WO2006115445A1

WO2006115445A1 - Modular furniture

Info

Publication number: WO2006115445A1
Application number: PCT/SE2006/000402
Authority: WO
Inventors: Peter Stjernberg
Original assignee: Montestella Ab
Priority date: 2005-04-27
Filing date: 2006-04-04
Publication date: 2006-11-02
Also published as: EP1876923A1; SE530134C2; SE0500950L

Abstract

An item of modular furniture which comprises a number of frames (3) which Eire disposed above one another. The frames are interconnected to posts (4), and the lowermost of the frames rests on legs (5). The legs and the posts are connected to the frames with the aid of connection means that include puJlrods that are secured by nuts interiorly in legs or posts. The frames rest on the upper ends of the posts or the legs. The nuts have fixing means that are intended to accommodate one or two pullrods. The nuts are elongate and have an inner fixing means and engagement means for a torque tool. The legs, posts and frames are produced from hollow profiles.

Description

MODULAR FURNITURE

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to modulaτ furniture comprising a number of mutually superposed frames, a number of posts interconnecting the frames to one another, and possibly also legs extending in the longitudinal direction of the posts, as well as connecting devices for interconnecting the frames and the posts.

BACKGROUND ART

There is an infinite number of different shelving systems available on the market, with a plurality of various joining techniques, in particular in the connection of shelving systems which include shelves with legs/posts included in a shelf unit, legs for a storage shelf etc. The shelving systems are often produced from metal, plastic or wood.

One shelving system which is often used in the exposure and sale of products is built-up from opposing elongate frames or alternatively posts that extend throughout the entire height of the shelving, which are often free standing in space. The frames have recesses in which are disposed a plurality of shelves connected together by wire struts with projecting hook-shaped ends.

Another shelving system, which is disclosed in DE 3 501 099, is built up from shelves with through-going holes in their corners. Posts are disposed in the through- going holes, the posts each having an interiorly threaded end and an exteriorly threaded end. One of the posts with an interiorly threaded end is disposed in one hole and mounted together with another post with the exteriorly threaded end. Depending on the purposes of the user, a plurality of shelves can be mounted one above the other. Another shelving system, which is disclosed in EP 0299 695 has several shelf levels in which through- going holes in the corners are provided. In the holes, first sleeves are mounted from the undersides of the shelves, the first sleeves having inner fixing means and outer flanges on which the shelves rest. From the underside of the first sleeves, posts with outer ends with fixing means are disposed. From the upper sides of the shelves, second sleeves with ends provided with fixing means and outer flanges are threaded in position. The second sleeves also have an end with inner fixing means in which the posts may be threaded.

The above-described shelving systems are produced from specially manufactured parts and are thus expensive and complicated to produce. Nor are the shelving systems particularly aesthetically attractive.

PROBLEM STRUCTURE

It is thus the object of the present invention to realise a both vertically and laterally modular furniture unit in the form of a modular system which is flexible in the choice of the number of shelves, as well as simple to assemble and dismantle. It is further an object of the present invention to design the furniture unit so that, in the dismantled state, it can be packed with compact dimensions and that it may be economical in manufacture, for the greater part from standard components.

SOLUTION

The objects forming the basis of the present invention will be attained if the modular furniture intimated by way of introduction is characterised in that the posts, the legs and the frames arc manufactured from hollow profiles, that a pullrod is secured in the one end interiorly in a post or a leg, that a frame rests on the opposing end of the post or the leg, that a nut is disposed interiorly in the frame for tightening thereof against the end surface of the post or the leg, and that the nut has fixing means for an additional pullrod in line with the fist.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

The present invention will now be described in greater detail hereinbelow with reference to the accompanying Drawings. In the accompanying Drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the subject matter of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a frame mounted on a leg or a post;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view through a nut;

Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a leg;

Fig. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a first frame provided with legs on mounting of a post;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a comer of a frame;

Fig. 7 is an exploded perspective view of a frame and a U-shaped frame;

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a U-shapcd frame mounted on a frame;

Fig. 9 is an exploded perspective view of an anchorage of a laterally mounted U-shaped frame which is mirror-reversed in relation to Figs. 7 and S; and

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of a fitting with guide heels. DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

References in the text which relate to directions, such as upwards and downwards, refer to the normal use of the subject matter of the present invention, standing on a surface such as a floor.

A modular item of furniture which is shown in Pj g. 1 relates to a shelving unit 1 with one or more shelves 2 which can be built-up subsequently as the need for additional shelves 2 increases. The modular furniture is preferably produced from cut profiles and rods of standard dimensions from metal or plastic.

The modular furniture includes a plurality of frames 3 which are disposed above one another. The frames 3 are interconnected to one another via posts 4 and possibly also legs 5 extending in the longitudinal direction of the posts 4, and also connecting means whose components are shown in the exploded view in Fig. 4.

The posts 4, the legs 5 and the frames 3 are preferably manufactured from hollow profiles of metal or plastic, for example square tubes. Interiorly in each one of the posts 4 and the legs 5, a pullrod 7 is secured in one end. A frame 3 rests on the opposing end of the post or the leg.

Interiorly in the frame, a nut S is disposed which is shown in Fig. 2 for tightening of the frame 3 against the end surface of the post 4 or the leg 5 with the aid of a first pullrod 7. In such instance, the lower end surface of the nut rests on a lower defrn- ing wall in the square tube from which the frame 3 is produced. The nut 8 lias threads 10 for an additional pullrod 7 in line with the first pullrod 7. The nut 8 and the pullrods 7 have threads 10 and 24 which complement one another. It is apparent from Fig. 2 that the upper end surface of the nut 8 is visible in a corresponding aperture 17 in the upper defining wall in the square tube from which the frame 3 is produced. Thus, the nut is of a height which is slightly less (the material thickness of the square tube) than the extent of the frame in the vertical direction.

The nut 8, which is shown in Fig. 3, is elongate with a longitudinal and through- going hole 9 provided with interior threads 10- The threads 10 are of a length which is sufficient for securing two pullrods 7. The threads 10, 24 in the nut and in the ends of the pullrods are preferably threaded portions, but may also be formed in other ways, such as bayonet catches, snap catches, hooks on the pullrods 7 which engage with holes in the nuts S₅ etc.

The nut 8 further ahs an engagement means 12 for a torque tool and freely exposed in the aperture 17 in the upper side of the frame for facilitating tightening of the nut 8 on the pullrod 7 on mounting of the shelving system. In such instance, it is important that the upper end of the nut and the engagement means 12 do not extend up above the upper surface of the frame. The engagement means 12 may be an interior polygonal mount for engagement with, for example, an Allan key. The inner transverse dimension of the polygonal mount is larger than the transverse dimension of the inner thread 10, for realising the passage of a pullrod 7 from both ends of the nut 8.

The engagement means 12 may also be a groove provided on an end surface of the nut 8 for realising engagement with, for example, a screwdriver. The engagement means 12 may also be a polygonal mount disposed on the outside of the nut 8 for engagement with a socket wrench.

The pullrods 7 that are shown in Figs. 4 and 5 are elongate and are of a length which is longer than the length of the posts 4 and the legs 5 for realising engagement with the nuts 8 when they are mounted interiorly in the posts 4 and the legs 5. For abutment against a floor surface, the legs 5 display support members 13 with an outer configuration which preferably corresponds to the outer configuration of the legs 5, and with a longitudinal and through-going hole 14. The support members 13 also have a reduced portion 15 for insertion and placing inside a lower end of a leg 5. Feet 16 are provided in the support members 13, the feet having inner fixing means for fixing the pullrods 7. The inner fixing means in the feet 16 are preferably threads, but may also be formed in different ways in accordance with the fixing means 24 of the pullrods 7. The through-going hole 14 may be provided with threads for engagement with the threads of the pullrods 7. The threads 24 may thus be of a length which both realises engagement with the thread in the through-going hole 14 and the interior thread in the foot 16. By such means, the feet 16 may possibly be vertically adjusted independently of the support members 13, for example on positioning a shelving unit 1 on an uneven floor. The support member 13 may also be provided with an inner thread for engagement with an external thread on the foot 16 for realising individual vertical adjustment of each respective leg.

The frames 3 have through-going holes 17 which arc shown in Fig. 6, which, on the upper side of the frame 3, display larger transverse dimensions than the outer transverse dimensions of the nut 8 for realising insertion of the nut 8. The through-going holes 17 on the underside of the frame are of smaller transverse dimensions than the outer transverse dimensions of the nut 8 for realising fixing of the frame 3 in relation to the legs 5 and the posts 4. The through-going holes 17 are preferably placed in the corners of the frame 3, but may also be placed at other positions, such as on the longitudinal edges of the frames 3.

The frames 3 are produced from hollow profiles, preferably by welding, the corners of the frames having open ends 18 which are concealed by fittings 19, Each fitting 19 has a reduced portion 20 for insertion and clamp fit inside one end of a leg 5 or a post 4, as well as a through-going hole 21 for passage of a pullrod 7. Each fitting 19 also has an upright end plate 22 which prevents rotation of the leg 5 or the post 4 in relation to the frame 3 on mounting of the legs 5 and the posts 4, and also conceals the open ends of the frame 3. The upright end plate 22 is disposed on one of the edges of the fitting 19.

The upright end plate 22 of the fitting 19 may be provided with a through-going, preferably countersunk hole 25, which is shown in Figs. 9 and 10. In the hole 25, a fixing device 26 is disposed, such as, for example, a screw, this being provided for anchorage in a fixed nut 27 disposed inside an open end 28 on a U-shaped frame 29 disposed laterally in relation to the frame 3.

The upright end plate 22 of the fitting 19 may also be provided with guide heels 30 disposed externally on the upright end plate of the fitting, for guiding into an open end 28 on the U-shaped frame 29. The guide heels 30 are disposed a distance from the circumferential edges 31 of the upright end plate 22. The guide heels may be substantially V-shaped and disposed in the corner regions or alternatively elongate and disposed along the circumferential edges 31.

The frames 3 have, in their corners, rigidifying and unifying elements 23 for rigidi- fying and unifying the frames 3. The rigidifying and unifying elements 23 also fulfil the function of supports for shelves 2 disposed in/on the frame 3.

The U-shaped frame 29 is composed and formed from three hollow profiles, as well as rigidifying and unifying elements 23 disposed in the corners of the frame 29. Thus, the U-shaped frame 29 is constructed substantially in analogy with the frame 3.

The corners of the U-shaped frame 29 which are shown to the right in Fig. 7 are formed like the comers of the frame 3, illustrated to the right in the Figure, it being possible to build on legs 5 and posts 4 as has been described above. The corners of the frame 29, to the right in Fig. 7, arc thus covered by fittings 19. Alternatively, the comers to the right in Fig. 7 may be corrected to another additional U-shaped frame 29. The shelving unit 1 is thus of modular stepwise build up design in the lateral direction with additional sections.

The shelving system can be supplied to the user in modules where a module may include a basic construction kit where legs 5, a frame 3, connection devices and a shelf 2 are included, another module may comprise an additional frame, a shelf 2 with associated posts 4 and connection devices. Alternatively, modules with complete shelving systems in building kits can be supplied to the user. On mounting of a first shelf section in the shelving system as shown in Fig. 4, a foot 16 is mounted on a support member 13, whereafter a pullrod 7 is passed in through the through-going hole 14 of the support member 13 into engagement with the inner fixing means of the foot 16. A leg 5 is passed over the pullrod 7, whereafter the leg 5 is pressed in position into engagement with the support member 13. A fitting 19 is placed in position on the other end of the leg 5 over the upright pullrod 7, When the requisite number of legs 5 has been mounted together, the legs 5 are mounted in place on the frame 3 with the aid of nuts 8 as shown in. Figs. 2 and 6, these being threaded on the ends of the upright pullrods 7 and being tightened possibly with the aid of a torque tool.

On mounting of a second shelf section, as shown in Fig. 5, additional pullrods 7 are secured in the nuts 8 included in the fist shelf section. Posts 4 are passed on the outside of the pullrods 7, whereafter fittings 19 are mounted in the free ends of the posts 4. A frame 3 is disposed on the fittings 19 and threaded in position with nuts 8 which are tightened on the ends of the upright pullrods 7 and possibly tightened finally with the aid of a torque tool, whereafter additional shelf sections can be mounted in position to meet the needs of the user.

On mounting of a laterally mounted U-shaped frame 29, fittings 19 are provided with have holes 25 through the upright end plates 22 in those corners of the shelf section which are to be connected to the U-shaped frames 29 as shown in Figs. 7 and S.

The mounting of the shelving system may also be put into effect in a different sequence than that which has been described above.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. Modular furniture comprising; a number of mutually superposed frames (3), a number of posts (4) interconnecting the frames to one another, and consisting of hollow profiles, possibly also legs (5) extending in the longitudinal direction of the posts consisting of hollow profiles, a number of pullrods which, with their one ends, are secured interiorly in a post or a leg, a frame resting on the opposing end of the post or the leg, and a number of nuts for fixedly tightening the frame against the end surface of the post or the leg, the nuts having fixing means (10) for an addi- tional pullrod (7) in line with the first, characterised in that the frames (3) are produced from hollow profile material, the nuts (8) being disposed interiorly therein, that the profile material of the frames has open ends at the corners of the frames, that the open ends are concealed by end plates (22) which are disposed on fittings (19) secured in the posts (4) or the legs (5), whereby relative rotation is prevented between a frame, a post and a lag, respectively.

2. The modular furniture as claimed in Claim 1, characterised in that the fittings (19) have a reduced portion (20) for positioning inside one end of a leg (5) or a post (4), as well as through-going holes (21) for passage of a pullrod (7).

3. The modular furniture as claimed in any of Claims 1 or 2, characterised in that the fittings (19) have an upright end plate (22) with a through-going hole (25) for securing of a laterally U-shaped frame (29).

4. The modular furniture as claimed in Claim 3, characterised in that the upright end plate (22) of the fitting (19) has outer guide heels (30) provided for guiding into an open end (28) on the U-shapcd frame (29).

5. The modular furniture as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the nut (8) is elongate and has inner fixing means (10) of a sufficient length for securing of two pullrods (7), and that the nut (S) has engagement means (12) for a torque tool.

6. The modular furniture as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the pullrods (7) are of a length which is longer than the posts (4) or the legs

(5).

7. The modular furniture as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the legs (5) have support means (13) with a reduced portion (15) forposition- ing inside one end of a leg (5).

8. The modular furniture as claimed in Claim 7, characterised in that the support means (13) have feet (16) in which the pullrods (7) are fixed, in interior fixing means.

9. The modular furniture as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 8, characterised in that the frames (3) have through-going holes (17) which, on the upper side of the frame (3), are of greater transverse dimensions than the outer transverse dimensions ofthe nut (8).

10. The modular furniture as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 9, characterised in that the frames (3, 29) have rigidifying and unifying elements (23) in their comers which also fulfil the function of support for shelves (2).