FR2803340A3 - CONNECTING ELEMENT FOR MODULAR STRUCTURES - Google Patents

Abstract

The connecting element is a substantially parallelepipedal block (2) which has on two opposite faces (4) at least one hole (6, 6 ') for the introduction of the end of a shelf (18) of the structure, and on another face (8), at least one groove (10) for the engagement of an upright (16). The connecting element makes it possible to connect shelves to uprights in a simple and easy manner to make modular, round iron structures, such as bookcases, racks, trolleys and the like.

Description

Connection element for modular structures The present invention

relates to an element of

connection for modular structures.

  Modular structures are known such as bookcases, shelving, trolleys and the like consisting of at least one pair of uprights connected by a shelf, the upright and the shelf being produced by a plurality of rods or round profiles.

of metal joined together.

  The connection between the uprights and the shelves, which according to the prior art was obtained by means of screws,

  of nuts, fasteners, has been replaced over time -

  taking into account the laborious assembly work which these bodies presented by welding at the ends of the rods of the shelves of the half-sockets which lodge in their grooves the rods of uprights and which bear on cross-links connecting the two rods of the

same amount.

  This known connection system does, however, have some drawbacks, in particular: - a laborious construction to weld the half-sockets to the crosspieces, - the possibility that these welds may give way over time, - complexity in finding the correct position for welding the half-sockets to the shelves. The object of the invention is to eliminate these drawbacks and to produce a connecting element which makes it possible to link the shelves to the uprights,

simple and easy way.

  Another object of the invention is to produce a connecting element which has a pleasant aesthetic appearance. These and other objectives that will emerge from the

  following description are reached next

  the invention, by means of a connecting element for modular structures, in round iron, such as bookcases, shelves, trolleys and the like, characterized in that it is constituted by a substantially parallelepipedal block, which has, on two faces opposite, at least one hole for the introduction of the end of a shelf of the structure, and on another face, at least one

  groove for the engagement of an amount.

  Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will appear more clearly on reading the

  following description of several favorite achievements of

  the invention with reference to the corresponding appended drawings in which: - Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a connecting element in phase of connection of the shelves to the upright; - Figure 2 is a sectional view taken along the line II-II of Figure 1; - Figure 3 is a sectional view taken along line III-III of Figure 1; - Figure 4 is a sectional view taken along the line IV-IV of Figure 1; and

3 2803340

  - Figure 5 shows a structure obtained with

  the connecting element according to the invention.

  As shown in the figures, the connector element according to the invention consists of a parallelepipedal block 2, made of a substantially rigid plastic material, suitably profiled. The block 2 has on two opposite faces 4 opposite, two pairs of holes 6, 6 ′, the holes of each pair being substantially coaxial with each other, and on another face 8, two grooves 10 substantially semi-cylindrical, parallel between them. The other faces 12 of the block have two grooves 14 perpendicular to the two opposite faces 4. The holes 6, 6 'and the grooves 10, 14 have dimensions which make it possible to receive substantially the metal rods or round profiles which constitute the uprights 16 and the shelves 18 of traditional modular structures such as

  bookcases, shelving, carts and the like.

  The use of the element according to the invention is as follows. The ends of the rods 20 which constitute the side members of the shelves 18 are inserted inside the holes 6, 6 ′ of the block 2,

  then this block is positioned between pairs in vis-

  vis-a-vis the rods 22 which constitute the uprights 16 and which are clipped by their grooves 10, the rods 22 themselves being supported on crosspieces 24 connecting said pairs, in order to constitute a

united together.

  From the above, it is clear that the connector element according to the invention has many advantages, and in particular: - it allows modular structures to be assembled in a simple and easy way, thanks inter alia to the possibility of being able be adjusted in its position relative to the rods, - it allows the structure to be enlarged, in case requirements would make this necessary, thanks to the presence of the pairs of holes, - it presents a pleasant ornamental aspect thanks to the possibility of making the element of

fitting in a colored material.

Claims (4)

  1. Connection element for modular structures, in round iron, such as bookcases, shelving, trolleys and the like, characterized in that it is constituted by a substantially parallelepipedic block (2), which has on two opposite faces (4), at least one hole (6, 6 ') for the introduction of the end of a shelf (18) of the structure, and on another face (8), at least one   groove (10) for engaging an upright (16).   2. Element according to claim 1, characterized in that the opposite faces (4) of the block have each two holes.   3. Element according to claim 1, characterized in that it is made of a plastic material substantially rigid.   4. Element according to claim 1, characterized in that it has two grooves (14) on the faces   (12) perpendicular to the opposite faces (4).