WO2001051750A1

WO2001051750A1 - Cabinet gate

Info

Publication number: WO2001051750A1
Application number: PCT/DK2000/000734
Authority: WO
Inventors: Anne Gram Jensen; Steffen Dyrup Petersen
Original assignee: Anne Gram Jensen; Steffen Dyrup Petersen
Priority date: 2000-01-10
Filing date: 2000-12-28
Publication date: 2001-07-19
Also published as: DK174033B1; AU2153301A; DK200000020A

Abstract

The present cabinet gate consists of a front panel (4) to which is attached a side member (5) on each side. The means of attachment to the piece of furniture (1) consist of two pins (8) at the bottom of the gate, which hold the gate through holes (6) in the side members, and which are carried further on into incorporated holes (2) in the sides of the piece of furniture. These two pins (8) then constitute a horizontal axis (10) which is the fulcrum of the present cabinet gate. At the top of the piece of furniture two more pins (9) are located which function as opening limits for the present cabinet gate in its horizontal position, and they also function as stops for the gate in the closed position. The gate's centre of gravity is then the central factor in the opening and closing mechanism, as the user is then able to move the gate directly to a vertical or horizontal position. The cylindrical pins (8, 9) which hold the present cabinet gate in position in the piece of furniture are extremely flexible, as the customer without use of tools can dismount the gate, and for instance replace it with another one, which satisfies some other demands.

Description

Cabinet Gate

The centre-of-gravity gate is an invention, which wili typically be used in book cases, cupboards or other pieces of furniture in which the user has a need for a gate. The centre-of-gravity gate is embodied with an opening/closing function in which the centre of gravity is movable so that the result is that the gate is either open or closed. The centre of rotation is located at the lowest position so that the gate tilts round a horizontal axis. The gate's front panel is fitted to two side members, which open and close together with the front panel and constitute a joint unit. The two side members actually control the position of the centre of gravity and thus in reality determine if the gate is to open or closed.

The known opening and closing mechanisms, which already exist, are typically side hung. In kitchen units are often used a closing mechanism, which closes the gate by means of a magnet.

Another known principle for side hung gates is where the hinges in the sides are spring loaded with the effect that the gate is either open or closed.

According to another principle the gate tilts round a horizontal axis in which the gate is attached at the bottom by means of a hinge. The gate is then held in the horizontal position by means of chains at the sides.

By means of the novel centre-of-gravity gate, which is embodied according to the centre-of-gravity principle, the result is an entirely novel concept of what gates in reality can be used for, in addition to a very flexible and user-adapted system on account of the very simple attachment principle which characterises the centre-of-gravity gate.

The centre-of-gravity gate is constructed according to a very simple principle in which the front panel, which in addition to the front member consists of two side members, and which all together constitute the gate unit. The centre of gravity is the central factor in the closing mechanism as the gate, which is hinged on pins in the sides, is activated by the user for opening and closing. The customer thus needs no conventional releasing mechanisms, but needs only to use the hand grip for opening or closing by moving the gate to a horizontal or vertical position. This is an obvious advantage, because the customer can open or close the gate directly without having to release or pay attention to a specific type of releasing mechanism.

The centre-of-gravity gate is composed of two side members and a front panel. This gives the customer a more intense experience, as the user conceives the gate as more than merely an ordinary gate due to the fact that the side members which accompany the gate out of the furniture compartment. Especially if the front panel is embodied of a transparent material will the moment of surprise be extra great, as this will make it possible for the user to see the side members in the sides. The side members and the front panel could be embodied of different types of material or have different surfaces, which would surprise and stimulate the curiosity, when the customer opens the centre-of-gravity gate. The side members will thus be emphasised and express robustness or quality. In brief, the user will in all circumstances experience the centre-of-gravity gate as something in between an ordinary gate and a drawer.

The principle of attachment of the centre-of-gravity gate is based on a pin system, which gives the user some other possibilities of use, than have so far been possible in connection with gates. It is actually possible to dismount the gate without use of tools, and it is easy to replace the centre-of-gravity gate with another, if desired. This could be a reality, for example, if the customer^'s demand has changed, and the user wanted to replace the gate with another model, which satisfies other functions. The demand could be to replace the centre-of-gravity gate with a new gate, which is more in step with the trend of time, or the customer wants a new gate of a more functional character. Furthermore, it will of course also be possible to move the gate to another compartment in the piece of furniture, where it would suit better. There are many possibilities with regard to the system of attachment but, in other words, it could be said that it is easy to design one's own piece of furniture, and in the same way it is easy to alter the function of the piece of furniture to suit a changed demand.

The pattern of use of the centre-of-gravity gate is also very all-round and different in relation to the functions, which are known today with regard to gates. In its open position the centre-of-gravity gate will function as an extra area of space outside the furniture compartment in which the gate is placed. The utilisation surface can be used for a multiple of purposes, as the centre-of-gravity gate can take up a comparatively high load on its useful surface. Depending on the type of furniture the customer has chosen, the open gate can have partly a character of decorative importance, e.g. with ornamental pieces placed on the gate. The useful area outside the furniture compartment can also have a more functional significance of a more practical character, as the centre-of-gravity gate can be utilised as a storage area or as a working area.

This gives the customer a possibility with this furniture system to choose, when the gate is to be in its state of utilisation (open) or closed.

As described above the gate tilts round a horizontal axis, which in practice is constituted by two cylindrical pins, which are attached through a hole in the side members of the front panel, and which are continued into incorporated holes in the sides of the piece of furniture. These two pins constitute the hinge in the structure and are the centre of rotation. At the top of the piece of furniture there are also two cylindrical pins, which function partly as opening stops for the centre-of-gravity gate in its open position. In the open position the front panel on the gate will be horizontal, and the pins at the top will mesh into the side members, where one part of the side members has the design of "hooks", and in this way ensures a stop of the centre-of-gravity gate in its open position.

The principle of attachment of the centre-of-gravity gate is cylindrical pins. These pins are easy to mount and dismount by the customer without any use of tools. The piece of furniture into which the gate is to be mounted is prepared with incorporated holes arranged to fit the various dimensions of the centre-of-gravity gates.

The centre-of-gravity gate consists of two side members and one front panel. Depending on the choice of material and surface the gate can be embodied as one coherent unit with various punched-out holes, where the side members subsequently are bent 90 degrees. Side members and front panel can also be embodied as three independent units, if different types of material are used. The methods of assembly of the three units can be many, but a screw solution or gluing could be among the possibilities. The torque stress on the centre-of-gravity gate in its open position is comparatively great, as the mutual distance between the load-carrying pins at the top and the pins at the bottom is great. This means that the load on the centre-of-gravity gate may be great, and the gate can thus be used for many different purposes.

The following descriptions refer to the accompanying drawings in which the centre-of-gravity gate is visualised.

Fig. 1 illustrates a piece of furniture (1 ) in which the incorporated holes (2,3) in the side members are shown.

Fig. 2 shows the centre-of-gravity gate ready for mounting in the piece of furniture (1 ). The gate shows the front panel (4) and on the side is shown the permanently mounted side member (5). The hole (6) in the side members is intended for the mounting of the cylindrical pin, which constitutes the hinge. On the visible surface (4) of the front panel the finger knob (7) is seen.

Fig. 3 illustrates the principle of mounting sequences of the centre-of-gravity gate. First the gate is tilted so that the front panel (4) has a horizontal position, so that the side members (5) are given a vertical upward position. Then the centre-of-gravity gate is inserted in the furniture compartment, so that the holes in the side members (6) are in line with the incorporated holes (2) in the piece of furniture. The cylindrical pins (8) are then inserted through the holes in the side members (6) and further on into the holes (2) in the piece of furniture. The pins (8) which are now mounted at the bottom of the gate, constitute the centre of rotation and thus functions as a hinge. The centre-of-gravity gate is now tilted a short distance past the horizontal level, so that it is possible to mount the upper cylindrical pins (9) in front of the side members and into the incorporated holes (3) incorporated in the piece of furniture. The upper cylindrical pins (9) then function partly as an opening stop for the gate in its open position, and partly as a stop for the gate in the closed position.

Fig. 4 shows the piece of furniture with the centre-of-gravity gate open.

Fig. 5 shows the piece of furniture with the centre-of-gravity gate closed. Fig. 6 shows the piece of furniture with the centre-of-gravity gate in the open position and closed position.

Figs. 7+8 show a vertical section through the piece of furniture. The pictures show the centre-of-gravity gate in an imagined frozen position. Note how the pins (8) at the bottom function as a fulcrum, and that the centre of gravity gradually moves as the gate opens.

The cylindrical pins at the top (9) can be seen go free of the side members in the centre pictures, whereas in the open position they function as stops or opening limitations for the side members (5).

When the gate is closed the upper cylindrical pins (9) can be seen to function as stops, when the front panel (4) comes to rest against the pins (9).

Claims

Patent Claims

The centre-of-gravity gate for mounting in book cases, cupboards or other pieces of furniture, where the user to great advantage can make use of the simple opening and closing principle by activation of the force of gravity. The flexible principle of mounting in which the customer without use of any toois can move or replace the gate in the piece of furniture according to requirement. The customer may find it desirable to undertake a renewal to suit the trend of times, or the centre-of-gravity may have to satisfy other functions in the home by means of a rearranged piece of furniture.

1 ) The centre-of-gravity gate for mounting in book cases, cupboards or other pieces of furniture characterised by the fact that the gate is a side hung pivotal gate consisting of a front panel and two side members in which the axis of rotation is constituted by cylindrical pins, which are led through the side of each of the two side members and into the inner side of the side walls of the piece of furniture, and in which each side member is provided with a projection, which in the open position of the gate rests against cylindrical pins, stop arrangements located at the top of the inner side of the two side walls of the piece of furniture.

2) Centre-of-gravity gate according to claim 1, characterised by an operating arrangement for moving the gate direct to an open or closed position without first having to release a mechanism on the gate.

3) Centre-of-gravity gate according to claim 1 characterised by a gate (4), which is hinged on a horizontal axis (10). When the gate is open the position of the gate's centre of gravity will be outside the furniture compartment. By a circular motion the gate is activated to the closed position. By activating the gate for closing the centre of gravity is moved into the furniture compartment, and the gate will remain closed.

4) Centre-of-gravity gate according to claim 1 characterised by the hinging principle of the centre-of-gravity gate according to which the gate is side hung on cylindrical pins (8) led through the side of each of the two side members and into the inner side of the sides of the furniture compartment. The cylindrical pins (8) function as a fulcrum. 5) Centre-of-gravity gate according to claim 1 characterised by cylindrical pins (9) at the top of the piece of furniture which function as stops to the centre-of-gravity gate in its closed position. In addition, the side members (5) are provided with a projection, which in a similar manner comes to rest against the cylindrical pins (9) in the open position. The projections on the side members function as opening limitations for the gate in its open position.

6) Centre-of-gravity gate according to claim 1 characterised by the centre-of-gravity gate^'s simple principle of attachment. The customer mounts the centre-of-gravity gate himself by inserting the cylindrical pins through the incorporated holes in the gate^'s side members and further on into inner side of the furniture compartment^'s sides. This is done without use of tools, just as the customer also positions the stop arrangements at the top of the furniture compartment without use of tools.

7) Centre-of-gravity gate according to claim 1 characterised by the fact that holes (2,3) have been incorporated in the piece of furniture. The position of the provided holes determines which types of gate that can be used in the piece of furniture.

8) Centre-of-gravity gate according to claim 1 characterised by the fact that the centre-of-gravity gate can be tilted to a horizontal position, whereby the customer is provided with utilisation space on the gate outside of the furniture compartment.

9) Centre-of-gravity gate according to claim 1 characterised by the fact that the centre-of-gravity gate^'s front panel (4) and in the side members (5) can be three separate components, which can subsequently be assembled and constitute one unit.

10) Centre-of-gravity gate according to claim 1 characterised by having a high capacity to carry loads as the cylindrical pins (9) which constitute the gate^'s opening limits, and the pins (8), which constitute the point of rotation of the centre-of-gravity gate, are located with a comparatively long mutual distance between them. This means that the gate can withstand a heavy torque.