DOOR PANELS-FRAME ASSEMBLY AND CABINET PROVIDED WITH SAID DOOR PANELS-FRAME ASSEMBLY

Abstract

A door panels-frame assembly includes a first revolving door panel, a second door panel that slides relative to the first door panel, and a supporting frame fixed to the door panels in order to movably support the door panels. The supporting frame has first sliding mechanism fixed to the second door panel to make the second door panel slide relative to the first door panel, the sliding mechanism including a fixed slide where a slider slides. The slide has an inclined end relative to the sliding direction of the second door panel when moved by the first sliding mechanism, in such a way to push the second door panel outwards when it is opened.

Claims

1. Door panels-frame assembly comprising: door panels comprising a first revolving door panel, a second door panel that slides relative to the first door panel, said door panels being coplanar when they are closed; a supporting frame fixed to the door panels in order to movably support the door panels; said supporting frame comprises: first sliding means connected to the second door panel to make the second door panel slide relative to the first door panel along a sliding direction (S) that is parallel to a plane where the second door panel (82) lies in closed position; rotation means fixed to the first door panel and suitable for cooperating with the first sliding means to make the door panels rotate around a pin with an axis (Y-Y); wherein said first sliding means comprise: a slider fixed to the second door panel, and a fixed slide where said slider slides; characterized in that said fixed slide comprises an end section that is inclined relative to the sliding direction (S) of the second door panel when moved by the first sliding means, in such a way to push the second door panel outwards when it is opened; second sliding means comprising a fixed slide and a slider that is slidingly mounted on the slide and integral with the pin of the rotation means in such a way to make the door panels slide in a direction (Z) that is perpendicular to the sliding direction (S) of the second door panel when moved by the first sliding means.

2. The door panels-frame assembly of claim 1, wherein said slider of the second sliding means comprises ball bearings that roll in the slide.

3. The door panels-frame assembly of claim 1, wherein the second sliding means comprise a rack that engages with a sprocket mounted on the pin of the rotation means.

4. The door panels-frame assembly of claim 1, wherein the second sliding means comprise a fixed frame with a sliding channel wherein the door panels and the rotation means slide.

5. The door panels-frame assembly of claim 4, wherein the sliding channel of the fixed frame is divided by means of partitions into: a first channel where two pegs of the rotation means slide; a second channel where the door panels slide.

6. The door panels-frame assembly of claim 1, wherein the first sliding means comprise a first bracket fixed to the second door panel and to the slider.

7. The door panels-frame assembly of claim 6, wherein the first bracket has a C-shape comprising a first arm fixed to the second door panel, a second arm parallel to the first arm and a connection arm perpendicular to the first arm and to the second arm.

8. The door panels-frame assembly of claim 6, wherein the rotation means of the supporting frame comprise a mobile frame with a tubular shape in such a way to define a housing, said mobile frame being fixed to the first door panel and being suitable for receiving the first bracket, when the second door panel is in open position.

9. The door panels-frame assembly of claim 8, wherein the mobile frame comprises slides where the slider of the first bracket slides.

10. The door panels-frame assembly of claim 8, wherein the rotation means comprise locking/unlocking means suitable for cooperating with the mobile frame in such a way to lock/unlock the rotation of the mobile frame, said locking/unlocking means comprising: an activation element comprising a pin suitable for hitting the first sliding means to actuate the locking/unlocking means; a locking element comprising a tooth suitable for being inserted in a hole obtained on the mobile frame; a driving element comprising a rod fixed to the pin of the driving element at one end by means of a lever mechanism and to the tooth of the locking element at the other end.

11. The door panels-frame assembly of claim 10, wherein said locking/unlocking means comprise: a first spring disposed in correspondence of the pin of the activation element, and a second spring disposed in correspondence of the tooth of the locking element.

12. The door panels-frame assembly of claim 1, wherein said door panels comprise a third door panel slidingly mounted relative to the second door panel in a sliding direction of the second door panel when moved by the first sliding means; said first sliding means being fixed to said third door panel and comprising a second bracket fixed to the third door panel and a slider mounted on the fixed slide comprising the end section that is inclined relative to the sliding direction of the second door panel when moved by the first sliding means, in such a way to push the third door panel outwards when it is opened.

13. The door panels-frame assembly of claim 12, wherein the first sliding means comprise synchronization means fixed to the second and third door panel to synchronize the sliding of the second door panel and of the third door panel towards the first door panel, said synchronization means comprising: a first rack disposed on the second bracket; a second fixed rack; a sprocket revolvingly mounted in a cylindrical housing of the first bracket and suitable for engaging with said racks.

14. The door panels-frame assembly of claim 13, wherein the second bracket comprises a diverter with a wall that is inclined relative to the sliding direction of the second door panel when moved by the first sliding means; said inclined wall of the diverter being directed towards an inclined free end of the second bracket, in such a way that a gap is provided between the free end of the second bracket and the inclined wall of the diverter, said gap being inclined relative to the sliding direction of the second door panel when moved by the first sliding means for the passage of the sprocket.

15. The door panels-frame assembly of claim 13, wherein the mobile frame comprises a rack disposed in the housing; said rack being continuous and aligned with the second rack of the synchronization means when the first door panel is closed.

Description

[0014] For the sake of clarity, the description of the cabinet according to the invention continues with reference to the attached drawings, which have a merely illustrative, not limiting value, wherein:

[0015] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the cabinet according to the invention, with the door panels in closed position;

[0016] FIG. 2 is an axonometric exploded view of the cabinet according to the invention;

[0017] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a portion of the cabinet according to the invention,

[0018] FIG. 4 is an axonometric exploded view of a portion of the cabinet according to the invention;

[0019] FIG. 5 is a top view of an upper portion of the cabinet according to the invention;

[0020] FIG. 6 is an axonometric view of the cabinet according to the invention, with the door panels in partially open position;

[0021] FIG. 7 is an axonometric view of a revolving frame of the cabinet according to the invention;

[0022] FIG. 8 is an axonometric view of locking/unlocking means of the cabinet according to the invention;

[0023] FIG. 9 is an axonometric exploded rear view of a portion of the cabinet according to the invention, with the door panels in open position;

[0024] FIG. 10 is an axonometric view of a portion of synchronization means of the cabinet according to the invention,

[0025] FIGS. 11 to 18 are diagrammatic top views that illustrate the openings steps of the door panels;

[0026] FIG. 19 is a diagrammatic axonometric view of a portion of the cabinet that illustrates the door panels during opening;

[0027] FIG. 20 is a diagrammatic top view of the cabinet according to the invention, which illustrates the opening step of the door panels with completed rotation, when the door panels assembly is not in retracted position;

[0028] FIG. 21 is a diagrammatic axonometric view of a portion of the cabinet according to the invention, where the door panels are rotated by 90°;

[0029] FIG. 22 is a diagrammatic top view of the cabinet according to the invention, with the door panels opened and disposed in adjacent position to a lateral wall of the cabinet.

[0030] With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, a cabinet according to the invention is disclosed, which is generally indicated with reference numeral (100).

[0031] The cabinet (100) of the invention comprises: [0032] walls (P) that define a compartment; [0033] a door panels-frame assembly (A) fixed to the walls (P) of the cabinet, in such a way to provide or prevent the access to the compartment of the cabinet.

[0034] The walls (P) of the cabinet comprise a first lateral wall (L1), a second lateral wall (L2), an upper panel (P1) and a lower panel (P2). The compartment of the cabinet can be accessed from a front opening.

[0035] The door panels-frame assembly (A) comprises: [0036] door panels (8); and [0037] two supporting frames (T) fixed in upper position and in lower position to the door panels (8) in order to movably support the door panels.

[0038] The door panels (8) comprise a first revolving door panel (83), a second door panel (82) that slides relative to the first door panel (83) and a third door panel (81) that slides relative to the second door panel (82).

[0039] The door panels (8) are suitable for closing the front opening that provides access to the compartment of the cabinet. When they are in closed position, the door panels (8) are coplanar.

[0040] Each supporting frame (T) comprises: [0041] first sliding means (6) to make the second door panel (82) and the third door panel (81) slide towards the first door panel (83) and vice versa; [0042] rotation means (7) to rotate the three door panels (8); and [0043] second sliding means (9) to make the three door panels (8) slide in parallel direction to a lateral wall of the cabinet.

[0044] The first sliding means (6) are fixed to a wall of the cabinet and to the second and third door panel (82, 81) to make the third door panel (81) slide relative to the second door panel (82) and to automatically make the second door panel and the third door panel (82, 81) slide relative to the first door panel (83) along a sliding direction (S) of the second door panel (82) when moved by the first sliding means. Such a sliding direction (S) is parallel to a plane where the second door panel and the third door panel (82, 81) lie in closed position.

[0045] The rotation means (7) are fixed to the first door panel (83) and are suitable for cooperating with the first sliding means (6) to make the door panels (8) rotate relative to the walls of the cabinet.

[0046] The second sliding means (9) are fixed to a lateral wall of the cabinet and to the rotation means (7) in order to make the door panels (8) slide in a direction (Z) that is parallel to the lateral wall of the cabinet and perpendicular to the sliding direction (S) of the second and third door panel (82, 81) when moved by the first sliding means.

[0047] The first sliding means (6) make the third door panel (81) slide relative to the second door panel (82) in such a way to make the third door panel (81) slide between an opening position (FIG. 13), wherein the third door panel (81) is disposed on the second door panel (82) in such a way to provide access to a portion of the compartment of the cabinet, and a closing position (FIG. 11), wherein the third door panel (81) is coplanar to the second door panel (82) in such a way to cover the front opening that provides access to the compartment of the cabinet.

[0048] The first sliding means (6) make the second and third door panel (82, 81) slide automatically relative to the first door panel (83), in such a way that the second and third door panel (82, 81) can slide between an opening position (FIG. 17), wherein the second and third door panel (82, 81) are disposed on the first door panel (83) in such a way to provide access to a portion of the compartment of the cabinet, and a closing position (FIG. 13), wherein the second door panel (82) is coplanar to the first door panel (83) and the third door panel (81) is on the second door panel (82) in such a way to partially cover the front opening that provides access to the compartment of the cabinet.

[0049] With reference to FIGS. 3 to 5, the first sliding means (6) comprise a first bracket (S2) fixed to the second door panel (82) and a second bracket (S1) fixed to the third door panel (81).

[0050] Each bracket (S1, S2) has a C-shape comprising a first arm (41a, 42a) fixed to the corresponding sliding door panel, a second arm (41b, 42b) parallel to the first arm (41a, 42a) and a connection arm (41c, 42c) perpendicular to the first and second arm.

[0051] The distance (D1) between the first arm and the second arm (41a, 41b) of the second bracket is higher than the distance (D2) between the first and the second arm (42a, 42b) of the first bracket, in such a way that the first bracket (S2) can be disposed inside the second bracket (S1).

[0052] Sliders (61, 62) are fixed to the brackets (S1, S2) and slidingly mounted on fixed slides (G). Consequently, the sliders (61, 62) are indirectly fixed to the door panels (82, 81). The slides (G) are obtained in a plate (1) fixed to the upper panel (P1) and to the lower panel (P2) of the cabinet in correspondence of the front opening.

[0053] The sliders (62) of the first bracket (S2) comprise a first slider (62a) fixed to the connection arm (42c) of the first bracket and a second slider (62b) fixed to the second arm (42b) of the first bracket.

[0054] The slides (G) of the plate (1) comprise a first slide (G1) where the first slider (62a) of the first bracket slides, and a second slide (G2) where the second slider (62b) of the first bracket slides.

[0055] The sliders (61) of the second bracket (S1) comprise a first slider (61a) fixed to the connection arm (41c) of the second bracket and a second slider (61b) fixed to the second arm (41b) of the second bracket.

[0056] The slides (G) of the plate (1) comprise a third slide (G3) where the first slider (61a) of the second bracket slides, and a fourth slide (G4) where the second slider (61b) of the second bracket slides.

[0057] The slides (G) comprise an end section that is inclined relative to a sliding direction (S) of the second door panel (82) when moved by the first sliding means, in such a way that, when the second and third door panels (82, 81) are opened, said door panels (82, 81) are automatically pushed outwards. In particular, the inclined end section (21a, 11a) of the first and third slide (G1, G3) is curvilinear with convexity towards the door panels. The inclined end section (22a, 12a) of the second and fourth slide (G2, G4) is rectilinear.

[0058] The slides (G) comprise a main rectilinear section (21b, 11b, 22b, 12b) that is parallel to the sliding direction (S) and ends on one edge of the plate (1).

[0059] With reference to FIGS. 4, 16, 18 and 19, the first sliding means (6) comprise synchronization means (C) fixed to the second and the third door panel (82, 81) to synchronize the sliding of the second and third door panel (82, 81) towards the first door panel (83).

[0060] The synchronization means (C) comprise a sprocket (10) that is revolvingly mounted in a cylindrical housing (H) obtained on the second arm (42b) of the first bracket (S2) in such a way to rotate around a vertical axis of rotation (A-A). The sprocket (10) protrudes in upper position relative to the first bracket (S2).

[0061] The synchronization means (C) also comprise: [0062] a first horizontal rack (3) disposed on the second arm (41b) of the second bracket (S1); and [0063] a second fixed rack (18) fixed in horizontal position to the upper wall of the cabinet.

[0064] The sprocket (10) is suitable for engaging with said racks (3, 18).

[0065] The second rack (18) is obtained inside a bracket (69). The bracket (69) comprises: [0066] a base wall (69a) fixed to the upper wall of the cabinet; [0067] a first lateral wall (69b) that protrudes vertically upwards; [0068] an upper horizontal wall (69c) disposed above the plate (1); and [0069] a second lateral wall (69d) parallel to the first lateral wall (69b).

[0070] The length of the second lateral wall (69d) is lower than the length of the first lateral wall (69b), in such a way to generate a front opening (69e).

[0071] Moreover, the bracket (69) is provided with two lateral openings (69f).

[0072] The second rack (18) is fixed to the second lateral wall (69d) of the bracket (69) and extends inside the bracket (69) between the two lateral openings (69f).

[0073] During the opening of the second door panel (82) and of the third door panel (81), the first rack (3) slides inside the bracket (69), in such a way that the first rack (3) and the second rack (18) are disposed in opposite parallel position.

[0074] With reference to FIGS. 4, 16 and 18, the second bracket (S1) comprises a diverter (44) fixed to the second arm (41b) by means of a supporting plate (46). The second arm (41b) of the second bracket has a free end (E) that is inclined relative to the sliding direction (S) of the second door panel (82) when moved by the first sliding means and the diverter (44) comprises a wall that is inclined relative to the sliding direction (S) of the second door panel (82) when moved by the first sliding means. The inclined wall of the diverter (44) is directed towards the free end (E) of the second arm (41b) of the second bracket. A gap (43) is provided between the free end (E) of the second arm (41b) of the second bracket and the inclined wall of the diverter (44), said gap (43) being inclined relative to the sliding direction (S) of the second door panel (82) when moved by the first sliding means for the passage of the sprocket (10).

[0075] With reference to FIGS. 11 to 13, by pushing the third door panel (81) from the closing position to the opening position, the sliders (61) of the second bracket slide on the inclined end section of the third and fourth slide (G3, G4), pushing the third door panel (81) outwards and making the third door panel (81) slide towards the second door panel. When sliding, the third door panel (81) is disposed in external position relative to the second door panel (82) and in overlapped position relative to the second door panel. The second bracket (S1) is disposed in external position relative to the first bracket (S2).

[0076] With reference to FIGS. 14 to 16, when the second arm (41b) of the second bracket (S1) intercepts the sprocket (10), the sprocket (10) is inserted in the inclined gap (43), moving the first bracket (S2) that is integral with the second door panel (82). The slides (62) of the first bracket (S2) slide on the first and second slide (G1, G2), pushing the second door panel (82) outwards and making the second door panel (82) and the third door panel (81) slide towards the first door panel (83). The second arm of the second bracket (S1) is inserted in the bracket (69). The other arms (41a, 42a, 42b) slide outside the bracket (69). The first rack (3) is disposed in opposite position to the second rack (18), in such a way that the sprocket (10) can engage with the first rack (3) and with the second rack (18), causing the synchronous movement of the second and third door panel (82, 81) towards the first door panel (83).

[0077] When sliding, the second door panel (82) is disposed in external position relative to the first door panel (83) and in overlapped position relative to the first door panel. Consequently, also the third door panel (81) is overlapped to the first door panel (83).

[0078] Evidently, because of the synchronization means (C), a single push can generate the opening of the second door panel and of the third door panel.

[0079] With reference to FIGS. 1, 2 and 7, the rotation means (7) of each supporting frame comprise a mobile frame (70) provided with a tubular shape in such a way to define a housing (D). The mobile frame (70) is disposed above and under the first door panel (83) and is fixed to the first door panel (83). The mobile frame (70) is suitable for housing the first bracket (S2) and the second bracket (S1) when the second and the third door panel (82, 81) are in opening position.

[0080] The mobile frame (70) is revolvingly fixed to the second translation means (9) by means of a vertical pin (R) with an axis (Y-Y) (FIG. 19), in such a way to make the door panels (8) rotate between an opened position (FIG. 20), wherein the door panels (8) are rotated outwards, preferably by 90°, in such a way to provide access to the compartment of the cabinet, and a closed position (FIG. 17), wherein the first door panel (83) partially covers the front opening that provides access to the compartment of the cabinet.

[0081] The mobile frame (70) comprises an opening in communication with the lateral opening (69f) of the bracket (69), when the first door panel (83) is in closed position.

[0082] The mobile frame (70) comprises rectilinear slides (G5) where the slides (62, 61) of the first and second bracket (S2, S1) slide.

[0083] The slides (G5) of the mobile frame (70) comprise four slides, each slide (G5) of the mobile frame (70) being the continuation of one of the slides (G) obtained on the plate (1).

[0084] As shown in FIG. 17, when the second and third door panel (82, 81) slide towards the first door panel (83), the brackets (S2, S1) of the second and third door panel slide on the slides (G) of the plate (1) and then on the slides (G5) of the mobile frame, in such a way that the second arms (41b, 42b) of the brackets (S1, S2) are disposed in the housing (D) of the mobile frame (70), in such a way to integrally rotate with the first door panel (83).

[0085] With reference to FIG. 18, the mobile frame (70) comprises a rack (19) disposed in horizontal position inside the housing (D). The rack (19) is continuous and aligned with the second rack (18) of the synchronization means when the first door panel (83) is closed. When the second and third door panel (82, 81) slide towards the first door panel (83), the sprocket (10) of the synchronization means engages with the second rack (18) of the synchronization means and with the rack (19) of the mobile frame.

[0086] With reference to FIGS. 2 and 8, the rotation means (7) comprise locking/unlocking means (30) that are integral with a wall of the cabinet and suitable for cooperating with the mobile frame (70), in such a way to lock/unlock the rotation of the mobile frame (70).

[0087] The locking/unlocking means (30) comprise: [0088] an activation element (39) comprising a pin, which is suitable for hitting a pin (45) (FIG. 4) that is integral with the second arm (41b) of the second bracket of the first sliding means to move the locking/unlocking means (30); [0089] a locking element (38) comprising a tooth suitable for being inserted in a hole (78) (FIG. 7) obtained on the mobile frame; [0090] a driving element (31) comprising a rod that is fixed to the pin of the driving element at one end by means of a lever mechanism and to the tooth of the locking element at the other end; [0091] a first spring (301) disposed in correspondence of the pin of the activation element (39), and [0092] a second spring (302) disposed in correspondence of the tooth of the locking element.

[0093] With reference to FIG. 18, when the second and third door panel (82, 81) reach the open position, the second arms (41b, 42b) of the brackets are disposed in the housing (D) of the mobile frame.

[0094] The pin (45) integral with the second arm (41b) of the second bracket of the first translation means hits the pin (39) of the activation element (31). Such an impact causes a movement of the activation element (31). By means of the driving element (31), said movement is transmitted to the tooth of the locking element (38) inserted in the hole (78) of the mobile frame (70). The tooth of the locking element (38) comes out of the hole (78) of the mobile frame (70), unlocking the rotation of the mobile frame.

[0095] The door panels (8) can be rotated outwards by 90° (FIGS. 19 and 20) around the axis (Y-Y) of the pin (R) of the rotation means, in such a way that the door panels (8) do not cover the front opening that provides access to the compartment of the cabinet.

[0096] The springs (301, 302) of the locking/unlocking means bring the tooth of the locking element (38) back inside the hole (78) of the mobile frame when the door panels are rotated in closed position.

[0097] With reference to FIGS. 1, 2, 9 and 10, the second sliding means (9) of each supporting frame are fixed to the mobile frame (70) of the rotation means in such a way to make all the door panels (8) slide along a direction (Z) (FIG. 20) that is parallel to a lateral wall of the cabinet, in such a way that the door panels slide between an extracted position, wherein the door panels protrude frontally from the walls of the cabinet, and a retracted position (see FIG. 22), wherein the door panels are completely disposed in adjacent position relative to a lateral wall of the cabinet, in such a way that the door panels do not cause a front hindrance.

[0098] The second sliding means (9) comprise a fixed slide (16) that is horizontally fixed in a lateral wall of the cabinet.

[0099] A slider (15) is suitable for sliding on the slide (16). The slider (15) has a parallelepiped shape and comprises two ball bearings (15b) that roll in the slide (16). The slider (15) is integral with the pin (R) of the rotation means (7) in such a way to make the door panels (8) slide in a direction (Z) that is perpendicular to the sliding direction (S) of the second door panel (82) when moved by the first sliding means.

[0100] The second sliding means (9) comprise a rack (17) that is integral with the lateral wall of the cabinet.

[0101] Said rack (17) engages with a sprocket (57) mounted on the pin (R) of the rotation means (7), in such a way to guide the sliding movement of the mobile frame (70) of the rotation means (7) along the sliding direction (Z) (see FIG. 20) that is perpendicular to the sliding direction (S) of the second and third door panel (82, 81) when moved by the first sliding means (6).

[0102] The second sliding means (9) comprise a fixed frame (90) fixed in the lateral wall of the cabinet in horizontal position. The fixed frame (90) is shaped as an overturned-U in such a way to define a sliding channel where the door panels (8) and the rotation means (7) slide.

[0103] The sliding channel of the fixed frame (90) is divided by means of partitions into: [0104] a first channel (91) where two pegs (71, 72) (FIG. 7) of the mobile frame of the rotation means slide [0105] a second channel (92) where the door panels (8) slide.

[0106] During the rotation of the mobile frame, the pegs (71, 72) of the mobile frame are disposed inside the first channel (91) of the fixed frame, thus stopping the mobile frame (70) after a 90° rotation. The mobile frame (70) slides between the first channel (91) and the lateral wall of the cabinet.

[0107] With reference to FIGS. 20 to 22, the door panels (8) can be pushed towards a back wall of the cabinet in parallel direction (Z) to the lateral wall of the cabinet, in such a way that the door panels (8) do not protrude frontally from the cabinet. In view of the above, the door panels do not cause a front hindrance for the user when standing in front of the cabinet.

[0108] During such a sliding movement, the slider (15) of the second sliding means slides inside the slide (16) and the sprocket (57) of the second sliding means engages with the rack (17).

[0109] It must be noted that, by pushing the third door panel (81) towards the second door panel (82) with sufficient energy, all the door panels can be opened until they are disposed in retracted position near the lateral wall of the cabinet.

[0110] Advantageously, with reference to FIG. 22, the pin (R) of the rotation means of the two supporting frames is obtained with a single cylindrical vertical bar, in such a way to synchronize the movement of the second sliding means of the two supporting frames.

[0111] The synchronization of the movement of the second sliding means prevents the door panels (8) from oscillating during the sliding movement in a direction (Z) that is parallel to the lateral wall of the cabinet.

[0112] Because of the supporting frames, the door panels (8) can be moved in such a way to provide a complete access to the compartment of the cabinet, without causing any front hindrance by the door panels (8).

[0113] Although not illustrated in the figures, the door panels-frame assembly may comprise only one sliding door panel or more than two sliding door panels. Moreover, the first sliding movement may comprise a bracket provided with only one slider suitable for sliding on a slide.

[0114] Although not illustrated in the figures, the door panels-frame assembly may be applied on window or door frames or wall cabinets or walls of a house in such a way to obtain slide-away walls.

[0115] Although not illustrated in the figures, the door panels-frame assembly may comprise only one supporting frame, which is fixed to the cabinet in upper position or in lower position.

[0116] Numerous variations and modifications can be made to the present embodiment of the invention, which are within the reach of an expert of the field, falling in any case within the scope of the invention as disclosed by the appended claims.