RACK

Abstract: A rack (7) for use as a rack for periodicals and the like can, according to the invention, comprise three rectangular plate elements, i.e. a first plate element (1) with a single cut-out (2), a second element (3) with two cut-outs (2), and a third element (4) similarly with two cut-outs (2) but with double plate length. By means of these three elements (1, 3 and 4), it is possible to set up a rack (7) which is assembled solely by mutual sliding engagement of the cut-outs (2) in the plates to form a right-angled assembly which is totally concealed. With this assembly, the plate edges form a projection, a stop-edge (6), on which the periodicals and brochures and the like can rest when they are placed on the rack's inclined plate element.

Description: RACK The known technique The invention concerns an item of furniture built up from plates which are held together to form an upright-standing rack in which periodicals and the like can be placed resting on the plates. Such racks are known in a large number of configurations. The joining-together and fastening of the plates is necessary in order to configure a stable rack. Such racks are developed mainly for use as permanent items of furniture which are not intended to be moved. If, for example, they are to be moved, they can either be moved in their assembled state, or all of the joints such as screw assemblies and the like can be disassembled for separation of the rack into plates. If, for example, a rack is to be used for display purposes, it is both time-consuming and inconvenient to use known racks which are troublesome to assemble and separate. The object of the invention It is the object of the invention to overcome the disadvantages of the known racks, and this can be achieved according to the invention in that each plate is rectangular and is provided with one or two cut-outs with a breadth which is slightly larger than the thickness of the plate, and which extend from and at right-angles to the one side edge of the plate for a distance past the centreline of the plate, so that two plates can be brought together by mutual sliding engagement between the cut-outs in the plates. There is hereby provided a surprisingly simple method of assembling the plates, which can be mutually engaged in the cut-outs so that the assemblies become stable, and since the extent of the plates does not need to exceed the supporting plate, the rack becomes very stable. Moreover, a rack can be assembled where the points of assembly extend alternately at the front and rear of the rack, which provides a stable rack, the reason being that it will extend within the length of the two lowermost plates and herewith the support. Moreover, it is possible to vary the number of plate elements, and herewith to configure racks of different heights. To this can be added that it is easy to transport the plates and to set them up entirely without the use of tools or brackets, and after use they are easy to separate and to pack. By allowing the cut-outs in the plates to extend a little further than is theoretically necessary, the end surfaces in the cut-outs are protected against damage. Especially in the case of painted or lacquered surfaces it is important to avoid mutual rubbing and bumping together, since these will damage the surface treatment. As disclosed in claim 2, by configuring one of the lowermost plates with double length and with a centre cut-out and an end cut-out which can cooperate with a plate with only one end cut-out, there is achieved a support which will be stable and on which a plate can be slidingly engaged for the building-up of the rack. As disclosed in claim 3, by using plates with a cut-out near each end edge, the rack's centremost part can be built-up of these plate elements in the desired number and herewith the desired height. As disclosed in claim 4, by allowing the uppermost plate element to correspond to one of the lower plates in the support, it can be achieved that the uppermost plate is completely smooth. As disclosed in claim 5, by positioning the cut-outs at suitable distances from the end edge, after the assembly there will be plate part extending outside said assembly which can constitute a stop-edge for the periodicals or the like which are placed on the plate in the rack. Finally, as disclosed in claim 6, it is expedient to round off the end edges on the plates which not only provides a more attractive appearance, but also protects the edges against damage. The drawing An example embodiment according to the invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the drawing, where fig. 1 shows the rack seen from the side, fig. 2 shows the rack seen from the front and the rear, figs. 3 and 4 show the uppermost and lowermost plate seen from the front and from the side, figs. 5 and 6 show the centre plate seen from the side and from the front, and figs. 7 and 8 show the lowermost plate seen from the side and from the front. Description of the example embodiment An example of a preferred embodiment of the rack according to the invention will now be described. The three plate elements which constitute the system will be described first. In figs. 3 and 4 the first element is shown in the form of a rectangular plate 1 which, near its one end edge 5, is provided with a cut-out 2 which extends from the side edge and in to the centre, and preferably slightly further. The breadth of the cut-out corresponds to the thickness of the plate, or slightly more, so that when two plates are slid together, the cut-out in the one plate will extend over the second plate in extension of its cut-out. In figs. 5 and 6 there is shown the second element, which similarly comprises a rectangular plate 3 which is preferably of the same dimensions as the first element 1. The difference is an additional cut-out 2, so that in this plate 3 there is a cut-out near each end edge 5. Finally, figs. 7 and 8 show a third element in the form of a plate 4 which is twice as long as the remaining plates 1 and 3. This third plate 4 is provided with cut-outs 2 along the centreline of the plate and near the one end edge 5. All three plate elements 1 , 3 and 4 are rounded at the end edge 5, but they can naturally also be rounded along the side edges. In addition to the purely aesthetic reasons, the object of the rounding is to make the otherwise vulnerable, sharp edges robust and user-friendly and, where the lowermost elements are concerned, to ensure that the rack is supported in a stable manner on the surface on which it stands. The plates 1 , 3 and 4 can be produced from any known kind of furniture plate material, i.e. either from solid wood or from pressed/glued material. An example of a rack which can be built up from these three plates elements 1 , 3 and 4 is shown in figs. 1 and 2. The rack 7 is built up from the plate elements as follows: Lowermost, the first plate element 1 with its cut-out upwards is slidingly en- gaged in the centre cut-out 2 of the third element 4, so that a right-angled triangle is formed between the plates as shown in fig. 1 In the upper cut-out 2 in the third element 4 there is now inserted a centre plate 3, and hereafter a further centre plate 3. The uppermost shelf of the rack consists of the first element 1 which completes the rack 7 with a plane plate as will appear from fig. 2. As will appear from fig. 1 , the assemblies alternate between the front and the rear of the rack, so that the rack extends within the extent of the lowermost plates and herewith their support. Since the rack 7 extends in this manner, all of the assemblies at the cut-outs are concealed. Consequently, the rack 7 appears as if produced in one piece. Moreover, all of the assemblies form mutually right-angled plate positions, so that the rack 7 has an attractive appearance. As appears clearly in fig. 1 , the plates thus assembled by engagement in the cut-outs will form a projection which will constitute a stop 6 for material placed on the overlying plate. The rack is hereby suitable for use as a brochure or periodical rack, which is also its function when e.g. it is used at an exhibition or the like. The rack is simple to produce, and requires only the plate elements in order to be assembled, and consequently completely without the use of assembly brackets and the like. This makes the rack suitable for easy transport and use, since it consists only of plates which can be set up without the use of tools and can be individually adapted in height to suit requirements.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. Item of furniture which is built up from plates which are held together to form an upright-standing rack on which periodicals or the like can be placed resting on the plates, characterized in that each of the plates (1 , 3, 4) is rectangular and provided with one or two cut-outs (2) with a breadth which is slightly larger than the thickness of the plate, and which extend from and at right-angles to the one side edge of the plate for a distance past the centreline of the plate, so that two plates can be joined together by mutual sliding en- gagement in the plates' cut-outs (2). 2. Item of furniture according to claim 1, characterized in that the lowermost part of the rack (7) consists partly of a plate (4) which is twice as long and has a cut-out (2) along the centreline and a cut-out (2) at the one end edge, and partly of a plate (1) with a cut-out near the one end edge, and where the centre cut-out and the cut-out near the end edge respectively have substantially the same distance from the plate's end edge. 3. Item of furniture according to claim 1, characterized in that the centremost part of the rack (7) consists of plates (3) with a cut-out (2) near each end edge. 4. Item of furniture according to claim 1, characterized in that the uppermost part of the rack (7) consists of a plate (1) with a cut-out (2) near the lowermost end edge. 5. Item of furniture according to claims 1-4, characterized in that the cut-out (2) near the end edge is placed at a distance from the end edge which is greater than the thickness of the plate, so that a stop-edge (6) is formed for the periodical. 6. Item of furniture according to any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the end edges of the plates (1 , 3, 4) are rounded (5).

Inventors: GRAMSTRUP CLAUS, GRAMSTRUP, CLAUS
Applicants: GRAMSTRUP CLAUS, GRAMSTRUP, CLAUS
Application year: 1998
Main classification: A47B47
IPC codes: A47B47, A47B63, A47F5, A47F7