"VERSATILE SITTING SYSTEM FOR URBAN FITTINGS"

DESCRIPTION

Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention is aimed at the sector of urban fittings and refers in particular to a versatile sitting system, such as benches or the like.

Technical Background of the Invention [0002] It is a largely known fact that open urban spaces are not fitted with fixed sitting systems, i.e, benches and the like, since this would not allow the related public area to be used to accommodate different activities, such as for instance open-air markets, shows, fairs, and the like. This kind of problem makes it necessary for public areas to be designed as free, i.e. unfitted open spaces that do not allow such public areas to be characterized as dwelling, gathering and socializing places. The use of benches resting on the ground without any firm fastening thereto cannot be seen as an adequate solution to such problem due to the readily appreciable difficulties connected with their displacement whenever a need arises for, to say nothing of the possibility of thefts, vandalisms, Summary of the Invention

[0003] The sitting system, or sitting device, according to the present invention has therefore been conceived in view of solving a generally felt, quite common problem connected with the pedestrian precincts, such as town squares, to be capable of being used in as flexible as possible a manner. The inventive system has been devised so as to provide, with a single device that is both simple and reliable, for a place that can perform a twofold function as a public sitting place and a space free of obstacles suitable for both pedestrians and vehicles. Brief Description of the Drawings [0004] Further features and advantages of the sitting system for urban fittings according to the present invention will become apparent and be more readily understood from the description of some exemplary embodiments thereof that is given below by way of non-limiting example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

^■ Figure 1 is a schematic, vertical cross-sectional view of a first exemplary

embodiment of the sitting system according to the present invention, as viewed in a first operating condition thereof ("extracted" seat);

- Figure 2 is a schematic, vertical cross-sectional view of the sitting system shown in Figure 1 , however in a second operating condition thereof ("retracted" seat); - Figure 3A is a horizontal cross-sectional view along the line A-A in Figure 3C of a second exemplary embodiment of the sitting system according to the present invention;

- Figure 3B is a vertical cross-sectional view along the line B-B of the sitting system shown in Figure 3A, as viewed in a first operating condition thereof ("extracted" seat);

- Figure 3C is a vertical cross-sectional view along the line B-B of the sitting system shown in Figure 3A, as viewed in a second operating condition thereof ("retracted" seat);

- Figure 4A is a horizontal cross-sectional view along the line A-A in Figure 4C of a third exemplary embodiment of the sitting system according to the present invention;

- Figure 4B is a vertical cross-sectional view along the line B-B of the sitting system shown in Figure 4A ₁ as viewed in a first operating condition thereof ("extracted" seat); - Figure 4C is a vertical cross-sectional view along the line B-B of the sitting system shown in Figure 4A, as viewed in a second operating condition thereof ("retracted" seat);

- Figure 5A is a vertical cross-sectional view of the inventive sitting system shown in a first operating condition thereof ("extracted" seat), according to a fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

- Figure 5B is a vertical cross-sectional view of the sitting system shown in Figure 5A, as viewed in a second operating condition thereof ("retracted" seat);

- Figure 6 is a perspective, schematically view of an urban area with the sitting system according to the present invention ("extracted" seat); - Figure 7 is a view of the area shown in Figure 6, however free of the sitting system according to the present invention ("retracted" seat). Detailed Description of the Invention

[0005] In particular, the object of the present invention is a hideaway bench, which can be characterized as a retractable sitting system consisting of a movable

member that sinks into the ground, thereby leaving the area completely clear to be used in some other manner.

[0006J Through the utilization of such benches of the hideaway kind, it is possible to safeguard opposite needs, wherein open pedestrian spaces, such as town squares, pedestrian precincts and multipurpose areas, can actually be planned as pleasant meeting and socializing sites, where people can comfortably sit down and dwell, while at the same time safeguarding the possibility for such spaces to be converted - whenever a need arises - into large clear spaces that can be devoted to the most varied uses, such as for instance the weekly open-air market, open-air cinema.

[0007] On the basis of investigations made and acquired experience in the course of our professional activity as architects, it does not seem that there exists a bench having such characteristics. Existing on the market there are on the contrary a number of concealing kind devices, such as access dissuaders or power distribution or other utility columns, which are based on the same principle, but are aimed to different and specific uses.

[0008] As far as the device can be embodied, i.e. for the bench to be assigned the capability of displacing vertically, a solution might consist in providing a hollow cavity in the ground, adapted to receive a member having the same shape so that the latter is capable of sliding vertically.

[0009] As illustrated in Figure 1 or 2, the sitting system according to the present invention is generally indicated by the reference numeral 1. Such sitting system comprises a hollow receptacle 2 adapted to receive a seat member 3, moving means 4 adapted to alternately displace said seat member 3 at least partially out of said receptacle or into said receptacle.

[0010] In particular, the receptacle 2 is represented by a cavity or pit provided under the level of a walkable surface S, so as to be capable of fully accommodating said moving means 4 and said seat member 3 therein. In other words, said receptacle can accommodate the moving means and the seat member therein up to forming a single planar surface lying flush with the level of said walkable surface S (see Figure 2). Said receptacle is preferably defined by a cavity dug in the ground and delimited by a containment member 21, which is preferably made of reinforced concrete or a metal, such as for instance steel, in the form of an open box.

[0011] Advantageously, as this is best shown in Figures 3 and 4, a counter-frame 22 is secured to said containment member 21 , which counter-frame is preferably formed of metal profile sections comprising a member 23 that covers the top portion of the wall of the receptacle 2 so as to precisely define the planimetrical shape of the upper end portion of the same receptacle 2. More preferably, said counter-frame 22 may be represented by kind of a metal profile section having a cross-section in the shape of a L comprising a member or side 23 similar to the above-described one and a second member or side 24, which may also be discontinuous, secured to the upper edge 25 of the containment member 21. In particular, said L-shaped configuration enables the walkable surface S to overlap the upper edge 25 of the containment member 21 , thereby concealing it from sight. In other words, the counter-frame 22 forms a kind of perimetrical accommodation aimed at covering the upper edge 25. In this way, said counter- frame performs as a means for precisely delimiting the paving therearound, i.e. the walkable surface surrounding the receptacle. Moreover, the provision of such counter-frame makes it easier for the containment member 21 to be made, since the latter may also be provided in a larger size than necessary, while the subsequent insertion of the same counter-frame will precisely define the contour to be obtained. [0012] The seat member 3 may be represented by either a single monolithic member or a set of members rigidly joined with each other. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the seat member 3 may be provided in the form of a parallelepiped as firmly joined to the moving means 4. [0013] Preferably, as this is shown in Figures 3 and 4, the seat member 3 is either a monolithic construction or a set of members rigidly joined with each other, and - in a cross-sectional view thereof - it looks out as being in the shape of an open box turned upside down, with four side walls 31 and a top wall 32. This top wall 32 may be substantially planar and covered by a cladding 33 performing both as a sitting surface, when the seat member is pulled out from the receptacle, or as a dwelling and transit surface for both pedestrians and vehicles, when the seat member is retracted into the receptacle to lie flush with the surrounding area. [0014] As this is best shown in Figures 3B or 4B, the side walls 31 are such as to make it impossible for any access to the receptacle 2 and the portion below the top wall 32 under normal use conditions of the system, so that possibly falling

objects are prevented from accidentally slipping into the cavity of the receptacle, as well as objects or parts of the body of a person from getting crushed as the seat member is being actuated. In an advantageous manner, said side walls 31 additionally perform as supports for the entire monolithic member when the latter is accommodated in the receptacle 2, since they rest upon the bottom of the containment member 21 either directly or with the aid of a height-adjustable bearing system (not shown) secured to the bottom of the containment member 21 along the perimeter thereof, so as to be able to support in a fully safe manner also the weight of people and/or vehicles, as illustrated in Figures 3C or 4C. In other words, the seat member turns into ^' a self-bearing member working in a fully safe manner.

[0015] In addition, the seat member 3 comprises a frame 34 that extends along the outer surface of the side walls 31 and the outer surface of the vertical border 35 of the cladding layer 33. This frame 34 preferably comprises metal profile sections forming - in a cross-sectional view thereof - an asymmetric T, wherein the head of the T extends over said outer surfaces, while the shank of the T, which may also be discontinuous, is positioned between said cladding layer 33 and the top wall 32. In this manner, the frame 34 performs both as a trimming and a delimitation for the cladding layer 33 and the side walls 31. In particular, the shank of such T is secured to the outer surface of the top wall so as to provide a bearing frame that is both safe and functional. Furthermore, the frame 34 cooperates with the afore-mentioned counter-frame 22 of the aperture of the receptacle 2 to define the exact, clearance-free relative sliding motion between the seat member 3 and the containment member 21. [0016] Advantageously, as this has already been explained hereinbefore, the counter-frame 22 only covers the upper portion of the wall of the receptacle 2, thereby creating kind of a vertical border protruding inwards in the cavity of the receptacle 2 solely at the level of the aperture thereof. In other words, the counter- frame does not involve the inner vertical walls of the containment member 21. In this way, the frame 34 is able to keep very close to the counter-frame 22, regardless of the position being reached by the seat member while sliding vertically, but just along a short vertical distance corresponding to the height of the member or side 23. As a result, a very narrow gap 26 is created between the frame 34 and said member or side 23, which is anyway effective in enabling

possible vertical movements that may not be perfectly in line to be compensated for, whereas such gap increases when the frame 34 comes to move alongside the vertical walls of the containment member 21, so as to allow possible particles that may accidentally slip through exactly between the seat member 3 and the containment member 21 to reach directly down onto the bottom of the containment member, which particles might therefore cause prejudice to the ability of said seat member 3 to correctly move up and down in the receptacle 2,. [0017] Preferably, the frame 34 and the counter-frame 22 may be provided to also perform as a sort of guides which may for example be obtained by either attaching - along the inner periphery of the counter-frame 22 - cylindrical or spheroid pawl- like members, which - as commonly available on the market - may for instance be comprised of members tha are capable to rotate about their own axis, so as to facilitate the vertical movement of the seat member 3, at the same time being provided with a spring-loaded mechanism biasing them against the frame 34, thereby favouring an in-line movement of the seat member 3, or providing appropriate engagement tracks - of a fully usual kind and, therefore, not shown in the Figures - or rounded ribs adapted to ensure that the afore-mentioned sliding movement is guided so as to compensate for and straighten possible non-in-line movements. Such guiding task could alternatively be performed by telescopic guide shafts as they are commonly to be found on the market.

[0018] Advantageously, in the counter-frame there may be furthermore provided gaskets (not shown), which would be effective in preventing dirt and liquids from slipping into the receptacle, thereby contributing to keeping the system in efficient condition and, therefore, reducing maintenance requirements. [0019] From a technical point of view, moving the seat member can be done with the use of various moving devices or means 4, which may for instance be of the manual, mechanical, automatic, semi-automatic or any other similar kind, and the movement itself could also be brought about with the use of the various technical solutions that are already implemented in connection with the afore-cited dissuaders and retractable columns.

[0020] With reference to Figures 3A to 3C, a first embodiment of the present invention is illustrated, wherein the moving means 4 comprises a pantograph linkage 41. As generally known in the art, this pantograph linkage comprises two pairs of arms 42, which are connected to the top wall 32 and the containment

member 21 , and linked together at an articulated joint located at the middle point thereof by means of a bar 43, so as to be able to rotate and, as a result, generate the vertical movement. In particular, the pantograph linkage may be actuated with the aid of actuator means (not shown) of an electric, pneumatic, hydraulic or even hand-driven kind. Preferably, these actuator means are of the hydraulic kind and comprise a hydraulic unit formed of an electric motor and a hydraulic pump, safety valves for stopping the sinking motion automatically in the case of a failure of oieodynamic pipes, a manual override to take over control in case of irregular operation of the system, key selector or radio transmitter with corresponding receiver connected to said motor to impart moving pulses. In addition, the pantograph linkage may comprise mechanical stopping means (not shown) to be fitted manually in order to lock the seat member in the fully raised position thereof (not shown), in view of allowing maintenance to be carried out in a fully safe manner by an operator standing inside the receptacle. [0021] Moreover, the arrangement calls for flexible pipes or hoses to be provided inside the pit to allow for electrical connections, along with a drain on the bottom of the pit aimed at letting off rainwater.

[0022] According to a second embodiment of the present invention, the moving means 4 are comprised of conventional oieodynamic pistons 44 (Figures 4A to 4C), possibly telescopic. Advantageously, as in the case of the afore-considered pantograph linkage, said telescopic pistons enable the seat member to be fully raised to allow for convenient maintenance. In particular, the system for actuating said moving means comprises hydraulic actuator means similar to the afore- described ones. Preferably, said pistons 44 are in the number of four and provided in a mutually spaced arrangement and in such manner as to have a first end portion thereof attached close to the perimeter of the top wall 32 of the seat member 3, and a second end portion thereof attached to the bottom of the containment member 21. [0023] It is evident that Figures 3 and 4 are only illustrating a couple of exemplary embodiments of the ways to move the seat member 3 for urban fittings. The same effect and result can on the other hand be also obtained with the use of other kinds of movement patterns, such as for example by providing a slot in the ground for a planar member to be able to slide therein, so that, when it comes out of the receptacle, it opens up in the way of a book, thereby forming a seat. In particular,

as illustrated in Figures 5A and 5B, the receptacle 200 would in this case be advantageously reduced to a mere slot or groove in the ground, adapted to accommodate a compact seat or bench 300. In fact, it is possible to use seats provided with a folding structure, known as such in the art that would enable the space occupied by it in the ground to exactly a simple slot. The moving mechanism to be used in connection with this modified embodiment of the inventive sitting system may be reduced in an effective manner to an either manual or automatic system, in which the seat 300, upon being caused to slip out of the slot in the ground, is able to open up automatically to form, for example, a sitting surface 310 and a backrest 311. When folded and accommodated in the slot provided in the ground, the seat member may itself close the aperture of the receptacle in the ground either with the help of a border of the backrest appropriately designed so as to seal said aperture or, as illustrated in Figure 5B, by the actual thickness of the sitting and backrest. [0024] As far as the moving means of the above-mentioned modified embodiment are concerned, these may be represented by the afore-mentioned hydraulic pistons, such as a hydraulic jack (not shown) or a spring, provided with associated locking/releasing means to lock the sitting member in its retracted or pulled-out position. [0025] According to a further modified embodiment, the moving means of the sitting member may comprise overturning means (not shown) capable of turning the member over by an angle of 90°. In other words, these means may be comprised of a planar support plate having a face on which there is anchored the sitting member, and adapted to be caused to rotate about a longitudinal axle extending parallel to the walkable surface S, so as to be capable of alternatively concealing the sitting member in the receptacle provided under the ground and exposing the same sitting member above the walkable surface. The face of the seat member 3 that, by rotating, comes to be positioned at the level of the walkable surface S will of course be planar and so sized as to be able to completely cover the receptacle, possibly with the use of frames, counter-frames and gasket means, as described hereinbefore. In addition, the moving means will be comprised of driving motors of conventional kind, adapted to rotatably drive the above-cited axle coupled to the overturning plate. [0026] It can be most readily appreciated that Figures 2, 3B and 4B are only

illustrating an exemplary embodiment of a simple sitting system without a backrest, wherein the latter may anyway be provided by cutting appropriate slots in the thickness of the seat member 3, in which corresponding moving members (not shown) should be capable of being caused to slide - slightly inclined relative to the vertical - to perform as a backrest in the raised position, as driven by means of similar systems as those described hereinbefore. Alternatively, the cladding layer 33 may be comprised of a double planar member (not shown) folded up in the way of a book, so as to feature an outer face, which can be treaded upon, and an inner face, which can be opened up by means of a conventional hinging system, so as to enable people to take a seat on a clean surface.

[0027] With particular reference to Figures 6 and 7, these can be noticed to most ciearly illustrate the actual aims of the present invention highlighting the advantages thereof: Figure 6 illustrates a square with a bench wherein people are shown to be sitting on, which bench is in a "raised" position. In Figure 7, the same square is characterized by a completely clear space, within which there is parked a van to be used as a market stall (the bench is in a "concealed" position). [0028] In Figures 1 and 2, which are schematic, cross-sectional views of the device, the retraction movement of the sitting member into the ground, as performed in view of creating a clear space thereabove, is illustrated. [0029] From the above description it is evident that the fact that there have been described only few examples of the various combinations of shapes, sizes, colours and materials in connection with the present invention, under both raised and retracted conditions, respectively. The formal solutions of the sitting element - both planimetrically and elevationally - may in fact be brought about in a number of different manners, e.g. as far as sizes, shapes, aggregations of elements, etc. are concerned. Similarly, the materials, colours and surface finishes of the sitting element can assume a number of different embodiments, and can fit in any kind of paving, such as for instance metal, stones, coloured rubber, and the like. In an advantageous manner, as illustrated in Figures 6 and 7, the peripheral contour of the bench or similar sitting element can in fact be given any desired shape, since the sitting system in its whole comprises easily adaptable elements.