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United States Patent Application	20070062127
Kind Code	A1
Nicoletti; Bruno	March 22, 2007

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Foreign Application Data

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Date	Code	Application Number
Aug 10, 2005	IT	BO2005A 000532

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Claims

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1. A system for fastening articles, such as shelves or work tops, to uprights of a support structure, the structure including at least a pair of panels, respectively a first panel and a second panel, fastened to at least one of said uprights, so that vertical, facing edges of the panels are spaced apart, the system including: first fixing means, formed on lateral outer walls of said uprights and symmetrical with respect to a longitudinal plane of the upright, said first fixing means extending in between said vertical, facing edges of said panels; second fixing means formed in said articles and designed to insert between said vertical facing edges of said panels, on a side opposite to said first fixing means, for coupling with said first fixing means and fastening said articles to said uprights.

2. A system, according to claim 1, wherein each of said first fixing means is formed by a male connector, comprising a first protrusion with a section narrowing defining a first groove and a second groove.

3. A system, according to claim 2, wherein said second fixing means comprise a female connector, including a pair of parallel extensions, respectively a second projection and a third projection with terminal portions forming respective extensions facing each other and engaging with said grooves, due to receiving said first protrusion between said second projection and said third projection.

4. A system, according to claim 3, wherein said extensions are complementary to said grooves.

5. A system, according to claim 1, wherein each of said first fixing means includes a female connector.

6. A system, according to claim 2, wherein each of said second fixing means includes a male connector, shaped in such a way, as to be complementary to said first fixing means.

7. A system, according to claim 1, including stabilizing means for stabilizing the coupling between said first fixing means and said second fixing means.

8. A system, according to claim 1, wherein said upright is tubular.

9. A system, according to claim 1, wherein said upright is a bar made of a press-folded metal sheet.

10. A system, according to claim 1, wherein said upright is obtained by extrusion.

11. A system, according to claim 1, wherein said panels are removably fastened to said element.

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Description

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FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to fixtures for office furniture and the like.

[0002] In particular, the invention refers to a system for fastening articles, such as shelves, work tops and the like, to the uprights of a structure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Open spaces or big rooms are subdivided into more, smaller and functional rooms by prefabricated partition walls.

[0004] The above mentioned walls include substantially a bearing structure and covering panels, which cover the opening defined between the bearing structure elements.

[0005] The bearing structure is generally obtained by joining uprights and crossbars, made of section bars of extruded aluminum or press-folded metal sheets.

[0006] The profile of the above elements form grooves, shaped edges and the like, which cooperate functionally with suitable joints, allowing the assembling of various structure elements.

[0007] Other elements for mounting the covering panels and for support and/or anchorage of the wall are fitted to the grooves and shaped edges of the uprights and crossbars.

[0008] The covering panels of these walls do not fit properly against one another, but they are separated by connection gaps of different width, formed by the section bars, not only for functional purpose, but also for aesthetic reason, in order to avoid possible alignment inaccuracy between adjacent panels.

[0009] A rational use of the spaces and a bigger flexibility of furniture composition require oftener and oftener the possibility to assemble furniture elements and fittings, such as desks, shelves, wall units and the like, to the partition walls.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The object of the present invention is to propose a system for fastening fittings, such as shelves, work tops and the like, to the uprights of a structure, ensuring rapid and strong fixture of these fittings to the structure.

[0011] Another object of the present invention is to propose a system which allows even a not particularly skilled operator to fasten the fittings to the structure without tools.

[0012] A further object of the present invention is to propose a system obtained by a simple technical solution, extremely functional and cheap.

[0013] The above mentioned objects are obtained, in accordance with the claims, by a system for fastening articles, such as shelves or work tops, to uprights of a support structure, the structure including at least a pair of panels, respectively a first panel and a second panel, fastened to at least one of said uprights, so that vertical, facing edges of the panels are spaced apart, the system including: [0014] first fixing means, formed on lateral outer walls of said uprights and symmetrical with respect to a longitudinal plane of the upright, said first fixing means extending in between said vertical, facing edges of said panels; [0015] second fixing means formed in said articles and designed to insert between said vertical facing edges of said panels, on a side opposite to said first fixing means, for coupling with said first fixing means and fastening said articles to said uprights.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] The characteristic features of the invention are pointed out in the following description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment, with reference to the enclosed figures, in which:

[0017] FIG. 1 is a schematic, front view of the structure, into which the proposed system is embodied;

[0018] FIG. 1A is a schematic, lateral view of the same structure;

[0019] FIG. 2 is a schematic view, enlarged with respect to FIGS. 1, 1A, of a particularly significant element of the proposed system;

[0020] FIG. 2A is a schematic, further enlarged view of a portion of the element of the previous Figure;

[0021] FIG. 3 is a schematic, top view of a portion of the proposed system, introduced into the structure;

[0022] FIG. 3A is a schematic, top view, slightly enlarged, of a portion of the elements of the previous Figure.

DISCLOSURE OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0023] Having regard to FIGS. 1, 1A, 2, 2A, reference numeral 10 indicates the proposed system for fastening fittings 9 to the uprights 1 of a structure 100.

[0024] The fittings can be e.g. shelves, work tops and so on (FIGS. 1, 1A).

[0025] The upright 1 is tubular and is preferably obtained from a press-folded metal sheet (FIGS. 2, 2A, 3, 3A).

[0026] Otherwise, the upright 1 can be obtained e.g. by extrusion of a suitable material.

[0027] The structure 100 includes also at least one pair of panels, respectively a first panel 2 and a second panel 3, removably fastened to at least one of the uprights 1, so that the relative vertical, facing edges 2V, 3V of the panels 2, 3 are parted away by a prefixed gap (FIGS. 3, 3A).

[0028] Each upright 1 forms, in its outer lateral right wall 12 and outer lateral left wall 13, corresponding first fixing means 11, which are symmetrical with respect to a longitudinal plane L of the upright 1, and which partially engage the area comprised between the vertical, opposite edges 2V, 3V of the panels 2, 3.

[0029] Each of the first fixing means 11 includes a male joint, comprising a first protrusion, which has a section narrowing 11A, situated near the terminal portion 11B and defined by a first groove 11C and a second groove 11D.

[0030] Each article 9 is provided at its sides with second fixing means 91 designed for engaging partially with the area comprised between the vertical opposite edges 2V, 3v of the panels 2, 3.

[0031] The second fixing means 91 are formed by a female connector, including a pair of parallel extensions, respectively a second projection 91A and a third projection 91B, whose terminal portions form respective extensions 91C, 91D, facing each other and complementary to the grooves 11C, 11D.

[0032] The proposed system can also have stabilizing means (not shown) for stabilizing the coupling between the first fixing means 11 and the second fixing means 91.

[0033] It is obvious that the first fixing means 11 can be formed by a female connector and the second fixing means 91 can be formed by a male connector, complementary to the female connector (this embodiment has not been shown).

[0034] Operation of the proposed system will be briefly explained, although it is easily understandable.

[0035] The upright 1 is suitably positioned and stabilized, the panels 2, 3 are connected to the upright in a known way, so that the first protrusion of the upright 1 inserts between the vertical, opposite edges 2V, 3V of the panels 2, 3.

[0036] The article 9 is properly placed, by an operator, on a desired level with respect to the floor surface, so that the second projection 91A and the third projection 91B of the article 9 insert between the vertical, opposite edges 2V, 3V of the panels 2, 3, on the side opposite to the first protrusion.

[0037] By acting in this way, the terminal portion 11B of the first protrusion of the upright 1 is received between the second projection 91A and the third projection 91B; consequently, the extensions 91C, 91D engage with the grooves 11C, 11D, so as to fasten the articles 9 to the upright 1.

[0038] It can be deduced from what above that proposed system for fastening articles, such as shelves, work tops and the like, to the uprights of a structure, ensures rapid and strong fixture of these articles to the wall.

[0039] Advantageously, the proposed system allows even a not particularly skilled operator to fasten the articles to the structure without tools.

[0040] The simplicity of the elements of the proposed system makes it extremely functional and cheap.

[0041] It is understood that the proposed invention has been described, with reference to the enclosed figures, as a mere, not limiting example. Therefore, it is obvious that any changes or variants applied thereto remain within the protective scope defined by the following claims.

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