Frame for use in multifunctional piece of furniture and furniture provided with the frame

Abstract

The invention relates to a frame (1) for use in a multifunctional piece of furniture (200), wherein the piece of furniture has a first position of use as a cabinet, comprising a series of displaceable shelves (202) arranged one above the other and a fixed shelf (201) arranged above the series, and has a second position of use as a table. The invention also relates to a multifunctional piece of furniture provided with one or more frames mentioned above.

1 . A frame ( 1 ) for use in a multifunctional piece of furniture ( 200 ), in which the piece of furniture ( 200 ) has a first position of use as a cabinet, comprising a series of displaceable shelves ( 202 ) arranged one above the other and a fixed shelf ( 201 ) arranged above the series, and has a second position of use as a table, wherein the series of shelves ( 202 ) are connected horizontally and together with the fixed shelf ( 201 ) of the piece of furniture ( 200 ) form a top of the table, wherein the fixed shelf ( 201 ) is positioned closer to a rear side of the piece of furniture ( 200 ), wherein the frame ( 1 ) comprises first mounting elements ( 2 A; 2 B) for mounting the fixed shelf ( 201 ) to two or more uprights( 20 ;  21 ), wherein the frame ( 1 ) comprises second mounting elements ( 3 ) for mounting a first side of the series of displaceable shelves ( 202 ) and third mounting elements ( 4 ) for mounting a second side of the series of displaceable shelves ( 202 ), wherein the frame ( 1 ) comprises first displacement means for displacing the series of shelves ( 202 ) from the first position of use to the second position of use, wherein the first displacement means comprise a first and second parallelogram construction ( 5 ;  6 ), each comprising two or more coupled arms ( 5 A;  5 B,  6 A;  6 B),
 wherein the first displacement means are arranged on the first mounting elements ( 2 A;  2 B),   wherein the second mounting elements ( 3 ) are coupled to upper arm ( 5 A;  5 B) and lower arm ( 5 B) of the first parallelogram construction ( 5 ) and the third mounting elements ( 4 ) are coupled to upper arms ( 6 A) and lower arm ( 6 B) of the second parallelogram construction, and the frame ( 1 ) comprises locking means for locking the first displacement means in the second position of use,   characterized, in that   the locking means are arranged for locking the lower arm ( 5 B;  6 B) of the parallelogram constructions ( 5 ;  6 ) to at least one of the first mounting elements ( 2 A;  2 B) and are operable by tilting the second and third mounting elements ( 3 ,  4 ) intended for the shelf ( 202 ) farthest from the fixed shelf ( 201 ).   
     
     
         2 . The frame ( 1 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein a first end of each of the arms of the parallelogram constructions ( 5 ;  6 ) is pivotally arranged about the first pivot axes ( 5 C;  6 C) to the first mounting elements ( 2 A;  2 B), and the first pivot axes ( 5 C;  6 C) of the lower arm ( 5 B;  6 B) of each of the parallelogram constructions is displaceable over a distance (D) between a first position and a second position wherein the first position is closer to an upright ( 20 ;  21 ). 
     
     
         3 . The frame ( 1 ) according to  claim 2 , wherein the first pivot axes ( 5 C;  6 C) of the lower arm ( 5 B;  6 B) is forced into the first position by means of first pretensioning means ( 7 ). 
     
     
         4 . The frame ( 1 ) as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein first pretensioning means ( 7 ) comprise one or more springs ( 7 ). 
     
     
         5 . The frame ( 1 ) according to  claim 3 , wherein the first mounting means ( 2 A;  2 B) each having a profile ( 8 ) and at each of the lower arm ( 5 B;  6 B) of the parallelogram constructions ( 5 ;  6 ) a follower element ( 9 ) is arranged, in which the profile ( 8 ) and follower element ( 9 ) are arranged for forcing the first pivot axes ( 5 C;  6 C) of the lower arm ( 5 B;  6 B) to the second position against the action of the first pretensioning means during an upward movement of the lower arm ( 5 B;  6 B). 
     
     
         6 . The frame ( 1 ) according to  claim 5 , wherein the follower element ( 9 ) comprises a pin ( 9 ). 
     
     
         7 . The frame ( 1 ) according to  claim 5 , wherein the profile ( 8 ) comprises a receiving space ( 10 ) for receiving the follower element ( 9 ) when, in use of the frame ( 1 ), a top side of the displaceable shelves ( 202 ) lie in the same plane as a top side of the fixed shelf ( 201 ), in which the follower element ( 9 ) moves in the direction of the first position and the follower element ( 9 ) can be removed from the receiving space ( 10 ) due to the tilt in which the follower element ( 9 ) moves towards the second position. 
     
     
         8 . The frame ( 1 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein the frame ( 1 ) comprises at least two uprights ( 20 ;  21 ) to which the first mounting elements ( 2 A;  2 B) are coupled, wherein at least one upright ( 20 ;  21 ) comprises a first foot ( 20 A;  21 A) and a second foot ( 20 B;  21 B),
 the first foot ( 20 A;  21 A) comprising a housing for a second foot ( 20 B;  21 B), wherein the second foot ( 20 B;  21 B) is displaceable between a first position in which the second foot ( 20 B;  21 B) is substantially in the housing and a second position in which the second foot ( 20 B;  21 B) is partly out of the housing, wherein the frame ( 1 ) comprises second displacement means for displacing the second foot ( 20 B;  21 B) in and out of the housing, wherein the second displacement means are arranged for cooperation with the first displacement means.   
     
     
         9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . The frame ( 1 ) according to  claim 8 , wherein the second displacement means comprise second pretensioning means for forcing the second foot ( 20 B;  21 B) into the housing and a cable ( 30 ;  31 ), in which a first end is coupled to the second foot ( 20 B;  21 B) and a second end is coupled to an arm ( 5 A;  5 B,  6 A;  6 B) of a parallelogram construction ( 5 ;  6 ), such that during upward movement of the arm ( 5 A;  5 B,  6 A;  6 B) the second foot ( 20 B;  21 B) moves out of the housing against the action of the pretensioning means. 
     
     
         11 . The frame ( 1 ) as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the second pretensioning means comprise at least one spring. 
     
     
         12 . The frame ( 1 ) according to  claim 10 , wherein the cable ( 30 ;  31 ) comprises a Bowden cable comprising an outer sheath, wherein a first end of the outer sheath is connected in a secure manner to an outside of the first foot ( 20 A;  21 A) and a second end of the outer sheath is connected in a secure manner to a fourth mounting element ( 11 ;  12 ), which fourth mounting element is located under the first mounting element ( 2 A;  2 B) near an upright ( 20 ;  21 ). 
     
     
         13 . The frame ( 1 ) according to  claim 12 , wherein the fourth mounting element ( 11 ;  12 ) is preferably arranged on the first mounting element ( 2 A;  2 B). 
     
     
         14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . The frame ( 1 ) as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the frame ( 1 ) is provided with a back plate, which back plate comprises at least two plate sections, wherein an under side of the first plate section is attached to a lower and stationary part of the frame ( 1 ) and an upper side of the second plate section is attached to moveable parts of the uprights ( 20 ;  21 ), such that in operation of the frame ( 1 ) the two plate sections move past each other. 
     
     
         16 . The frame ( 1 ) according to  claim 15 , wherein the fixed shelf ( 201 ) comprises a hinged shelf section, which hinged shelf section forms in operation a closable opening to a space closed in by the at least two plate sections. 
     
     
         17 . The frame ( 1 ) of  claim 1 , wherein the frame ( 1 ) comprises synchronization means for synchronizing the displacement of the first and second parallelogram construction ( 5 ;  6 ). 
     
     
         18 . The frame ( 1 ) according to  claim 2 , wherein the synchronization means are arranged to synchronize the rotation of the first pivot axes ( 5 C;  6 C) of the upper arms ( 5 A;  6 A) and/or the first pivot axes ( 5 C;  6 C) of the lower arms ( 5 B;  6 B). 
     
     
         19 . The frame ( 1 ) according to  claim 18 , wherein the synchronization means comprise a first pivotable rod ( 40 ), which first rod ( 40 ) connects the first pivot axes ( 5 C,  6 C) of the upper arms ( 5 A;  6 A). 
     
     
         20 . The frame ( 1 ) according to  claim 18 , wherein the synchronization means comprise a second pivotable rod, which second rod connects the first pivot axes ( 5 C,  6 C) of the lower arms ( 5 B;  6 B). 
     
     
         21 . A multifunctional piece of furniture ( 200 ) provided with one or more frames ( 1 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein the piece of furniture ( 200 ) comprises one or more displaceable shelves ( 202 ), which are each arranged between a second mounting element ( 3 ) and a third mounting element ( 4 ) of the frame ( 1 ) and wherein the piece of furniture ( 200 ) comprises a fixed shelf ( 201 ) which is arranged on the first mounting elements ( 2 A;  2 B). 
     
     
         22 . The multifunctional piece of furniture ( 200 ) according to  claim 21 , wherein the piece of furniture ( 200 ) comprises a rear wall ( 203 ), which rear wall ( 203 ) abuts against a rear side of the displaceable shelves ( 202 ), wherein the furniture ( 200 ) further comprises at least one pushing element, which, in the first position of use of the furniture ( 200 ), extends between the arms ( 5 A;  5 B) of the first parallel construction ( 5 ) and the arms ( 6 A;  6 B) of the second parallel construction ( 6 ), and is arranged on the rear wall ( 203 ) above a displaceable shelf ( 202 ).