Structure for pieces of furniture with variable configuration

• US 6,805,060 B2
• Filed: 05/16/2002
• Issued: 10/19/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/17/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Work Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Work Co., Ltd.
• Inventors: Nicoletti, Bruno
• Primary Examiner(s): Chen, Jose V.
• Application Number:
  US10/150,352
• Publication Number:
  US 20020171016A1
• Time in Patent Office: 887 Days
• Field of Search: 108/50.01, 108/50.02, 108/153.1, 108/180, 108/182, 108/186, 312/194, 312/195, 312/223.1, 312/223.3
• US Class Current: 108/50.01
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 87/002 Combination of tables; Linking or assembling means therefor

Abstract

A structure for pieces of furniture of variable configuration includes a plurality of different types of assembling elements, which are coupled with one another, in a stable and removable way, to support a desktop at a predetermined distance from the ground. The types of assembling elements include a sleeve, hollow inside and equipped, in its lateral wall, with male quick connection joint means, formed by a pair of pins. Another element is a bar for coupling with a pair of the sleeves, and being equipped, at both extremities, with female quick connectors, which include a pair of blocks featuring a longitudinal hole, which receives the pins, and a through hole containing a dowel for locking the pins. The desktop is supported by desktop bearing brackets. Moreover, legs are fastened to the sleeves to support the bar and the sleeves at a predetermined distance from the ground. Other elements of the structure include extension uprights, fixing into the sleeves, in a position orthogonal with respect to the desktop, to support other shelves, which form a bookcase over the desk.

Claims

1. A structure for obtaining pieces of furniture of variable configuration, including a plurality of different types of assembling elements, which are coupled with one another, in a stable and removable way, to support at least a desktop, said structure including, among different assembling elements:

a sleeve featuring a lateral wall equipped with male quick connection joint means, extending from said lateral wall and including at least one pair of pins, aligned axially on the lateral wall of said sleeve and having an extremity for coupling;

a bar connected with a pair of said sleeves, in direction substantially perpendicular to the sleeves, to form a bearing structure for said pieces of furniture, said bar having extremities equipped with female quick connection joint means and including;

at least one pair of blocks, fastened to the inner wall of said bar, having respective longitudinal holes for engagement with the corresponding male quick connection joint means, and with respective threaded through holes, passing through said bar and opening into said longitudinal holes;

for each of said through holes, a threaded dowel inserted into the respective through hole and screwed into engagement with a corresponding longitudinal hole, so as to fix said male quick connection joint means inside said longitudinal hole;

a leg for supporting said bars and sleeves in co-operation with other legs.

2. A structure, according to claim 1, wherein a shape of said sleeve is substantially tubular.

3. A structure, according to claim 2, wherein the cross-section of said sleeve is substantially circular.

4. The structure, according to claim 1, wherein said sleeve has at least one upper aperture for receiving a corresponding upright for extension of said piece of furniture in a direction orthogonal with respect to said desktop.

5. Structure, according to claim 4, further including a panel, which can be associated to at least one pair of said uprights to define a portion of a separation wall.

6. The structure, according to claim 1, wherein said sleeve includes, fastened to an inner wall thereof, at least one reinforcement plate, equipped with seats, which receive firmly said extremity for coupling of each corresponding pin.

7. The structure, according to claim 1, wherein said pins include a lateral groove, arranged orthogonal to an axis of said pins.

8. The structure, according to claim 1, wherein said male quick connection joint means include a plurality of pairs and pins, each of said pairs of pins having one pin arranged on said outer lateral wall of said sleeve, in a position angularly distanced with respect to the other of said pair of pins, for coupling with a plurality of bars.

9. The structure, according to claim 8, wherein said pins include a lateral groove, arranged orthogonal to an axis of said pins.

10. The structure, according to claim 1, wherein each of said legs is fastened to said outer lateral wall of the sleeve, in an angular position, in which said leg does not interfere with said male quick connection joint means.

11. The structure, according to claim 1, wherein each of said legs is fastened to said bar, in a longitudinal position, in which said leg does not interfere with said female quick connection joint means.

12. The structure, according to claim 1, wherein each of said legs has a protrusion, extending from a median area of said leg toward said desktop to help support said desktop.

13. A structure, according to claim 1, wherein said sleeve has at least one lower aperture aimed at receiving a corresponding additional leg, which helps support said piece of furniture.

14. Structure , according to claim 13, wherein said additional leg features a protrusion extending from a median portion of said additional leg toward the ground, to stabilize its working position.

15. Structure, according to claim 13, further including a panel, which can be associated to at least one pair of said additional legs to define a portion of a separation wall.

16. A structure, according to claim 1, wherein said different types of assembly elements includes a desktop bearing bracket, aimed at being fastened orthogonal to said bar to facilitate the support of said desktop, said bracket including a pair of substantially symmetrical wings which extend from a central body, the latter being equipped with a housing, whose section is substantially identical to the cross section of said bar, so as to couple therewith, with fastening means being aimed at fastening said bracket to said bar.

17. Structure, according to claim 16, wherein said fastening means include at least one screw-bolt assembly for insertion into corresponding through holes made in said bar and in said body of said bracket.