WO2009056935A1

WO2009056935A1 - Improved levelling device

Info

Publication number: WO2009056935A1
Application number: PCT/IB2008/002828
Authority: WO
Inventors: Carlo Cattaneo
Original assignee: Leonardo SRL
Current assignee: Leonardo SRL
Priority date: 2007-10-30
Filing date: 2008-10-17
Publication date: 2009-05-07
Anticipated expiration: 2010-04-30
Also published as: PL2203089T3; EP2203089A1; RU2438548C2; EP2203089B1; ITMI20072089A1; ES2567449T3

Abstract

A levelling device (10) accommodatable in a seat (12) provided for in a shoulder of a piece of furniture (13) comprises one foot element (14) adjustable in height by- means of a screw (15) and nut screw (16) adjustment mechanism, said screw (15) comprises a threaded shank (40) coupled to said nut screw (16) and a free end of the cylindrical head (11) shaped to constantly engage a complementarily shaped pinion element (17) actuatable to rotate said screw (15). According to the invention, said screw (15) and said pinion element (17) are enclosed inside a covering element (18, 20, 21, 22), and directly engaged to each other and thereto, projecting from the lower part of such covering element (18, 20, 21, 22) is said adjustable foot (14), wherein said free end of the shaped cylindrical head (11) comprises a plurality of shaped projections (19) facing a direction opposite to said threaded shank (40) arranged spaced peripherally one after the other along a peripheral circular rim above said free end of the head (11).

Description

IMPROVED LEVELLING DEVICE

The present invention refers to an improved levelling device .

Generally, currently there are various types of levelling devices which comprise a first portion constrainable in a stable manner to the element intended to be levelled, generally a piece of furniture, and a second portion adjustable in position with respect to the first to level the abovementioned piece of furniture.

In particular, both for aesthetic reasons and in order to reduce the overall dimensions, currently there are levelling devices shaped in such a manner to be accommodated in a seat directly provided for in a piece of furniture, for example in a shoulder, where such levellers can be actuated in adjustment outside the piece of furniture by means of a tool such as for example a screwdriver or a hexagonal key. An example of a levelling device of the latter type is described in the EP0733322 European patent.

Such levelling device comprises a moveable portion, foot-shaped at the lower part, adjustable in position by means by means of a screw-nut screw mechanism wherein the screw, provided at the head with a toothed rim, is in turn rotated by a pinion element. In particular, the foot, which always lies against the ground, the screw and the pinion according to the European patent EP0733322 are all accommodated inside a single covering in such a manner that the levelling device can substantially be entirely inserted into the piece of furniture reducing the overall dimensions and not damaging the aesthetic properties of the piece of furniture itself. The only portion outside such covering is the lower foot-shaped portion which lies against the ground.

Furthermore, such abovementioned device comprises, at the lower part of the screwhead, a collar accommodated in a corresponding annular seat provided for inside the covering . Such embodiment described in the EP0733322 European patent advantageously allows performing adjustments even in conditions wherein the piece of furniture into which the levelling device is inserted is loaded. In particular, currently the weight of the piece of furniture is transferred by the screw-nut screw mechanism in the abovementioned collar- seat coupling. However, nowadays, for aesthetic and/or overall dimensions purposes, pieces of furniture having the thickness of the walls, and in particular of the shoulder, smaller with respect to the measures deemed standard in the past are more and more common in the market .

In particular, thicknesses of shoulders of pieces of furniture reduced from 18 to 16 mm, or even less, are commonly available today.

Consequently, such reduction of thickness leads to a reduction of the dimensions of the levelling device, which, as a matter of fact, is to be inserted into the shoulder of the abovementioned piece of furniture, and this causes an increase of the internal stress acting on the collar-seat coupling of the known devices, such to cause damage to the device itself and not allow any further adjustment of the levelling. As a matter of fact, after loading the piece of furniture having a thin shoulder, thus also the collar- seat coupling being small in size, there occurs stresses weighing on the device (such stresses being transmitted by the collar to the external covering, which does not lie against the ground) such to jeopardise the proper operation of the device.

A general object of the present invention is that of overcoming the abovementioned drawbacks of the prior art in an extremely simple, inexpensive and particularly functional manner. Another object is that of providing a levelling device in which the mechanism for controlling the movement of the foot element can be actuated by the user manually without stresses when performing the required levelling adjustments even in conditions in which the piece of furniture is loaded and has a shoulder with a thickness smaller than 18 mm, for example 16 mm.

Another object is that of providing a levelling device in which the transfer of the weight of the piece of furniture is suitably transmitted only to the ground. According to the abovementioned objects, according to the present invention, conceived was an improved levelling device having the characteristics outlined in the attached claims .

The functional and structural characteristics of the present invention and its advantages with respect to the prior art shall be clearer and more evident from an observation of the following description, referring to the attached drawings, which show an improved levelling device made according to the innovative principles of the invention itself. In the drawings :

- figure 1 shows an exploded perspective view of a first embodiment of an improved levelling device according to the present invention; figure 2 is a perspective view of the improved levelling device of figure 1 partially assembled; figures 3-5 are sectional views of the improved levelling device of figure 1 assembled; figure 6 shows an exploded perspective view of another embodiment of an improved levelling device according to the present invention; figure 7 is a sectional view of the improved levelling device of figure 6 assembled; figure 8 shows an exploded perspective view of another embodiment of an improved levelling device according to the present invention; figure 9 is a sectional view of the improved levelling device of figure 8 assembled; figure 10 shows an exploded perspective view of another embodiment of an improved levelling device according to the present invention; figure 11 is a sectional view of the improved levelling device of figure 10 assembled; figure 12 shows an exploded perspective view of another embodiment of an improved levelling device according to the present invention; figure 13 is a sectional view of the improved levelling device of figure 12 assembled; figure 14 shows an exploded perspective view of another embodiment of an improved levelling device according to the present invention; and figure 15 is a sectional view of the improved levelling device of figure 14 assembled.

Referring to the drawings, an improved levelling device in question is indicated in its entirety by 10. Such levelling device 10 can be accommodated in a seat 12, preferably cylindrical and having a diameter even smaller than 14 mm, provided for in a shoulder of a piece of furniture 13 and comprises a foot element 14 shaped in such a manner to guarantee a stable support against the ground and preferably provided with a widened support base 25, the foot element 14 being adjustable in position with respect to the levelling device 10 by means of a screw 15 - nut screw 16 adjustment mechanism. In particular, the abovementioned foot element 14 has a cylindrical development and comprises, in a portion opposite to the abovementioned widened base 25, a threaded hole (nut screw) 16 into which the threaded shank 40 of the screw 15 is screwed. At a position opposite to the threaded shank 40 the screw 15 comprises a free end of the head 11; _. preferably cylindrical-shaped, shaped in such a manner to constantly engage a complementarily shaped pinion element 17, such pinion element 17 is rotatable outside of the piece of furniture 13 by the user by means of a tool . In such aforedescribed mechanism, the free end of the head 11 of the screw 15 cooperates with centring means 51, 52 inside the levelling device 10.

By rotating the screw 15, through the rotation imparted to the pinion 17, an upward or downward motion is indirectly transmitted to the foot element 14. Both the screw 15 and the pinion element 17 are enclosed in a covering element 18, 20, 21, 22 from which the abovementioned foot 14 of the piece of furniture partially projects at the lower part.

According to the invention and characteristically, according to the points outlined above, it is clear how the screw 15 and the pinion 17 are directly engaged to each other and to the covering element 18, 20, 21, 22 thus leading to nullifying the clearances of the relative kinematic chain, hence leading to a proper and regular operation of the levelling device even under heavy loads. The length of the portion of the foot 14 which projects from the covering element 18, 20, 21, 22 can be varied by operating on the pinion 17 and allows levelling the piece of furniture 13 into which the device 10 is inserted. According to two alternative embodiments the pinion element 17 may comprise, at the rear part of the portion which engages the head 11 of the screw 15, a support pin, as shown in the figures 1 and 2, or it can be shaped to form a "barrel" without such pin as shown in figures 6 and 7.

In particular, according to the invention the free end of the shaped cylindrical end 11 comprises a plurality of shaped projections 19 facing the opposite direction with respect to the threaded shaft 40 and arranged spaced peripherally one after the other along a circular peripheral rim above the free end of the head 11.

Thus, such shaped projections 19 provide a particular toothed rim. The pinion in turn comprises a plurality of lateral projections 81 complementary to the projections 19 in such a manner to provide a constantly engaged tooth coupling.

The pinion element 17, which as mentioned comprises a plurality of lateral projections 81 shaped to constantly engage the toothed rim formed by the plurality of shaped projections 19, is accommodated in a seat 50 provided for inside the covering element 18, 20, 21, 22 and it is in contact with the free end of the head 11 which is in turn maintained in position by said centring means 51, 52. Thus the screw 15 is constrained inside the covering element 18, 20, 21, 22, and in particular the head 11 is constrained to the pinion 17 at the upper part. Advantageously, according to the invention, the load weighing on the device 10 coming from the weight of the piece of furniture is entirely transferred to the ground . As a matter of fact, the load initially generated by the weight of the piece of furniture on the external surface of the covering 18, 20, 21, 22, is transmitted to the pinion 17 given that the seat of the pinion 50 is made in a single piece with the covering 18, 20, 21, 22 itself.

At this point, the load is transmitted from the pinion 17 to the screw 15 which, being in contact substantially solely with the foot 14, transmits the load to the latter which in turn, lying against the ground, shall transfer the load to the ground.

Thus, according to the invention, there are no internal stress conditions capable of jeopardising the manual descent and ascent of the foot element 14 thus excessive strain is not required of the user. As observable in the examples of figures 1-11, according to a preferred embodiment the abovementioned at least one centring element 51, 52 comprises an internal annular projection 51 of the covering element 18, 20, 21, 22 to provide a centring seat for the head 11. Alternatively the at least one centring element 51, 52 can be, as schematically shown in figures 12 and 13, at least one flap 52 with a vertical development provided for on the lateral surface of the covering element 18, 20, 21, 22.

In particular, such at least one flap 52 is deformable to achieve a position facing inwards after inserting the screw 15 into the covering element 18, 20, 21, 22 and upon achieving such position, visible in figure 13, the at least one flap 52 serves as a lower centring for the head 11 locking its outlet with respect to the covering element 18, 20, 21, 22.

As observable in the example of figure 6 according to the invention the covering element 18, 20, 21, 22 may comprise two half-shell elements 18, 20.

In such case, the two half- shell elements 18, 20 are maintained at relative contact to provide a single shell through at least one pin element 60, 61, 62 insertable into at least one relative hole 63, 64, 65, in which both the at least one pin element 60, 61, 62 and the relative at least one hole 63, 64, 65 are provided for in the portions of relative contact of the two half -shell elements 18, 20. According to a preferred embodiment the levelling device 10 comprises three pins 60, 61, 62 of which a first pin 60 is arranged at the upper side and is a pin to be riveted while the remaining two pins 61, 62 are arranged at the lower part and they are forced coupling pins .

The aforedescribed embodiment is for example shown in figure 1.

Alternatively, it can be provided for that the two half-shell elements 18, 20 be maintained in contact through an external cap element 70 arranged on top of the levelling device 10 and through a washer element 71 arranged at the lower part as shown in figures 10 and 11.

In particular, the washer element 71 is settled at the lower part in abutment against projections 26, 27 provided for at the lower part of the due half-shell elements 18, 20 once arranged in contact.

Furthermore, as observable in the example in figure 3, the at least one projection 26, 27 provided for at the lower part of the two half-shell elements 18, 20, or more generally at the lower part of the covering element 18, 20, 21, 22, can also serve as a lower abutment for the levelling device 10 against the seat 12 provided for in the piece of furniture 13. According to the invention, it is provided for that the covering element 18, 20, 21, 22 possibly comprises, according to another preferred embodiment shown in figures 14 and 15, a sleeve element 21 and an upper cap element 22 the two being mutually constrained by a pin element 75 passing through holes 76 and 77 provided for on the sleeve element 21 and on the upper cap 22 respectively . According to such embodiment the assembly of the levelling device 10 comprises the steps of fitting the foot 14 into the sleeve element 21, screwing the screw 15 into the nut screw 16 in the foot 14, fitting the pinion 17 into the upper cap element 22, coupling the latter on top of the sleeve element 21 and constraining it at such position with the abovementioned pin 75. Alternatively, as shown in figures 12 and 13, the covering element 18, 20, 21, 22 is a single sleeve element 21 closed at the upper part and provided with at least one element or flap 52 deformable to achieve a position facing inwards the levelling device 10 and a lateral opening 78 for inserting the pinion element 17. Furthermore, in order to avoid the outlet of the pinion element 17, the aforedescribed embodiment also comprises an element 76 for partial closure of the abovementioned lateral opening 78, in such case the partial closure element 76 is lockable on the sleeve 21. According to a preferred embodiment for providing such locking, provided for is a snap-coupling between the partial closure element 76 and sleeve 21 due to the presence of shaped portions 93, 94 as shown in figure 12.

According to such embodiment the assembly of the levelling device 10 comprises the steps of screwing the screw 15 onto the nut screw 16 in the foot 14, fitting the foot 14 into the sleeve element 21, folding the flap 52 at the lower part of the head 11 of the screw 15, fitting the pinion 17 into the sleeve element 21 and locking it by means of the partial, closure element 76.

As mentioned at the beginning of the description the pinion element 17 can be actuated outside the piece of furniture 13 by a user through a tool to rotate the screw 15 and control the ascent or descent of the foot element 14 with respect to the covering element 18, 20, 21, 22.

In particular, in order to allow such actuation, the pinion 17 comprises at least one slot 80, 81 for the radial insertion of the abovementioned tool. According to some examples the tool to be used can be a hexagonal key or a cross -headed screwdriver depending on the internal shape of the at least one slot 80, 81 provided for on the pinion element 17. In the example shown in figure 1 the pinion element 17 comprises only one slot 80 and in such manner it is actuatable only from one side of the piece of furniture 13.

Alternatively, like in the example of figure 8, the pinion 17 can comprise two slots 80, 81 and in such manner be actuatable from both sides of the seat 12 of the piece of furniture 13.

At the at least one slot 80, 81 also the covering element 18, 20, 21, 22 comprises a gap 90, 91, 92 to allow the radial insertion of the aforementioned manoeuvre tool .

Obviously also the seat 12 of the shoulder of the piece of furniture 13 comprises at least one gap 45, 46 at the at least one slot 80, 81 which allows access from outside the piece of furniture 13 to the pinion element 17.

Lastly, in order to prevent the foot element 14 from inadvertently coming off the covering element 18, 20, 21, 22 in which it slides, according to the invention it is provided for that the foot element 14 may comprise at least one external abutment 95 and the covering element 18, 20, 21, 22 at least one relative limit stop abutment 96 for the abovementioned at least one external abutment 95. The contact between the at least one abutment 96 with the at least one relative external abutment 95 determines, blocking it, the limit stop of the foot element 14 preventing its complete outlet. It is entirely easy to understand the operation of the device subject of the invention. The levelling device 10 according to the present invention is intended to be incorporated in a seat 12 provided for in a shoulder of a piece of furniture 13 provided with a thickness even smaller than 16 mm. By rotating the pinion element 17, held inside the levelling device 10 but easily accessible from outside, it triggers the rotation of the screw 15 and consequently, given that the screw is stably accommodated/constrained in a relative seat, the sliding of the foot 14 with respect to the covering element 18, 20, 21, 22.

In particular, the levelling device 10 subject of the present invention allows easy performance of the required levelling adjustments even under conditions of a loaded piece of furniture with a shoulder having dimensions smaller than 16 mm given that the loads are entirely transferred to the ground thus not developing internal stress conditions.

As a matter of fact the present invention is particularly advantageous given that it optimises the distribution of stresses which develop allowing a user to easily manoeuvre the device 10 even in case it is inserted in a shoulder 12 having dimensions smaller than 16 mm, for example 14 mm, with the piece of furniture 13 loaded.

According to the description outlined above referring to the figures, it is clear how an improved levelling device according to the present invention is particularly useful and advantageous. Thus the object mentioned at the introduction of the description is attained. Obviously, the shapes of the improved levelling device of the present invention may be different from the one shown for exemplifying and non- limiting purposes in the drawings. Same case applies to the materials. Therefore, the scope of protection of the invention is delimited by the attached claims.

Claims

1. Levelling device (10) accommodatable in a seat (12) provided for in a shoulder of a piece of furniture (13) comprising a foot element (14) adjustable in height by means of a screw (15) and nut screw (16) adjustment mechanism, said screw (15) comprising a threaded shank

(40) coupled to said nut screw (16) and a free end of a cylindrical head (11) shaped to constantly engage a complementarily shaped pinion element (17) actuatable to rotate said screw (15) , said screw (15) and said pinion element (17) being enclosed inside a covering element (18, 20, 21, 22) , and directly engaged to each other and thereto, projecting from the lower part of such covering element (18, 20, 21, 22) is said adjustable foot (14) , wherein said free end of the shaped cylindrical head (11) comprises a plurality of shaped projections (19) facing the opposite direction with respect to said threaded shank (40) arranged spaced peripherally one after the other along a peripheral circular rim above said free end of the head

(11) .

2. Levelling device (10) according to claim 1 characterised in that said pinion element (17) is accommodated in a seat (50) provided for inside said covering element (18, 20, 21, 22) and in that said free end of the head (11) is arranged in contact at the lower part with at least one centring element (51, 52) inside said covering element (18, 20, 21, 22) .

3. Levelling device (10) according to claim 2 characterised in that said at least one centring element (51, 52) is an internal annular projection (51) of said covering element (18, 20, 21, 22) .

4. Levelling device (10) according to claim 3 characterised in that said at least one centring element (51, 52) is a flap (52) provided for on the surface of said covering element (18, 20, 21, 22) deformable to achieve a position facing inwards after inserting said screw (15) into said covering element (18, 20, 21, 22) .

5. Levelling device (10) according to claim 1 characterised in that said covering element (18, 20,

21, 22) is made up of two half-shell elements (18, 20) .

6. Levelling device (10) according to claim 5 characterised in that said two half-shell elements (18, 20) are maintained in contact by at least one pin element (60, 61, 62) insertable into relative holes (63, 64, 65) provided for in said two half- shell elements (18, 20) .

7. Levelling device (10) according to claim 6 characterised in that said two half-shell elements (18, 20) are maintained in contact by an external cap element (70) at the upper part, and by a washer element (71) at the lower part.

8. Levelling device (10) according to claim 1 characterised in that said covering element (18, 20, 21, 22) is a sleeve element (21) and an upper cap element (22) relatively constrained by a pin element (75) .

9. Levelling device (10) according to claim 1 characterised in that said covering element (18, 20, 21, 22) is a sleeve element (21) closed at the upper part and provided with a lateral opening (78) for inserting said pinion element (17) and an element (76) for partially closing said lateral element (78) .

10. Levelling device (10) according to claim 1 characterised in that said pinion element (17) comprises at least one slot (80, 81) for radial insertion of a tool for manoeuvring said pinion element (17) .

11. Levelling device (10) according to the preceding claim characterised in that said covering element (18,

20, 21, 22) comprises at least one gap (90, 91, 92) at said at least one slot (80, 81) .

12. Levelling device (10) according to claim 1 characterised in that said foot element (14) comprises at least one external abutment (95) and said covering element (18, 20, 21, 22) comprises at least one relative limit stop abutment (96) for said at least one external abutment (95) of said foot element (14) .