US20030136316A1

US20030136316A1 - Connecting system for elements forming modular furniture structures, in particular tables and/or desks

Info

Publication number: US20030136316A1
Application number: US10/350,618
Authority: US
Inventors: Bruno Nicoletti
Original assignee: Work Corp Inc Srl
Current assignee: Work Corp Inc Srl
Priority date: 2002-01-24
Filing date: 2003-01-24
Publication date: 2003-07-24
Also published as: EP1330969A1; ITBO20020036A0; ITBO20020036A1

Abstract

The proposed connecting system for modular structures, in particular tables and/or desks, includes a junction block, which features a pair of coplanar horizontal plates. Support and stabilization means of a pair of bars are connected to the horizontal plates. The support members support the junction block.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to articles of furniture, with particular reference to a connecting system for elements forming furniture modular structures, such as desks, tables, shelves, fitting-carrying wall structures and the like.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The production of pieces of furniture typically uses modular structures, which not only can assume different configurations in relation to different needs, but they can also be advantageously transported to the installation place and then assembled in a simple, rapid and stable way, without any difficulty.

Different connecting systems for the components forming the main structures of pieces of furniture have been heretofore proposed.

Some of these systems include matching or bridging members made on the furniture elements and aimed at connecting the elements with other mating elements. The connection is definitely stabilized by means of screws or other similar fixing means. To make this operation easier, special holes are suitably provided.

Other known connecting systems include internally bored and threaded bushings, which are fitted into related recesses made along edges of a first series of elements, which are to be connected. Elements of a second series have holes, through which relevant screws are made to pass. The screws are then screwed into the threaded bushings.

All the connecting systems mentioned above, have drawbacks such as low stability and/or rigidity of the connections between the elements, assembling complexity, remarkable amount of time needed for carrying out the assembling operation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to propose a connecting system for elements forming furniture modular structures, in particular desks, tables, shelves, fitting-carrying wall structures, which requires a limited number of elements and allows any operator to perform connections in an easy and simple way, even in case of complicated configurations of the furniture structures.

Another object of the present invention is to propose a connecting system for furniture modular structures, which allows stable and strong connections, and which require a particularly limited preparation time with respect to the traditional systems according to prior art.

A further object of the present invention is to propose a connecting system performed by a simple technical solution, which assures high strength standards and sufficiently low production costs.

The above mentioned objects are obtained, in accordance with the contents of the claims, by means of a connecting system for elements forming modular structures, in particular tables and/or desks, the elements consisting of at least one bar and at least one support member to be joined together, said connecting system including:

a junction block used to connect said at least one bar with said at least one support member;

at least one transversal seat made at top of said junction block for receiving therein said bar set in transversal configuration with respect to said junction block;

support and stabilization means situated in a region corresponding to said seat for locking said at least one bar therein;

with said at least one support member being removably fastened to said junction block.

In a more specific aspect, the invention relates to a connecting system for elements forming modular structures, in particular tables and/or desks, the elements consisting of at least one bar and at least one support member to be joined together, said connecting system including:

a strip of metal sheet shaped so as to form two plates, at opposite extremities of the metal strip, a small plates formed by the central part of the strip, and curved portions joining the plates to the central part, said curved portions forming at least one transversal seat situated at top of said junction block for receiving therein said bar;

fixing means mounted in a region corresponding to said seat for locking said at least one bar therein;

at least one support member removably fastened to said junction block.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The characteristic features of the present invention will be pointed out in the following description of a preferred, nonexclusive embodiment, with reference to the enclosed drawings, in which: [0020]
FIGS. 1 and 2 are schematic and perspective views of a first embodiment of the proposed connecting system, respectively in an exploded view and in an assembled configuration; [0021]
FIGS. 3, 4 are schematic perspective view of a second embodiment of the connecting system, respectively in an exploded view and in assembled configuration; [0022]
FIGS. 5, 6 are corresponding schematic views, perspective and lateral respectively, of a variant concerning fixing of a work surface to the structure proposed by the present invention.[0023]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, which show the proposed connecting system according to a first embodiment, the [0024] reference numeral 1 indicates a junction block, made substantially like an overturned “U”, formed by a pair of coplanar plates 5 a,5 b from which two flanges 1 a,1 b extend. The two plates 5 a,5 b delimit, along with the flanges 1 a,1 b, a, opening 8. The operative junction block is a part of the proposed connecting system for modular structures, in particular tables and/or desks.
The [0025] vertical flanges 1 a, 2 b feature, in the area situated between the horizontal plates 5 a, 5 b, support and stabilization means for a pair of bars 2, parallel to each other and arranged transversal to the junction block 1.
A pair of [0026] support members 10, for instance legs of a table and/or desk, support the operative junction block 1.
In correspondence to its upper end, each [0027] leg 10 includes a coupling plate 9, which is aimed at being removably connected with the lower part of the corresponding horizontal plate 5 a, 5 b by fastening means 70, for instance threaded screws.
The support and stabilization means for the [0028] bars 2 include a pair of side by side recesses, open at their upper parts, formed in each of the vertical flanges 1 a, 1 b; recesses situated in alignment to each other and belonging to the respective vertical flanges 1 a,1 b define a corresponding first transversal seat 3, aimed at receiving the relative bar 2 freely resting on the region corresponding to the lower edges of the recesses.
A [0029] small plate 4 is supported by the vertical surfaces 1 a, 1 b and joined thereto, for instance, by welding. The small plate is situated inside the opening 8, parallel to the plates 5 a, 5 b, at a lower level with respect thereto.
The first [0030] transversal seats 3 are situated on both sides with respect to the small plate 4 in order to assure best fastening of the bars 2.
A [0031] clamping plate 6 is aimed at being placed on the small plate 4, substantially coplanar with the horizontal plates 5 a, 5 b, so as to removably lock the bars 2 inside the relative first transversal seats 3.
The arrangement of the tightening plate with respect to the [0032] small plate 4 is kept by the first stabilization means 7, for example first screws, which enter respective holes made in the clamping plate 6 and engage with the threaded seats made in the small plate 4.
The [0033] clamping plate 6 features, at its sides, a pair of winglets 6 a, extending orthogonal thereto, which engage with corresponding holes 50 a, 50 b formed in the horizontal plates 5 a, 5 b near the opening 8, to center the clamping plate 6 with respect to the horizontal plates 5 a, 5 b.
The assembling of the [0034] bars 2 and the legs 10 with the junction block 1 is particularly rapid, simple and intuitive.
According to widely known techniques, the [0035] bars 2 can house in their inside any type of electric and/or telephonic circuitry, which can be necessary for the associated table and/or desk.
The [0036] bars 2 are placed above the respective first transversal seats 3, made on the sides of the small plate 4, then the bars 2 are pressed down and locked by the clamping plate 6 and the first screws 7.
The [0037] clamping plate 6 is placed on the small plate 4 with the pair of winglets 6 a introduced into the corresponding holes 50 a, 50 b, thus defining, together with the horizontal plates 5 a, 5 b, a substantially coplanar configuration (FIG. 2).
Then, a working surface [0038] 180 (shown with broken line in FIG. 2) is placed removably, and obviously locked, onto the junction block 1 in correspondence to the coplanar surface defined by the horizontal plates 5 a, 5 b and the clamping plate 6.
The [0039] coupling plates 9 formed by the legs 10 go in abutment against the lower part of the respective horizontal plates 5 a, 5 b, and then fastened by the threaded screws 70.
In this case, the [0040] vertical flanges 1 a, 1 b act as stabilization and lateral guide for the coupling plates 9, maintaining them substantially aligned with the horizontal plates 5 a, 5 b, placed above.
Considering a possible variation, the [0041] horizontal plates 5 a,5 b and the small plate 4 may be formed in a single piece obtained by shaping a strip of metal sheet.
The two horizontal plates are obtained by forming two wings at the opposite extremities of the metal strip, the small plates is formed by the central part of the strip while the transversal seats are obtained by curving the portions of the strip joining the plates to the central part of the strip. The curved portion may be complementary to the profile of the [0042] bars 2.
This variation allows the junction block to be produced by means of a metal strip simply press-shaped. [0043]
The variant is fully reflected in the second embodiment of the invention, shown in the FIGS. 3 and 4, [0044]
The [0045] junction block 100 has substantially the shape of a “U”, considering planes parallel with respect to the direction of the longitudinal extension. The “U” element is formed by shaping a metal strip.
The “U”-shaped element includes a pair of [0046] coplanar plates 305 a, 305 b, and a lower portion 101, forming the base of the “U”. Two vertical portions 111 connect the two plates 305 a,305 b to the lower portion 101. The lower portion 101, at the corners, may have a shape complementary to that of the bars 2 as it can be seen in FIG. 3.
Means for supporting and stabilizing the pair of [0047] parallel bars 2 are set in engagement with the lower part 101 of the “U”.
As it is evident, the system according to the second embodiment does not include the vertical flanges, first [0048] 1 a and second 1 b, because the junction block is carried by one support upright 90, whose cross-section is oval. The junction block is fastened to the upright by welding and is completely surrounded thereby, resulting to be invisible. In this way, a particularly aesthetically pleasant effect is advantageously obtained (FIG. 4).
Secondly, the extension of the [0049] horizontal plates 305 a, 305 b is more limited than the plates of the first embodiment, because the coupling plates 9, connected to the support members 10, are not to be removably coupled with them.
The shape of the [0050] junction block 1, according to the first embodiment, is like an overturned “U”, considering the planes orthogonal to the direction of the longitudinal extension thereof; while according to the second embodiment, the shape of the junction block 1 is like an “U” if the planes parallel to the longitudinal extension are considered.
Moreover, in the second embodiment, the shaped part of the [0051] lower portion 101 of the “U” and suitable apertures made in the uprights (see FIGS. 3 and 4) define a pair of second transversal seats 30, each of which can receive, freely resting thereon, a related bar 2.
A [0052] small plate 40, making part of the lower portion 101 of the “U”, extends between the inner edges of the pair of the second seats 30, orthogonal to the vertical portions 111 and parallel to the horizontal plates 305 a, 305 b, at a level lower than the latter (FIG. 3).
The winglets [0053] 6 a of the clamping plate 6 are introduced into the corresponding holes 50 a, 50 b, made in the horizontal plates 305 a,305 b, maintaining the clamping plate 6 parallel to the small plate 40, situated below, in order to center the clamping plate 6 with respect to the horizontal plates 305 a, 305 b.
The so positioned clamping [0054] plate 6, capable of removably locking the bars 2 inside the second transversal seats 30, can be slightly raised with respect to the horizontal plates 305 a, 305 b, as shown in FIG. 4, or it can be coplanar therewith, according to another embodiment (not shown).
The configuration of the [0055] clamping plate 6 with respect to the small plate 40 is assured by the second stabilizing means 700, e.g. second screws, which enter respective holes made in the clamping plate 6 and engage with threaded seats made in the small plate 40.
With reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, it is evident that the [0056] work surface 18 is stably locked to the pair of bars 2 with the interposition of the support means 17.
The support means [0057] 17 include a flat upper base 17 a and a pair of vertical walls, a first wall 18 a and a second wall 18 b, extending from the lower part of the upper base 17 a, orthogonal thereto. In this way, an overturned “U” is defined, considering the planes orthogonal to the longitudinal extension of the support means 17.
Each of the [0058] vertical walls 18 a, 18 b includes a pair of side by side indentations whose cross-section is complementary to the cross-section of the bars 2; the indentations arranged in alignment and belonging to diverse vertical walls 18 a, 18 b, define a corresponding longitudinal seat 19, aimed at fitting on the relative bar 2, until the upper edges of the indentations go in abutment onto the same bar 2.
A plurality of first holes are made in the upper [0059] flat base 17 a features for being engaged by first means 20 for locking the upper flat base 17 a to the working surface 18. A plurality of second holes are made in the base for engagement by second means 21 for locking the support means 17 to each bar 2.
The above described connecting system for modular furniture structures, particularly indicated for tables, desks, shelves, fitting-carrying walls, etc., according to both embodiments, requires the use of a [0060]
limited number of elements and allows any operator to perform connections in an easy and simple way, even in case of complicated configurations of the furniture structures. [0061]
Although extremely simple to assemble, the resulting modular structures allow to obtain stable and particularly strong couplings, in a particularly reduced time with respect to known systems. [0062]
Any variation and/or modification of the configuration of the modular structure results particularly simple and rapid, thus reducing considerably the assembly and operation time. [0063]

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A connecting system for elements forming modular structures, in particular tables and/or desks, the elements consisting of at least one bar (2) and at least one support member (10,90) to be joined together, said connecting system including:

a junction block (1,100) used to connect said at least one bar (2) with said at least one support member (10,90);

at least one transversal seat (3,30) made at top of said junction block (1,100) for receiving therein said bar (2) set in transversal configuration with respect to said junction block (1)

support and stabilization means situated in a region corresponding to said seat (3,30) for locking said at least one bar (2) therein;

with said at least one support member (10,90) being removably fastened to said junction block (1,100).

2. A connecting system, according to claim 1, wherein said junction block includes:

a pair of coplanar horizontal plates (5 a,5 b), between which said at least one transversal seat (3) is situated;

two vertical flanges, namely a first flange (1 a) and second flange (1 b), fastened to said horizontal plates (5 a,5 b) to define an overturned “U” configuration of said junction block (1), considering planes orthogonal with respect to the direction of the longitudinal extension thereof;

at least one pair of aligned recesses, open in their upper part, each of which being formed in a related vertical flange (1 a,1 b) and situated to match with said transversal seat (3) aimed at receiving said bar (2) crossing said transversal seat (3);

said support and stabilization means being situated in the area included between said horizontal plates (5 a,5 b) and said vertical flanges (1 a,1 b).

3. A connecting system according to claim 2, wherein said support and stabilization means of said bar (2) include:

a small plate (4) disposed between and supported by said vertical flanges (1 a,1 b), arranged parallel to said horizontal plates (5 a,5 b), at a level lower with respect thereto and beside said transversal seat;

a clamping plate (6), aimed at removably locking said bar (2) within the respective first transversal seat (3) by being placed on said small plate (4);

first means (7) for stabilization of the configuration of said clamping plate (6) with respect to said small plate (4).

4. A connecting system according to claim 3, wherein said junction block (1) includes two transversal seats (3), aimed at receiving two bars (2) to be joined to said support member, and two pairs of aligned recesses, formed in said vertical flanges (1 a,1 b), said recesses being open in their upper part and disposed to match respectively with said transversal seat (3), and said small plate (4) is situated between said two transversal seats (3)

5. A connecting system according to claim 2, wherein said support member (10) has a coupling plate (9) fixed to one end, the coupling plate being provided for removable coupling with one of said horizontal plates (5 a,5 b) by locking means (70).

6. A connecting system according to claim 5, wherein said support member (10) is constituted by at least one leg for desks and/or tables.

7. A connecting system according to claim 6, further including a pair of support members (10) for supporting said junction block (1), fastened to both said horizontal plates (5 a,5 b).

8. A connecting system according to claim 3, wherein said first stabilizing means (7) include screws aimed at being introduced into respective holes made in said clamping plate (6) and at engaging with threaded seats made in said small plate (4).

9. A connecting system, according to claim 3, wherein said clamping plate (6) features at its sides a pair of winglets (6 a), orthogonal thereto and aimed at being engaged with corresponding holes (50 a,50 b) made near in said horizontal plates (5 a,5 b) to center said clamping plate (6) with respect to said horizontal plates (5 a,5 b).

10. A connecting system, according to claim 1, wherein said junction block (100) is shaped like a “U”, considering planes parallel to the direction of the longitudinal extension thereof, defining a lower portion (101), vertical portions (111) connected to said lower portion, and two horizontal plates (305 a,305 b) connected to said vertical portions;

said support and stabilization means for the bar (2), connected to said junction block (100), including: at least one second seat (30), open in its upper part and formed by said lower portion (101) of said “U”, aimed at receiving, freely resting thereonto, said bar (2);

a small plate (40) formed by said lower portion (101) of said “U”, substantially parallel to said horizontal plates (305 a,305 b), at a level lower with respect thereto;

a clamping plate (6), aimed at allowing a removable introduction of said bar (2) into said second seat (30), in cooperation with said small plate (40), by being placed parallel to the latter in a configuration substantially coplanar with said horizontal plates (5 a,5 b); second means (700) for stabilizing the configuration of said clamping plate (6) with respect to said small plate (40).

11. A connecting system, according to claim 10, further including a pair of second seats (30), formed by said lower portion (101) of said “U” in the area between said horizontal plates (5 a, 5 b) and connected to said vertical portions (111), said second seats (30) being open in their upper part and aimed at receiving, freely resting, a pair of bars (2) removably locked to said clamping plate (6), with said small plate (40) being situated between said second seats (30).

12. A connecting system according to claim 10, wherein said support member (90), removably connected to said junction block (100), is constituted by only one upright which completely surrounds the latter, making it invisible.

13. A connecting system, according to claim 10, wherein sad second stabilizing means (700) are second screws, aimed at being introduced into respective holes made in said clamping plate (6) and at engaging with threaded seats made in said small plate (40).

14. A connecting system, according to claim 10, wherein said clamping plate (6) features at its sides a pair of winglets (6 a), orthogonal thereto and aimed at being engaged with corresponding holes (50 a,50 b) formed in said horizontal plates (305 a,305 b) to center said clamping plate (6) with respect to said horizontal plates (305 a,305 b).

15. A connecting system, according to claim 1, wherein a working surface (18,180) is removably connected with said at least one bar (2).

16. A connecting system, according to claim 15, wherein said working surface (18,180) is fastened to said bar or bars (2) by support means (17), formed like an overturned “U”, with respect to the planes orthogonal to the direction of the biggest longitudinal extension thereof, and aimed at locking stably and removably a working surface (18,180) to said bar (2).

17. A connecting system, according to claim 16, wherein said support means (17) include an upper flat base (17 a), with a pair of vertical walls, first (18 a) and second (18 b), extending from the lower part thereof, orthogonal thereto, and further include a pair of opposite recesses, made in said vertical walls (18 a,18 b) and being open in their lower part, whose cross-section is complementary to the one of said bar (2), and which define a corresponding longitudinal seat (19), aimed at resting on the relative bar (2).

18. A connecting system, according to claim 17, further including, made in said upper base (17 a), a plurality of first holes, aimed at being engaged by first means (20) for locking said upper base to said working surface (18), and, made in said upper base (17 a), a plurality of second holes, aimed at being engaged by second means (21) for locking said upper base to said bar (2).

19 A connecting system according to claim 2, wherein the horizontal plates and the small plate are formed in a single piece obtained from a shaped a strip of metal sheet, with the two horizontal plates formed at the opposite extremities of the metal strip, the small plates formed by the central part of the strip, and the transversal seats obtained by curving made in the portions of the strip joining the plates to the central part.

20. A connecting system according to claim 19, wherein the curved portion are complementary to the profile of the bars.

21. A connecting system for elements forming modular structures, in particular tables and/or desks, the elements consisting of at least one bar and at least one support member to be joined together, said connecting system including:

at least one support member removably fastened to said junction block.

22. A connecting system according to claim 21, including two support members, said support members consisting of two legs, each one provided with a coupling plate for removable coupling with a respective plate of said junction block.

23. A connecting system according to claim 21, wherein said support member is constituted by only one upright which completely surrounds, and is fixed to, said shaped metal strip forming said junction block 24. A connecting system according to claim 23, wherein the plates of said shaped metal strip of said junction block rest, at leas partially, on top of the upright.