DE29608565U1 - Shelving system - Google Patents

Description

Description

The invention relates to furniture systems, in particular to furniture systems that can be assembled and disassembled at the installation site.

A large number of different connection and fastening systems have been developed for this purpose in the past. For example, CH-PS 412 242 describes a detachable connection of several components using connecting elements that are anchored in or on the components. The connecting element has legs called tabs that are put together to form a profile bar called a profile. The components are held together under pressure using a clamping device, in that the components to be connected are clamped together using their interlocking component ends under the effect of the clamping device. The clamping device comprises an eccentric that can be inserted into openings with guide tracks in the tabs of the connecting elements.

The eccentric is a special component that has a very complicated shape - because it is not necessarily rotationally symmetrical - and is therefore difficult to manufacture. In addition, the use of an eccentric greatly limits the maximum available pressure.

From DE-G 94 01 222 a shelf and/or cabinet system 0 with profile bars forming connecting elements and with panels forming walls, floors and the like for dismantling assembly at the installation site is known, the profile bars of which can be inserted with at least two legs enclosing a right angle into grooves in the front faces of the panels and are held together there by a detachable securing means. A screw and a nut part are described as a detachable securing means, which in the installed position are essentially

coaxial holes are provided through the legs of the profile bars and through the plates.

The screw and nut parts shown there are also special parts that are specifically designed for use with the furniture system described and are therefore relatively expensive to manufacture.

In known shelving or cabinet furniture systems, shelves or cupboard floors are generally designed and arranged as support floors, i.e. the shelves or cupboard floors rest on their side edges on tenons that are arranged in suitable recesses in the panels that are arranged vertically in the installation position. The tenons have to be laboriously inserted into the recesses in the panels.

Rail brackets for drawers, pull-outs or the like are generally screwed onto the vertically arranged side panels of the well-known furniture systems. This too 0 is a laborious process in which the fastening holes in the panels become worn when the fastening screws are repeatedly screwed in and out and screws can easily get lost.

Shelf and cabinet backs are generally held in narrow grooves in the panels and/or are screwed to the panels for fastening. Again, there is a risk of damaging the panels by repeatedly screwing and unscrewing the shelf or cabinet backs. Shelf or cabinet doors are generally attached to the panels by screwing their pivot hinge brackets.

The object of the invention is to create a furniture system that can be set up easily and stably, whereby as far as possible easy to manufacture, preferably commercially available components should be used.

The task is solved by a furniture system that is characterized by one or more of the following components:

Connection, preferably for the particularly dismantable assembly of the furniture system at the installation site, using profile rods and plates with holes,

wherein the profile bars have at least two legs which are provided with holes and can be inserted into corresponding grooves in the end faces of the plates so that in the installed position the holes

through the legs of the profile bars and the holes through the plates run essentially coaxially, and which are held there by a preferably releasable securing means, - whereby the securing means each comprise a sleeve that can be inserted into the hole through the leg and has two oppositely directed connecting elements as well as two holding parts that can be brought into contact with the plate, each with an engagement element for preferably releasable engagement with the connecting elements of the sleeve

includes;
and or

Clamp fastening, preferably for the particularly dismantable assembly of the furniture system at the installation site, using plates which are provided with depressions or bulges directly or indirectly at preferably regular intervals, as well as clamping parts which are provided with corresponding bulges or depressions directly or indirectly on oppositely directed surfaces,

so that the clamping parts can be clamped and preferably releasably fastened between two plates which are spaced apart in the installation position, by

the bulges or depressions of the clamping

5 partly spring-loaded into the associated, mutually

facing recesses or bulges of the two plates, or

the bulges or depressions of the clamping part engage resiliently in the associated, oppositely facing depressions or bulges, which are preferably arranged on a web.

"Plates/clamping parts directly provided with depressions or bulges" in this context means that the plates/clamping parts themselves have depressions - e.g. recesses or blind holes - or bulges. "Plates/clamping parts indirectly provided with depressions or bulges" in this context means that further components are arranged in or on the plates/clamping parts that form the depressions or bulges, e.g. spherical pins screwed to the plate/clamping part.

By using the connection and/or the clamp fastening according to claim 1 in the furniture system according to the invention, simple and cost-effective production as well as easy and quick assembly of the furniture system is achieved. The connection also makes the furniture system easy to dismantle without causing any damage and without any loss of quality and therefore makes it flexible and easy to move and remodel. The clamp fastening is also easy to dismantle and gives the furniture system additional stability. It is particularly advantageous to use the connection and the clamp fastening in combination in the furniture system according to the invention. However, it is also entirely possible and sensible to use only the connection or only the clamp fastening.

The furniture system according to the invention can cover many different requirements using a limited number of standard parts. This makes it possible to build versatile shelves, desks or tables, which can also be easily expanded later due to the connection according to the invention and/or the clamp fastening. As will become clear below from the description of exemplary embodiments,

Functional changes can be made with minimal effort, particularly to a shelf built using the furniture system when it is fully assembled. For example, an open compartment can be fitted with a door, drawers of various sizes, form shelves, a back wall, etc. without the use of tools.

This is the first time that a system has been created that, after the expandable construction of a base or frame, allows subsequent and flexible design through retrofitting or conversion.

The furniture system according to the invention uses in particular isosceles profile rods for the connection and/or the clamp fastening, which preferably have two, three or four legs. Furthermore, the legs preferably form a right angle with one another. This construction based on the right angle is adapted to the construction of known furniture systems, which are also generally based on the right angle.

The profile rods are preferably designed as a central rod, preferably round or square in cross-section, to which the legs are attached. Designing the central rod as a hollow central tube reduces the weight of the profile rods while maintaining the same strength. In addition, plug-in elements, such as decorative pins, handles or holders for smaller objects, can be inserted into the hollow space of the tube.

0 In a further development of the invention, it is preferred that in the installed position the hole through the leg of the profile bar is offset from the associated hole through the plate, and the hole through the leg is preferably offset in the direction of the leg attachment. In this way, not only is a simple securing of the profile bar legs in the plate grooves achieved, but targeted force effects can also be used for a firm and stable coupling

in the connection of the furniture system according to the invention.

A particularly preferred embodiment of the invention provides that the diameter of the hole through the plate, the diameter of the hole through the leg and the offset of the holes are selected such that the inner surfaces of the holes arranged towards the leg base are aligned with one another in the installed position, while the inner surface of the hole through the leg arranged towards the leg end is offset from the inner surface of the hole through the plate by approximately one sixteenth of the diameter of the hole through the leg. The outer diameter of the sleeve that can be inserted into the hole through the leg is preferably selected to be approximately one sixteenth smaller than the diameter of the hole through the leg. These dimensions have proven to be particularly suitable in practice.

For reasons of easy assembly and disassembly, the sleeve is advantageously an at least essentially circular cylindrical body, which has two oppositely directed internal threads on the cylinder axis - which can also be formed by the two oppositely directed end sections of a single continuous internal thread - as connecting elements. As a counterpart, the holding parts are preferably screws with an external thread as an engagement element. In order firstly to be able to exert forces on the plates in a suitable, targeted and defined manner and secondly to be able to form the holding parts flush with the surface of the plates, the holes in the plates advantageously have countersunk holes and the holding parts are provided with a corresponding countersunk head for contact with the plate. Suitable sleeves with two oppositely directed internal threads or a - functionally identical - single continuous internal thread as well as suitable matching countersunk head screws are commercially available and inexpensive. The commercially available countersunk head screws often have a hexagon socket in the countersunk head for turning.

head, which - as explained below - can be used to additional advantage with the new furniture system.

According to another aspect of the invention with regard to the clamp fastening, it is preferred that the plates are indirectly provided with recesses or bulges in that the holding parts, which are in contact with the plates in the installed position and are connected to them, have corresponding recesses or bulges. According to the preferred embodiments described, the hexagon sockets of the countersunk head screws in particular can form the recesses in the plates. In this case, the countersunk head screws have a dual function: they are then not only part of the securing means of the connection, but their hexagon sockets also form the recesses for the clamp fastening.

According to a further aspect of the invention, a web of a profile bar prepared for a connection according to the invention can also be used directly in a clamp fastening. The hole in the web is used as a recess into which the bulges of a clamping device that surrounds the web on both sides engage in a spring-loaded manner. In this furniture system, for example, panels can be easily detachably attached to the profiles by using the inherent tension of the material used, which preferably forms the panels and the clamping devices in one piece. It is preferred to arrange one such clamping device on each of two opposite edges of such a panel. This clamping device advantageously means that the use of the above-mentioned securing means can be dispensed with without changing the system for a fastening that works in the same way. To release this clamp fastening, it is sufficient to overcome the spring force of the material by means of a screwdriver placed on the web. The structure and advantages of the various versions of a clamp are explained below using exemplary embodiments.

If the furniture system according to the invention is intended for construction as a shelf or cabinet system or as a table, it will preferably comprise square or rectangular panels; using elongated panels, however, it can also be used, for example, to easily assemble table legs or trestles. Other elongated panels can, for example, be used to attach other components to them, in particular feet or blocks, furniture casters or industrial casters.

For reasons of stability, it is preferred that the profile rods, the sleeves and/or the holding parts are made of metal. The panels can be made of wood, wood materials (chipboard, MDF boards or veneer boards), plastics (solid plastic or molded plastic parts) or metal, which can optionally be provided with a desired surface layer. In order to provide even more options for plugging in decorative strips, holders for smaller objects or similar, the front surfaces of the panels that do not face the profile rods can also be provided with grooves, at least in sections.

Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the subclaims.
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The invention is explained in more detail below using several embodiments, which are shown in the following drawings.

0 The attached drawings show:

Fig. 1 shows a frontal section through an embodiment of a connection of a furniture system according to the invention with a profile bar with two legs, hereinafter referred to as angle node;

Fig. 2 a frontal section through an embodiment

a connection of a furniture system according to the invention with a profile bar with three legs, hereinafter referred to as a T-node;

Fig. 3 a frontal section through an embodiment of a connection of a furniture system according to the invention with a profile rod with four legs, hereinafter referred to as a square knot;

Fig. 4 is a vertical/horizontal section through the connection of Fig. 3 in the plane of the sleeves which are inserted into the holes of one of the legs;

Fig. 5a, 5b, 5c

a single part drawing of an example

a plate of a connection of a furniture system according to the invention, wherein Fig. 5a is a plan view, Fig. 5b is a section in the plane A-A of Fig. 5a and Fig. 5c is a section in the plane

0 B-B of Fig. 5a;

Fig. 6a, 6b

a single part drawing of an embodiment of a sleeve of a connection of a furniture system according to the invention, wherein Fig. 6a is a side view -

partly in section - and Fig. 6b is a top/bottom view;

Fig. 7a, 7b, 7c

0 a single part drawing of an example

of a holding part of a connection of a furniture system according to the invention, wherein Fig. 7a is a side view - partly in section -, Fig. 7b is a top view and Fig. 7c is a bottom view; 35

Fig. 8 shows the connection principle and the illustrated embodiment of a connection according to a

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Forces acting on the furniture system according to the invention based on a frontal section through a T- or square knot similar to Fig. 2 or Fig. 3;

Fig. 9a shows an embodiment of a shelf or cabinet system with connections according to a furniture system according to the invention;

Fig. 9b, 9c, 9d

an example of the shelf or cabinet system

stems of Fig. 9a with glass inserts in the side walls or base plates;

Fig. 9e, 9f

an example of a rear wall for the

Shelving or cabinet system of Fig. 9a and the connection principle according to a furniture system according to the invention with a sectional view of Fig. 9e in the vertical direction;

Fig. 9g shows a connection principle for fastening a rear wall in a shelf or cabinet according to a furniture system according to the invention;

Fig. 10a, 10b

a fastening of feet to the shelving system of Fig. 9a, wherein Fig. 10a is a front view and Fig. 10b is a side view;

Fig. 10c, 1Od, 1Oe

a block as an alternative to the feet of Fig. 10a or other embodiments of feet;

Fig. 11a, 11b

5 a form of fastening of furniture castors to the shelf

system of Fig. 9a, wherein Fig. 11a is a front view and Fig. 11b is a side view;

Fig. 12, 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d, 12e, 12f, 12g an attachment of industrial rollers to the bottom plate, the so-called base plate of an embodiment of a rollable piece of furniture according to the invention, wherein Fig. 12a is a bottom view of the base

plate, Fig. 12b is a side view of the base plate, Fig. 12c is a perspective view of an industrial roller on a mounting plate used for assembly, Fig. 12d is a top view and Fig. 12e is a side view of the mounting plate

and Figures 12f and 12g are bottom views of three and five interlinked floor panels, respectively, which are additionally connected to one another by means of a reinforcing bar;

Fig. 13 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a trestle constructed using a connection according to a furniture system according to the invention;

Fig. 14a, 14b

a first embodiment of a table constructed using a connection of a furniture system according to the invention, wherein Fig. 14a is a front view and Fig. 14b is a longitudinal side view

ten view;

Fig. 15a, 15b

a second embodiment of a table which 0 using a connection of an inventive

according furniture system, wherein Fig. 15a is a front view and Fig. 15b is a longitudinal side view ;

Fig. 16a, 16b, 16c

an embodiment of a connection using a profile bar according to a connection

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of a furniture system according to the invention, wherein Fig. 16a is a front view, Fig. 16b is a side view and Fig. 16c is a detail of the front view;

Fig. 17a shows an embodiment of a shelf compartment with a running plate and drawers guided therein as well as a representation of possible height variations of the drawers in the grid of the running plate;

Fig. 17b, 17c

an example of a running plate and a representation of the fastening principle of the running plate in a shelf compartment;

Fig. 17d, 17e, 17f, 17g

the basic structure of a drawer guided in the guide plate of Fig. 17b and adapted to the grid specified by the guide plate;

Fig. 17h, 17i

a plan view of a form tray; a side view of the form tray of Fig. 17h;

Fig. 18a, 18b

an example of a door that can be opened by means of a

a clamp fastening in a furniture system according to the invention can be attached to a shelf or cabinet system, whereby Fig. 18a is a front view of the door, Fig. 18b is a plan view of the installed door in the closed state with indicated

maximum opening angle;

Fig. 18c, 18d

a sectional view of a device for rotatably fastening the door of Fig. 18a in a

Shelf compartment and a sectional view of a device for closing the door of Fig. 18a in a

- 13 shelves;

Fig. 18e, 18f, 18g

an embodiment of a glass frame door that can be attached to a shelf or cabinet system by means of a clamp fastening according to a furniture system according to the invention, wherein Fig. 18e is a front view of the glass frame door, Fig. 18f is a view of the detail "X" from the back of the glass frame door and Fig. 18g is a section through the

Glass frame door in plane A-A of Fig. 18e;

Fig. 19a is a view of a half-shell of a plastic plate formed in one piece with a clamp fastening;

Fig. 19b, 19c, 19d, 19e

each a sectional view of Fig. 19a with detail;
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Fig. 20a, 20b, 20c

an embodiment of a decorative pin made of metal or plastic, wherein Fig. 20a is a rear view, Fig. 20b is a side view - partly in section - and Fig. 20c is a front view;

Fig. 21a, 21b, 21c

an embodiment of a decorative tenon made of wood, wherein Fig. 21a is a rear view, Fig. 21b is a 0 side view - partly in section - and Fig.

21c is a front view;

Fig. 22a, 22b

an embodiment of a decorative profile for a 5 T-junction, where Fig. 22a is a front/rear view

and Fig. 22b is a side view;

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Fig. 23a, 23b, 23c

an embodiment of a holder with a vase that can be inserted into an additional groove in a plate, wherein Fig. 23a is a side view, Fig. 23b is a front view and Fig. 23c is a top view;

Fig. 1 shows a frontal section of a detail from an embodiment of a furniture system according to the invention, namely a connection generally designated 1, which is made using a profile bar 2 and plates 10. The profile bar 2 is made of aluminum, while the plates 10 are made of an MDF material. The connection 1 shown in Fig. 1 is an angle connection - hereinafter also referred to as an angle node - in which the profile bar 2 accordingly has two legs 6 that enclose an angle of 90° and are each inserted into a groove 28 in the end faces 11 of two plates 10.

The profile bar 2 has a central bar 3 designed as a central tube 4 with a central cavity 5 with a circular cross-section, to which the legs 6 are attached. The longitudinal extension of the profile bar 2 perpendicular to the plane of the drawing is essentially equal to the longitudinal extension of the plates 10 in the same direction. The plates 10 each have a shape on their end faces 11 in areas 12 that is adapted to the circular external cross-sectional shape of the central tube 4, while the outer areas 13 of the end faces 11 are designed with 45° mitres 14 in order to enable the plates 10 to abut one another as seamlessly as possible in the area of the 0 connection 1.

The legs 6 are each provided with holes 9 (see Fig. 4). The plates 10 also have holes 26, whereby the holes 9 and 26 are each arranged in such a way that in the installation position shown in Fig. 1 the holes 9 run essentially coaxially through the legs 6 of the profile rod 2 and the holes 26 run through the plates 10.

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The legs 6 are held in the grooves 28 of the plates 10 by securing means generally designated 15, preferably releasable. The securing means 15 each comprise a sleeve 16 inserted into the leg bore 9 - consisting of a circular cylindrical metal body 20 with two oppositely directed internal threads 21 formed by the two oppositely directed end sections of a single continuous internal thread bore as connecting elements 17 and two screws 22 as holding parts 18, each with an external thread 23 as an engagement element 19 for screw engagement with the internal threads 21 of the sleeve IS. The plate bores 26 each have a countersink 27, and the screws 22 are designed as countersunk head screws so that the screw heads do not protrude beyond the surface of the plates 10. The countersunk heads 24 of the screws 22 each have a hexagon socket 25 for turning.

It should be noted that the leg bores 9 are not arranged completely coaxially with respect to the associated plate bores 26, but rather each have an offset, namely such that the leg bores 9 are offset in the direction of the leg extension 7 with respect to the associated plate bore 26 in the installation position. In the embodiment of Fig. 1, the diameter of the holes 26 through the plate 10, the diameter of the holes 9 through the leg 6 and the offset of the holes 9, 26 were each selected such that the inner surfaces 9a, 26a of the holes 9, 26 arranged towards the leg extension 7 are aligned with one another in the installed position, while the inner surface 9b of the leg hole 9 arranged towards the leg end 08 is offset by approximately one sixteenth of the diameter of the leg hole 9 from the inner surface 26b of the plate hole 26 in the direction of the leg extension 7. The outer diameter of the sleeve 16 is approximately one sixteenth smaller than the diameter 5 of the leg hole 9. These values have proven to be particularly suitable in practice. The effects that this offset has on the forces acting on the connection 1,

- 16 are
will be explained in detail later with reference to Fig. 8.

The angle node 30 of Fig. 1 can, for example, be easily assembled from the individual parts at the installation site of the furniture system by inserting the legs 6 of the profile bar 2 into the grooves 28 of the two plates 10 so that the leg holes 9 and plate holes 26 are essentially coaxial. The sleeves 16 are then inserted into the leg holes 9 and secured by screwing in the countersunk screws 22. The angle node 30 is thus assembled. Conversely, the connection 1 of Fig. 1 can be easily and non-destructively dismantled by loosening the screws 22 and removing the sleeves 15 from the holes 9, 26.

Fig. 2 largely corresponds to Fig. 1, but here in the front section no angle node 30 with two legs 6 and two plates 10 is shown, but rather a connection 1, referred to below as T-node 31, with three connected plates 10 and correspondingly three legs 6 on the central rod 3. The structure and function of the T-node connection 31 of Fig. 2 otherwise correspond to the angle node connection 30 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 also largely corresponds to Fig. 1, but here in the frontal section no angle node 3 0 with two legs 6 and two plates 10 is shown, but rather a connection 1, referred to below as a square node 32, with four connected plates 10 and correspondingly four legs 6 on 0 of the central rod 3.

Fig. 4 shows a vertical or horizontal section through a plate 10 of the cross node 32 of Fig. 3 in the plane of the plate bore 26, whereby for reasons of simplicity of description it is assumed that the profile bar 2 of the connection 1 of Fig. 3 is arranged horizontally. As can be seen from Fig. 4, the longitudinal dimension of the

Profile bar 2 essentially corresponds to the longitudinal dimension of the plates 10. In the embodiment of Fig. 3 and 4, the legs 6 have only one hole 9 at each end of the profile bar 2. With long profile bars 2, with very high demands on the stability and load-bearing capacity of the furniture system or for other reasons, other leg holes 9 and plate holes 26 can of course be present alternatively or in addition. The hexagon socket 25 of the countersunk head screws 22 can be particularly clearly seen in Fig. 4. 10

5a, 5b and 5c show an embodiment of a plate 10 as can be used in the connections 1 of Figs. 1 to 4. While Fig. 5a shows a top view, Figs. 5b and 5c are sectional views in the planes AA and BB of Fig. 5a. The plate 10 has four holes 26, each of which is arranged in the corner areas of the rectangular plate 10. Fig. 5b clearly shows the grooves 28 for the legs 6 of the profile bars 2. In Fig. 5c it can be seen that the plate 10 has a further, flatter groove 35 on its front surface 36 shown at the top in Fig. 5a and not facing the profile bars 2 in the installed position. Decorative strips, holders for smaller objects or similar items can be inserted into this groove 35 for fastening purposes.
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Fig. 6a and 6b are individual part drawings of a sleeve 16 from the connecting nodes 1 of Fig. 1 to 4, where Fig. 6a is a side view - partly in section - and Fig. 6b is a top view or bottom view. The sleeve 16 is a metal body provided with chamfers 0, otherwise circular cylindrical, with a single continuous internal threaded hole 21, into which components with an external thread can engage from both sides.

Fig. 7a, 7b and 7c are individual part drawings of the metal countersunk head screws 22 used in the connections 1 of Fig. 1 to 4, where Fig. 7a is a side view - partly in

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Section -, Fig. 7b is a view from the front and Fig. 7c is a view from below. The countersunk screw 22 has a hexagon socket 25 in its countersunk head 24 and an external thread 23. The sleeve 16 and the countersunk screw 22 are commercially available parts that are available everywhere at low cost.

Fig. 8 serves to illustrate the connection principle and to illustrate the forces acting on connection 1. The frontal sectional view of Fig. 8 corresponds essentially to the view of Figs. 1 to 3; for clarity, however, the sectional hatching is not shown.

In Fig. 8, the securing means generally designated 15 - consisting of sleeve 16 and two screws 22 - is shown twice, once in the installed state and once in an exploded view. To assemble the connection 1 in Fig. 8, with the profile rod legs 6 inserted into the plate grooves 28, the sleeve 16 is first inserted through a plate hole 26 into the opening of the leg hole 9 {arrow 40). One of the countersunk head screws 22 - in Fig. 8, the countersunk head screw 22 shown below was arbitrarily chosen for this purpose - can already be screwed into the sleeve 16, or it can only be screwed in afterwards (arrow 41). Then the opposite screw 22 - the one shown above in Fig. 8 - is inserted from above into the plate hole 26 (arrow 42) and screwed into the sleeve 16 while rotating (arrow 43). In the assembled state, due to the slight offset between the leg hole 9 and the associated plate hole 26 described above, compressive forces act on the inner surfaces of the countersink 27 of the plate 10 arranged in the direction of the leg attachment 7 (arrows 44), which are passed on through the plate 10 in the direction of the central rod 3 and ensure that the areas 13 of the end faces 11 of adjacent plates 10 provided with a 45° mitre 14 are pressed against one another (arrows 45).

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Due to the described offset and the other selected dimensions of the bore 9, the bore 26 and the sleeve 16, the sleeve 16 is pressed against the inner surface 9b of the bore 9 facing the leg end 8 (arrow 46), so that the sleeve 16 can be supported on the inner surface 9b of the leg bore 9 and the necessary counterforce against the force symbolized by the arrows 44 is generated.

As a result, the described force effects lead to a stable and robust connection 1, in which the relevant forces run essentially in the direction of maximum stability, namely in the longitudinal direction of the legs 6 and the plates 10.

Fig. 9a shows a front overall view of a possible embodiment of a furniture system according to the invention with connections 1, namely a shelving system generally designated 50. The shelving system 50 has a square grid of panels 10, which are connected to one another by angle 30, T 31 and cross nodes 32. From Fig. 9a it is clear that the furniture system is characterized by an extraordinarily high level of flexibility, since by using panels 10 with different dimensions and by other arrangements of the panels 10 - connected with correspondingly differently positioned connection nodes 1 - a completely different arrangement is also easily possible.

Fig. 9b shows a top view of the base and side panels 10' with inserted glass panes 10'a as components of the 0 shelving system 50 of Fig. 9a. Figures 9c and 9d show two mutually perpendicular sections through Fig. 9b to illustrate the internal structure of the base and side panels 10' and the new type of mounting and securing of the inserted glass panes 10'a in the base and side panels 10' by the connections 1 from the profile bars 2 and the securing means 15.

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The base and side panels 10' are made from the finished, solid panels 10 of Fig. 5a-5c in a work phase that only follows if required by a customer order. They are therefore based on existing standard parts of the proposed furniture system. To securely hold the glass panes 10'a, a rectangular opening 10" with rounded corners is advantageously made in the middle of a panel 10 using a CNC machine. The glass pane 10'a can now be inserted into this opening in a surrounding fold, as with traditional glazing when framing pictures, and fixed in place using strips or the like. However, a new method is preferred, which is described below:
The finished, solid plate 10 has grooves 28 on opposite edges to accommodate the legs 6 of the profile bars 2. Now that the opening 10" has been created in the plate 10, grooves 10"a are milled in the middle of the edges of the opening 10", in which the glass pane 10'a is held. The base or side plate 10' prepared in this way is held together in one part by webs 10"b between the grooves 28 and the grooves 10"a. The web 10"b is broken through on one of the edges provided with a groove 28 on the outside. This creates a gap 10"c through which the pane 10'a can be inserted into the base or side plate 10' like into a pocket.

During assembly, the leg 6 of the profile rods 2 closes the opening that extends from the groove 10"a over the gap 10"c and the groove 28 to the outer edge of the base or side plate 10', as shown in Fig. 9c. After assembly, the glass pane 10'a cannot slip or fall out of the base or side plate 10'. If the base or side plates 10' and glass panes 10'a are not transported separately, they can be joined together in a pre-assembly step, for example by gluing or wedging the glass pane 10'a into the groove 10"a opposite the gap 10"c, or

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the gap 10"c is at least partially closed after the glass pane 10'a has been inserted, for example by a piece of rubber hose, in order to prevent the glass pane 10'a from slipping out.
5

The great special feature of the base or side plate 10' is that an unpolished glass pane 10'a or other flat materials with a relatively high dimensional tolerance can be used here. The base or side plate 10' is therefore not limited to the use of a glass pane 10'a. Any other flat materials, such as sheet metal with or without perforations, can be used, depending on the design requirements and taste. If used purely as a side wall, the base or side plate 10' can also remain open.

The base or side plate 10' is attached to the profile bars 2 by means of securing means 15 as part of a shelf or cabinet system, just like the wall 10 of Fig. 9a. The actual assembly of the system therefore remains unchanged in principle by the extension of the plate 10 to a base or side plate 10'. The four securing means 15 arranged in the edges of the base or side plates 10' for fastening to the legs 6 of the profile bars 2 contribute to stiffening after assembly to form a shelf compartment 4 9 and thus additionally strengthen the base or side plate 10'.

Visually, the floor or side panel 10' appears light and airy through the glass pane 10'a compared to the basic panel 10 and opens up further free design options for the floor or side walls within the furniture system.

Fig. 9e shows a rear wall 50' for a shelf compartment, an essential element for stiffening and stabilizing the shelf system 50 of Fig. 9a. The rear wall is made from a piece of sheet metal with any surface structure,

by folding the sheet metal piece into a cassette and providing it with locking knobs 50'a on two opposite edges 50'b of the rear wall 50'. Here, for example, an aluminum sheet with a tightly corrugated surface parallel to the edges 50"a has been used for the rear wall 50'.

In a fully assembled shelf compartment 49, the rear wall 50' is attached without tools by simply inserting the rear wall 50' into the shelf compartment 49. The four locking knobs 50'a engage in the recesses 25' of the heads of the hexagon socket screws 25 of the securing means 15 in a spring-loaded manner. By bending the sheet metal into a cassette, the rear wall 50' was given additional rigidity, so that the rear wall 50' diagonally stiffens the relevant shelf compartment 49 when inserted.

The symmetrical arrangement of the securing means 15 in all four corners of a shelf compartment 49 also enables the rear wall 50' to be used rotated by 90° and thus the surface pattern to be rotated.

Fig. 9g shows two connection points on a rear wall 50', consisting of locking knobs 50'a and hexagon socket screws 25 of the respective securing means 15, which are opposite one another, in order to illustrate the locking principle. This principle is not only used for fastening a rear wall 50' in a shelf compartment 49, but also for other applications, for example to mount rail brackets for drawers or pull-outs in the shelf compartments, or to be part of shelf or cabinet floors themselves, or it can be fastenings for shelf or cabinet rear walls or shelf or cabinet doors. Selected examples are described below.

The shelving system 50 of Fig. 9a includes feet 52. The manner of fastening these feet 52 is shown in Figures 10a and 10b, with Fig. 10a showing a detailed view

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in the same viewing direction as Fig. 9a and Fig. 10b shows a side view. The plate 10a in which the feet 52 are attached has a different shape than the other plates 10 of the shelving system 50, but is attached to a profile bar 2 in the same way as the other plates 10. Its length is equal to the longitudinal dimension of the other plates 10 and thus essentially equal to the longitudinal extension of the profile bar 2 (see Fig. 10b). On its front surface 11 pointing downwards, i.e. in the direction of the base, the plate 10a has blind holes 51 in which the fastening pins 52a of commercially available feet 52 are accommodated in a previously inserted screw-in sleeve 52b.

The design of the foot pieces in the form of height-adjustable feet 52 of Fig. 10a and other functional variants implemented below offer additional compensation or displacement options when the shelving or furniture system is used purely stationary on a flat floor surface, which are sometimes not used at all. As an alternative, Figs. 10c, 10d and 10e show blocks 52' in two side views and a sectional drawing in the top view. They can be adapted to the furniture system in terms of their material, surface finish and color. Figs. 10c, 10d and 10e show blocks 52' made from MDF board pieces. The MDF board pieces have the same thickness and surface color as the boards, base pieces, etc. A block 52' can, for example, easily be made by gluing three MDF board pieces with a standard diameter of 19 mm and subsequently introducing design elements such as bevels 52'a and bone joints 52'b.

The very pressure-resistant blocks 52' only have to be able to absorb vertical forces as fixed feet. This means that simply fixing their position, for example in the area of the base plate 10c of a shelf, during assembly using double-sided adhesive tape or Velcro pads or similar is completely sufficient.

- 24 -

As can be seen from Fig. 11a and 11b, the shelf system 50 of Fig. 9a can be equipped with commercially available furniture castors 54 instead of feet 52 in just a few simple steps. To do this, instead of the plate 10a of Fig. 10a and Fig. 10b, a plate 10b is used which has blind holes 51 for accommodating fastening pins 54a of the furniture castors 54 in the previously inserted screw-in sleeves 52b and has recesses 53 which allow the furniture castors 54 to rotate freely. Otherwise, the structure of the furniture castor fastening shown in Fig. 11a and 11b corresponds to that of the foot fastening in Fig. 10a and 10b; the views shown also correspond to one another.

Fig. 12a to 12g show an alternative way of attaching commercially available so-called industrial rollers 55 to a shelf system 50. The industrial rollers 55 are each attached in the usual way to an angled mounting plate 57 provided with holes 56, so that the perspective image shown in Fig. 12c is obtained. The mounting plates 57, which are shown in Fig. 12d in plan view and in Fig. 12e in side view, exist for reasons of symmetry in a left-handed and a right-handed version (Fig. 12d, Fig. 12e left and right respectively).

The holes 56 in the mounting plates 57 correspond to grid holes 58 on the underside of the base plate 10c of the shelving system 50. Except for the grid holes 58 from a row of holes, which - in order to be able to screw the mounting plates 57 flexibly - are preferably installed in the regular grid of the usual 32 mm system, the base plates 10c otherwise correspond in their dimensions to the other plates 10 of the shelving system 50. Fig. 12a shows a bottom view of such a base plate 10c, while 12b is a side view in which the grooves 28 for the legs 6 of the profile bars 2 can be clearly seen. The industrial castors 55 can of course not only be attached to a shelving system 50 as described, but to any piece of furniture according to the invention that is intended to be rollable.

- 25 -

The use of the angled mounting plate 57 increases the stability of relatively narrow and tall pieces of furniture, such as shelves, by increasing the distance between the industrial castors 55. Advantageously, the two angled mounting plates 57 allow castors to be attached not only to the outside of a shelf compartment 49 but also in the middle of such a compartment. Two parts thus provide three positions for the industrial castors, both forwards and backwards. 10

The regular 32mm grid of the grid holes 58 on the underside of the base plate 10c is not only used to screw on the mounting plates 57. It can also be used to screw one or more metal reinforcement rods 59 onto the underside of the shelf 50 in the case of longer shelves 50. In this way, it is possible to equip the shelf 50 with industrial rollers 55 only in the two end areas, without the shelf structure sagging in the middle of the shelf 50. Figures 12f and 12g each show a bottom view of a shelf system 50, namely the bottom view of the respective base plates 10c with reinforcing rods 59. The shelf system 50 in Fig. 12f is a shelf 50 with three plates 10 in length, while Fig. 12g shows a shelf 50 with five plates 10 in length. 25

The connection 1 can be used not only for the construction of shelving and cupboard systems 50, but also for the construction of a number of other pieces of furniture. For demonstration purposes, Fig. 13 shows a perspective view of a table trestle 60 which is constructed using two connections 1. In this case, the plates 10 are designed as elongated plates 10d or as short support plates 10e, the dimensions of which in the longitudinal extension of the profile bars 2 are significantly smaller than the length of the profile bars 2.
35

As a further demonstration of another possible use of a connection 1, Fig. 14a, 14b show side views

- 26 -

of a table 61, wherein Fig. 14a is a front view and Fig. 14b is a partial longitudinal side view. The table 61 is constructed using connections 1, wherein profile rods 2 and elongated plates 10d were used for the table legs 61a.

Fig. 15a, 15b essentially demonstrates that the plates 10 used do not necessarily have to have rectangular dimensions. Otherwise, the table 62 of Fig. 15a, 15b and in particular the table legs 62a essentially correspond to the table 61 of Fig. 14a, 14b.

Fig. 16a, 16b, 16c show a connection of the two ends of a rod 63 with a profile rod 2 each. The securing means 15 for the rod 63 does not engage in the holes 9 of the legs 6, but rather consists of two grub screws 64 inserted into threaded holes in the rod 63, which press against the legs 6 of the profile rod 2. Fig. 16a is a front view of the connection, Fig. 16b is a side view and Fig. 16c shows a detail of the front view of Fig. 16a in an enlarged view.

Fig. 17a, 17b, 17c, 17d, 17e, 17f, 17g, 17h and 17i show an embodiment of a furniture system according to the invention with a shelf compartment 49 in which different types of compartments can be arranged in a flexible system of movable compartments 65 in a pull-out manner, as will be explained below.

In Fig. 17a, the basic structure of a system of movable compartments 65 is shown in a frontal view using drawers 66 with side walls 67 of different heights and correspondingly adapted front sides 68. The core of such a system of movable compartments 65 is formed by two running plates 69 arranged vertically on the plates 10 of the side walls, which can be inserted into a shelf compartment 49 using a clamp fastening generally designated 70 according to the locking principle of Fig. 9g already explained.

- 27 -

In this example, each running plate 70 consists of beads 71a and grooves 71b running horizontally across the width of the running plate 70 in a uniform grid, apart from the upper and lower edges 50'b.
5

In Fig. 17a, a system of drawers 66 adapted to the grid of the running plate 69 is shown in detail using side walls 67 that are each grooved in the longitudinal direction. As can be seen from this illustration, up to six drawers of the same size 66 can be inserted into the present system of movable compartments 65 with two running plates 69, each with six grooves, corresponding to positions I to IV. However, three drawers 66 of different sizes can also be inserted in positions I to III.

The system of movable compartments 65 owes this variability to the interaction of the beads 71a and grooves 71b of the runners 69 with the dimensionally coordinated shape of the drawers 66.

The clamp fastening 70 of Fig. 17a, 17c, 17d further comprises two clamping parts 74, which in the embodiment are designed as running plates 69 formed from sheet metal. The running plate 69 formed as a shelf support 76 has noses 78 formed on the oppositely directed surfaces 77, which are bulges 75 of the clamping part 74 of the clamp fastening 70. By introducing the beads 71a and grooves 71b into the sheet metal part of the running plate 69, the entire part is slightly curved outwards in the direction of the arrows F in Fig. 17b, so that when inserted it rests resiliently against the respective plate 10 over its entire length, as shown in Fig. 17a. In the installed position, the lugs 78 engage springily in the hexagon socket recesses 72 of the countersunk screws 22 and thus prevent the arrangement from slipping out. In this simple way, the running plates 69, which are shown in front view in Fig. 17b, are firmly and securely clamped without tools, but

•it» «&iacgr;· »«.

- 28 -

but can also be removably attached without tools in the shelf compartment shown in Fig. 17a.

Fig. 17c is a side view, partially in section in the plane of the sleeves 16, of the clamp fastening 70 of two running plates 69. The clamp fastening 70 of Fig. 17a, 17c comprises rectangular plates 10 which are connected to one another by connections 1 using profile rods 2. Fig. 17c can show, for example, a shelf compartment 49 or module from the shelf system 50 shown in Fig. 9a, as already indicated. Since the countersunk heads 24 of the countersunk head screws 22 of the securing means 15 of the connection 1 each have hexagon sockets 25, and the countersunk head screws 22 are arranged in the installed position essentially flush with the surfaces 73 of the plates 10, indirect recesses are formed at regular intervals in the plates 10.

As shown in Fig. 17a, two of the guide plates 69 of Fig. 17b are always required to keep the drawers 66 movable in the embodiment. Fig. 17d-17g show the structure of a drawer 66 according to position II of Fig. 17a and clearly show the number of different standardized components, which is limited to a minimum. A drawer 66 consists of two identical front sides 68, two side parts 67 and a drawer base 68'. This means that this drawer can also be operated from both sides of the shelf compartment 49.

Fig. 17h and 17i show removable shelves 80 held by the support surfaces 79 of the running plate 69, for example for forms in an office facility, whereby Fig. 17h is a top view of the shelf 80 with a rear limit 81 and Fig. 17i shows the shelf 80 with the rear limit 81 in a side view. Rubber studs 80' prevent the shelves 80 held in the running plate 69 from slipping.

- 29 -

Fig. 18a, 18b show an example of a solid door 82 which is fastened in a shelf compartment 49 by means of a clamp fastening 70. The shelf compartment 49 can be part of a shelf or cabinet system - such as the shelf system 50 of Fig. 9a - which is constructed modularly using connections 1. Fig. 18a shows a front view of the door 82, Fig. 18b is a plan view of the installed door 82 in the closed state with an indicated maximum opening angle of approx. 130°.

The door 82 rotates in two rotary hinges 83 (shown on the left in Fig. 18a) in the form of commercially available spring-loaded pins 83a, which are engaged under spring preload in the hexagon socket recesses 25, 72 of the countersunk head screws 22 of the securing means 15 of the connection 1. The pin can be retracted against the effect of the spring force to remove the door 82 through a hole 84 in each case in the door 82.

The door 82 is secured in the closed state by two ball catches 85 (shown on the right in Fig. 18a), the balls 86 of which also engage under spring preload in the corresponding hexagon socket recesses 25, 72 on the opposite side of the shelf compartment 49.

Both the rotary hinge 83 and the ball catch 85 are shown enlarged as a detail of Fig. 18a in Fig. 18c, 18d to illustrate the described mechanism of action

0 In Fig. 18e, an extension of the solid door 82 is shown: a glass frame door 87. The glass frame door 87 is used with the same elements already listed in Fig. 18a, for example in a shelf compartment 49 of a shelf system 50, so that it can rotate and be locked. In addition to the new type of clamp fastening 70, the structure of the glass frame door 87 with the inserted glass pane 88 has the special feature compared to conventionally manufactured glass doors that the glass door 87

- 30 -

in a further processing step from the door 82, by milling a 10" opening into the solid material, e.g. MDF board, in analogy to the base and side plate 10' of Fig. 9b-9d. Conventionally manufactured glass doors always have a much more labor-intensive, multi-part frame structure, comparable to that of a picture frame made of four mitred parts. The new working method saves both storage space and production costs by limiting the basic elements and their further processing. However, it was only made possible by the new milling techniques such as CNC milling for materials such as plastic boards or especially MDF boards. Furthermore, the resulting waste can be recycled.

Fig. 18f is a representation of the detail "X" from Fig. 18e from the rear of the glass frame door 87, Fig. 18c is a section through the glass frame door 87 in the plane A-A of Fig. 18e with the glass pane 88 and the fastening elements 89. Due to this structure, which differs from the side and base plate 10' with glass insert, the required stability of the glass frame door is also guaranteed for the dynamic forces that occur when this door is opened. In this way, the glass frame door 88 ideally complements a shelf compartment 49 with base or side walls 10' with glass insert in terms of the effect of a uniform design.

The clamp fastening 70 clearly represents a simple but effective fastening system for clamping and, in particular, detachably fastening clamping parts 74 of various types between two plates which are spaced 0 apart in the installation position. The clamp fastening 70 can be used particularly advantageously in combination with the connection 1, as can be seen in Fig. 17a to 17d and Fig. 18a to 18e. The hexagon socket 25 of the countersunk head screws 22 5 of the securing means 15 of the connection 1 simultaneously serve as recesses 72 in the plates 10 of the clamp fastening 70. However, a large number of completely different

- 31 -

Various designs are possible for the recesses 72. For example, they can be designed as holes in the plates 10 or as impact parts in the plates 10. For reasons of the greater flexibility that is to be sought, a regular pattern of the recesses 72 is generally preferred.

Instead of recesses 72 in the plates 10 and bulges 75 in the clamping parts 74, bulges in the plates and recesses in the clamping parts can also be used.

A further clamp fastening 70 for fastening a plate 1Of to the legs 6 of the profile tube 2 by means of a pliers-like clamp is shown in Fig. 19a-19e. The plate 1Of consists of two identical half-shells 1Of, which can be connected to one another in a known manner by snapping, gluing, welding or the like. In the present case, clip connectors 1Of" each consisting of a female and a male part are used to connect the half-shells 1Of to form a unit, the plate 1Of. Clamp fastenings 70 are arranged in the grooves 28 of the edges on opposite sides of the plate 1Of.

Fig. 19a shows the inside of a half-shell 1Of of the plate 1Of, which is preferably manufactured using a plastic injection molding process. The flat upper side of the half-shell 1Of is supported on the inside by struts 1Of"'. Furthermore, the struts 1Of"' increase the rigidity of the plate. The clip plugs 1Of" are preferably arranged at the intersection points of the struts 1Of"' in the inner area of the half-shell 10f.

Two cutting planes C-C and D-D run through Fig. 19a. The corresponding sectional views are shown in Fig. 19b 5 and 19d respectively. Fig. 19b shows the section through the figure in Fig. 19a along the line C-C to show the clamp fastening 70. The clamp fastening 70 consists of

- 32 -

Each end piece of the groove 28 consists of two mirror-image clamping parts 74, between which the groove 28 runs to accommodate a leg 6, analogous to Fig. 1. In contrast to Fig. 1, however, no securing means 15 are required here. The design and application options of the new plate 1Of are fully retained compared to those of the plates 10, 10'a, 10a, 10b and others, since recesses 72 are arranged directly in the plate at the appropriate locations on the top of the plate 1Of. The new plate 1Of can replace the plate 10, or can also be used in combination.

The clamping parts 74 press bulges 75 in the form of lugs 78 on their inner surfaces 77 into holes 9 in a spring-loaded manner. The holes 9 are formed here in a simple manner by the hole 9 running through the leg 6. The clamping parts 74 of the plate 1Of thus act like a spring-elastic pair of pliers due to the inherent stress of the material, which encloses the leg 6 over its length.

Furthermore, the illustration in Fig. 19b serves to illustrate the connection of the two half-shells 10f by means of female and male clip connectors 1Of". Using this connection technique, the half-shells 10f are placed on top of one another as identical parts, only rotated 180° against one another, with the inner sides facing one another and pressed together. The clip connectors 1Of" then permanently snap into one another.

Fig. 19c shows as a detail of Fig. 19b the clamp fastening 70 with all the parts already mentioned above in a 0 magnification.

Fig. 19d shows a section through the figure in Fig. 19a along the line D-D to show the clamp connection 70, the clip connector 1Of" and the struts 1Of"' in a different view. A strut 1Of"' forms the visible groove 35 on the front surface 3 6.

- 33 -

The shelving system 50 described in the examples is not only very flexible to build and convert on a consistently modular basis, but the owner can also add to it, extend it or give it a different look. The cavities 5 in the central rods 3 of the profile rods 2 can be used, for example, to attach decorative end pins 90, 92 by inserting them into the cavities 5 on the front of the shelf 50 of Fig. 9a. In this way, when using essentially the same panels 10 and profile rods 2 for building the shelving system 50, a very different visual impression of the shelving system 50 can be achieved in a simple and cost-effective way by using different decorative pins 90, 92. Fig. 20a, 20b, 20c show an embodiment of a decorative pin 90 made of metal or plastic, while Fig. 21a, 21b, 21c show an embodiment of a decorative end pin 92 made of wood. Fig. 20a, 21a are rear views, Fig. 20b, 21b are side views - partly in section - and Fig. 20c, 21c are front views. In Fig.

20b, 21b, the surface visible when inserted is designated 91 and 93 respectively; the remaining parts disappear in the cavity 5 of the central tube 4.

The cavities 5 in the central tubes 4 can not only be used for inserting decorative elements, but also handles or holders for smaller objects or the like can be inserted for fastening. For example, it is conceivable to insert lamp holders for low-voltage halogen bulbs into the cavities 5 on the front 0 of the shelf, whose power supply is provided by cables that run from the back of the furniture system through the cavities 5 of the central rods 4. In this way, attractive lighting effects are possible without annoying cables being visible and without additional effort having to be made to conceal cable routing when manufacturing the furniture system.

• · · · ··■ ♦ * ftf

Fig. 22a, 22b show an embodiment of a decorative profile 95 for a T-junction 31, as shown in Fig. 2. Since the profile bars 2 of the T-junction 31 of Fig. 2 are a little shorter than the panels 10 (see Fig. 4), the decorative profile 95 can be inserted into the remaining free part of the groove 28. In order for the decorative profiles 95 to be accommodated in the same grooves 28 as the profile bars 2, their shape is similar. If desired, they can also completely cover the profile bars 2, which are generally made of aluminum, if the dimensions are selected accordingly. In this way, a completely different visual impression can be created by using different decorative profiles 95 in different colors or made of different materials with an otherwise identical furniture system. The decorative profiles 95, which are shown in Fig. 22a in front view or rear view and in Fig. 22b in side view, can also be easily replaced later by the owner of the furniture system.

In addition to the grooves 28 in the plates 10 for receiving the legs 6 of the profile bars 2, the plates 10 can also be provided with further grooves 35 on the end faces 36 not facing the profile bars 2, at least in sections. In particular on the front side of the furniture system, decorative strips or holders for smaller objects or the like can be inserted into such grooves for fastening. Figs. 23a, 23b, 23c show, by way of example, a vase holder 96 which can be inserted into such an additional groove 35 in the front end face 36 of a plate 10 and which consists of a simple metal, wood or plastic sheet, an elastomer O-ring 98 and the vase 99 - a test tube - in a simple and inexpensive but aesthetically pleasing manner.

As can be seen from the general description and the embodiments, the invention

- 35 -

The furniture system with connections 1 and/or clamp fastenings 70 is a furniture system that is easy to manufacture and can be easily assembled by the buyer at the installation site. The construction principle is easy to understand and modular, so that the furniture system can be adapted to a wide variety of purposes. In addition to use as a shelf or cabinet system, there are also numerous other areas of application in the furniture sector. The furniture system can be dismantled easily, non-destructively and without any loss of quality, making it flexible, easy to move and remodel. It can be easily rebuilt, supplemented, extended or reduced by the owner if needs change.

It is preferred to use the connection 1 and the clamp fastening 70 together in the furniture system according to the invention. However, it is also entirely possible and sensible to use only the connection 1 or only the clamp fastening 70.

• * «At·«

- 43 -

List of reference symbols

1 connection

2 profile bars

3 Central rod

4 Central tube

5 Cavity

6 legs

7 Femoral attachment

8 Leg end

9 Hole through leg

9a Inner surface in direction of thigh attachment

9b Inner surface towards leg end

10 Plate

10' base or side plate

10'a glass pane

10" breakthrough

10"a groove

10"b bridge

10»c gap

10a plate

10b Plate

10c Base plate

1Od elongated plate

1Oe support plate

1Of plate with clamp fastening

10f half shell

1Of" clip connector (female and male)

1Of"' Bracing

11 Front face

12 Area, adapted to the shape of the central rod

13 Area with 45° mitre

14 45° mitre

15 Safety devices

16 Sleeve

17 Connection element

* * · · ·***«· j« «. * - 44 - Holding part ■ · » · · · *·· H · ·*·
• · «*··· · ·* **·· * Intervention element ·· ·* ***** « · «ft Body inner thread 18 Screw, especially countersunk screw 19 External thread 20 Countersunk head 21 Hexagon socket 22 Recess 23 Drilling through plate 24 Inner surface towards thigh attachment 25 Inner surface towards leg end 25' Reduction 26 Groove 26a Angle knot 26b T-node 27 Square knot 28 Groove 30 Frontal area 31 Arrow 32 Arrow 35 Arrow 36 Arrow 40 Arrow 41 Arrow 42 Arrow 43 Shelf compartment 44 Shelving system 45 Back wall 46 Locking knobs 49 Edge 50 blind hole 50' Stand 50'a Block 50'b chamfer 51 Bone plate 52 Mounting pin 52' 52'a 52'b 52a

• ·· · · »·*· · »···
• · *·· · ft * * * ·*·. · - 45 - Screw-in sleeve Recess 52b Furniture castor 53 Mounting pin 54 Industrial role 54a drilling 55 Mounting plate 56 Grid hole 57 Reinforcement bar 58 Trestle 59 Table 60 Table leg 61 Table 61a Table leg 62 pole 62a Grub screw 63 System of movable compartments 64 Drawer 65 Side wall 66 Front 67 Drawer bottom 68 Running plate 68' Clamp fastening 69 Beading 70 Grooves 71a deepening 71b Area 72 Clamping part 73 Bulge 74 Running sheet as shelf support 75 Area 76 Nose 77 Support surface 78 Storage shelf 79 Rubber studs 80 Limitation (rear) 80' Door, solid 81 82

- 46 -

83 Pivoting hinge

83a Pin, spring loaded

84 Hole for retrieving the pin 83a

85 Ball Catch 86 Ball

87 Glass frame door

88 Glass pane

89 Fastening element

90 Decorative pins made of metal or plastic 91 Visible surface

92 decorative wooden cones

93 visible area

95 Decorative profile

96 Vase holder 97 Sheet metal

98 Elastomer O-ring

99 Test tube vase

Claims (1)

- 36 - Expectations 1. Furniture system, characterized by one or more of the following components: Connection (1), preferably for the particularly dismantable assembly of the furniture system at the installation site, using profile rods (2) and plates (10) provided with holes (26), - wherein the profile rods (2) have at least two Legs (6) provided with holes (9) and thus into corresponding grooves (28) in end faces (11) of the plates (10) are pluggable so that in the installation position the holes (9) through the legs (6) of the profile rods (2) and the holes (26) through the plates (10) run essentially coaxially, and which are held there by a preferably releasable securing means (15), - wherein the securing means (15) each have a the bore (9) through the leg (6) insertable sleeve (16) with two oppositely directed connection elements (17) and two holding parts (18) that can be brought into contact with the plate (10) each with an engagement element (19) for preferably releasable engagement with the connecting elements (17) of the sleeve (16); and/or Clamp fastening (70), preferably for the particularly 0 dismantled assembly of the furniture system at the installation site, using plates (10) which are provided with depressions (72) or bulges preferably directly or indirectly at regular intervals, as well as clamping parts (74) which are directly or 5 indirectly on oppositely directed surfaces (77) are provided with corresponding bulges (75) or depressions, - 37 - so that the clamping parts (74) can be fastened in a clamping and preferably detachable manner between two plates (10) which are spaced apart in the installation position, by - the bulges (75) or depressions of the clamping part (74) resiliently engage in the associated, mutually facing recesses (72) or bulges of the two plates (10), or the bulges (75) or recesses of the clamping part (74) resiliently engage in the associated, mutually facing recesses (72) or bulges, which are preferably arranged in a web (6). 2. Furniture system according to claim 1, characterized in that the preferably isosceles profile rods (2) have two, three or four legs (6) which preferably enclose a right angle with one another. 3. Furniture system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the end face facing the profile bar (2) (11) of the plates (10) has a 45° mitre (14) at least in some areas (area 13). 4. Furniture system according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the profile rods (2) are each designed as a central rod (3) which is preferably round or square in cross section and to which the legs (6) are attached. 5. Furniture system according to claim 4, characterized in that the shape of the end face facing the profile bar (2) (11) of the plates (10) is adapted at least in regions (region 12) to the shape of the central rod (3). - 38 - β. Furniture system according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the central rod (3) is a hollow central tube (4), into the cavity (5) of which plug-in elements, for example decorative pins (90, 92), handles, holders for smaller objects or the like can be inserted for fastening. 7. Furniture system according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the installed position the bore (9) through the leg (6) of the profile rod (2) is offset from the associated bore (26) through the plate (10). 8. Furniture system according to claim 7, characterized in that the bore (9) through the leg (6) is offset in the installed position in the direction of the leg extension (7) relative to the associated bore (26) through the plate (10). 9. Furniture system according to claim 8, characterized in that the diameter of the bore (26) through the plate (10), the diameter of the bore (9) through the leg (6) and the offset of the bores (9, 26) are selected such that the inner surfaces (9a, 26a) of the bores (9, 26) arranged towards the leg attachment (7) are aligned with one another in the installed position, while the inner surface (9b) of the bore (9) through the leg (6) arranged towards the leg end (8) is offset by approximately one sixteenth of the diameter of the bore (9) through the leg (6) from the inner surface (26b) of the bore (26) through the plate (10). 10. Furniture system according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the outer diameter of the sleeve (16) insertable into the bore (9) through the leg (6) is approximately one sixteenth smaller than the diameter of the bore (9) through the leg 11. Furniture system according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sleeve (16) is an at least substantially circular-cylindrical body (20) which has a continuous internal thread (21) as a connecting element (17) in the cylinder axis. 12. Furniture system according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the holding parts (18) Screws (22) with an external thread (23) as an engagement element (19). 13. Furniture system according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bores (26) in the plates (10) have countersunk holes (27) and the holding parts (18) are provided with a corresponding countersunk head (24) for contact with the plate (10). 14. Furniture system according to claim 13 in conjunction with claim 12, characterized in that the holding parts (18) are countersunk head screws (22) with a hexagon socket (25) in the countersunk head (24). 15. Furniture system according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the panels (10) are indirectly provided with recesses (72) or bulges in that the holding parts (18), which in the installed position are in contact with the panels (10) and are connected to them, have corresponding recesses (72) or bulges. 16. Furniture system according to claim 15 in conjunction with claim 14, characterized in that the hexagon socket (25) and the countersunk head screws (22) form the recesses (72) in the plates (10). - 40 - 17. Furniture system according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the clamping parts (74) are holders, in particular support holders (shelf supports 76) for support shelves (form storage shelf 80) 5 or the like or rail supports such as runners (69) for drawers, pull-outs or the like. 18. Furniture system according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the clamping parts (74) shelves or cupboard floors. 19. Furniture system according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the clamping parts (74) Shelf or cabinet back panels or shelf or cabinet doors (glass frame door 85). 20. Furniture system according to claim 19, characterized in that the shelf or cabinet doors (glass frame door 85) have rotary hinges (8S) which engage with pins (87) in the recesses (72). 21. Furniture system according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the clamping parts (74) are formed from metal sheets having shaped noses (78) as bulges (75). 22. Furniture system according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the length of the profile bars (2) is at least substantially equal to the dimensions of the panels (10) in the corresponding direction. 23. Furniture system according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the furniture system comprises square or rectangular panels (10) for construction as a shelf or cabinet system (50) or as a table. - 41 - 24. Furniture system according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the furniture system comprises plates (10a, 10b, 10c), in particular elongated plates (10a, 10b), to which other components, in particular feet (52) or blocks (52') (Fig. 10c) and in particular furniture castors (54) (Fig. 12c) or industrial castors (55) arranged on angled mounting plates (57) can be fastened. 25. Furniture system according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the furniture system comprises elongated plates (10d) for construction as a table leg (61a, 62a) or table trestle (60). 26. Furniture system according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the profile rods (2), the sleeves (16) and/or the holding parts (18) consist of metal. 27. Furniture system according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the panels (10) consist of wood, wood material (chipboard, MDF boards or veneer boards), plastics (solid plastic or molded parts) or metal, which can optionally be provided with a desired surface layer. 28. Furniture system according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the end faces (36) of the plates (10) not facing the profile bars (2) are also provided, at least in sections, with grooves (35) into which decorative strips, holders (vase holder 96) for smaller objects (test tube vase 99) or the like can be inserted for fastening. 29. Furniture system according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that - 42 - Plates (10a, 10b, 10c) of the furniture or shelving system are designed as a base or side plate (10')(Fig. 9b) with a centrally arranged and in particular rectangular opening (10") and Grooves (10"a) running along the edges of the opening (10") and a gap (10"c) through which flat elements, preferably glass panes, cover the opening (10") (10'a), can be inserted into a pocket-shaped guide thus formed and that gap (10"c) can be closed by a leg (6) of a profile rod (2) and - the base or side plate (10') can be fastened to the profile rods (2) by means of securing means (15). 30. Furniture system according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connection (1) on the legs (6) is carried out by a clamp fastening (70) on a plate (1Of) without securing means (15), the plate (1Of) having recesses (72) on its upper sides analogous to the hexagon socket (25). 25