EP2906836A1

EP2906836A1 - Self-locking joint particularly for shelf, rack and furniture systems

Info

Publication number: EP2906836A1
Application number: EP13799407.5A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Pavol Matus
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2012-10-12
Filing date: 2013-10-10
Publication date: 2015-08-19
Also published as: WO2014058396A1

Abstract

A self-locking joint particularly for shelf, rack and furniture systems, consisting of a vertical element (1) with recess (2) of the vertical element (1), and a horizontal element (11). The thickness of the horizontal element (11) corresponds to the recess (2) of the vertical element (1). The horizontal element (1 ) has a recess (6) of the horizontal element (11), wherein in the recess (6) of the horizontal element (11) on the front side of the horizontal element (11) there is, attached by a fastening element (8), a flexible fitting (7), having wings (7a) which form an acute angle with a horizontal level. The square endings (12) of the wings (7a) exceed the thickness of the horizontal element (11); or of a vertical element (1) and a horizontal element (11), alternatively of vertical elements (1) and horizontal elements (11) mutually comprising a recess (20) for positioning the coupler (21), corresponding to the recess (20), wherein on one or both front sides of the coupler (21) there is attached one or more flexible fittings (7), having wings (7a) which form an acute angle with the horizontal level, and wherein the square endings (12) of wings (7a) exceed the thickness of the coupler (21). Preferably, the vertical element (1) has a recess (3) for the fastening element (8), wherein the fastening element (8) exceeds the flexible fitting (7), where the height difference of the fastening element (8) corresponds to the recess (3) for the fastening element (8) at the front edge of the recess (2) of the vertical element (1).

Description

Self-locking joint particularly for shelf, rack and furniture systems Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a self-locking joint, particularly for shelf, rack and furniture systems.

Background of the Invention

Shelf, rack and furniture systems are usually joined by means of fixed vertical lateral walls or frames made of props, to which horizontal shelves are attached in various ways. In these systems, the shelves with lateral walls (frames) are joined by means of adhesives, screws, nails, pins, angle irons, various profiles and pusher edges. As a rule, the construction of such a rack or furniture system requires amounts of fastening materials and various kinds of tools and equipment for its assembling. These facts, together with confused and complicated assembly instructions, often cause considerable problems to many less technically skilled customers during a final assembly at the site of use. In addition, most of these systems need to be stabilized at the back side by a transverse reinforcement or by a back wall.

Pin connections specified in SK 2616 U, GB 2195001 A and in DE 10 2006 012 897 A1 are characterized by quick assembling of elements, but these joints can be used only for a very narrow range of applications in practice and require a complicated and time-consuming production of individual joints in segments.

Furniture joints or connections mostly for wooden segments are disclosed in SK 5170 Y1 and in DE 102008 054 055 A1 . In both cases, it is a joint held by a steel stud with an upper portion wider than the lower body, which is firmly engaged in one of the segments. The second segment has a recess in the shape suitable for receiving a wider portion of the stud, and by its sliding into the narrower recess in the segment the two parts are locked. An advantage is a quick disassembling of the joint, a disadvantage is its limited use and a complicated production of the joint parts. The joints in sliding and modular shelf systems are described in DE 202004 008 102 U1 , in DE 20 2008 01 1 638 U1 and in DE 197 01 280 A1 . These systems are made up mainly of metal props in combination with metal beams. The props have holes to attach the beams, which are joined by screws and nuts, metal fittings or slide-in elements. An advantage is their considerable spatial stability. A disadvantage is that they are made of metal posts and beams, the production of which by bending, shaping and welding is complicated and costly. Moreover, their assembling is time consuming and requires quantities of fastening materials. In such structures, there remain many spaces, in which dust and dirt are deposited. These spaces are very difficult to access for the purpose of cleaning and maintenance.

EP 00 0000 451 012 A1 discloses a similar shelf system, which is joined by a prepared frame structure, into which individual shelves are inserted using the shaped fittings. The whole system is flexible and can be disassembled. A disadvantage is that the production of components is more difficult and costly than in previous solutions.

Shelf systems described in DE 20 2007 010 269 U1 , in DE 20 2010 002 382 U1 and in DE 196 24 941 A1 are made of vertical lateral walls and horizontal shelves. The shelves are attached to lateral walls by means of metal profiles, pins and pusher profiles. Their advantage is a relatively quick assembling. A disadvantage is that the position of individual shelves is clearly defined by the construction system and it cannot be subsequently changed.

EP 0 862 876 A1 discloses a solution, where the shelves are inserted in the slots of vertical posts. The shelves in the grooves are shaped in order not to be loosened, and are secured by a shaped profile. This system is combined with a U- shaped metal profile, which is fixed in the recess of the prop. A disadvantage of this system is that it can only be used for the shelf system with shelves mounted only one and the same edge, for example shelves hung on the wall. A modular flexible shelf system is disclosed in DE 20 2007 013 817 U1 and in DE 20 2008 012 761 U1 . Both solutions use a flexibility of the shelf system, which is assembled in the vertical direction by inserting the spacers between individual levels of shelves. Then the whole assembly is stabilized by a system of rods held in the holes through individual shelves and spacers. In the latter case, the spacers are inter-connected by pegs, which fit into holes in their body. An advantage is flexibility of various positions of shelves in the rack system. A disadvantage is a large number of components (the spacers), which unduly complicate the whole assembly and its installation. Moreover, such systems give a considerably huge and cumbersome impression in the interiors.

Summary of the Invention

The main objective of the invention is to provide a self-locking joint of horizontal and vertical elements of the system, which allows an easy and quick installation of the assembly directly at the intended site without using tools, equipment and additional fastening materials, such as bolts, screws, nuts, nails, or others. The major difference in comparison with similar joint systems is the fact that the installation is carried out only by simple inserting of horizontal elements into the recesses (holes) of vertical elements.

The self-locking joint itself consists of a recess in the vertical element, in which there is a recess for the fastening element attached at the front edge of the horizontal element, namely in a recess of this element, wherein the recess may have a bevelled, semi-circular or other suitable shape. The recess for the fastening element has a diameter equal to or greater than the diameter of the fastening element. These fastening elements, which can consist of screws with washers, are located mainly in the corners of the horizontal element, and they are fixing the flexible fittings, preferably of spring steel. Mostly in its corners, the horizontal element is shaped in order to firmly receive the flexible fitting, and to have a thickness identical or smaller than the thickness of the recess in the vertical element, when this horizontal element is inserted into the recess of the vertical element. After the horizontal element being fully inserted into the recess of the vertical element, the wings of flexible fittings cut by their square endings into the opposite walls of the recess of the vertical element, thus preventing re-loosening of the horizontal element, and thereby creating a self-locking joint. In case of using hard materials, it is suitable to make grooves in the opposite walls of the recess of the vertical element, in which grooves the square endings of the wings of flexible fittings engage after a full insertion. After being inserted into the recess for the fastening element, the fastening element that attaches the flexible fitting stabilizes the system in the self-locking joint in both vertical and horizontal directions. For an easier hand inserting of the horizontal element into the vertical element it is advantageous for the opposite outer edges of the recess of the vertical element to have a slightly bevelled edge, so that the top and the bottom of the horizontal element is more easily inserted between the opposite walls of the recess of the vertical element to make a tight grip. After inserting the horizontal element into the recess of the vertical element, the lateral edge of the recess of the horizontal element is tightly abutted on the lateral wall of the vertical element, and together with the fastening element inserted into the recess of this element it prevents twisting of the vertical element to the sides. The fastening elements of thus formed each self-locking joint are attached at several points or levels, thereby significantly increasing the rigidity of the system.

For attaching the horizontal elements and vertical elements to each other, or mutually, or for creating various assemblies and accessories, it is possible to use couplers with flexible fittings. These couplers have flexible fittings either on one or two opposite sides. They are inserted into oval or circular holes of individual segments, which can also be made in dowel pins (plugs) embedded in these segments. Their function is the same as in the above alternative solution. After inserting the coupler into oval or circular holes, the square endings of wings of the flexible fitting cut into the opposite walls of oval or circular holes, thus preventing the re-loosening, and stabilizing the whole self-locking joint. The couplers have the shape adapted to be easily inserted into oval or circular holes, but also to make a tight grip between their lateral walls and the walls of oval or circular hole. Thus created self-locking joint is resistant to torsion and loosening.

The system can be disassembled by releasing the square endings of elastic wings of flexible fittings from the opposite walls of the recess of vertical elements, from the sides of horizontal elements. By mutual combination of the above solutions of self-locking joints or by their modification, it is possible to create various assemblies in unlimited design and material variations.

An indisputable advantage of the present solution is that during production of the whole assembly only minimal adjustments of the prepared segments are needed. It is necessary to make only the recesses and holes. Another advantage is that after assembling, inserting the horizontal elements into vertical elements, no coupling elements (screws, washers, flexible fittings) are visible from any side, thus achieving a clean surface and unobtrusive design impression. An advantage of this self-locking joint is that the individual thus formed modules are self- supporting, sufficiently rigid and do not require any additional reinforcement or stiffening (bracing), and they can be freely assembled by means of coupling elements or couplers in both horizontal and vertical direction, without any stabilization required. Thus formed assembly can be added with other horizontal elements in any place, movable elsewhere at any time as necessary. Another advantage is that after assembling the system, the horizontal element can be accessed from all sides. The present invention allows the users to assemble the whole system to their individual needs for space and purpose demanded to be met. This self-locking joint ensures variability of shelf, rack and furniture systems and its design provides for unlimited possibilities of applications in offices, stores, warehouses, interiors of households and exteriors of garages, balconies and terraces.

Given the fact that after assembling of the system all the locking and stabilizing elements are hidden inside the structure, it can be used in moist environments both indoors and outdoors, where there are increased demands on the resistance of coupling parts to weather conditions. Another advantage is that when disassembled, such a system occupies a minimum space and weight thanks to its advantageous construction, thus saving a considerable part of distribution and storage costs.

Brief Description of Drawings Fig. 1 shows sections of a vertical and a horizontal element in the self-locking joint. Fig. 2 shows sections of a vertical and a horizontal element after complete assembling of the self-locking joint and detail "A". Fig. 3 shows sections of a vertical and a horizontal element after complete assembling of the self-locking joint and detail "B". Fig. 4 is a 3-D image of the recess of the horizontal element and attaching of the flexible fitting. Fig. 5 is a 3-D image of the vertical and horizontal element and an image of the recess of the horizontal element. Fig. 6 is a 3-D image of another possible modification of the recess of the horizontal element. Fig. 7 is a 3-D image of the vertical and horizontal element with grooves. Fig. 8 is a 3-D image of the recess of the horizontal element at its front edge. Fig. 9 is an example of a 3-D image of the assemble. Fig. 10 is an example of a 3-D image of vertical coupling of the modules. Fig. 1 1 is an example of a 3-D image of the shelf module - table, mobile container. Fig. 12 is an example of a 3-D image of a hanging shelf. Fig. 13 is an example of a 3-D image of the coupler and oval recess, and examples of implementation. Fig. 14 shows a coupler with double- sided recess and groove. Fig. 15 shows a coupler with one-sided recess.

Examples

Example 1

The principle of the self-locking joint is shown in Fig. 1 , where the vertical element 1, made of a prism-shaped prop, has a recess 2 of the vertical element 1_and a recess 3 for the fastening element 8 for inserting this fastening element 8, consisting of the screw 16 and the washer 9. Via the washer 9, this screw 16 attaches a flexible fitting 7 at the front edge of the horizontal element H in the recess 6 of the horizontal element 1J_, which has a bevelled shape 1 1 a. After full insertion of the horizontal element 1J_, which has the shape of a shelf, into recesses 2 of the vertical element 1, the wings 7a cut into the opposite walls of the recess 2 of the vertical element 1 by their square endings 12, thus preventing re- loosening of the joint, and at the same time, a head of the screw 16 with washer 9 is tightly inserted into the recess 3 for the fastening element 8 in the vertical element 1. As a result, the lateral edge 10 in the recess 6 of the horizontal element H is tightly abutted on the lateral wall of the vertical element 1, the top and the bottom of the horizontal element H is tightly gripped between the opposite walls of the recess 2 of the vertical element 1, as shown in Fig. 2. The rule is that the thickness H of the recess 2 of the vertical element 1 is the same or greater than the thickness H1 of the horizontal element 1J_. Detail "A" shows cutting of square endings 12 of wings 7a of the flexible fitting 7 into the wall of the recess 2 of the vertical element 1. For props made of hard materials it is advantageous to make grooves 2a in the opposite walls of the recess 2 of the vertical element 1, into which square endings 12 of wings 7a of the flexible fitting 7 are engaged after inserting of the horizontal element 1J_, as shown in Fig. 3 with detail "A". Attachment of the flexible fitting 7 at the front edge of the horizontal element H in the recess 6 of the horizontal element H is shown in Fig. 4.

Fig. 5 is a three-dimensional image of the self-locking joint. This joint can be disassembled through the hole of the bevelled lateral edge 5 of the horizontal element H by pressing the wings 7a. Another alternative of the recesses 6 of the horizontal element 1J_, i.e. a semi-circular shape 1 1 b of the recess, is shown in Fig. 6. In order to achieve protection of the coupling elements from external influences and moisture, particularly when using hard materials, it is necessary that after inserting the horizontal element V\_ in the vertical element 1, the lateral edge 5a of the horizontal element V\_ enclosed the recess 2 of the vertical element 1 from the side, as shown in Fig. 7. The vertical element 1 in the shape of a prop, or other segments, can be joined with horizontal element V\_ in the shape of a shelf, at any site of its lateral edge, which is shown in Fig. 8.

Example 2

Fig. 9 shows a simple shelf module, consisting of four vertical elements 1 in the shape of props and two horizontal elements V\_ in the shape of shelves. This module can be disassembled as described above, too. Attaching of these modules by means of coupling elements 13, being pins in this case, into the holes for the fastening element 14, is shown in Fig. 10.

Example 3

Fig. 1 1 shows a possibility of making a table by adding a top shelf 15 on the completed shelf module, or it is possible to make a mobile container by adding wheels 18 into the holes 17 at the bottom of vertical elements 1. It is possible to insert pins, as coupling elements 13, into the holes for the fastening element 14 on the lateral sides of vertical elements 1, in order to attach additional horizontal elements H at any site.

Example 4

Fig. 12 shows a shelf to be hung on the wall. The vertical elements 1 in the shape of prisms are holding, in self-locking joints, the horizontal element V\_ in the shape of a shelf, which can be secured by a connecting bar 19 or other reinforcement.

Example 5

Fig. 13 shows joining of all flat segments or shelves with each other by means of couplers 21_, the shape of which is adapted to the purpose and way of use, wherein they can also have a double-sided recess with groove 6a or a one-sided recess 6b shown in Figs. 14 and 15. These couplers 21 have flexible fittings 7 on one or both sides and they join individual segments of the system by fully inserting of the couplers 21 into oval recesses 20 in the walls or edges of the corresponding segments. The rule is that the lateral walls of couplers 2J_ are tightly abutted on lateral walls of the recesses 20.

Industrial applicability

Thus formed self-locking joint can be used in practice as an assembly consisting of two or more props, making up a basic module of the system together with one or more shelves, which module can be freely modified by the user, or other shelves can be added. The shelves can have various shapes and the props can have various cross-sections, either quadrangular, circular, triangular or any other. A separate module is sufficiently stable and after installation of the top plate it can be made into e.g. a table. After mounting the wheels on the bottom of the props, it can serve as a mobile container. By adding side and rear walls or drawers, and the front door, it is possible to create the entire furniture sets. The couplers of the self-locking joint can also be used for attaching of cables, slats, frames, covers, etc. The above self-locking joint can also be used for assembling light building structures such as pergolas, sheds, patios, garden houses and sheds, or skeletons of family houses. A preferred material for this self-locking joint is primarily wood and various wood- based materials, but it is also possible to use plastic, metal, glass and various composite materials and combinations thereof.

List of reference signs

1 - vertical element

2 - recess of the vertical element

2a - grooves

3 - recess for the fastening element

4 - bevelled edge

5 - bevelled lateral edge of the horizontal element

5a - lateral edge of the horizontal element

6 - recess of the horizontal element

6a - double-sided recess with groove

6b - one-sided recess

7 - flexible fitting

7a - wings

8 - fastening element

9 - washer

10 - lateral edge

1 1 - horizontal element

1 1 a - bevelled shape

1 1 b - semicircular shape

12 - square ending

13 - coupling element

14 - hole for the coupling element

15 - upper shelf

16 - screw

17 - hole

18 - wheels

19 - connecting bar

20 - oval recess

21 - coupler

Claims

1 . A self-locking joint particularly for shelf, rack and furniture systems, characterized in that it consists of a vertical element (1 ) with recess (2) of the vertical element (1 ), and a horizontal element (1 1 ), having the thickness corresponding to the recess (2) of the vertical element (1 ) and comprising a recess (6) of the horizontal element (1 1 ), wherein in the recess (6) of the horizontal element (1 1 ) on the front side of the horizontal element (1 1 ) there is, attached by a fastening element (8), at least one flexible fitting (7), having wings (7a) which form an acute angle with a horizontal level, wherein the square endings (12) of the wings (7a) exceed the thickness of the horizontal element (1 1 );

or of a vertical element (1 ) and a horizontal element (1 1 ), alternatively of vertical elements (1 ) and horizontal elements (1 1 ) mutually comprising a recess (20) for positioning the coupler (21 ), corresponding to the recess (20), wherein on one or both front sides of the coupler (21 ) there is attached one or more flexible fittings (7), having wings (7a) which form an acute angle with the horizontal level, wherein the square endings (12) of wings (7a) exceed the thickness of the coupler (21 ).

2. A self-locking joint according to claim 1 , characterized in that the vertical element (1 ) has a recess (3) for fastening element (8), wherein the fastening element (8) exceeds the flexible fitting (7), where the height difference of the fastening element (8) corresponds to the recess (3) for the fastening element (8) at the front edge of the recess (2) of the vertical element (1 ).

3. A self-locking joint according to claim 1 and 2, characterized in that the fastening element (8) is a screw (16) with washer (9).

4. A self-locking joint according to claim 1 and 3, characterized in that the vertical element (1 ) has bevelled edges (4).

5. A self-locking joint according to claim 1 to 4, characterized in that the wings (7a) of the flexible fitting (7) form an angle of β - fb 90^Q with a horizontal level.

6. A self-locking joint according to any of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the recess (6) of the horizontal element (1 1 ) has a bevelled shape (1 1 a) or a semicircular shape (1 1 b).

7. A self-locking joint according to any of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the vertical element (1 ) comprises several recesses (2) of the vertical element (1 ) with a recess (3) for the fastening element (8), wherein the horizontal element (1 1 ) comprises the same number of recesses (6) of the horizontal element (1 1 ) for fastening of flexible fitting (7) as a vertical element (1 ).

8. A self-locking joint according to any of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the opposite walls of the recess (2) of the vertical element (1 ) have grooves (2a).

9. A self-locking joint according claim 1 , characterized in that the coupler (21 ) has a double-sided recess with groove (6a) or a one-sided recess (6b).

10. A self-locking joint according claim 1 , characterized in that the recess (20) has oval shape.

1 1 . A shelf, rack and furniture system, characterized in that it comprises a self- locking joint according to any of claims 1 to 10.