EP0392930A1 - Supporting assembly for working table top and furniture comprising that assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention concerns a supporting assembly for a working table. This assembly comprises: - a substantially rectilinear column (1); - at each of the ends of this column, a plate (3), this plate having on its face which is not adjoining the end of the column and perpendicular to the axis of the latter, an angular protruding part (17) pierced with housings (18) for screws or other similar fixing means; - at the base of the column, feet (4) comprising fixing orifices capable of being brought into correspondence with those of the lower plate in order to be made integral with the latter in a plurality of positions; - at the upper section of the column, at least one right-angled branch (6) of which one part (21) disposed radially with respect to the axis of the associated plate bears on the protruding part (17) of the latter and comprises at least one orifice (22) capable of being brought into coincidence with one of the orifices (18) of the plate. <IMAGE>

Description

The present invention relates to a new support assembly for a worktop. It relates more particularly to a support capable of serving as a passage for lines for transporting fluids and electricity, intended to be connected to similar lines of the work plan. The invention also relates to new furniture fitted with such a support assembly.

FR-A-2 490 941 discloses an office furniture system which uses carrying columns provided with an upper clip clamp fixed by a tie rod. The support beams for the work surfaces are fixed to these clamps by their flanges on the lower edge, and are normally carried, one per column, transversely at any point along their length. The radial adaptation of several beams on a column, for example to connect planes angularly from this column, is impossible.

The invention aims to remedy this drawback. We know, in fact, that modern work tables include fluid or electricity supply systems which must be easily connected to the main supply lines. These systems must also be able to be connected to each other, because it is frequent that, in the same place of work, design offices or others, one uses various tables of work offset angularly and in height relative to each other, but connected at the same main supply lines.

The present invention aims to provide a support structure and self-supporting worktops, which meets these requirements.

The invention also aims to propose a new structure of this type, which consists of a very small number of modular elements.

The invention also aims to provide a structure of this type which can be assembled and disassembled easily, possibly by the user himself.

Another object of the invention is to propose a structure of this type, in which the fluid or electricity transport lines can be accommodated independently of the relative position of the various constituent members.

The invention finally aims to provide a structure of this type, which allows easy connection of two work planes offset angularly or in height.

To this end, the subject of the invention is a support assembly for a work surface, comprising a substantially rectilinear column, having from one end to the other a hollow or recessed part, capable of receiving the lines for transporting fluids or of electricity, characterized in that it comprises:
- At each end of this region, a plate also hollowed out at least laterally for the passage of said lines, a part of a shape complementary to that of the ends of the column can cooperate by interlocking therewith, this plate having on its face not contiguous at the end of the column and perpendicular to the axis of the latter an annular protruding part pierced with housings for screws or other similar fixing means, these housings being distributed angularly, symmetrically or not, with respect to the 'axis of the plate;
- at the base of the column, legs or a base forming a support and comprising fixing orifices capable of being brought into correspondence with those of the lower plate to be made integral with the latter in a plurality of angular positions by screws or the like;
- At the upper part of the column, at least one angle branch, arranged radially with respect to the axis of the associated plate and a part of which bears on the part of the latter and comprises at least one orifice capable of be brought into coincidence with one of the orifices of the plate, with a view to being made integral therewith by means of assembly in a plurality of angular positions, another part of this branch having a shape complementary to the end of a profile intended to support a work surface and comprising at least one orifice for the passage of organs fixing this profile.

It is understood that by having two branches of angle on the same plate at the upper part of a support column, it is thus possible in a simple way to make two sections integral with the column in a plurality of angular positions, to support the same table or two adjoining tables connected together.

It is also clear that the interchangeability of the lower and upper plates greatly facilitates assembly of the assembly.

As for the power or fluid supply lines, they can be easily accommodated in the hollow or hollowed out part of the column.

In one embodiment, this column can be made of wood and have a U-shaped longitudinal groove for the passage of the supply lines, a cover being provided to conceal these lines from view.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the angle branch does not only comprise a recessed part capable of receiving the end of a profile, but, at a level offset in height relative to this recessed part, a or projecting elements capable of being engaged in the end of a hollow profile and of being made integral with it by fixing means.

The same column is thus able to support profiles offset in height and angularly, associated with work plans located at different levels.

• La figure 1 est une vue éclatée d'une structure support conforme à l'invention et du plan de travail associé;
• La figure 2 est une vue partielle d'une extrémité de la colonne de la structure;
• Les figures 3 et 4 sont des vues à plus grande échelle de la platine, respectivement en perspective et en coupe;
• La figure 5 est une vue en perspective d'une branche d'équerre;
• La figure 6 est une vue de dessus de cette équerre;
• Les figures 7 et 8 sont des vues, respectivement, d'un pied et d'une partie d'embase susceptibles d'être fixés directement sur la platine inférieure, et
• la figure 9 est une vue d'une pièce-bouchon susceptible d'être montée sur la platine supérieure de colonne et portant une tablette de réhausse.

It is such an embodiment of the invention which will be described below in detail, by way of nonlimiting example, with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

• Figure 1 is an exploded view of a structure support according to the invention and the associated work plan;
• Figure 2 is a partial view of one end of the column of the structure;
• Figures 3 and 4 are enlarged views of the plate, respectively in perspective and in section;
• Figure 5 is a perspective view of a square branch;
• Figure 6 is a top view of this bracket;
• FIGS. 7 and 8 are views, respectively, of a foot and of a base part capable of being fixed directly to the lower plate, and
• Figure 9 is a view of a stopper piece capable of being mounted on the upper column plate and carrying a raising shelf.

As seen in Figure 1, the support structure according to the invention essentially comprises a column 1, intended to be arranged vertically below a work surface 2, in order to support it, with each of its ends an identical plate 3, one lower and the other upper.

The lower plate serves as a fastening member to feet 4 or to base parts 5, while on the upper plate 3 can be fixed in a plurality of different angular positions of the angle branches 6, capable of holding and supporting profiles 7, carrying the support frame 20 of the work surface 2.

As shown in this figure 1, in the work plan 2 are incorporated profiles 8, in which can be housed power supply lines or fluids, which covers 9 allow to hide from view.

The present invention aims in particular to allow the supply of these lines from the support structure and the assembly of the sections 7 and of the upper plate 3 in extremely different positions, in order to be able to adapt to the requirements of each type of furniture.

This is what will be exposed now by studying each of the organs which have just been mentioned.

Column 1 has, along most of its length, a lateral longitudinal groove 11, with a U-shaped section intended to receive lines for supplying fluids or electricity. A cover 10 allows the lines to be hidden from view. The groove 11 opens at each end of the column 1 in a cylindrical recess 12, into which a correspondingly shaped part 13 of the associated plate comes to fit. This plate is split laterally at 14, so as to allow entry or exit of the supply lines, depending on whether it is the lower plate or the upper plate. The bottom of the cylindrical recess 12 and that of the part 13 of the associated plate may include threaded orifices, arranged facing one another in the assembled position and making it possible to assemble them using a screw or similar.

The shape of the plate is clearly shown in Figures 3 and 4. In addition to the semi-cylindrical lower part 13, it comprises on its opposite face a central cylindrical part 15 bordered externally by an annular hollow part 16, itself bordered externally by a annular projecting part 17. In this part 17 are provided threaded orifices 18, angularly offset, in a regular manner or not, and intended to make integral with this plate, by screws 19, either the feet 4, or the portions base 5, or finally the brackets 6.

For the feet 4, it will suffice to provide on the latter in an appropriate position orifices capable of being brought into coincidence with the orifices 18 of the plate, to make them integral with the latter by screws 19. This will be the case for even for the base parts 5, where holes 23 are provided.

The angle branch 6 comprises a heel 21 of profile complementary to the part 17 of the plate 3, which it can thus covering in a plurality of positions offset angularly and of which it can be made integral by screws 19 engaged in an orifice 22 of the heel 21, brought into coincidence with the orifices 18 of the plate, the angle branch 6 being in all case directed radially with respect to the axis of the plate.

The angle branch 6 also comprises at least one part 24 forming a beak and defining a housing 25 in which a profile 7 can be engaged, orifices 26 being formed in the beak-shaped part and in the profiles to make them integral each other using screws 19.

It will be noted that, if the profile is hollow, the part 24 bordering the recess 25 can be engaged in the profile, which also bears on the flat part 31 limiting the recess 25 to its lower part. Furthermore, the square element 6 laterally comprises projecting parts 27, arranged at a level different from that of the recess 25 and capable of being engaged in the hollow end of another profile. Tapped holes 28 will be provided in the elements 27, in order to be brought into concordance with corresponding holes of the profiles and to make them integral by means of screws or the like. On a square integral with the same column can thus be fixed, in positions angularly offset and in height of the profiles associated with worktops, tables, or other surfaces, located on different planes.

It is clear that the same plate 3 can support two or more than two profiles and that the user can thus adapt to all the requirements of the furniture considered and, in particular, to the frequent need to connect work plans offset angularly in the same plane.

It will be noted that the orifices 18 of the plate 3 have been shown in FIG. 3 as opening on the upper face of the part 17, but they might as well have been arranged transversely with respect to this part 17 and open laterally with respect to the plate.

It will also be noted that the same section 7 can be made integral at each of its ends with two angle branches, associated respectively with two separate columns. It is thus possible to use only three support columns for two tables connected to each other, the end columns being each connected by a profile to the central column, which therefore supports two profiles. In the same way, it is possible to use only four columns for three juxtaposed tables and this while varying at leisure the respective angular positions of the tables.

It will also be noted (FIG. 9) that a plug part 30 can be mounted on the upper plate (3), this part being hollowed out at least to receive and pass the lines for transporting fluid or electricity. An upper fin 31 laterally closes the end of the chute (8) for passing the lines. This plug can also carry a raising element, such as a shelf 32, by means of a rod 33 fitted into the upper central cylindrical part of the plug, this rod being hollow and capable of ensuring the passage of the lines. transport of fluid and electricity. Said plug may also comprise a single upper fin (not shown), shaped to ensure the continuity of the trough (8) between connected work planes or trays, this fin being cut at the trunking connection diagonal according to the connection angle of the trays.

The invention therefore provides a simple and easy-to-implement means for supporting worktops of various furniture.

It will be noted that the structure according to the invention has the essential advantage of being not only a supporting structure, but also of being self-supporting.

Claims (9)

1.- Support assembly for work plan, comprising a column (1) substantially rectilinear, having from one end to the other a hollow or hollowed out part, capable of receiving the lines of transport of fluids or electricity, characterized in that it includes:
- At each end of this column, a plate (3) also hollowed out at least laterally for the passage of said lines, a part of a shape complementary to that of the ends of the column can cooperate by fitting therewith, this plate having on its non-contiguous face at the end of the column and perpendicular to the axis thereof, an annular projection part (17) pierced with housings (18) for screws or other similar fixing means, these housings being distributed angularly , symmetrically or not, relative to the axis of the plate;
- at the base of the column, legs (4) or a base (5) forming a support and comprising fixing orifices capable of being brought into correspondence with those (18) of the lower plate to be made integral with the latter in a plurality of angular positions by screws or the like;
- At the upper part of the column, at least one angle branch (6), arranged radially with respect to the axis of the associated plate and a part (21) of which rests on the part (17) of the latter ci and comprises at least one orifice (22) capable of being brought into coincidence with one of the orifices (18) of the plate, with a view to being made integral therewith by means of assembly in a plurality of angular positions, another part (24) of this branch having a shape complementary to the end of a profile (7) intended to support a work surface and comprising at least one orifice (26) for the passage of fasteners for this streamlined. 2. Support assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the part (21) of the angle branch (6) has a heel and covers a portion annular projecting from the part (17) of the associated plate (3). 3.- support assembly according to one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the parts of the column (1) and of the plate (3) cooperating by interlocking comprise threaded recesses capable of coinciding after assembly for the purpose of make them integral with one another using fixing means such as screws. 4.- support assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the angle branch (6) laterally comprises projecting elements (27), offset in height relative to the recessed portion (25) intended to receiving the end of a profile (7), these projecting elements (27) themselves being able to be engaged in the hollow end of other profiles angularly offset from the previous one and located at a different level. 5. A support assembly according to claim 4, characterized in that the projecting elements (27) comprise threads capable of being brought into coincidence with orifices of the profiles in which they can be engaged, in order to make them integral with using fixing means such as screws. 6.- Support assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a stopper piece (30) is mounted on the upper plate (3), this stopper piece being hollowed out at least in its central part for the passage of fluid or electricity transport lines and comprising an upper fin (31) shaped to laterally close the end of the profiles or trough (8) for passage of the lines. 7. A support assembly according to claim 6, characterized in that various raising elements, such as shelf (32) are mounted on said plug part, by means of a rod (33) fitted in the central part. upper cylindrical hollowed out of the plug, this rod being hollow and capable of ensuring the passage of the fluid and electricity transmission lines 8.- Support assembly according to one of claims 6 and 7, characterized in that said stopper part comprises an upper fin shaped to ensure continuity of the chute (8) between planes or connected work trays, this fin being cut out to the trunking connection diagonal according to the angle of connection of the plates. 9. Furniture with a work surface and equipped with a support assembly according to one of claims 1 to 4.

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