Frame structure especially for a cabinet, e.g. of the shelved type

Claim 2

A rigid frame structure especially for a cabinet or like piece of furniture, e.g. of the shelved type, comprising normally vertical uprights maintained laterally spaced from one another by single piece, normally horizontal, lateral yokes, and longitudinally-spaced, normally horizontal, longitudinal cross-members, said yokes comprising outwardly protruding tenons arranged substantially in the longitudinal plane of a respective yoke and substantially perpendicularly to the longitudinal edges of said respective yoke, said tenons adapted to be inserted or fitted into corresponding sockets provided at ends of said vertical uprights, said yokes having vertcal longitudinal faces which are each provided, in proximity to the lateral edges of said yokes, with assembling means for assembling said longitudinal cross-members on said vertical longitudinal faces of said yokes, said assembling means comprising four cavities disposed on each yoke, two cavities being disposed on each vertical longitudinal face thereof, and each cavity being disposed on said vertical longiduinal face of said yoke substantially opposite to a cavity disposed on said opposite vertical longitudinal face of said yoke, whereby said cavities provide end-to-end engagement of additional cross-members for a second frame structure or alternatively, are adapted to be fitted with an end cap for an anchoring engagement.

Claim 3

A rigid frame structure according to claim 1, wherein said tenons are arranged inwardly of the lateral edges of said respective yoke, so that after a tenon is fitted into a respective vertical upright, the lateral edge of said respective yoke extends in prolongation of the outer edge of respective vertical upright.

Claim 4

A rigid frame structure according to claim 1, wherein said vertical uprights are constituted by shaped tubes of approximately rectangular cross-section, the open ends of which define said sockets for receiving said tenons of said yokes.

Claim 5

A rigid frame structure according to claim 1, wherein said uprights, yokes and cross-members are obtained by moulding.

Claim 6

A rigid frame structure according to claim 1, wherein said tenons are adapted to be inserted into said corresponding sockets with a tight fit.

Claim 7

A rigid frame structure according to claim 1, wherein said cavities are shifted inwardly with respect to said tenons.

Claim 8

A rigid frame structure according to claim 6, wherein said tenons are adapated to be inserted into said corresponding sockets with a tight fit.

Claim 9

A rigid frame structure according to claim 1, wherein said longitudinal cross-members are constituted by hollow bars of rectangular cross-section defining inner and outer walls, said outer vertical wall being provided with an extension arranged in the plane of said outer vertical wall and protruding outwardly in the assembled position so as to define an L-shaped socket for accommodating a top wall or a bottom wall of the structure.

Claim 10

A rigid frame structure according to claim 1, wherein said lateral faces of said vertical uprights are provided with a vertical groove provided with accessory fixing means for fixing accessories, and the internal edge or rear face of said vertical upright is provided, in the thickness thereof, with a vertical slot provided for locking lateral filling panels.

Claim 11

A rigid frame structure according to claim 9, wherein said vertical groove is provided towards the internal edge of said vertical upright.

Claim 12

A rigid frame structure according to claim 1, wherein said cavities are substantially identical in shape.

Claim 13

A rigid frame structure according to claim 11, wherein said cavities are each outwardly flared.

Claim 14

A rigid frame structure according to claim 12, additionally comprising bracket plates disposed at opposite ends of said longitudinal cross-members, said bracket plates each having a shape substantially complementary to the outwardly flared shape of said cavities.

Claim 15

A rigid frame structure according to claim 11, wherein said assembling means additionally comprise bracket plates disposed at opposite ends of said longitudinal cross-members, said bracket plates each having a shape substantially complementary to the shape of said cavities.

Claim 16

A rigid frame structure according to claim 1, additionally comprising a hole interconnecting said opposite cavities disposed on said opposite vertical longitudinal faces of said yoke, screw means for fastening a bracket plate of a longitudinal cross-member to said yoke and in a respective cavity, and at least one anchor plate having a substantially complementary shape to said cavities.

Claim 17

A rigid frame structure especially for a cabinet or like piece of furniture, e.g. of the shelved type, comprising normally vertical uprights maintained laterally spaced from one another by single piece, normally horizontal, lateral yokes, and longitudinally-spaced, normally horizontal, longitudinal cross-members, said yokes comprising outwardly protruding tenons arranged substantially in the longitudinal plane of a respective yoke and substantially perpendicularly to the longitudinal edges of said respective yoke, said tenons adapted to be inserted or fitted into corresponding sockets provided at ends of said vertical uprights, said yokes having vertical longitudinal faces which are each provided, in proximity to the lateral edges of said yokes, with assembling means for assembling said longitudinal cross-members on said vertical longitudinal faces of said yokes, said longitudinal cross-members comprising at the ends thereof, bracket plates extending substantially perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of a respective cross-member, said assembling means comprising two cavities on the vertical longitudinal face of said yoke, each cavity being located to face the end of one of said cross-members and adapted to receive and maintain said cross-member bracket plate, wherein said assembling means comprise two other cavities located on the face opposite to the vertical longitudinal face of said yoke adjacent said cross-members, to provide an end-to-end engagement of additional cross-members for a second frame structure or alternatively, to be fitted with an end cap for anchoring engagement of said cross-members in said cavities of the vertical longitudinal face of said yoke adjacent said cross-members.

Claim 18

A rigid frame structure especially for a cabinet or like piece of furniture, e.g. of the shelved type, comprising normally vertical uprights maintained laterally spaced from one another by single piece, normally horizontal, lateral yokes, and longitudinally-spaced, normally horizontal, longitudinal cross-members, said yokes comprising outwardly protruding tenons arranged substantially in the longitudinal plane of a respective yoke and substantially perpendicularly to the longitudinal edges of said respective yoke, said tenons adapted to be inserted or fitted into corresponding sockets provided at ends of said vertical uprights, said yokes having vertical longitudinal faces which are each provided, in proximity to the lateral edges of said yokes, with assembling means for assembling said longitudinal cross-members on said vertical longitudinal faces of said yokes, said longitudinal cross-members comprising at the ends thereof, bracket plates extending substantially perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of a respective cross-member, said assembling means comprising two cavities on the vertical longitudinal face of said yoke, each cavity being located to face the end of one of said cross-members and adapted to receive and maintain said cross-member bracket plate, wherein said assembling means comprise two other cavities located on the face opposite to the vertical longitudinal face of said yoke adjacent said cross-members, to provide an end-to-end engagement of additional cross-members for a second frame structure or alternatively, to be fitted with an end cap for anchoring engagement of said cross-members in said cavities of the vertical longitudinal face of said yoke adjacent said cross-members.

Claim 19

A rigid frame structure according to claim 16, wherein said bracket plates and said cavities have cooperating portions thereof gently slanted.

Claim 20

A rigid frame structure according to claim 16, wherein said bracket plates each have an inner vertical face and an outer vertical face, said outer vertical faces of said bracket plates being, in the assembled position, substantially entirely fitted into said cavities to which said bracket plates are secured, and are directed inwardly of the structure with respect to said longitudinal cross-members.