CA2270810A1 - Box-type or shelf-type furniture - Google Patents

Abstract

A box-type or shelf-type piece of furniture is equipped with a supporting structure which consists of a floor profile, a ceiling profile and three vertically arranged connecting supports. This supporting structure can be covered by side parts, door elements and ceiling plates and can accommodate trays on the inside. The covering elements are fastened by elements and swivel mountings which are connected with the supports. A
series of pieces of furniture can be constructed with the same basic elements while using many different materials for the encasement as well as various horizontal projections.

Description

BOX-TYPE OR SHELF-TYPE FURNITURE
BACFCGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to pieces of furniture and the like.
Pieces of furniture, such as boxes or shelves, are conventionally constructed of floor, side and ceiling elements which are connected with one another. These connections may be fixed or detachable depending upon whether the piece of furniture is to be transported. In addition, such closed pieces of furniture have doors which are fastened, for example, to swivel mountings with the stationary pieces of furniture or are slidable in guides.
Such pieces of furniture are conventionally frequently made of wood as the building material which is easy to work and for which a large number of connection elements exist. when other materials, such as metal, plastic or glass are used, however, the pieces of furniture must conventionally be redesigned because, as a rule, specific connection devices must be used for each material.

2 0 SU1~IARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to provide pieces of furniture which are easy to produce and can be constructed without basic changes with virtually any material.

According to the invention, this object has been achieved by providing a piece of furniture in which a supporting structure having a ceiling profile, floor profile with three arms leading into a first node and arranged in a plane, straight support which each project vertically upward on free ends of the arms and which lead into the ceiling profile which has three arms leading into a second node and arranged in a plane.
The construction of the pieces of furniture with a universal supporting structure has the significant advantage that, with respect to the material, the covering elements of the piece of furniture can be constructed virtually arbitrarily without any changes on the furniture construction. The covering elements can, for example, be side walls, ceiling parts and floor parts or door elements. As a result, a furniture group of identical functionality can be advantageously created and have an identical effect with respect to the shaping, and can also easily be adapted to the individual requirements according to the quality of the covering material. Moreover, because of the identical supporting structure, the manufacturing process can take place at reasonable expenditures, i.e. lower cost.
The supporting structure suggested according to the present invention allows a large variation in the shaping of the furniture with few basic elements. Thus, cubical or cylindrical pieces of furniture with a rectangular, round or preferably trochoidal basic cross-section can be manufactured in a simple manner. Because of the supporting structure, for example, depositing surfaces or shelf surfaces can be simply and easily arranged virtually in any position in the piece of furniture.
The covering parts can advantageously be connected in a simple manner with the supporting structure preferably by band-s shaped fastening elements. The fastening elements constructed to form swivel hinges allow the doors for closed box-type pieces of furniture also to be implemented in a simple manner which, in addition to the simple manufacturing and high functionality, also exhibit an aesthetically advantageous effect.
Preferably, the supporting structure according to the present invention may also be provided only with an upper covering which is constructed as a depositing surface and therefore forms, for example, a table-type piece of furniture which harmonically blends into the series of box-type and/or shelf-type pieces of furniture.
The currently preferred design of the profiles of the supporting structure, on one hand, exhibits very good static characteristics and, on the other hand, also meets high aesthetic demands. The suggested supporting structure is advantageously suitable for building display cabinets, in the case of which the covering consists completely or partially of transparent materials, such as glass.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Other objects, advantages and novel features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a box-type piece of furniture which has a rectangular base according to the present invention;
Figure 2 is a perspective view of another box-type piece of furniture which has a rectangular base according to the present invention;
Figure 3 is a perspective view of another box-type piece of furniture which has a round base in a cylindrical construction according to the present invention;
Figure 4 is a perspective view of yet another box-type piece of furniture which has a trochoidal base according to the present invention;
Figure 5 is a top view of the piece of furniture shown in Figure 2;
Figure 6 is a top view of the piece of furniture shown in Figure 2 with covering elements made of sheet metal;

. Figure 7 is a top view of the piece of furniture shown in Figure 3;
Figure 8 is a top view of the piece of furniture shown in Figure 4;
Figure 9 is a detailed view of a floor profile of the piece of furniture shown in Figure 1;
Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of a swivel profile for wood or plastic coverings;
Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view of a swivel profile for sheet metal coverings;
Figure 12 is a combined partial view and partial top view of an area of the ceiling profile of the piece of furniture shown in Figure 1; and Figure 13 is an enlarged top view of the cross-section of the supporting profile.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In Figure 1, a box-type piece of furniture or of a container-type piece of furniture is designated generally by numeral 1. A supporting structure is formed by a floor profile 2, three supports 3, 4 and 5 projecting upward therefrom, and a ceiling profile 2. The supporting structure is enclosed by a . casing consisting of side parts 7, 8, a ceiling plate 10 as well as two door elements 11, 12. Because of their L-shaped horizontal projection, the side parts 7, 8 simultaneously also form the rear wall of the container-type piece of furniture 1.
In the interior of the container-type piece of furniture 1, vertically arranged trays 13 are also provided which bound against the supporting structure or are supported thereby.
The floor profile 2 is composed of three arms 14, 15 and 16 which are arranged in a plane and lead into a node 17 at one end and engage into the supports 3, 4 and 5 at the other ends. In the illustrated cubical shape of the container-type piece of furniture 1, the floor profile has a T-shaped design; i.e., two arms 14, 15 are aligned in a straight line and the third arm 16 leads into the node 17 perpendicular to this line.
The lower ends of the supports 3 , 4 and 5 may advantageously be used as bases of the container-type piece of furniture 1, in which case additional foot elements may exist, such as vertically adjustable supporting elements. As the result of this three-point support of the container-type piece of furniture 1, a secure and stable base is advantageously obtained. Analogously to the floor profile 2, the ceiling profile 6 is also formed of three arms 18, 19 and 20 and leads into the upper ends of the three supports 3, 4 and 5.
Figure 2 illustrates another embodiment of a container-type piece of furniture 21 according to the invention which also has a cubical shape with an almost square horizontal projection. The construction of this container-type piece of furniture 21 corresponds to the construction of the container-type piece of furniture 1 illustrated in Figure 1. Here, the arms 14, 15 of the floor profile 2, which are arranged in a line, and the arms 18, 19 of the ceiling profile 6 are shorter. That is, they are constructed to be approximately half as long as the arms 16, 20 of the floor profile and ceiling profile. Pull-out drawers 22 are also provided, in addition to the trays 13. The pull-out drawers 22 can be arranged in the container-type piece of furniture 21 as an alternative whereby the guides of the pull-out mounting can also be connected with the supporting structure.
Figure 3 is a view of another currently preferred embodiment of a container-type piece of furniture 23 in a cylindrical configuration with a circular horizontal projection. The supporting structure is again formed by the floor profile 2, the ceiling profile 6 and the three vertically arranged supports 3, 4 and 5 which connect these profiles. The arms 14, 15 and 16 of the floor profile 2 and 18, 19 and 20 of the ceiling profile 6 are preferably arranged in a star-shaped manner with respect to the node 27, preferably at regular distances, and all have the same length. The casing can be formed by two curved side parts 24, 25 of an angle of curvature of 120° as well as a circular ceiling part 26. The door parts 27, 28 are also curved and each have an angle of curvature of 60°. The trays 13 also have a circular construction here.

Figure 4 illustrates another preferred embodiment of a container-type piece of furniture 29 according to the present invention which has a trochoidal horizontal projection. The supporting structure has a construction identical to that of the cylindrical container-type furniture piece 23. The side parts 30, 31 as well as the door parts 32, 33 are constructed here as corner parts of the trochoidal horizontal projection.
Figure 5 is a top view of the container-type furniture piece 21 shown in Figure 2 without the ceiling plate. The doors 11, 12 are indicated by solid lines in the closed position and by broken lines 11' , 12' in the partially opened position. The side parts 7, 8 and the doors 11, 12 are, for example, made of wood and have a homogeneous thickness.
Figure 6 is a top view of an identical container-type furniture piece 21, with the side walls 7, 8 and the doors 11, 12 being metal. The edge areas of these parts have a slightly bent construction. In the two embodiments, whether made of wood or of metal, the supporting structure is advantageously identical. Also in Figure 6, the partially opened doors 11' , 12' are illustrated by a broken line.
Finally, Figures 7 and 8 are top views of the container-type furniture pieces 23, 29, respectively with a circular and trochoidal horizontal projection. In contrast to Figures 3 and 4, however, the door parts are not shown in two parts but as a _g_ construction variation in only one part shown, also by a broken line in the partially opened position.
It is clear that, instead of the illustrated container-type furniture pieces 1, 21, 23 and 29, shelves can also be constructed which may either be completely unencased, or may be constructed only of the supporting structure and trays mounted thereon, or may be partially encased.
Figure 9 is a more detailed top view of an area of a floor profile 2 of a container-type piece of furniture 1 with a rectangular horizontal projection. The corresponding ceiling profile 6 has an identical construction. The arms 15, 16 of the floor profile 2 in the area of the transition to the respective supports 3, 4 are widened in a trapezoidal manner in the top view. The supports 3, 4 preferably have an essentially H-shaped cross-sectional profile, in which, corresponding to the trapezoidal widening of the supports 3 , 4 , also the side surfaces 3', 4' are constructed to be slightly trapezoidal. By way of a ridge 15', 16', the arms 15 and 16 engage in one groove 34 of the supports 3, 4 are connected therewith, for example, by screws 41.
A fastening element 35 preferably engages in the other groove 34' of the support 4. The fastening element 35 advantageously has a band-shaped design, preferably in each case of the same length as the height of the side elements 7, 8 connected therewith. The cross-strut 35' of the fastening element 35 having a T-shaped profile cross-section engages in the groove 34 which preferably has retaining projections.
On the ridge of the fastening element 35 projecting toward the outside, encasing elements 7, 8 can now be mounted on one side or, as illustrated, on both sides. Corresponding to the particular material selected, these elements can, for example, be glued together, screwed together or otherwise suitably connected. The fastening element 35 can preferably be constructed in two parts, which in particularly has an advantageous effect on a screwed connection with the encasing elements 7, 8.
In addition, the fastening element may preferably be constructed as a joint element or hinge element 36 which here engages in the support 3. The cross-sectional shape of the hinge element 36 corresponds essentially to the cross-sectional shape of the fastening element 35. The axis of rotation 37 of the hinge element 36 is preferably arranged on the exterior side .
The side element, for example, made of wood (illustrated by solid lines) is mounted on outwardly projecting stationary ridge surfaces of the hinge element 36. A broken line shows, for example, the fastening of a side element 8' made of metal with a significantly thinner wall thickness, which is connected by way of an inwardly bent beveled surface, as described above, with the hinge element 36. The door element 12, in turn, is connected with the movable ridge surface of the hinge element 36.

. Figure 10 is a detailed top view of the hinge element 36 with side parts 8 and door elements 12 fastened thereto by screws 37, which side parts 8 and door elements 12 consist here, for example, of wood or plastic. Figure 11 is also a detailed top view of the hinge element 36, with side parts 8 and door elements 12 made of a material of a thin wall thickness, such as metal or plastic, fastened thereto also by screws 38.
Finally, Figure 12 is a combined side and top view of the connection area of the ceiling profile 6 with the support 3. The arm 19 has an essentially upright rectangular cross-section and is connected with the support 3 by two screws 42 arranged above one another. The ceiling plate 10 is supported on the upper end of the support 3 and, depending on the use, is only placed on it or, for example, is screwed to it. At the top, the side parts 8 and the door elements 12 are constructed such that they close off flush with the upper surface of the ceiling plate.
Enlarged Figure 13 is again the top view of the connection area of the support 3 with the arm 15 and the hinge element 36 illustrated in Figure 9. The two channels 39, 40 are also shown here which are preferably arranged in the groove 34 of the support 3 and which form a connection between the top side of the arm 15 and its underside, and may be utilized, for example, as a cable passage or as a cable channel. This can particularly be advantageous if the groove 34 between the arm 15 or tray holder (not shown) is covered by a lid and, for example, electric cables can be invisibly laid in the thus formed channel.

The foregoing disclosure has been set forth merely to illustrate the invention and is not intended to be limiting.
Since modifications of the disclosed embodiments incorporating the spirit and substance of the invention may occur to persons skilled in the art, the invention should be construed to include everything within the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereof.

Claims (21)

1. Box- or shelf-type furniture, comprising a supporting structure having a ceiling profile, a floor profile with three arms leading into a first node and arranged in a plane, and straight supports which each project vertically upward on free ends of the arms and which lead into the ceiling profile which has three arms leading into a second node and being arranged in a plane.

2. The box- or shelf-type furniture according to claim 1, wherein the arms of the floor profile and of ceiling profile are arranged in a T-shape.

3. The box- or shelf-type furniture according to claim 1, wherein the arms are arranged in a star shape symmetrically with respect to the first node and mutually have the same length.

4. The box- or shelf-type furniture according to claim 1, wherein the arms have a solid profile cross-section and are formed integral with the floor profile and ceiling profile.

5. The box- or shelf-type furniture according to claim 1, wherein the direction of the first node toward the free end of the arms, the latter have, as viewed from the top, a widening of the width at least in an end area thereof.

6. The box- or shelf-type furniture according claim 1, wherein the arms have a substantially rectangular cross-section with preferably rounded edges.

7. The box- or shelf-type furniture according to claim 1, wherein the supports have a substantially H-shaped cross-section, as viewed from the top thereof, and the flank surfaces have a substantially trapezoidal configuration.

8. The box- or shelf-type furniture according to claim 7, wherein one groove respectively of the supports has a substantially T-shaped cross-section.

9. The box- or shelf-type furniture according to claim 8, wherein the one groove is an exterior groove arranged opposite the arms.

10. The box- or shelf-type furniture according to claim 1, wherein band-shaped fastening elements having connection surfaces for encasing elements which can be connected with the supports such that the connection surfaces are aligned parallel to the direction of the arms.

11. The box- or shelf-type furniture according to claim 10, wherein the fastening elements are configured as a T-shaped cross-section holding profile and are configured to be slid into a corresponding recess or groove of the supports.

12. The box- or shelf-type furniture according to claim 11, wherein the fastening elements are configured at least partly as a swivel mountings having a swivel or first axis extending perpendicular to the supports.

13. The box- or shelf-type furniture according to claim 12, wherein band-shaped fastening elements having connection surfaces for encasing elements which can be connected with the supports such that the connection surfaces are aligned parallel to the direction of the arms.

14. The box- or shelf-type furniture according to claim 12, wherein the swivel or pivot axis is arranged on a free end of the swivel mounting opposite the supports.

15. The box- or shelf-type furniture according to claim 10, wherein plane or curved covering surfaces are provided outside and connected with the supporting structure.

16. The box- or shelf-type furniture according to claim 15, wherein the covering surfaces are selected from the group consisting of wood, plastic, glass and metal.

17. The box- or shelf-type furniture according to claim 1, wherein ceiling plates are arranged above the ceiling profile and are connected with the supporting structure, which ceiling plates have one of a substantially rectangular, circular and trochoidal configuration.

18. The box- or shelf-type furniture according to claim 17, wherein ceiling plates in a trochoidal configuration are associated with arms of the ceiling profile arranged pointing to a center of side edges thereof.

19. The box- or shelf-type furniture according to claim 1, wherein a single ceiling plate is arranged above the ceiling profile and constitutes a depositing plate and extends at least to an end of the arms.

20. The box- or shelf-type furniture according to claim 19, wherein the single ceiling plate projects beyond the arms.

21. The box- or shelf-type furniture according to claim 1, wherein the supporting structure consists of a light metal, including aluminum.