16517PTWO

ASSEMBLY FOR MOVING ONE OR MORE COPLANAR DOORS OF A PIECE OF FURNITURE AND PIECE OF FURNITURE COMPRISING SUCH AN ASSEMBLY

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of mechanisms for moving the doors of pieces of furniture, which may be cabinets, shelves or the like. In particular, the present invention relates to an assembly for moving a sliding door of a piece of furniture which is coplanar with a fixed surface or with another sliding door of the piece of furniture itself.

BACKGROUND ART

Over the years, the market has experienced an increase in the demand for furniture with coplanar doors, the opening of which occurs by sliding instead of by means of the typical rotation about vertical axis hinges. In most cases, the doors are actuated by a mechanism or assembly of mechanisms which allow each door to move with respect to the other one between a closing position and an opening position in which the two doors are mutually parallel and facing.

A typical example of moving assembly is described in patent application WO 2007/074397. A supporting bracket which supports the door itself is provided for each door to be moved. The bracket moves, by means of a pair of roller elements, along the moving guides (one innermost and one outermost) fixed at the bottom and/or top of the piece of furniture. Such guides are contoured so as to cause an initial inclination of the supporting bracket, i.e. of the door connected thereto, during the step of opening. More precisely, the opening of the door thus comprises a first step, in which the door inclines to move from the closing position to a position emerging with respect to the closing plane, i.e. a position in which it is parallel to and partially facing the other door. The opening of the door includes a second step in which the door is parallel to the other door to overlap it.

Patent application EP1613831 describes another moving assembly conceptually similar to that described in WO 2007/074397 because it includes means for guiding the door between the closing position and the emerging position from the closing plane. In particular, in the solution of EP1613831 , two carriages longitudinally movable along a track parallel to the closing plane of the doors are provided. Each carriage supports a further carriage movable transversally to the direction of the depth of the piece of furniture and connected to the door by means of a supporting bracket. Each of the transversally movable carriages comprises a wheel inserted in a corresponding guide track fixed to the piece of furniture. Each track guides the corresponding carriage so as to cause a two-step movement similar to that described above during the step of opening. In this solution, as in the solution in WO 2007/074397, the initial step of moving (i.e. when the door inclines) is accompanied by a movement of the door in longitudinal direction.

The solutions described, as many other conceptually similar, thus require the installation of particular contoured means in form of guides or tracks configured to guide, either directly or indirectly, the door from the closing position to said position emerging with respect to the other door. In the case of EP1613831 , such means are added to the longitudinal guides or tracks needed to complete the second step of the opening movement. However, is has been seen that the provision of such contoured means and the respective installation are truly critical factors in terms of costs, above all as the size of the piece of furniture increase. At the same time, it has been seen that the mechanisms described above are complicated, not very reliable and the cost does not appear justified, above all in cases of relatively contained size.

On the basis of these considerations, the need arises for new technical solutions which allow to overcome the drawbacks described above. So, it is a main task of the present invention to provide an assembly for moving coplanar doors which allows to solve said drawbacks. In the scope of this task, it is a first object of the present invention to provide a moving assembly of coplanar doors which does not require the installation of means for moving the door between the closing position and the emerging position. It is another object of the present invention to provide a mechanism for moving coplanar doors formed by a relatively low number of elements which are easy to assemble and install. It is a not last object of the present invention to provide an assembly for moving coplanar doors which is reliable and easy to be manufactured at competitive costs. SUMMARY

The present invention thus relates to an assembly for moving at least one door of a piece of furniture coplanar with another door in a closing position. The assembly is configured to move the door between the closing position and the opening position in which it faces the other door. The assembly according to the invention comprises:

- at least a first carriage and at least a second support carriage of the movable door, each of the carriages comprises a mechanism connectable to the door to move it between the closing position and an exiting position, in which it is no longer coplanar with the other door of the piece of furniture; the mechanism takes a first configuration, in which the first door occupies the closing position, and a second configuration, in which the first door occupies the exiting position.

- a guiding profile along which said carriages slide, such a profile is fixable to the piece of furniture and defines a direction for the sliding of the door between the exiting position and the opening one.

The moving assembly is characterized in that, for at least one of the carriages, the corresponding mechanism comprises an operating element configured to interact with a stop fixable to the piece of furniture, such an operating element engages the stop when the mechanism takes a first configuration and prevents the sliding of the carriage along the profile following such an engagement. Furthermore, according to the invention, the operating element is disengaged from the stop when the mechanism takes a predetermined configuration, different from the first configuration and allows the sliding of the carriage along the profile following such a disengagement. Preferably, the operating element is disengaged from the stop element when the mechanism takes the second configuration defined above. In this manner, during the movement of the door from the closing position to the exiting position, the carriages do not slide longitudinally, thus ensuring a more stable and smoother movement of the door.

For at least one of the support carriages, the corresponding mechanism comprises a guide integral with the carriage and a first arm operatively connected to the first door and on which a wheel element, sliding in said guide, is pivoted. The mechanism further comprises a second arm installed in rotational manner on the corresponding carriage; such a second arm is connected to the first arm means of hinge means which define a mutual rotation axis between the two arms. Said operating element is operatively connected to the second arm and interacts with the stop as a function of the angular position of the second arm. Advantageously, the movement between the closing position and the exiting position is achieved by means of a mechanism comprising an extremely low number of elements which support and guide the door. All these elements are supported by the corresponding carriage.

Advantageously, the structure of the mechanism according to the invention avoids the use of contoured tracks or guides fixed to the piece of furniture as provided in most of the traditional solutions.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, the first carriage and the second carriage are respectively an innermost (or nearest) carriage and an outermost (or farthest) carriage to a reference plane orthogonal to the sliding direction and defined between the doors when they are considered in closing position. Preferably, the assembly comprises a guide fixable to the first door and a slider sliding along such a guide, the mechanism of the outermost carriage is connectable to the corresponding door while the mechanism of the innermost carriage is connected to the slide. This solution allows a relative movement of the innermost carriage with respect to the corresponding door. The relative movement is particularly advantageous in the scope of the movement of two coplanar doors. LIST OF DRAWINGS

Further features and advantages will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments of the assembly according to the present invention shown by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, in which:

- Figures 1 and 2 are perspective views of a piece of furniture, respectively in closing and opening condition, which comprises an assembly according to the invention in a first embodiment;

- Figures 3 and 4 are plan views of the piece of furniture in Figures 1 and 2 respectively in a closing condition and in a condition in which the door occupies an exiting position with respect to the closing plane; - Figures from 5 to 8 are perspective views of a support carriage of the assembly of the piece of furniture of Figures 1 and 2;

- Figures 9 and 10 are diagrammatic views related to the operation of two support carriages of the assembly in Figures 1 and 2;

- Figures 1 1 and 12 are views in two different conditions of a piece of furniture with two coplanar doors comprising an assembly according to the invention in a second possible embodiment;

- Figures 13 and 14 are plan views of the piece of furniture of Figures 1 1 and 12 respectively in a condition in which the door occupies an exiting position with respect to the closing plane and in an opening condition;

- Figures 15 and 18 are perspective views related to a further possible embodiment of a carriage of an assembly according to the invention;

- Figures 19 and 20 are perspective views of some components of the carriage of the Figures from 15 to 18 in two different operating configurations;

- Figure 21 is a view of a possible embodiment of a stop of an assembly according to the invention;

- Figures 22 and 23 are plan views of a door connected to the carriage in Figures from 15 to 18 respectively in closed door and exiting door condition;

- Figures 24 and 25 are views related to a further possible embodiment of a stop of an assembly according to the invention;

- Figures 26 and 27 are views in two different conditions of a piece of furniture with two coplanar doors comprising an assembly according to the invention in a third possible embodiment;

- Figures 28 and 29 are plan views of the piece of furniture in Figures 26 and 27 respectively in a closing condition and in a condition in which the door occupies an exiting position with respect to the closing plane;

- Figures from 30 to 33 are perspective views of a carriage of the assembly of the piece of furniture of Figures 26 and 27;

- Figures 34 and 35 are diagrammatic views related to the operation of two support carriages of the assembly in Figures 15 and 16; - Figures from 36 to 41 are views related to a further possible embodiment of a support carriage which can be used in a moving assembly according to the invention;

- Figures from 42 to 46 are views related to further components of an assembly according to the invention.

In the mentioned Figures, the same reference numerals and letters are used to identify the same elements or components.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Figures from 1 to 10 are views related to a first embodiment of a moving assembly according to the present invention. Figures 1 and 2 show a piece of furniture 2 comprising a door 5 moved by means of said assembly. In particular, the door 5 is moved between a closing position and an opening position. In the closing position (Figures 1 and 3), the door 5 is coplanar with a fixed door 2A of the piece of furniture 2, while in the opening position (Figure 2), the door 5 is parallel to and overlaps the fixed door 2A itself. In this condition, access to the compartment 21 of the piece of furniture 2 is allowed. In Figure 4, the door 5 is shown in an exiting position in which the door 5 is parallel to, but not coplanar with the fixed door 2A, emerging with respect to a closing plane 401 defined when the door 5 is coplanar with the fixed door 2A (closing position). In the exiting position, the door 5 may also partially overlap the fixed door 2A, as shown in the case of Figure 4.

The moving assembly according to the invention comprises a guide profile 6 which is rigidly connectable to an outer surface of the top of the piece of furniture or the outer surface 2C of the base of the piece of furniture 2, as in the accompanying Figures. In all cases, the guide profile 6 defines a longitudinal moving direction 200 substantially parallel to the closing plane 401 defined above.

The first moving assembly comprises a first support carriage 10 (also indicated as "innermost carriage 10') and a second support carriage 20 (also indicated as "outermost carriage 20') both sliding along the profile 6. For the purposes of the present invention the expression "innermost' and "outermost substantially means the position nearest to and furthest from a reference plane 400 orthogonal to the longitudinal direction 200 and defined between the two doors of the furniture coplanar in said closing position (see Figure 3). Each of the carriages 10, 20 comprises a mechanism 3,3' for moving the door 5 between the closing position and the exiting position defined above. The movement of the door 5 from the exiting position (condition in Figure 4) to the opening position (condition in Figure 2) occurs by longitudinal sliding of the carriages 10,20 along the profile 6 and according to an opening direction 201 . So, as a whole, the opening movement of the door 5 occurs by means of a two-step movement: a first step, in which the door 5 exits from the closing plane 401 , and a second step of longitudinal sliding (direction 201 ).

A possible embodiment of the carriages 10,20, which advantageously display the same structure, is described below with reference to the Figures from 3 to 8. Reference will be made to the innermost carriage 10 for the sake of convenience. Above all, in Figures 3 and 4, it is worth noting that the mechanisms 3,3' of the two carriages 10,20 are equivalent, showing the same technical solutions described below. The elements of the mechanism 3' are indicated with a prime and with a reference number coinciding with that used for the same elements of the mechanism 3.

The first carriage 10 is preferably defined by a body 1 10 comprising a lower side 1 1 OA, facing the guide profile 6, and an upper side 1 10B, opposite to the lower side 1 1 OA. The first carriage 10 is preferably provided with a plurality of first wheels 7A,7B,7C for the sliding along longitudinal tracks defined by the profile 6. Preferably, the first carriage 10 comprises first wheels 7A, on the lower side 1 10A, aligned to run along a first track of the guide profile 6. Second wheels 7B display a rotation axis orthogonal to that of the first wheels 7A and emerge from a front side 1 10C (see Figure 8). The second wheels 7B are aligned to slide in a second track defined by the profile 6 and which develops on a plane substantially orthogonal to that of the first track. Preferably, at least one further wheel 7C emerges from a rear side 1 10D, opposite to the front side 1 1 OA. The wheel 7C shows a rotation axis parallel to that of the second wheels 7B and slides on a third track parallel to the second track. As a whole, the mutual arrangement of the wheels 7A, 7B, 7C defines a sliding plane of the carriage 10 along the longitudinal movement direction 200. According to that indicated above, the first support carriage 10 comprises a mechanism 3 operatively connected to the door 5. The expression "operatively connected' means a condition for which the position of the door 5 varies as a function of the configuration taken by the mechanism 3. The mechanism 3 thus takes at least a first configuration, following which the door 5 occupies said closing position, and at least a second operating position, in which the door 5 occupies said exiting position.

In general, the mechanism 3 comprises a guide 16 (or also cam 16) integral with the carriage 10. Such a guide 16 defines the trajectory followed by the door 5 during the passage from the closing position to the exiting position. Preferably, the cam 16 is defined in one piece with the body 1 10 of the carriage 10 and emerges from the upper side 1 10B. Again preferably, the cam 16 has the curved profile visible, for example in Figures 3 and 4. Such a curved profile develops between an innermost end 16A and an outermost end 16B. As a whole, considering both carriages 10, 20, the curved profile of the cams 16, 16' of the corresponding mechanisms 3,3' determines a trajectory so that in the exiting position the door 5 achieves a longitudinal position (evaluated along direction 200) different from that achieved in the closing position.

The mechanism 3 of the first carriage 10 comprises a first arm 1 1 , operatively connected to the door 5 at a first end 1 1 1 , preferably by means of a hinged connection. Near a second end 1 12 of the first arm 1 1 , substantially opposite to the first end 1 1 1 , a wheel element 15 (below also indicated as roller 15) is pivoted and it is slidingly inserted in the cam 16. Preferably, the rotation axis 101 of the roller 15 is substantially parallel to the closing plane 401 . When the door 5 is in closing position (Figures 1 and 3), the roller occupies the limit stop position defined by the innermost end 16A of the cam 16, as also shown in Figures 5 and 6. Similarly, when the door 5 occupies the exiting position (Figure 4), the roller 15 occupies the limit stop position defined by the outermost end 16B of the cam 16 itself. With reference to the ends 16A, 16B of the cam 16, the expressions "innermost' and "outermost' indicate a position respectively furthest from and nearest to the closing plane 401 . In a possible, but not exclusive embodiment shown in Figures 3 and 4, the first end 1 1 1 ' of the first arm 1 1 ' of the outermost carriage 20 is connected to the door 5 by means of a hinge connection 71 , while the first end 1 1 1 of the first arm 1 1 of the innermost carriage 10 is connected with another hinge connection 72 to a slide 51 sliding along a guide 50 integral with the door 5. So, in terms of longitudinal sliding, the door 5 is integral with the outermost carriage 20, but not with the innermost carriage 10. In other words, the innermost carriage 10 can move with relative motion with respect to the door 5. In an alternative embodiment, not shown, also the first end 1 1 1 of the first arm 1 1 of the innermost carriage 10 can be connected directly to the door 5 by means of a hinge connection so as to be integral with it in terms of longitudinal sliding.

In all cases, the mechanism 3 preferably comprising supporting means integral with the carriage 10 and operative connected to the first arm 1 1 to support it during the sliding of the roller 15 along the cam 16. Preferably, such supporting means comprise a second arm 12 rotatable with respect to the body 1 10 of the carriage 10 by means of first hinge means defining a further rotation axis 102. The second arm 12 is connected to the first arm 1 1 by means of second hinge means which define a mutual rotation axis 103 between the first arm 1 1 and the second arm 12. In fact, the latter supports the first arm 1 1 and follows the trajectory marked by the cam 16. Indeed, the position of the first arm 1 1 , i.e. of the roller 15 in the cam 16, establishes an angular position for the second arm 12 about its rotation axis 102. In this regard, Figure 6 shows the angular position of the second arm 12 in a closed door condition. Instead, Figure 8 shows the angular position of the second arm 12 in the "exited doof condition, i.e. when the door 5 occupies the exiting position defined above. Such angular positions are evaluated with respect to the rotation axis 102 of the second arm 12.

The mechanism 3 preferably comprises elastic means 90 connected to the body 1 1 1 of the carriage 10 and configured to act on the first arm 1 1 , preferably near the rotation axis 101 of the roller 15. Such elastic means 90 may have different configuration and have the function of keeping the mechanism in the first configuration (closed door) and in the second configuration (exited door) defined above. At the same time, the elastic means 90 are configured and installed in the mechanism 3 so as to promote the sliding of the roller 15 (and thus the roto- translation of the first arm 1 1 ) along the cam 16. In other words, the elastic means 90 are arranged so as to promote the exiting/distancing movement of the door 5 from the closing plane 401 and the successive closing movement towards the plane itself.

In all cases, according to the invention, the mechanism 3, 3' of at least one of the carriages 10, 20 (preferably of both) is provided with an operating element 8, 8', 88, 88A operatively connected to the second arm 12 and configured to interact with a stop element 9, 9', 19, 99, 99A (or stop 9, 9', 19, 99, 99A) stably fixed to the piece of furniture 2, preferably to the profile 6. In particular, according to the invention, the operating element 8, 8', 88 interacts with the stop 9, 9', 19, 99, 99A as a function of the angular position achieved by the second arm 12. More precisely, when the second arm 12 occupies the angular position corresponding to the closed door condition 5, the operating element 8, 8', 88 engages the stop 9, 9', 19, 99, 99A, locking the longitudinal sliding of the carriage 10 in the opening direction 201 of the door 5. Instead, when the second arm 12 occupies the angular position corresponding to the exiting door condition, the operating element 8, 8', 88, 88 is disengaged from the stop 9, 9', 19, 99, 99A and the carriage 10 can slide in the opening direction 201 .

For the purposes of the present invention, the expression "operatively connected' means a condition for which the operating element 8, 8', 88 undergoes a displacement, in rotation or translation, following the rotation movement of the second arm 12 about its rotation axis 102. The operating element may be integral with the second arm 12. Alternatively, the operating element may be connected to the second arm 12 by means of a mechanical transmission 90 by effect of which the rotation movement of the second arm 12 is transformed into a rotation or translation movement of the operating element.

In the embodiment shown in figures 5, 6, 7 and 8, the operating element, indicated by reference numeral 8, is integral with the second arm 12 and emerges from the lower side 1 10A of the carriage 10 through a curved slot 81 (see Figures 5 and 7). Preferably, this slot 81 develops according to an arc of circumference concentric to the rotation axis 102 of the second arm 12. In this embodiment, the stop (indicated by reference numeral 9) is defined by a prism-shaped body comprises a rounded end 9A geometrically conforming to the trajectory of the operating element 8 during the rotation of the second arm 12.

Figures 9 and 10 show two carriages 10,20 of the moving assembly described above respectively in the closed door condition and exited door condition, from an observation point arranged on the surface of the piece of furniture 2 onto which the profile 6 (not shown) is connected. In figures 9 and 10, the arrow 201 shows the direction in which the door 5 must slide in order to reach the opening position. The slot 81 , 81 ' from which the element 8, 8' emerges is blackened, while the element 8, 8' is shown by the white part inside the slot 81 , 81 ' itself. In the closing position of the door 5 (Figure 9), the operating element 8, 8' is engaged against the end 9A, 9A' of the stop 9, 9'. Therefore, the sliding of the carriage 10, 20 in the direction 201 is prevented.

In the exited door condition (Figure 10), the element 8, 8' is completely released from the stop 9, 9' and the carriages 10, 20 can slide in the direction 201 taking the door 5 into the opening position (condition in Figure 2). The variation of the position of the operating element 8, 8' with respect to the stop 9, 9', and thus the interaction between the two elements 8-9, 8'-9', is determined by the variation of the configuration of the mechanism 3, 3', i.e. by the exiting movement of the door 5. Advantageously and contrary to the known solutions, the exiting movement of the door 5 from the closing plane 401 is not accompanied by any sliding of the carriages 10, 20 along the longitudinal direction 201 .

The operating principle of the moving assembly described above with reference to the embodiment shown in Figures from 1 to 10 is summarized below. Starting from the condition of Figure 1 (closed door), the opening movement of the door 5 is activated by means of an external force applied thereto. Following said force, the door 5 is guided by the mechanisms 3, 3' installed on the two carriages 10, 20 to reach the exiting position (Figure 4). In such a condition, the mechanisms 3, 3' take the second operating configuration (Figures 7 and 8), following which the operating element 8, 8' of each carriage 10, 20 is disengaged from the corresponding stop 9, 9'. The two carriages 10, 20 thus become free to slide along the profile 6 up to bring the door to the opening position (see Figure 3). With reference to Figures 3 and 4, it is worth noting the curved profile of the cams 16, 16' of the two carriages 10, 20 oriented in the opening direction 201 . By virtue of this shape, in the exiting position (Figure 4), the door 5 overlaps partially the fixed door 2A. Furthermore, it is worth noting that in the passage from the closing position to the exiting position, the door 5 translates in the space remaining always parallel to the closing plane 401 . Advantageously and contrary to the many known solution, during the opening movement, the door 5 does not incline with respect to the closing plane 401 .

In a first variant embodiment, not shown in the figures, the operating element and the stop could be configured so that the operating element is disengaged from the stop before the door reaches the exiting position. In other words, the disengagement of the operating element could occur when the mechanism reaches a predetermined configuration different from the second configuration defined above (exited door). In this case, the longitudinal sliding of the carriages 10, 20 could be contextual to the movement between the closed and exited door condition.

It is worth noting that the mechanism 3, 3' of the carriages 10,20 could be designed according to alternative embodiments different from that described above and shown in the mentioned figures. In one of these variants, e.g. the mechanism could comprise a rectilinear guide so that the exiting movement from the closing position occurs according to a rectilinear direction, orthogonal to the first direction 200. In this case, the mechanism comprises supporting means of the arm connected to the door (first arm) different from that described above. Substantially, the supporting means may vary according to the configuration assigned to the guide and thus to the trajectory followed by the arm which supports the door.

It is further worth noting that in the case of a single door to be moved (piece of furniture 2 in Figures 1 and 2), instead of two carriages 10, 20, it could be used a single carriage comprising two mechanisms, functionally equivalent to those described above, each operatively connected to the door in different positions, preferably different with respect to a vertical symmetry plane 403 of the door to be moved. Figures from 1 1 to 14 relate to a second embodiment of a moving assembly according to the invention which can be used for opening two doors (indicated by 5A and 5B) of a piece of furniture 4 coplanar in closed position. In this second embodiment, a first carriage 10, 10' (or innermost carriage 10, 10') and a second carriage 20, 20' (or outermost carriage 20, 20') sliding along the profile 6 are engaged for each of the two doors 5A, 5B. For each door 5A, 5B, the two carriages 10-20,10'-20' may correspond, in terms of structure and function, to those described above commenting figures from 1 to 8. In particular, for each door 5A, 5B, the carriages 10-20,10'-20' may comprise a moving mechanism 3, 3' equivalent to that shown in Figures from 6 to 9. So, for the carriages 10-20,10'-20', reference is made to the description shown above.

With reference to Figures 13 and 14, in this second embodiment, the moving assembly comprises a first rectilinear guide 31 which can be integrally connected to the first door 5A and a second rectilinear guide 32 which can be integrally connected to the second door 5B. In particular, such rectilinear guides 31 ,32 are connected to the corresponding door so as to be parallel to the longitudinal sliding direction 200 when the door is installed, i.e. supported by the corresponding carriages by means of the corresponding mechanisms. Preferably, such guides 31 , 32 are installed on the inner side of the corresponding door 5A, 5B, i.e. on the side which faces the inner compartment 21 of the piece of furniture 4. The moving assembly also comprises a first slide 41 and a second slide 42 sliding respectively on the first guide 31 and on the second guide 32.

For each of the two doors 5A, 5B, the mechanism 3 of the innermost carriage 10, 10' is operatively connected to the corresponding slide 41 , 42, preferably by means of a hinge connection, while the mechanism 3' of the outermost carriage 20, 20' is operatively connected to the corresponding door 5A, 5B, also preferably by means of a hinge connection. More precisely, with reference for example to the first door 5A, the first arm 1 1 of the mechanism 3 of the innermost carriage 10 is thus connected to the first slide 41 free to slide along the first guide 31 . Therefore, the innermost carriage 10 is free to move along the profile 6 with relative motion with respect to the first door 5A and vice versa. The first door 5A is instead integral, preferably through a hinge connection, to the first arm 1 1 ' of the mechanism 3' of the outermost carriage 20. So, each longitudinal displacement of the latter determines a corresponding movement of the first door 5A. Similar considerations apply to the second door 5B. Hence, the considerations described above apply to the second door 5B and the carriages 10', 20' operatively connected thereto.

Figures 13 and 14 again will be considered to understand the advantages and possibilities offered by this second embodiment. In particular, Figure 13 shows the first door 5A in the exiting position. According to the principles described above, in such a condition, the engagement of the operating element 8, 8' against the stop 9, 9' ceases and the two carriages 10-20 of the first door 5A are free to slide, pushed by a force F, along the longitudinal direction 200. During such a sliding, the innermost carriage 10 of the first door 5A comes into contact with the innermost carriage 10' of the second door 5B pushing it in the opening direction 201 . Therefore, by virtue of the connection with the second slide 42, the innermost carriage 10' of the second door 5B can slide longitudinally with respect to the second door 5B. The latter remains stationary because it is integral with the outermost carriage 20', which is locked to the profile 6 by means of the corresponding stop 9'.

By effect of the thrust F impressed by the innermost carriage 10 of the first door 5A, the innermost carriage 10' of the second door 5B thus approaches the outermost carriage 20' of the second door 5B. At the same time, the innermost carriage 10' of the first door 5A (by virtue of the connection with the first slide 41 ), is free to move with respect to the outermost carriage 20 and thus to the first door 5A itself. By effect of the relative sliding of the innermost carriages 10,10' (obtained by means of the slides 41 ,42), when the first door 5A reaches the opening position, the carriages 10-20,10-20' of the two doors 5A-5B take the position shown in Figure 14. In particular, the two innermost carriages 10, 10' are side-by-side and the innermost carriage 10' of the second door 5B is close to the outermost carriage 20' of the second door 5B. Substantially, at the end of the opening of the first door 5A, all the carriages 10, 20, 10', 20' of the moving assembly are on the portion of the profile 6 facing the second door 5B. It is worth noting that the technique described above allows to contain the size of the carriages and thus of the moving mechanisms. With reference to Figure 1 1 , it is worth noting in particular that during the most critical step of moving, i.e. that from the closing position to the exiting position, each of the doors 5A, 5B is always supported in two points (indicated by A and B in Figure 1 1 ) opposite with respect to a symmetry plane 403 of the door and each one very near a corresponding vertical edge 55A,55B of the door itself. Such supporting points A-B allow to obtain a balanced movement while allowing to contain the forces required by the moving mechanisms, and thus the size of the mechanisms themselves.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, the operating element of the mechanism is operatively connected to the second arm 12 by means of a mechanical transmission 190. In practice, such a transmission has the function of determining a movement (translation or rotation) of the operating element as a function of the angular position occupied by the second arm 12. According to the principles explained above, as a function of the angular position of the second arm 12, the operating element 88 interacts with a stop 99, 99A arranged fixed to the guide profile 6 or not.

Figures from 15 to 18 show an alternative embodiment of a carriage (indicated by reference 10A) of a moving assembly according to the invention, wherein a mechanical transmission 90 (shown in Figures 19 and 20) is provided between the second arm 12 and the operating element (indicated by reference 88) in the respective mechanism (indicated by reference 3A). In figures from 15 to 18, the same reference numbers are used to indicate the parts of the carriage 10A in common with the carriages 10, 20 described above.

The operating element 88 is rotatable about a rotation axis 105 substantially parallel to the rotation axis 102 of the second arm 12. The operating element 88 is supported by the body 1 10A of the carriage 10A and has a disc shape defining a lower surface 87 facing the guide profile 6. A wheel element 89, which interacts with a stop (indicated by reference 99 and by reference 99A in two possible variants described below) emerges from such a lower surface 87.

Preferably, the mechanical transmission 190 between the second arm 12 and the operating element 88 comprises a first toothed wheel 92A, coaxial to the rotation axis 102 and integral with the second arm 12. Said first toothed wheel 92A meshes with a second toothed wheel 92B integral with the operating element 88 on an upper surface 87B, preferably opposite to the lower surface 87. Preferably, the second toothed wheel 92B rotates coaxially with the rotation axis 105.

The mechanical transmission 190 is clearly visible in the perspective views of the Figures 19 and 20. In such views, the two arms 1 1 , 12 of the mechanism 3A are shown in a condition corresponding to that in Figure 17 and in a condition corresponding to that of Figure 15, respectively. In order to make the mechanical transmission 190 more visible, the body of the carriage 10A is not shown in Figures 19 and 20.

In the passage from the condition shown in Figure 20 (closed door) to the condition in figure 19 (exited door), the second arm 12 rotates in a first direction (arrow W1 ) about its rotation axis 102. By effect of the transmission 90, the operating element 88 rotates in opposite direction (arrow W2, determining a corresponding rotation of the wheel element 89. So, as a whole, the wheel element 89 occupies the first angular position corresponding to the closed door condition and a second angular position corresponding to the exited door condition.

According to the present invention, in the closed door condition, the operating element 88 interacts with a stop 99, 99A, locking the longitudinal movement of the corresponding door in the opening direction 201 . Preferably, in order to interact with the wheel element 89, the stop 99, 99A comprises a housing 199A provided with a curved portion 199B which remains constrained to the wheel element 89 when it occupies the first angular position. Such a curved portion 199B prevents the wheel element 89 from sliding along the longitudinal direction 200. This results in the longitudinal locking of the carriage 10A to which the operating element 88 is operatively connected.

Following the rotation from the first angular position towards the second angular position, the wheel element 89 is gradually disengaged from the curved portion 199B, finally allowing the longitudinal sliding of the carriage 10A when the second angular position is reached. Figure 21 shows a possible embodiment of the indicated stop 99 provided with a housing 199A in form of "guide" having a curved portion 199B according to that described above. In the case at issue, the stop 99 is defined by a plate-shaped element which can be connected either to the profile 6 or directly to the piece of furniture 2. The housing 199A, or guide 199A, is defined by a groove obtained on such a plate-shaped body.

Figures 22 and 23 allow to observe the principle according to which the operating element 88, in the embodiment in Figures 19 and 20, interacts with the stop 99 shown in Figure 21 . Figures 22 and 23 show the carriage 10A from an observation point substantially on the piece of furniture. Profile 6 is not shown for the sake of clarity.

In the closed door condition (Figure 22), the wheel element 89 is engaged in the curved portion 199B. Therefore, the carriage 10A cannot move along the longitudinal direction 200. Following the movement of the door 5A towards the exiting position and by effect of the mechanical transmission 90 provided between the second arm 12 and the operating element 88, the latter rotates about its axis 105 determining a corresponding movement of the wheel element 89 along the curved portion 199B of the guide 199A of the stop 99. Having reached the exited door condition (Figure 23), the wheel element 89 is released from the curved portion 199B and becomes sliding along a longitudinal guide (dashed line and indicated by G1 ) defined along the profile 6. So, the carriage 10A becomes free to move along the longitudinal direction 200.

Figures 24 and 25 show another possible embodiment of a stop (indicated by reference on 99A) which comprises a plate-shaped body, which defines a housing 199A, in which a rotating plate 199C housing, susceptible of achieving a first operating position and a second operating position, is accommodated. In the first operating position, the rotating plate 199C defines, with the housing 199A, the curved portion 199B, in which the wheel element 89 remains constrained when the operating element 88 achieves the first angular position. Such a condition is shown in figure 24.

Following the rotation of the operating element 88 (by effect of the movement of the second arm 12 of the mechanism), the wheel element 89 rotates the rotating plate 199C until it reaches the second operating position when the operating element 88 occupies the second angular position characteristic of the exited door position. When this condition is reached (Figure 25), the wheel element 89 is free to slide along a longitudinal guide defined by the profile 6 and indicated by reference G2. In this manner, the carriage 10A become longitudinally sliding in a predetermined direction 201 . Preferably, the rotating plate 199C comprises a locking end 171 which prevents the sliding in the opposite direction when said rotating plate 199C is in the second operating position (Figure 25).

With reference to Figure 24, when the operating element 88 is in the first angular position, its rotation axis is aligned and coaxial with the rotation axis of the rotating plate 199C. The housing 199A has an inner profile, preferably concentric to the rotation axis of the rotating plate 199C. Again preferably, the rotating plate 199C comprises a portion 198 which protrudes from the housing 199B when the rotating plate occupies the first operating position. Preferably, such a portion 198 is configured so as to return into the housing 199B following the rotation of the rotating plate 199C.

The configuration of the carriage 10A, the mechanism 3A and the stop elements 99,99A described above are an alternative to the solutions described to comment Figures from 1 to 14. So, the carriage 10A and the mechanism 3A can be engaged to move a movable door coplanar to a fixed door (diagram shown in Figure 1 ) or to another movable one (diagram shown in figures 13 and 14). In actual fact, the carriage 10A and the mechanism 3A allow to achieve the same advantages and the same technical effects which can obtained by means of the other carriages 10,20 described above.

Figures from 26 to 46 relate to a third embodiment of a moving assembly according to the present invention, which can also be used to move two coplanar doors 5A,5B of a piece of furniture (indicated by 4B). In particular, this third embodiment differs from the second one described above (Figures from 1 1 to 14) in that the movement of the two doors 5A, 5B between the opening position and the closing position is implemented as a whole using three support carriages (indicated by references 20, 20', 30) instead of four carriages. More precisely, in this third embodiment, a first side support carriage 20 of the first door 5A and a second side support carriage 20' of the second door 5B are provided. In the third embodiment in Figures from 26 to 46, each carriage 20, 20' structurally and functionally corresponds to the carriages 10, 10', 20, 20' and may be in the variants described to comment Figures from 1 to 15. However, the carriages 20, 20' could also be made according to the embodiment described above to comment Figures from 15 to 25.

Unlike the other embodiments, in this case, the moving assembly however comprises a central support carriage (indicated by reference 30 in Figures from 26 to 35 and by 30A in Figures from 36 to 46) operatively connected to both doors 5A, 5B. The central carriage 30, 30A slides along the profile 6 and comprises a body 33, which supports a first mechanism 3A and a second mechanism 3B for moving the corresponding door 5A, 5B.

In the embodiment shown in Figures from 26 to 35, the two mechanisms 3A, 3B of the central carriage 30 constructively and functionally correspond to the moving mechanism 3,3' of the carriages 10,10',20,20' described to comment the corresponding Figures from 1 to 15. Instead, in the embodiment shown in Figures from 36 to 46, the two mechanism 3A and 3B constructively and functionally correspond to the moving mechanism 3 of the carriage 10A described to comment Figures from 15 to 25. In all cases, the mechanisms 3A, 3B of the central carriage 30,30A are operatively connected to the corresponding door 5A, 5B according to the same principle described above for the mechanism 3 of the innermost carriages 10,10' provided in the second described embodiment (Figures from 1 1 to 14). Such principles also apply to the mechanism 3 of the carriage 10A described to comment Figures from 15 to 25. In this regard, independently from the configuration of the mechanism of the central carriage 30, 30A, also in this third embodiment, for each door 5A, 5B, a guide 31 ,32 is provided on which a corresponding slide 41 ,42 slides (see for example Figures 28 and 29). From the simple visual comparison of Figure 28 and Figure 14, it is apparent that the central carriage 30 functionally reproduces the two innermost carriages 10, 10' of the second described embodiment (Figures from 12 to 14). Figures from 30 to 33 are perspective views of a first embodiment of the central carriage 30, while figures from 36 to 39 are perspective views of a second embodiment of the central carriage, indicated by reference 30A.

The two embodiments mainly differ for the different manner with which the corresponding operating element 88 adapted to interact with the corresponding stop is moved in the two mechanisms 3A, 3B. More precisely, two operating elements 8A,8B each integral with the second arm 12A,12B of a corresponding mechanism 3A,3B are provided in the central carriage 30 (figures from 30 to 33). Instead, a single operating element 88 is provided (Figures from 36 to 39) in the carriage 30, operatively connected to the second arm 12A,12B of each mechanism 3A,3B by means of a mechanical transmission 190.

Some considerations referred to the central carriage 30 shown in Figures from 26 to 35 are provided below. These considerations also apply to the carriage 30A (Figures from 36 to 46).

The sliding of the carriage 30 along the profile 6 is made possible by a plurality of wheels 17A,17B,17C, the arrangement of which preferably corresponds to that of the wheels 7,7B,7C of the carriage 10 shown in figures from 4 to 8 described above. Reference it therefore made to the above description in this regard.

The aforesaid figure 28 refers to a closed condition of coplanar doors 5A, 5B. A corresponding first arm 1 1 A, 1 1 B, a corresponding cam 16A, 16B and a corresponding second arm 12A, 12B connected to the first arm 1 1 A,1 1 B and rotating about a rotation axis 101 A, 101 B is provided for each mechanism 3A, 3B of the central carriage 30. In the condition in Figure 28, the two mechanisms 3A and 3B of the central carriage 30 have a configuration which appears specular with respect to a reference plane 400 substantially orthogonal to the sliding direction 200 and to the closing plane 401 .

The first mechanism 3A of the central carriage 30 cooperates with the mechanism 3' of the first side carriage 20 to move the first door 5A from the closing position (condition in Figure 28) to the exiting position (condition in Figure 29). Similarly, the second mechanism 3B cooperates with the mechanism 3" of the second side carriage 20' to move the second door to move the second door 5B in the same way. For each door 5A, 5B, the mechanisms 3A-3',3B-3' are equivalent and implement a movement identical to that achieved in the embodiments described above.

With reference to the embodiment shown in Figures from 26 to 33, each of the mechanisms 3A, 3B of the central carriage 30 comprises a corresponding operating element 8A,8B connected to a corresponding second arm 12A,12B and configured to interact with a stop (indicated by reference 19) fixed to the piece of furniture 2. According to the present invention, the central carriage 30 remains longitudinally locked until one of the two mechanisms 3A, 3B is in the configuration corresponding to the condition of exited door 5A, 5B. Having reached such a configuration, the engagement of the corresponding operating element 8A, 8B against the stop 19 ceases and thus the central carriage 30 is free to move in the opening direction of the corresponding door 5A, 5B.

Again with reference to the embodiment shown in Figures from 26 to 33, in the mechanisms 3A, 3B of the central carriage 30, the operating elements 8A, 8B emerge under the body 33 of the carriage itself by means of corresponding slots 81 A,81 B, in manner similar to that described for the operating element 8 described to comment Figure 9. Similarly, the stop 19 also has a configuration equivalent to that of the stop 9 described when commenting Figure 8.

With reference to that shown above, figures 34 and 35 allow to observe the interaction of the operating elements 8A, 8B of the mechanisms 3A,3B of the central carriage 30 with the stop 19 in the two reference positions (closed doors, first door 5A exited). In the closing condition (Figure 31 ), the operating element 8A of the first mechanism 3A engages against a first rounded end 19A of the stop 9'. Similarly, the operating element 8B of the second mechanism 3B engages against a second end 19B opposite to the first end 19A. Therefore, the central carriage 30 cannot slide longitudinally along the profile 6 in any direction (201 or 202).

The first door 5A exited condition is reached by effect of an external force acting on the door itself and by effect of the movement actuated by the mechanisms 3A and 3' of the two carriages 20,30 which cooperate as described above. In the exiting condition (Figure 35), the operating element 8A of the first mechanism 3A is fully disengaged from the first end 19A of the stop 19. Therefore, the central carriage 30 is free to slide along the profile 6 in the opening direction 201 of the first door 5A. At the end of such a sliding, the first door 5A can reach the opening position shown in Figure 27.

It is worth noting that in the condition of Figure 35, the second operating element 8B occupies a position with respect to the stop 19 which does not prevent the sliding in direction 201 . Instead, the same operating element 8B of the second mechanism 3B keeps an engaging position against the second end 19B of the stop 19, preventing the longitudinal translation of the carriage 30, beyond the position of the stop 19, in the opening direction 202 of the second door 5B.

Furthermore, it is worth noting that in the condition shown in Figures 29 and 35, the longitudinal sliding of the central carriage 30 is allowed by effect of the connection of the first arm 1 1 B of the second mechanism 3B with the second slide 42 sliding along the second guide 32 integral with the second door 5B and by effect of the connection of the first arm 1 1 A of the first mechanism 3A with the first slide 41 sliding along the first guide 31 integral with the first door 5A.

More precisely, during the longitudinal sliding of the first door 5A from the exiting position to the opening position, the second door 5B remains station, while the slide 42 slides along the second guide 32 pushed precisely by the second mechanism 3B of the central carriage 30. Such a second slide 42 indeed allows a relative motion of the central carriage 30 with respect to the second door 5B. At the same time, the first slide 41 allows a relative motion of the central carriage 30 with respect to the first door 5A and thus also with respect to the first side carriage 20'. Substantially, during the longitudinal sliding of the first door 5A, the first slide 41 allows a variation of the distance between the two carriages 20, 30 of the door itself.

As a whole, when the first door 5A reaches the opening position (in Figure 27), the central carriage 30 occupies a longitudinal position adjacent to the second side carriage 20' of the second door 5B. At the same time, the distance between the carriages 20, 30 of the first door 5A is lower than the distance between the same evaluated in the closing position (Figure 26).

Similar conditions to those shown above may be provided for the opening movement of the second door 5B. In this regard, figures 32 and 33 are perspective views, from different observation points, of the central carriage 30 and show the configuration of the two mechanisms 3A,3B in the exited second door 5B condition. By comparing Figures 32 and 30, it can be observed that with respect to what occurs in the exited first door 5A condition, in the exited second door 5B condition, the position of the operating elements 8A, 8B is such that the central carriage 30 can translate in the opening direction 202 of the second door 5B, but cannot translate in the opening direction 201 of the first door 5B, beyond the longitudinal position defined by the stop 19. At the end of the longitudinal sliding of the second door 5B, by effect of the technical solutions described above, the carriages 20, 20', 30 of the moving assembly will take a specular longitudinal position, with respect to the reference plane 400 described above, to that shown in Figure 27 with reference to the first door 5A.

With reference to the embodiment shown in Figures from 36 to 46, for the central carriage 30A an operating element 88 is provided, operatively connected to the second arm 12A, 12B of each of the mechanisms 3A,3B by means of a mechanical transmission 190. The operating element 88 is supported by the body of the carriage 30A and has a shape similar to that described to comment Figures from 15 to 23. Specifically, the operating element 88 has a disc shape and rotates about a rotation axis 105. Two wheel elements 89 emerge from the lower surface 87 of the operating element, each of which is adapted to interface with a stop 99A installed on the profile which preferably has the shape described above to comment Figures 24 and 25.

Figures 40 and 41 show a preferred embodiment of the mechanical transmission 190 provided in the central carriage 30A. Such a transmission includes a first pair of side toothed wheels 94A, 94B, each of which is coaxial with the rotation axis 102A, 102B of the second arm 12A,12B of a corresponding of two mechanisms 3A,3B of the central carriage 30A. The transmission 190 also comprises a central wheel 95 integral with the operating element 89 and preferably coaxial with the rotation axis 105 of the element itself. Such a central wheel 95 is operatively located between the two side toothed wheels 94A, 94B and has a toothed portion 95A and a non-toothed portion 95B. Said central wheel 95 is also preferably coaxial to the rotation axis 105 of the rotating element 88. In the closed door condition (Figure 40) each of the side wheels 94A, 94B meshes with the toothed portion 94A of the central wheel 95. In the passage from the closed door condition to the exited door condition (Figure 41 ), the second arm 12B of the second mechanism 3B rotates in a direction (indicated by W1 ) about its rotation axis 102B determining the rotation of the corresponding side wheel 94B. The latter remains meshed with the wheel portion 95A of the central wheel 95, which rotates in an opposite direction (W2). Following such a rotation, by effect of its non-toothed position 95B, the central wheel 95 disengaged from the side wheel 94B integral with the second wheel 12A of the first mechanism 3A, which thus keeps the configuration corresponding to the closed door condition.

The rotation of the toothed wheel 95B results in the rotation of the operating element 88 about its rotation axis 105 and the resulting rotation of the wheel elements 89 integral therewith. So, the operating element 88 rotates in either one direction or the other according to which of the mechanism 3A, 3B is activated, or rather which of the two doors is moved towards the exiting position. The operating element 88 is thus susceptible of occupying a first angular position characteristic of the closed and coplanar doors condition (Figure 40), a second angular position characteristic of the exited first door and closed second door and at least a third angular position characteristic of exited second door and closed first door.

Preferably, the operating element 88 interacts with a stop 99A having the shape shown in Figure from 40 to 42, described above to comment Figures 24 and 25, to which reference is made. The rotating plate 199C (susceptible of rotating about an axis which is preferably aligned with the rotation axis 105 of the operating element 88 when it is in the first angular position defined above) is pivoted in the housing 199A defined by the plate-shaped body of the stop 99. In such a condition, the rotating plate 199C occupies a first reference position so to define, together with the housing 199AB, two curved portions 199B in each of which one of the wheel elements 89 is constrained (in Figure 40) integral with the operating element 88. Following the rotation of the operating element 88 between the first angular position and the second angular position, the wheel elements 89 move along the curved portions 199B thus determining the rotation of the rotating plate 199C in a first direction R1 . When the operating element 88 reaches the second angular position, the rotating plate 199C occupies a second reference position for which the rotating elements 89 occupy both a position external to the housing 199A and in particular slide in appropriate guides (indicated with G1 and G2 and dashed in Figure 43) defined along the profile 6. In this manner, the central carriage 30A slides along the longitudinal direction in order to complete the opening of the door according to principles described above.

The rotating plate 199C comprises two locking ends 171 opposite with respect to the rotation center of the plate itself. When the plate occupies the second reference position. The two locking ends 171 allow the wheel element 89 to slide in a single direction (indicated by V1 ) along the corresponding guides G1 and G2. Such locking ends 171 are an impediment to the sliding in the opposite direction (indicated by V2).

Figure 44 shows a third reference position reached by the plate 199B if the operating element rotates from the first angular position to the third angular position. Such a position appears specular to that shown in Figure 43. Also in this case, the locking ends 171 allow the wheel elements 89 to slide along the corresponding guides in a single direction (V1 ), thus preventing the sliding in the opposite direction (V2).

With reference to Figures 45 and 46, in a possible embodiment, the moving assembly according to the invention comprises the central carriage 30A, as shown in the embodiment shown in Figures from 34 to 39 and two side carriages 20' in the embodiment shown in Figures from 15 to 18. The operating element 88 installed on the central carriage interacts with the stop 99A described to comment Figures from 40 to 41 , while the operating element of the mechanism of the side carriage 20' interfaces with a stop 99 having the configuration shown in Figures from 21 to 23.

In the closed door condition (Figure 45), the wheel elements 89 of the corresponding operating elements 88 are constrained in corresponding curved portions 199B of the housing 199A defined in the corresponding stops 99,99A. In the passage towards the closed door condition (Figure 46), the second arm 12B of the second mechanism 3B of the central carriage 30A rotates, whereby activating the mechanical transmission by effect of which the operating element 88 rotates about its rotation axis 105. At the same time, the second arm 12' of the mechanism 3' of the side carriage 20' determines the rotation of the corresponding operating element 88. Having reached the exited door condition (door shown by 5B), the wheel elements 89 are released from the corresponding stop 99,99A. So the central carriage 30 and the side carriage 20' can slide in the longitudinal direction of in the opening direction 201 .

The present invention thus also relates to a piece of furniture comprising a moving assembly as described above. In particular, the piece of furniture according to the invention may comprise a single movable door between an opening and a closing position. Alternatively, the piece of furniture may comprise two coplanar doors in closed position and move them to an opening position by means of a moving assembly according to the present invention.

The described technical solutions allow to fully achieve the predetermined tasks and objects. In particular, the moving assembly according to the invention allows an effective movement of one or two doors of a piece of furniture by means of an extremely low number of components. In particular, the moving assembly does not require the installation of contoured guides on the piece of furniture to take a door from the closing position to the opening position. The moving assembly further makes a movement of the door in two steps in which the first exiting step of the door from the closing position may advantageously occur without any sliding in the longitudinal direction. The operating principle of the moving assembly allows a high reliability and longer duration than that of the moving mechanisms which are traditionally used.