EP4404792B1 - Piece of furniture - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a piece of furniture with polygonal shelves and vertical support posts, each shelf being connected to a support post in its corner regions, the support posts having corner recesses over their height into which corner connectors are inserted in a form-fitting and/or force-fitting manner, each corner connector encompassing a corner region of a shelf and being fastened to the floor on the top and/or bottom, the respective support post being formed by a hollow profile.

Furniture of this type, especially in the form of shelves, is available in a wide variety of designs. Furniture or shelves with individual support posts connected to each other via shelves are known as shelving units. The corners of the shelves are screwed to the respective shelves or, alternatively, inserted into them. Such shelving units are usually made of metal and are used in warehouses, basements, etc., but not in offices or residential areas.

In offices or living areas, shelves with a closed body are often used, in whose side walls there are at least two rows of holes provided above the height, into which pin-like support elements are inserted, on which a single shelf rests. DE 71 38 336 U A body-shaped shelf with special connecting elements is known, which encompass the flat shelf elements. Furthermore, shelves for the home and office are also known, which have open side panels with two interconnected Have support posts which have holes above their height for inserting pin-like support elements on which the floors rest, with additional fastening elements being provided between the floors and side parts.

A piece of furniture with the features of the preamble of patent claim 1 is made of US 5 628 256 A known. JP S63 110235 U and US 2020/355210 A1 describe pieces of furniture with shelves whose corners are inserted directly into the corner recesses of support posts. EP 0 406 547 A2 Shelf supports with a two-part clamping body are known, which is in pressure connection with a corner of a shelf and is positively inserted into a recess of a support post.

The object of the invention is to create a stable piece of furniture with individual support posts and shelves, which is easy to assemble and suitable for the office or residential area.

This object is achieved according to the invention in a piece of furniture of the type described at the outset in that the respective corner connector has, on the top and/or bottom side, a wall area which engages in a form-fitting and force-fitting manner in a cavity of the hollow profile of the support post adjacent to the corner recess and which is dimensioned such that it engages in the hollow profile in a resilient or elastic manner in some areas.

During assembly, the respective corner connector, preferably made of plastic, is inserted into a corner recess of a support post and secured there with a positive and force-fitting fit. Depending on the design, the corner connector can be connected to the floor beforehand or after the corner connector has been inserted into the corner recess. This creates a stable, easy-to-install connection that is barely visible. This creates a visually appealing look for the piece of furniture, making it particularly suitable for office or residential areas.

If the piece of furniture has rectangular shelves, it is intended that the respective support post has a rectangular cross-section and the respective corner recess is formed by cutouts in two adjacent side walls.

To connect the corner connectors to the floors, according to a first embodiment, the respective corner connector preferably has a web on the top and/or bottom facing inward toward the floor, which engages with a corresponding blind hole in the floor. The corner connector is then simply placed on the corner area of the floor, and the web engages in the blind hole in the floor. The corner connector can already have been inserted into the corner recess of the support post beforehand.

Alternatively, according to a second embodiment, the respective corner connector can have a through-hole on the top and/or bottom through which a fastening screw is screwed into the floor. The corner connector is then placed onto a corner area of a floor and subsequently secured to the floor with at least one fastening screw. Receiving holes for the fastening screws are then preferably pre-drilled in the corner areas of the floor.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the respective corner connector is formed in two parts, comprising a base body encompassing the corner region of a base and an outer body. The base body has side walls, a cover wall, and a base wall, and the outer body surrounds the base body on the outside and has, on the top and bottom sides, wall regions that engage positively and non-positively into the cavity of the hollow profile of the support post. The base body is then essentially dimensionally stable, and the outer body has elastically or resiliently designed wall regions that enable positive and non-positive engagement.

Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the respective corner connector has side edges whose outer side is aligned with the associated side wall of the support post.

If the floors require additional support due to their size, additional support posts are advantageously provided which have side recesses above their height into which side connectors are inserted in a form-fitting and/or force-fitting manner, wherein each side connector encompasses a side edge of a floor and is fastened to the floor on the top and/or bottom.

Preferably, the respective additional support post is formed from a hollow profile, and the respective side connector has a wall region on the top and/or bottom that engages positively and/or non-positively into a cavity of the hollow profile of the additional support post adjacent to the side recess. The respective additional support post can be made of aluminum.

The respective additional support post then preferably has a rectangular cross-section and the respective side recess is formed by cutouts in three side walls.

According to a first preferred embodiment, the respective side connector has a web on the top and/or bottom facing inward toward the floor, which engages with a corresponding blind hole in the floor. The side connector is then simply placed laterally on the floor, and the web engages in the blind hole in the floor in a locking manner. The side connector can already have been inserted into the side recess of the support post beforehand.

Alternatively, according to a second embodiment, the respective side connector can have a through-hole on the top and/or bottom through which a fastening screw is screwed into the floor. The side connector is then placed laterally on a floor and subsequently secured to the floor with at least one fastening screw. Receiving holes for the fastening screws are then preferably pre-drilled on the side edges of the floor.

Finally, it is particularly preferred that the respective side connector be formed in two parts, with a side base body encompassing a side edge of a base and a side outer body, wherein the side base body has a side wall, a cover wall, and a base wall, and the side outer body encompasses the side base body on the outside and has, on the top and bottom sides, the wall region that engages positively and/or non-positively into the cavity of the hollow profile of the additional support post. The side base body is then essentially dimensionally stable, and the side outer body has elastically or resiliently designed wall regions that enable positive and/or non-positive engagement.

Fig. 1a-1d

eine Montageabfolge eines Regals,

Fig. 2

eine Einzelheit II in Fig. 1a,

Fig. 3

eine Einzelheit III in Fig. 1b,

Fig. 4

eine Einzelheit IV in Fig. 1a,

Fig. 5a-5d

eine Montageabfolge eines Eckbereiches eines Bodens mit einem zweiteiligen Eckverbinder nach einer ersten Ausführungsform,

Fig. 6

eine erste Explosionsdarstellung des zweiteiligen Eckverbinders nach der ersten Ausführungsform,

Fig. 7

eine zweite Explosionsdarstellung des Eckverbinders nach Fig. 6,

Fig. 8

eine erste perspektivische Darstellung des Eckverbinders nach Fig. 6,

Fig. 9

eine zweite perspektivische Darstellung des Eckverbinders nach Fig. 6,

Fig. 10a-10d

eine Montageabfolge eines Seitenrandes eines Bodens,

Fig. 11

eine erste Explosionsdarstellung eines zweiteiligen Seitenverbinders nach einer ersten Ausführungsform,

Fig. 12

eine zweite Explosionsdarstellung des Seitenverbinders nach Fig. 11,

Fig. 13

eine erste perspektivische Darstellung des Seitenverbinders nach Fig. 11,

Fig. 14

eine zweite perspektivische Darstellung des Seitenverbinders nach Fig. 11,

Fig. 15

eine erste perspektivische Darstellung des Eckverbinders nach Fig. 6 in einteiliger Ausführung,

Fig. 16

eine zweite perspektivische Darstellung des Eckverbinders nach Fig. 15,

Fig. 17

eine erste perspektivische Darstellung des Seitenverbinders nach Fig. 11 in einteiliger Ausführung,

Fig. 18

eine zweite perspektivische Darstellung des Seitenverbinders nach Fig. 17,

Fig. 19a-19d

eine Montageabfolge eines Eckbereiches eines Bodens mit einem Eckverbinder nach einer zweiten Ausführungsform,

Fig. 20

eine erste perspektivische Darstellung des Eckverbinders nach der zweiten Ausführungsform,

Fig. 21

eine zweite perspektivische Darstellung des Eckverbinders nach Fig. 20 und

Fig. 22

eine dritte perspektivische Darstellung des Eckverbinders nach Fig. 20.

The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the drawing, which shows

Fig. 1a-1d

an assembly sequence of a shelf,

Fig. 2

a detail II in Fig. 1a ,

Fig. 3

a detail III in Fig. 1b ,

Fig. 4

a detail IV in Fig. 1a ,

Fig. 5a-5d

an assembly sequence of a corner area of a floor with a two-part corner connector according to a first embodiment,

Fig. 6

a first exploded view of the two-part corner connector according to the first embodiment,

Fig. 7

a second exploded view of the corner connector according to Fig. 6 ,

Fig. 8

a first perspective view of the corner connector according to Fig. 6 ,

Fig. 9

a second perspective view of the corner connector according to Fig. 6 ,

Fig. 10a-10d

an assembly sequence of a side edge of a floor,

Fig. 11

a first exploded view of a two-part side connector according to a first embodiment,

Fig. 12

a second exploded view of the side connector according to Fig. 11 ,

Fig. 13

a first perspective view of the side connector according to Fig. 11 ,

Fig. 14

a second perspective view of the side connector according to Fig. 11 ,

Fig. 15

a first perspective view of the corner connector according to Fig. 6 in one-piece design,

Fig. 16

a second perspective view of the corner connector according to Fig. 15 ,

Fig. 17

a first perspective view of the side connector according to Fig. 11 in one-piece design,

Fig. 18

a second perspective view of the side connector according to Fig. 17 ,

Fig. 19a-19d

an assembly sequence of a corner area of a floor with a corner connector according to a second embodiment,

Fig. 20

a first perspective view of the corner connector according to the second embodiment,

Fig. 21

a second perspective view of the corner connector according to Fig. 20 and

Fig. 22

a third perspective view of the corner connector according to Fig. 20 .

In the following description of the figure, a shelf is used as an example of a piece of furniture.

The shelf is in Fig. 1d Generally designated 1 and shown lying on a floor surface after assembly. In the use position, the shelf 1 comprises vertically arranged support posts 2 and rectangular shelves 3 arranged one above the other. The support posts 2 are located in the four corners of the shelves 3. If the shelves 3 are relatively large or wide, as shown, additional support posts 4 can be provided, which are connected laterally to the shelves 3.

The support posts 2 have corner recesses 5 along their height. The support posts 2 are preferably formed from rectangular or square hollow profiles, e.g., made of aluminum. In this hollow profile design, the corner recesses 5 are formed by cutouts in two adjacent side walls 2a, 2b of the respective support post 2.

Corner connectors 6 are provided to connect the floors 3 to the support posts 2. These connectors are inserted into the respective corner recesses 5 in a form-fitting and friction-locking manner. Each corner connector 6 encompasses a corner area 3a of a floor 3 and is preferably attached to it at the top and bottom.

The additional support posts 4 have side recesses 7 across their height. The additional support posts 4 are preferably formed from rectangular or square hollow profiles, e.g., made of aluminum. In this hollow profile design, the side recesses 7 are formed by cutouts in three side walls 4a, 4b, 4c. of the respective additional support post 4.

To connect the floors 3 to the additional support posts 4, side connectors 8 are provided, which are inserted into the respective side recess 7 in a form-fitting and/or force-fitting manner. Each side connector 8 encompasses a side edge 3b of a floor 3 and is preferably attached to it at the top and bottom.

To assemble the shelf 1, in the illustrated embodiment, first proceed as follows: Fig. 1a two support posts 2 and, between them, two additional support posts 4 are placed parallel and at a suitable distance on a floor surface. Depending on the design of the corner connectors 6 and the side connectors 8, the corner connectors 6 and the side connectors 8 are first inserted into the corner recesses 5 and the side recesses 7 in a form-fitting and/or force-fitting manner and then the floors 3 with their corner areas 3a and their side edges 3b are inserted into the corner connectors 6 and the side connectors 8, or the corner connectors 6 and the side connectors 8 are first slipped onto the floors 3 and fastened to them and then the floors 3 thus equipped with the corner connectors 6 and the side connectors 8 are inserted into the corner recesses 5 and the side recesses 7 in a form-fitting and/or force-fitting manner.

Subsequently, according to Fig. 1c In a corresponding manner, two support posts 2 and two additional support posts 4 are connected to the other corner areas 3a and side edges 3b of the floors 3. Subsequently, an upper floor 9 and a lower floor 10 can be attached to the upper and lower ends of the support posts 2 and the additional support posts 4 in another suitable manner. This situation is in Fig. 1d shown. From this final assembly position, the shelf 1 is erected so that the support posts 2 and the additional support posts 4 are aligned vertically and the shelves 3 are aligned horizontally.

The corner connectors 6 and the side connectors 8 can be designed in different ways. Each corner connector 6 preferably has a cavity 11 of the Hollow profile of the support post 2 has a wall region 12 that engages in a form-fitting and non-positive manner. Each side connector 8 preferably has a wall region 14 on the top and bottom sides that engages in a form-fitting and/or non-positive manner in a cavity 13 of the hollow profile of the additional support post 4 that is adjacent to the side recess 7.

In the Fig. 6 to 9 and 5a to 5d show a first embodiment of a corner connector 6, which is constructed in two parts. This corner connector 6 has a base body 15 that surrounds the corner region 3a of a base 3, and an outer body 16. The base body 15 has two adjacent side walls 15a, a cover wall 15b, and a bottom wall 15c. The outer body 16 surrounds the base body 15 on the outside and has, on the top and bottom sides, a wall region 12 that engages positively and non-positively in the cavity 11 of the hollow profile of the support post 2. The two wall regions 12 are connected to one another via a web 17, which rests against an outer edge 18 in the transition region between the two side walls 15a of the base body 15. The contact surfaces of the web 17 and the outer edge 18 are preferably aligned parallel to each other, preferably at a 45° angle to the side walls 15a. Projections 17a may be formed on the web 17, which engage in corresponding recesses 18a in the outer edge 18, or vice versa.

The respective corner connector 6 has side edges 19, 20 on the base body 15 adjacent to the cover wall 15b and the bottom wall 15c, the outer side of which is aligned with the associated side wall of the support post 2, as shown, for example, in Fig. 5c can be seen.

The respective corner connector 6 according to the first embodiment preferably has a web 21 on the top and bottom sides directed inward toward the base 3, which engages in a corresponding blind bore 3c in the base 3. These webs 21 are integrally formed on the wall regions 12 of the outer body 16 and protrude through openings 22 in the cover wall 15b and the base wall 15c of the base body 15 into the interior of the corner connector 6.

For shelf assembly, the following sequence of Fig. 5a to 5d First, the corner connectors 6 are inserted into the corner recesses 5 of the support posts 2. The corner connectors 6 engage with their wall areas 12 in the respective cavity 11 of the support post 2 in a form-fitting and force-fitting manner. The respective base 3 is then inserted with its corner area 3a into the base body 15 of the corner connector 6. For this purpose, the webs 21 are preferably bevelled (bevel 21a) and slightly longer than the depth of the blind holes 3c in the respective base 3. This means that after the respective web 21 engages in the blind hole 3c, the associated wall area 12 is pressed into the cavity 11 of the support post 2 in a locking manner.

In the Fig. 11 to 14 10a to 10d, a first embodiment of a side connector 8 is shown, which is constructed in two parts. This side connector 8 has a side base body 23 that surrounds the side edge 3a of a base 3, and a side outer body 24. The side base body 23 has a side wall formed by two spaced-apart webs 23a, a cover wall 23b, and a base wall 23c. The side outer body 24 surrounds the side base body 23 on the outside and has, on the top and bottom sides, a wall region 14 that engages positively and/or non-positively in the cavity 13 of the hollow profile of the additional support post 4. The two wall regions 14 are connected to one another via a web 25, which rests against the side base body 23 between the two webs 23a.

The respective side connector 8 has side edges 26, 27 on the side base body 23 adjacent to the cover wall 23b and the bottom wall 23c, the outer side of which is aligned with the associated side wall of the additional support post 4, as shown for example in Fig. 10c can be seen.

The respective side connector 8 according to the first embodiment preferably has a web 28 on the top and bottom sides directed inward toward the base 3, which engages in a corresponding blind bore 29 in the base 3. These webs 28 are molded onto the wall regions 14 of the side outer body 24 and protrude through openings 30 in the cover wall 23b and the base wall 23c, respectively. of the side base body 23 into the interior of the side connector 8.

For shelf assembly, the following sequence of Fig. 10a to 10d First, the side connectors 8 are inserted into the side recesses 7 of the additional support posts 4. The side connectors 8 engage with their wall regions 14 in the respective cavity 13 of the additional support post 4 in a form-fitting and/or force-fitting manner. The respective base 3 is then inserted with its side edge 3b into the side base body 15 of the side connector 8. For this purpose, the webs 28 are preferably bevelled (bevel 28a) and slightly longer than the depth of the blind bores 29 in the respective base 3. This means that after the respective web 28 engages in the blind bore 29, the associated wall region 14 is pressed into the cavity 13 of the additional support post 4 in a locking manner.

The corner connector 6 according to the first embodiment can also be formed in one piece, as shown in the Figs. 15 and 16 The additional outer body 16 is then omitted, and the corner connector 6 essentially consists only of the base body 15 with a wall region 12 with webs 21 formed directly onto the cover wall 15b and the base wall 15c. The assembly process is not changed as a result.

The side connector 8 according to the first embodiment can also be formed in one piece, as shown in the Figs. 17 and 18 The additional side outer body 24 is then omitted, and the side connector 8 essentially consists only of the side base body 23 with a wall region 14 with webs 28 molded directly onto the cover wall 23b and the bottom wall 23c. The side wall 23d is then formed over its entire surface. The assembly process remains unchanged.

In the Fig. 20 to 22 19a to 19d, a second embodiment of a corner connector 6 is shown, which is connected to the base 3 in a different way. This corner connector 6 can also be formed in one or two parts; it is shown in a single-piece form. The corner connector 6 has two side walls 15a as well as a cover wall 15b and a base wall 15c. The cover wall The wall region 12 is formed on the outside of the cover wall 15b and the base wall 15c. A through-hole 31 for a fastening screw 32 is recessed in the cover wall 15b and the base wall 15c, the screw head of which is designated 32a. The diameter of the through-hole 31 is smaller than the outer diameter of the screw head 32a. In the respective wall region 12, the diameter of the through-hole 31 expands such that the screw head 32a is countersunk in this region when screwed in and does not impair the engagement of the wall region 12 in the cavity 11.

During assembly, Fig. 19a to 19c First, the corner connector 6 is placed on the corner area 3a of the floor 3 and then fastened to the floor 3 using the fastening screws 32. Then, according to Fig. 19d the base 3 is inserted into the corner recess with the corner connector 6.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiments. Further embodiments are possible without departing from the basic concept. The corner connector 6 according to the second embodiment can also be designed in two parts. Furthermore, the side connector 8 can also be fastened to the floor by means of a screw connection, similar to the corner connector 6 according to the second embodiment. Such a side connector 8 can also be designed in one or two parts. The shelf 1 can be fully or partially equipped with back and/or side walls or doors, drawers, and the like. Furthermore, the shelf 1 can also be connected to a box-shaped, body-like lower part, on which the support posts 2 and, if applicable, the additional support posts 4 stand and are connected to the lower part. The lower part can be designed, for example, for the distribution of electrical cables or data cables, which can be routed through holes in the floors 3 to any location on the shelf 1. For this purpose, the lower part can also have cable trays or the like.

List of reference symbols:

1

shelf

2

Support post

2a

side wall

2b

side wall

3

Floor

3a

Corner area

3b

Page margin

3c

blind hole

4

Additional support post

4a

side wall

4b

side wall

4c

side wall

5

Corner recess

6

Corner connectors

7

Side cutout

8

Side connectors

9

upper floor

10

lower floor

11

cavity

12

Wall area

13

cavity

14

Wall area

15

Basic body

15a

side wall

15b

cover wall

15c

floor wall

16

Outer body

17

web

17a

projection

18

outer edge

18a

recess

19

side edge

20

side edge

21

web

21a

Slope

22

opening

23

Side body

23a

Footbridges

23b

cover wall

23c

floor wall

23d

side wall

24

Side outer body

25

web

26

side edge

27

side edge

28

web

28a

Slope

29

blind hole

30

opening

31

Push-through opening

32

Fixing screw

32a

screw head

Claims (12)

1. Piece of furniture with polygonal shelves (3) and vertical support posts (2), wherein each shelf (3) is connected in each of its corner regions (3a) to a support post, wherein the support posts (2) have corner recesses (5) over their height, in which corner connectors (6) are inserted in a form-fitting and/or force-fitting manner, wherein each corner connector (6) surrounds a corner region (3a) of a shelf (3) and is attached to the shelf (3) on the upper and/or lower side, wherein the respective support post (2) is formed by a hollow section,
   characterized in that
   the respective corner connector (5) has a wall region (12) engaging in a form-fitting and force-fitting manner in the cavity (11) of the hollow section of the support post (9) adjacent to the corner recess (5) on the upper and/or lower side, which is dimensioned such that it engages flexibly and/or elastically in certain regions in the hollow section (11).
2. Piece of furniture according to claim 1,
   characterized in that
   the respective support post (2) has a rectangular cross section and the respective corner recess (5) is formed by cut-outs in two adjacent side walls (2a, 2b).
3. Piece of furniture according to claim 1 or 2,
   characterized in that
   the respective corner connector (6) has a tab (21) on the upper and/or lower side directed inwards towards the shelf (3), which engages in a corresponding blind bore (3c) in the shelf.
4. Piece of furniture according to claim 1 or 2,
   characterized in that
   the respective corner connector (6) has a through opening (31) on the upper and/or lower side, through which a mounting screw (32) is screwed into the shelf (3).
5. Piece of furniture according to one or more of claims 1 to 4,
   characterized in that
   the respective corner connector (6) is formed in two pieces with a main body (15) surrounding the corner region (3a) of a shelf (3) and an outer body (16), wherein the main body (15) has side walls (15a), a top panel (15b) and a base wall (15c) and the outer body (16) surrounds the main body (15) on the outside and has a wall region (12) engaging in a form-fitting and force-fitting manner in the cavity (11) of the hollow section of the support post (2) on the upper and lower side.
6. Piece of furniture according to one or more of claims 1 to 5,
   characterized in that
   the respective corner connector (6) has lateral edges (19, 20), the outer side of which is aligned with the associated side wall (2a, 2b) of the support post (2).
7. Piece of furniture according to one or more of claims 1 to 6,
   characterized in that
   additional support posts (4) are provided, which have lateral recesses (7) over their height, in which lateral connectors (8) are inserted in a form-fitting and/or force-fitting manner, wherein each lateral connector (8) surrounds a lateral edge (3b) of a shelf (3) and is attached to the shelf (3) on the upper and/or lower side.
8. Piece of furniture according to claim 7,
   characterized in that
   the respective additional support post (4) is formed by a hollow section and the respective lateral connector (8) has a wall region (14) engaging in a form-fitting and/or force-fitting manner in the cavity (13) of the hollow section of the additional support post (4) adjacent to the lateral recess (7) on the upper and/or lower side.
9. Piece of furniture according to claim 7 or 8,
   characterized in that
   the respective additional support post (4) has a rectangular cross section and the respective lateral recess (7) is formed by cut-outs in three side walls (4a, 4b, 4c).
10. Piece of furniture according to one or more of claims 7 to 9,
    characterized in that
    the respective lateral connector (8) has a tab (28) on the upper and/or lower side directed inwards towards the shelf (3), which engages in a corresponding blind bore (29) in the shelf (3).
11. Piece of furniture according to one or more of claims 7 to 9,
    characterized in that
    the respective lateral connector (8) has a through opening on the upper and/or lower side, through which a mounting screw is screwed into the shelf (3).
12. Piece of furniture according to one or more of claims 7 to 11,
    characterized in that
    the respective lateral connector (8) is formed in two pieces with a lateral main body (23) surrounding a lateral edge (3b) of a shelf (3) and a lateral outer body (24), wherein the lateral main body (23) has a side wall, a top panel (23b) and a base wall (23c) and the lateral outer body (24) surrounds the lateral main body (23) on the outside and has a wall region (14) engaging in a form-fitting and/or force-fitting manner in the cavity (13) of the hollow section of the additional support post (4) on the upper and lower side.