FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention falls within the scope of the production of mechanisms intended for the door and window industry and/or the furniture industry. In particular, the present invention relates to a mechanism for guiding and moving a sliding door or more in general a dividing element movable along a predetermined direction of movement. The present invention also relates to a door assembly comprising a mechanism according to the invention.

STATE OF THE ART

Within the door and window and/or furniture industry, the use of sliding doors, supported by a supporting frame, movable between two reference positions along a direction of movement, is widely known. In a first of these positions, the door is housed inside a housing space defined by the supporting frame, while in the other reference position, the door is partially or totally extracted from the housing space.

A door of this type is commonly indicated also with the term“retractable” as in the cited first reference position it“retracts” inside the frame. When the door is used as a door or window, in the extracted position it can divide two rooms and/or two spaces. Instead, in the case of furniture, in the extracted position the door can close a compartment of a furniture, optionally after having been tilted on a plane orthogonal to the plane of movement.

Various mechanisms have been developed over the years to define the direction of movement of the retractable door and to guide it during this movement. The patent US 5121976 and the patent application EP 3029248 describe two mechanisms of known type that provide for a supporting profile integral with the door and sliding along two moving guides, one lower and one upper, defining the direction of movement. The guides are connected to a wall of a supporting frame, while the supporting profile is slidingly coupled to the guides to slide, together with the door, along the direction of movement. The mechanisms at issue also comprise an assembly of “scissor” levers that includes a pair of levers pivoted in proximity of their central point so as to obtain an X. This assembly of levers has the function of supporting the door when it takes the extracted position, i.e., when it is substantially “ cantilevered” with with respect to the supporting frame.

A first lever has a first end connected rotatingly to a fixed point of the wall of the supporting frame, while the second end (opposite the first) is coupled to the supporting profile integral with the door so as to preserve two degrees of freedom with respect to this profile: a possible rotation about an axis perpendicular to the plane of movement of the door and a translation along the supporting profile, i.e., along a direction orthogonal to the direction of movement. A second lever instead has a first end rotatingly connected to the supporting profile and a second end connected to the supporting frame so as to preserve two degrees of freedom with respect to the frame: a possible rotation about an axis perpendicular to the plane of movement of the door and a translation along said direction orthogonal to the direction of movement.

For each of the levers, the two degrees of freedom granted to one of the two ends are obtained by pivoting the end to a block sliding along a rectilinear guide attached to (or defined by) the supporting profile (in the case of the first lever) and to the supporting frame (in the case of the second lever).

When the door is in retracted position, the supporting profile of the door is substantially adjacent to the connection points in which the ends of the two levers are connected to the supporting frame. When the door is moved toward the extracted position, the supporting profile (integral with this door) is moved away from said connection points and the two levers start to rotate mutually until the door reaches the extracted position. In this condition, maximum opening of the“scissor” (i.e., of the X) is obtained.

The mechanisms described above and many others conceptually similar, have various problems, the first of which is the lack of fluidity with which the door slides in the direction of movement. In particular, in the initial step of the movement starting from the retracted position, the door is greatly affected by the direction with the drag force of the door is applied. If this direction is not parallel to the direction of movement, the movement is almost always intermittent or accompanied by jolts and vibrations.

Another drawback lies in the fact that the mechanisms described can only be used for moving doors of relatively limited sizes and weights. In fact, when the size of the door increases, both in height and in width, it is also necessary to increase the length and the strength of the levers of which the“scissor” assembly is composed. This aspect, among others, imposes the use of particularly sturdy, and hence particularly costly, connecting means and guiding means of the ends of the levers.

Yet another problem is encountered in the use of two sliding blocks, to each of which the end of one of the two levers is pivoted. As already indicated above, each block slides along rectilinear guides associated with or defined by corresponding supporting profiles. Coupling between block and guide represents a critical aspect both in terms of costs and of reliability. In fact, on the one hand precise design of the elements is required to allow the block to slide and on the other this sliding is always subject to wear.

In view of the above, the main aim of the present invention is to provide a mechanism for moving a retractable door that allows the aforementioned problems to be overcome. Within this aim, a first object is to provide a mechanism that allows a stable and fluid movement of the door in the direction of movement. Another aim of the present invention is to provide a mechanism that can be usefully applied regardless of the size and weight of the door to be moved. Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a mechanism that is reliable and easy to manufacture at competitive costs.

SUMMARY

Therefore, the present invention relates to a mechanism for moving a door, wherein said mechanism can be constrained to a supporting frame defining a housing space for the door. The mechanism is configured to move the door along a direction of movement between an internal (or retracted) position and a position extracted with respect to the housing space. In particular, according to the invention the mechanism comprises:

- guide means, connectable to the frame, which define the direction of movement;

- a first fixed supporting element and a second fixed supporting element rigidly connectable to the frame;

- a third supporting element connectable to the door and sliding along the direction of movement through said guide means.

According to the invention, the mechanism comprises a first articulated assembly that connects the first supporting element to the third supporting element and a second articulated assembly that connects the second supporting element to the third supporting element. Each of the articulated assemblies assumes at least a closed configuration whereby the third supporting element occupies a position proximal to a corresponding of said fixed supporting elements, and at least an open configuration whereby the third supporting element occupies a position distal from said corresponding fixed supporting element, wherein when said door occupies the internal position, the first articulated assembly assumes the closed configuration and the second articulated assembly assumes the open configuration, and wherein when the door occupies the extracted position, the first articulated assembly assumes the open configuration and the second articulated assembly assumes the closed configuration.

It has been seen that the use of two articulated assemblies advantageously stabilizes the movement of the door during the whole of its travel between the internal position and the extracted position. In fact, the two articulated assemblies act on opposite sides of the third supporting element whose position, considered along the direction of movement, is always between that of the two supporting elements fixed to the frame.

In accordance with a possible embodiment, the fixed supporting elements extend prevalently along a direction of reference substantially orthogonal to said first direction of movement. In accordance with a possible embodiment, at least one of said articulated assemblies comprises:

- a first pair of levers mutually pivoted at a first axis of mutual rotation and a second pair of levers mutually pivoted at a second axis of mutual rotation, wherein for each pair of levers, a first lever is pivoted to the third supporting element and a second lever is pivoted to a corresponding of said fixed supporting elements;

- a connecting bar that connects the first axis to the second axis so that the translation of one of said axes determines a corresponding translation of the other of said axes.

In accordance with a possible embodiment of said at least one of said articulated assemblies, for each pair of levers, said first lever is pivoted to the third supporting element at a height substantially corresponding to the height at which the second lever is pivoted to the corresponding of said fixed supporting elements.

Preferably, for at least one of said pairs of levers, the axis of mutual rotation is defined in proximity of one end of said levers.

In accordance with a possible embodiment of said at least one of said articulated assemblies, for each pair of levers, the length of the first lever is equivalent to the length of the second lever, and the levers of said first pair of levers have the same length of the levers of said second pair of levers, wherein the length of a lever is considered as the distance between the axis of mutual rotation and the axis wherein this lever is pivoted to the corresponding of said supporting elements.

In a possible embodiment, when said mechanism takes the open configuration, the distance of the third element from the corresponding supporting element is less than the sum of the lengths of the levers of the first pair of levers and less than the sum of the lengths of the levers of said second pair of levers, wherein the length of each lever is considered as the distance between the axis of mutual rotation and the point in which this lever is pivoted to the corresponding of said supporting elements.

The present invention also relates to a door assembly comprising a frame defining a housing space for a sliding door, characterized by comprising a mechanism for moving said door according to the invention.

In a possible embodiment of the door assembly, the mechanism is configured to move the door between said retracted position and the extracted position along a substantially horizontal direction or alternatively along a substantially vertical direction. In a possible embodiment of the door assembly, the mechanism comprises elastic means interposed between the frame and the door and configured so as to oppose the weight of said door.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Further features and advantages of the present invention will be more apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment thereof illustrated by way of non-limiting example with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figs. 1 and 2 are respectively a perspective view and a side view of a door assembly comprising a mechanism according to the present invention;

Figs. 2A and 2B are plan views of the door assembly of Figs. 1 and 2, respectively in a condition with the door retracted and the door extracted;

Figs. 3, 4 and 5 are views, from different observation points, of the mechanism of the door assembly of Figs. 1 and 2 in a first reference configuration corresponding to a condition with the door in the internal position;

Figs. 6, 7 and 8 are views, from different observation points, of the mechanism of the door assembly of Figs. 1 and 2 during a first step of moving said door between said internal position and said extracted position;

Figs. 9, 10 and 11 are views, from different observation points, of the mechanism of the door assembly of Figs. 1 and 2 in a second reference condition corresponding to a condition with the door in extracted position;

Fig. 12 is a partial view of components of a mechanism according to a possible embodiment of the invention;

Figs. 13 and 13A are two views of the detail XIII indicated in Fig. 12;

Figs. 14, 15 and 16 are detailed views of components of a further embodiment of a door assembly comprising a mechanism according to the present invention;

Figs. 17, 17A and 17B are views of another possible embodiment of a door assembly according to the present invention.

Figs. 18, 18A and 18B are views of a further possible embodiment of a door assembly according to the present invention.

In the aforesaid figures, the same reference numbers and letters identify the same elements or components.

DETAIFED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION With reference to the accompanying figures, the present invention relates to a mechanism 1 for moving a sliding door, wherein the term“door” is meant as a generic dividing element that can be used to divide two rooms or two spaces. In particular, the mechanism according to the invention is particularly suitable for producing a door assembly 5, 5A in which it can slide, with respect to a supporting frame, along a predetermined direction between an internal (or retracted) position, whereby the door remains inside the supporting frame, and an extracted position whereby the door is (totally or partially) extracted with respect to the supporting frame. In this regard, the door assembly can have a horizontal movement such as in the case of a“sliding door” usable in a home to temporarily divide two spaces. However, the door assembly could have a vertical movement, i.e., the door could move between a lowered position, in which it is inside the frame, and a raised position in which it is extracted from the frame to close a compartment of a cabinet or simply to provide a vertical surface that can be temporarily used for a display.

Figs. 1 and 2 show a possible, but not exclusive, embodiment of a door assembly 5 in which the door 2 occupies the retracted position inside the supporting frame 3. The term“frame” is meant as any supporting means provided with at least one“fixed” wall designed to support the mechanism. In the case illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, for example, the frame 3 preferably comprises a first fixed wall 3A and a second fixed wall 3B that extend on planes substantially parallel and spaced apart defining a housing space for the door 2 and for the mechanism 1. The frame 3 defines an output section 5B through which the door 2 can be extracted from or retracted into said housing space. Preferably, the walls 3A, 3B of the frame 3 extend on planes parallel to the plane of extension of the door 2 and hence parallel to the direction of movement 101. In the example shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the frame 3 is also provided with covering elements 3C, installed at opposite edges of the supporting walls 3 A, 3B, to provide said housing space with a lower and upper covering.

In a possible embodiment, one of the walls 3A, 3B of the frame 3 could be defined by a masonry surface, while the other by a panel made of wood or another material. Alternatively, both surfaces could be defined by wooden panels, which are then fixed to the frame 3.

Figs. 3 and 11 show a possible embodiment of a door assembly (indicated with 5) comprising a mechanism 1 according to the present invention. In particular, the door assembly 5 is configured to move the door 2 according to a substantially horizontal direction of movement. Therefore, the terms“lower” and“upper” referring to a component of the door assembly 5, of the door 2 or of the mechanism 1 are meant as considered with respect to a substantially vertical direction, parallel to the main plane on which the door 2 extends. With reference to the door 2, it is thus possible to identify an upper edge portion 2A, a lower edge portion 2B, an inner edge portion 2C and an outer edge portion 2D, wherein the term “inner” and “outer” are meant respectively as the edge portion facing and not facing the housing space. With reference to the mechanism 1, the term“innermost” or“outermost” used to indicate the position of different components or portions of the same component are meant respectively as a position farther from and closer to the output section 5B defined by the frame 3.

With reference to Figs. 3 to 11, the mechanism 1 comprises guide means 201, 202 of the door 2 that define the direction of movement 101 of the door 2. Preferably, first guide means 201 and second guide means 202 are provided, respectively in a position close to the upper edge portion 2 A and to the lower edge portion 2B. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the guide means 201, 202 are connected to a fixed part of the supporting frame 3, preferably the wall itself. Preferably, the first guide means 201 and the second guide means 202 comprise at least one rectilinear guide. Therefore, at least two rectilinear guides (one upper and one lower) are provided, mutually parallel and defining the direction of movement 101 of the door 2. These guides are preferably coplanar so as to define a plane of movement, (preferably vertical) for the door 2 parallel to the direction of movement 101.

In Figs. 3 and 4 (just as in Figs. 6, 7, 9 and 10) the fixed wall 3A, supporting the guide means 201, 202, is not illustrated purely to show the structure of the mechanism 1 and hence also the guide means 201, 202.

The mechanism 1 according to the invention comprises a first supporting element 21 and a second supporting element 22 adapted to be connected rigidly to the frame 3. Therefore, these supporting elements 21, 22 are“fixed” during movement of the door 2, as they are fixed permanently to the frame 3.

In the embodiment shown in the figures, the first supporting element 21 and the second supporting element 22 are connected to the wall 3A of the frame 3, i.e., to the same wall to which the guide means 201, 202 are also solidly connected.

The mechanism according to the invention further comprises a third supporting element 23 adapted to be rigidly connected to the door 2 to be moved. Preferably, but not exclusively, the third supporting element 23 is connected to the door 2 in proximity of the inner edge portion 2C of this door.

According to the invention, the third supporting element 23 (hereinafter also indicated as moving element 23) slides along the direction of movement 101 by means of the guide means 201,202. In practice, the third supporting element 23 is slidingly coupled to the rectilinear guides to be movable along the direction of movement 101 defined thereby. The third supporting element 23 occupies a position comprised between that of the first supporting element 21 and that of the second supporting element 22. This position is considered along the direction of movement 101 defined above.

Sliding of the third supporting element 23 results into sliding of the door 2 along the direction of movement 101 and vice versa. Preferably, the third supporting element 23 comprises an upper sliding element 231 and a lower sliding element 232 (for example in the form of rollers or wheels) installed in a position respectively close to a corresponding upper end 23A and to a lower end 23B of this profile. These sliding elements 231, 232 are guided along the direction of movement 101 by the corresponding guide means 201, 202.

Preferably, the two fixed elements 21, 22 and the moving element 23 are each defined by a rectilinear profile that identifies a direction of reference 102 substantially orthogonal to the direction of movement 101.

The mechanism according to the invention comprises a first articulated assembly 501 that connects the first supporting element 21 to the third supporting element 23, and a second articulated assembly 502 that connects the second supporting element 22 to the third supporting element 23.

According to the invention, each of said articulated assemblies 501, 502 assumes a closed configuration whereby the third supporting element 23 occupies a position proximal to the corresponding fixed supporting element 21 or 22 to which the articulated assembly is fixed. Each of said articulated assemblies 501, 502 assumes an open configuration whereby the third supporting element 23 occupies a position distal from the corresponding fixed supporting element 21 or 22 to which the articulated assembly 501,502 is connected.

In particular, according to the invention, when the door 2 occupies the retracted (or internal) position, the first articulated assembly 501 assumes the closed configuration and the second articulated assembly 502 assumes the open configuration, while when the door 2 occupies the extracted position, the first articulated assembly 501 assumes the open configuration and the second articulated assembly 502 assumes the closed configuration.

For the purposes of the present invention, the expression “proximal position” and the expression“distal position” are meant respectively as the closest position and the farthest position in which the third supporting element 23 can be placed with respect to the first supporting element 21 or with respect to the second supporting element 22, depending on the articulated assembly 501, 502 considered. The position of the supporting elements 21, 22, 23 is considered along the direction of movement 101. It has been seen that the use of two articulated assemblies 501,502 stabilizes the movement of the door 2 during its travel along the direction of movement 101 between the retracted position and the extracted position. In particular, the second articulated assembly 502 stabilizes the movement of the door 2 in the initial step of the movement toward the extracted position, while the first articulated mechanism 501 stabilizes the movement during the final step of this movement.

In accordance with a possible embodiment, the two articulated assemblies 501, 502 have the same structure, i.e., are formed by the same number of components connected in the same way to the corresponding supporting elements 21, 22, 23. In this regard, Figs. 3 to 11 show a possible, but not exclusive, preferred embodiment of the articulated assemblies 501, 502. In particular, in this preferred embodiment, the first articulated assembly 501 comprises a first pair of levers 31 A, 32A mutually pivoted at a first axis 301 of mutual rotation and a second pair of levers 41 A, 42A mutually pivoted at a second axis 302 of mutual rotation. For the purposes of the present invention, the expression“axis of mutual rotation” is meant as a component that connects the two levers of each pair allowing a relative movement thereof. In a preferred embodiment, shown in the figures, each of the two axes of mutual rotation 301, 302 is defined by a hinge bolt.

For each pair of levers, a first lever 31 A, 41 A is pivoted to the first supporting element 21, while a second lever 32A, 42A is pivoted to the third supporting element 23. In particular, for each pair of levers, the corresponding levers 31 A, 41 A or 32A 42A are connected to the corresponding supporting elements 21, 23 by means of hinge means 310, 410, 320, 420, preferably a hinge bolt, so as to rotate with respect to these supporting elements 21, 23 on a plane of movement that is parallel to the plane of movement of the door 2.

According to a preferred embodiment, for each pair of levers, the first lever 31 A, 41 A is pivoted to the first supporting element 21 at a height HI, H2 substantially corresponding to the height at which the second lever 32A, 42A is pivoted to the third supporting element 23. In Figs. 4 and 7, this height HI, H2 is considered along the vertical with respect to a horizontal plane of reference Po.

Preferably, the levers 31 A, 32A of the first pair of levers are pivoted to the corresponding supporting elements 21, 23 in an upper region of these elements. The levers 41 A, 42 A are instead pivoted to the corresponding supporting elements 21, 23 in a position close to the lower end 21B, 23B of these elements. Therefore, with respect to the condition shown in Figs. 3 to 11 (door vertical with horizontal movement) the first pair of levers 31 A, 32A and the second pair of levers 41 A, 42A can be considerate respectively an upper pair of levers and a lower pair of levers.

The first articulated assembly 501 further comprises a connecting bar 50 that rigidly connects the first axis 301 of mutual rotation to the second axis 302 of mutual rotation so that a movement of translation of the first axis of rotation 301 results into a corresponding movement of translation of the second axis 302, and vice versa. Advantageously, the connecting bar 50 synchronizes the movement of the first pair of levers 31 A, 32A with the movement of the second pair of levers 41 A, 42A. The use of the connecting bar 50 stabilizes the movement of the door 2 since the forces acting on the third supporting element 23 (element integral with the door 2) are uniformly distributed between the upper part and the lower part of this profile.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment, for at least one pair of levers (preferably for both), the axis of mutual rotation 301, 302 is defined in proximity of one end of said levers, opposite to the end pivoted to the corresponding profile (see for example Figs. 6 and 7).

In an embodiment visible in the figures, for at least one pair of levers (preferably for both) the length of said first lever 31 A, 41 A corresponds substantially to the length of said second lever 32A, 42A. Preferably, the levers of said first pair of levers 31 A, 32A have the same length as the corresponding levers of said second pair of levers 41A, 42A.“Length of a lever” is meant as the distance between the corresponding axis of mutual rotation and the axis by means of which the lever is pivoted to a corresponding profile.

With reference to Fig. 10, it can be observed that when said first articulated assembly 501 assumes the open configuration, for each pair of levers, the distance between the first supporting element 21 and the third supporting element 23 is less than the sum of the lengths of said levers. The distance between the supporting elements 21, 23 cited is considered along the direction of movement 101. Advantageously, the condition indicated above (distance/length ratio) in the open configuration prevents the levers from aligning, i.e. it prevents their blocking due to the change of configuration.

With reference in particular to Figs. 3 and 4, the second articulated assembly 502 has the same structure as the first articulated assembly 501. In particular, the second articulated assembly 502 also comprises a first pair of levers 3 IB, 32B, a second pair of levers 41B, 42B and a connecting bar 50B that connects the axis of mutual rotation 301B of the first pair of levers 31B, 32B with the axis of mutual rotation 302B of the second pair of levers 31B, 41B. With reference to the second articulated assembly 502, for each pair of levers 3 IB, 32B and 4 IB, 42B, a first lever 3 IB, 4 IB is pivoted to the third supporting element 23 integral with the door 2, while a second lever 32B, 42B is pivoted to the second supporting element 22 fixed to the frame 3. Also in this case, suitable hinge means 310B, 410B, 320B, 420B, preferably a hinge bolt, are provided to connect each lever 3 IB, 41B, 32B, 42B to the corresponding supporting element 23, 22.

With reference to the levers 3 IB, 32B of the first pair and of the levers 41B, 42B of the second pair, connected to the corresponding supporting elements 22, 23, the indications set forth above for the two pairs of levers 31,32-41,42 of the first articulated assembly apply mutatis mutandis.

In this sense, Fig. 7 relating to a step of the movement of the door 2 toward the extracted position is particularly significant. In this figure the correspondence, in terms of structure and function, of the two articulated assemblies 501, 502 can be observed. As can be seen, for example, in this figure, in accordance with a preferred embodiment, the levers of the first pair of levers 31 A, 32A of the first articulated assembly 501 and the levers of the first pair of levers 3 IB, 32B of the second articulated assembly 502 are placed at the same height HI with respect to the horizontal plane of reference Po. At the same time, the levers of the second pair 41A, 42A of the first articulated assembly 501 and the levers of the second pair 41B, 42B of the second articulated assembly 502 are placed at the same height H2 with respect to the horizontal plane of reference Po. Preferably, the heights HI and H2 coincide with the heights defined above for the pairs of levers of the first articulated assembly 501.

Figs. 3 to 5 show the mechanism 1 in a first operating condition whereby the door 2 is in the position inside the frame 3. In this condition, the first articulated assembly 501 is in the closed configuration indicated above whereby the third supporting element 23 occupies a position proximal to the first supporting element 21 fixed to the frame 3. On the contrary, the second articulated assembly 502 is in the open configuration whereby the third supporting element 23 occupies the position most distal from the second supporting element 22.

With reference to Figs. 6 to 8, the movement of the door 2 toward the extracted position is determined by a force F applied to this door and having at least one component directed according to the direction of movement 101. Following this force F, the third supporting element 23, integral with the door 2, moves along the direction of movement 101 determining a variation of the configuration of the two articulated assemblies 501, 502. In particular, the movement toward the extracted position of the door 2 determines an opening of the first articulated assembly 501 (i.e., a variation toward the open configuration) and a closing of the second articulated assembly 502 (i.e. a variation toward the closed configuration). In each step thereof, this movement remains fluid and continuous due to the presence of the two articulated assemblies 501, 502 that act on opposite sides of the third supporting element 23 optimizing distribution of the forces/stresses. Moreover, for each articulated assembly 501, 502, the connecting bar 50, 50B synchronizes the movement of the two pairs of levers, i.e., the translation of the corresponding axes of mutual rotation 301-302, 301B-302B.

Figs. 9 to 11 instead show the door 2 in the extracted configuration. Upon reaching this condition, the first articulated assembly 501 assumes the open configuration, while the second articulated assembly 502 assumes the closed configuration. Advantageously, in the extracted condition of the door 2, the second articulated assembly 502 maintains the third supporting element 23 constrained and in a position close to the second supporting element 22 (fixed to the frame 3). In this way, the oscillations of the door 2, which occur in conventional solutions, are advantageously reduced.

Figs. 12, 13 and 13A are views relating to a possible embodiment of the mechanism according to the invention. In particular, the detail of Fig. 13 shows a possible, but not exclusive, embodiment of the second guide means 202 of the door 2 that could also be used for the first guide means 201. In detail, the guide means 202 comprise a profile 10 defining a plurality of guides 11A, 11B, 11C, 11D, each of which is provided with a sliding bearing (or alternatively a wheel or a roller) associated with the third supporting element 23 integral with the door 2. The profile 10 defining the guides 11A, 1 IB, 11C, 1 ID is instead connected to the frame 3. The orientation of the profile 10 defines the direction of movement 101. In the embodiment shown in the detail of Fig. 13, two wheels 12A pivoted directly to the third supporting element 23 are provided, while another two wheels 12B (one upper and one lower) are connected indirectly to this third supporting element 23 through a bracket 13, so as to rotate about a vertical axis and be mutually opposed.

Figs. 14 to 16 relate to a different application of the mechanism according to the invention. In this case, the mechanism is used to produce a door assembly (indicated with the reference 5A) with a vertical movement (i.e., along a vertical direction 102 of movement). In the extracted position, for example, the door 2 could close the compartment 400 of a kitchen cabinet inside which kitchen accessories or implements are arranged. Instead, when the door 2 occupies the retracted position, this compartment 400 can be accessed. In the door assembly 5A, when “extracted” the door 2 can be considered in a “raised” condition, while in the retracted position the door 2 can be considered“ lowered” with respect to a horizontal plane of reference PR above which the compartment 400 at least partially extends.

As is evident, for example, by comparing Fig. 15 and Fig. 10, the door assembly 5A with vertical movement can have, in substance, the same structure and the same technical solutions described above for the door assembly 5 with horizontal movement. In other words, the door assembly 5A comprises a mechanism defined according to the same principles described above. In this case, the supporting elements 21, 22, 23 of the mechanism extend according to a horizontal direction 103 with respect to a plane of reference Po on which the frame 3 of the door assembly 5A rests. At the same time, the guide means are configured to vertically guide (direction 102) the door 2 between the lowered and the raised position.

In Fig. 14, the door 2 is shown in the position retracted inside the frame 3. The first articulated assembly 501 is in the closed configuration, while the second articulated assembly 502 is in the open configuration. Following the vertical movement (see Fig. 15), the first articulated assembly 501 opens, while the second articulated assembly 502 closes. This until it reaches the condition of Fig. 16 wherein the door 2 is completely extracted (raised condition).

In the case of a door assembly 5A with vertical movement (Figs. 14 to 16), the door assembly 5A preferably comprises elastic means 500 (indicated schematically only in Fig. 14 for reasons of clarity) interposed between the frame 3 and the door 2. These means are configured to maintain this latter in the raised condition (extracted position) i.e., to exert a force on the door 2 that pushes it toward the extracted position (condition shown in Fig. 16) and which opposes the weight of the door. In this regard, the elastic means 500 could comprise a spiral spring provided with a first end connected to the first supporting element 21 and with a second end 23 connected to the moving supporting element 23.

In a possible embodiment, the elastic means 500 are configured so as to substantially offset the weight of the door. Therefore, this can be taken to and maintained in any position between the raised and the lowered positions.

Alternatively, the elastic means 500 could be configured to constantly thrust the door in the raised position. In this case, the vertical return movement of the door 2 toward the retracted/lowered position would require the application of a force F sufficient to overcome that of the elastic means 500. In this hypothetical configuration, to maintain the door 2 in the lowered condition, stop means 600 (indicated schematically only in Fig. 14), which when activated prevent the door 2 constantly stressed by the elastic means from lifting, would be provided.

Figs. 17, 17A and 17B show a possible embodiment of the door assembly 5 according to the invention. In particular, in this embodiment, the third supporting element 23 (not visible) is connected to an edge portion of the door 2 through hinge rotation means 8, which make it possible to rotate the door 2 about an axis parallel to said direction of reference 102. In particular, this rotation can be implemented when the door 2 reaches the extracted position (Fig. 17A). With reference to Fig. 17B, following this rotation the door 2 can be arranged on a plane of reference 700 substantially orthogonal to the plane of movement (direction 101). This technical solution can be used particularly, for example, in the production of cabinets and/or furnishing elements. In fact, after being extracted from the frame 3 and rotated of 90 degrees it can close a compartment V adjacent to this frame.

With reference to Figs. 18, 18A and 18B, in a possible variant of the solution shown in Figs. 17, 17 A and 17B, the door 2 can comprise a plurality of flat parts 26 A, 26B mutually connected through hinge rotation means 88. In the case illustrated, for example, two parts 26A, 26B are provided, a first of which (indicated with 26A) is connected to the first supporting profile 21 (not visible) through first hinge rotation means. The second part 26B is instead pivoted to the first part 26 A through further hinge means 88. The rotation means 8, 88 indicated above obtain an axis of rotation parallel to the direction of reference 102. The second rotation means allow the two parts 26 A, 26B to be folded one on top of the other (Fig. 18 A) during the movement implemented by the mechanism according to the invention. Compared to the solution in Figs. 17, 17A and 17B, in this case the supporting frame 3 defines a larger housing space so as to allow housing and movement of the two superimposed parts of door. After reaching the extracted position, through the rotation means 8, 88 the two parts 26A, 26B can be easily oriented so as to be arranged on the plane of reference 700 indicated above.

The articulated assemblies 501, 502 could have a different configuration to the one described above and shown in the figures. In this regard, the articulated assembly could have a configuration such as the one described in the documents US 5121976 and EP 3029248. In fact, the basic idea of the present invention is to stabilize the movement of the rod introducing two articulated assemblies that connect, on opposite sides, the element fixed to the door with the elements fixed to the frame. The embodiment of the articulated assemblies 501, 502 shown in the figures is particularly advantageous as it allows all the technical limits and disadvantages deriving from the complexity of prior art systems to be overcome.

The technical solutions described allow the set aims and objects to be fully achieved. In particular, the mechanism according to the invention allows efficient and stable movement between the two positions of reference (retracted and extracted). Moreover, the operating principle of the mechanism also allows high reliability and a longer useful life than that of the mechanisms conventionally used.