DE102023004819A1 - Plug-in furniture family / range - Google Patents

Abstract

A family of interlocking furniture (assortment) characterized by its unique geometry: interlocking, plug-in connection, and right angles. Vertical support panels are interlocked and accommodated by milled channels, which can be located in one or more side, base, and/or top panels. The interlocking furniture family specifically includes tables, stools (see illustration), shelves, cabinets, chairs, sofas, armchairs, sideboards, bed frames, kitchen, bathroom, children's, school, and street furniture, among other items, as well as furnishings of all kinds. Interlocking furniture is simply constructed and can be assembled by almost anyone, as it is manufactured without the need for additional tools (mechanical stabilizers).

Description

The world population is expected to grow to approximately 10 billion by 2050. At the same time, the number of people with economic problems is increasing worldwide, including in Germany: more and more people have less and less. The richest 1% of the population (worldwide) has 44.5%( https://www.ubs.com/global/de/media/display-page-ndp/de-20230815-global-wealthreport-2023 . html#:-:text=Reduction%20of%20unequal%20wealth%20distribution,million%20to%2059%2C4%20million .) of wealth (see also ( https://www.ubs.com/global/en/family-office-uhnw/reports/global-wealth-report-2023.html The gap between rich and poor is widening: by 2050, the demand for good, durable, but also affordable everyday items will inevitably increase considerably, even in Europe.

The current market in the furniture and small furniture sector is largely characterized by an increase in complexity and sophistication (not least due to digitalization), which ultimately only makes the items more expensive. Furthermore, developments in recent years (various crises, wars, energy costs, inflation, etc.) have made products more expensive overall. This trend appears to be continuing.

What's needed, therefore, is a solution that makes everyday furnishings affordable, durable, reliable, and also attractive. This invention is the idea of plug-in furniture.

The invention of plug-in furniture presented here contributes to offsetting these price increases and consistently offering affordable furniture, small furniture, and furnishings, as various other products can be derived from the plug-in furniture product. These are essentially similar to plug-in furniture, differing only in dimensions, proportions, and materials.

The invention relates to the product family of plug-in furniture. Plug-in furniture refers to stable furniture, but by extension also to small pieces of furniture and other furnishings based on the inherent geometry of plug-in furniture. It requires no additional mechanical fasteners such as screws, rails, brackets, holders, etc., and can be assembled by anyone with virtually no prior knowledge or tools. For greater stability, glue may be applied at specific points, as plywood and similar materials are predominantly used initially. Other materials are conceivable.

The invention relates to the family or group of plug-in furniture, which pursue a unique geometric concept that determines its appearance. In this respect, the invention presented here is different from other products, as the shape of the product typically follows its intended use. This is different with plug-in furniture: it is not the intended use that determines its appearance, but rather the geometric concept. Practical and commercial usability is nevertheless maintained; the advantage lies in the fact that plug-in furniture products are less expensive than usual.

The geometric concept is the combination of three design principles: gearing, plug-in connection, and right angles. All components follow these geometric principles. This results in highly stable structures, lightweight products, and affordable prices.

The invention further relates to a family of plug-in furniture whose stability is not achieved through material thickness. The idea behind plug-in furniture is not weight, but lightness, which minimizes material consumption.

Due to its geometry, the invention relates to and encompasses multiple product modifications, all of which are inherently similar because they utilize the same geometric principles. The length, height, width, and material thickness of the invention can vary. The appearance and proportions of the plug-in furniture can be flat or tall, long or short, narrow or wide, thus being possible in any imaginable shape and size. On the other hand, the plug-in furniture family is limited by its established geometric principles.

The invention relates to manufacturing with minimal material, energy, labor, transport, packaging, and storage costs, thus making production and products cost-effective. Instead of disposal, reprocessing and recycling are also conceivable.

The idea and intention of the plug-in furniture is to create and manufacture a product family that is affordable and available to everyone.

Production is simple and efficient. The simplicity of the invention also reduces many of the costs of the further production and marketing chain: planning, design, packaging, transport, storage, assembly, use, and disposal/refurbishment. This inevitably makes the invention inexpensive and stable.

3) Characterization of the state of the art

The idea of producing simple, inexpensive furniture using a plug-in method is, of course, well-known. Examples include approaches from the Bauhaus movement in the early 20th century, as well as contemporary companies, inventors, and designers. All of the patents and utility models cited in the research have in common that they pursue a product idea, but not a concept. In these cases, the application determines the product geometry and its design. With the invention of plug-in furniture, the opposite is true: Here, the geometry determines the product and its design. There are a few references that come close to the idea of plug-in furniture, but only by chance and marginally. This cannot be compared with the conceptual intent of plug-in furniture.

3.1. Research

The databases of the DPMA, the European Patent Office and google.patents were searched.

The research yields several results.

File number 20 2011 104 735.4, filing date: 23.08.2011, Germany , concerns a piece of seating furniture that can be plugged together. This utility model is based on a plug-in construction in which two heavy, flat objects are plugged into each other at an angle. This type of plug-in connection generally requires heavier material thicknesses. The aforementioned file number intentionally refers to a more solid object, based on material thickness, not geometry.

File number CH715884B1 , filed on February 28, 2019, in Switzerland, also concerns a piece of seating furniture that can be plugged together. The subject matter is a single bench whose individual parts are plugged together. The production of this product requires increased energy and labor. According to the drawings, the aforementioned file number is likely intended as a traditional, solid bench; the product in question only functions with heavier, solid materials. The type of plug-in connection is based on material strength, not geometry and lightness.

File number DE 20 2004011 057 1, DE, utility model; filing date 08.07.2004; multi-purpose furniture, in particular a children's chair; relates to a multi-purpose piece of furniture that is assembled from complex molded parts.

File number DE 10107726 A1 , DE, patent, filing date 19.2.2001, relates to a stackable rocking chair.

DE 8711954 U1 , Utility Model 1987, DE, filing date 03.09.1987, children's play furniture.

AZ DE000001301940U , DE, utility model, filing date presumably May 8, 1934. The file number relates to a stackable stool. The handwritten text is illegible, as it dates from 1934. The drawings show that the supporting elements are designed to be interlocked. Furthermore, stability is achieved by two loop connections, each secured by (possibly) a rubber band or a band of other material in a designated notch.

File number: 20 2015 008 665.9, DE, filing date: December 21, 2015, modular plug-in furniture with undefined application; according to the sketch, presumably a shelf; uses additional mechanical elements for stabilization.

File number DE000019631683A1 Patent, filed August 6, 1996, plug-in stool, which can be used as a rocking chair or as a stationary stool by swapping the parts. Presumably a children's toy or piece of furniture. Protection claims for a construction consisting of semicircles and quarter circles with the same radius.

File number DE000029624261U1 , Patent, filing date August 6, 1996, Plug-in stool, which can be used both as a rocking chair and as a stationary stool by swapping the parts. Presumably a children's toy or piece of furniture. Identical to the file number. DE000019631683A1 .

File number DE202014006852U1 Utility model, filing date: August 22, 2014, a stool for a ball made from two pre-cut panels. According to the application, it is intended as an upholstered seat.

4. Problem to be solved by the invention: Which disadvantages should be eliminated?

• - Durch die Erfindung entstehen erschwingliche, stabile Produkte mit gestalterischem Niveau. Das Problem der sog. Billigmöbel, die letztlich oft qualitativ minderwertig sind und häufig nur deshalb gekauft werden, weil bestimmte Bevölkerungsgruppen sie bezahlen können, wird dadurch gelöst.
• - Es entstehen Produkte, die den Prinzipien Verzahnung, Steckverbindung und rechter Winkel folgen, dadurch automatisch ein hohes Maß an Funktionalität und Stabilität aufweisen und seltener ersetzt werden müssen, was wiederum den Anwendern entgegenkommt.
• - Die Herstellung der Produkte gemäß der Erfindung ist einfach und zwangsläufig ökonomisch sowie ökologisch positiv. Überkomplexe, technisch aufwändige Herstellungsprozesse werden vermieden.
• - Material, Energie und Arbeitskraft werden durch die Erfindung effizient und sparsam eingesetzt. Die im Rahmen der Erfindung hergestellten Produkte sind ressourcenschonend. Das Problem der Ressourcenvergeudung wird reduziert.
• - Jeder Artikel auf Basis der Erfindung ist in formal einfache Elemente zerlegbar; entsprechend platz- und raumsparend ist das Verpackungsdesign. Das Problem des übertriebenen und/oder zu Marketingzwecken gestalteten Verpackungsdesigns wird gelöst.
• - Kompaktes Verpackungsdesign benötigt weniger Lagerraum. Der Bedarf an Lagerraum (Hersteller, Handel) wird reduziert.
• - Das reduzierte Packungsdesign senkt das Packungsvolumen, was wiederum Transportkapazitäten optimaler nutzt. Das Problem der hohen Transportkosten für Hersteller und Handel wird reduziert.
• - Produkte gemäß der Erfindung sind nachhaltig, haltbar und stabil. Das Problem der durchaus verbreiteten geplanten Obsoleszenz wird im Rahmen des Steckmöbelkonzepts eliminiert.
• - Auf Basis der Steckmöbel-Idee entstehen ausschließlich Artikel, die denkbar einfach, ohne Werkzeug und ohne technische Vorkenntnisse montierbar sind. Das Problem des aus Endverbrauchersicht komplizierten Aufbaus wird gelöst.
• - Das Problem der übermäßigen Abfallproduktion durch unangemessenes Produkt- und Packungsdesign wird verringert; die Verpackungen können sparsam sein, da die Bauteile formal einfach sind. Klima, Umwelt und Finanzen werden geschont.
• - Das Problem der komplizierten Entsorgung wird gelöst: Durch das Konstruktionsprinzip der Erfindung sind zusätzliche Bauelemente zur Erreichung der Stabilität wie Schrauben, Scharniere, Bänder, etc. nicht nötig. Produkte, die auf dem Konzept der Erfindung basieren, können leicht und sortenrein entsorgt, ggf. auch aufgearbeitet oder umfunktioniert werden. Dies trägt zu einer Senkung des überschüssigen Abfalls bei.
• - Je schneller Produkte verfallen, desto größer der Konsum von Neuware. Die Erfindung trägt durch ihre Langlebigkeit zur Senkung des übermäßigen Konsums bei und hilft dem Konsumenten, zu sparen.

The following problems are eliminated by the invention:

• - The invention creates affordable, durable products with a high level of design. It solves the problem of so-called cheap furniture, which is often ultimately of inferior quality and is often only purchased because certain segments of the population can afford it.
• - Products are created that follow the principles of gearing, plug-in connection and right angles, thus automatically having a high degree of functionality and stability and needing to be replaced less frequently, which in turn benefits users.
• - The manufacture of the products according to the invention is simple and inevitably economically and ecologically beneficial. Overly complex, technically demanding manufacturing processes are avoided.
• - The invention uses materials, energy, and labor efficiently and economically. The products manufactured within the scope of the invention conserve resources. The problem of resource waste is reduced.
• - Each article based on the invention can be broken down into simple, formal elements; the packaging design is correspondingly space-saving. The problem of exaggerated and/or marketing-oriented packaging design is solved.
• - Compact packaging design requires less storage space. The need for storage space (manufacturers, retailers) is reduced.
• - The reduced packaging design reduces packaging volume, which in turn optimizes transport capacity. The problem of high transport costs for manufacturers and retailers is reduced.
• - Products according to the invention are sustainable, durable, and stable. The problem of planned obsolescence, which is quite widespread, is eliminated within the framework of the plug-in furniture concept.
• - Based on the plug-in furniture concept, only items are created that can be assembled with ease, without tools, and without prior technical knowledge. The problem of assembly, which is complicated from the end user's perspective, is solved.
• - The problem of excessive waste production due to inappropriate product and packaging design is reduced; packaging can be economical because the components are formally simple. Climate, environment, and finances are protected.
• - The problem of complicated disposal is solved: The design principle of the invention eliminates the need for additional components to achieve stability, such as screws, hinges, straps, etc. Products based on the concept of the invention can be easily and correctly disposed of, and if necessary, refurbished or repurposed. This contributes to a reduction in excess waste.
• - The faster products deteriorate, the greater the consumption of new goods. The invention's longevity contributes to reducing excessive consumption and helps consumers save money.

5. Inventive solution

Plug-in furniture consists, on the one hand, of cross-interlocking panel cuts, which enable vertical load-bearing capacity. These, in turn, are held on one, two, or more sides in specially designed, precisely fitting milling channels. The milling channels are located in the top, side, or base panels, which hold the panel cuts in place. The following structural and geometric principles are used here: a) interlocking, b) plug-in connection, c) right angle. See ( ; ); the example of plug-in furniture shown here (a footstool or stool) consists of only 5 components.

Regarding a) Interlocking joints create friction and provide stability. Regarding b) Plug-in connections force all components into the intended position and secure them there. Combining a), b), and c) creates stable structures that are well-suited for furniture construction. For further strengthening, the addition of regular glue can be used if necessary.
Regarding c) 90° angles produce the greatest possible static load capacity; individual material properties must, of course, be taken into account.

By combining the three principles, the plug-in stool, for example, creates a lightweight product body with a simple, highly resilient geometry/structure that can be easily plugged together and, in principle, assembled by anyone.

For a visualization of the three constructive principles see ( and ) among others

The plug-in stool ( ) represents the product family. Other furnishings can be derived from the same or similar design. These differ from the plug-in stool only in format, proportions, material, and, if applicable, the number and positioning of the milled channels.

Other products of the plug-in furniture family can be: tables, stools, shelves, cupboards, chairs, sofas, armchairs, sideboards, bed frames, children's furniture and similar of any kind ( , , , ).

Small furniture/accessories can include: footstools/stools, side tables, laundry bins, bistro tables, bar stools, waste bins, wastepaper baskets and much more.

1. a) handelsübliches Kleinmöbel: Steckmöbel/Fußschemel oder Höckerchen genannt, und
2. b) handelsübliches Möbel: Sideboard für den Wohnbereich ( ).

The technical implementation of the invention will be illustrated here using two concrete examples:

1. a) commercially available small furniture: plug-in furniture/footstool or stool, and
2. b) commercially available furniture: sideboard for the living area ( ).

To a) stool

( ) shows the complete product (stool). You can see the tread and base, consisting of longitudinal and cross supports. The tread has a tread on the underside ( ) milled recesses; these accommodate the longitudinal ( ) and cross supports on ( , ).

Overall, the design principle of this plug-in furniture example results in various friction surfaces and points that give the construction a high level of stability ( Example: A non-glued plywood structure with a material thickness of 10 mm supports 112 kg (tested).

The glued construction supports more weight, and a 12 mm thick plywood construction allows for correspondingly higher loads. The average weight of a man in Germany is currently 85.8 kg (https://de.statista.com/statistik/daten/studie/260920/umfrage/mittelwerte-vongroesse-gewicht-und-bmi-bei-maennern-nach-alter/#:-:text=Die%20durchschnittliche%20K %C3%B6rpergr%C3%B6%C3%9Fe%20von%20M%C3%A4nnern,BMI%20von%2026%2C8%20Punkten.), less for women. This makes the footstool suitable for the majority of the population.

In general, other materials are also conceivable within the scope of the invention, e.g. pure wood, MDF, HDF, plastics, Plexi, glass, metals, material combinations of any kind, etc.

Surface treatments of all kinds are also conceivable, e.g. coating with extremely non-slip materials, printing, etc.

Furthermore, the invention relates to a minimum of packaging and storage costs. This is again demonstrated by the example of the footstool ( and ). The components of a stool with a material thickness of 10 mm in the unassembled state have a height of approximately 50 mm, and W and L correspond to the (assumed) stool format of approximately 36 x 23 cm.

To b) Sideboard

( ) shows an example of another possible product resulting from the invention, a sideboard. It is constructed in a similar way to the stool ( ) and simply has different proportions and an additional base plate with milled channels. It is conceivable to open the vertical panel cuts to utilize the interior space (no drawing).

Further derivatives

How ( ) shows, many further derivations from the presented construction principle are conceivable, the picture shows, for example, a garden bench.

QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• CH 715884B1 [0017]
• DE 10107726 A1 [0019]
• DE 8711954 U1 [0020]
• DE 000001301940U [0021]
• DE 000019631683A1 [0023, 0024]
• DE 000029624261U1 [0024]
• DE 202014006852U1 [0025]

Cited non-patent literature

• https://www.ubs.com/global/de/media/display-page-ndp/de-20230815-global-wealthreport-2023 [0001]
• html#:-:text=Reduction%20of%20unequal%20wealth%20distribution,million%20to%2059%2C4%20million [0001]
• https://www.ubs.com/global/en/family-office-uhnw/reports/global-wealth-report-2023.html [0001]
• File number 20 2011 104 735.4, filing date: 23.08.2011, Germany [0016]

Claims (10)

Plug-in furniture family (range) characterized by the fact that it follows its own geometry: load-bearing, vertical support plates are interlocked (toothing) and are held by milling channels that exactly match the material thickness and are fixed by these (plug connection), which can be located in one or more side, base and/or cover plates ( until ); Plug-in furniture family according to Claim 1 characterized in that , for reasons of stability, only right angles (90° angles) are used in the product geometry; Plug-in furniture family according to Claim 1 and 2 characterized in that it specifically includes the products tables, stools, shelves, cupboards, chairs, sofas, armchairs, sideboards, bed frames, kitchen, bathroom, school, children's and street furniture of all kinds; Plug-in furniture family according to Claim 1 until 3 characterized in that further furnishings of any kind (small furniture, home/office accessories) can be derived, provided that they are in principle identical or similar to the plug-in furniture and differ only in size, proportion and material; Plug-in furniture family according to Claim 1 until 4 characterized in that the disassembly into simple geometric elements is possible; Plug-in furniture family according to Claim 1 until 5 characterized in that , apart from glue, no other additives or aids such as screws, nails, clamps, mechanical stabilizers, etc. are used; Plug-in furniture family according to Claim 1 until 5 characterized in that the products (depending on their condition) are recyclable and waste is largely avoided Plug-in furniture family according to Claim 1 until 7 characterized by the fact that the entire value chain is positively influenced ecologically and economically; this includes product planning, design, production, packaging, transport, storage, assembly, use, disposal/reprocessing Plug-in furniture family according to Claim 1 until 8 , characterized in that the assembly of the products by the end user is possible without special tools and without significant prior knowledge; Plug-in furniture family according to Claim 1 until 9 characterized in that different materials, e.g. plywood, cardboard, paper, metal, plastic, wood, glass, plexiglass, concrete, aerated concrete, etc. as well as a mix of materials can be used.

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