PORTABLE BAR COUNTER

Abstract

Portable bar counter having a rectangular prismatic profile. The counter having a first closed configuration, adapted for transporting the counter and a second open configuration adapted for use of the counter, the counter including a support structure, a system of panels that are movable with respect to surface hinges, and connected to the structure due to further hinges, a work surface; at least one shelf; at least two shoulders connected to the surface due to hinges that allow spatially orienting the shoulders vertically with respect to the surface; at least one stabilizing support to be placed orthogonally along the front edges of the surface counter the counter being characterized in that the assembly between its components occurs due to mortise joints represented by cavities and projections mating with each other, the mortise joints also being covered by the metal layer showing magnetic properties, or by the layer of rubberized material.

Claims

1. A portable bar counter, provided on the lower part with wheels, comprising a plurality of components, with rectangular prismatic profile, that can be assembled together, said counter having a first closed configuration, adapted for the transport of said counter and a second open configuration adapted for the use of the counter, said counter comprising: a support structure in turn comprising at least two vertical rods, at least one vertical surface arranged parallel to said rods and as wide as the distance between said rods, at least one pair of rods orthogonal to the rods and to the surface and joining said rods with said surface; a system of panels that are movable with respect to surface hinges, and connected to said structure, due to further surface hinges; a work surface; at least one shelf; at least two shoulders connected to said surface due to surface hinges that allow spatially orienting said shoulders vertically with respect to the surface; at least one stabilizing support to be placed orthogonally along the front edges of the surface of the counter, said bar counter wherein the assembly between its components occurs due to the mortise joints represented by cavities and projections mating with each other, said mortise joints being further covered by the metal layer showing magnetic properties, or by the layer of rubberized material.

2. The portable bar counter according to claim 1, wherein the mortise joints can be found on the lateral and opposite edges of the lower surface of the work surface; on the upper edges of the lateral panels; at the edges of the smaller sides of the support; on the edges of the shoulders and on the lower surface of the shelf.

3. The portable bar counter, according to claim 2, wherein when in closed configuration, said counter comprises the cover adapted to maintain in compact form the components comprised in said counter, in a manner such that said components form a parallelepiped structure, said cover being reversibly placed and fixed on said compacted components by means of common hooks.

4. The portable bar counter, according to claim 3, wherein the work surface is foldable, said surface having at least two panels that are movable with respect to a common surface hinge system.

5. The portable bar counter, according to claim 4, wherein the shelf is foldable, said shelf comprising at least two panels that are movable with respect to a common surface hinge system.

6. The portable bar counter, according to claim 5, wherein the stabilizing support is foldable, said stabilizing support comprising at least two panels that are movable with respect to surface hinges.

7. The portable bar counter, according to claim 6, wherein it has at least one housing, said housing being a cavity or a hole, adapted to receive a common ice-carrier tray.

8. The portable bar counter, according to claim 7, wherein it comprises at least one shelf to be inserted, with systems of known type, in the lower part of the counter, below the work surface, and adapted to stabilize said counter when in open configuration.

9. The portable bar counter, according to claim 8, wherein it has, on the surface, at least one hole adapted to allow the exit and the access to the projecting portion of a common system for distributing beer and in that it possesses, below said hole, the space necessary for stowing at least one keg containing beer.

10. The portable bar counter, according to claim 9, wherein it has, at at least two corners of the work surface and/or at at least two corners of the shelf, at least one circular hole or one cavity, said holes or cavities being optionally internally threaded and each adapted to fix at least one telescopic rod and/or one rod that can be modulated to be vertically extended with respect to the work surface and/or to the shelf in a manner so as to generate a system of at least two, preferably at least four rods that are telescopic and/or can be modulated, said rods that are telescopic and/or can be modulated having the end, directed downward, externally smooth or threaded, and the end, directed upward, U-shaped, each of said ends being adapted to allow the coupling or the support, with means of known type, of a common cover.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] FIG. 1 shows various views of the bar counter 1, object of the present industrial invention patent application, when said bar counter 1 is in closed configuration. More in detail, FIG. 1 (a) shows a perspective view of the counter 1 when, on said counter 1, the cover 2 is attached that is adapted, by means of common hooks 3, to maintain in compact form the components comprised in said counter 1, in a manner such that said components form a parallelepiped structure. FIGS. 1 (b), 1 (c) and 1 (d) respectively show a plan view, a front view and a side view of said counter 1 in closed configuration, and are illustrated herein in order to emphasize the box-like compact profile of the object of the invention.

[0010] FIG. 2 shows a detailed plan view of the counter 1 during the first mounting steps. More in detail, FIG. 2 (a) shows a plan view of the components of the counter 1 when the latter is still in closed configuration. The following can be observed in the figure: the support structure 4 having the system 5 of panels 6 connected together and fixed to the structure 4 by means of hinges 7 and 7; the work surface 8; the shelf 9; the stabilizing support 10, adapted to confer greater stability to the bar counter 1 once mounted. FIG. 2 (b) shows a plan view of said counter 1 during opening. The figure in question shows the mobility of the panels 6 with respect to the surface hinges 7 and 7 as well as the presence of all the other components listed in FIG. 2 (a).

[0011] FIG. 3 shows a plan view (FIG. 3 (a)), front view (FIG. 3 (b)), and perspective view (FIG. 3 (c)) of the system 5 of panels 6, of the support structure 4 in open configuration. More in detail, FIG. 3 (c) shows that the support structure 4 comprises: at least two vertical rods 4, arranged parallel to a surface 4, also vertical, and as wide as the distance between said rods 4, and at least one pair of rods 4 orthogonal to the rods 4 and to the surface 4 and joining said rods 4 with said surface 4. As is observed in the figure under examination, the system 5 of panels 6 is more in detail composed of two pairs of panels 6, in which each pair has at least two panels 6 that are movable with respect to the surface hinges 7, and in which each pair is connected to the system 4 and in particular to the rods 4, due to further surface hinges 7. By examining the figure, on the edges 6 of the panels 6, the mortise joints 16 can be seen that, in this case, are represented by projections. Said mortise joints allow the stable and reversible assembly of the work surface 8 (not shown in the figure) to be attached on the system 5 of movable panels 6.

[0012] FIG. 4 shows a detailed front and perspective view of the step of extraction and positioning of the surface 8 of the counter 1. More in detail, FIG. 4 (a) shows a front view of the counter 1 when, from said counter 1, the surface 8 is extracted in closed configuration, while FIG. 4 (b) shows a detailed view of the stable and reversible fixing of the support 10 to be orthogonally arranged along the edges 15 of the surface 8 (not shown in the figure). More in detail, the figure intends to show the peripheral mortise joint 16 present on one of the more external shoulders 11 of the counter 1. Said mortise joint 16 is represented by a cavity. The fixing occurs due to the mortise joint 16 comprising the projection present on the edges 10 of the panels 10 and 10 of the support 10, to be inserted within the corresponding mortise joint cavity, present on the profile of the external shoulders 11 and in particular on the edge 11 of the shoulders 11.

[0013] FIG. 5 shows a plan view, front view and perspective view of the step of fixing the surface 8. More in detail FIG. 5 (a) shows a plan view of the surface 8 attached and fixed on the system 5 of panels 6. The figure shows that, on said surface, housings 17 are present that can be represented by holes or by cavities, adapted to receive the ice-carrier trays, or to receive containers useful in the context in which the object of the invention is used. FIG. 5 (b) shows the step of opening the surface 8 once extracted. The figure shows that said surface 8 comprises two panels 8 and 8 that are movable with respect to a common surface hinges 30 system. FIG. 5 (c) instead shows a perspective view of the surface 8 attached and fixed on the support structure 4, due to the mortise joints 16 (not visible in the figure in question). The figure also shows the presence of the shoulders 11 anchored to the surface 8.

[0014] FIG. 6 shows a front view of the step of lifting the shoulders 11 anchored to the surface 8. More in detail, FIG. 6 (a) shows that there are preferably four of said shoulders, which are movable with respect to the surface hinges 12 due to which they are connected to said surface 8. FIG. 6 (b) is similar to FIG. 6 (a) but shows the shoulders 11 fixed vertically and stably on the surface 8.

[0015] FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of the bar counter 1 in open configuration. More in detail, FIG. 7 (a) shows the presence of the shelf 9, comprising the panels 9 and 9 that are movable with respect to the surface hinges 13, when said shelf 9 is attached and fixed by means of suitable mortise joints 16 (not visible in the figure in question) on the shoulders 11; and the presence of the stabilizing support 10, arranged orthogonally to the surface 8 along the edges 15 of said surface and adapted to confer greater stability to the bar counter 1 once mounted. More in detail said support 10 performs the double role of: stabilizing the shoulders 11 that are present on the surface 8, and protecting and preventing the accidental fall of elements such as glasses, bottles and similar objects, present on said surface 8. The figure in question also shows the presence of an electrical outlet 20 adapted to supply power to a possible lighting system. FIG. 7 (b) shows a perspective view of the rear of the counter. The figure intends to emphasize: the presence of an optional LED lighting system 19, arranged along the edges 40 of the shelf 9, the presence of shelves 18 adapted for supporting and arranging all the objects useful in the use context of the object of the invention and the presence of at least one hole 50, on the surface 8, adapted to allow the passage of the projecting portion 51 of a common system for distributing beer, given that the stowing is allowed, below said surface 8, of at least one beer keg 52.

[0016] FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of a particular embodiment of the bar counter 1 according to the present invention. More in detail, FIG. 8 (a) shows the counter 1 in open configuration comprising four telescopic rods 22 that are housed and fixed via screwing or fitting within holes or cavities 21 present on the shelf 9 and/or on the surface 8. Said telescopic rods 22 each have the end 23 to be inserted within the hole or cavity 21, and the end 24 U-shaped, in a manner so as to allow the coupling, and/or allow the support, with means of known type, of a cover 25 adapted to protect the work surface 8. FIG. 8 (b) shows a plan view of the embodiment described in FIG. 8 (a), when the counter 1 is in closed configuration. More in detail, the figure intends to emphasize that all the components comprised in said embodiment are stably housed and compacted in an ordered manner in said closed configuration of the counter. Indeed, the support structure 4, the surface 8, the stabilizing support 10, the shelf 9, the shelf/shelves 18, the rods 22, and the cover 25 can be observed.

[0017] FIG. 9 shows a front view of the open configuration of the counter 1 in which, on the external surface of the front panels 6 of the counter 1, LCD screens 60 are present, reversibly fixed to plates 61 present on the surface of said panels 6. On each of the surfaces of the panels 6 in question, at least one hole 62 can also be observed that is adapted for the passage of electrical wires. FIG. 9 (b) is analogous to FIG. 9 (a), but shows a side view of the embodiment described in the figure under examination.

[0018] FIG. 10 shows a detailed view of the mortise joints 16 characterizing the portable bar counter 1, object of the present invention. More in detail, FIG. 10 (a) shows a front view of the mortise joint 16 represented by a projection to be inserted within a corresponding cavity.

[0019] FIG. 10 (b) instead shows the metal layers 16 that are adherent, e.g. by means of gluing, on the surfaces of the cavities and projections constituting the mortise joint 16. FIG. 10 (c) shows the layers 16 of rubberized material adapted to be applied in the cavity and on the projection constituting the mortise joint 16.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0020] In all its embodiments, the bar counter 1, object of the present industrial invention patent application, has two configurations which, for the sake of simplicity, in the course of the present description will be indicated as closed configuration and open configuration. Said counter 1 in fact comprises components, with rectangular prismatic profile, which allow the easy and reversible passage from one configuration to the other. More clearly, the closed configuration is adapted to allow transporting the present counter from one position to another, while the open configuration is adapted for the actual use of said bar counter. More in detail, in its closed configuration, the bar counter 1 assumes a parallelepiped box-like form comprising all the components of the counter retained together in a manner so as to generate a compact structure, retained stopped due to a suitable cover 2, locking said components with hooks 3. The cover 2 is preferably made of aluminum plate, but can be made of any other polymer or composite material with suitable rigidity and stress resistance. Once the cover 2 is removed, all the other components of the counter are identifiable, arranged in a compact manner. In particular, the present counter 1 first of all has a support structure 4 having at least two vertical rods 4, at least one vertical surface 4 arranged parallel to said rods 4 and as wide as the distance between said rods 4, at least one pair of rods 4 orthogonal to the rods 4 and to the surface 4 and joining said rods 4 with said surface 4. Said structure 4 also has a system 5 with at least four panels 6, movable and connected by surface hinges 7. More in detail the system 5 of panels 6 consists of four panels movable 6, and still more in detail by two pairs of panels 6 in which the panels 6 of each pair are movable with respect to the surface hinges 7, and each pair is connected to the structure 4 and in particular to one of the panels 4 due to other surface hinges 7. Further components of the counter 1 are the following: the work surface 8; the shelf 9; the stabilizing support 10 adapted to confer greater stability to the bar counter 1 once said counter 1 is mounted. More in detail said support 10 carries out the double role of: stabilizing the shoulders 11 which are present on the surface 8 when said shoulders 11 are lifted from said surface 8 in order to support the shelf 9, and protecting and preventing the accidental fall of elements such as glasses, bottles and the like present on the surface 8. The passage from the closed configuration to the open configuration of the counter 1, object of the present description, therefore occurs in the following manner: [0021] a) disengaging the hooks 3 and removing the cover 2; [0022] b) opening the system 5 of panels 6 of the support structure 4, exploiting the mobility of the panels 6 with respect to surface hinges 7 and 7 adapted to connect consecutive panels 6 together, as well as to connect said system 5 to the support structure 4; [0023] c) drawing the work surface 8 in order to then attach and fix it, by means of fitting due to the mortise joints 16, on the system 5 of panels 6 configured in open form; [0024] d) lifting the shoulders 11 from the surface 8 to which said shoulders are connected by means of surface hinges 12, and fixing said shoulders 11 in vertical position due to common hooks and eyelets; [0025] e) drawing the shelf 9, comprising at least two panels 9 and 9 that are movable with respect to further surface hinges 13 connecting said panels 9 and 9, and attaching and fixing said shelf 9 on the shoulders 11; [0026] f) drawing the support 10, also comprising at least two panels 10 and 10 connected together and movable with respect to surface hinges 14, and fixing said support 10, by means of fitting, orthogonal to the surface 8, at the front edges 15 of said surface 8. In other words, at the edges 15 directed towards the public.

[0027] The above-listed steps are indicative of all the components comprised in the counter 1 and all the operations necessaryand to be carried out in sequencefor mounting said counter 1.

[0028] The components characterizing the object of the invention are instead represented by particular peripheral mortise joints 16, present as fitting elements that can be found on the components which will be connected, due to said mortise joints, by means of a simple fitting mechanism. The mortise joints 16, even if apparently very simple from the standpoint of their profile, allow attaining the object of the invention, i.e. providing a portable bar counter that can be reversibly built in very brief time periods. All this while ensuring a stable and reversible fixing of the assembled components. The mounting of the bar counter 1, object of the present description, in fact requires about 2 minutes for its assembly and about 1.5 minutes for disassembly. Said peripheral mortise joints 16 are, more in detail, represented by cavities and projections having mating profiles, in a manner such that when coupled, said cavities and projections allow the stable fitting of the components on which said peripheral mortise joints 16 can be found. In particular the mortise joints 16 can be found at the lateral and opposite edges 8 of the lower surface of the work surface 8; on the upper edges 6 of the lateral panels 6; at the edges 10 of the smaller sides of the support 10; on the edges 11 of the shoulders 11; and on the lower surface of the shelf 9. In a particular embodiment of the invention, the mortise joints 16 are covered with a layer 16, adhering to the mortise joint, of metal material showing magnetic properties. Alternatively, and in a further embodiment, the mortise joints 16 are covered with a layer 16 of rubberized material. This in order to make the assembly of the components more effective and to prevent the wear of the same mortise joints 16. Said rubberized layers 16 can also be replaced and are shaped and sized in order to be placed on the projections and cavities representing the mortise joints 16. A further component of the present counter 1, comprised in all the embodiments of the invention, is represented by the presence of at least one housing 17, represented by a hole or by a cavity, present on the surface 8 and adapted to receive the trays set for containing ice. The bar counter 1 is also provided with at least one shelf 18 to be inserted with means of known type in the lower part of the counter 1, below the surface 8. Said shelves 18 are adapted to offer support to elements such as glasses, bottles, trays and other objects useful in the context.

[0029] The bar counter 1, object of the present description, also comprises optional elements in particular embodiments thereof; such optional elements include a LED lighting system 19, preferably at the front edges 40 of the shelf 9, power supplied by an electrical outlet 20 or by a common uninterrupted power supply. The counter 1, in other embodiments, has at at least two corners of the surface 8 and/or at at least two corners of the shelf 9, a circular hole or cavity 21, optionally internally threaded, each of said holes or cavities 21 adapted to receive and fix a telescopic cylindrical rod 22 and/or a rod that can be modulated to be vertically extended with respect to the surface 8 and/or to the shelf 9, in a manner so as to generate a system with at least two, preferably with four telescopic rods 22. In such system, each rod 22 has the end 23, directed downward, smooth or threaded and to be inserted in the hole 21, while the end 24, directed upward, is U-shaped, in a manner so as to allow the coupling, and/or allow the support, with means of known type, of a common cover 25 adapted to protect the work surface 8.

[0030] In a particular embodiment, the described invention provides that the counter 1 is provided with at least one LCD screen 60, with which the counter 1 is equipped, and preferably with at least two LCD screens 60. Said screens are to be applied on the front surfaces of the panels 6 directed towards the public. For such purpose, the front surfaces in question have at least one plate 61 for the attachment of LCD screens. Said surfaces are also equipped with suitable small holes (62) adapted for the passage of the electrical wires. In all its embodiments, the bar counter 1, object of the present description, when in closed configuration has a depth comprised between 0.65 m and 0.75 m and preferably a depth of 0.69 m; a height comprised between 0.70 m and 0.90 m and preferably a height of 0.80 m; and a width comprised between 0.20 m and 0.35 m and preferably a width of 0.26 m. In its open configuration, the present bar counter 1 has a depth comprised between 0.52 m and 0.75 m, and preferably of 0.72 m; a height, not accounting for the height of the shoulders 11, comprised between 0.70 m and 0.90 m and preferably of 0.80 m; a width comprised between 1.40 m and 1.60 m and preferably of 1.50 m.

[0031] The shoulders 11 possess, when arranged orthogonally to the surface 8, a height comprised between 0.30 m and 0.40 m and preferably of 0.34 m. Thus, the counter 1, when said shoulders 11 are vertically fixed on the surface 8, overall has a height comprised between 1.0 m and 1.30 m and preferably of 1.16 m.

[0032] In the embodiment in which the counter 1 also comprises the rods 22 and the cover 25, said counter 1 reaches an overall height up to 3.0 m, preferably of 1.90 m.