Classifications

• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
  • F16B—DEVICES FOR FASTENING OR SECURING CONSTRUCTIONAL ELEMENTS OR MACHINE PARTS TOGETHER, e.g. NAILS, BOLTS, CIRCLIPS, CLAMPS, CLIPS OR WEDGES; JOINTS OR JOINTING
  • F16B12/00—Jointing of furniture or the like, e.g. hidden from exterior
  • F16B12/10—Jointing of furniture or the like, e.g. hidden from exterior using pegs, bolts, tenons, clamps, clips, or the like
  • F16B12/12—Jointing of furniture or the like, e.g. hidden from exterior using pegs, bolts, tenons, clamps, clips, or the like for non-metal furniture parts, e.g. made of wood, of plastics
  • F16B12/26—Jointing of furniture or the like, e.g. hidden from exterior using pegs, bolts, tenons, clamps, clips, or the like for non-metal furniture parts, e.g. made of wood, of plastics using snap-action elements
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
  • A47B—TABLES; DESKS; OFFICE FURNITURE; CABINETS; DRAWERS; GENERAL DETAILS OF FURNITURE
  • A47B47/00—Cabinets, racks or shelf units, characterised by features related to dismountability or building-up from elements
  • A47B47/04—Cabinets, racks or shelf units, characterised by features related to dismountability or building-up from elements made mainly of wood or plastics
  • A47B47/045—Cabinets, racks or shelf units, characterised by features related to dismountability or building-up from elements made mainly of wood or plastics with four vertical uprights
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
  • F16B—DEVICES FOR FASTENING OR SECURING CONSTRUCTIONAL ELEMENTS OR MACHINE PARTS TOGETHER, e.g. NAILS, BOLTS, CIRCLIPS, CLAMPS, CLIPS OR WEDGES; JOINTS OR JOINTING
  • F16B5/00—Joining sheets or plates, e.g. panels, to one another or to strips or bars parallel to them
  • F16B5/0004—Joining sheets, plates or panels in abutting relationship
  • F16B5/0008—Joining sheets, plates or panels in abutting relationship by moving the sheets, plates or panels substantially in their own plane, perpendicular to the abutting edge
  • F16B5/0012—Joining sheets, plates or panels in abutting relationship by moving the sheets, plates or panels substantially in their own plane, perpendicular to the abutting edge a tongue on the edge of one sheet, plate or panel co-operating with a groove in the edge of another sheet, plate or panel
  • F16B5/0016—Joining sheets, plates or panels in abutting relationship by moving the sheets, plates or panels substantially in their own plane, perpendicular to the abutting edge a tongue on the edge of one sheet, plate or panel co-operating with a groove in the edge of another sheet, plate or panel with snap action

Definitions

• the invention relates to a self-locking joint, particularly for shelf, rack and furniture systems.
• 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.
• the shelves with lateral walls (frames) are joined by means of adhesives, screws, nails, pins, angle irons, various profiles and pusher edges.
• the construction of such a rack or furniture system requires amounts of fastening materials and various kinds of tools and equipment for its assembling.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• the fastening element that attaches the flexible fitting stabilizes the system in the self-locking joint in both vertical and horizontal directions.
• the opposite outer edges of the recess of 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.
• each self-locking joint 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.
• couplers 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.
• the coupler 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Fig. 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.
• 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.
• 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 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Assembled Shelves (AREA)
• Connection Of Plates (AREA)

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• 2013
  • 2013-10-10 EP EP13799407.5A patent/EP2906836A1/de not_active Withdrawn
  • 2013-10-10 WO PCT/SK2013/050007 patent/WO2014058396A1/en not_active Ceased

Patent Citations (1)

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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