EP0947150B1 - Multi-functional planar part used as a base and top for a mobile storage unit - Google Patents

Abstract

The piece of furniture comprises a tower with two or more sections having a volume (V1, V2) available for storage and closed, e.g. by a sliding door. The bottom section is mounted on castors (R) and each section comprises a base (11), a top and side walls (1, 2). The various components of the piece are assembled by a series of matching projections and recesses which allow them to be dismantled and reassembled in different configurations.

Description

The present invention relates to a component of a piece of furniture more particularly intended to integrate a range of furniture modular office, said furniture responding to new functionality since it is a mobile storage unit and easily moved by the user, who can have it at all moment at hand.

This piece of furniture, which also constitutes the invention, has the appearance a tower equipped with casters, with at least one volume of storage, and configurable according to multiple possibilities aimed at develop both its own functionalities and its overall aesthetic.

The object of the invention component is the central element around which is the construction of the furniture, allowing in particular to apply changes and modifications desired by the user. This component is used in several places in ways that may be significantly different, and it conditions each location of possible configuration choices.

More specifically, this component is a flat-looking piece multifunctional fitted to the bases and ceilings of each floor of the storage tower, which is characterized in that it is reversibly usable at the separation between each floor and / or at the lower and upper ends of the tower, and for this purpose comprises a first face provided with ribs allowing the guidance and positioning and fixing of components of towers not intended to envelop the volumes of storage and a second side with grooves and pins allowing the guiding and positioning and fixing of the elements surrounding the storage volumes, both sides having orifices.

In the prior art, document US-A-4 844 566 discloses the structure modular cubic elements which can be assembled together to constitute, for example, furniture for children's rooms.

These modular elements are formed of hexagon, four of which are identical (the side panels and the bottom and the ceiling), and two slightly different: the front and rear front elements indeed have a opening that does not exist in the previous ones.

The four sides are articulated, and for this purpose have a male hinge and a female hinge on two of their opposite sides. Each pan, including including said hinges, is made of molded synthetic material, and their mounting, by clipping, does not require any particular tool.

The modular cubic units can be assembled together, especially for building multi-story furniture, but there is no sharing of common areas between the adjoining floors: each unit is simply juxtaposed with the previous one, and the ceiling of one does not serve background to the next.

This invention therefore in no way presents a single piece organizing the separation between floors of a piece of furniture which may include it several, unlike what is planned for the towers in this invention.

When building a tower, the appearance you want to give it determines the number of parts of the invention to be used, deducted from the number of horizontal levels to predict. The rest of the elements are assembled then easily to each part of the invention, practically without tools, the whole being also easy to modify.

Thanks to the use of this unique reversible piece at each level of horizontal separation, flexible configuration of storage towers of the invention is considerably improved, in particular because said part includes all the functionalities necessary for assembling all possible versions of the furniture.

This uniqueness also constitutes an important advantage during the manufacturing (corresponding uniqueness of manufacturing tools), for management stocks and in the assembly phase since the operator responsible for the assembly no longer has to make choices that are potentially sources of error.

The design of the part of the invention, provided so as not to require of tools in most assembly operations, allows moreover a simple and quick assembly of the selected tower configuration, by a personnel who do not need to be specially trained for this purpose.

Finally, the existence of a single multi-use part reduces costs in all the aforementioned phases, and gives the furniture that incorporates it a value undeniable economic on a strictly financial level.

To further facilitate assembly operations, the part of the invention has a double symmetry with respect to two planes perpendicular to each other the other and perpendicular to the mean plane of the room, this double symmetry defining four quadrants with the same ribs, grooves, pins and holes performing the same functions.

More generally, the storage tower based on these parts comprises itself a symmetry that could simplify things when selection of the components constituting the chosen tower configuration.

Concretely, the flat-looking part includes a face provided with ribs for guiding and / or fixing and / or positioning the components of towers not intended to envelop the volumes of storage, which cooperate moreover with the other face provided with grooves and pions.

Spatially, that is to say in fact in relation to the spatial configuration furniture storage volumes, we can say that it has four sides corresponding respectively to the side walls, the bottom and the access opening of said volumes.

According to a possible configuration, the ribbed face has ribs concentric and radial stiffenings, positioning ribs for foot-type external support elements and housing with clip clips fixing provided for housing studs integral with elements of the tray type or lid.

More specifically, the ribs for positioning the external elements support are arranged at both ends of the lateral sides, the housings with fixing clips, in the form of open cylinders interrupted according to at least two generators to form an axial portion of free wall constituting an elastic tab provided with an internal radial clip-on projection, being arranged in the vicinity of said positioning ribs.

In fact, the aforementioned support elements are for example feet, preferably fitted with casters giving the storage tower its mobility, or balusters separating two storage volumes and constituting a floor open.

The grooved face of the part of the invention comprises pins distributed at regular intervals along the lateral sides of the room, along a lateral groove intended to receive an external lateral wall.

Preferably, said lateral groove consists of a curvilinear portion in the vicinity of each end of which a change in direction in a portion oriented along the cord connecting said ends, this last portion ending at a terminal pawn at the level from which it still turns at a right angle towards the curvilinear portion and ends near said pawn.

These grooves and pins make it possible to guide and house the sheets constituting the side walls of the storage volumes, in ways that are will see more precisely below. Said side walls have a shape corresponding to the grooves, curved outward and curved at their ends in flat flaps themselves separated by a free space occupied by an internal blank.

This is attached to each of its corners with a clip hook located at proximity to each end of the side ribs.

At the end of the curved portion of each lateral groove, at the level change of direction, the ribbed face has a stop placed at the ends of grooves extending along the sides corresponding to the bottom and to the opening.

In addition, the multifunctional parts of the invention are designed so that, on the whole periphery of the part, outside the lateral grooves above, from the bottom and the opening, runs a peripheral groove whose wall external has at least one opening of height equal to that of said outer wall.

This groove is intended to receive and guide a slatted curtain provided to close the storage volume. This curtain is optionally installed, and can be added after assembly of the whole tower thanks to said or said opening (s), for example located in the middle of the side (s) lateral (aux).

In addition to the grooves and the ribs, the part of the invention comprises multiple holes which, combined with these, allow the fixing of the all components used in the construction of the towers.

Thus, it has holes for fixing the side walls in the lateral grooves, at least one being fitted with a clip hook.

Similarly, it has cable passage holes, and securing of cable clips.

More specifically, the cable passage openings are for example located in the middle of the lateral sides, the holes for securing the cable clips being arranged on both sides.

In most cases, the combined action of ribs, grooves and holes, with clipping hooks or equivalent if necessary, allows the fastening of components and accessories without tools and immediately.

However, certain elements to be fixed are subject to constraints mechanical repeated and of a nature such as to ensure mechanical connection via a conventional solution requiring a tool. This is the case for the supports casters which are bolted into the part of the invention, as well as the balusters connecting two storage volumes.

To this end, the multifunctional part has on its grooved face housings suitable for receiving and locking nuts, the bottom of said housings being perforated so as to allow the passage of a threaded rod, the orifice resulting being located in the element positioning ribs support external.

It is the only concession made to the need to use an auxiliary tool resulting in non-immediate fixation.

The use of a closing flap implies a possible locking by the user of the storage volumes of the mobile storage tower.

To this end, the aforementioned peripheral groove is provided, near the ends of the lateral sides, of locking holes provided for example for a bolt of a locking system for the closing flap.

One of the main advantages of the storage tower as new furniture concept of course lies in its mobility: when the storage volumes are full, the unit can however become heavy at handle and difficult to move, which removes part of its appeal.

According to a possible option, the part of the invention has therefore been designed so that the lateral sides are provided with grip handles attached to the ends of said sides. A room with handles will not used only at suitable heights, and therefore depends on the tower configuration.

So despite the relative heights of the tower itself and the user supposed to move it, the application of motive force by the latter can be easily and correctly retransmitted to the tower, even if it is heavily loaded, and above all without excessive effort on the part of said user.

The invention relates primarily to the flat-looking piece multidirectional above, but it also applies to a tower mobile storage as described and comprising said parts.

In this case, said tower, comprising at least one storage volume, is characterized in that the base of each storage volume is made up a piece of multifunctional flat appearance whose ribbed face is the face lower to which wheel support feet or balusters are attached support separating two consecutive storage volumes by a free space, the grooved upper face housing the side and bottom walls and the blanks internal side, and if necessary a shutter closing the volume of storage.

In addition, the ceiling of each storage volume consists of a same flat-looking piece but turned over in relation to the configuration previous, the grooved underside housing the side and bottom walls and the internal side blanks and optionally a volume closing flap for storage, the ribbed upper face housing a tray and / or receiving a lid.

The construction of any type of tower authorized by the components in fact amounts to a "stacking" of an even number of pieces of the invention, knowing that between each of said parts take place the specific components used in the constitution of a stage.

This geometry shows how the use of such a part facilitates the configuration and assembly of towers, including the manufacture and management of components during assembly are further greatly simplified.

• la figure 1 est une vue en perspective d'une tour de rangement comportant quatre pièces selon la présente invention ;
• la figure 2 montre une perspective identique du même ensemble, mais avec les volets de fermeture des volumes de rangement clos ;
• la figure 3 représente une perspective arrière du même ensemble ;
• la figure 4 est une vue en perspective d'une configuration alternative de tour intégrant deux pièces de l'invention ;
• la figure 5 est une vue en perspective de la face nervurée de ladite pièce ;
• la figure 6 la représente sous un angle similaire, mais avec vue sur la face rainurée ;
• la figure 7 montre une perspective éclatée d'un volume de rangement basé sur deux pièces de l'invention ;
• la figure 8 représente la solidarisation des pieds à roulettes à ladite pièce ;
• la figure 9 montre en détail la fixation d'une paroi latérale à cette pièce ; et
• la figure 10 est une vue en perspective d'un plateau tel qu'utilisé par exemple dans les configurations des figures 1 à 3 et 4.

The invention will now be described in more detail, in particular with reference to the appended figures, for which:

• Figure 1 is a perspective view of a storage tower comprising four parts according to the present invention;
• Figure 2 shows an identical perspective of the same assembly, but with the shutters of the closed storage volumes;
• Figure 3 shows a rear perspective of the same assembly;
• Figure 4 is a perspective view of an alternative tower configuration incorporating two parts of the invention;
• Figure 5 is a perspective view of the ribbed face of said part;
• Figure 6 shows it from a similar angle, but with a view of the grooved face;
• Figure 7 shows an exploded perspective of a storage volume based on two parts of the invention;
• Figure 8 shows the attachment of the roller feet to said part;
• Figure 9 shows in detail the attachment of a side wall to this part; and
• FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a tray as used for example in the configurations of FIGS. 1 to 3 and 4.

To fix the ideas, the representation of figure 1 shows a configuration which includes practically all the components usable for conform a storage tower according to the invention, that is to say that it is in made of the most complete version that can be created. The references used are applied to the same elements in all of the figures.

The part of the invention (P) appears in four separate locations on the and the other of the two storage volumes (V1, V2) separated by a space free (E) surmounting the plate (S). Each basic piece (P) of said volumes (V1, V2) is supported respectively by feet (R) with casters and balusters (C). The other two support the plate (S) and a cover (B). Among these, the first named includes handles or handles (A) allowing the grip and therefore a better transmission of thrust or traction forces emanating from the user.

The internal storage volumes (V1, V2) are delimited vertically by external side walls (1, 2), each supplemented by a blank internal covering (3), and a bottom wall (4) connecting one of the ends of each side wall. A closing flap (5) can optionally be installed to close the last vertical surface forming with the pieces of the invention (P) the storage volume (V1, V2).

The sheets forming the vertical walls (1, 2) have a particular shape their allowing to have two portions (7, 8) arranged in the same plane as the internal blank (3), these portions being provided with slots (9) provided for installation of shelves (6, 6 ', 6 ").

Figure 2 generally shows the same elements, with the exception of those inside the storage volumes, invisible because the shutters (5) have been closed. These have a security lock (10). Said flaps (5) can be installed well after assembly, via an opening (11) made in the part (P), in the external wall of the groove housing the flap (5).

As shown in Figure 3, these openings (11) can be at number of two arranged on either side of the storage volume. This figure also shows the link between the part (P) arranged under the plate (S) and the handles (A) optionally provided on the lateral sides of the parts (P). In this case, only the part (P) placed at the height of action of the hands of the user has been provided with it, their function not being imposed on others appearance levels of said part (P).

The storage tower shown in Figures 1 to 3 can still be modulated by adding additional shelves depending on the intended use. It is functionally possible to add one or more floors, but this would harm its aesthetic unity, and produce a difficult oversized element to move.

Conversely, the configuration of FIG. 4 constitutes an element to relatively distinct functionality, since it acts of a coffee table for two multifunctional parts (P), which the user can move at will depending on where he sits.

The upper part (P), invisible but supporting the plate (S), is not provided with handles (A), the small volume of the tower ensuring a correct mobility simply by gripping the edges of the tray (S). In all cases, this mobility is favored by the use of casters (R) pivoting around a vertical axis.

FIG. 5 represents the ribbed face of the part (P) of planar appearance of the invention. It is provided with a network of ribs concentric and radial (N) stiffening not directly involved in connections with the components of the tower.

In the vicinity of the corners, diagonal-shaped ribs (12) are provided for positioning the feet (R) on casters, which are fixed via bolting in the opening (13) opening in a hexagonal housing (14) housing a nut. Said feet (R) in fixed position are shown in figure 8. Positioning and centering slots (14) improve guidance and foot centering, which only has to be bolted to be perfectly secured to the part of the invention.

The cylindrical housings (15) appearing near the ribs diagonals (12) have clip hooks (16) formed between a double axial notch made in the cylinder wall, the portion thus delimited being surmounted by an internal locking projection. In a very classic clipping is achieved by the elastic play of the tongue or hook (16) thus produced.

These housings cooperate in particular with studs (17) of dimensions corresponding provided on the plate (S) (see figure 10). The four studs (17) are clipped into the housings (15), after being centered there, when the plate (S) is placed on this ribbed face of the part (P) oriented upwards as in Figures 1 to 4.

The holes (18) allow the passage of cables, while the holes immediately adjacent (19, 20) are provided for attaching the cable clips.

Other holes (21, 22, 23), which we will see during the examination of the face grooved below they are made in a groove receiving the walls metal side of a storage volume (V1, V2), allow the centering and fixing them.

The central opening (21) has an elastic tongue (24) for clipping in an orifice (35) of said side wall (1, 2) (see in FIG. 7), oriented towards the grooved side but visible through the hole (21).

At each corner, a rectangular orifice (26) is provided to accommodate by example a cremone bolt of the shutter locking system (S). To simplify reading Figure 5, the references of the elements described are not given only once, in a single quadrant, so as not to alter the readability of the diagram. This orifice (26) also appears in Figure 6, in the external groove (27) intended to receive and slide the shutter (5).

In this figure 6, the holes mentioned above appear of course in the same locations, and are not re-explained.

In addition to the groove (27), this face includes lateral grooves (28) of positioning / fixing of the side walls (1, 2) cooperating with pins (29, 30, 31). The pins (29) are arranged along the curved surface central (32) of said walls (see FIG. 7), the pins (30) marking the ends of the latter and the pins (31) at the level of the flat flaps (7, 8) being provided to complete the positioning of the walls (1, 2).

The flat flaps (7, 8) constitute a change of orientation of the sheet lateral (1, 2) which intervenes at the level of the end pins (30). A new fold, 90 ° from the flap, occurs at each port (31). These pawns, in combination with the housing created by the groove (28), ensure a wedging effective side wall (1, 2), supplemented by the fixing operated by the wall orifices (33, 34, 35) cooperating respectively with the orifices of the part (P) referenced (23, 22, 21). The L-shaped holes (33, 34) cut into actually a tab that can be flexed in the holes (23, 22), locking thus the side walls (1, 2) in their side grooves (28). The hole (21) fitted with a clip tab (24) completes the attachment.

The grooves (36) located on the side of the bottom and of the opening (symmetrical) can receive a curvilinear sheet (4) also comprising flaps (37, 38) being housed at each corner between the pin (30) and a stop (39). Wall lateral (1, 2) actually participates in the fixing of the bottom wall (4), because the flaps (37, 38) thereof come into tight contact with the flaps (7, 8) of the wall lateral (1, 2), in the change of orientation zone.

Near each pin (31) is a clip tab (40) designed to cooperate with a light (41) formed in the internal blank (3) side walls (1, 2) (see Figure 7). Said blank (3), fixed by two tabs of clipping (40), also frictionally cooperates with said side wall (1, 2), at level of withdrawal at 90 ° after the pin (31). Maintaining the metal blank (3) is therefore perfectly insured.

With reference to FIG. 7, the mounting of sheets delimiting the volumes of storage (V1, V2) in the rooms of the invention (P) is carried out with two pieces positioned inversely to each other, so that they have their grooved face provided with housings and guides for fixing said sheets arranged opposite.

As we saw previously, the essential object of figure 8 is to show the positioning of the swivel feet (R) on the face ribbed of the part (P) of the present invention.

FIG. 9 shows in more detail the positioning of a side wall (1, 2) with its flat flaps (7, 8) in the lateral groove (28) of the part (P). The pins (29) are arranged inside the sheet (1, 2), in the defined perimeter by the groove (28), the end of which can only be distinguished after the 90 ° fold of the side plate.

FIG. 10 shows a plate (S) provided with studs (17) intended to be inserted and to be clipped into the holes (15) with clipping tab (16) of the part (P) of the invention.

All of the above elements and components lead to a range of tower-type mobile furniture, all based identically on the multifunctional flat parts described above. Description shows that the various features included in the parts have been thought of in depth to make it easier for designers and fitters.

Of course, the above description illustrates examples of possible configurations which are not, however, exhaustive of the invention. On the contrary, it includes the variants which are included in the scope of claims protection annexed.

Claims (18)

1. Multifunctional component (P) with a flat appearance fitted to the bases and tops of each stage of a storage tower integrated into a range of modular office furniture, the said tower including at least one stage offering a storage volume (V1, V2), characterized in that it can be used in a reversible manner at the level of the separation between each stage and/or the lower and upper ends of the tower, and includes to this end a first face provided with ribs (N,12) for the guiding and positioning and fixing of the constituent elements (R,C) of the towers not intended to envelop the storage volumes (V1, V2) and a second face provided with grooves (27,28,36) and pins (29,30,31) for guiding and positioning and fixing the elements enveloping the storage volumes (V1,V2), the two faces including orifices (13,18,19,20,21,22,23,26).
2. Multifunctional component (P) with a flat appearance according to claim 1, characterized in that it has a double symmetry with respect to two planes perpendicular to each other and perpendicular to the middle plane of the component, this double symmetry defining four quadrants themselves including ribs, grooves and pins (N,12,14,15,27,28,29,30,31,36,39) and holes (13,18,19,20,21,22,23,26) fulfilling the same functions.
3. Multifunctional component (P) with a flat appearance according to one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that it includes, in association with the storage volumes (V1,V2) of the tower, four sides corresponding respectively to the side walls, to the bottom and the access opening of the said volumes (V1,V2).
4. Multifunctional component (P) with a flat appearance according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the ribbed face includes concentric and radial stiffening ribs (N), positioning ribs (12) for the outer supporting components of the foot type (R) and housings (15) with fixing clips (16) provided to house studs (17) secured to plate-type components (S) or a cover (B).
5. Multifunctional component (P) with a flat appearance according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the ribs (12) for positioning the outer supporting elements are positioned at the two ends of the lateral sides, housings (15) with fixing clips (16), having the form of open cylinders interrupted along at least two generating lines to form an axial portion with a free wall constituting an elastic pad (16) provided with an internal clipping radial projection, being positioned in the vicinity of the said positioning ribs (12).
6. Multifunctional component (P) with a flat appearance according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the grooved face the pins (29,30,31) are distributed at regular intervals along the lateral sides of the component, along a lateral groove (28) designed to receive an external lateral wall (1,2).
7. Multifunctional component (P) with a flat appearance according to claim 6, characterized in that the said lateral groove (28) consists of a curvy linear portion at the level of each end of which a change in direction is produced in a portion directed along the cord connecting the said ends, this last portion ending at the level of an end pin 31 at the level of which it turns through a right angle towards the curvilinear portion and ends close to the said pin (31).
8. Multifunctional part (P) with a flat appearance according to one of claims 6 and 7, characterized in that a clipping hook (40) is situated in the vicinity of each end of the lateral ribs (28).
9. Multifunctional component (P) with a flat appearance according to one of claims 7 and 8, characterized in that at the end of the curvy linear portion of each lateral groove (28) at the level of the change of direction, the ribbed face includes a stop (39) placed at the ends of the grooves (36) extending along the sides corresponding to the bottom and to the opening.
10. Multifunctional component (P) with a flat appearance according to one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that over all the periphery of the component, outside the lateral grooves, of the bottom and of the opening (28,36), a peripheral groove (27) runs of which the external wall includes at least one opening (11) with a height equal to that of the said external wall.
11. Multifunctional component (P) with a flat appearance according to any one of claims 3 to 10, characterized in that it includes orifices (21,22,23) for fixing the lateral walls (1,2) in the lateral grooves (28), at least one (21) being provided with a clipping hook (25).
12. Multifunctional component (P) with a flat appearance according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it includes orifices for the passage of cables (18) and for securing cable clamps (19,20).
13. Multifunctional component (P) with a flat appearance according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the orifices for the passage of cables (18) are situated in the middle of the lateral sides, the orifices for securing cable clamps (19,20) being disposed either side.
14. Multifunctional component (P) with a flat appearance according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it includes housings (14) on its grooved face able to receive and lock nuts, the bottom of the said housing (14) being perforated so as to allow the passage of a threaded rod, the resulting orifice (13) being localized in the positioning ribs (12) of the outer supporting elements.
15. Multifunctional component (P) with a flat appearance according to any one of claims 9 to 14, characterized in that the peripheral groove (27) is provided, in the vicinity of the ends of the lateral sides, with locking orifices (26) for example for an element of the espagnolette bolt type of the locking system of a closing shutter (5).
16. Multifunctional component (P) with a flat appearance according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lateral sides are provided with grab handles (A) fixed to the ends of the said sides.
17. Storage tower including at least two multifunctional components (P) with a flat appearance according to the preceding claims, characterized in that the base of each storage volume (V1, V2) consists of a multifunctional component (P) with a flat appearance of which the ribbed face is the lower face to which are fixed wheeled supporting feet (R) or small supporting columns (C) separating two consecutive storage volumes (V1, V2) by a free space, the upper ribbed face housing the lateral walls (1, 2) and the bottom walls (4) and the inner lateral blank sheets (3) and optionally a closing shutter (S) for the storage volume (V1, V2).
18. Storage tower including at least two multifunctional components (P) with a flat appearance according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the top of each storage volume consists of a component (P) with a flat appearance of which the grooved face is the lower face housing the lateral walls (1, 2) and the bottom walls (4) and the inner lateral blank sheets (3) and optionally a closing shutter (S) for the storage volume (V1, V2), the upper ribbed face receiving a plate (S) or a cover (B).

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