DESCRIPTION

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to a wall unit support device in accordance with the preamble of claim 1.

Background of the invention

Wall unit support devices are used to ensure a correct support and fixing of a piece of furniture to a wall, whether it is a real piece of furniture closed at the front by one or more doors, an open piece of furniture or a shelf.

The wall unit support devices are designed to be fixed, integrated or otherwise associated with the structure of a piece of furniture, generally at the rear portion/wall of the structure of the piece of furniture intended to be placed against a support wall.

The wall unit support devices must ensure a rapid and stable fixing of the device to a hook or supporting rail previously fixed to a wall. In addition, wall unit support devices are further required to be provided with adjustment/setting means adapted to allow to adjust/set the positioning of the wall unit support, and therefore of the piece of furniture associated thereto, with respect to the hook or supporting rail both in the vertical direction, i.e., in height, and in the direction perpendicular to the wall itself, i.e., moving away or approaching such a wall.

With regard to safety, the need is currently very felt to have a wall unit support device capable of preventing the undesired detachment from the hook or from the supporting rail, especially in the case of a thrust acting on the piece of furniture from the bottom upwards, without this in any way complicating the structure of the wall unit support device as well as the procedure of attaching/detaching from said hook or from said supporting rail fixed to the wall.

For this purpose, attachment devices have been proposed which include the presence of attachment means provided with a free attachment end for engaging a hook or a supporting rail previously fixed to a wall, as well as a removable locking element intended to collaborate with said free attachment end to prevent said free attachment end from inadvertently detaching from the hook or from the supporting rail previously fixed to the wall.

For example, the prior art document DE9201572 (Ul) concerns a device for fixing wall units to the wall which comprises a housing which can be fixed in the wall unit to be supported and provided with a supporting part, which is arranged adjustably in the housing and is supported on a counter- support integrally fixed to a masonry wall. The device comprises at least one retaining element which: is fixed to said supporting part and is at least partially interlocked around said counter- support integrally fixed to said masonry wall. Such a device prevents the accidental detachment of the furniture from said counter- support integrally fixed to said masonry wall,

It should be noted that, although such attachment devices are effective from the point of view of the stability and safety of the attachment achievable with a hook or with a supporting rail previously fixed to the wall, such attachment devices are not very practical for operating the locking element or, worse, if it is required to unlock said locking element to allow the wall unit to be removed from the wall, an operation which most often requires the use of a hand tool such as a screwdriver, pliers and the like.

A further requirement to be met is that of ensuring the correct operation of the attachment device, in particular of the locking element, in all the positions in which the attachment device allows to be adjusted with respect to the body of the furniture to be supported.

Summary of the invention

The problem underlying the present invention is that of devising a wall unit support device capable of satisfying said needs and at the same time remedying the problems referred to with reference to the wall unit support devices of the prior art.

Such a problem is solved by a wall unit support device in accordance with claim 1.

According to a further aspect, this problem is solved by a kit for fixing a piece of furniture to a wall in accordance with claim 10.

Brief description of the drawings

Further features and advantages of the wall unit support device according to the present invention will emerge from the description given below of some of its preferred embodiments, given by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:

- figure 1 depicts a perspective view of an inner portion of a piece of furniture applied to a wall unit support device according to the invention;

- figure 2 depicts a perspective side view of the wall unit support device of figure 1, without showing the piece of furniture, while it engages a supporting rail;

- figure 3 depicts a perspective view from above of the wall unit support device of figure 2 while it engages a supporting rail;

- figure 4 depicts a plan side view of the wall unit support device of figure 2 while it engages a supporting rail; - figure 5 depicts a perspective and schematic view in longitudinal section of the wall unit support device of figure 2 while it engages a supporting rail;

- figure 6 depicts the view of figure 5 with a different adjustment of the position of the wall unit support device with respect to the supporting rail;

- figure 7 depicts a partially exploded perspective view of the wall unit support device of figure 2 and of the supporting rail;

- figure 8 depicts a partially exploded plan side view of the wall unit support device of figure 2 while it still partially engages a supporting rail;

- figure 9 depicts an exploded prospective view of the wall unit support device of figure 2;

- figure 10 depicts an exploded perspective view of only the attachment means of the wall unit support device of figure 2 and of the supporting rail;

- figure 11 depicts a perspective view of only the attachment means of the wall unit support device of figure 2;

- figure 12 depicts a perspective view in longitudinal section of only the attachment means of figure 11.

Detailed description of the invention

With reference to the accompanying figures, 1 generically denotes a wall unit support device according to the invention.

The wall unit support device 1 is designed to be applied to or integrated in the structure of a piece of furniture 2 and to engage by removable attachment a supporting rail 3 projecting out of a wall to maintain the piece of furniture fixed to the wall.

Said supporting rail 3 comprises a fixing portion 3a, designed to be fixed to the wall which must support the piece of furniture 2, and an upper attachment portion 3b projecting out of the fixing portion 3a to be reversibly engaged by the fixing device 1.

In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, said upper attachment portion 3b identifies the upper end portion of the supporting rail 3 when such a rail is fixed to the wall.

Preferably, said attachment portion 3b of the supporting rail 3 comprises an upper end portion shaped like a hook so as to achieve a better engagement with the wall unit support device 1.

The wall unit support device 1 comprises:

- a supporting structure 4 comprising a first side 10 designed to face the wall which must support the piece of furniture 2 when the wall unit support device 1 is in use (see figure 1);

- fixing means 8 for the reversible fixing of the wall unit support device 1 to the structure of a piece of furniture 2 to be supported by a wall, in the example two expansion shanks;

- attachment means 7 comprising a free attachment end 7a for the reversible fixing of the wall unit support device 1 to the upper attachment portion 3b of said supporting rail 3;

- coupling means interposed between the attachment means 7 and the support structure 4 to allow the free attachment end 7a of the attachment means 7 to be adjustably moved in a predetermined longitudinal direction X-X toward or away from said first side 10 of the supporting structure 4 to pass from a more retracted projecting position with respect to the supporting structure 4 to a more pulled out projecting position in which the attachment end 7a projects more in said longitudinal direction X-V from the supporting structure 4, and vice versa,

- adjustment means 5 for adjusting the distance of the free attachment end 7a of the attachment means 7 toward and away from said first side 10 of the supporting structure 4, and

- an inner seat 11 vertically extending in said free attachment end 7a of the attachment means 7 starting from a lower opening, to allow such an inner seat 11 to engage from above an upper attachment portion 3b of a supporting rail 3, or of a hook or similar element, projecting out of said wall when the wall unit support device is in use to fix the piece of furniture 2 to such a wall.

In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, said supporting structure 4 identifies a box-like body from which the free attachment end 7a of the attachment means 7 projects from the first side 10.

Said coupling means interposed between the attachment means 7 and the supporting structure 4 are not illustrated in the figure for the sake of simplicity. Preferably, such coupling means include a series of horizontal guides, extending in said longitudinal direction X-X and obtained inside the box-like body 4, along which the attachment means 7 are guided in the longitudinal/horizontal direction X-X as a slider, so that the free end 7a of the attachment means 7 is slid toward and from said projecting position in which such a free end 7a is farther away from the supporting structure 4.

In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, said fixing means 8 are shanks projecting from the box-like body of the supporting structure 4 for engaging corresponding holes obtained in the inner side of the walls of the piece of furniture 2. Alternatively, it is possible to include structurally and/or functionally different fixing means, such as expansion dowels, screws, nuts, bolts, studs and the like. Preferably, said adjustment means for adjusting the distance of the free attachment end 7a of the attachment means 7 toward and away with respect to said first side 10 of the supporting structure 4 comprise a longitudinal adjustment screw 5 extending longitudinally in said supporting structure 4, said longitudinal adjustment screw 5 acting between the supporting structure 4 and the attachment means 7.

Preferably, said longitudinal adjustment screw 5 is accessible from the rear side of the supporting structure 4, i.e. the rear side 18 of the body 4 opposite said first side 10.

Preferably, said longitudinal adjustment screw 5 engages a threaded nut integral in translation with the attachment means 7, so that a rotation in one direction or in the opposite direction of said longitudinal adjustment screw 5 determines a relative movement approaching or moving away from the free end 7a of the attachment means 7 from the first side 10 of the supporting structure 4.

The wall unit support device 1 further comprises a vertical adjustment screw 6 extending vertically in said supporting structure 4, such a vertical adjustment screw 6 acting between the supporting structure 4 and the attachment means 7 to adjust vertically in height the relative position of the attachment means 7 with respect to the supporting structure 4.

The attachment means 7 are supported and guided by the supporting structure 4 so as to be adjustable both longitudinally/horizontally and vertically with respect to the supporting structure 4 which is integrally fixed to the piece of furniture 2, so as to allow an adjustment in depth and in the vertical direction of the piece of furniture 2 fixed to the wall by means of the wall unit support device 1.

Preferably, the attachment means 7 are guided and supported by the supporting structure 4 so as to be able to reversibly slide in both the longitudinal/horizontal direction and in the vertical direction.

Figures 5 and 6 illustrate the wall unit support device 1 in which the attachment means 7 are positioned and oriented differently with respect to the supporting structure 4 as a result of a different adjustment obtained by acting on the vertical adjustment screw 6.

The wall unit support device 1 further comprises a locking element 12 comprising a body 12b having a front end 12a located proximate to said lower opening of said inner seat 11, said body 12b of the locking element 12 being associated with and guided by said attachment means 7 to be longitudinally displaceable with respect to the free attachment end 7a of the attachment means 7 and to reversibly move between:

• a forward position toward the free attachment end 7a of the attachment means 7 for partially obstructing said lower opening of the inner seat 11 of the attachment means 7 with said front end 12a, so as to prevent vertical pull-off of the attachment portion 3b of the supporting rail 3 inserted in the retaining seat when the wall unit support device 1 is in use and

• a retracted position away from the free attachment end 7a of said attachment means 7 in which the front end 12a of the locking element 12 does not obstruct the lower opening of the inner seat 11 of the attachment means 7 allowing vertical insertion and/or pull-off of the attachment portion 3b of the supporting rail 3 into and out of the inner seat 11.

In the wall unit support device 1, said locking element 12 is supported and guided by the attachment means 7 so as to be reversibly longitudinally displaceable with respect to the free attachment end 7a from and toward a forward position with respect to the free attachment end 7a of the attachment means 7 to reversibly move between:

- a forward position toward the free attachment end 7a of the attachment means 7 in which said locking element 12 partially obstructs said lower opening of the inner seat 11 of the attachment means 7, so as to prevent vertical pull-off of the attachment portion 3b of the supporting rail 3 inserted in the retaining seat when the wall unit support device 1 is in use (see figures 2 and 4) and

- a retracted position away from the free attachment end 7a of said attachment means 7 in which the locking element 12 does not obstruct the lower opening of the inner seat 11 of the attachment means 7 allowing vertical insertion and/or pull-off of the attachment portion 3b of the supporting rail 3 into and out of the inner seat 11 (see figures 7, 8 and 12).

In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, said locking element 12 is slidably coupled and supported by the attachment means 7 by means of a guidecursor coupling suitable to allow the locking element 12 to be reversibly moved from and toward said forward position with respect to the attachment means 7 by means of a translation.

In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the locking element 12 projects from the first side 10 of the supporting structure 4 parallel to the attachment means 7 (preferably along the lower side of the attachment means 7) and the wall unit support device 1 comprises:

- stop means for limiting by interference the maximum forward limit stop position that can be reached by the locking element 12 away from the first side 10 of the supporting structure 4 and

- stop means for limiting by interference the maximum retracted limit stop position that can be reached by the locking element 12 inside the supporting structure 4, so as to make the locking element 12 impossible to lose with respect to the attachment means 7 and the supporting structure 4.

The effective retaining action exerted by the front end 12a of the locking element 12 on the head of the attachment portion 3b of the supporting rail 3, so as to retain it firmly inside the inner seat 11 allows to prevent the piece of furniture 2 from inadvertently detaching from the attachment rail 3 following an accidental thrust from the bottom upwards.

It should be noted that the wall unit support device 1 further comprises actuating means 14 on which to act to move the locking element 12 toward and away from said forward position with respect to the free attachment end 7a of the attachment means 7 when said wall unit support device 1 is in use.

Advantageously, said actuating means comprise a pushing member 14 comprising a head 15 from which an actuating rod 16 projects, in which:

- said head 15 of said pushing member 14 is positioned and operable from outside said supporting structure 4 and

- said actuating rod 16 of said pushing member 14 has a portion inserted in said supporting structure 4 through a passage, until it engages the locking element 12 and causes a reversible displacement of the locking element 12 from said retracted position away from the free attachment end 7a of the attachment means 7 toward said forward position toward the free attachment end 7a of the attachment means 7.

Preferably, said portion of the actuating rod 16 inserted in the supporting structure 4 is inserted through a passage formed in a rear side 18 of the supporting structure 4 opposite to the first side 10.

Preferably, said portion of the actuating rod 16 inserted in the supporting structure 4 is aligned in a substantially extending relationship to the body 12b of the locking element 12.

Preferably, the actuating rod 16 of the pushing member 14 engages the body 12b of the locking element 12 (more preferably at a rear portion of said body 12b) opposite to said front end 12a, by means of a coupling between parts suitable for:

- making the actuating rod 16 of the pushing member 14 and the body 12b of the locking element 12 integral with each other in translation until a predetermined maximum force is exceeded, and

- allowing the actuating rod 16 of the pushing member 14 to slide relative to the body 12b of the locking element 12 when a predetermined maximum force is exceeded, in which said predetermined maximum force has a value that is greater than the force required to move the locking element 12 from the retracted position to the forward position, and vice versa

Preferably, the actuating rod 16 of the pushing member 14 engages the body 12b of the locking element 12 by means of a coupling:

- between complementary parts made of a friction material;

- between complementary parts made of high friction material and/or

- between parts with mating textured contact profiles, having at least one indentation, indentations and/or provided with indentations and cavities.

In the example of the figure, the actuating rod 16 of the pushing member 14 has a knurling or a surface indentation which engages corresponding abutment teeth carried by the portion of the body 12b of the locking element 12 engaged by the pushing member.

Preferably, the wall unit support device 1 comprises releasable stop means 19 for limiting the maximum sliding movement of the pushing member 14 away from the front end 12a of the locking element 12. In accordance with the illustrated embodiment (see figures 11 and 12) such releasable stop means 19 for limiting the maximum sliding away of the pushing member 14 comprise:

- opposed indentations 19a projecting outwards from a free end portion 16a of the actuating rod 16 and

- corresponding abutment walls 19b carried by said body 12b against which said opposite indentations 19 abut.

Preferably, the actuating rod 16 of the pushing member is a flexible element, preferably consisting of a flexible strap, allowing adaptation to the position assumed by the attachment means 7 and by the locking element 12 inside the structure 4.

Furthermore, when said pushing member 14 is inserted only for said free end portion 16a of the rod 16 inside said supporting structure 4, said flexible structure of the rod 16 allows to act laterally on the head 15 to move it away from the rear side 18 of the body 4, thus ensuring an easy access by means of a screwdriver or other tool to the adjustment screw 5, without the need to completely remove the pushing member 14 from the body 4 of the device 1.

On this point it should be specified that, if necessary, it is also possible to completely remove the pushing member 14 from the body 4 of the device, as for example illustrated in figures 7 and 8. In order to facilitate such a complete extraction of the pusher 14, said head of the free end portion 16a of the rod 16 is made so as to have an elastically deformable structure, so as to allow the complete extraction of the pushing member when acting with an adequate extraction force, without however compromising the integrity of the pushing member 14.

In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the elastically deformable structure is identified by a free end 16a shaped like an open fork with its opening facing away from the head 15 of the pushing member 14.

Preferably:

- said locking element 12 projects with said front end 12a from the first side 10 of the supporting structure 4 parallel to the attachment means 7;

- the wall unit support device 1 comprises stop means for limiting the maximum forward limit stop position that can be reached by the locking element 12 moving away from said first side 10 of said supporting structure 4 and

- the lower opening of the inner seat 11 of said attachment means 7 is not obstructed by the locking element 12 positioned in the retracted limit stop position. According to the invention, a kit for fixing a piece of furniture 2 to a wall, comprises

- a wall unit support device 1 as described above and

- a supporting rail 3 comprising a fixing portion 3 a for wall fixation and an attachment portion 3b projecting out of said fixing portion 3a, in which said attachment portion 3b of said supporting rail 3, preferably a hook end portion or folded away from said fixing portion 3a, is reversibly engaged in the retaining seat formed in the free end 7a of the attachment means 7 of the wall unit support device 1 to support the wall unit support device 1 on the wall.

In using the fixing device 1, once the same has been applied to a piece of furniture as illustrated in figure 1 and the piece of furniture has been attached to a supporting rail or other similar element, it is sufficient to insert the pushing member 14 in the supporting structure 4 through the passage of which it has been said, to obtain the passage of the locking element 12 from the retracted position to the forward position toward the free attachment end 7a of the attachment means 7 and prevent the vertical pull-off of the attachment portion 3b of the supporting rail 3 from the retaining seat.

Once the locking element 12 has reached said forward limit stop position, a greater insertion force exerted on the pushing member 14 causes the actuating rod 16 to slide with respect to the locking element 12, such as to substantially bring the entire actuating rod 16 to retractably insert in the supporting structure 4 of the devices, with the further advantage of covering the adjustment screw 5 with the head 15.

If it is necessary to remove the piece of furniture 2 from the wall, it is sufficient to act beforehand on the head 15 of the pushing member 14, removing it from the body of the supporting structure 4 to obtain a simultaneous retraction of the locking element 12 from the forward position to said position moved away from the free attachment end 7a. Thereby the lower opening of the inner seat 11 of the attachment means 7 is released, making it possible to vertically pull the attachment portion 3b of the supporting rail from the inner seat 11.

As can be appreciated from what has been described, the wall unit support device according to the present invention makes it possible to meet said need and at the same time to overcome the drawbacks referred to in the introductory part of the present description with reference to the prior art. In fact, in the face of a simple and easily implementable structure, the device is able to prevent the accidental disengagement of the wall unit support device fixed to the piece of furniture from the supporting rail.

Obviously, a person skilled in the art may make numerous modifications and variations to the wall unit support device described above so as to satisfy contingent and specific requirements, all of which are contained in the scope of protection of the invention as defined by the following claims. Thus, for example, in the description reference has always been made to a supporting rail 3 since the use of supporting rails is currently the most used mode for supporting furniture on walls. However, alternatively, it is possible to include other structurally and/or functionally equivalent supporting means to be fixed to the wall, such as hooks, brackets or pins.

Furthermore, it should be noted that, in general, for a correct support of a piece of furniture it is necessary to include the use of two or more wall unit support devices suitably spaced apart from each other along the supporting rail.