EP1649783B1 - Furniture unit with electric cable duct - Google Patents

Abstract

The furniture body (5) has a floor (50), a top (51) and side walls (52) as well as an optional rear wall (53), a cable entry point (510,520) and a cable exit point, which can each be used for the other function. A cable channel (6) is introduced in a side wall within the material thickness and extends between the cable entry and exit points.

Description

Field of application of the invention

The present invention relates to a furniture body with passage of electrical cables. The box-shaped furniture, which can be combined with several similar carcasses, has a floor, a ceiling and side walls as well as an optionally rear wall. In addition, the body has a cable access and a cable outlet, which can also be used in reverse.

State of the art

Conventionally, electrical supply and / or communication cables are routed around cabinet furniture, such as collapsible cabinet parts, or holes drilled in the walls to pull the cables through. Such a box-shaped cabinet furniture for modular construction of an office furniture is eg in the DE 202 09 130 U1 disclosed.

Subject of the FR 2 696 589 A1 is a furniture body with passage of electrical cables. The body has a floor, a ceiling, side walls and a rear wall. Furthermore, the body has at least one cable access and at least one cable outlet. The cable ducts are provided in the walls and / or the ceiling and are closed with a cover.

Object of the invention

The invention has for its object to make the cable entry through cabinet furniture neater and less obvious and thereby to allow an advantageous cable management even when arranging a variety of compiled carcasses. The desired solution must be efficiently produced in series, be user-friendly to handle and must not adversely affect the aesthetic appearance.

Overview of the invention

The furniture body with passage of electrical cables has a floor, a ceiling and side walls and optionally a rear wall. The body has a cable access and a cable outlet, which can also be used in reverse. A cable channel is at least proportionally and introduced at least in a side wall in the material thickness, said cable channel extending between cable access and cable outlet.

The cable channel is introduced as a vertical groove in the side wall. The vertical groove is lined with a wall profile, which can be closed with a snap-on cover profile on the latter. The cable access and cable outlet are formed by a combined recess in proportion to the floor and in the adjacent side wall as well as a combined recess proportionally in the ceiling and in the adjacent side wall. In the combined recess an insert is inserted, which serves as edge protection and for receiving a right-angle folded lid. In adjacent and aligned Korpussen the same size, the combined recesses of adjacent carcasses come together and the overhead horizontal surfaces of the recesses are closed by a lid hinged in a plane. The body and the carcasses rest on a base, over which cables are led.

The base frame initially has a foot-supported, horizontally extending frame. In the frame are preferably arranged swing-away containers, which advantageously have the shape of wire mesh baskets. In the baskets socket units are fixed. The horizontal plane spanned by the frame corresponds with the base of the bodies arranged on it.

The wall profile is of U-shaped cross section with a base surface and the two side surfaces thereof bent, which externally have a toothing. The covering profile has a base surface and the two side surfaces which are at right angles to it, wherein internally the side surfaces have a toothing which interacts with the toothing on the wall profile, and in each case a projection extends beyond the respective side surface from the base surface.

The insert consists in principle of angled U-shaped brackets, has detent holes and is externally provided with locking members, the latter being intended for a firm hold in the combined recesses are. The cover consists of two plate parts, which are connected to each other by a film hinge and each have an outbreak field. On the lid locking members are arranged, which engage in the mounted state in the detent holes. The combined recesses in the floors of several carcases placed directly on the substructure can be used to pass cables over the substructure. At least one table top is placed on one of the carcasses and there may be a cable passed. In the combined recesses of the uppermost standing carcasses a clamped between vertical supports screen can be inserted, which can be equipped with hanging parts, eg for the storage of utensils.

Brief description of the attached drawings Show it:

Figure 1A -

two on a substructure juxtaposed carcasses with the efindungsgemässen cable guide, in a perspective front view;

FIG. 1B -

four on a substructure juxtaposed carcasses with two transversely mounted table tops and the inventive cable guide, in a perspective front view;

Figure 2A -

a complete substructure, equipped with cable baskets and socket units, in a perspective front view;

FIG. 2B -

a center basket FIG. 2A , with unassembled accessories, in enlarged perspective view;

FIG. 2C -

a side basket FIG. 2A , with unassembled accessories, in enlarged perspective view;

FIG. 2D -

the arrangement according to Figure 2C in changed perspective;

FIG. 3A -

a wall profile, in perspective view;

FIG. 3B -

enlarged detail X1 FIG. 3A ;

FIG. 3C -

a cover profile, in perspective view;

Figure 3D -

enlarged detail X2 FIG. 3A ;

FIG. 3E -

an insert in installation position, in perspective view;

FIG. 3F -

the lid off FIG. 1 , with both plate parts in a plane, in perspective plan view;

FIG. 4A -

the use according to FIG. 3E with approximate cover according to FIG. 3F , with two plate parts perpendicular to each other, in a front perspective view;

FIG. 4B -

two missions according to FIG. 3E standing together and the approximate lid in the state according to FIG. 3F ;

FIG. 5A

the arrangement according to Figure 1A , in partial explosive view;

FIG. 5B -

four raised from the substructure, juxtaposed carcasses with the efindungsgemässen cable guide, as a schematic representation;

FIG. 6A -

four raised from the substructure, juxtaposed carcasses and a transversely oriented table top, with the inventive cable guide, as a schematic representation;

FIG. 6B -

according to the table top FIG. 6A with the table base underneath and a body lowered in height;

FIG. 7A -

a single body, with screen on top, in a perspective front view;

FIG. 7B -

the screen FIG. 7A , in partial explosive view;

FIG. 7C -

the arrangement according to FIG. 7A , with hanging parts on the screen, in enlarged perspective view; and

FIG. 7D -

seven different hanging parts for equipping the screen according to FIG. 7C , in perspective view.

embodiment

Reference to the accompanying drawings, the detailed description of an embodiment of the inventive cable management in one or more compiled carcasses, which can be equipped in a completed version in addition with a screen below.

The following definition applies to the entire further description. If reference numerals are included in a figure for the purpose of graphic clarity, but are not explained in the directly associated description text, reference is made to their mention in the preceding description of the figures. For the sake of clarity, the repeated designation of components in subsequent figures is usually dispensed with, as far as the drawing clearly shows that they are "recurring" components.

Figure 1A

On a substructure 1 two equal size carcasses 5 are placed next to each other, wherein the first subframe 1 of the frame 13 - this is composed of longitudinal members 11 and cross bars 12 together - and the frame 13 against the ground supporting Bockfüsse 10 can be seen. The individual body 5 is constructed in a conventional manner from a bottom 50 and a ceiling 51, the two side walls 52 and the rear wall 53 . In the example here, the body 5 is open at the front, but could also have any type of door. From the interior of the body 5 , a cable channel 6 is provided in the side walls 52 , which is closed with a removable cover 60 . The cable channel 6 opens into the bottom 50 and in the ceiling 51 and occurs in the corner between the ceiling 51 and the associated side wall 52 as a ceiling recess 510 and 5 as a side recess . Through the cable channel 6 can be cable 4 - electrical or communication cable - lead, for example, ascending from below and led out in the ceiling recess 510 . At the free end of the cable 4 there is a connection point 42 , typically a male coupling. A ceiling recess 510 and an adjoining side recess 520, which results at the lateral outer edges of a body 5 , can be closed with an angled lid 7 . The abutting ceiling recesses 510 of two juxtaposed carcasses 5 can be closed together by a flat cover 7 . A small-area eruption in a cover 7 can nevertheless allow the passage of a cable 4 .

FIG. 1B

In this arrangement, four carcasses 5 are placed side by side and mounted on a reduced in height body 5 two oppositely positioned table tops 8 , so that there is a total cross-shaped furniture arrangement. Under the extending to the lower body 5 ends of the two table tops 8 , a table substructure 86 is provided which rests on the associated body 5 and at the same time lets passages 84 for supplied cable 4 arise. Preferably, the two table tops 8 do not butt against each other, but there remains a gap 85 between them, which can be used to bring a cable 4 onto the table top surfaces 82 . Respectively outside on the bottom 83 support legs 80 are attached. Advantageously, the tops of the blankets 51 with the tabletop tops 82 provide a plane. All four carcasses 5 rest on an extended substructure 1 and 52 have cable channels 6 in their side walls.

FIGS. 2A to 2D

In the present embodiment, the longitudinal and transverse spars 11,12 consist of rectangular profile and together form a rectangular frame 13, which spans a surface corresponding to the base of the carcasses 5 to be set together. To support the frame 13 relative to the ground, two pedestals 10 are installed in the frame 13 . Between the two Bockfüssen 10 a one-sided swing-down center basket 3 is arranged in the frame 13 , while in the two outer regions of the frame 13 each a side swung-side basket 2 is also provided. Acting as hinges fasteners 32 are attached to the inner edge of a longitudinal strut 11, while the central carrier 3 supported on the opposing longitudinal rail 11, disengageable of not shown catch members 33, so that it can swivel the central basket 3 temporarily on one side for arranging cables. 4 On a bracket 31 , a power outlet unit 40 is attached to the center basket 3 . The single side basket 2 has an axis parallel to the cross bar 12 axis 20 - preferably one of the rearmost cross struts of the side basket 2 - and a bracket 41 for fixing a power outlet unit 40. About the axis 20 , the side basket 2 can also swing.

The internal installations in the frame 13 are arranged lowered, so that no collision with the floors 50 of the attached carcasses 5 is formed.

FIGS. 3A and 3B

The wall profile 65 is of U-shaped cross section, preferably made of plastic, and is used as the inner lining of the cable channels 6 . Two parallel side surfaces 67 include a large-sized base surface 66 a. The outwardly whitening edge regions of the side surfaces 67 are provided with a toothing 68 . For mounting in the carcasses 5 , the wall profile 65 is cut to suitable lengths.

Figures 3C and 3D

For closing the lined with the wall profile 65 cable channels 6 inside the carcasses 5 , a cover 60 is present, which in principle is also of U-shaped cross-section and preferably again consists of plastic. Two parallel side surfaces 63 enclose a base surface 61 sized for this purpose, the latter projecting beyond the respective side surface 63, each with a slight projection 62 . Internally, the side surfaces 63 are provided with a toothing 64 , so that the cover 60 can be snapped onto the wall profile 65 .

FIG. 3E

As an edge protector and cover for the contiguous side and ceiling recess 520, 510, there is an insert 75 that disguises the resulting cut surfaces in the side wall 52 and ceiling 51 . In principle, the insert 75 has the shape of two mutually bent at right angles bracket 76,77, wherein the first bracket 76, the cut edges on the floor or ceiling recess 500,510 covers, while the second downwardly facing bracket 77 in the side wall 52 touches on the upper edge which arises through the side recess 520 . A side recess 520 together with the adjacent bottom or ceiling recess 500,510 a common opening at the edges of the body 5. The bracket 76,77 each have two outer, free-ending cheeks 760,770, which meet in pairs. in the Transition region of both cheeks 760,770 locking holes 761 are present, and on the outside of the cheeks 760,770 locking members 78 which support a permanent seat in the recesses 500,510,520 . Advantageously, the inserts 75 are manufactured as plastic injection molded parts.

FIGS. 3F to 4B

In addition to a deployed insert 75 or two adjacent positioned inserts 75 of adjacent carcasses 5 there are lids 7. The single lid 7 consists of a centrally located film hinge 71 on both sides depending on a plate member 70 attaches, so that both plate parts 70 of a common plane can be brought into mutually perpendicular position. Each plate member 70 has on an outer edge of an eruption field 73, which is bordered by a predetermined breaking line on three sides. At the bottom of the lid 7 more locking members 72 are arranged. To produce the cover 7 , the plastic injection process is particularly suitable.

If a recess 500,520; 510,520 in two planes is to be covered on a body 5 at a free outer edge - an insert 75 suffices for this composite recess - the cover 7 is placed so that the two plate parts 70 with bending of the film hinge 71 are at right angles to one another (please refer Fig. 4A ). From the attached cover 7 advised the locking members 72 in the complementarily positioned locking holes 761 of the insert 75, whereby the releasable, undetachable grip of the lid 7 is secured.

Meet the recesses of two adjacent carcasses 5 together, there is only the need to cover the up into the room open, quasi double ceiling recess 510,510 (see Fig. 4B ). In this situation, the two inserts 75 of the adjacent carcasses 5 adjoin one another in a mirror image and form a common frame in the horizontal plane. To cover the resulting doubled ceiling recess 510 , 510 , the cover 7 is placed lying with two plate parts 70 in one plane. The locking members 72 of the placed cover 7 engage in the locking holes 761 both inserts 75 , so that the lid 7 is also secured in this application.

FIG. 5A

For the construction of a furniture arrangement with two juxtaposed carcasses 5 , a correspondingly dimensioned substructure 1 is provided which, as described above, is equipped with a center basket 3, side baskets 2 and socket units 40 . For the production of the cable channels 6 inside the carcasses 5 in the side walls 52 wide vertical grooves 521 are introduced, which extend over the entire height of the side walls 52 , but leave a sufficient material thickness in the areas of the vertical grooves 521 . For the three-sided lining of the vertical grooves 521 produced , the wall profile 65 is inserted and the cover profile 60 snapped onto the latter. In the bottom 50, in the ceiling 51 and in the side walls 52 which are provided with recesses 75 inserts 500,510,520 are incorporated as part of the cable duct. 6 At the outer edges of the carcasses 5 simple recesses 500,520 510,520 arise with an insert 75 and the lid use according to Fig. 4A , At the impact of both bodies standing together 5 creates a double recess 510,510 with the application according to Fig. 4B , As a result, inside the body 5, virtually in principle in the thickness of the side walls 52, easily accessible and re-opening cable channels 6, which occupy at most a minimum of the interior of the body 5 . Passed through the body 5 cables 4 thus no longer be a hindrance in appearance.

FIG. 5B

• vom Unterbau 1 durch die Bodenaussparung 500 in den darüber stehenden Korpus 5; oder
• vom Unterbau 1 durch die Bodenaussparung 500 in den Kabelkanal 6 des darüber stehenden Korpus 5 und aus der Deckenaussparung 510 austretend und an einem Anschlusspunkt 42 endend; oder
• vom Unterbau 1 durch die Bodenaussparung 500 in den Kabelkanal 6 des darüber stehenden Korpus 5 und aus der Deckenaussparung 510 austretend, in die Bodenaussparung 500 des nächsten darüber stehenden Korpus 5 eintretend; von hier könnte das Kabel 4 in diesem Korpus 5 an einem Anschlusspunkt 42 enden oder über den zugehörigen Kabelkanal 6 weitergeführt werden; oder
• von einem Korpus 5 oder mehreren Korpussen 5 über deren Kabelkanäle 6 abwärts in den Unterbau 1 und wieder aufsteigend in einen benachbarten Korpus 5, eventuell über Kabelkanäle 6 weiter aufsteigend in oder auf einen höher positionierten Korpus 5.

Based on the embodiment shown, the principle of the inventive cable guide is shown in a more complex furniture structure. An elongated substructure 1 - for simplicity, the baskets are not drawn 2.3 - is available for placing four carcasses 5 different height. For furniture supplied and removed from the furniture structure cable 4 are routed through the substructure 1 . From the outside, for example, from a floor channel, a cable 4 is branched off at a connection point 42 and pulled to a power outlet unit 40 , from which a further socket unit 40 can be supplied. From the power outlet units 40 , the cable routing from connection points 42 via cables 4 through floor recesses 500 into the cable ducts 6 of selected carcasses 5 takes place . Depending on the required connections according to the established consumers, cables 4 can be routed eg as follows:

• from the base 1 through the bottom recess 500 in the overlying body 5; or
• from the base 1 through the bottom recess 500 in the cable channel 6 of the overlying body 5 and from the ceiling recess 510 exiting and ending at a connection point 42 ; or
• from the base 1 through the bottom recess 500 in the cable channel 6 of the overlying body 5 and from the ceiling recess 510 exiting, entering the bottom recess 500 of the next above standing body 5 ; from here, the cable 4 could end in this body 5 at a connection point 42 or be continued over the associated cable channel 6 ; or
• from a carcass 5 or more carcasses 5 via their cable channels 6 down in the substructure 1 and again ascending into an adjacent body 5, possibly via cable channels 6 further ascending in or on a higher-positioned body . 5

Figures 6A and 6B

In a modification to the previous arrangement example according to Fig. 5B is on one of the four placed on the base 1 carcasses 5 the preparation of a table top 8 is provided. If the same level of table top 82 is desired with the ceiling 51 of the other carcasses 5 , that body 5 is dimensioned lower, which serves as a base unit for the table top 8 . To bridge the height difference and creation of passages on the body 5 a table substructure 86 is present, which consists in the simplest case, for example, of beam sections. This lower body 5 is also provided with a cable channel 6 , are guided over the cable 4 from the base 1, for example to a power outlet unit 40 , which is mounted on the table base 86 . From this socket unit 40 cables 4 can go to continuation points 43 , to followed by an extension, which in turn opens into a continuation point 43 and finally ends at a connection point 42 . The cable 4 coming from the table substructure 86 is guided under the table top 8 on its upper side 82 to the connection point 42 . At the bottom 83 of the table top 8 , a support foot 80 is attached.

FIGS. 7A to 7D

For functional completion of the carcasses 5 , a screen 9 can be inserted from above into the ceiling recesses 510 . Between two vertical supports 90, a plurality of second cross-bars 96 is inserted rung-like manner, wherein the ends of the transverse rods in insert holes 900 96th A tarpaulin 97 stretches between the vertical supports 90 and slalom-like around the second transverse rods 96 . At the lower and upper end of the tarpaulin 97 is in each case with a hemstitch 971,972, wherein therein first cross bars 92 are inserted. On the front side, pin elements 95 are inserted into the first crossbar 92 , the thickened heads of which can be hooked into recesses 903 at the upper ends 902 of the vertical support 90 . There are provided end pieces 91 , which have additional recesses 910 to the recesses 903 and are plugged as the conclusion of the top of the vertical support 90 . With the attachment of an end piece 91 of the head of the pin member 95 is taken in the mutually recesses 903,910 . For receiving the lower end 901 of a vertical support 90 , a sleeve piece 93 is inserted into the ceiling recess 510 , through which the vertical support 90 projects downwards. With a securing element 94, which is introduced from the interior of the body 5 against the vertical support 90 , unintentional pulling out of the vertical support 90 is blocked.

On the second crossbars 96 can be differently configured hanging parts 98 depending on the needs of the user hang. For this example, hooks, trays and boxes of several sizes are available. For hanging on the crossbars 96 , the hanging parts are provided at the upper trailing edge with a bend 99 which engages over the crossbar 96 from above in the suspended state.

Claims (8)

1. Basic furniture structure with means allowing electric cables (4) to be led through, whereas:

   a) the basic structure (5) has a base (50), a top (51) and side walls (52) and, optionally, a rear wall (53);

   b) the basic structure (5) has a cable entry point (500,520;510,520) and a cable exit point (510,520;500,520), which can also be used the other way round;

   c) a cable channel (6) is introduced, in part as a vertical groove (521), in a side wall (52), in the material thickness of the latter, and this cable channel (6) extends between the cable entry point (500,520;510,520) and cable exit point (510,520;500,520), characterized in that

   d) the basic structure (5) rests on a substructure (1) via which cables (4) are routed; and

   e) the substructure (1) has:

   ea) a horizontally extending frame (13) supported by legs (10);

   eb) containers (2,3) arranged in the frame (13); and

   ec) socket units (40), which are fixed in the containers (2,3); whereas

   ed) the horizontal plane defined by the frame (13) corresponds with the base surface area of the basic structure (5) resting thereon.
2. Basic furniture structure according to Claim 1, characterized in that the vertical groove (521) is lined with a wall profile (65) which can be closed by a covering profile (60), which can be latched on the wall profile.
3. Basic furniture structure according to at least one of Claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the cable entry point (500,520;510,520) and cable exit point (510,520;500,520) are formed by a combined cut-out (500,520) in part in the base (50) and in the adjacent side wall (52) and by a combined cut-out (510,520) in part in the top (51) and in the adjacent side wall (52).
4. Basic furniture structure according to at least one of Claims 1 to 3,
   characterized in that

   a) an insert (75) is introduced into the combined cut-out (500,520;510,520) and serves as an edge guard and for accommodating a cover (7) which can be swung in at right angles; and

   b) in the case of basic structures (5) of the same size being positioned adjacent to one another and in alignment, the combined cut-outs (500,520;-510,520) of adjacent basic structures (5) come together and the upper horizontal surfaces (510,510) of the cut-outs are closed by a cover (7) which can be swung up into a plane.
5. Basic furniture structure according to at least one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the containers (2,3) can be pivoted down and are preferably in the form of wire-mesh racks (2,3).
6. Basic furniture structure according to at least one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that

   a) the wall profile (65) is of U-shaped cross section with a base surface (66) and the two side surfaces (67) which are angled therefrom and have an external toothing formation (68); and

   b) the covering profile (60) has a base surface (61) and the two side surfaces (63) extending therefrom at right angles, it being the case that the side surfaces have an internal toothing formation (64) which interacts with the toothing formation (68) on the wall profile (65), and a respective projection (62) extends from the base surface (61) beyond the respective side surface (63).
7. Basic furniture structure according to at least one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that

   a) the insert (75) comprises, in principle, U-shaped brackets (76,77) set at an angle to one another, and it has latching holes (761) and is provided externally with arresting means (78), the latter being intended to provide a firm grip in the combined cut-outs (500,520;510,520);

   b) the cover (7) comprises two plate parts (73) which are connected to one another by a film hinge (71) and each have a break-out panel (73); and

   c) latching means (72) are arranged on the cover and, when the latter is placed in position, engage in the latching holes (761).
8. Basic furniture structure according to at least one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that

   a) the combined cut-outs (500,520) in the bases (50) of a plurality of basic structures (5) positioned directly on the substructure (1) can be used for leading through cables (4) routed via the substructure (1);

   b) at least one table top (8) is positioned on one of the basic structures (5) and a cable (4) can be directed to the same; and

   c) a screen (9) tensioned between vertical supports (90) can be plugged into the combined cut-outs (510, 520) of the uppermost basic structures (5) and can be fitted with hanging parts (98), e.g. for storing utensils.

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