DE20017132U1 - Shelving system - Google Patents

Description

VIOLA HER

Shelving system

The invention relates to a furniture system that can be assembled and disassembled at the installation site.

It is generally known that furniture elements that are to be connected to one another, such as shelves and shelf sides that are to be connected to one another, can be joined together by gluing as a permanent connection or by screw connections and/or plug connections as a detachable connection. Gluing leads to a greatly restricted variability when it comes to making necessary adjustments to the system to changing space or usage requirements and prevents space-saving dismantling into individual parts. The use of screw connections when joining panels together allows for significantly greater variability, but assembly and disassembly remains time-consuming and requires appropriate tools. With the known screw connections, extremely complex special parts are manufactured for this purpose, which are correspondingly costly. These special parts are designed differently when used as corner, node and connection points for the panels of a furniture system.
The back panels of shelves and cabinets are generally held in narrow panel grooves and/or are screwed to the panels. Assembly and disassembly is time-consuming. The edges of the thin back panels are generally very sensitive to impact. There is a risk of damage if they are repeatedly assembled and disassembled.

DE 38 18 554 discloses a shelving system in which the side walls and shelves are connected by aluminum angle rails, the legs of which engage in horizontal grooves in the side walls and vertical grooves in the underside of the shelves. The aluminum angle rails must be secured to the side walls with screws or pins to prevent them from moving sideways. Drilling the rails and side walls to ensure a precise fit, as well as screwing or pinning them together requires the user to have the appropriate tools and some skill. If space or usage requirements change, system parts must be replaced if the height and/or width changes. If the shelf width changes, all aluminum angle rails must be replaced with correspondingly longer ones. The existing holes in the side walls must match the holes in the new angle rails. For the layman, achieving such a precise fit between the two holes is somewhat difficult. A loss of quality of the fit is possible with repeated dimensional changes.

d Changes to the system are pre-programmed. If the shelf height is changed

VIOLA HER

All side parts must be replaced with longer ones. When the shelf is enlarged or reduced in size, numerous useless leftover elements are created that can only be used again by purchasing new parts. System changes therefore involve relatively high conversion costs and are very time-consuming and not without problems due to the manual work required.

DE-G 296 08 565 describes a shelving system with profile bars forming connecting elements and with panels forming walls, floors and similar elements for dismantling assembly at the installation site, the profile bars of which can be inserted with at least two legs enclosing a right angle into the corresponding grooves in the front faces of the panels and are held together there by a detachable securing device. This system requires three differently designed profile bars in order to be able to create the panel connection points in the shelving system. These profile bars are not commercially available profiles or finished parts. They were designed for the system and are relatively expensive as special products. Several production steps are necessary to produce the system panels so that they can be connected to the profile bars forming connecting elements. The grooves in the front faces of the panels, which are necessary to accommodate the profile bar legs, rule out the use of thinner and material-saving panels. The handling during assembly and disassembly of the plate connections is relatively time-consuming due to the numerous securing devices that have to be inserted/removed and requires appropriate tools.

Werner Aisslinger's modular shelving system and M. von Gerkan's modular wall unit also use profiles that form connecting elements for the plug-in connections between the panels. The panel connection points in the system, i.e. corner, T and cross connections, can also only be made using three differently designed profiles. These are not commercially available prefabricated parts, but custom-made products. Here too, numerous production steps are necessary to produce the panels. In both systems, the panels are mitred and provided with a groove for inserting the profiles. Experience has shown that the mitres on the system panels to be connected are extremely sensitive to impact and can be damaged during repeated assembly and disassembly, as well as during transport. The result is a continuously increasing loss of quality in the system panels. Due to the numerous screw and plug connections, assembly/disassembly is very time-consuming and can also only be carried out with the appropriate tools.

VIOLA HER

In contrast to the previously listed plug-in connections, the Koberstein-Möbelbau shelf uses a commercially available and inexpensive profile - designed as a square tube profile. This is inserted into the grooves provided for this purpose on the front edges of the shelves and sides. A cross junction with four panels can be easily created. However, if the plug-in system with the corresponding profile is used to connect fewer panels, i.e. for corner and T-connections, the resulting free spaces within the profile must be filled with additional fitting pieces. With this plug-in connection, the panels are also mitred and are therefore sensitive to impact.

DE 198 02 176 discloses a plug connection by means of which furniture units can be connected to one another or separated from one another again. A connecting profile, essentially designed as a flat bar, is used and inserted into the slots on the contact surfaces of the furniture units.

The plug-in connection only allows two panel surfaces to be connected in a form-fitting manner. This results in the material thickness being doubled. The furniture units to be connected cannot be dismantled into space-saving and weight-reducing individual parts because the corner connection points of the panels are not designed as detachable connections. Transporting the elements requires a relatively large amount of force. The slots in the panel surfaces mean that thinner panels, which would lead to a reduction in weight, cannot be used. Every connection between two furniture units results in a panel being doubled and thus unnecessary material being wasted.

The invention is based on the object of providing a furniture system in which the connection points of the panels can be produced safely, quickly, easily and inexpensively without special tools and can be connected to one another in a form-fitting manner by the shelf sides and shelves or panels of furniture systems. These elements can be easily separated from one another and the system can be dismantled into space-saving individual parts. The object is achieved according to the invention in that the front and rear end edges of each side wall have two horizontal grooves in the upper and lower areas and the front and rear end edges of each shelf have two vertical grooves on the left and right. By inserting a connecting clamp, either a profile designed as a square tube or a rectangular tube, into the grooves of the panels to be connected, a form-fitting, stable connection is created by the interlocking of the profile clamp with the side wall and shelf. Up to four panels can be connected at the same time with one connecting clamp. The number of panels to be connected and thus the respective

VIOLA HER

The connection point to be created in the furniture system (corner, T or node point) determines the grooves into which the profile is inserted. All panel connection points in a shelving system can be created with a single profile. All that is required is to place the corresponding panels together and insert the connecting clip, a commercially available profile, into the corresponding grooves on the front edges.

The rear walls of the furniture system have a continuous fold. There is also a slot in the upper and lower areas of the rear wall panel. This is used to pass through a profile leg of a U-profile. The rear wall is fitted through the fold. A profile clamp leg is passed through the slot in the rear wall and the U-profile is then placed on the base plate. This makes it easy to set up the furniture system either with or without rear walls.
The furniture system gives the user a high degree of freedom and variability in the design of their living spaces. The profile clamps enable particularly simple and cost-effective production of shelves and furniture systems. The ease of assembly and disassembly leads to considerable time savings and thus also cost savings. This makes the furniture system ideal not only for private use, but also for retail outlets and trade fairs. By using the connecting clamps, a shelf or furniture system can be adapted to different room conditions and enables space-saving, quick and weight-reducing disassembly into individual parts when the room changes or when transporting.

The invention is based on the knowledge that a secure, firm and positive connection of the panels of a piece of furniture is possible by means of a connecting element which is essentially designed either as a square tube or as a rectangular tube and which is inserted into the grooves of the adjacent panel front edges without further fastening. According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, when using a rectangular tube as a connecting clamp, the thickness of the panels to be connected corresponds to the smaller clear internal dimension of the rectangular tube. In principle, it is of course also possible for a square tube to be used as a connecting element and for the panel thickness of the shelf wall and shelf base to be different. Aluminum profiles are preferably used as connecting profiles. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the elements to be connected are panels of a modular shelf or furniture system. Adjacent panels are connected to one another by the profile. To increase versatility, it can be provided, for example, that the side walls have different heights in order to be able to hold folders, paperbacks or audio media without wasting space.

VIOLA HER

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in a shelving system. If only objects with a small depth are to be stored, the depth of the panel can be reduced accordingly. These designs are also possible without additional manufacturing costs. To increase the versatility of the system, it can be provided, for example, that a flat profile with an internal thread is inserted on the lower inside of a rectangular tube profile, which serves to accommodate an adjustable foot. The furniture can thus compensate for unevenness at the installation site. When used in this way, the rectangular tube profile must also be modified by drilling a hole on the underside of the profile. 10

The invention is explained below with reference to the figures of the drawing using several exemplary embodiments. They show:

Fig.l Connection of two panels with a square tube profile according to a furniture system according to the invention
Fig.2 Connection of three plates with a square tube profile according to a

inventive furniture system
Fig.3 Connection of four panels with a square tube profile according to a furniture system according to the invention

Fig.4 Connection of two panels with a rectangular tube profile according to a furniture system according to the invention

Fig.5 Connection of three plates with a rectangular tube profile according to a

inventive furniture system
Fig.6 Connection of four panels with a rectangular tube profile according to a furniture system according to the invention

Fig.7 Connection of four panels with a rectangular tube profile to form a shelf or furniture element according to Fig.4

Fig.8 Side view of a shelf or furniture element according to Fig.7 Fig.9 a shelf system composed of several panels according to Fig. 4, 5 and 6 in horizontal and vertical planes Fig. 10 Front view of a rear wall of the furniture system according to the invention

Fig.l 1 Side view of a fastening clamp for a rear wall of the furniture system according to the invention
Fig. 12 Side view of a shelf or furniture element according to Fig.7 and 8 with inserted rear wall

Fig. 13 Front view of a rectangular tube profile according to another embodiment when using square tube profiles as connecting clamp according to Fig. 1, 2 and 3

Fig. 14 Front view of a rectangular tube profile according to another embodiment when using rectangular tube profiles as connecting clamp according to Fig.4,5, and 6

VJ O,LA HERR

Fig.15 View of a shelf or furniture element according to Fig.7 when using adjustable feet according to Fig.14

Fig. 1, 2 and 3 show the connection of two, three and four panels of a furniture system according to the invention using a square tube profile (la) as a connecting clamp. Each panel (2a, 3a) has two grooves on the left and right edge of the front edge. Depending on the number of panels to be connected, the profile (la) is inserted into one of the two grooves. Fig. 4, 5 and 6 show the connection of two, three and four panels of a furniture system according to the invention using a rectangular tube profile as a connecting clamp. In a preferred embodiment, the panels (2b, 3b) have a material thickness of 16 mm and the preferred rectangular tube profile (Ib) has a wall thickness of 2 mm with an external dimension of 20 mm x 40 mm. Fig. 7 and 8 show the front and side view of four panels connected by means of a rectangular tube profile to form a system unit. In a preferred embodiment, the rectangular tube profiles (Ib) have a depth of 20 mm. Fig. 9 shows a shelving system in which a total of 12 shelves (3b) and 12 shelf sides (2b) are connected to one another in the horizontal and vertical direction, as shown in relation to Fig. 4, 5 and 6. In principle, any variation of a shelving or furniture system can be realized using the plates (2b, 3b) and the profile clamps (1b).

Fig. 10 shows a rear wall (6) of the furniture system according to the invention with a circumferential fold (8,9) and two slots (7).
Fig.l 1 shows the U-profile clamp (10) with which a rear wall (6) is attached to the panels (3b). The wall thickness of the U-profile legs (10) corresponds to the width of the slots (7) in the rear wall (6).

Fig. 12 shows the side view of a system unit of four connected plates (2b, 3b) with a rear wall (6), which is connected to the plates (3b) by a U-profile clamp (10) at the top and bottom.

Fig. 13 and 14 show a further embodiment of the profile, which has a hole on the lower side and is supplemented on the inside by a flat profile (12) with a threaded hole. The profile can therefore also be connected to an adjustable foot (14).
Fig. 13 shows the profile design when using square tube profiles (la) and Fig. 14 when using rectangular tube profiles (Ib). Fig. 15 shows the front view of four connected panels to form a system unit. The lower rectangular tube profiles (11 b) are designed with adjustable feet (14) as in Fig. 14 and can therefore compensate for uneven floors.

VIOLA HER

Non-patent literature cited:

1. Shelving system by Werner Aisslinger "Endless shelf"

Magazine "md (furniture interior design)"

Issue 5/94 Pages 82 and 83

(Konradin Verlag, 70771 Leinfelden-Echterdingen)

Book “International Design Yearbook 1995/96” Jean Nouvel

Bangert Verlag ISBN 3-925560-44-0

2. Modular shelving unit / cupboard wall by M. von Gerkan

Book "Furniture - Furniture by Meinhard von Gerkan" From page 64 / from page 70
1998 Ostfildern, Hatje Verlag
ISBN 3-7757-0766-2

3. Shelving system from Koberstein Möbelbau

Book “Hamburg Design” 1996,
Page 59

Dölling & Galitz Verlag, Hamburg ISBN 3930802368

Claims (8)

1. Furniture system, characterized in that the panels are connected to one another by connecting profiles which are designed either as rectangular tube profiles ( 1 b) or as square tube profiles ( 1 a). 2. Furniture system according to claim 1 , characterized in that the front and rear edge of each panel ( 2 a, 3 a/ 2 b, 3 b) has two grooves ( 4 a, 5 a/ 4 b, 5 b) on the left and right. 3. Furniture system according to claim 2 , characterized in that the width of the grooves ( 4 a, 5 a/ 4 b, 5 b) corresponds to the wall thickness of the connecting profile used ( 1 a, 1 b). 4. Furniture system according to one or more of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that when connecting two panels ( 2 a, 3 a/ 2 b, 3 b) the profile ( 1 a, 1 b) is inserted into the respective inner groove. 5. Furniture system according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that when connecting three panels, the profile ( 1 a, 1 b) is inserted into the respective outer grooves in the horizontally aligned panels ( 3 a/ 3 b) and into the inner groove in the vertical panel ( 2 a/ 2 b). 6. Furniture system according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that when connecting four panels, the connecting profile ( 1 a/ 1 b) is inserted into the outer groove of each panel. 7. Furniture system according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the rear wall panels (b) have a circumferential fold ( 8 , 9 ) and each have a slot ( 7 ) in the upper and lower region. 8. Furniture system according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the rear walls are connected to the panels ( 3 a/ 3 b) by U-profiles ( 10 ) which are placed over the latter, one leg of a U-profile ( 10 ) being inserted into the slots ( 7 ) of the rear wall panels ( 6 ).