FR2721255A1 - Decorative panel insert for furniture - Google Patents

Abstract

The panel has a moulded mesh (30) formed by vertical runs with curves defining guides for decorative strips (40). Each guide passage is defined by variation of two different types of vertical runs (132,232). The first type of runs extend parallel with the surface of the panel and the second set are offset. The formed guide passages allow straight insertion of the decorative strips and the two types of run extend on opposite sides of each strip.

Description

 The present invention relates to a panel with transformable decoration, comprising a mesh produced by molding and comprising at least one series of longitudinal strands, these strands delimiting at least one passage, which extends across and is intended to cooperate with a decorative strap. .

 Such a panel may be integral with a carcass of a piece of furniture. Thus, the panel can be an element of the backrest or of the seat of a seat such as a stool, a chair, an armchair or a bench.

 Such a piece of furniture can be injection molded in a single block, and the panel can then be integral with its carcass.

 Alternatively, the panel can be made as an independent molded part, and be fixed to the carcass of the piece of furniture using suitable fixing means.

 It is understood that the adjective "longitudinal" applied to the strands is used here for the sake of brevity, to indicate that the strands of the same series all extend in the same direction. This direction is however not necessarily defined according to the length of the panel.

 The passage, and therefore the strap which may be inserted therein, extends in a direction inclined with respect to that of the "longitudinal" strands and may subsequently be described as "transverse".

 Since molding techniques do not allow, under viable economic conditions, to assign several colors to different parts of a molded panel, attempts have already been made to produce a panel of the aforementioned type and to enrich its aesthetics with using a decorative strap or bangle.

 Thus, certain known panels, the mesh of which also comprises a series of transverse strands, have openings delimited by two consecutive transverse strands and by the sections of the longitudinal strands which extend between them. These openings therefore define a transverse passage in which one can insert the decorative strap by waving it to pass it from one side of the panel to the other.

 In other words, the insertion of the strap uses a basketry technique, which consists in passing it successively in front of and behind sections of longitudinal strands which are all situated on the same surface.

 Inserting the strap is therefore a long and tedious operation.

In addition, since, in order to obtain the desired aesthetic effect, it is sometimes necessary to insert a relatively large number of strips, the duration and the manufacturing costs are considerably increased.

 For other known panels, the mesh has a first network of grooves, parallel to each other and opening onto one face of the panel, and a second network of grooves, orthogonal to the previous ones and opening onto the opposite face.

 To imitate a braiding, we first insert straps in the grooves of the first network, then other straps in the grooves of the second network, crossing them with the first. The two sets of strips therefore partially overlap each other and are mutually maintained.

 The straps of the first series are only really maintained thanks to those of the second series. The insertion of the straps is relatively delicate since it requires the positioning of the straps of the second series in the grooves of the second network and on the unsupported side of the straps of the first series, while avoiding moving the latter.

 In addition, to obtain the desired effect in terms of aesthetics and support, it is necessary to use a relatively large number of strips, so as to create a braiding which covers an entire surface of the panel.

 The delicate insertion of these numerous straps is therefore a relatively long and costly operation.

 It should also be noted that the aesthetic appearance and the support comfort of these panels are unsatisfactory before the insertion of the strips.

 The object of the present invention is to remedy the drawbacks of the aforementioned prior art by proposing a panel which allows easy and rapid, and therefore inexpensive, insertion of decorative strips at selected locations.

This goal is achieved for a panel of the type previously mentioned thanks to the fact that:
- The passage is defined by an alternation of sections of a first type, belonging to certain longitudinal strands, and of sections of a second type, belonging to the other longitudinal strands, the sections of the first type extending outside a reference surface substantially parallel to the surface of the panel, and the sections of the second type being offset with respect to those of the first type in a direction perpendicular to said reference surface;
- The passage allows the insertion substantially without undulation of a decorative strap, so that the sections of the first and second types appear on either side of the strap; and
- These sections constitute a support for said strap after its insertion in the passage.

 Advantageously, the mesh further comprises a series of transverse strands, and it has at least one passage between two consecutive transverse strands.

 In this case, the transverse strands being molded with the longitudinal strands, the solidity of the mesh is increased and it can in itself constitute sufficient support for the seat or the back, before the insertion of one or more decorative straps.

 In the examples which follow, the longitudinal and transverse strands will be substantially vertical and substantially horizontal, respectively, so that the passage or passages will extend substantially horizontally. By defining the transverse and longitudinal directions in a different way, the invention also makes it possible to produce vertical, even oblique, passages.

 Thanks to the provisions of the invention, the insertion of the decorative strip (s) is particularly easy and can be done very quickly. In fact, the passage or passages extend along a surface that is substantially flat and free from undulation, and the sections of the first and second types act as guides for the insertion of the strap.

 When a strap is placed in a ferry passage, it is naturally supported on both sides by the sections of the first and second types, so that no particular precaution must be taken for the insertion of a another strap in another ferry crossing.

 We can provide a large number of crossings which, depending on the aesthetics desired may not all be trimmed with a decorative strap.

The invention will be better understood and its advantages will appear better on reading the detailed description which follows, of the appended figures by way of nonlimiting examples. The description refers to the drawings in which:
- Figure 1 shows in perspective a seat whose back is provided with a panel according to the invention, before the insertion of the decorative strips;
- Figure 2 shows the same seat with decorative straps;
- Figure 3 shows a seat of a different type whose backrest is also provided with a panel according to the invention and furnished with decorative straps;
- Figures 4 and 5 show two examples of arrangements of longitudinal strands of the mesh seen from the side;
FIG. 6 is a perspective representation of the arrangement of FIG. 5,
FIGS. 7 and 8 show two examples of the arrangement of longitudinal strands according to another embodiment of the mesh,
FIG. 9 is a perspective representation of the arrangement of FIG. 8.

 Figures 1 to 6 illustrate meshes comprising both longitudinal strands and transverse strands, while Figures 7 to 9 show meshes which have only longitudinal strands.

 Figures 1 to 3 show seats whose backrest is equipped with a panel according to the invention. Such a panel can also equip the seat with similar seats, or even be an element of a piece of furniture of another type.

 The seat 10 of Figure 1 is a one-piece chair, for example injection molded. It has a seat 12 secured to two front legs 14 and two rear legs 16. The front legs 14 are extended upwards and backwards by armrests 18 connected together by an ascending strip 20 to which a backrest 22 is connected integral with the seat 12.

 Part of this file, delimited by the strip 20, two lateral strips 24 and a lower strip 26, is constituted by a panel which has a mesh 30. This mesh 30 is integral with the elements 20, 24 and 26 mentioned above.

 The mesh, an example of which is better visible in FIG. 6, has a series of longitudinal strands 32 and a series of transverse strands 34.

The strands of the two series are connected at nodes 36 and delimit between them transverse passages such as the passage designated by the reference 38 in FIG. 6 and in which a strap 40 is inserted.

 FIG. 2 shows the same chair 10 as that of FIG. 1, decorated with decorative strips 40 inserted in each of the transverse passages defined between the consecutive transverse strands 34.

 Depending on the desired effect, one can choose to fill only some of the transverse passages with decorative strips. This does not in any way harm the comfort of support of the backrest which, in any case, is already provided by the mesh 30.

 FIG. 3 shows an armchair 100 of the foldable type, comprising a seat 112, two front legs 114 and two rear legs 116, meeting for an articulated connection under the armrests 118, and a backrest 122 itself articulated relative to the seat and armrests. This file has a panel provided with a mesh 130 integral with an upper strip 120, two lateral strips 124, and a lower strip 126.

 As indicated with reference to the chair 10, this mesh 130 has a series of transverse strands and a series of longitudinal strands, connected in nodes and delimiting between them at least one transverse passage, several in the example shown, receiving a decorative strap 140.

 With reference to FIG. 6, the structure of the mesh 30 or 130 will now be described more precisely. Let us choose for example the transverse strands 34a and 34b which are located in the same plane P. Between these two strands 34a and 34b, the strands longitudinal 32a and 32d each have a section (respectively 132a and 132d) which extends outside the plane P, while the longitudinal strands 32b, 32c and 32e each have a section (232b, 232c, 232e) which extends substantially in plane P.

 For clarity of description, the references of the sections of the first type are of the order of the first hundred, while those of the sections of the second type are of the order of the second hundred.

 Thus, the sections 132a and 132d are of the first type, while the sections 232b, 232c and 232e are of the second type.

 The sections of the first and second types are arranged alternately and the passage which they define allows the insertion, without undulation, of a strap shown in broken lines and designated by the reference 40.

 The sections of the first and second type constitute a support for the strap 40 which is effectively held on its front face by the sections of the first type and, on its rear face, by the sections of the second type. After its insertion, the strap 40 therefore extends parallel to the plane P.

 For clarity of the drawing, all the transverse strands 34 extend in the same plane P which is chosen as the reference surface for defining the sections of the first and second types.

 However, a backrest may have a slightly curved general surface to match the shape of the back.

 In this case, we will globally consider the surface in which the panel extends. The reference surface is at least locally parallel to this surface of the panel.

 When, as is the case in FIGS. 1 to 6, the mesh comprises transverse strands, the reference surface can be defined locally by the two consecutive transverse strands between which the passage extends.

 In the absence of transverse strands, it will simply be said that the passage is across the longitudinal strands. If, as in FIG. 9, the line l is drawn along which the passage extends, the reference surface can be defined as being parallel to that of the panel and passing through line 1.

 In FIG. 6, the sections of the first type (such as 132a and 132d) extend outside the plane P, while the sections of the second type (such as 232b, 232c and 232e) are all offset with respect to those of the first type, in the direction D perpendicular to the plane P.

 It should be noted that this offset is here the same for all the sections of the second type.

 It determines the dimensions of the passage and will therefore be defined as a function of the thickness of the strap which it is desired to insert into this passage.

 We can only provide a single passage between two transverse strands, and ensure that the rest of the mesh extends substantially in the surface of the backrest. However, to imitate the effect of a braiding, and as shown in the drawings, the longitudinal strands may have a succession of sections of the first and second types.

 Thus, between the two consecutive transverse strands 34b and 34c, the strands 32a, 32b, 32d and 32e have sections of the second type 232a, 232b, 232d and 232e, while the strand 32c has a section of the first type 132c. In fact, the sections of the first and second types are offset from a longitudinal strand to a neighboring longitudinal strand, so that they define a succession of passages and that the alternation is changed from one passage to another. .

 This is also visible in FIG. 5, which is a view of FIG. 6 in the direction of the arrow F and shows only the three longitudinal strands 32a (in solid lines), 32b (in regular broken lines) and 32c (in lines interrupted mixed). As will be seen in more detail below, the alternation is repeated regularly between these three longitudinal strands.

 The mesh 80 of FIG. 9 is free of transverse strands and comprises only longitudinal strands designated by the general reference 82.

 Elements 70 and 76 have been initiated with which the mesh can be molded in one piece. These elements 70 and 76 can themselves be integral with the carcass of a piece of furniture or be attached and fixed thereon.

 The passage 88 extends across the longitudinal strands along the line 1.

In this region, the strands 82a and 82d have a section of the first type, 182a and 182d, which extends outside the reference surface
P '.

 The other strands, 82b, 82c and 82e have a section of the second type 282b, 282c and 282e, which is offset from those of the first type, in the direction D ', perpendicular to the plane P'.

 These sections of the first and second types are aligned along line 1, and thus define the passage 88, which allows the insertion without undulation of the strap 40.

 As with the meshes 30 and 130, the sections of the first and second types constitute a support for the strap after insertion into the passage.

 In fact, to allow the insertion of several strips by imitating the effect of braiding, several parallel passages are provided. The strands therefore have a succession of sections of the first and second types.

They are offset from one strand to a neighboring strand since, from line l and downwards in FIG. 9, the strand 82a has the sections 182a then 282a, the strand 82b has the sections 282b then 182b and the strand 82c presents the sections 282c then 182c.

In FIG. 8, which is a side view of FIG. 9 according to the arrow
F ', we see that the sections of the second type extend in the surface
P '.

 Figure 4 shows, from the side, a variant of the mesh 30 of Figures 5 and 6, which has a simpler alternation, between two longitudinal strands 52a (in solid lines) and 52b (in regular broken lines). Between the two consecutive transverse strands 54a and 54b, the strand 52a has a section 252a of the second type, while the strand 52b has a section 152b of the first type. The alternation is reversed between the following two transverse strands 54b and 54c, where the strand 52a has a section 152a of the first type, while the strand 52b has a section 252b of the second type. In the example of this figure, the alternation is therefore repeated from two strands to two strands.

 The useful length of the different sections is defined as being that which effectively serves to spare the passage and therefore corresponds to the height of this passage.

 In FIG. 4, only the sections of the first type are advanced relative to the surface in which the sections of the second type are located, the transverse strands and, consequently, the nodes of the mesh.

 The sections of the first and second types have substantially the same useful length L2.

 Figure 7 shows, also in side view, an alternation which is repeated from two strands into two strands but, this time, for a mesh free of transverse strands.

 Thus, the strands 92a and 92b both have a succession of sections of the first type 192a and 192b, and of sections of the second type, 292a and 292b. These sections all have the same useful length M.

 In FIGS. 4 and 7 two neighboring strands present in a way a "phase opposition", that is to say that the periodic sequence successively constituted by two sections of the first and second types is offset by a half-period d one strand to another.

 The figures all show examples in which the sections of the first type are curved, while the sections of the second type are substantially rectilinear. Still in these examples, the sections of the first type are located in advance with respect to the reference surface, while the sections of the second type are located substantially in this surface, set back with respect to those of the first type.

 We now describe in more detail the alternation of the strands of the mesh of Figures 5 and 6. In these figures, the transverse strands 34 are substantially free of undulations.

 Starting from the transverse strand 34a, the longitudinal strand 32a successively has a curved section projecting forward 132a (of the first type), a first substantially straight section 232a (of the second type), a portion 332a deformed towards the front, but of amplitude and length less than that of the section 132a, and a second substantially straight section 432a (of the second type). This sequence is renewed periodically.

 As can be seen in FIG. 5, the useful length L1 of the curved section (132a), the useful length L'1 of the first substantially straight section (232a) and that L "1 of the second substantially straight section (432a) are substantially equal between them.

 In addition, two neighboring longitudinal strands are offset from one another by a third of the period.

 For clarity of the drawings, FIGS. 6 and 9 show the strips 40 in dotted lines, but it is understood that the sections of the first and second types appear on either side of these strips after their insertion in the passages.

 The junction between the sections 132a and 232a or, more precisely, the end part of the section 232a adjacent to the section 132a, delimits the location of a node 36 on which the transverse strand 34b projects slightly forward . On the other hand, the deformed portion 332a delimits the location of another node 36 'with the transverse strand 34c, on which this transverse strand is slightly recessed towards the rear. Then, the end portion of the section 432a adjacent to the curved section following analogous to the section 132a delimits the location of a node 36 "on which the transverse strand 34d projects slightly forward.

 This really gives the impression of a braiding on which the transverse strands are alternately set back and projecting from the longitudinal strands. The periodic sequence which has just been described is found in a similar manner, but, with a shift on the other longitudinal strands. The effect obtained is therefore that of a braiding on which the longitudinal strands are alternately set back and projecting from the transverse strands.

 In the mesh 80 of Figures 8 and 9, the alternation is also repeated from three strands to three strands. FIG. 8 shows only the three strands 82a (in solid lines), 82b (in regular broken lines) and 82c (in broken dashed lines).

 All the strands 82 have a periodic sequence similar to that of the strand 82a, successively constituted by a section 182a curved projecting forward and a substantially straight section 182b. It can be seen that the section 182a, over its useful length L3, participates in one passage, while the section 282a participates successively in two passages on its two portions of length L'3 and L "3.

The lengths L3, L'3 and L "3 being substantially equal to each other, the total useful length of the section 282a, defined by the sum of the lengths
The 3 and L "3, is substantially equal to twice that of the section 182a.

 Two neighboring longitudinal strands are offset from each other by a third of the period.

 Advantageously, in one or other of its embodiments, the panel according to the invention comprises means for blocking the ends of the strips 40 inserted in the transverse passages 38.

 In a first variant, these blocking means can be constituted by the lateral strips 24 or 124 of the backrest and, if necessary, by the parts of the strip 20 extending transversely to the surface of this backrest, which receive the ends in abutment decorative straps.

 It is also possible to provide these lateral bands or, in general, the parts of the panel adjacent to the ends of the transverse passages, with grooves situated in the plane of these passages and adapted to receive the ends of the decorative strips. Such a conformation makes it possible to prevent the strips from being removed from the mesh accidentally.

Claims (10)

1. Panel with transformable decoration comprising a mesh (30; 80; 130), produced by molding and comprising at least one series of longitudinal strands (32; 82), these strands delimiting at least one passage (38; 88), s' extending across and intended to cooperate with a decorative strap (40),  characterized in that the passage (38; 88) is defined by an alternation of sections of a first type (132a, 132d; 182a, 182d) belonging to certain longitudinal strands (32a, 32d; 82a, 82d) and of sections d '' a second type (232d, 232c, 232e; 282b, 282c, 282e) belonging to the other longitudinal strands (32b, 32c 32e; 82b, 82c, 82e), the sections of the first type (132a, 132d; 182a, 182d) s 'extending outside a reference surface (P; P') substantially parallel to the surface of the panel, and the sections of the second type (232b, 232c, 232e; 282b, 282c, 282e) being offset with respect to said sections of the first type in a direction (D; D ') perpendicular to said reference surface (P; P'), in that the passage (38, 88) allows the insertion, without undulation, of the decorative strip (40) so that the sections of the first and second types appear on either side of said strap (40), and in that said sections constitute a support for said strap after its insertion into the passage (38, 88). 2. Panel according to claim 1, characterized in that the mesh (30, 130) further comprises a series of transverse strands (34) and in that it has at least one passage (38) between two transverse strands (34a, 34b) consecutive. 3. Panel according to one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the sections of the second type (232b, 232c, 232e; 282b, 282c, 282e) extend substantially in the reference surface (P; P ') . 4. Panel according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the longitudinal strands (32; 82) have a succession of sections of the first and second types (132a, 232a; 152a, 252a; 182a, 282a; 192a , 292a), offset from a longitudinal strand (32a; 52a; 82a, 92a) to a neighboring longitudinal strand (32b; 52b; 82b; 92b), so that they define a succession of passages (38; 88) and that the alternation is modified from one passage to another. 5. Panel according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the sections (132a, 132d; 152a, 152b; 182a, 182d; 192a, 192b) of the first type are curved, and in that the sections ( 232b, 232c, 232e 252a, 252b; 282b, 282c, 282e; 292a, 292b) of the second type are substantially rectilinear. 6. Panel according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the sections of the first type (132a, 132c, 132d; 152a, 152b 182a, 182c, 182d; 192a, 192b) are advanced, while the sections of the second type (232a, 232c, 232d, 232e; 252a, 252b; 282b, 282c, 2822e; 292a, 292b) are set back. 7. Panel according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the longitudinal strands (52a, 52b; 92a, 92b) have a periodic sequence successively constituted by a section of the first type (152a, 152b; 192a, 192b ) and by a section of the second type (252a, 252b; 292a, 292b) each having substantially the same useful length (L2, M), and in that two neighboring longitudinal strands (52a, 52b; 92a, 92b) are offset l 'one compared to the other by half a period. 8. Panel according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the longitudinal strands (82) have a periodic sequence successively constituted by a curved section projecting forward (182a) and a substantially straight section (182b ) whose useful length (L'3 + L "3) is substantially equal to twice that (L3) of the curved section (182a), and in that two neighboring longitudinal strands (82a, 82b) are offset one by compared to the other by a third of said period. 9. Panel according to any one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that, the transverse strands (34) being substantially free of undulations, the longitudinal strands (32) have a periodic sequence successively constituted by a section (132a) curved projecting forward, a first substantially straight section (232a), a portion (332a) deformed forward, of amplitude and length less than that of said curved section (132a), and a second substantially straight section (432a), each of said sections (132a, 232, 432a) having substantially the same useful length (L1, L'1, L "1), in that two neighboring longitudinal strands (32a, 32b) are offset by a third of said period, and in that the end part of the first substantially straight section (232a), adjacent to said forward curved section (132a), delimits the location of a knot (36, 36 ") on which the transverse strands (34b) are projecting e, while the portion (332a) deformed forward delimits the location of a knot (36 ') on which the transverse strands (34c) are set back. 10. Panel according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that it comprises locking means (24) of the ends of the strips (40) inserted in the passage (38).