GB2116833A

GB2116833A - Modular section for furniture assembly

Info

Publication number: GB2116833A
Application number: GB08201835A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Francesco Frascaroli
Original assignee: C O M COOP OPERAI METALLURG
Current assignee: C O M COOP OPERAI METALLURG
Priority date: 1982-01-22
Filing date: 1982-01-22
Publication date: 1983-10-05
Also published as: GB2116833B

Abstract

A modular section, for use in assembling and supporting items and parts of furniture, is in the form of an elongated tube of generally rectangular section having a recessed and apertured front wall, a back wall bearing dovetailed tenons for engagement with a panel or other support, and side walls with projecting portions which serve to define T-shaped slots to receive connectors. The section may conveniently be made by extrusion, and in particular of rigid PVC. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Modular section, for furniture assembly This invention relates to a modular section, made for example of rigid PVC by an industrial process with technical-decorative characteristics which are required for the components used in the production of modular furniture.

In particular, it is suitable for bearing elements to which can be added attractively connected panels, shelves, and other accessories, by use of longitudinal channels which work cooperate to secure various transverse connections. The problem to be solved is thus mechanical, in that it concerns the optimal solution for connection, and technological in that it concerns the industrial process suitable for producing such a bearing element. These structures have hitherto not been made of rigid P.V.C. in view of the considerable mechanical strength required, but rather almost exclusively of metals.

The present invention therefore has as its object the provision of a modular section and ancillary items which permit the introduction of new materials made by new production methods to obtain esthetically pleasing elements, and especially so as to provide more sophisticated and versatile connection methods. These and other objects are achieved by the present invention, in accordance with which there is provided a modular section, for use in assembling and/or supporting items of furniture, comprising an elongated tubular body of generally rectangular section having a plurality of holes in its wall and including, along its length, projecting portions adapted to enhance rigidity of the tube and serving for the securing of connection elements. The cross section is essentially rectangular but is rounded in front.The rear has projecting parts of the "overlapping shingle" type for securing to a panel at the side, i.e. at the position corresponding to the shorter sides of the base rectangle there are connection guides in the form of channels in the shape of an inverted T. The structure produced in modular sections or bars has at the "head" and "tail" holes through to the front face to connect fixed furniture elements, whereas both of the shorter sides of the rectangle are drilled to allow the securing of coupling pins for brackets and shelves, which are adjustable in position.The modular support bars have two different end elements, one top and one bottom, called "heads". The top head, which is essentially a cap that inserts in the end of the support bar, is rounded and has in front a through hole for securing to the panel; below this hole is another one which permits the connection of the fixed furniture element (corner support), which serves as a hinge for two or more sections mounted radially. The upper head is permanently secured to the section by two socket head screws at the bottom sides of the base section. The lower head is also essentially a cap of larger sizes; in addition to the part which inserts in the section, which is identical to the upper cap and which has the same through holes, it has a support base which rests on the floor and has a cavity, suitably shielded, for the passage of electric and telephone wires.Both heads have, the side channels, an access slot of larger size to facilitate the insertion of coupling pins. The technology to produce the section is not in itself entirely new; it is new only in being used to produce a section with improved characteristics of mechanical resistance. The modular support may be produced by the continuous extrusion of rigid PVC by means of a die plate, so that at its exit suitable auxiliary devices calibrate, cool, and cut the section to the desired dimensions. The means of use will be clear from the following description of a series of furniture arrangements.

An embodiment in accordance wit the invention is hereinafer particularly described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: Figure 1 is a front elevation of a modular section; Figure 2 is a side elevation of the modular section; Figure 3 is a transverse section taken on the line Ill-Ill of Fig. 1; Figure 4 is a partial transverse section, corresponding to that of Fig. 3, on a larger scale; Figure 5 is a perspective view of a modular section and various furniture items and fixtures therefor, all parts being shown in separated condition; Figure 6 is a perspective view to illustrate a manner of manual connection of a bottom head element; Figure 7 is a perspective view to illustrate a manner of manual connection of a top head element;; Figure 8 is a perspective view to illustrate a manner of manual assembly of a hanging accessory; Figure 9 is a perspective view to illustrate another manner of manual assembly of a hanging accessory; Figure 10 is a perspective view to show a number of furniture elements assembled to and supported by the modular section.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 4, the modular section has a front wall 1 on which are provided protrusions 2 which may be bevelled, or rounded as seen in Fig. 5. At each side the modular section has a channel 3 of Tsection which is bounded by part of the front wall 1, part of a parallel rear wall, part of a side wall, and a pair of opposed inturned flanges. The channels 3 serve to receive means for the attachment of shelves.

On the rear wall are provided elongated securing tenons 4,4, each having longitudinal dovetail ribs for securing the modular section to panels. In the front wall 1 there are formed two holes 5,5 to serve to receive means for securing the modular section to fixed furniture structure. In the side walls there are provided holes 6.6, to receive socket headed screws 7 used for locking in position the top and bottom head elements in the manner apparent from Fig. 5.

Referring now to Fig. 5, there is shown a panel 8 made of sound-deadening and scratch-proof material. The panel 8 has, in its end surface, parallel grooves into which the tenons 4 of the modular section can be driven to secure the modular section to the panel.

The top head element 9 has a depending lug which engages into the central opening of the modular section and which has lateral threaded holes to receive the screws 7 engaged through the holes 6,6. The top head element 9 has at each side a slot 10 which aligns with and forms an extension of the Tsection channel 3 of the modular section. The channels 3 receive connectors 11 which have a head to engage in the T-section.

The bottom head element 1 2 is secured in similar manner to the modular section, and additionally has an opening 13, corresponding to openings 1 4 and 1 5 in the panel 8, for the passage of wires, and a removable cover 1 6 is provided for the opening 1 3. Another removable cover 1 6a is provided for another opening 1 6b. A foot 1 7 has a threaded stem which can be engaged into the underside of the panel 8 and can be adjusted in height by rotation. A fixed element 1 8 serves as a hinge for various panels which may be secured to it by means of connectors 19.

Referring to Fig. 8, a shelf 22 has an upright wall 21 which is secured in position by means of a female fastener which is screwed onto the threading of the connector 11 (see Fig. 5).

Referring to Fig. 9, for supporting a working surface 24 there is provided a mounting 23 which is adjustable along the modular section 3. Furniture elements 25a, 25b and 25c are secured to the modular section 3 in similar manner.

Claims

1. A nodular section, for use in assembling and/ov supporting items or parts of furniture, comijr;srng sn eiongated tubular body of generally rectansllar section having a plurality of holes in its wa;l and including, along its length, projecting portions adapted to en hance rigidity of the tube and serving for the securing of connection elements.

2. A modular section, as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the rectangular-section tubular body includes opposed side walls which are smaller than opposed front and rear walls, said side walls having thereon projecting portions which bound T-sectioned channels adapted to receive connection elements adjustabie along said channels.

3. A modular section, as claimed in either of Claims 1 and 2, wherin a front wall of the tubular body and projecting portions thereon bound an indentation along the whole length of the body, and wherein a back wall of the tubular body carries dove-tailed formations for forced engagement with a panel used to support the section.

4. A modular section, as claimed in Claim 2, or Claim 3 when dependent upon Claim 2, in combination with top and bottom head elements secured at respective ends of the section, said head elements having slots corresponding to said channels, said bottom head element having an opening for the passage of wiring.

5. A modular section, as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 3 in combination with a cylindrical column secured thereto.

6. A modular section substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

7. Assemblies of furniture parts, including a modular section, substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

8. Assemblies of furniture elements, secured together by a modular section, substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.