Modular structure for furniture

• US 20030226478A1
• Filed: 06/06/2003
• Published: 12/11/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/07/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Metal Work S.r.l.
• Original Assignee: Metal Work S.r.l.
• Inventors: Nicoletti, Bruno
• Application Number:
  US10/456,740
• Publication Number:
  US 20030226478A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 108/50.02
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 13/06 of metal A47B13/023 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 21/06 characterised by means for holding, fastening or concealing cables
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 96/145 Composite members, i.e. made up of several elements joined together

Abstract

A modular structure for furniture includes a tubular post formed by a pair of channel-bars disposed so that one faces the other and secured to each other by a base plate and a cross-bar. A series of longitudinal grooves, namely internal grooves made in the inner walls of the channel-bars, and external grooves made on the outer walls of the channel-bars. A support leg extends diagonally from an upper part of the post and is connected to the post by means of a connection member engaging one of the external grooves of the post. The cross-bar is formed by a “U”-shaped bar with an open side turned upwards, so as to form a channel closed at top by a cover element. The base plate and the cross-bar are connected to the post by means of connection pegs engaging the internal groove of the post. A bracket for supporting a working surface is fastened at bottom of the cross-bar by a clamp. A pair of counter-facing sides are joined to the post with a snap fit.

Claims

1. In a modular structure for furniture, including:

at least one tubular post, with a top and a bottom;

at least one cross-bar fastened, in the regions corresponding to its extremities, at the top of said at least one post;

said post is formed by a pair of channel-bars, with a series of longitudinal grooves made in said channel-bars;

joining means engage said longitudinal grooves at the top and at the bottom of the post, to hold said channel bars secured to each other and disposed so that one faces the other; and

said cross-bar forms one of said joining means and is fastened at the top of said post by engaging said grooves of said post.

2. A modular structure according to claim 1, wherein said channel-bars have a flat shape with a substantially rectangular outline and are obtained from suitably shaped metallic tubular elements.

3. A modular structure according to claim 1, wherein said channel-bars have, in a wall facing the inside of the post, a pair of longitudinal grooves, situated symmetrical with reference to a middle axis, while on a wall facing outwards said channel-bars have a further midline longitudinal groove.

4. A modular structure according to claim 3, wherein said symmetrical longitudinal grooves have a substantially circular cross-section.

5. A modular structure according to claim 1, wherein each said post has counter-facing sides provided with a pair of folded longitudinal flanges snap-fitting in between the inner corners of said channel-bars.

6. A modular structure according to claim 1, wherein said sides have a pair of longitudinal ribs, facing outwards, to form a kind of guide, within which a closing wall can be introduced.

7. A modular structure according to claim 1, wherein said cross bar is connected to the top of said post by means of connection pegs fitting into said grooves, and said joining means include also a base plate fasted at the bottom of the post by means of connection pegs engaging said grooves of said post.

8. A modular structure according to claim 1, wherein said cross-bar is formed by a “

U”

-shaped bar with an open side turned upwards, so as to form a channel closed at top by a cover element.

9. A modular structure according to claim 8, wherein said cross-bar has a first pair of longitudinal grooves, situated symmetrically along outer surfaces, a second pair of longitudinal grooves made along inner corners of upper edges of the cross-bar, and a third pair of longitudinal grooves made in a lower outer surface.

10. A modular structure according to claim 9, wherein said cover element has longitudinal ribs made along its longitudinal edges, which ribs being capable of fitting respectively into a pair of longitudinal grooves made along upper edges of the cross-bar.

11. A modular structure according to claim 10, wherein said cover element has trapezoidal cross-section.

12. A modular structure according to claim 9, wherein said cover element leaves regions corresponding to extremities of the same cross-bar free, and a joint member is connected to said cross-bar in each of said regions corresponding to the extremities of the same cross-bar, which joint member defines a receiving seat for inserting therein a grooved upright, which has the task of forming a guide for insertion of a wall.

13. A modular structure according to claim 12, wherein said joint member is formed by a kind of a cap having longitudinal ribs, which are capable of fitting into a pair of longitudinal upper grooves made along upper edges of said cross-bar, and a pair of extensions facing each other, which extensions are capable of inserting into a recess delimited by the cross-bar and being secured to the surfaces of the cross-bar, by means of suitable screw means.

14. A modular structure according to claim 13, wherein said joint member has trapezoidal cross-section similar to the cross-section of said cover element of the cross-bar.

15. A modular structure according to claim 12, wherein said cross-bar and joint member connected to each other, are closed at the side by means of a cover plate having profile shaped like the outline of said cross-bar and joint member.

16. A modular structure according to claim 1, wherein said channel-bars have a further longitudinal groove made in the outer walls of the channel-bars and a support leg, extending diagonally from an upper part of said post, is connected to the post by means of a connection member engaging the above mentioned external groove of the same post.

17. A modular structure according to claim 1, wherein said longitudinal grooves, for connection of said joining means are made in inner walls of the channel-bars.

18. A modular structure according to claim 1, wherein it further includes at least one bracket for supporting a working surface and fastened at bottom of said cross-bar.

19. A modular structure according to claim 18, wherein said bracket has projections which enter corresponding longitudinal grooves made in said cross-bar in an outer side surface and on an outer lower surface respectively.

20. A modular structure according to claim 19, wherein said bracket is secured to said cross-bar by means of a clamp.

21. A modular structure according to claim 20, wherein said securing clamp engages a groove situated on an opposite position with reference to said groove into which said projection of the said bracket fits.

22. A modular structure according to claim 1, wherein said cross-bar is shaped to form an angle.