EP1355554A1

EP1355554A1 - Connecting device and a piece of furniture fitted with one such device

Info

Publication number: EP1355554A1
Application number: EP02700375A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Daniel Dassis; Mathieu Dassis
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-01-26
Filing date: 2002-01-23
Publication date: 2003-10-29
Anticipated expiration: 2022-01-23
Also published as: DE60208156D1; WO2002058510A1; EP1355554B1; FR2820163A1; ATE313285T1; FR2820163B1

Abstract

The invention relates to a hinge-type connecting device, particularly suitable for assembling ready-to-assemble furniture, delivered in the form of a small package. Said device comprises at least two elements (4, 5), one of which comprises at least one hinge element and takes the form of a case (4) that can be embedded in a first item to be assembled, such as a panel (2). The inventive device is characterised in that the other element (5) of the device, which can be fixed to a second item (3) to be assembled, can be mounted on the first element (4) of the device, particularly during assembly of the items to be assembled, such as panels (2, 3), in order to form an auto-lock hinge in a predetermined angular position, the lock element (7A, 8A) being irreversible. Application: connector for ready-to-assemble furniture.

Description

Assembly device and furniture furnished with such an assembly device

The present invention relates to an assembly device of the hinge type, applicable in particular to the assembly of ready-to-assemble furniture delivered in the form of a space-saving package, as well as a piece of furniture provided with such an assembly device, this piece of furniture consisting of at least two flat panels which can be stacked for transport and assembled at a predetermined angle for mounting.

The hinge is defined as a device for assembling elements, such as panels, to be assembled consisting of at least two elements respectively which can be joined to an element to be assembled. These hinge elements are hinged together to be able to be driven by a relative angular displacement. This angular displacement is generally used to allow the opening and closing of elements, such as panels, to be assembled by means of said hinge. Therefore, the hinges, in particular in the field of furniture, are used in particular for the connection of a door to the furniture frame. Attempts to make such hinges polyfunctional have been described in patents FR-A-2,618,178 and DE-A-2,432,143. The objective in these documents is to equip the hinge with a hinge holding device in a closed position of the door equipped with said hinge, this holding device making it possible to avoid the use of pawls to latching or magnetic attraction between the door and the wall of the cabinet to hold the door in the closed position. Thus, in German patent DE-A-2,432,143, the device for holding the door in the closed position fitted to the hinge consists of a pivoting lever under the action of the angular displacement of the hinge to come in the closed position of the door, behind a stationary element of the hinge part secured to the frame. Such a system provides retention only because one of the hinge elements is secured to a rigid and stationary piece of furniture. This holding device is also perfectly reversible to allow the door to be reopened. It is the same for the device described in French patent FR-A-2,618,178 where a lug loaded by spring from the stationary element of the hinge extends in front of a projection carried by one other movable element of hinge in the closed position of the door to retain said door in the closed position. Again, the device is perfectly reversible to allow the door to reopen.

At the same time, the concept of furniture in the form of a ready-to-assemble assembly, delivered flat, has developed in recent years. To allow a lay person to assemble these pieces of furniture, the panels are connected to each other by hinges and are kept in the assembled state by stiffening elements such as crosspieces or the like. Generally, however, fixing the stiffening elements to the rest of the furniture requires the use of tools which increase the assembly time. In other embodiments, the panels are immobilized relative to one another by means of systems studs / eccentric or more simply by screws.

An object of the present invention is to provide an assembly device of the aforementioned type, the design of which allows the deployment of elements to be assembled up to a mounted position in which the stiffening of the construction thus produced takes place instantaneously automatically. and irreversible, without adding stiffening elements and without tools.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an assembly device whose design allows factory pre-assembly of the device on the elements to be assembled.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an assembly device of the aforementioned type, the design of which makes it possible to obtain a device of advantageous cost without compromising its reliability.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a piece of furniture provided with an assembly device of the aforementioned type, the design of which allows rapid assembly without tools and without requiring added stiffening elements.

To this end, the subject of the invention is a hinge-type assembly device, applicable in particular to the assembly of ready-to-assemble furniture delivered in the form of a space-saving package, this device consisting of at least two elements, the one affecting the shape of a housing built into a first element, such as a panel to be assembled, and containing at least one hinge element, characterized in that the other element of the device, which can be joined to a second element to be assembled, can be assembled to said first element of the device to form, in particular during the assembly of elements, such as panels, to be assembled, a hinge self-locking in a predetermined angular position, the locking member being of the irreversible type.

Thanks to the design of the assembly device, each element of which is provided with means cooperating with one another in a predetermined angular position to ensure self-locking of the hinge in an irreversible manner, it is possible to immobilize, in a predetermined angular position, to be assembled by means of said hinge without the intervention of tools or additional stiffening elements.

The subject of the invention is also a piece of furniture consisting of at least two elements, such as two flat panels or a panel and a base element stackable for transport and assembled at a predetermined angle for mounting, characterized in that that each piece of furniture, such as panel or base, is provided with an element of the assembly device, said elements of the assembly device forming, during assembly of the furniture, a hinge irreversibly locked in a predetermined angular position corresponding to the mounting position of the cabinet.

This produces a piece of furniture that can be instantly locked in the assembled state of the elements constituting it without the intervention of tools or additional stiffening elements.

The invention will be clearly understood on reading the following description of exemplary embodiments, with reference to the appended drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of an assembly device according to the invention, each element of the device having been shown in enlarged form;

FIG. 2 represents a perspective view of the elements of the device of Figure 1 in one state not assembled to a panel;

3 shows a schematic sectional view of the assembly device according to Figures 1 and 2 in one assembled state of said elements constituting it;

FIG. 4 represents a partial perspective view of a second embodiment of an assembly device according to the invention in the unassembled position of the elements constituting it;

FIG. 5 represents a schematic perspective and transparent view of a piece of furniture according to the invention equipped with another embodiment of an assembly device according to the invention, the detail of the assembly device having been shown enlarged;

6 shows a partial schematic view of the furniture of Figure 5 in the assembled state, the detail of each assembly device fitted to the furniture having been shown in an enlarged manner;

Figure 7 shows in parallel on the one hand a schematic perspective view of an assembly device according to that shown in Figures 5 and 6, on the other hand a half-section in exploded position of the constituent elements;

Figure 8 shows in parallel a perspective view of the assembly device of Figure 7 in the locked state of the device, on the other hand a half-section in exploded position of the elements constituting it;

FIG. 9 represents a schematic perspective view of another embodiment of a assembly device according to the invention;

FIG. 10 represents a perspective view of another embodiment of an assembly device according to the invention;

Figure 11 shows a half section of the assembly device of Figure 10 in the exploded position of the constituent elements;

Figure 12 shows a sectional view of the assembly device of Figures 10 and 11 in the assembled and locked state of said elements;

FIG. 13 represents a schematic perspective view of another embodiment of an assembly device according to the invention in the unassembled position of the elements constituting it;

Figure 14 shows a sectional view of the assembly device according to Figure 13 in the assembled and locked position of the constituent elements;

Figure 15 shows in parallel a perspective view of another embodiment of an assembly device according to the invention and a sectional view of this device in the unlocked position of the device;

Figure 16 shows in parallel a perspective view and a sectional view of the assembly device according to Figure 15 during the locking of this device;

Figure 17 shows in parallel a perspective view and a sectional view of the assembly device of Figures 15 and 16 in the locked position of the device; FIG. 18 represents a schematic half-section of another embodiment of an assembly device according to the invention in the unassembled position of the elements constituting it;

FIG. 19 represents a schematic perspective and transparent view of a piece of furniture equipped with an assembly device according to the invention, assembly devices having been shown in enlarged form;

FIG. 20 represents a schematic half-section of another embodiment of an assembly device according to the invention in the unassembled position of the elements constituting it;

FIG. 21 represents a schematic perspective and transparent view of a piece of furniture equipped with an assembly device in accordance with FIG. 20, some of the assembly devices having been shown in enlarged form and

FIG. 22 represents a schematic perspective view of a piece of furniture provided with assembly devices according to the invention in partially deployed position.

The hinge-type assembly device, object of the invention, represented under the general reference 1, is more particularly intended for equipping ready-to-assemble constructions and in particular furniture delivered in the form of small space packages, these construction being carried out in particular from flat panels stackable for transport and assembled at a predetermined angle for mounting. It should be noted that in all that will be described below, the word "furniture" should be understood in its broadest sense and includes in particular cupboards, desks, box-type furniture, tables with legs as well as modular constructions, such as verandas, light buildings, office partitions, transport boxes ...

The hinge-type assembly device, object of the invention consists of at least two elements, one affecting the shape of a housing 4 which can be built into a first element 2 to be assembled, such as a panel, l 'other, shown in 5 in the figures, which can be joined to a second element to be assembled, such as a second panel 3. Each element 4, 5 of the device comprises at least one hinge element generally consisting of at least part of the articulation 9 of said hinge.

Characteristically to the invention, these elements 4 and 5 of the assembly device form, in the assembled state, a self-locking hinge in a predetermined angular position generally corresponding to the mounting position of the elements to be assembled. The locking member, shown at 6 in the figures, is of the irreversible type such that elements, in particular the panels 2, 3 to be assembled, are held by the assembly device in a final position corresponding to their position of mounting. By irreversible locking member means a locking member whose unlocking can only be obtained by the intervention of specific tools for acting on said locking member. An intervention limited simply to the panels 2 and 3 assembled by means of the device is not sufficient to generate an unlocking of the assembly.

In addition, in the predetermined locking position of the device, the locking member 6 is arranged so as to be inaccessible. This inaccessibility is obtained either by cooperation of the elements 4, 5 of the device with each other, or by cooperation of an element of the device with an element to be assembled. These two modes of realization will be described below.

In general, the locking member 6 consists of a retaining member 7A, 7B, 7C and a retaining member 8A, 8B, 8C, the retaining member 7A, 7B, 7C being housed at the interior of the recessed box 4, while the member 8A, 8B, 8C to be retained equips the other element 5 of the device. This locking member 6 can have a large number of shapes as illustrated by all of the figures.

A first embodiment of the invention will now be described. In Figure 1, two panels 2, 3 are shown assembled by means of elements 4 and 5 of an assembly device according to the invention. Each element of this device has also been shown in an enlarged state in this figure 1. The element of the device affecting the shape of a built-in box 4 is provided internally on the one hand with a bearing 9B consisting of a housing circular formed at the end of inclined ramps to receive an axis 9A of the element 5. Axis 9A and bearing 9B cooperate with each other to form the articulation 9 of the device. The housing 4 also includes a locking member 6 consisting of a groove 7A, in the form of an elastically deformable clamp, receiving by clipping an organ, in this case an axis 8A, capable of being housed irreversibly in said groove 7A. The axis 8A equips the other element 5 of the assembly device. Thus, this other element 5 of the assembly device is simply in the form of a stirrup between the branches of which extend two axes, one corresponding to the axis 9A of articulation of the hinge, allowing angular displacement elements 4 and 5 of the device between them, the other to the axis 8A constituting the member to be retained from the locking member 6, this axis 8A cooperating with the groove 7A of the housing 4. This stirrup is still provided, in the vicinity of its core, a fastening member to the panel 3 to be assembled. In the example shown, the housing 4 has been produced in two parts, generally made of synthetic material, which form, in the assembled state, the groove 7A constituting the member 7 for retaining the locking member 6. Each half-housing further comprises an inclined ramp opening into a semi-circular housing forming a bearing

9B for receiving the axis 9A of articulation of the other element 5 of the device. The housing 4 could, similarly, have been produced in the form of a single piece of synthetic material or of molded metal. It is noted that, in this embodiment, the articulation 9, between the elements 4 and 5 of the assembly device and which is formed of at least two elements carried respectively by an element of the device, is produced in such a way that the elements of the joint, namely the bearing 9B and 1 axis 9A are fully separable and s' assemble by simple interlocking. Therefore, the panels 2 and 3 can, before assembly, be completely dissociated. Conversely, during the mounting of the panels 2 and 3, the hinge pin 9A is introduced into the bearing 9B of the housing 4 then the panels are moved relative to allow, during a moving in pivoting of the axis 9A inside the bearing 9B, the engagement of the axis 8A in the groove 7A of the housing 4. As soon as the clipping is made, the assembly device then occupies a locked position corresponding to that shown in Figure 3. The panels 2 and 3 can no longer be disassembled and are permanently held in the mounting position. This operation did not require the intervention of any tool or any stiffening element.

In the example shown in Figures 1 to 3, the branches of the elastically deformable clamp used to spare the retaining groove 7A -from the axis 8A are made in one piece with the built-in housing 4. This results in a simplification of the manufacture of such a self-locking hinge. In another embodiment of the assembly device according to FIG. 4, the only modification compared to FIGS. 1 to 3 results from the shape of the member of the axis 8A constituting the member to be retained from the member. 6 locking. This axis 8A has a triangular cross section intended to cooperate with a groove 7A of the housing 4 of complementary shape. Thanks to this shape, it facilitates locking while enhancing the irreversibility of unlocking.

In another embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 5 to 8, the locking member 6 of the assembly device consists of a hook 7B adapted to cooperate with a pin, an axis or a notch 8B coming taken with hook 7B with non-return effect. In this embodiment, the hook 7B constitutes the retaining member 7 of the locking member while the notch 8B constitutes the retaining member of the locking member 6. Again, it should be noted that in this embodiment, the retaining member 7B is housed in the built-in box 4 constituting the first element of the assembly device while the notch 8B, constituting the member to be retained, is housed in the other element 5 of the assembly device. Figures 5 and 6 respectively illustrate the positioning of elements 4 and 5 of the device on panels 2, 3 to be assembled. It is obvious that depending on the position to be taken by the element 4 and 5 of the device on the panels 2, 3 to be assembled, the design of the assembly device may vary depending on the movement operated by the device d assembly during deployment of the furniture. In fact, depending on the positioning of the assembly device on the panel elements 2, 3, the assembly device may move in the direction of an opening of the hinge.

(angle α varying from substantially 0 ° to substantially 90 °) or vice versa, in the direction of closing the hinge (angle β varying from substantially 180 ° to substantially 90 °). These two possible positions are shown more particularly in Figure 5. Regardless of their position, these assembly devices all have the same locking member 6.

In the assembly device shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the articulation 9 here consists of a set of rods 9C which allow, during the deployment of the panels 2, 3, a complex movement of the latter making it possible to position 1 'one of the panels on edge against the face of the other panel. These rods are today already widely used in conventional hinges. We find, analogously to the examples above, in the housing 4 of the assembly device, a bearing serving for the reception of the articulation 9 constituted here by the rods 9C, this housing 4 being directly built into the face d 'a sign. Similarly, the other element 5 of the device comprises a member for fixing or securing to another panel 3 to be assembled, connecting means to the rods 9C as well as a pin 8B intended to cooperate with the hook 7B housed at the inside the recessed box 4. This hook 7B can be spring loaded or be elastically deformable so as to be able to cooperate with an axis or a pin or a notch 8B capable of being housed irreversibly in said hook. In the example shown, this hook 7B is loaded by means of an elastic tongue 10 substantially in a U bearing on one of its branches on the bottom of the housing 4 while the other branch forces the hook 7B to pivot in the direction of locking of the member 8B.

FIG. 9 illustrates another embodiment of the assembly device in which the locking member again consists of a hook 7B able to cooperate with a movable stop 8B, equivalent to an axis, equipping the element 5 of the assembly device. Figures 10 to 12 illustrate another embodiment of the assembly device according to the invention in which the built-in box 4, shown in Figure 11, again comprises, as a locking member, a hook 7B biased by a spring 10, this hook 7B being intended to cooperate with a member to be retained, such as an axis

8B, capable of being housed irreversibly in said hook. This axis 8B is carried by the other element 5 of the device. In addition to these differences, this device differs from the device described above by the shape of the articulation again constituted by an axis 9A carried by the element 5 of the device, this axis 9A being intended to be housed at the inside of a bearing 9B formed in the thickness of the peripheral walls of the built-in box 4. In the assembled state, this device conforms to FIG. 12. It is noted that, again, in this exemplary embodiment, the element 5 of the device assumes the shape of a stirrup between the branches of which extend from on the one hand the axis 9A of the articulation between the elements 4 and 5 of the device and on the other hand, the member 8B to be retained intended to cooperate with the hook 7B of the housing 4. In the assembled state, this device is in accordance with that shown in FIG. 12. It is noted that, in this exemplary embodiment, the element 5 of the device comprises notches 11 intended to cooperate with an axis 12 of the housing 4 so as to delimit the end of travel position of the device.

In another embodiment of the device represented in FIGS. 13 and 14, the locking device is similar to that described in FIGS. 10 to 12. On the other hand, the articulation here consists of an axis 9A housed inside the recessed housing 4 while the bearing 9B is formed at the ends of the branches of one stirrup constituting one other element 5 of the assembly device.

In another embodiment of the assembly device shown in Figures 12 to 19, the joint 9 between the elements 4 and 5 of the assembly device consists of a cam path 9E intended to cooperate with a finger 9D. In the example shown in FIGS. 15 to 19, the cam path 9E is formed in a part housed inside the built-in housing 4 while the finger 9D intended to cooperate with the cam path 9E is disposed at

1 free end of 1 element 5 of the assembly device. The locking member of this assembly device consists of a tongue 8C, preferably elastically deformable, arranged to cooperate with a housing 7C provided with locking notches 7C1 ensuring an irreversible locking.

In the example shown, the housing 4 has internally a part providing two concave guide paths arranged substantially orthogonally to one another. One of the guide paths is intended to constitute the housing 7C provided with locking notches 7C1. The elastically deformable tongue 8C in turn affects the shape of a convex plate intended to be housed inside any of the guide tracks in the assembled state of the elements 4 and 5 of the device. During the angular displacement of the elements 4 and 5 of the device, this tongue 8C is capable of passing from a first convex guide path of the housing 4 to a second guide path which forms the housing 7C provided with locking notches 7C1. Due to the presence of the locking notches 7C1, the tongue 7C is immobilized, ensuring locking of the entire hinge.

Figure 19 illustrates this assembly device in the pre-assembled state on furniture panels 2 and 3.

Figures 20 and 21 illustrate another embodiment of an assembly device similar to that shown in Figures 15 to 19. This assembly device is distinguished from that shown in Figures 15 to 19 by the hinge 9 formed at new from a cam path 9E and a finger 9D. However, in the embodiment shown, the cam track 9E is carried by the element 5 of the assembly device while the finger

9D is carried by the built-in box 4 of the assembly device. As a result, the element 5 of the assembly device comprises both an elastically deformable tongue 8C and a cam path 9E.

Obviously, other embodiments of the assembly device can also be described. It is noted that, in the embodiments described above, the first and the second elements of the device are systematically connected together by an articulation allowing an angular displacement of said elements between them. This articulation 9 can be made up indifferently of an axis 9A of articulation capable of being housed in a bearing 9B of axis, of a set of rods 9C or of a cam path 9E and of a finger 9D moving in said cam path.

Obviously, other types of joints, such as those already used on conventional hinges, could also be incorporated into the present assembly device. Likewise, a number of examples of locking members have been described. However, under the general definition of a locking member consisting of a retaining member and a retaining member, other embodiments could be imagined.

This assembly device can be made up of two elements linked together by an articulation, whether permanent or not. Thus, Figures 1 to 3 illustrate in particular the case where the assembly device consists of two elements 4 and 5 fully separable due to the design of one hinge 9. As illustrated in some figures, in particular Figure 1 , FIG. 6 and FIG. 21, the locking member is, in the assembled and assembled state, elements to be assembled by means of the assembly device, inaccessible. This inaccessibility can be obtained either by cooperation of the elements of the device together, as illustrated in particular by the embodiment of FIG. 7, or by cooperation of an element of the device with an element to be assembled as illustrated in particular. the example of Figure 1 where the edge of the panel 3 hides the locking member 6.

As mentioned above, such an assembly device can be applied to any assembly of elements, in particular flat panels stackable for transport and assembled at a predetermined angle for mounting, these flat panels being intended for the production furniture, the term of which must be taken in its widest sense and includes, in particular, cupboards, desks, cupboard-type furniture, tables with legs as well as modular constructions, such as verandas, light buildings, office partitions, transport cases ...

Obviously, the furniture thus formed can affect a large number of forms. In the example shown in Figure 5, the cabinet consists of at least four panels hinged to each other by hinge-type connections to form a deformable parallelogram from a flattened position, shown in Figure 5, up to a deployed position, shown in Figure 6. At least a portion of the hinges are irreversibly lockable, in accordance with the assembly device described above, in a predetermined angular position of the panels corresponding to the deployed position of the parallelogram to form a furniture frame, such as a kitchen or office furniture or a cabinet, ready to use. These panel elements can also constitute, in the assembled state, the elements of a veranda. In another embodiment shown in FIG. 22, the piece of furniture may consist of a floor 20 and a top 21 connected to one another by partitions 22 articulated respectively to the floor 20 and to the top 21, these partitions 22 delimiting with the floor 20 and the top 21 a succession of deformable parallelograms arranged side by side and deployable simultaneously to come occupy a predetermined angular position corresponding to the assembled state of the cabinet, the parallelograms being locked in this position by means of at least a part of the joints respectively constituted by an assembly device of the aforementioned type. In the example shown, the top 21 of the piece of furniture is simply made up of two crosspieces, but could similarly have been made up of a solid panel.

Claims

1. Assembly device of the hinge type, applicable in particular to the assembly of ready-to-assemble furniture delivered in the form of small space packages, this device consisting of at least two elements (4, 5), one affecting the shape a housing (4) built into a first element (2), such as a panel to be assembled, and containing at least one hinge element, characterized in that the other element (5) of the device, which can be secured to a second element (3) to be assembled, can be assembled with said first element (4) of the device to form, in particular during the assembly of elements (2, 3), such as panels, to be assembled, a self-locking hinge in an angular position predetermined, the locking member (6) being of irreversible type.

2. An assembly device according to claim 1, characterized in that, in the predetermined locking position of the device, the locking member (6) is inaccessible either by cooperation of the elements (4, 5) of the device between them, either by cooperation of an element (4, 5) of the device with an element (2, 3) to be assembled.

3. An assembly device according to one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the locking member (6) consists of a retaining member (7A, 7B, 7C) and a member (8A , 8B, 8C) to be retained, the retaining member (7A, 7B, 7C) being housed inside the built-in case (4).

4. Assembly device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the locking member (6) consists of a groove (7A), in the form of an elastically deformable clamp, receiving by clipping a member , such as an axis (8A), capable of being housed irreversibly in said throat (7A).

5. Assembly device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the locking member (6) consists of a hook (7B) capable of cooperating with a pin (8B) engaging with the hook (7B) with non-return effect.

6. An assembly device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the locking member consists of a hook (7B) biased by spring or elastically deformable so as to be able to cooperate with an axis or a pin or a notch (8B) capable of being housed irreversibly in said hook.

7. An assembly device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the locking member consists of a tongue (8C), preferably elastically deformable, arranged to cooperate with a housing (7C) provided locking notches (7C1) ensuring irreversible locking.

8. An assembly device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the first and second elements of the device are interconnected by a hinge allowing angular movement of said elements together, the hinge being formed interchangeably a hinge pin (9A) capable of being housed in an axis bearing (9B), a set of rods or a cam track (9E) and a moving finger (9D) in said cam path.

9. An assembly device according to claim 8, characterized in that the articulation (9) is formed of at least two elements carried respectively by an element of the device, said elements of the articulation being entirely dissociable and assembling by simple interlocking.

10. Furnishing unit made up of at least two elements, such as two flat panels or a panel and a base element, stackable for transport and assembled at a predetermined angle for mounting, characterized in that each element of furniture , such as panel or base, is provided with an element of the assembly device according to one of claims 1 to 9, said elements of the assembly device forming, during assembly of the furniture, a hinge irreversibly locked in a predetermined angular position corresponding to the mounting position of the cabinet.

11. Furniture according to claim 10, characterized in that, in the assembled and assembled state, the locking member is inaccessible.

12. Furniture according to one of claims 10 and

11, characterized in that it consists of at least four panels hinged to each other by hinge-type connections to form a deformable parallelogram from a flattened position to a deployed position, at least part of the hinges being irreversibly lockable in a predetermined angular position of the panels corresponding to the deployed position of the parallelogram to form a furniture frame, such as a kitchen or office furniture or a cabinet, ready for use.

13. Furniture according to one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that it constitutes, in the assembled state, an office.

14. Furniture according to one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that it constitutes, in the assembled state, the elements of a veranda.

15. Furniture according to one of claims 10 to 14, characterized in that it consists of a floor (20) and a top (21) interconnected by partitions (22) hinged respectively to the floor (20) and above (21), these partitions (22) delimiting with the floor (20) and the top (21) a succession of deformable parallelograms arranged side by side and deployable simultaneously to come occupy a predetermined angular position corresponding to the mounted state of the cabinet, the parallelograms being locked in this position by means of at least part of the articulations respectively constituted by an assembly device according to one of claims 1 to 9.