GB2042669A

GB2042669A - An Element and a Kit for Constructing a Framework, and Frameworks Made Therefrom

Info

Publication number: GB2042669A
Application number: GB7936878A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Leifheit International Guenter Leifheit GmbH; Leifheit International GmbH
Current assignee: Leifheit International GmbH
Priority date: 1978-12-02
Filing date: 1979-10-24
Publication date: 1980-09-24
Also published as: NL7908063A; ES255180Y; IT1126394B; DE2852217C2; DE2852217B1; IT7927590A0; GB2042669B; FR2442986B1; ES255180U; FR2442986A1

Abstract

Frame elements 11' have sectors 12' at each end whereby the sectors of four frame elements can be abutted to define a circular formation which is held in position by engaging in the open end of a tubular frame member 10', if less than four frame elements 11' are used, filler sectors 13' are substituted for the mining sectors 12'. A flange 22 on the sectors engages in- undercut slots 23 in the frame member 10'. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION An Element and a Kit for Constructing a Framework, and Frameworks Made Therefrom The invention relates to an element and a kit of the kind intended for constructing a framework, and frameworks made therefrom, each such framework including a support element having an at least partially hollow longitudinal profile and connection profiles arranged at its ends by clamping action, and filling out therewith at least a part of the hollow cross-section of the longitudinal profile, for assembly as desired to form a framework, especially for domestic use.

Such support elements can be assembled to form frameworks of the most various forms. They serve especially for domestic use, but with appropriate dimensioning are quite usable for other purposes, as for example in garages, furniture construction or exhibition stand construction.

From German Publ. Spec. No. 25 31 313 a support element has become known which consists of longitudinal profiles and connecting profiles which connect these and can be assembled into any desired frameworks. The disadvantage of this element is that a multi-part clamping element is necessary for connecting the longitudinal profiles with a connecting profile.

Moreover special profiles are necessary so that such a framework can be manufactured economically only by mass production.

It is the problem of the invention to produce an element and a kit of the kind referred to which can be assembled in many ways merely by clamping action to form a framework which consists of only a few basic elements and in which simple, ordinary commercial standard profiles are used as longitudinal profiles.

According to the invention an element of the kind referred to is characterised in that the connecting profiles are provided in their end zones with clamp segments bearing on the profile wall of the longitudinal profile and dividing the cross-section of the longitudinal profile into four, and in that appropriate additional segments are provided for closing a complete support ring by the clamping segments. Since apart from the longitudinal profile, which in any case is standard, only two different parts are used, namely clamping segment and additional segment, assembly is as simple as conceivable.

Nevertheless by mutual clamping action a high stability is achieved. Due to the use of four segment parts per end wall opening of a longitudinal profile, where in practice a ring is formed, an aesthetically pleasant appearance is guaranteed. Moreover, due to the use of only two different parts which furthermore differ only slightly from one another favourable cost of manufacture is possible.

Further advantageous developments of the invention may be seen from the Sub-Claims. Thus the firmness of cohesion is further increased by the mutual catch engagement of the clamping segments with one another and of the clamping segments with an additional segment or, in the case of a corner part, with two additional segments. This is especially important when the framework is used as a shelving unit for botties. In fact hasty insertion of the bottles causes relatively high axial forces to act upon the connecting profiles. The catch engagement is advantageously achieved by a division of the clamping and additional segments into an actual clamping zone and a locking zone, the clamping zone being arranged segmentally offset in relation to the locking zone.Segmentally offset means that the clamping zone of the annular body is shifted by a certain amount about the same centre point in relation to the locking zone of the annular body, which zones are naturally connected integrally with one another. Thus opposed steps are produced which engage respectively one behind the other when four segments are assembled.

If this form of embodiment already achieves a high firmness against pushing axially outwards, this is still further increased by the radial successive arrangement of the clamping zone and the locking zone with a flange therebetween which engages in a longitudinal slot in the longitudinal profile and snaps behind a detent nose there.

In order to increase the pleasant appearance of the framework, for example for use in a living room, the external diameter of the locking zone at least corresponds to the external diameter of the longitudinal profile, while the external diameter of the clamping zones corresponds fittingly to the internal diameter of the longitudinal profile.

Fittingly here signifies that a dimension of fit is selected between the internal diameter of the longitudinal profile and the external diameter of the clamping zone, guaranteeing the desired clamping force.

In order to conceal the white kracture which may occur when synthetic plastics longitudinal profiles are used, or simply for optical considerations, the locking zone is drawn in cap manner over the longitudinal profile. It must also be mentioned here that the framework according to the invention can be manufactured in all available materials. Likewise the most various profiles can be used. A special multiplicity of variants as regards the possibilities of use is achieved in that the clamping segments are connected in force-locking manner with the connecting profiles. This means that connection parts are provided on the clamping segments and render it possible to couple these with connecting profiles of different lengths by snap engagement, twisting, screw engagement or another disengageable connection.The connecting profile and longitudinal profile can here have the same cross-section. Likewise it is possible to couple these clamping segments directly with a shelf board. The expression "board" here naturaily also includes a synthetic plastics panel, a corrugated sheet metal plate or another appropriate shaped part for special storage purposes.

The invention will be explained in greater detail hereinafter by reference to some examples of embodiment thereof, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:- Figure 1 shows a partially sectional elevation of a support framework, Figure ib shows an enlargement of the detail A-A in Figure 1, Figure 2 shows an elevation along the line 11- II in Figure 1, Figure 3 shows an elevation of a connecting profile with clamping segments and one additional segment, Figure 4 shows an alternative solution of a connecting profile with clamping segment and longitudinal profile, Figure 5 shows a section along the line V-V in Figure 4, Figure 6 shows a variant of the example according to Figure 5 with cover cap and Figure 7 shows a variant according to the exampie as shown in Figure 2, in which the locking zone is drawn in cap manner over the longitudinal profile.

In the drawings, a longitudinal profile 10, a connecting profile 11 with clamping segments 12 and additional segments 1 3 form a support element 14 and these are assembled to form a framework 1 5 according to Figure 1. The clamping segment 12 consists of two parts produced in one piece, namely the clamping zone 1 6 and the locking zone 1 7. Likewise the additional segment 13 is divided into the clamping zone 16' and the locking zone 17'. The clamping zone 1 6, 1 6' and the locking zone 17, 17' are segmentally shifted by the amount 19 about the common centre point 1 8. This segmental shift is enlarged in Figure 1 b in the assembled condition and made still clearer by hatching.In the examples of embodiment according to Figures 4 to 6 the clamping zone 20 is connected by a flange 22 with the locking zone 21 which is adjoined by the connecting profile 11'. The flange 22 engages in a longitudinal slot 23 of the longitudinal profile 10'. The longitudinal slot 23 is provided with detent noses 24 behind which the flange 22 engages. In the example of embodiment according to Figure 6, which corresponds in principle to that according to Figures 4 and 5, the clamping zone 20 and the locking zone 21 are connected with a covering cap 25. This cap is provided with a shaped opening 26 for shaping the flange 22 in the case of manufacture in synthetic plastics material.

In the example of embodiment according to Figure 7 the locking zones 1 7 and 17' are provided with a cap-like sleeve 32 which drawn over the end zone 28 of the longitudinal profile 10.

For reasons of material saving the connecting profiles 11, clamping segments 12 and additional segments 1 3 are of hollow formation, as shown especially by the zone A-A in section in Figure 1.

The circular central opening 33 likewise contributes to this economy. Moreover the edges of the individual parts can be chamfered for easier assembly.

Naturally it is also possible to combine the individual features with one another as desired, according to requirement.

Claims

1. A support element having an at least partially hollow longitudinal profile and connecting profiles arranged by clamping on its ends and with it filling out at least a part of the hollow cross-section of the longitudinal profile, for assembly as desired to form a framework, especially for domestic use, characterised in that the connecting profiles (11, 11') are provided on their end zones (28) with clamping segments (12, 12') which are supported on the profile wall )27) of the longitudinal profile (10, 10') and divide the cross-section of the longitudinal profile (10, 10') into four, and in that corresponding additonal segments are provided for closure of a complete support ring by the clamping segments (12, 12').

2. A support element according to Claim 1, characterised in that the clamping segments (12, 12') formed on the connecting profiles (11, ') and the additional segments (13, 13') are in engagement with one another and/or with the longitudinal profile (10,10').

3. A support element according to Claim 2, characterised in that clamping and additional segments consist of an actual clamping zone (16, 16', 20) and a locking zone (17, 17', 21).

4. A support element according to Claim 3, characterised in that the external diameter (29) of the locking zones (17, 17') corresponds at least to the external diameter (30) of the longitudinal profile (10), and the external diameter of the clamping zones (16, 16') fittingly corresponds to the internal diameter (31) of the longitudinal profile (10).

5. A support element according to Claims 3 and 4, characterised in that the locking zones are drawn in cap manner over the longitudinal profile (Figure 7).

6. A support element according to Claim 3, characterised in that the clamping zone (20) and the locking zone (21) are arranged radially one after the other and are connected with one another by way of a flange (22) engaging in a longitudinal slot (23) in the longitudinal profile (10').

7. A support element according to Claim 6, characterised in that the clamping zone (20) and the locking zone (21) are connected at the ends with a covering cap (25).

8. A support element according to any one of Claims 3 to 5, characterised in that the clamping zone (16, 16') is arranged segmentally shifted in relation to the locking zone (17, 17').

9. A support element according to any one of Claims 3 to 5, characterised in that the clamping segments (12) and the additional segments (13) are made in saw-tooth manner at their contact surfaces.

10. A support element according to any one of Claims 6 or 7, characterised in that the longitudinal slots (23) are provided with noses (24) behind which the flanges (22) engage.

11. A support element according to any one of Claims 1 to 10, characterised in that the clamping segments (12, 12') are connected in shapelocking manner with the connecting profiles (11, 11').

12. A support element according to any one of Claims 1 to 10, characterised in that the clamping segments are connected in force-locking manner with the connecting profiles.

13. A support element according to any one of Claims 1 to 12, characterised in that the connecting profile forms approximately the entire area between two longitudinal profiles.

14. An element for constructing a framework, substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings.

1 5. A kit for constructing a framework and including at least one support element according to any one of Claims 1 to 14.

16. A framework made from a kit according to Claim 1 5.