FI92427B - Device for combining elements into a unit in assembly and traffic areas - Google Patents

Description

92427

Device for combining elements into a unit in assembly and traffic areas

The invention comprises a device as described in the preamble of claim 1 for combining elements into a unit in assembly and traffic spaces, such as outdoor furniture, partitions, notice boards, etc., in particular for outdoor use or covered areas.

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background

There is a need for a flexible system that can be used to equip outdoor spaces or covered spaces for use as assembly points, leisure facilities or in traffic. Furniture in such "environmental units" or assembly or traffic spaces may include benches, tables, fences, windshields, notice boards, flower boxes, trash cans, playgrounds, and the like.

Different individual solutions are available for each such element or object. 25 integrated systems are known which are assembled on site by welding, nails, screws or other joining methods. The erection of such units has required labor costs. Repairing or replacing elements or parts has also been difficult. An even more serious disadvantage has proved to be the rigidity of the structural design of such units. The prefabricated unit is not designed to be converted or adjusted to another application. For example, it has not been simple to change 35 existing fences to have space for a bench or bulletin board.

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Outcomes

The main object of the invention is to provide a device connecting furniture and other means 5 of the type described in the introduction, so that a unit is created, by means of which it is easy to create different combinations and simplify the erection work. In addition, it is intended to be easy to rebuild and replace elements in such a unit or system.

In particular, it is advisable to design a device that allows the various elements to be flexibly connected to each other.

15 Principles

The principle underlying the invention is set out in the characterizing part of claim 1.

Other advantageous features of the invention are set out in the dependent claims.

The features set out in claim 2 provide a particularly advantageous embodiment for the main supports 25.

Flexibility can be further increased by using support pillars designed as set out in claim 3.

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According to the embodiment of claim 4, it is possible to connect other elements to a modular system that is otherwise fixed. Other features of this application are described in the example below. By means of the spacer set out in claim 5, it is possible to erect adjacent elements at a certain angle to each other.

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Other preferred embodiments of the invention are described below.

Example; 5

The invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 schematically shows the front of a unit 10 according to the invention with a bench, fence element and notice board, Figure 2 shows an alternative connection method showing the bench and fence element 15, Figure 3A is a perspective view of a column, with one connecting flange, Fig. 3B is a perspective view of a column with two connecting flanges, Fig. 3C is a perspective view of a support bar with a connecting flange, Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a railing with connecting flanges, and Figs. 5-8 are perspective views of a unit 30 a fence element, a table top, a bench element and a support-support element (in that order).

Figure 1 shows a part of the unit as it may be understood to be used in a park, bus stop or square. On the left side of the figure there is a sofa-shaped bench 11, which is supported at its front by a first support 12 and a longer second support 13.

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An armrest 14 is mounted right on the edge of the bench 11.

Details of these elements are provided below.

5 In the middle of the figure there is a fence element 15, which at the end of the bench side 11 is connected at its upper and lower corners by flanges to a second support pillar 13. At its other end a fence element 15 is connected to one of the two fastening pillars 16 and 17 of the notice board 18.

Figure 2 shows the flange connection of the device of the bench 11 and the fence element 15 enlarged. In this connection, reference is also made to Fig. 7, in which the bench element 15 is shown in its entirety, and to Fig. 5, in which the fence element is also shown.

Each bench element comprises a plate 19 shaped as a seat with both upper and lower edges rounded. The longitudinal edges form round tubes, each end of which is welded to a support plate 20 supporting an axial protrusion 21 with a concentric circular flange 22. The flange has three threaded holes 23 at regular intervals relative to each other 25. For each flange 22 there is a corresponding concentric body at the other end of the plate 19.

Figures 3A-C show individual support pillars.

Figure 3A shows a rectangular pipe column 24, 30 designed for concrete casting or screwing from its lower end to a joint plate. The column has an angle bar 25 with a flange 26 which is welded or otherwise fixedly attached to the upper end of the column.

This flange 26 is similar to the flanges 22 of the bench element 11 35. The flange 26 is in a plane parallel to the axis of the column, i.e. the axis of the flange is at right angles to the axis of the column.

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Figure 3B shows a corresponding column 27 with two concentric flanges 28 and 29, the contact surfaces of which are in opposite directions and located symmetrically with respect to the axis of the column.

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Figure 3C shows a support rod 30 made of a solid or hollow material, with a bend 31 at the top and a flange 32 at the end.

10 In addition to these, it is also possible to make columns with three or four flanges which act as connecting units for three or four joints. The columns can be of different lengths, in which case they preferably form a modular system. If necessary, such as 15 in Figure 1, columns with additional flanges projecting laterally from one or more sides below the end-mounted flange or flanges may be used. In some cases, such flanges may be fixed, in which case they are part of a modular system. In other cases, they can be added afterwards if necessary to make the structural system flexible. Figure 1 requires that the pillars 16 and 17 have fixed flanges 33 at the bottom of the notice board 18 to be installed, while it is more advantageous to use, for example, a fastening arrangement between the flange 34 and the column 13 to support the fence element 15.

The erection is performed by fixing the opposite flanges 30 with screws (not shown in the figures).

Figure 4 shows a handrail 35 made of hollow material. Each end is closed by a connecting plate 36 with a concentric connecting projection 35 with a circular flange 38. The handrail 35 can replace the fence element 15 shown in the unit of Figure 1 or be used as an independent element in a row or similar. 27 applications. One option is to use two railings on top of each other.

Figure 5 shows a fence element 15 in which a plate 39 5 is fastened between two parallel bars or profiles, an upper profile 40 and a lower profile 41. At both ends of the rubber profile there is a cantilever bar 42 with a flange 4 3. The plate 39 can be solid, perforated, mesh-shaped or provided with some other coating 10.

Fig. 6 shows a table top 44, the longer edges of which are rounded in the same way as the edges of the bench in Fig. 7, and in which there is a flange at each corner 45. The other edges 15 are also suitably rounded so that no one is injured, even if they fall against the table.

Figure 8 shows a unit called a support arm 46 designed for queuing places, waiting halls and 20 other spaces where people stand. It is intended to be installed instead of a handrail (see Figures 1 and 5) and has the same basic function as this, or in other applications it acts as the inner wall of a bus stop, for example.

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The support arm 46 is V-shaped in cross-section, so that its plane of symmetry is horizontal or almost horizontal and the junction of the two elements is rounded. This results in an oblique surface 47 arranged just above the level of the upper thigh of the adult. In the example of the figure, the support surface 47 is at an angle of about 60 ° from the horizontal, but this angle can be adjusted to suit different applications. In waiting rooms, it may be lower than when used to separate queues.

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An important feature of the support 46 is its oblique contact surface. In alternative embodiments, the support supports may be open at the bottom.

In the connecting unit of Fig. 2 it is shown that the module distance (a) of the two flanges connected to the structure in the support column 13 and the corresponding column (not shown) is less than the module length (b) of the erectable element 15, i.e. the external distance of the flanges 43 of the fence element 15. This means that a gap of about 1/2 (a-b) is formed on each side on average. This gap is filled by a spacer 48 of the fence element 15. Each such spacer 48 is placed between the flanges 28 and 43 by means of screws 15 (not shown).

In order to fasten the bench 11 between the upper and lower flange fastenings, an element shaped as an armrest 14 is placed. The armrest 14 is not shown in detail, but comprises a generally horizontal support portion 49 with the support surface facing upwards and upper and lower connecting arms 50 and 51 made of sheet material.

25 This solution makes it easy to replace the fence elements with benches and vice versa. When the elements are made according to a smaller distance (b), it is possible to combine accessories. For example, the trash can can be installed by attaching an insert 30 between the two flanges.

The spacers 48 can be stored in several different widths. In this case, it is possible to compensate for deviations from the standard dimensions. It is also possible to use wedge spacers made of a flexible material, such as silicone or rubber, which connects two flanges which can be set at an angle of, for example, 8-10 °. In this case, it is possible to make a recess in the fence or in a row formed by other 8 924 27 elements.

In the above examples, all flanges are 5 round. However, they can also be polygonal, for example octagonal.

The elements given in the above examples are made of steel tubes, steel bars or steel-10 plates with a suitable surface structure and treatment.

However, it is also possible to use composite materials, in particular combinations of metal, wood and plastic. This is well suited for the present parts of the bench 11, for example.

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The system shown in the figure can be constructed in such a way that it also comprises elements other than those shown in the examples. It can be appropriately attached from a trash can, light poles, play area-20 fences, play equipment and other elements that can function in connection with such outdoor furniture systems. In all applications, it is possible to use the basic idea of the invention to create a flexible modular solution that is easy to repair and maintain.

Claims (8)

An apparatus for interconnecting elements for benches, tables and the like, especially for outdoor use, wherein pillars (12, 13, 16, 17, 24, 27, 30) are used for carrying utility elements, such as benches or countertops, and wherein at the upper front of each end of the pillar are fasteners for releasably connecting, as with screws, to an adjacent element (11, 10, 15, 19, 35, 39, 40, 44, 47), such as a bench, table or the like. , characterized in that the posts of the pillars comprise an angular element (25) which is provided at its free end with a connecting element (22, 26, 28, 29, 32, 33, 34) for detachable fastening, the angular element being two branches which at right angles to each other say that one of the branches is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the pillar. 2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the connecting element (22, 26, 28, 29, 32, 33, 34) is in the form of a round or polygonal flange plate which is attached to the side projecting end. of the angular element (25), and the other end of this element is anchored in the axial direction 25 in the outer upwardly directed end of the column. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that at the end of a pillar there are two or four angular elements with parallel inner anchoring branches and outer branches projecting in pairs to opposite directions. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that in the case of fixed columns the module spacing (a) between the connecting elements is longer than the outer distance (b) between the connecting elements of a module, so that a space for attaching 9242 is formed. of attachment projections of additional equipment (14) or an insert (48). Device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it comprises wedge-shaped or shapable spacers for installation between shock-connected connection elements (Fig. 2). 6. Device according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that it comprises a unit lying between the columns which is an armrest (11) supporting an armrest (14). Device according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that at least one angular element is made of a hollow material for conducting electrical cables. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it comprises an element (46), the surface (47) of which is inclined relative to the vertical direction and mountable so that the inclined area is at height. of the upper part of the thigh of an adult, this element lying laterally at an angle of about 60 ° relative to the horizontal plane. Il