EP1112705A1

EP1112705A1 - Modular arrangement for the construction of office and household furniture

Info

Publication number: EP1112705A1
Application number: EP99500254A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Luis Amiguet Soler
Original assignee: JG Group Buro SA
Current assignee: JG Group Buro SA
Priority date: 1999-12-28
Filing date: 1999-12-28
Publication date: 2001-07-04

Abstract

"MODULAR ARRANGEMENT FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF OFFICE AND HOUSEHOLD FURNITURE", characterised by the fact that it is composed of a tubular stabilising piece, preferably cylindrical, with threaded end supports or an alternative system, with one or more perpendicular "T" shaped supports on the upper part supported on the outside surface, with fastening holes which can be assembled on the lower end to a tubular extension equipped with supporting devices to the mentioned cylindrical stabilising piece and below that to a support piece on the pavement, said tubular extension being equipped with openings for running wires, and the tubular extension which is assembled to the cylindrical stabilising piece and the support piece to the pavement may be replaced by furniture equipped with the appropriate support devices.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The object of this invention as indicated in the statement of this descriptive report consists of a "MODULAR ARRANGEMENT FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF OFFICE AND HOUSEHOLD FURNITURE".
Furniture was formerly characterised by the fact that it was composed of separate, unconnected pieces which in many instances had to be made to measure in order to fit the office or home where they were to be used.
Modular furniture, which allows a standard furniture format to be adapted to the space requirements of the individual home or office, was developed to overcome this inconvenience
However, the inconvenience of the modular furniture currently existing in the market is that it is limited to compositions of the same type of modular furniture which can be used to create varying sizes of furniture, but does not provide for groups of modular compositions which can be used to create different types of furniture using a single common element.
Hence, the invention to which the description refers, which is composed of a modular arrangement of elements which can be used to create different configurations.
Basically, the structural element for the assembly of the furniture is composed of a tubular stabilising piece which is threaded on both inside ends at different heights, with one or more perpendicular "T" shaped supports on the upper part and fastening holes which support the group.
A tubular extension, preferably cylindrical can be screwed onto the lower end of the tubular stabilising piece, equipped with fastening devices to the cylindrical stabilising body and on the lower end to a truncated cone-shaped body supported on the floor with a leveller, which makes up the column of the modular assembly.
The end of the piece which stands on the floor or pavement is adjustable in height and may optionally be equipped with rollers to provide the entire assembly with mobility.
The tubular extension is also equipped with an opening for the passage of electrical, computer or telephone wires.
This tubular extension may be replaced by other modular elements that can be fastened to the cylindrical stabilising piece and to the support piece, such as single or double draws.
The "T" of the tubular stabilising piece is fit to a structure composed of pipe beams joined together by knots, which can be used to create a desk, a coffee table, a bookshelf, a lamp, a coat stand, a set of drawers, a vertical hanger, catenaries, etc.
In the case of tables or bookshelves, these also include some holes for the passage of fastening cylinders which can be fitted with embellishing covers for finishing purposes.
The structures created using this innovative modular arrangement for furniture assembly are fully adaptable to houses, offices and commercial premises.
The special support configuration based on cylindrical parts allows the construction, for example, of groups of desks which are fastened on one corner only, thereby enabling any type of formation imaginable, such as a zigzag or an "L" shape, for example, applicable to office, classroom, library, and dining room arrangements, etc.
Curiously, in a world as ever changing as ours, excessively static formulae are still being used as far as furniture arrangements are concerned.
The designs which survive the passage of time are those which are most useful, timeless, and aesthetically unique, such as the one described herein.
Office furniture with more or less attractive uses and lines has focused on formal questions related to the materials, the colours or other basically ergonomic criteria, without delving any deeper into new development concepts.
With this innovative modular arrangement, we are able to create a wide variety of uses, shapes and compositions using a single common element, giving continuous mobility to the resulting pieces.
Thanks to this innovative modular arrangement we are able to create attractive, useful and versatile furniture.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to illustrate what has been stated thus far, this descriptive report is accompanied by two pages of drawings which are part of the report and which depict in a simplified and schematic manner an illustrative but not limitative example of the practical possibilities of the invention.
In said drawings: Figure 1 show two views of the tubular pieces making up the base column of the furniture, supported on a foot or alternatively on a roller. Figure 2 shows a front view of an office desk with a drawer holder, where the latter replaces the intermediate tubular element which lengthens the leg.
Figure 3 shows some different furniture formations which can be created using the modular arrangement, specifically a hanger, a set of shelves and a floor lamp.
Figure 4 shows a zigzag shaped desk formation.

DESCRIPTION OF A PRACTICAL CASE

The innovative modular arrangement for the assembly of office and household furniture is composed of a tubular stabilising piece (1), preferably cylindrical, with fastening devices on the ends which may either be threaded (2) or use an alternative system, equipped on the top with one or more perpendicular "T" shaped supports (3) with fastening holes, supported on the outside.
A tubular extension (4) can be screwed onto the lower end of the tubular stabilising piece (1) equipped with fastening devices on the top to the cylindrical stabilising part and on the bottom to a support which stands on the pavement (5) which has openings (6) for the passage of electrical wiring.
This support body which stands on the ground or pavement (5) is composed of a circular foot (17) which varies in diameter and the height of which is adjustable (7) by screwing, and which may optionally be replaced by a roller (16).
The "T" shaped supports (3) are fastened on one side or edge (8), thus fastening the structure of the modular furniture to be assembled, which has passage openings on the top (9) for elevating the structure by placing a second floor of tubular stabilising pieces (1) for attaching a shelf, for example.
These modular furniture combinations can be used to make structures such as desks, coffee tables (10), shelves (11), lamps (12), drawers (13), ornamental covering and skirts, a hanger (14), etc.
One possible configuration of the invention consists of a desk (10) equipped with openings (9) in proximity to the corners and perimetrical edges (8) to the sides of which the "T" shaped supports (3) of the stabilising piece (1) are first fastened
To these four stabilising pieces (1), now connected to the panel of the table, we can screw onto the lower part two tubular extensions (4) in two side stabilising pieces (1) and one set of drawers (13) equipped with the openings needed to screw the stabilising piece (1) on the other side.
The modular feet, or optionally the rollers (16) are screwed onto the bottom of the set of drawers (13) as well as the tubular extensions (4).
The openings (9) for the passage of cables may be capped with an embellishing cover (15) or another stabilising piece may be assembled to elevate the structure with a shelf (11).
Another configuration of the invention involves the assembly of a lamp (12) which requires a screen equipped with side holes for fastening the "T" support (3) as well as support foot (17) with a very large diameter.
Having established the expressed concept, the list of claims follows, synthesising the innovations being claimed in this way:

Claims

"MODULAR ARRANGEMENT FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF OFFICE AND HOUSEHOLD FURNITURE", composed of a tubular stabilising piece (1), preferably cylindrical, with fastening devices on the ends which use either threading (2) or some other appropriate system, and equipped on the upper part, supported on the outside, with one or more perpendicular "T" shaped supports (3) with fastening holes. A tubular extension (4) can be screwed onto the lower end of the tubular stabilising piece (1) equipped with fastening devices on the top to the cylindrical stabilising piece and on the bottom to a support body on the pavement (5), the tubular extension (4) also having openings (6) for the passage of electrical wiring.
"MODULAR ARRANGEMENT FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF OFFICE AND HOUSEHOLD FURNITURE", according to the preceding claim, characterised by the fact that the tubular extension (4) which is assembled to the cylindrical stabilising piece (1) and the floor support piece (5) may be replaced by other furniture equipped with the appropriate fastening devices.
"MODULAR ARRANGEMENT FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF OFFICE AND HOUSEHOLD FURNITURE", according to the preceding claim, characterised by the fact that the floor or ground support piece (5) is composed of a circular foot which varies in diameter and is adjustable in height (7) and a lower support base (17).
"MODULAR ARRANGEMENT FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF OFFICE AND HOUSEHOLD FURNITURE", according to the preceding claim, characterised by the fact that floor support piece (5) may optionally include a roller (16).
"MODULAR ARRANGEMENT FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF OFFICE AND HOUSEHOLD FURNITURE", according to the preceding claim, characterised by the fact that the "T" shaped supports (3) are fastened on one side or edge (8) of the modular furniture to be assembled, which may be a desk (10) or coffee table, a bookshelf (11), a floor lamp (11), a hanger (14), a set of drawers (13) ornamental covering and skirts, among others.