DE102013011394A1 - furniture system - Google Patents

Abstract

Furniture system based on frames consisting of the elements corner pieces (3-9) made up of pipe pieces (13) and connectors (10) characterized by the following features: - the frame is formed by pieces of pipe (13) along the edges of one or more cuboids are arranged. - The corners of a rectangle formed by the elements are in the 3 vertical directions in space on a regular grid in the form of a spatial grid. - All pipe sections (13) that meet a certain corner blocks are part of a rigidly connected corner part (3-9) and form a rigid component, the ends of each piece of pipe have a uniform interface to the connector before. - The length of the pipe sections (13) of the corner pieces (3-9) is half a pitch measured from the corner of the box. - The connectors between two adjacent elements lie inside the pipe sections and are essentially invisible. - The connection can be opened and closed by at least one externally operable Bares fixing.

Description

The invention relates to a furniture system consisting of system parts for the flexible construction of furniture such as tables, chairs, sideboards and shelves, as well as individual furniture, which are constructed using system parts according to the invention.

State of the art

Modular furniture systems have been known for a long time and have been realized in various forms. They generally offer the advantage of flexible configurability. Some furniture systems partly already provide spatially extended modules such as carcasses. Or they provide components that allow the construction of flexible furniture from simple geometric elements such as bars, profiles by means of connectors. The number of different system parts (modules and components) of a furniture system, which are required to build up a number of furniture variants, is a qualitative feature for the system which mainly determines total cost and variety of use. The mechanical properties such as stability and dimensional design, the available functions (such as drawers) and the design with its aesthetic effect, among other factors, limit the fields of application of a specific furniture system.

From the DE 10 2006 011 899 B4 is a module and shelving system is known which discloses cuboid modules and connectors for the construction of shelves. It is limited for the connection of flat elements and supports furniture which is formed with floors and walls.

DE 10 2004 002 394 A1 shows a solution for the construction of flexible furniture and a furniture system which is also based on the arrangement of plates and their support function uses. In this case, at least 2 orthogonal plates are used, which are connected by a connection profile.

In the DE 10 2005 025 368 A1 is presented a connecting element, which also allows the connection of sheet-like elements such as plates and thus the construction of box-shaped furniture modules

The Indian DE 202 08 496 U1 described connector locks pre-assembled independent modules of furniture, thereby achieving a fixation of the parts.

The DE 298 00385 U1 presents a rack kit consisting of floors and beams, which each have slot-shaped cuts and give a detachable connector.

DE 70 36 441 shows a rod-shaped connecting element for receiving side covers and floor parts which is based on tongue and groove principle and allows the construction of furniture modules of individual plates

DE 10033304 C1 : Presents a connector system for components and furniture designs. A two-piece cross connector of the plate elements connects, allows the construction of shelving systems.

The prior art has in common that it builds on plate designs for the modules of the system furniture. This involves certain design and functional limitations. Also, the support function must be ensured in the selection of materials and structural design of the plates. Transparent and light-looking designs are thus repeatedly set limits.

Another common type of furniture system based on rod-shaped elements such as rods or tubes. These generally build on the construction systems for trusses or structures. The nodes or corner joints are made by special fasteners with connections for the rods.

DE 10 2007 014 263 B3 presents a connection node for a two- or three-dimensional framework which provides the connection of the supporting bars to a node within a framework. The shape of the rods at the connections to the nodes happens here with flattened ends according to the patent US 2,964,147 , Because the connection to the bars can transmit only small moments, it is necessary that orthogonal arrangements of frames, as normally found on shelves, sideboards, must obtain additional bars which stiffen the structure by triangles.

Another known USM system uses a ball centered in the knot with threaded connections in all six orthogonal directions. Round rods then form the node connections and thus the supporting structure of the furniture. Of these, similar variants with cube-like knot from Dauphin are also on the market.

DE 31 40 325 A1 relates to a furniture system which is constructed with similar circular profiles and rounded inner corner pieces form the connection by means of anchoring in profile or in a plate.

DE 3140325 A1 : Disclosed a furniture system in which a frame using similar straight profiles are used, which are connected by corner pieces. A special task is to ensure the rigidity of the corner joint for seating and tables.

These well-known node-rod solutions have in common that you perform the connection of profiles / bars in the area of the corners. This inevitably results in a more complex situation at the corners with higher functional density and higher static demands on the node element as soon as more than 2 bars meet at a node or corner. Above all, however, the aesthetic design is pre-embossed by the implementation of the node function, partly the mounting elements and the partially required oblique stiffeners. Overall, there is usually a technically and functionally coined appearance which often dominates the design of the furniture.

Inventive task

• • Einsatz auch für strapazierende Anwendungen mit hohen Stabilitätsanforderungen wie Bspw Stuhl/Sitzgelegenheit Tisch.
• • Hohe Wiederverwendbarkeit der Komponenten
• • Nutzung der gleichen Komponenten für vielfältige Anwendungen (Sitzgelegenheit, Tisch, Sideboard, Regal...).
• • Gestaltungsspielraum für individuelle Objekte. Sowohl für den Entwerfer als auch den Nutzer des Möbels (Mix aus unterschiedlichen Materialien und/oder unterschiedlichen Oberflächenarten)
• • Erweiterbarkeit durch den Nutzer durch einfache mechanische Schnittstellen
• • Unterstützt hohe Mobilität durch Zerlegbarkeit und Wiedermontage mit Funktionsqualität.
• • Einfache Montage und Demontage
• • Ermöglicht Einsatz langlebiger Materialien, bzw. solche die „patinieren” also ein ästhetisches Alterungsverhalten während des Gebrauchs aufweisen. Insbesondere für Flächen.
• • Klares und einfaches Design welches eine Verträglichkeit mit vielen individuellen Umgebungssituationen besitzt.
• • Ansprechende Wirkung auch wenn ein Mix an unterschiedlichen Materialien

Development of a furniture system which is particularly suitable for broad applications and sustainable usage models such as "sharing" and provides the following properties:

• • Also suitable for demanding applications with high stability requirements such as chair / seat table.
• • High reusability of the components
• • Use of the same components for a variety of applications (seat, table, sideboard, shelf ...).
• • Design freedom for individual objects. Both for the designer and the user of the furniture (mix of different materials and / or different surface types)
• • Expandability by the user through simple mechanical interfaces
• • Supports high mobility through dismantling and reassembly with functional quality.
• • Easy assembly and disassembly
• • Allows the use of durable materials, or those that "patinate" so have an aesthetic aging behavior during use. Especially for surfaces.
• • Clear and simple design which is compatible with many individual environmental situations.
• • Appealing effect even if a mix of different materials

The visible structure of the framework for the furniture system should be simplified as far as possible and reduced to the basic utility value, this reduction should ensure usability and aesthetic compatibility with many different environments designed to ultimately promote service life and thus sustainability.

The inventive idea is based on an embodiment of the invention as a stool in 2 arge provides. As a basic form, a structure of tubes, arranged on a three-dimensional grid of one or more connected cuboids is selected. In contrast to the prior art, but lies the interface of the system elements: corner pieces ( 3 - 9 ) and pipes ( 1 . 2 ) not in or near the nodes, but in each case in the middle of the connections of two corners or nodes on the adjacent position in the grid. The legs of the corner pieces ( 3 - 9 ) and the pipes ( 1 . 2 ) are referred to below as pipe sections ( 13 ) designated. Pipe pieces ( 13 ) which come together at a certain node are connected to each other firmly and permanently as a component, for example by welding. Nodes and rods thus "merge" into an integral element of the corner part ( 3 - 9 ). This results in a considerable advantage in the strength of the load-bearing joints at the nodes compared to the known solutions.

Two adjacent elements either corner parts ( 3 - 9 ) or pipes ( 1 . 2 ) are produced by the connector according to the invention ( 10 ) fixed during assembly. It is advantageous that the inventively chosen location of the interfaces a complex problem, "many and changing number of rods connect", in a simpler problem "always two rods connect" is exchanged and so a tailor-made, train-pressure fixed and rigid connection allows cost-effective becomes. This is one of the innovative advantages for straining applications over the prior art justified. The ease of mounting is improved by the selected location of the interface between the system elements.

Plates as shelves, table tops, etc. can either be placed in the frame or mounted with additional fasteners.

1 shows the frame forming different elements of the furniture system. The number of pipe pieces ( 13 ) which hit a node varies from 2 to a maximum of 6. In the simplest case according to the execution in 1 , The pipe sections have a constant over the location preferably square cross-section, so they can be made of standard semi-finished and the rotational degrees of freedom are controlled by the shape. However, it is also conceivable that the invention is implemented in other embodiments with variable-profile tubes and even better material utilization is achieved at a given strength. In particular, for such optimization Shapes are conceivable in which the moment of resistance increases towards the corners (knots) in order to absorb the rising bending moments.

3 shows an embodiment of the connector according to the invention ( 10 ) for corner pieces made of square cross section tubes (square tube). The connector ( 10 ) preferably has two contact surfaces arranged at right angles ( 14 ), which in each case by means of a fixing element in the corner part to be joined ( 3 - 9 ) establishes a firm connection by friction. The right-angled arrangement of the two contact surfaces leads to a defined contact position and thus results in a better alignment of the connected elements. Thus, the effect of the inevitable dimensional deviations of the pipe sections ( 13 ) minimized. The force for the frictional engagement is preferably by a respective externally actuated fixing element ( 12 ), which pipe sections ( 13 ) is supported, applied.

4a shows the plugged connector ( 10 ) before fixation.

4b shows the plugged connector ( 10 ) after the fixation by tightening the fixing ( 12 ).

In the illustrated embodiment is used as a fixing ( 12 Of course, other mechanisms such as axially moving wedge pieces or eccentric pressure pads, uvm conceivable variants.

The thread in the pipe section ( 13 ) can be inexpensively manufactured by various known methods. For example, the use of welding nuts is possible. Also glued thread carrier are conceivable. Another alternative is the use of a flow drilling method.

Another object is the ease of assembly. Since all connections are made with only one common connector ( 10 ), the structure is intuitive and easy to communicate. An embodiment of the connector ( 10 ) in 3 facilitates assembly and prevents incorrect operation: The mounting lock ( 11 ) is a bulge or protrusion on the connector, it comes after insertion of the connector in positive engagement with the fixing ( 12 ). This ensures that the connector ( 10 ) in the pipe section ( 13 ) is half the length in the adjacent elements and thus positioned correctly.

5 shows a seat ( 50 ) carried out with the elements of the furniture system according to the invention. Corner pieces ( 3 . 4 ) with 2 and 3 pieces of pipe as well as 2 pipes ( 1 ) for use. The seat ( 50 ) is formed by a flexible, freely tensioned strip material which comprises the two parallel tube pieces. For this, the usual furniture materials fabrics, leather are suitable. The simple interface to the belt allows a broad and flexible use of the elements of the furniture system.

6a shows a longitudinal section through a possible embodiment of the connector with an additional security lock ( 15 ). This prevents the connection from disengaging during use and causing the adjacent system elements to separate. The fixing element ( 12 ), even if it is slightly loosened and thus there is no or little frictional engagement, in abutment with the security lock ( 15 ) and prevents it from the pipe section ( 13 ) slips out. 6b shows the connector ( 10 ) from the side view.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

Pipe section 1 RM

2

Pipe section 2 RM

3

Corner piece with 2 pieces of pipe

4

Corner piece with 3 pipe pieces

5

Corner piece with 3 pipe pieces

6

Corner piece with 4 pipe pieces

7

Corner piece with 4 pipe pieces

8th

Corner piece with 5 pipe pieces

9

Corner piece with 6 pipe pieces

10

Interconnects

11

mounting Block

12

fixing

13

pipe section

14

contact surface

15

safety catch

16

plate

50

seat

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 102006011899 B4 [0003]
• DE 102004002394 A1 [0004]
• DE 102005025368 A1 [0005]
• DE 20208496 U1 [0006]
• DE 29800385 U1 [0007]
• DE 7036441 [0008]
• DE 10033304 C1 [0009]
• DE 102007014263 B3 [0012]
• US 2964147 [0012]
• DE 3140325 A1 [0014, 0015]

Claims (8)

Furniture system based on frames consisting of elements corner pieces ( 3 - 9 ) made of pipe sections ( 13 ) and connectors ( 10 ) characterized by the following features: - the frame is replaced by pieces of pipe ( 13 ) formed along the edges of one or more cuboids. - The corners of a rectangle formed by the elements are in the 3 vertical directions in space on a regular grid in the form of a spatial grid. - all pipe sections ( 13 ), which hit a certain square corner are part of a rigidly connected corner part ( 3 - 9 ) and form a rigid component, the ends of each tube piece having a unitary interface to the connector. - The length of the pipe sections ( 13 ) of the corner pieces ( 3 - 9 ) is half a pitch measured from the square corner. - The connectors between two adjacent elements lie inside the pipe sections and are essentially invisible. - The connection can be opened and closed by at least one externally operable Bares fixing. Furniture system according to claim 1, characterized in that a selection of pipes ( 1 . 2 ) and several corner pieces ( 3 - 9 ) with a different number of pieces of pipe ( 13 ) having. Furniture system according to claim 1-2, characterized in that the grid dimension is between 300 and 500 mm Furniture system according to claim 1-3, characterized in that the cross-sectional profile of the pipe sections ( 13 ) is square and the outer dimensions are in the range of 10 mm x 10 mm to 30 mm x 30 mm. Interconnects ( 10 ) for furniture system according to one of claims 1-4 of the tube inside two adjacent pipe sections ( 13 ), characterized in that the connector ( 10 ) Contact surfaces ( 14 ) matching the inner shape of the pipe sections ( 13 ) of the corner pieces ( 1 - 9 ), which on the insides of the pipe sections ( 13 ) establish a frictional connection and by means of the fixing elements ( 12 ) and a mechanical mounting lock ( 11 ) has, which forms a positive stop in the inserted state so that a deeper insertion of the connector is effectively prevented. Interconnects ( 10 ) for furniture system according to claim 5 of the tube inside two adjacent pipe sections ( 13 ), characterized in that the connector ( 10 ) an additional positive security lock ( 15 ), which in contact with the fixing element ( 12 ), when the fixing element ( 12 ) is only slightly actuated and is displaceable in the pipe section. Furniture system according to claim 1 to 6, characterized in that holding elements at the connection points, by means of which a rectangular plate can be mounted in the space within a region comprised of straight pipe sections area. Seat made up of elements of the furniture system according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that between two horizontal, parallel pipe sections ( 13 ) at least one band ( 50 )

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