more shelf elements selected from the group comprising or consisting of the following shelf elements: - a first planar element (1) having trapezoidal shape; - a second element (3) having rectangular shape lacking a circular segment; - a third element (4) having circular shape; - a fourth element (5) having elliptic shape; - a fifth element (6) having rectangular shape; - a sixth element (7) having shape of an isosceles triangle; - a seventh element (8) having shape of a right triangle; - a eighth element (9) having shape of a parallelogram; - a ninth element (10) having rhomboidal shape; and - a tenth element (11) having rectangular shape lacking a half of a rhombus. 3. System according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that said one or more housing seats (2) are symmetrically arranged with respect to a longitudinal axis of the respective shelf element (1 , 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 9', 10, 11) passing through the centroid of the same shelf element. 4. System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that each one of said housing seats (2) is - a groove (2) arranged on a lower surface of the respective shelf element (1 , 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 9', 10, 11), or - a through hole parallel to a longitudinal axis of the respective shelf element (1 , 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 9', 10, 11). 5. System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said one or more longitudinal supports (15, 16, 17, 18) comprise one or more supports selected from the group comprising or consisting of: - a tube (15; 18); - a rod (16); and - a telescopic tube (17). 6. System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it further comprises: - one or more end elements (60; 70; 70'; 70") capable to be coupled, preferably through fastening intermediate supports (80; 90), to said one or more longitudinal supports (15, 16, 17, 18) housed in said one or more housing seats (2) of each one of said one or more shelf elements (1 , 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 9', 10, 11) forming the shelf (30, 30', 40, 50), the ends of said one or more longitudinal supports (15, 16, 17, 18) housed in said one or more housing seats (2) of each one of said one or more shelf elements (1 , 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 9', 10, 11) forming the shelf (30, 30', 40, 50) being preferably inserted in corresponding holes (71), preferably not through holes, of said one or more end elements (60; 70; 70'; 70"). 7. System according to claim 6, characterised in that at least one end element consists of a side flank (60). 8. System according to claim 6 or 7, characterised in that at least one end element (70; 70') is provided with at least one rear hole (74) capable to receive at least one corresponding supporting bar (72) provided with an end bracket (73), capable to be fasten to an external structure, preferably consisting of a wall, said at least one end element (70) having preferably a rear milled seat having size and shape corresponding to the end bracket (73) so as to allow the latter to be housed. 9. System according to any one of claims 6 to 8, characterised in that at least one end element (70") is provided with a notch (75) on an inner surface capable to receive a first side (76) of a L-shaped bracket further having a second side (77) capable to be fastened to an external structure, preferably consisting of a wall, the first side (76) being provided with through holes (78) corresponding to holes (71) of said at least one end element (70") capable to receive the ends of said one or more longitudinal supports (15, 16, 17, 18) housed in said one or more housing seats (2) of each one of said one or more shelf elements (1 , 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 9', 10, 11 ) forming the shelf (30, 30', 40, 50). |
The present invention relates to a modular shelf system, that allows in a stable, solid, versatile, effective, simple, and inexpensive way, to make structures with shelves adaptable to the size of the available space, the structures with shelves which can be made through the system being easily integratable with furnishings and/or walls in proximity of which it is located.
It is known that in the furniture filed is currently difficult to build adaptable furnishings having size varying in a continuous way.
In order to remedy such drawback, furnishings are present in the market each one of which is available in a limited number of versions having different size (e.g. three standard widths for kitchen furnishings).
When the available size is not adequate to the user's need, it is necessary the work of a carpenter, with a significant increase of costs.
Similarly, it is currently difficult to customise the aesthetic appearance of furnishings, which are available only in few aesthetically different versions (e.g. by the colour).
In this context, the solution proposed according to the present invention is introduced, allowing to overcome the aforementioned problems.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to allow in a stable, solid, versatile, effective, simple, and inexpensive way, to make structures with shelves adaptable to the size of the available space.
It is still an object of the present invention to cause such structures to be easily integratable with furnishings and/or walls in proximity of which they are located.
It is specific subject matter of this invention an adaptable system for making structures with shelves, comprising:
- a plurality of shelf elements, and
- one or more longitudinal supports,
each shelf element comprising one or more housing seats capable to house one or more corresponding longitudinal supports, a shelf being formed by one or more shelf elements supported by said one or more longitudinal supports housed in said one or more housing seats of each one of said one or more shelf elements forming the shelf.
Always according to the invention, said plurality of shelf elements may comprise two or more shelf elements selected from the group comprising or consisting of the following shelf elements:
- a first planar element having trapezoidal shape;
- a second element having rectangular shape lacking a circular segment;
- a third element having circular shape;
- a fourth element having elliptic shape;
- a fifth element having rectangular shape;
- a sixth element having shape of an isosceles triangle;
- a seventh element having shape of a right triangle;
- a eighth element having shape of a parallelogram;
- a ninth element having rhomboidal shape; and
- a tenth element having rectangular shape lacking a half of a rhombus.
Still according to the invention, said one or more housing seats may be symmetrically arranged with respect to a longitudinal axis of the respective shelf element passing through the centroid of the same shelf element.
Furthermore according to the invention, each one of said housing seats may be
- a groove arranged on a lower surface of the respective shelf element, or
- a through hole
parallel to a longitudinal axis of the respective shelf element.
Always according to the invention, said one or more longitudinal supports may comprise one or more supports selected from the group comprising or consisting of:
- a tube;
- a rod; and
- a telescopic tube.
Still according to the invention, the system may further comprise:
- one or more end elements
capable to be coupled, preferably through fastening intermediate supports, to said one or more longitudinal supports housed in said one or more housing seats of each one of said one or more shelf elements forming the shelf, the ends of said one or more longitudinal supports housed in said one or more housing seats of each one of said one or more shelf elements forming the shelf being preferably inserted in corresponding holes, preferably not through holes, of said one or more end elements.
Furthermore according to the invention, at least one end element may consist of a side flank.
Always according to the invention, at least one end element may be provided with at least one rear hole capable to receive at least one corresponding supporting bar provided with an end bracket, capable to be fasten to an external structure, preferably consisting of a wall, said at least one end element having preferably a rear milled seat having size and shape corresponding to the end bracket so as to allow the latter to be housed.
Still according to the invention, at least one end element may be provided with a notch on an inner surface capable to receive a first side of a L-shaped bracket further having a second side capable to be fastened to an external structure, preferably consisting of a wall, the first side being provided with through holes corresponding to holes of said at least one end element capable to receive the ends of said one or more longitudinal supports housed in said one or more housing seats of each one of said one or more shelf elements forming the shelf.
The system according to the invention uses a limited number of components which enable to make structures with shelves, such as simple shelves, libraries, television holders, etc., having variable width and highly customisable in appearance and functionalities. The components of the system according to the invention comprise:
- a set of shelf elements, having various shapes and size, which form the shelves when combined with each other;
- one or more longitudinal supports, preferably constituted by tubes or rods, possibly telescopic, which form a carrying structure offering support to the shelves; and
- possibly two end elements to which the carrying structure is integrally coupled.
In particular, the individual elements forming the shelves are provided with seats for housing the longitudinal supports so that, once the longitudinal supports have been housed in the seats of the shelf elements, the transverse movement (with respect to the longitudinal axis of the shelf) of the elements with respect to the longitudinal supports is prevented or severely limited. In this regard, the individual elements may be made of various materials, and may be also provided with components, which may be coupled to them, possibly even removably, creating said seats for housing the longitudinal supports. By way of example, a shelf element may be made of glass and may be provided with components which are substantially U-shaped, attachable to the lower surface of the element through suction cups, into which the longitudinal supports (e.g. tubes or rods) may be inserted.
In particular, the individual shelves are provided with housing seats, for the carrying elements, so as to partially or wholly hide the carrying structure. Preferably, such housing seats consists of one or more grooves parallel to a longitudinal axis (passing through the centroid of the shelf element), present on the lower surface, having shape and size related to the shape and size of the tubes forming the carrying structure. Alternatively, or in combination with the grooves, such housing seats may comprise through holes into which the longitudinal supports may be inserted.
The present invention will be now described, by way of illustration and not by way of limitation, according to its preferred embodiments, by particularly referring to the Figures of the enclosed drawings, in which:
Figure 1 shows a perspective view (Fig. 1 a), a bottom plan view (Fig. 1 b), a side view (Fig. 1 c), and a front view (Fig. 1d) of a first shelf element of a preferred embodiment of the system according to the invention;
Figure 2 shows a bottom plan view of the shelf element of Figure 1
(Fig. 2g) and of a second (Fig. 2a), a third (Fig. 2b), a fourth (Fig. 2c), a fifth (Fig. 2d), a sixth (Fig. 2e), a seventh (Fig. 2f), an eighth (Fig. 2h), a ninth (Fig. 2i), and a tenth (Fig. 2j) shelf elements of a preferred embodiment of the system according to the invention;
Figure 3 shows a top plan view (Fig. 3a), a bottom plan view (Fig.
3b), a front view (Fig. 3c), and a side view (Fig. 3d) of a first shelf made with some elements of Figure 2;
Figure 4 shows a top plan view (Fig. 4a) and a perspective view (Fig. 4b) of a second shelf and a top plan view (Fig. 4c) and a perspective view (Fig. 4d) of a third shelf made with some elements of Figure 2;
Figure 5 shows a top plan view (Fig. 5a), a bottom plan view (Fig. 5b), a front view (Fig. 5c), and a side view (Fig. 5d) of a first shelf made through a second embodiment of the system according to the invention;
Figure 6 shows a front view (Fig. 6a) and a partial perspective view of a structure with shelves made through a third embodiment of the system according to the invention;
Figure 7 shows a perspective view in a first configuration (Fig. 7a), a perspective view in a second configuration (Fig. 7b) having larger width than the first one, a perspective view in a third configuration (Fig. 7c) having larger width than the second one, and an enlarged exploded partial perspective view (Fig. 7d) of a portion of shelf made through a fourth embodiment of the system according to the invention;
Figure 8 shows a perspective view (Fig. 8a) and an enlarged exploded partial perspective view (Fig. 8b) of a portion of shelf made through a fifth embodiment of the system according to the invention;
Figure 9 shows a perspective view (Fig. 9a), an exploded perspective view (Fig. 9b), and an enlarged exploded partial perspective view (Fig. 9c) of a portion of shelf made through a sixth embodiment of the system according to the invention;
Figure 10 shows a perspective view (Fig. 10a) of a first fastening intermediate support and a perspective view (Fig. 10b) of a structure with shelves comprising such fastening intermediate support; and
Figure 11 shows a first perspective view (Fig. 11a) and a second perspective view (Fig. 11b) of a second fastening intermediate support.
In the Figures, identical reference numbers are used for alike elements.
With reference to Figure 1 , a component of a preferred embodiment of the system according to the invention may be observed, that consists of a first planar element 1 having trapezoidal shape and provided on the lower surface (Fig. 1b) with two grooves 2 parallel to a longitudinal axis (passing through the centroid of the element 1) and symmetrical with respect to the longitudinal axis, spaced apart from each other by a separation distance (obviously constant since the grooves are parallel), each one of which is capable to house a corresponding tube or rod, preferably of metal, forming the carrying structure of the system according to the invention. In particular, the longitudinal parallel grooves 2 of the element of Figure 1 have semi-cylindrical surface and the corresponding tubes or rods are cylindrical.
The planar element 1 constitutes a shelf or a portion of a shelf that is made through the combination of a set of one or more elements selected from the group of elements comprising the element 1 and other elements having shape and size different from the element 1 , all the elements having on the lower surface two longitudinal parallel grooves spaced apart from each other by the same separation distance. In particular, the elements forming the shelves of the system are preferably made in one or more materials selected from the group comprising wood, plastics, metal and glass.
The elements forming the shelves of the system according to the invention may have any shape and size. By way of example, and not by way of limitation, Figure 2 shows bottom plan views, in which the two longitudinal parallel grooves 2 (symmetrically arranged with respect to the longitudinal axis passing through the centroid of the respective shelf element) are visible, of a group of ten elements comprising:
- a second element 3 having rectangular shape lacking a circular segment (Fig. 2a);
- a third element 4 having circular shape (Fig. 2b);
- a fourth element 5 having elliptic shape (Fig. 2c);
- a fifth element 6 having rectangular shape (Fig. 2d);
- a sixth element 7 having shape of an isosceles triangle (Fig. 2e);
- a seventh element 8 having shape of a right triangle (Fig. 2f);
- the first element 1 having trapezoidal shape of Figure 1 (Fig. 2g);
- an eighth element 9 having shape of a parallelogram (Fig. 2h);
- a ninth element 10 having rhomboidal shape (Fig. 2i); and
- a tenth element 11 having rectangular shape lacking a half of a rhombus (Fig. 2j).
A shelf may be formed by any number of elements (included only one element), up to the desired length, which may be located in any position within the combination of elements, adjacent or spaced apart by interspaces. In this way the number of possible combinations is extremely high, also considering that each element may be made in different colours. Preferably, the elements forming a shelf are at least two having shape and/or size different from each other; more preferably, when the elements forming a shelf are three or more, at least two elements of these have shape and/or size different from each other.
A shelf of varying width of the system according to the invention, made by combining a set of one or more elements, is resting on a carrying structure formed by a pair of tubes or rods, preferably of metal, having suitable shape and size for being at least partially housed in the longitudinal parallel grooves of the various elements forming the shelf. In particular, supporting tubes and/or rods may be telescopic, and more preferably provided with devices blocking the reciprocal sliding of the various telescopic portions (e.g. as disclosed in EP 1748196-A1), so as to allow adjustability of the length of the carrying structure to the space available for placing the structure with shelves made through the system according to the invention.
Figure 3 shows a first shelf 30 formed by two first elements 1 having trapezoidal shape, located at the ends of the shelf, and by three eighth elements (indicated with reference numerals 9 and 9' for distinguishing them on the basis of size) having shape of a parallelogram of different width, centrally located with respect to the shelf, so that the shelf has separation interspaces between the various elements 1 , 9 and 9' composing the same. In the Figure, the portions of the two tubes 15 are visible, which are housed in the grooves 2 present on the lower surfaces of the various elements 1 , 9 and 9' and which operate as carrying structure for the same elements 1 , 9 and 9'.
In particular, the shapes and size of the tubes 15 and grooves 2 may be such as to allow the former to be removably fixed in the latter. Alternatively to and/or in combination with fixing, the surfaces of the grooves 2 and tubes 15 may be made in materials and/or machined (possibly even through application of adhesive chemical products) so as to have a high coefficient of static friction, for countering the possible slide of the elements 1 , 9 and 9' composing the first shelf 30 on the tubes 15.
By way of example, Figure 4 shows three examples of shelves which can be made through the elements of Figure 2:
- a second shelf 40, formed by two fifth elements 6, located at the ends of the shelf, by two second elements 3, located in intermediate position, and by a third element 4, centrally located with respect to the shelf such that separation interspaces are present between the central third element 4 and the two intermediate second elements 3; and
- a third shelf 50, formed by two seventh elements 8, located at the ends of the shelf, by two sixth elements 7, located in proximity of the ends of the shelf such that interspaces are present for separating from the seventh elements 8, two further seventh elements 8, located in proximity of the sixth elements and spaced apart from these by interspaces, two tenth elements 11 adjacent to the further seventh elements 8, and a ninth element 10, centrally located with respect to the shelf such that it is separated from the tenth elements 11 by interspaces.
Other embodiments of the system according to the invention may have some of the elements forming the shelves which are provided with electronic devices and interfaces, such as for instance multimedia equipments (e.g. speakers, connection interfaces for portable devices such as iPod), network connection equipments (e.g. wireless routers), lamps, and in this case the elements would be provided with possibly necessary electric equipment, such as for instance power supply systems (in particular, a single element could be connected to the mains and it could then power, possibly after conversion to low voltage, even through the same tubes, all the apparatuses placed also on near elements connected to the powered element through the necessary electrical connections). Moreover, the elements could be further provided with integrated (or capable to be removably coupled) objects, such as vases and dishes.
Further embodiments of the system according to the invention may have other types of longitudinal supports, different from the tubes shown in Figures 3 and 4, other modes for coupling to the elements forming the shelves, and a number different from two (preferably larger than two) of longitudinal supports and of corresponding housing seats on each one of the elements forming the shelves. By way of example, and not by way of limitation, instead of grooves, the elements forming the shelves could comprise longitudinal through holes into which the longitudinal supports, such as tubes and/or rods, are insertable.
By way of example, Figure 5 shows a shelf 30' made through a second embodiment of the system according to the invention, wherein the shelf 30' is formed by five shaped elements and differs from that of Figure 3 only by the type of longitudinal supports and by the corresponding housing seats on the lower surface of the elements forming the shelf 30', having a different mode for coupling to each other. In particular, instead of the two grooves 2 of the elements of the shelf 30 of Figure 3, the elements forming the shelf 30' comprise two notches with square section on the longitudinal edges of the lower surface capable to house supporting rods 16, having square section identical to that of the longitudinal notches of the elements forming the shelf such that the rods 16 are completely housed within the same notches.
Further embodiments of the system may have the elements forming the shelves which have on the lower surface grooves and/or longitudinal notches having shape, position and size different from the ones shown in Figures 1-3 and 5, but related to the shape, position and size of the longitudinal supports forming the carrying structure for allowing the mutual coupling, possibly even through simple mechanical adaptators, preferably in such a way to partially or wholly hide the elements of the carrying structure. By way of example, the elements forming the shelves may have longitudinal holes into which tubes or rods forming the carrying structure may be inserted; possibly, such tubes or rods may be also integrally coupled to the elements forming the shelves and be provided with shaped ends in order to allow a coupling between tubes and rods of shelf elements which must be approached, possibly even through simple mechanical adaptators.
For making a structure with shelves through the system according to the invention, it is sufficient to integrally couple the longitudinal supports
(e.g. the tubes and the rods of Figures 3-5) to the walls and/or to the side flanks of adjacent furnishings; in this regard, the system according to the invention may also have one or two side flanks (operating as end elements) to which the longitudinal supports may be integrally coupled.
Figure 6 (partially) shows a third embodiment of the system according to the invention comprising six pairs of telescopic tubes 17 which, once blocked at the desired length, are fixed to two side flanks 60 of the same system for making a structure with shelves (in the Figure the shelves are not shown as formed by various elements of the system as shown with reference to Figures 1-5); as said before, the two side flanks
60 could be replaced by the flank of adjacent furnishings and/or by walls. The telescopic tubes 17 are fixed to the side flanks 60 by inserting them in corresponding holes, preferably such that each pair has on each flank 60 an internal profile and an external profile of the two telescopic tubes 17; fixing may be achieved by screwing the profiles of the telescopic tubes 17 (directly on the flank 60 or on an intermediate support) or through proper supports inserted within the flanks 60, or even through chemical fixing (e.g. gluing) and/or with screws and/or bolts which render the tubes 17 integral with the flanks 60.
Other embodiments of the system according to the invention may have end elements to which the longitudinal supports are integrally coupled, preferably through insertion of these into holes with which the end elements are provided, which end elements are then in turn integrally coupled to the walls and/or to the side flanks of adjacent furnishings and/or to the side flanks of the same system.
In particular, when the end elements of the system are fixed to the wall, the system allows to make shelves fixed to the wall, in particular, for fixing the end elements to a wall any device apt to ensure stability and solidity may be used.
In this case, the longitudinal supports may be inserted into holes with which the end elements are provided before that the latter are fixed to a wall, enabling to easily use also non telescopic structures. Moreover, once the end elements are fixed to a wall, fixing does not allow reciprocal movements of the end elements, and hence it is not strictly necessary to use devices blocking the slide of possible telescopic tubes used as carrying structure of the shelves.
In other words, when the end elements of the system are fixed to a wall, the longitudinal supports may be:
- tubes or rods inserted into holes of the end elements, which tubes or rods are slidable or fixed in the end elements, making a shelf of varying length;
- telescopic tubes inserted into holes of the end elements, which telescopic tubes are slidable or fixed in the end elements, making a shelf of varying length;
- tubes or rods preliminarily fixed to the end elements, making a shelf of predetermined length depending on the length of the tubes or rods.
In the two first cases listed above which allow to make a shelf of varying length, the system according to the invention ensures a good tolerance with the horizontal location of the holes to be made in the wall for inserting conventional devices for fixing the end elements.
With reference to Figure 7, it may be observed a fourth embodiment of the system according to the invention comprising, as longitudinal supports, two tubes 18, of identical size, which are inserted, without any fixing, into holes 71 of a pair of end elements 70. The slide of the tubes 18 in the end elements 70 allows to obtain the desired shelf length. Supporting bars 72, provided with end brackets 73, are then fixed to the wall through the brackets 73 and inserted in corresponding rear holes 74 of the end elements 70. Once the supporting bars 72 are fixed to the wall it is no more possible to vary the shelf length. Advantageously, the end elements 70 have a rear milled seat having size and shape corresponding to the bracket 73 so as to allow a positioning of the end elements 70 adjacent to the wall.
With reference to Figure 8, it may be observed that a fifth embodiment of the system according to the invention differs from what shown in Figure 7 only by the fact that it comprises, as longitudinal supports, two telescopic tubes 17 and by a different size of the end elements 70', which have a lower width. The telescopic tubes allow, as said before, to vary the shelf length. Similarly to what illustrated with reference to Figure 6, the two telescopic tubes 17 are preferably arranged so that an internal profile and an external profile of the two telescopic tubes 17 are fixed to each end element 70'.
With reference to Figure 9, it may be observed a sixth embodiment of the system according to the invention that differs from what shown in Figure 8 by the components for fixing and supporting to the wall. In fact, the end elements 70" are provided with a notch 75 on the inner surface in which the long side 76 of a L-shaped bracket is inserted, the short side 77 of which is fixed to the wall; in particular, the long side 76 is provided with through holes 78 corresponding to the holes 71 of the end element 70" into which the telescopic tubes 17 are inserted. In this way, the end elements 70" may have a still lower width. In particular, the reciprocal arrangement of the telescopic tubes 17 and of the L-shaped bracket allows to fix the short side 77 of the latter to the wall after that the long side 76 has been inserted in the notch 75 and the telescopic tubes 17 have been inserted into the through holes 78 of the long side 76 and into the holes 71 of the end elements 70" (i.e. after that the structure shown in Figure 9a has been formed).
Alternatively to screwing the profiles of the telescopic tubes 17 in the side flanks 60 of Figure 6 ad well as to inserting the tubes 18 and the telescopic tubes 17 into the end elements 70, 70' and 70" of Figures 7-9, it is possible to use suitable supports to be fixed with bolts or screws to the side flanks 60 and to the end elements 70, 70' and 70". In particular, this fixing solution is similar to fixing the rails of wardrobes with the difference that the support must also prevent the longitudinal slide of the tubes 18 or of the profiles of the telescopic tubes 17.
With reference to Figure 10 it may be observed an example of fixing tubes 18 to side flanks 60 through L-shaped supports 80, wherein the short side 81 , provided with a through hole 83, is screwed to the respective side flank 60 and the long side 82, provided with two through holes 84, to the tube 18. It is also possible to replace the two through holes 84 of the long side 82 with a longitudinal milling.
Figure 11 shows a different support 90 for fixing tubes, possibly telescopic tubes, to side flanks or end elements, having a U-shaped transverse section closed at an end by a side 91 provided with a through hole 92.
The preferred embodiments have been above described and some modifications of this invention have been suggested, but it should be understood that those skilled in the art can make variations and changes, without so departing from the related scope of protection, as defined by the following claims.