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DESCRIPTION

[0001]. Field of the invention

[0002]. The present invention relates to a container cabinet provided with a roto-translatable door.

[0003]. In particular, the present invention relates to a container cabinet provided with a door movable from a closing position in which the door is arranged on a front part of the container cabinet to an opening position in which the door faces a side wall of the container cabinet.

[0004]. Background art

[0005]. In the context of container cabinets provided with doors roto-translating with respect to a containing structure, a particularly felt need lies in the creation of resistant, highly durable, compact, easy to make and aesthetically elegant door opening and closing mechanisms.

[0006]. A known solution, the Less piece of furniture, produced by the applicant itself, provides for the use of a mechanism with a cam path in which two pins, fixed to a plate for the connection to a door of the container cabinet, are guided. Such a solution allows the door to roto-translate from the closing position of a compartment of the box-like structure of the container cabinet to an opening position in which the door is arranged outside a side wall of the box-like structure of the container cabinet. Thereby, the door in the opening position does not obstruct the space in front of the opening of the compartment and therefore the peripheral space of the container cabinet may be used.

[0007]. However, on the one hand, such a mechanism may be particularly noisy due to the mechanical interaction of the pins with the walls of the cammed or cam path and, on the other hand, it may incur a misalignment between the upper mechanism and the lower mechanism.

[0008]. Document JP 2000160921 discloses a solution for opening a roto-translating door of an exhibitor, in which two connection levers are provided between a side wall of the container cabinet and the roto-translating door, in which the two levers are in a vertically offset position. Therefore, such a solution is particularly bulky and takes up space inside the compartment, consequently preventing the use thereof as a container.

[0009]. In this context, the need is therefore felt to create a container cabinet with a roto-translating door in which the door opening mechanism has a smooth and silent opening and closing movement.

[0010]. Furthermore, the need is felt to create a container cabinet with a roto-translating door in which the opening and closing mechanism is as unbulky as possible, while maintaining a high mechanical strength.

[0011]. Solution

[0012]. It is an object of the present invention to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art and to provide a solution to the need of providing a container cabinet as defined in the appended claims. [0013]. By virtue of a container cabinet according to claim 1, it is possible to meet the aforementioned needs, and in particular to obtain a container cabinet provided with a door opening and closing mechanism which is resistant and durable with respect to the prior art.

[0014]. Some advantageous embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0015]. Drawings

[0016]. Further features and advantages of the assembly according to the invention will become apparent from the description provided below of preferred embodiments thereof, given by way of indicative, non-limiting examples, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0017]. - Figure 1 shows a side axonometric view of a container cabinet according to the present invention with two doors in the closing position;

[0018]. - Figure 2 shows a side axonometric view of the container cabinet in Figure 1 in which the doors are in a maximum opening position;

[0019]. - Figure 3 shows a rear side axonometric view of a portion of the container cabinet in Figure 1 in which a door is in an intermediate position between the closing position and the maximum opening position and in which some parts of the container cabinet have been removed to show others;

[0020]. - Figures 4, 5 and 6 show a plan view of a part of the container cabinet in Figure 1 showing the movement of a door and the kinematic mechanism which connects the door to the containing structure from the closing position to the maximum opening position passing through an intermediate position;

[0021]. - Figure 7 shows the same view in Figure 4 in which some components have been omitted to show others;

[0022]. - Figure 8 shows the same view in Figure 6 in which some components have been omitted to show others;

[0023]. - Figure 9 shows an exploded view of the components of the kinematic mechanism configured to move the door of the container cabinet according to the present invention.

[0024]. Description of some preferred embodiments

[0025]. In accordance with a general embodiment, a container cabinet is indicated by reference numeral 1.

[0026]. Said container cabinet 1 comprises a containing structure 2 and a door 6 connected to the containing structure 2 by means of a kinematic mechanism 8.

[0027]. Said containing structure 2 comprises a front part 3, an upper panel 4 and a side shoulder 5.

[0028]. Said kinematic mechanism 8 is configured to support and guide said door 6 from a door closing position to a door complete opening position.

[0029]. In said door closing position, said door 6 faces said front part 3, and in said door complete opening position, said door 6 faces said side shoulder 5 outside said containing structure 2. [0030]. Said shoulder 5 comprises a shoulder outer front side corner 7. [0031]. Said kinematic mechanism 8 comprises at least one translational guide 9 and at least one runner 10 connected to said translational guide 9, a connecting rod 11 and a crank 12.

[0032]. Said translational guide 9 is constrained to said upper panel 4 and said runner 10 is translatable on said translational guide 9.

[0033]. Said connecting rod 11 has a first connecting rod end 13 and a second connecting rod end 14.

[0034]. Said crank 12 has a first crank end 15 and a second crank end 16.

[0035]. The second connecting rod end 14 is constrained to the door 6 in a fixed manner and the first connecting rod end 13 is rotatably connected to the runner 10 so that the connecting rod 11 rotates about a connecting rod vertical rotation axis A1. The connecting rod vertical rotation axis A1 is fixed with respect to the runner 10 and is movable with respect to said containing structure 2. In other words, the connecting rod vertical rotation axis A1 translates integrally with the runner.

[0036]. The first crank end 15 is hinged to the upper panel 4 so that the crank 12 rotates about a crank vertical rotation axis A2. The crank vertical rotation axis A2 is fixed with respect to the containing structure 2.

[0037]. The second crank end 16 is hinged to said connecting rod 11 in a connecting rod position positioned between the first connecting rod end 13 and the second connecting rod end 14. [0038] . When the crank 12 rotates with respect to the crank vertical axis A2, the door 6 roto-translates with respect to the containing structure 2 without interfering with the shoulder outer front side corner 7.

[0039] . Within the present disclosure, the terms front, rear, side, upper and lower refer to an observer placed in front of the containing structure 2. Likewise, the terms inner and outer refer to the containing structure 2.

[0040] . In accordance with an embodiment, the crank vertical rotation axis A2 is at a distance from the side shoulder 5 which is less with respect to the distance between the connecting rod vertical rotation axis A1 and the side shoulder 5.

[0041] . In accordance with an embodiment, the crank vertical rotation axis A2 is at a distance from the front part 3 which is less with respect to the distance between the connecting rod vertical axis A1 and the front part 3.

[0042] . In accordance with an embodiment, the crank 12 is configured to rotate about the crank vertical rotation axis A2 by a predefined crank rotation angle.

[0043] . In accordance with an embodiment, the connecting rod 11 is configured to rotate about the connecting rod vertical rotation axis A2 by a predefined connecting rod rotation angle.

[0044] . In accordance with an embodiment, the predefined connecting rod rotation angle is equal to half the predefined crank rotation angle. [0045]. In accordance with an embodiment, the connecting rod 11 is configured to translate for a first section in one direction, moving said door 6 away from the front part 3 while the door rotates about the shoulder outer front side corner 7, and for a second section in the opposite direction, bringing the door 6 closer to the side shoulder 5 outside the containing structure 2.

[0046]. In accordance with an embodiment, the crank 12 rotates by 180° when the door 6 passes from the position to the maximum opening position and vice versa.

[0047]. In accordance with an embodiment, the connecting rod 11 rotates by 90° when the door 6 passes from the closing position to the maximum opening position and vice versa.

[0048]. In accordance with an embodiment, the door 6, in said door complete opening position, is rotated by 90° with respect to the position of said door 6 when it is in the door closing position. [0049]. In accordance with an embodiment, said door 6 has a door inner side 41 and said side shoulder 4 comprises a side shoulder outer side 42.

[0050]. In accordance with an embodiment, in said door closing position, said door 6 has said door inner side 41 facing said front part 3, and in said door complete opening position, said door 6 has said door inner side 41 facing said side shoulder outer side 42. [0051]. In accordance with an embodiment, said door 6 comprises a door upper edge, a first door side edge and a second door side edge.

[0052]. In accordance with an embodiment, said second connecting rod end 14 is fixed to said door upper edge by means of fixing elements, for example, screws.

[0053]. In accordance with an embodiment, when said door 6 is in said closing position, said first door side edge and said side shoulder outer side 42 are coplanar.

[0054]. In accordance with an embodiment, when the door 6 passes from said door closing position to said door opening position, each runner 10, 18 translates for a first section in one direction and for a second section in the opposite direction, and vice versa.

[0055]. In accordance with an embodiment, the translational guide 9 is inclined with respect to a plane defined by the side shoulder 5.

[0056]. In accordance with an embodiment, the translational guide 9 comprises a front guide end 19 and a rear guide end 20. The front guide end 19 is at a distance from the side shoulder 5 which is less than the distance between the rear guide end 19 and side shoulder 5. [0057]. In accordance with an embodiment, the translational guide extends along a guiding direction g—g.

[0058]. In accordance with an embodiment, the guiding direction g- g is straight.

[0059]. In accordance with an embodiment, the kinematic mechanism 8 comprises a second translational guide 17 and a second runner 18. The second translational guide 17 is similar and parallel to said translational guide 9 and said second runner 18 is similar to said runner 10. The second connecting rod end 13 is also connected to said runner 10.

[0060]. In accordance with an embodiment, the side shoulder 5 comprises a side shoulder front edge 25.

[0061]. In accordance with an embodiment, the upper panel 4 comprises an upper panel front edge 40.

[0062]. In accordance with an embodiment, said side shoulder front edge 25 and said upper panel front edge 40 are coplanar.

[0063]. In accordance with an embodiment, said front part 3 comprises said side shoulder front edge 25 and said upper panel front edge 40.

[0064]. In accordance with an embodiment, said front part 3 forms an abutment surface, in which, in said door closing position, said door 6 abuts against said front part 3.

[0065]. In accordance with an embodiment, the connecting rod 11 comprises at least one connecting rod body 26 which extends between the first connecting rod end 13 and the second connecting rod end 14.

[0066]. In accordance with an embodiment, the connecting rod body 26 comprises a connecting rod body abutment surface 27 configured to abut against the side shoulder front edge 25. In particular, when the door 6 is in the door complete opening position, the connecting rod body abutment surface 27 abuts against the side shoulder front edge 25.

[0067]. In accordance with an embodiment, the connecting rod 6 comprises at least one connecting rod U-shaped portion 28. In particular, when the door 6 is in the door complete opening position, the connecting rod U-shaped portion 28 surrounds a front part of said side shoulder 5.

[0068]. In accordance with an embodiment, the connecting rod U- shaped portion 28 comprises said connecting rod body abutment surface 27 so that, when the door 6 is in the door complete opening position, the connecting rod body abutment surface 27 abuts against the side shoulder front edge 25.

[0069]. In accordance with an embodiment, the connecting rod 11 is a shaped metal plate.

[0070]. In accordance with an embodiment, the kinematic mechanism 8 comprises a rotational joint 21. The rotational joint 21 comprises a rotational joint fixed portion 22 and a rotational joint movable portion 23 rotatable about the connecting rod vertical rotation axis A1. The rotational joint fixed portion 22 is constrained to each runner 10, 18 and the rotational joint movable portion 23 is constrained to the connecting rod first end 13.

[0071]. In accordance with an embodiment, the rotational joint fixed portion 22 is a disc constrained to each runner 10, 18.

[0072]. In accordance with an embodiment, the rotational joint movable portion 23 is a fifth wheel fixed to said first connecting rod end 13.

[0073]. In accordance with an embodiment, the crank 12 comprises a crank body 29 which extends between the first crank end 15 and the second crank end 16. [0074]. In accordance with an embodiment, the first crank end 15 comprises a hole in which a crank pin 30 is positioned. The crank pin 31 is fixed to the upper panel 4.

[0075]. In accordance with an embodiment, the second crank end 16 is arranged on a raised plane with respect to the plane on which the first crank end 15 is arranged. Thereby, the crank 12, rotating about the crank vertical rotation axis, does not interfere with any additional mechanisms attached to the upper panel 4.

[0076]. In accordance with an embodiment, said crank 12 is a shaped metal bar.

[0077]. In accordance with an embodiment, the upper panel 4 comprises an upper panel perimeter 24.

[0078]. In accordance with an embodiment, when the door 8 passes from the door closing position to the door complete opening position and vice versa, the crank 12 is always arranged inside the upper panel perimeter 24. In other words, the crank 12 always rotates inside the upper panel perimeter 24, without interfering with the containing structure 2, as well as without frontally or laterally protruding with respect to the upper panel 4.

[0079]. In accordance with an embodiment, the container cabinet 1 comprises a lower panel 31.

[0080]. In accordance with an embodiment, the container cabinet 1 comprises a second kinematic mechanism 32 similar to said kinematic mechanism 8 connected to the lower panel 31.

[0081]. In accordance with an embodiment, the container cabinet 1 comprises a vertical synchronization bar 33 having a first bar end 34 and a second bar end 35. The first bar end 34 is in mechanical connection with the kinematic mechanism 8 and the second bar end 35 is in mechanical connection with the second kinematic mechanism 32. The vertical synchronization bar 33 is configured to synchronize the movement of said door 6 with respect to said containing structure 2 in the vertical direction.

[0082]. In accordance with an embodiment, the first bar end 34 comprises a first bar gear wheel 36 and said second bar end 35 comprises a second bar gear wheel 37. The first crank end comprises a crank gear wheel 38.

[0083]. In accordance with an embodiment, the kinematic mechanism 8 comprises a gear element 39 which connects the crank gear wheel 38 and the first bar gear wheel 36.

[0084]. In accordance with an embodiment, said gear element 39 is a transmission belt.

[0085]. In accordance with an embodiment, said gear element 39 is a transmission gear ring rotatably constrained to the upper panel 4. [0086]. In accordance with an embodiment, the containing structure 2 comprises a second shoulder 44.

[0087]. In accordance with an embodiment, the container cabinet 1 comprises a second door 43 connected to the containing structure 2 by means of kinematic mechanisms 8, 32 as described above, in particular, by means of a corresponding kinematic mechanism connected to the upper panel and a corresponding kinematic mechanism connected to the lower panel.

[0088]. In accordance with an embodiment, the container cabinet 1 comprises a right door and a left door which, in the closing position, are coplanar and flush, and, in the maximum opening position, face each the respective right 5 and left side shoulder 44.

[0089]. In accordance with an embodiment, the container cabinet 1 comprises a front door and a rear door, in which, in the door closing position, the front door is arranged on the front part of the containing structure 2 and the rear door is arranged on the back of the containing structure 2, and in which, in the door complete opening position, the front door faces a side shoulder 5 and the rear door faces the other side shoulder 44.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

1 Container cabinet

2 containing structure

3 front part

4 upper panel

5 side shoulder

6 door

7 shoulder outer front side corner

8 kinematic mechanism

9 translational guide

10 runner

11 connecting rod

12 crank

13 first connecting rod end

14 second connecting rod end

15 first crank end

16 second crank end

17 second translational guide

18 second runner

19 front guide end

20 rear guide end

21 rotational joint

22 rotational joint fixed portion

23 rotational joint movable portion

24 upper panel perimeter

25 side shoulder front edge

26 connecting rod body

27 connecting rod body abutment surface

28 connecting rod U-shaped portion

29 crank body

30 crank pin

31 lower panel

32 second kinematic mechanism 33 vertical synchronization bar

34 first bar end

35 second bar end

36 first bar gear wheel

37 second bar gear wheel

38 crank gear wheel

39 transmission gear element

40 upper panel front edge

41 door inner side

42 side shoulder outer side

43 second door

44 second shoulder

A1 connecting rod vertical rotation axis

A2 crank vertical rotation axis g-g guiding direction