Joints and connections – Rod end to transverse side of member
Reexamination Certificate
1999-05-28
2001-03-06
Kim, Harry C. (Department: 3629)
Joints and connections
Rod end to transverse side of member
C403S231000, C403S192000, C312S265100, C108S158110
Reexamination Certificate
active
06196753
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a furniture system, in particular a kitchen furniture system in accordance with a self-supporting base framework with two tubes and/or sections connected to each other by means of connecting elements.
In the field of kitchen furniture, over the past decades fitted kitchens have become the norm. These are kitchen furniture fitments which are adapted to fit the room design of the kitchen. The kitchen furniture fixed together in the unit of a fitted kitchen now possess the disadvantage of a lack of mobility. This affects on the one hand the possibility of any desired repositioning and reorganizing of the kitchen furniture within the kitchen. But even more frequently problems arise with the moving to a different house which as a rule makes it necessary to install a completely new fitted kitchen in the new house.
Even before the introduction of fitted kitchens, it was already known to put together kitchens from individual pieces of furniture such as storage cupboards, cabinets, etc. However, the furniture in these cases was conventional furniture which were frequently not coordinated with one another in their sizes and their appearance.
In the very recent past, there have been made first endeavours to make mobile kitchen elements available. In this connection, the so-called “suitcase kitchen” can be mentioned where the cupboards and functional units such as dishwasher, washing machine, stove are integrated in a type of suitcase housing which can be moved on rollers and which possesses integrated flip-handles to transport the unit.
On the other hand, in the field of shelf and office furniture, a furniture system is already known where a self-supporting basic framework with tubes connected to one another by means of connecting elements is provided, then, depending on the function, shelf boards, side panels, wall panels, flaps, drawers or similar being installed and the wall elements also being statically supporting parts of the furniture. The connection of the tubes forming the basic framework is formed by essentially spherical knot elements which the tubes are screwed into by means of a screw on the end side.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The object of the invention is to develop a furniture system with a self-supporting basic framework allowing the flexible design of kitchen furniture to the inclusion of all functions and permitting at the same time high mobility and possessing its own and appealing design.
This object is solved in accordance with the invention beginning with a furniture system of the generic type by the connecting elements comprising a shaped part which is, itself, formed as a tube and/or substantially closed hollow section, on which at least one laterally protruding projection is formed extending over the whole length of the connecting element, and the connecting elements, themselves, are integrated as vertical components which replace the tubes and/or sections in some parts in the basic framework. Accordingly, the connecting elements of the basic framework consist in each case of a shaped part itself being designed as a tube and/or a substantially closed hollow section on which at least one laterally protruding projection is formed extending over the whole length of the connecting element. The connecting elements themselves are integrated in the basic framework as vertical construction elements which, over their lengths, replace the tubes and/or sections they connect to one another. In this self-supporting basic framework made up of standardized parts, all functions can be integrated by using the connecting elements formed with the projections. Thus, shelf elements, side panels, doors, flaps, fittings and drawers can be integrated without problems. Thanks to the high support capability, even heavy built-in fitments can be integrated. The design of the connecting elements not only allows an advantageous module component system from technical points of view, but also a significant design effect thanks to the connection of the basic framework formed from a tube and/or a substantially closed hollow section with a connecting projection.
Advantageous embodiments of the invention are shown herein.
Accordingly, the vertical elements of the basic framework can consist of tubes and/or sections extending into the hollow section of the connecting elements. Here, the tubes and/or sections can extend over the whole length of the connecting element so that the connecting element is, so to say, pushed like a sleeve onto the hollow section. Advantageously, the hollow sections, however, do not extend over the whole length in the connecting element, but are pushed in at the ends only to such an extent that a secure fixing is possible in the connecting element, for example by clamping, screwing, etc. In this way, material and weight is substantially saved.
The horizontal tubes and/or sections as well as any inserted plates, frames, etc. of the basic framework can be fixed to the projection of the connecting element.
It is of special design appeal if the connecting element possesses the shape of an asymmetrical droplet in its cross-section. This shape, however, also allows very good functionality as no edges are formed here which, for example, make cleaning the surface more difficult.
The connecting element may possess a round or polygonal hollow section adapted in each case to the shape of the tubes to be connected to one another.
In the connecting element, on one side of the projection a recess can be provided for the flush acceptance of components such as wall elements, floors, frames, tubes or plates.
On the outside, ornamentation can be applied to the connecting element which may be, for example, engraved and/or printed in order to give the furniture an additional design character.
It is especially advantageous if assembly plates are connected to the connecting elements possessing as such standardized boreholes, screw boreholes, recesses and/or grooves serving to accept components and fittings to be assembled. These assembly plates thus contain a series of assembly possibilities which in particular restrict the availability of a variety of shapes of components for the furniture system. The repositioning of the furniture system is also simplified thanks to the multi-functionality of these assembly plates.
In accordance with an alternative embodiment, the connecting element can also be formed of a plurality of parts. Thus, while the connecting element in itself may possess a droplet shape, it can include a clampable screen to be fitted from the outside in order to cover screws of a screw connection to be screwed in from the outside. Here, an assembly-friendly design is provided as a screw capability from the outside is given once the screen is removed.
But the connecting element can also consist of a hollow section with a shaped recess extending over its whole length and a projection which can be connected to this hollow section with a corresponding shaped projection for the form-locking connection of the two parts.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2730421 (1956-01-01), Burst et al.
patent: 4242969 (1981-01-01), Checkwood et al.
patent: 6000874 (1999-12-01), Langer et al.
Haberl Thomas
Heizinger Robert
Langer Otto
Massanetz Klaus
Neumann Rene
bulthaup GmbH & Co. Kuchensysteme
Dilworth & Barrese LLP
Kim Harry C.
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