IL268589A - Assemblable furniture with concealed connectors andrespective kit-of-parts for constructing the same - Google Patents

Description

268589 2 ASSEMBLABLE FURNITURE WITH CONCEALED CONNECTORS AND RESPECTIVE KIT-OF-PARTS FOR CONSTRUCTING THE SAME 5 FIELD OF THE INVENTION 0001 The present invention generally pertains to the art of assemblable furniture of shelving structures. In particular the present invention relates to an assemblable shelving system including components that are configured for convenient customization and facilitating a variety of designs.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] It is believed that the following patent literature represents the current state-of-the-art: EP1166678, CA2530673, WO2015/020276, US3473273, US5342138, US5598680, US7918515, US10085553, US2002025217, US2009251035, US2010084356, US2013125497, US2013287484, US201533515, US2018127971, US2018355607, DE102008045645, DE202008000485U1, EP1508705, EP3401555, DE2257090, DE4124553, JP2005155196, JP2012140820, JP2016191273, JP2016191274, CN202646270U, KR100207037, KR101101395, TW201512550 and IL252409.

[0003] In US10085553, which is believed to be the closest prior art, Funfgeld describes a modular system for furniture or exhibition structure having wall modules with wall surfaces situated opposite one another - opposite front and 268589 / 2 rear surfaces and opposite contact areas. The system of US10085553 includes connecting elements connecting the wall modules having L-shaped, T-shaped or cruciform cross-sectional area. The wall modules of US10085553 have a recess for receiving the connecting element which is matched to the shape of the recess.

The recess according to US10085553 runs from the contact area on one side of the wall module, in the direction of the contact area, on the other side of the wall module and passes through the wall module in the direction of a wall surface to the opposite wall surface, and is situated between sections of the front surface and rear surface, which are situated opposite one another. According to US10085553, when the connecting elements are inserted into the recess in a wall module, they correspond to the distance between the wall surfaces. - 2 - 268589 / 2 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The present invention relates to a shelving system having components that are configured for convenient customization in a variety of geometrical shapes. The shelving is also configured to provide an aesthetic exterior wherein connection members or fasteners are not visible.

[0005] In accordance with embodiments of one aspect of the present invention there is provided an assemblable furniture shelving system constructed from a plurality of panels, each panel being an extruded component including: a first panel face and a second panel face, longitudinal panel edges comprising channels; a first panel end and a second panel end and through-tunnels at least partially defined by through-beams. The assemblable furniture shelving system is further constructed from a plurality of panel-edge trim strips, configured to engage with the through-tunnels of the panel edges and a plurality of panel fasteners and connectors respectively insertable into the through-tunnels. 15 [0006] According to some aspects of the present invention, the through- beams span an entire length between the first panel face and the second panel face and extend an entire length between the first panel end and the second panel end.

[0007] According to some aspects of the present invention, each one of the panels is an extruded component, in which the through-tunnels span an entire length between the first panel face and the second panel face and where the through-tunnels extend an entire length between the first panel end and the second panel end. 268589 / 2

[0008] According to some aspects of the present invention, the channels are entirely inboard of the edges of the panels, whereby connectors and fasteners are entirely hidden from view in all directions, when the shelving system is assembled. In some embodiments, the channels that are entirely inboard of the edges of the panels are configured to receive panel-edge trim strips.

[0009] It is a particular feature of some embodiments of the present invention that the shelving system includes extruded panels of indefinite length having panel-connector/panel fastener receiving through-tunnels that extend along the entire length of the panels. The extruded panels are thereby cuttable or a priori extrudable to a customizable length, whilst providing panel-connector receiving through-tunnels for connecting between panels at terminal portions of the panels, regardless of the actual length of the panels.

[0010] It is a further particular feature of some embodiments of the present shelving system that panel connectors are receivable in the above-mentioned panel-connector receiving through-tunnels and are entirely hidden and/or concealed in all directions of view when the shelving system is assembled. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] The invention may be more clearly understood upon reading of the following detailed description of non-limiting exemplary embodiments thereof, with reference to the following drawings, in which:

[0012] FIG 1 is a perspective view illustrating a prior art shelving system, disclosed by Funfgeld in US10085553; - 4 - 268589 / 2

[0013] FIG 2A is a perspective view of an exemplary assembly of the present shelving system;

[0014] FIG 2B is a perspective exploded view of the exemplary assembly of FIG 2A, in which the fasteners for illustrative and expansional purposes are shown overlaying on top of the assembly of FIG 2A;

[0015] FIG 2C and 2D are perspective enlarged views of the exemplary assembly of FIG 2B;

[0016] FIG 2E is an exploded view of the present shelving system in accordance with embodiments thereof;

[0017] FIG 3A and 3B are a perspective view and a front view, respectively, of a panel of the present shelving system in accordance with some embodiments thereof;

[0018] FIG 4 is an enlarged view corresponding to detail “A” of FIG 3B;

[0019] FIG 5A and 5B are a perspective view and end view of a panel- edge trim strip, respectively, of the present shelving system in accordance with some embodiments thereof;

[0020] FIG 6A to 6G are perspective views illustrating exemplary panel connectors of the present shelving system in accordance with embodiments thereof;

[0021] FIG 7 is an exploded perspective view of an additional embodiment of the present shelving system;

[0022] FIG 8 is an assembled view of FIG 7; 268589 / 2

[0023] FIG 9 is an exploded perspective view of a further embodiment of the present shelving system;

[0024] FIG 10 is an assembled view of FIG 9;

[0025] FIG 11 is an exploded perspective view of a yet further embodiment of the present shelving system;

[0026] FIG 12 is an assembled view of FIG 11;

[0027] FIG 13 is an exploded perspective view of another embodiment of the present shelving system; and

[0028] FIG 14 is an assembled view of FIG 13.

[0029] The following detailed description of embodiments of the invention refers to the accompanying drawings referred to above. Dimensions of components and features shown in the figures are chosen for convenience or clarity of presentation and are not necessarily shown to scale. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings and the following description to refer to the same and like parts. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0030] Prior to detailing embodiments of the present invention, in order to present the background of the inventive concept more clearly, reference is firstly made to FIG 1, which corresponds to Figure 1 of US10085553, showing a shelving system or modular system for furniture known in the art. FIG 1 shows a modular system 10 of US10085553 for furniture or exhibition structure with wall modules 100. The wall modules 100 have a plate-like basic shape with two large 268589 / 2 surfaces 101, 102, which form the upper and lower sides of the plate, and four circumferential edge surfaces 103, 104, 105, 106. Large surfaces 101, 102 serve as wall portions in the item of furniture assembled as intended, such that these large surfaces 101, 102 form the wall surfaces of the wall module 100.

[0031] Circumferential edges 103, 104 in US10085553 are the surfaces of the wall module, by means of which it is connected to other wall modules in the assembled item of furniture that is the edge surfaces 103, 104 are the contact areas of the wall module 100. They are each designed not as flat surfaces, but rather as a wedge-shaped abutting profile, which is formed respectively from subareas 103a, 103b, 104a, 104b which, beginning from the wall surfaces 101, 102 of the wall module 100 run outwardly at an angle of 45 degrees toward one another, until they touch a contact line 103c, 104c.

[0032] The recesses 110 to the length of the bar-shaped portions of the connecting elements 150, 160, 170 in US10085553 is to be inserted, leads to the fact that two, three or four wall modules 100 can be arranged in an L-form, a T- form or cruciform shapes such that the respective subareas 103a, 103b, 104a, 104b lie adjacent to one another, such that horizontally arranged wall modules 100 above these subareas can be supported by perpendicularly arranged wall modules 100. This also ensures that, viewed from the front side and the rear side of the assembled item of furniture or exhibition structure, a closed surface is created such that the connecting elements 150, 160, 170 in the viewing direction are concealed. The remaining edge surfaces are the front surface 105 and the rear surface 106 of wall module 100. Wall modules 100 depicted in FIG 1 each have recesses 110. 268589 / 2

[0033] Beginning from contact area 103 or 104 on one side of the wall module 100, recesses 110 in US10085553 run in a direction toward the opposite contact area 104 or 103 on the oppositely arranged side of wall module 100. They thereby pass through wall module 100 from one wall surface 101 to the oppositely arranged wall surface 102 and lie between portions 105a, 106a of front surface 105 and rear surface 106 of the wall module 100 which are arranged opposite one another, such that they are surrounded on three sides by the material from which the wall module 100 is made, in such a manner the shape of recesses 110 and connecting elements 150, 160, 170, define a first boundary surface 111 and a second boundary surface 112, which define portions of the boundary between recess 110 and material of the wall module 100, extending parallel to front surface 105 and to rear surface 106 and perpendicular to wall surfaces 101, 102, while third boundary surface 113 extends perpendicularly to front surface 105 and to rear surface 106 and perpendicular to wall surfaces 101, 102.

[0034] Modular system 10 of US10085553 includes three types of connecting elements, as can be seen in FIG 1: L-shaped connecting elements 150, T-shaped connecting elements 160 and cruciform connecting elements 170.

[0035] Illustrative embodiments of the present invention are described below. In the interest of clarity, not all features/components of an actual implementation are necessarily described. FIG 2A to 2D show an exemplary unit of assembled furniture, illustrating an intricate and aesthetic shelving unit. FIG 2B is a perspective exploded view of the exemplary assembly of FIG 2A, in which fasteners 202 are shown visible for demonstration purposes only, overlaying on 268589 / 2 top of the assembly of FIG 2A and which are best seen in FIG 2C and 2D, which illustrate that a variety of panel fastener configurations are employed. [0036] FIG 2E to 6 depict a first embodiment of the present shelving system including a plurality of panels 200 having a length L, a width W and a thickness T. It should be noted that the length and width dimensions can vary from panel to panel. The present shelving system shown in FIG 2E to 6 comprises a plurality of panel fasteners 202, for connecting between panels; a plurality of panel-edge trim strips 204 and panel-fastener securing elements 206, such as screws or the like. 10 [0037] Panels 200 are extruded panels having a first face 208 and a second face 210, edges 211A and ends 211B, as well as at least one and typically two or more through-tunnels 212 that extend along the entire length of the panels and which are configured to receive panel fasteners 202. Through-tunnels 212 are at least partially formed by through-beams 214 that run the length of panels 200. Panels 200 also include edge portions 216 with channels 218 configured to receive panel-edge trim strips 204.

[0038] Referring to FIG 5A and 5B, panel-edge trim strips 204 are correspondingly configured to engage with channels 218 at panel edges 211A.

Panel-edge trim strips 204 conceal securing elements 206 from view when the shelving system is assembled and have a strip exterior portion 219 with a height H equal to thickness T of panels 200. In some embodiments, exterior portion 219 can have an alternative configuration to provide for an optional and/or customizable aesthetics. - 9 - 268589 / 2

[0039] Panel fasteners 202 can be provided in a variety of configurations so as to allow for assembly of simple and complex shelving geometries.

Exemplary panel fastener configurations are shown in FIG 6A to 6G and include 135 degree angled pieces shown in FIG 6A; L-shaped or right-angled pieces shown in FIG 6B; 150 degree angled pieces shown in FIG 6C; three-directional right-angled combined with 45 degree angled pieces shown in FIG 6D, configured for connecting several panels 200 for instance as shown in FIG 6D; four- directional straight combined with right-angled and further combined with 45 degree angled pieces shown in FIG 6E; through passing 135 degree angled pieces shown in FIG 6G configured for connecting to panel 200 by passing through panel 200 into through-tunnel 212 of another panel 200, for instance as shown in FIG 6D; as well as terminal or inboard 135 degree angled pieces shown in FIG 6G configured for connecting to surface 208 or surface 210 of panel 200 through an aperture in surface 208 or surface 210 of panel 200, to through-tunnel 212 of another panel 200.

[0040] Panel fasteners 202 preferably comprise fastener apertures 220 in which securing elements 206 are receivable. Fastener apertures 220 are optionally threaded for receiving screw and/or bolt-type fasteners. Fastener apertures 220 are optionally threaded or not, whereby in some embodiments, through-beams 214 have outwardly facing fastener receptors 222 that face toward channels 218. As can be appreciated from FIG 2E securing elements 206 are insertable from edges 211A through channels 218 and further throughout through- beams 214, until reaching fastener apertures 220, into which securing elements 206 are receivable. 268589 / 2

[0041] FIG 7 and 8 show another embodiment of the present shelving system, in which heavy-load panel fasteners 203 are broad or leaf-type connectors that engage with corresponding broad through-tunnels 213. As with the previously exemplified panel fasteners 202, the panel connectors in this embodiment can have a wide variety of configurations, for example, analogous to those of FIG 5A to 5G. However, typically heavy-load panel fasteners 203 embody a right-angled shape and are typically characterized by being configured for bearing heavy-load joints of the present shelving system.

[0042] FIG 9 and 10 show a further embodiment of the present shelving system wherein at least one major panel of panels 200 is composed of at least two sub-panels 224 joined side-by-side by slat-shaped panel joint 226. Slat- shaped panel joint 226 is introducible into channels 218 at panel edges 211A.

Slat-shaped panel joint 226 is preferably fastened to the sub-panels 224 by sub- panel fasteners 228. Embodiments such as this were found to be useful for providing wide shelving structures without production equipment and/or re-tooling.

[0043] FIG 11 and 12 show an additional embodiment of the present shelving system further including an option for joining one of the panels 200 at an intermediate portion of another panel. Here, at least one of the panels 200 includes at least one, and preferably a plurality of, pin-connector apertures 230 in one or both faces 208 and/or 210 of the panel, in which pin connecters 232 can be perpendicularly received and fastened to connect selected panels. Pin connectors 232 are further correspondingly configured to be longitudinally received in and fastened within appropriate pin-receiving through-tunnels 233 at ends 211B, and secured inter alia by a means of securing elements (not shown, such as securing 268589 / 2 elements 206 shown in FIG 2E). As such, T-shaped shelving panel portions of modular furniture can be formed. It should be understood that pin connectors 232 can be configured in various angles so as to allow for non-right-angled panel connections.

[0044] With reference to FIG 13 and 14, it can be understood that in certain designed shelving assemblies, one or more ends 211B may end up being exposed. In such case, the shelving system can include a panel-end cover strip 234, which can be configured to snap-fit or otherwise fit into the end(s) 211B.

Panel-end cover strip 234 is optionally secured onto the end(s) 211B by end-strip securing elements 236.

[0045] It should be understood that the above description is merely exemplary and that there are various embodiments of the present invention that may be devised, mutatis mutandis, and that the features described in the above- described embodiments, and those not described herein, may be used separately or in any suitable combination; and the invention can be devised in accordance with embodiments not necessarily described above. 268589 / 4

Claims (22)

1. CLAIMS 1. An assemblable furniture shelving system comprising: (a) a plurality of panels, each panel of said plurality of panels being an extruded component comprising: (I) a first panel face and a second panel face; (II) a first panel end and a second panel end; (III) a first panel edge and a second panel edge, wherein said first and second panel edges comprising U-shaped channels extending along entire length between said first panel end and said second panel end; (IV) a plurality of panel-fastener through-tunnels, which are at least partially defined by through-beams; wherein said through-beams span an entire distance between said first panel face and said second panel face; wherein said through-beams extend an entire length between said first panel end and said second panel end; (b) a plurality of panel fasteners respectively linearly insertable into said plurality of said panel-fastener through-tunnels, which are at least partially defined by said through-beams, each one of said panel fasteners comprising at least two distinct pieces, forming an angle in-between said at least two distinct pieces ranging between 45 and 135 degrees, wherein each one of said at least two distinct pieces is insertable into panel-fastener through-tunnels of at least two adjacent panels; - 13 - 268589 / 4 (c) a plurality of securing elements laterally insertable, from said edges of said panels, throughout said U-shaped channels and further through said through-beams, into said through-tunnels and into said distinct pieces of said fasteners; wherein said securing elements are insertable into said fasteners in- between said first panel face and said second panel face of said panels; wherein said securing elements are insertable into said fasteners in parallel to said first panel face and said second panel face of said panels; wherein each one of said plurality of said panels is an extruded component; wherein said panel-fastener through-tunnels span an entire distance between said first panel face and said second panel face; wherein said panel-fastener through-tunnels extend an entire length between said first panel end and said second panel end; wherein said panel-fastener through-tunnels are entirely inboard of said panel edges and said panel fasteners are entirely received within said panel-fastener through-tunnels, whereby said fasteners are entirely hidden from view in all directions, upon assembling said shelving system; and wherein said panels are customizable in length while providing said panel-fastener through-tunnels for connecting between panels at each one of said ends of said panels regardless of an actual length of said panels; - 14 - 268589 / 4 wherein said securing elements are entirely inboard to said panels; wherein said securing elements are entirely hidden within said U- shaped channels on said first and second panel edges; wherein intactness of said first panel face and said second panel face is maintained.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the each of said plurality of panels comprise pin connector apertures in one or both of said ends thereof, formed by pin-receiving through-tunnels in said plurality of panels and said shelving system further comprises corresponding pin-connectors configured to fasten to said pin connector apertures.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of said plurality of panels further comprises one or more sub-panels.

4. The system of claim 1, further comprising pin connectors connecting at least one face of one of said plurality of panels to at least one end of another panel of said plurality of panels.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the fasteners include at least one configuration having an L-shape. - 15 - 268589 / 4

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the fasteners include at least one configuration having a T-shape.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the fasteners include at least one angled configuration.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the angled configuration includes a 45 degree angle or a 135 degree angle or a combination thereof.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the fasteners include at least one configuration having a cruciform-shape.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the fasteners include at least one configuration having a broad or leaf-type configuration.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of panels is composed of two sub-panels. - 16 - 268589 / 4

12. The system of claim 1, further comprising a panel-end cover strip configured to engage with at least one of said panel ends.

13. A kit-of-parts for assembling a modular furniture shelving system comprising: (a) a plurality of extruded panels, wherein each panel comprises: (I) a first panel face and a second panel face; (II) a first panel end and a second panel end; (III) a first panel edge and a second panel edge, wherein said first and second panel edges comprising U-shaped channels extending along entire length between said first panel end and said second panel end; (IV) a plurality of panel-fastener through-tunnels, which are at least partially defined by through-beams; wherein said through-beams span an entire distance between said first panel face and said second panel face; wherein said through-beams extend an entire length between said first panel end and said second panel end; (b) a plurality of panel fasteners respectively linearly insertable into said plurality of said panel-fastener through-tunnels at least partially defined by said through-beams, each one of said panel fasteners comprising at least two distinct pieces forming an angle in-between said at least two distinct pieces ranging between 45 and 135 - 17 - 268589 / 4 degrees, wherein each one of said at least two distinct pieces is insertable into a panel-fastener through-tunnel of at least two different panels; (c) a plurality of securing elements laterally insertable , from said edges of said panels, throughout said U-shaped channels and further through said through-beams, into said through-tunnels and into said distinct pieces of said fasteners; wherein said securing elements are insertable into said fasteners in- between said first panel face and said second panel face of said panels; wherein said securing elements are insertable into said fasteners in parallel to said first panel face and said second panel face of said panels; wherein each one of said plurality of said panels is an extruded component; wherein said panel-fastener through-tunnels span an entire distance between said first panel face and said second panel face; wherein said panel-fastener through-tunnels extend an entire length between said first panel end and said second panel end; wherein said panel-fastener through-tunnels are entirely inboard of said panel edges, whereby said fasteners are entirely hidden from view in all directions, upon assembling said shelving system; and wherein said panels are customizable in length while providing said panel-fastener through-tunnels for connecting between panels at each one of said ends of said panels regardless of an actual length of - 18 - 268589 / 4 said panels; wherein said securing elements are entirely inboard to said panel edges; wherein said securing elements are entirely hidden within said U- shaped channels on said first and second panel edges; wherein intactness of said first panel face and said second panel face are maintained.

14. The kit-of-parts as in claim 13, wherein the each of said plurality of panels comprise pin connector apertures in one or both of said ends thereof, formed by pin-receiving through-tunnels in said plurality of panels and said shelving system further comprises corresponding pin-connectors configured to fasten to said pin connector apertures.

15. The kit-of-parts as in claim 13, wherein the each of said plurality of panels further comprising at least one slat-shaped panel joint configured for combining a plurality of sub-panels.

16. The kit-of-parts as in claim 13, wherein the each of said plurality of panels further comprising a plurality of pin-connectors connecting at least one face of one of said plurality of panels to at least one end of another panel of said plurality of panels. - 19 - 268589 / 4

17. The kit-of-parts as in claim 13, wherein s fasteners include at least one configuration having an L-shape.

18. The kit-of-parts as in claim 13, wherein the fasteners include at least one configuration having a T-shape.

19. The kit-of-parts as in claim 13, wherein the fasteners include at least one angled configuration.

20. The kit-of-parts as in claim 19, wherein the angled configuration includes a 45 degree angle or a 135 degree angle or a combination thereof.

21. The kit-of-parts as in claim 13, wherein the fasteners include at least one configuration having a cruciform-shape.

22. The kit-of-parts as in claim 13, wherein the fasteners include at least one configuration having a broad or leaf-type configuration. - 20 - 268589 / 4 24. The kit-of-parts of claim 13, further comprising a panel-end cover strip configured to engage with at least one of said panel ends. 25. The system of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of panel-edge trim strips, configured to engage with said channels of said panel edges. 26. The kit of claim 13, further comprising a plurality of panel-edge trim strips, configured to engage with said channels of said panel edges. For The Applicant, x Andrey Vapniarsky Advocate | Patent Attorney - 21 - 268589 / 2 202 C D Fig. 2C 202 Fig. 2B Fig. 2D