Source: https://patents.google.com/patent/US9781997B2/en
Timestamp: 2019-08-23 02:51:52
Document Index: 489067808

Matched Legal Cases: ['application No. 61', 'arts 11', 'arts 3', 'arts 11', 'arts 15', 'arts 9', 'arts 9', 'arts 9', 'arts 9', 'art 9', 'art 10', 'arts 9', 'art 9', 'art 10', 'arts 9', 'arts 55', 'arts 9', 'arts 9', 'arts 57', 'arts 9', 'arts 9', 'art 49', 'art 70', 'art 70', 'arts 9', 'art 9', 'arts 9', 'arts 75', 'arts 3', 'art 82', 'art 82', 'arts 83', 'art 83', 'art 82', 'art 94', 'art 94', 'art 94', 'art 94', 'arts 104', 'arts 104', 'art 104', 'arts 15', 'art 45', 'art 49', 'arts 9', 'arts 45', 'arts 115', 'arts 9', 'arts 115', 'art 122', 'art 123', 'arts 126', 'art 122', 'art 123', 'art 123', 'art 123', 'art 139', 'art 147', 'art 94', 'arts 94', 'art 151', 'arts 171', 'art 173', 'art 174', 'art 173', 'art 187', 'art 189', 'art 187', 'art 189', 'arts 9', 'arts 9', 'arts 9', 'arts 9', 'arts 9', 'art 10', 'art 9', 'arts 9', 'art 10', 'arts 9', 'arts 44', 'arts 9', 'art 45', 'art 49', 'arts 9', 'art 49', 'art 10', 'arts 9', 'arts 9', 'arts 9', 'art 49', 'arts 210', 'art 49', 'arts 211', 'art 5', 'Application No. 201100189']

US9781997B2 - Composed element and rear wall construction applied herewith - Google Patents
US9781997B2
US9781997B2 US14/007,766 US201214007766A US9781997B2 US 9781997 B2 US9781997 B2 US 9781997B2 US 201214007766 A US201214007766 A US 201214007766A US 9781997 B2 US9781997 B2 US 9781997B2
US14/007,766
US20140017001A1 (en
2011-03-28 Priority to BE2011/0189 priority
2012-03-28 Priority to US14/007,766 priority patent/US9781997B2/en
2013-11-06 Assigned to UNILIN, BVBA reassignment UNILIN, BVBA ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: VANHASTEL, LUC, VAN TROYS, Jan, DEMAN, LUC, MARRES, Maarten, CAPPELLE, MARK, MAERTENS, LUC
2014-01-16 Publication of US20140017001A1 publication Critical patent/US20140017001A1/en
2017-10-10 Publication of US9781997B2 publication Critical patent/US9781997B2/en
A composed element, such as a piece of furniture, wherein the composed element comprises at least a rear wall, as well as a number of constructional parts forming a whole in which the rear wall has to be provided. The rear wall forms the rear side of the composed element and includes one or more rear wall parts. The composed element comprises seats for installing at least one of the rear wall parts, which are configured such that the rear wall part can be slid into the seats starting from the rear side of the composed element from a position differing from the final plane in which the rear wall part will be situated in the final condition.
This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. 119 (e) to the U.S. provisional application No. 61/542,562 filed on Oct. 3, 2011.
The grooves are located on at least two opposite edges of the rear side of the composed element;
The grooves are located on at least two opposite edges of the rear side of the composed element, as well as on a third edge transverse to said two opposite edges;
The grooves are located on a first pair of opposite edges of the rear side of the composed element, as well as on a second pair of opposite edges, oriented transverse to the first pair of opposite edges.
In a particularly practical embodiment, one or more of the seats are formed by a recess in the respective constructional part, which recess is closed off towards the rear by means of a finishing tape, wherein the aforementioned passages are realized as local recesses in the finishing tape.
According to a third independent aspect, the invention relates to a composed element, more particularly a piece of furniture, which comprises at least a rear wall, as well as a number of constructional parts forming a whole in which the rear wall has to be provided, wherein the rear wall forms the rear side of the composed element and consists of one or more rear wall parts, and wherein the constructional parts comprise, on the one hand, exterior panels as well as, on the other hand, one or more intermediate pieces, more particularly intermediate panels, such as one or more shelves and/or one or more partition walls, with the characteristic that it comprises at least one attachment piece for one or more of the rear wall parts, which cooperates with an intermediate panel. Due to such cooperation, various effects can be created, amongst which the tensioning of the rear wall against the intermediate panels, such that the formation of openings in between them is avoided, the restriction of the mutual movability between rear wall parts and other parts, by which the rigidity of the piece of furniture is enhanced, and so on.
Spacers which are different from the rear wall parts, in other words, which do not form part of the rear wall parts themselves, and preferably are made as protrusions;
Spacers which are formed by parts of the rear wall parts themselves, in that the initial distance is created via recesses in the respective edge of one or more of the rear wall parts.
According to an independent fourth aspect, the invention relates to a composed element, more particularly a piece of furniture, which comprises at least one mountable rear wall part, as well as at least one constructional part, more particularly a wall part, which comprises a panel-shaped basic body which, on one narrow edge, is provided with a fixedly attached thereto finishing tape for mounting the rear wall, wherein laterally next to the narrow side, a seat for the rear wall part is present in the form of a groove, characterized in that the groove is formed by a recess at the edge of the basic body which, at said narrow side, is covered by said finishing tape, wherein one sidewall of the groove is formed by the wall of the recess in the basic body, whereas the other side is formed by the finishing tape. According to this aspect, a particularly simple technique is offered for technically realizing a seat for a rear wall part. Also, in this manner the rear wall can be situated very close to the rear side, by which space is gained within the piece of furniture. Still another advantage is that passages in the finishing tape can be realized very easily in order to be able to apply, for example, the first aspect of the invention.
Preferably, the finishing tape consists of synthetic material, preferably ABS or PP.
According to a fifth aspect, the invention relates to a composed element, more particularly a piece of furniture, wherein this composed element comprises at least a rear wall, as well as a number of constructional parts which form a whole in which the rear wall has to be provided, wherein the rear wall forms the rear side of the composed element and consists of one or more rear wall parts, characterized in that the constructional parts are provided with attachment parts realized in one piece therewith, behind which attachment parts the rear wall, usually with a certain deformation, for example, bending, can be pressed down. Due to the fact of being in one piece, particular accessories, such as the use of screws, nails, attachment clips and the like, can be excluded. Practically seen, the attachment parts herein consist of cam-shaped portions which border the seat for the rear wall. Moreover, preferably they are combined with a seat in the form of a groove.
According to a sixth aspect, the invention relates to a composed element, more particularly a piece of furniture, wherein this composed element comprises at least a rear wall, as well as a number of constructional parts which form a whole in which the rear wall has to be provided, wherein the rear wall forms the rear side of the composed element and consists of one or more rear wall parts, characterized in that the composed element is of the type wherein at least a number of the constructional parts, at corners formed for this purpose, can be joined together by means of locking profiles to form a furniture carcass, wherein the whole comprises attachment parts for the rear wall allowing that the rear wall, at least afterwards after assembly of the carcass, still can be inserted into said carcass into seats provided for this purpose, preferably without additional attachment elements. In this manner, a piece of furniture is obtained which, without many additional accessories, can be commercialized as flat-pack furniture. According to a possible embodiment hereof, the rear wall can be slid into the whole via seats and is it retained at its place by means of at least one stop.
Also, the invention, according to an independent seventh aspect, relates to a composed element, of the type comprising a number of constructional parts which are interconnected at an angle by means of locking profiles, wherein a tongue and groove coupling with locking parts is applied, wherein said locking parts substantially are located on one side of the tongue, wherein at both sides of the tongue, portions positioned opposite to each other are present, namely first portions on the side where the locking parts are present, and second portions on the other side, characterized in that, when the second portions theoretically are positioned against each other, there is a slight spacing between the first portions. As explained in more detail in the detailed description, hereby a particularly stable piece of furniture can be realized.
FIG. 1 in perspective represents a composed element according to the invention;
FIG. 2, at a larger scale, represents a section according to line II-II in FIG. 1, wherein exclusively the exterior walls and corner connections are represented;
FIG. 3 represents a rear view of the composed element of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4, at a larger scale, represents a view according to arrow F4 in FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 represents a section according to line V-V in FIG. 4;
FIGS. 6 and 7, at a larger scale, represent sections according to lines VI-VI and VII-VII in FIG. 3;
FIG. 8, at a larger scale and for a variant, represents a view of the portion indicated by F8 in FIG. 5;
FIG. 9, at a larger scale, represents a view according to line IX-IX in FIG. 3;
FIG. 10 in perspective represents the attachment piece indicated by F10 in FIG. 9, however, for a slightly altered variant thereof;
FIG. 11 represents a variant of the embodiment of FIG. 9;
FIG. 12 represents a section according to line XII-XII in FIG. 11;
FIGS. 13 to 15 illustrate another variant of the embodiment of FIG. 9;
FIG. 16, in a rear view, represents a composed element according to the invention;
FIG. 17, at a larger scale, represents a view according to arrow F17 in FIG. 16;
FIGS. 18 and 19, at a larger scale, represent sections according to line XVIII-XVIII in FIG. 16, during and after mounting the rear wall;
FIGS. 20 and 21 represent another variant of the invention;
FIG. 22 represents a foldable rear portion of the composed element of FIGS. 20-21;
FIG. 23, at a larger scale, represents a section according to line XXIII-XXIII in FIG. 22, however, for a folded-open condition of the rear wall part;
FIG. 24 represents a view of the portion of FIG. 23, however in a completely folded-back closed condition;
FIGS. 25 and 26 represent another composed element of the invention, in a back and a front view, respectively;
FIG. 27, in a back view, represents another composed element according to the invention;
FIG. 28, at a larger scale, represents a section according to line XXVIII-XXVIII in FIG. 27;
FIGS. 29 to 33, in views similar to that of FIG. 28, represent different variants;
FIGS. 34 to 38 represent two embodiments of a device for attaching, more particularly supporting, a shelf;
FIGS. 39 to 45 represent another particular embodiment of the invention, wherein FIGS. 41 and 42 are sections according to lines XLI-XLI and XLII-XLII in FIG. 40, respectively, and FIGS. 44 and 45 are sections according to lines XLIV-XLIV and XLV-XLV in FIG. 43, respectively;
FIG. 46 represents a particular embodiment of a rear wall part;
FIG. 47 represents a variant of the embodiment of FIG. 40;
FIG. 48, at a larger scale, represents a section according to line XLVIII-XLVIII in FIG. 48;
FIG. 49 represents another composed element according to the invention;
FIGS. 50 and 51 represent a particular form of a coupling according to the invention, in a not coupled and a coupled condition, respectively;
FIGS. 52 to 84 represent further different accessories which can be applied in furniture;
FIGS. 85 to 104 relate to some more rear wall constructions according to the invention.
In FIGS. 1 to 3, a composed element 1 according to the invention is represented, in this case in the form of a piece of furniture, more particularly a cupboard. The element 1 comprises a rear wall 2, as well as a number of constructional parts, which in this case are indicated generally by reference number 3 and which form a whole in which the rear wall 2 is provided, in such a manner that the rear wall 2 forms the rear side of the composed element 1.
As can be seen in FIG. 2, this preferably relates to a composed element 1 of the type of which the constructional parts forming the actual basic carcass, in this case the aforementioned walls 4, 5, 6 and 7, substantially can be locked to each other exclusively by means of coupling parts 11-12 integrated at the edges, thus, without the necessity of separate connection elements. More particularly, it is also preferred that, as represented, the constructional parts 3 preferably all consist of flat or relatively flat elements, as a result of which the whole can be marketed as flat-pack furniture.
The coupling parts 11-12 may be of any form, however, as represented, preferably consist of a tongue 13 and groove 14 which are provided with locking parts 15-16 engaging behind each other. Examples hereof are widely known, amongst others, from the international patent application WO2010/070605.
As represented in FIGS. 4 to 7, the grooves comprise a first side wall 25, which borders such groove towards the front side of the piece of furniture, a second side wall 26, which borders such groove towards the rear side of the piece of furniture, and a bottom 27. The side wall 26 is part of an edge 28 behind which the respective rear wall parts thus are retained in mounted condition.
In the represented example, each groove as such is formed by a recess 29 in the respective constructional part, whereas the edge 28 is formed by a portion 30 of a relatively stiff finishing tape 31, which is provided on the narrow side 32 of the respective constructional part and whereby said portion 30 reaches up to in front of the recess 29. However, it is clear that the first aspect of the invention is not restricted to the manner how such groove and the edge bordering the groove are composed materially, and that said groove and edge, within the scope of this herein below explained first aspect, can also be realized in any other manner.
In accordance with the first aspect of the invention, at least the seats 17-18 are configured such that said rear wall parts 9-10 can be slid into the seats 17-18 starting from the rear side of the composed element, more particularly from a position which differs from the final plane in which the rear wall parts 9-10 are situated in the final condition. More particularly, the whole is configured such that, when all constructional parts to which the rear wall 2 has to be attached are mounted to each other, the rear wall 2 still, as aforementioned, can be slid into the seats 17-18 and consequently also can be positioned in the seats 19-20.
To this aim, as represented in FIG. 3, two passages 33-34 are present between the grooves 21-22 and the rear side of the composed element 1, which allow that the rear wall parts 9-10 can be slid up into the grooves starting from the rear side, through said passages 33-34, possibly with a certain bending and/or other deformations in the respective rear wall parts and/or the respective edges. In the example, the passages 33-34 are situated on opposite sides of the rear side of the piece of furniture, such approximately halfway up. As can be seen more specifically in FIG. 4, such passage 33-34 consists in that the edge 38 locally is not present over a restricted distance, or according to an alternative at least is more pronouncedly less present, in this case in that the finishing tape 31 locally is cut away.
As can be seen in FIG. 3, the passages are situated at the height of the location where the rear wall parts 9-10 merge into each other, thus, at the height where the upper edge 35 of the lower rear wall part 9 and the lower edge 36 of the upper rear wall part 10 adjoin against each other or approximately against each other.
In the represented example, the whole is configured such that the two rear wall parts 9-10, starting from the passages 33-34, can be slid in opposite directions D1 and D2 into the respective grooves 21-22, more specifically as explained herein below by means of FIG. 5. It is clear that herein first the furniture carcass is composed, as illustrated in FIG. 2. Subsequently, the lowermost rear wall part 9 is slid according to direction D1 through the passages 33-34 towards the bottom side of the piece of furniture into the groove, thus, starting from an inclined and mostly somewhat bent position P1 towards a final position P2 in the final plane of the rear wall. In the position P2, the lowermost rear wall part becomes seated with its lowermost edge 37 in the lowermost groove 23. Subsequently, the uppermost rear wall part 10, starting from an inclined and mostly somewhat bent position P3, is slid, via the same passages 33-34, according to the represented direction D2 into the grooves until it finally also assumes a position P4 in the actual plane of the rear wall. It is noted that the dimensions of the rear wall parts preferably are such that, when the latter are situated against each other in the aforementioned positions P2 and P4, they still are seated with the lower edge 37 and upper edge 38, respectively, in the grooves 23 and 24.
For illustration's sake, FIGS. 6 and 7 also represent cross-sections in mounted condition.
In FIG. 8, a variant is represented, wherein the rear wall part is made thinner towards one edge, in this case by means of a chamfer 43. As represented, this facilitates bringing such rear wall part initially behind the edges of the respective grooves.
The composed element 1 represented in FIG. 3 is also provided with an attachment piece 44 for the rear wall parts 9-10, which, in accordance with the third aspect of the invention, cooperates with an intermediate panel, in this case the shelf 8. The composition of the represented embodiment hereof, as well as the working thereof, is explained hereafter with reference to FIGS. 2 and 9.
As represented in FIG. 2, the attachment piece 44 may be performed in the form of a profile strip, for example, of synthetic material.
In the example of FIG. 9, the wings 50-51 comprise elastically bendable parts 55-56, which, in the mounted condition, exert a permanent pressing force. On the one hand, this offers the advantage that the rear wall parts are permanently pressed against the rear side of the shelf 8. By this pressing force, a clamping is obtained, too, which effects that it becomes more difficult for the rear wall parts 9-10 and the shelf 8 to move in mutual respect, by which the composed element becomes less sensitive to possible wobbling movements which might arise in such piece of furniture as a result of play.
In FIG. 10, a variant of the attachment piece 44 is represented, wherein the flange is substantially flat. FIG. 10 also clearly shows that the attachment piece is made as a profile strip.
Possibly, such attachment piece 44 and at least one of the rear wall parts 9-10, and preferably both, may comprise locking parts which counteract a mutual lateral displacement, mutually among the two rear wall parts, and/or mutually among one or more rear wall parts and a partition wall. In FIG. 10, as an example, such locking parts 57-58 are represented in dashed line as an alternative. Herein, they consist of local protrusions, which are intended for cooperation with non-represented openings in both rear wall parts.
It is noted that, as can be seen in FIG. 3, at the location where such attachment piece 44 has to be provided, recesses 59 can be provided in one or both of the rear wall parts 9-10. These recesses 59 offer various advantages. A first advantage consists in that, when the rear wall parts 9-10 rest freely upon each other, it is directly visible where the attachment piece 44 has to be provided. A second advantage is that the installing person does not need to first push the two rear wall parts out of each other in order to install the attachment piece 44. A third advantage is that the two rear wall parts, as long as such attachment piece is not applied next to the recesses 59, rest upon each other and the upper rear wall part remains present in the respective groove with its upper edge, by which is excluded that, while applying the attachment piece, one would have to pay attention to whether the uppermost rear wall part slides into the pertaining groove.
The recesses 59 can be exclusively present there where the attachment pieces 44 are provided, however, as represented in dashed line in FIG. 3, they can also be present on other locations, more particularly on respectively two opposite edges of such rear wall part, such that, irrespective of how the installing person provides the rear wall parts, these latter will always be in the right position for still providing the attachment piece.
In FIGS. 11 and 12, a variant of such attachment piece 44 is represented. The attachment portion 45 is designed as a screw part, which can be screwed down in an opening 60 which for this purpose has been provided in the shelf 8 concerned, either directly in the material of the shelf or, as represented, in a bush 61, provided with screw thread and being fixed in the opening 60 for this purpose.
In FIGS. 13 to 15, another variant is represented. Here, too, a bush 65, provided with screw thread, is attached in the rear edge of a shelf 8 or the like. Into this, an attachment piece 44 is screwed, which fits into the bush 65 with an attachment piece 45 which is provided with screw thread. The attachment piece 44 comprises a stop-forming part 49 in the form of a flange, with a foldout-handle 66 for rotating and tensioning the whole, as well as a support portion 52, functioning as a tensioning part, with a radial surface 67, wherein the distance of the latter to the central axis of the attachment portion varies in function of the circumference, preferably in that the support portion is elliptical. Also, pawl-shaped teeth 68-69 are provided on the bush 65 and the attachment piece 44, which, possibly by deformation in one mutual direction, in fact can be rotated in mutual respect, however, are prevented from rotating back. During assembly, when the attachment piece 44 is screwed into the bush 65, a condition is created wherein the elliptical support portion 62 is tensioned between the edges of the two rear wall parts and thus pushed the latter apart. It is clear that the recesses 59, the shape of the support portion 52 and more particularly the contour of the surface 67 thereof, and the screw threads in the bush 65 and on the attachment portion 45, are adapted such in a fitting manner that the support portion initially gets with its smallest radial dimension between the rear wall parts and, when rotated from this position, provides for the intended tensioning action.
It is clear that the invention is not restricted to composed elements 1 of which the rear wall is composed of two rear wall parts, or wherein the passages 33-34 are situated halfway of the height of the composed element. In order to demonstrate this, hereafter, by means of FIGS. 16 to 26, some variants of composed elements 1 are described, wherein the rear walls are realized in a different manner.
In FIG. 16, in a rear view a composed element 1 is represented having only one rear wall part 70. Seats 17-18-19-20 in the form of grooves are located on all four sides. Next to the lower edge, on opposite sides passages 33-34 are provided for providing the rear wall part 70. As represented in detail in FIG. 17, such passage 34, in a manner comparable to that of FIG. 4, can consist of a cutout in the finishing tape 31. Applying the rear wall part then is performed, in accordance with the first and second aspect of the invention, by sliding the rear wall part through the passages 33-34 into the grooves, according to arrow D3 in FIG. 18, in order to subsequently letting it drop somewhat according to arrow D4 in order to obtain that it becomes seated in the seats on all edges, as illustrated in FIG. 19.
In FIGS. 20 to 24, a variant is represented wherein use is made of two rear wall parts 9-10, which each as such are made multi-part, thus, in the form of a folding back, respectively. Each rear wall part 9, 10, respectively, comprises two portions 71-72, which respectively are linked together by means of a hinge portion 73. FIG. 22 shows such rear wall part in partially folded-open form. Herein, the hinge portion 73 is formed by a glue joint which connects the two portions and functions as a kind of film hinge. FIGS. 23 and 24 represent a magnification at the height of the hinge portion 73, in a completely folded-open condition and a completely folded-tight condition, respectively. It is clear that such rear wall part in the folded-tight condition has only half the size as in folded-open condition. Such rear wall part, which is performed as a folding rear wall, offers the advantage that in mounted condition, it will behave as a single part, which renders a better rigidity to the piece of furniture than two separate parts. At the same time, the advantage is offered that such rear wall part in the folded-tight condition is easier to package and transport, which is very useful with flat-pack furniture.
The two rear wall parts 9 and 10, after having been folded open, are slid through the passages 33-34 into the respective seats in a manner analogous to that of the embodiment of FIG. 2.
It is also noted that the rear wall parts and attachment pieces do not necessarily have to be directed horizontally. For example, FIGS. 25 and 26, in a rear view, represent an embodiment of a piece of furniture with vertically-directed rear wall parts 75-76 and attachment pieces 44. These latter then cooperate with openings in a partition wall 77. It is clear that providing the rear wall parts then is performed by means of passages 33-34, which are situated on the top and bottom of the piece of furniture.
Generally, the constructional parts 3 and rear wall parts can consist of various materials, however, preferably use shall be made of covered board material. This is especially recommended for the manufacture of flat-pack furniture.
The basic board 78 can have any thickness. Usual thicknesses for furniture are situated between 12 and 30 mm, however, other values are not excluded.
The herein above-described embodiment of the fourth aspect can also be realized independent from the first aspect. In fact, it is clear that said fourth aspect in general relates to the manner in which the seat for the rear wall is formed, wherein this is independent from the manner in which the rear wall is provided in the pertaining seats. As an example, in FIGS. 27 and 28 thus a composed element 1 is represented, more particularly a piece of furniture, in which no passages, as aforementioned, are present; however, the rear wall part 82 is let down into the seats in the usual manner between the two side walls 5-6 and wherein then only thereafter the upper wall 7 is provided on the side walls, wherein the attachment of the rear wall part, however, is performed by applying the fourth aspect of the invention.
In FIGS. 29, 30 and 31, in cross-sections similar to that of FIG. 28, a number of particular embodiments of the fourth aspect are represented. The particularity herein consists in that the finishing tapes 31, at least at one pair of opposite sides of the rear wall part 82, are provided with hook-shaped locking parts 83, which cooperate with the rear wall part, more particularly with groove-shaped recesses 84 in the rear wall part. In this manner, it is obtained that the rear wall contributes better to the rigidity of a piece of furniture, by which the latter will wobble less than in the case that no hook-shaped locking parts are applied.
In the embodiment of FIG. 29, the finishing tape 31 has a hook-shaped locking part 83 in that, at a distance from the edge of the finishing tape, a recess 85 is formed in the finishing tape. FIG. 30 represents a variant, wherein the hook-shaped locking part protrudes from the actual plane of the tape.
In the embodiment of FIG. 31, chamfers 86 are formed on the protruding locking part. This is, for example, useful when such rear wall part has to be slid into the seats according to directions D5-D6. This may be, for example, when it is intended that the rear wall part is somewhat elastically bent in order to be subsequently positioned between the side walls of the piece of furniture, such that, after releasing it, it will relax in a flat condition, with the edges in the seats. As an example, the embodiment of FIG. 31 can also be useful for being applied on the bottom and top in an embodiment of a piece of furniture according to FIG. 27.
FIGS. 32 and 33 represent a particular embodiment of the fourth aspect, with the particularity that the whole is configured such that a rear wall part 82 can be provided at its place by means of a frontal movement M and by bending the finishing tape 31. Preferably, this is substantially realized by applying a material removal at the rear side of the respective rear wall part, which in the represented example consists of a chamfer 87.
According to a first preferred embodiment, herein it is striven for that the provisions which have to be realized on the shelf consist exclusively of a milled-in part or the like and further one or more bore holes. A practical example thereof is represented in FIGS. 34 and 35, in which FIG. 34 represents the shelf support 88 as such in perspective and FIG. 35 represents a cross-section in mounted condition. As aforementioned, the shelf support 88 comprises a body 89 which fits into a recess 90 and is countersunk in respect to the bottom side 91 of the shelf 8. On this body 89, an upward-directed protrusion 92 is present, which fits into a bore hole 93. Further, the shelf support 88 comprises an attachment part 94 with which it fits into a lateral bore hole 95 in a side wall. This attachment part 94 is indirectly in connection with the body 89 via an upward portion 96 fitting into an opening formed by half a bore hole 97. Further, the attachment part 94 can be provided with clamping ribs 98.
As schematically indicated in FIG. 35, the recess 90 can be formed by means of a laterally moving finger cutter 99, whereas the bore holes 93 and 97 can be realized simply by means of drills 100-101.
According to a second, more preferred embodiment, all provisions to be applied at the shelf are realized exclusively by means of bore holes, wherein a first bore hole then offers a seat for the actual body of the shelf support, whereas the second bore hole offers room for an upwardly directed protrusion. A practical example thereof is represented in FIGS. 36 to 38. FIG. 36 represents the shelf support 88, FIG. 37 represents the bottom side of the shelf 8, and FIG. 38 represents a cross-section thereof. As represented, two bore holes 102-103 of different diameter are provided in the bottom side of the shelf 8. The shelf support 88 comprises a body 89 which fits into the largest bore hole 102, and an upwardly directed protrusion 92, which, in the mounted condition, is intended for engaging in the smaller bore hole 103. Further, a laterally directed attachment part 94 is provided on the body 89.
FIGS. 39 to 45 represent an example of the fifth aspect of the invention. The particularity herein consists in that the composed element 1 is provided with attachment parts 104, which are made in one piece with one or more of the constructional parts and behind which the rear wall 2, usually with a certain deformation, for example, bending, can be pressed down. As represented, these attachment parts 104 preferably consist of cam-shaped portions which border the seat for the rear wall and which preferably have a somewhat inclined guiding side 105 and a steeper locking side 106. As represented, the use of these cam-shaped portions further can be combined with a seat 17-18-19-20 in the form of a groove. FIGS. 40 to 42, at a larger scale, represent views in the mounted condition. FIGS. 43 to 45 schematically illustrate the manner in which the assembly of the rear wall 2 is performed, to with simply by pressing the rear wall over the cam-shaped portions.
As can be seen in the magnified views of FIGS. 41 and 42, for the seats possibly use can be made of grooves having a particular design, such that the rear wall part, as it is getting situated deeper in the groove, becomes less free and even will become clamped. In this case, this is achieved in that the respective groove, in cross-section, is inclined in respect to the plane of the rear wall.
It is noted that the use of such attachment parts can be applied on one, two opposite, three or all four sides of a piece of furniture as well. If it is applied on all four sides, then possibly particular provisions can be made in order to obtain that the rear wall, or the component rear wall parts thereof, can deform in a smooth manner and can be pushed on all edges to behind the cam-shaped portions. This is possible, for example, by providing the rear wall part, next to the corner points, with cut-out portions 107, as depicted in FIG. 46.
FIGS. 47 and 48 represent a variant of such attachment part 104, in the form of a cam-shaped part, the surface of which gradually merges into the surrounding material. This portion can be formed in a simple manner by subjecting the milling cutter, by which the edge zone is formed, to a tilting movement.
FIG. 49 schematically represents another composed element 1 according to the invention, which has the characteristic that the rear wall can also be provided at its place after assembly of the other parts. The particularity herein consists in that the rear wall 2, or certain rear wall parts thereof, can be slid into seats 17-18 starting from the outer side of the piece of furniture, wherein blocking means are provided which in fact allow to provide the rear wall, but which prevent that the rear wall can slide out of the seats by itself. These blocking means preferably consist of one or more stops, in the example one stop 108, along which the rear wall cannot move without any deformation. Such stops preferably are realized at the piece of furniture in one piece.
In FIG. 49, in dashed line another alternative is depicted, with passages 33-34 giving out towards the rear, along which the rear edge also can be brought into the seats 17-18, by means of a forced bending. Once the rear wall is provided in the seats 17-18 via the passages 33-34, it remains upright by itself and is maintained in its place by the stop 108. It is clear that the composed element 1 from FIG. 49 in such case also represents an example of the first aspect.
It is clear that all above-described rear wall constructions according to the invention primarily are intended for being applied with composed elements with constructional parts which can be locked together at least at the corners by means of profiles. It is precisely with such embodiments that one strives for working with a minimum of small loose accessories or even without these accessories, which is precisely fulfilled by the embodiments described herein above. In other words, the invention shows its advantages best with so-called “click furniture”. Thus, the herein above-described examples, when applied with such “click furniture”, automatically form examples of the sixth aspect of the invention.
However, the above does not exclude that such rear wall constructions are applied in other furniture, too. The herein above-described rear wall constructions as such will remain offering advantages even then.
Finally, in FIGS. 50 and 51 a practical embodiment of the seventh aspect is represented. This seventh aspect provides for a corner connection 109, which, in the mounted condition, provides additional rigidity to the whole. The particularity herein consists in that a tongue and groove coupling with locking parts 15-16 is applied, wherein said locking parts are situated substantially on one side of the tongue only, wherein portions positioned opposite to each other are present on both sides of the tongue, namely first portions 110-111 on the side where the locking parts are situated, and second portions 112-113 on the other side, with the characteristic that, when the second portions 112-113 theoretically are positioned against each other, there is a small distance A between the first portions 110-111. In FIG. 50, this means that, when the coupling parts theoretically are positioned opposite each other at a distance from each other, there is a distance B between the portions 112-113, whereas then there is a distance B+A between the portions 110-111. Herein, the intended distance A is less than 1 mm and preferably more than 0.1 mm. Practically, it will be 0.2 to 0.6 mm, and the best results are obtained with nominal values of 0.3 to 0.5 mm, with 0.4 mm as a best value.
It is noted that the plane of the portion 113 does not necessarily have to be situated in the extension of the plane of the portion 111. As represented as a variant in dashed line in FIG. 50, this may also be situated displaced, wherein thus also the portion 112 must be displaced over the same distance, such that the same distance B remains applied.
It is noted that according to the invention, by a “composed element” an element has to be understood in “composed” as well as in “still to be composed” condition. Thus, this, for example, also means that a not yet assembled and still packaged flat-pack piece of furniture, which, in the mounted condition, shows one or more of the characteristics of the invention, has to be considered a “composed element” already.
In FIGS. 52 and 53, two other variants are represented of attachment pieces 44 which can be applied in a similar manner as in FIG. 9. These attachment pieces 44 substantially consist of an attachment part 45 and a stop-forming part 49. Moreover, they preferably also comprise support portions 52, which are intended for cooperating with the rear wall parts 9-10. The attachment parts 45 preferably are provided with barbs, clamping ribs or the like, indicated by reference 48.
A particular independent characteristic of the embodiments from FIGS. 52 and 53 consists in that the attachment piece 44 is provided with one or more anti-slip parts 115, which provide for that an increased friction is present between the clamped attachment piece and the rear wall parts 9 and/or 10. These anti-slip parts thus preferably are situated at the bottom sides of the wings 50 and 51, and possibly also at the support portions 52.
In a preferred embodiment, the anti-slip parts 115 to this aim are formed of a material 116 which is softer than the material 117 of which the actual body of the attachment piece 44 is formed. Preferably, for the materials 116 and 117 synthetic materials, preferably rubbers, are applied, having a different hardness. Herein, it is preferred that the material 116 has a shore hardness of less than 50 and still better of less than 30, for example in the order of magnitude of 25, whereas the material 117 has a shore hardness of more than 50, for example, 75, however, preferably less than 100. Thereby, the strip-shaped attachment piece 44 will remain somewhat supple in its totality, such that it can be pressed on systematically in its place by an unwinding movement. This also offers the advantage that, if desired, the attachment piece 44 can be relatively long and may even extend over the entire or almost entire length of the adjoining rear wall part.
As represented in FIG. 53, the wings 50 and 51 can be directed somewhat downward, such that, after being pressed on, they exert a lasting elastic force.
According to still another independent aspect, the invention relates to an attachment system 118 for attaching component parts to each other, in particular for providing furniture accessories on furniture parts, and such in a simple manner, preferably without necessitating tools. More particularly, this relates to an attachment system which is particularly suitable for attaching handles and the like onto furniture parts. By way of example, in FIGS. 54 to 57 a handle 119 is represented which is fixed on a drawer front 120 by means of such attachment systems 118.
According to the invention, such attachment system 118 substantially is characterized in that it consists of a body 121, which might also be characterized as a holder or a connection piece, which on one extremity is provided with a first connection part 122 intended for cooperating with an accessory, in the example thus the handle 119, and on a second extremity is provided with a second connection part 123 which can cooperate with an attachment element 124. According to a preferred embodiment, the attachment system 118 shows one or more of the following characteristics, which can be applied in any combination with the aforementioned basic characteristic:
The body 121 comprises a design by which it fits into a bore hole 125, preferably in that it comprises parts 126 defining a cylindrical outer surface 127;
The first connection part 122 consists of internal or external screw thread, and preferably, as represented, of a protruding screw thread portion 128 with external screw thread 129, which can be screwed into a bore hole 130 in the accessory;
The second connection part 123 consists of a clamping or snapping portion on which or in which the attachment element 124 can be pressed down;
The attachment element 124 is made as a press-on plug or a screw plug which can cooperate with the second connection part 123 and thus simply can be pressed down thereon or therein;
The second connection part 123 and the attachment element 124 cooperate via toothed parts or barbs 131-132, which latter preferably are situated on segments 133-134 and 135-136 provided diagonally opposite each other.
FIGS. 58 and 59 illustrate still another attachment system 137 according to the invention for providing an accessory, such as in this case a small handle or pulling handle, on a furniture part 139.
FIGS. 60 to 63 represent another variant of a shelf support 88. This latter comprises a body 89, which can cooperate with a bore hole in the lower side of a shelf, and further a collar or flange 146, which is intended for being situated against the lower side of the shelf. The body 89 substantially is round, however, in fact preferably shows a flattened part 147, which is intended for coinciding with the side of the shelf. The attachment part 94 comprises clamping ribs 98.
An important independent major characteristic which is present in the represented shelf supports is that the attachment parts 94 as well as the tab-shaped bodies 89 in mounted condition are situated between the planes determined by the upper side and the lower side of the shelf, such with the possible exception of a collar or flange 146 or the like.
FIGS. 64 to 67 represent an embodiment with a body 89 which is made slimmer than in FIGS. 60 to 63.
FIGS. 68 to 70 represent an attachment system 148 for a slide 149 for a drawer, as well as an attachment element 150 applied therewith, which allows smooth assembly.
The attachment system 148 makes use of one or more clamping plugs 154 which fit through openings 155 in the fixed part 151 and which can be pressed down in bore holes 156;
The one or more aforementioned clamping plugs 154 can be pre-mounted in the openings 155 and comprise retention means by which they are retained in the openings, which in the example is obtained in that the clamping ribs 157 on the one hand and a portion 158 on the other hand are acting in both directions as stops around the openings 155;
The attachment element 150 comprises at least two clamping plugs 154 which are connected by a common basis 159, which has the advantage that such element 150 can be mounted in only one position or only a limited number of positions in the openings 155 which mostly are present on the fixed part in multiple numbers, thereby reducing the risk of a faulty assembly; another advantage is that the clamping plugs 154 will wiggle less as they hang on the same basis and thus will have less tendency to come loose by themselves;
The attachment system makes use of a common basis 159 with two or more clamping plugs 154 formed thereon, wherein the basis 159 is made as a small plate; amongst others, this offers the advantage that a proper application of the attachment element mostly is facilitated.
According to a particular independent aspect of the invention, it relates to an element in the form of a composed element or in the form of a furniture part which is provided with one or more furniture fitting parts, with the characteristic that at least one of the furniture fitting parts substantially consists of metal and that it is attached to the element via one or more attachment elements consisting at least partially and preferably entirely of synthetic material. According to another characteristic, the attachment element is pre-mounted on the furniture fitting part. These characteristics allow an optimization in the attachment technique. FIGS. 69 and 70 form an example thereof, at least when therein use is made of attachment elements of synthetic material.
FIGS. 71 and 72 represent an auxiliary means 160 according to the invention, which is intended for securing a piece of furniture against accidentally tilting forward. The auxiliary means 160 consists of a belt 161 and a screw plug or clamping plug 162, with which the belt can be pressed down in a bore hole or the like in a cupboard. The clamping plug 162 preferably is inserted through the belt 161 via a pre-formed opening 163. The other extremity of the belt then has to be attached to the wall behind the cupboard.
FIGS. 73 to 84 are connected to a number of particular hinge suspensions which can be applied in furniture.
FIG. 73 schematically represents a cupboard with an upper side 164, a lower side 165, sidewalls 166-167 and a cupboard door 168.
FIG. 74 shows a view according to arrow F74 in FIG. 73, wherein a possible hinge attachment of the invention is represented in greater detail. FIG. 75 represents a view from the other side, wherein the door is unhinged, and an opening 169 is visible in which normally the door is retained with a not represented pin.
It comprises one or more stop-forming parts 171-172, with which the hinge attachment can be positioned against walls or alongside edges;
It comprises a fixed part 173 and a part 174, which latter is displaceable and adjustable in respect to the former and which allows shifting the hinge point, for example, by means of a tensioning screw 175;
It comprises a stop 176 for the door, which stop preferably is adjustable;
It comprises a stop part, in this case 172, which can be broken off, which, after being positioned and attached, can be removed in order to be removed from view, for example; this may be performed, for example, by means of a break-away edge 177, as can be seen in FIGS. 75 and 76; such positioning part can be a collar cooperating with an edge, however, also a protruding part forming a temporary stop or which is intended to be installed on equal height with an edge;
The hinge attachment is provided on the piece of furniture exclusively by means of an adhesive connection, for example, by adhering the fixed part 173 onto the piece of furniture.
FIG. 77 shows a hinge attachment 178 with a guide 179 in the form of a ramp surface for guiding a hinge pin smoothly towards a hinge opening 180. Here, too, the hinge attachment can be provided exclusively by means of an adhesive connection against a wall; however, other possibilities are not excluded. Analogous as herein above, also stop-forming parts, whether for being broken off or not, can be provided on the basic body 181.
FIG. 78 shows another hinge pin, which can be mounted in a door. It consists of a housing 182, the actual pin 183, a spring 184 pushing the pin outward, and an opening 185 in the housing, along which the pin, by means of a tool, can be pushed back temporarily for mounting and/or dismounting the door.
FIGS. 79 and 80 show a hinge attachment or suspension 186 with a fixed part 187 which can be attached against a sidewall 166, with an adhesive connection and/or in any other manner, and with a hingeable part 189, attached thereto via a hinge coupling 188, which preferably is made as a corner part.
FIGS. 81 and 82 represent a variant, wherein the fixed part 187 and the movable part 189 are not connected by a hinge with a pin, but rather by means of a film hinge 193. Optionally, at the fixed part a pin 194 or pressure screw part can be present, which engages in an opening in the door. This can also be applied in the preceding embodiment.
FIGS. 83 and 84 represent another variant, viewed along both sides thereof. The represented hinge attachment 186 is special in that it shows one or more of the following features, which, in the represented example, all are combined, however, may also be present as such or in any lesser combination:
All component parts, or at least all wall parts thereof, can be marketed in a substantially flat configuration, which allows packaging them along with flat-pack furniture in a smooth manner;
Two or more walls forming a corner part are coupled to each other via hinges 195-196, preferably film hinges; in the example, all three walls 190-191-192 are coupled together by hinges, in this case, film hinges.
It is clear that the walls 190-191-192 then can be folded into a corner shape as in FIGS. 81 and 82 in order to then attach them to the corresponding surfaces of the door, for example, by means of adhesive connections and/or in other manners. The opening 197 is optional and allows guiding an extra pin there through.
By means of FIGS. 85 to 104, hereinafter some more rear wall constructions according to the invention are described.
FIGS. 85 to 90 illustrate a number of alternatives to the embodiment of FIGS. 3 and 4. The particularity of the embodiments of these figures consists in that one or more spacers 198 are provided for keeping the rear wall parts 9-10 at least initially at a distance X from each other, in order to allow providing one or more attachment pieces 44 here between, wherein these spacers 148 are different from the rear wall parts 9-10, in other words, contrary to the embodiment of FIG. 3, do not form part of the rear wall parts themselves. Amongst others, this offers the advantage that, if desired, no particular recesses 59 have to be provided in the edges of the rear wall parts, such that it is possible to work with simple straight edges. In this manner, the rear wall parts 9-10 can be realized considerably simpler, as all edges can be made exclusively by straight-lined cutting treatments, for example, sawing treatments. However, this does not exclude that according to a not-represented variant rear wall parts with non-straight edges, for example, with recesses 59, still are combined with spacers not forming part of the rear wall parts themselves.
In general, said spacers 198 preferably consist of protrusions which, in mounted condition, are situated between the rear wall parts 9-10. In rear wall parts 9-10 which are mounted on top of each other, the protrusions form supports which support the rear wall part 10 respectively situated directly there above, and such at a distance X above the rear wall part 9 situated there below, in such a manner that one or more attachment pieces, of which kind whatever, can also be provided between the rear wall parts.
The protrusions can be provided at different locations, however, preferably they are situated at the sidewalls and/or partition walls of the furniture and/or at the rear edges of one or more shelves.
In the case of embodiments wherein the rear wall parts can be provided in the grooves 21-22 via passages 33-34, such protrusion can be positioned at the height of such passage, such that a rear wall part can be pushed into the respective grooves via the passages and over the respective protrusions, mostly by bending, after which this rear wall part can be rested on the protrusions.
It is noted that such protrusions can also be applied exclusively for supporting rear wall parts independently from each other in a piece of furniture, thus, without applying attachment pieces.
FIG. 85 represents a first practical embodiment, wherein a protrusion, in this case in the form of a plug 199, is provided in the groove 22, such at the height of the respective passage 34. It is clear that a similar protrusion is provided on the other side of the piece of furniture. The rear wall parts 9-10 then can be pushed according to arrows A1 and A2 above and below the protrusions into the grooves, after which the uppermost rear wall part 10 comes to rest on the protrusions, in this case the plugs 199, and a distance X is guaranteed between the rear wall parts 9-10, said distance allowing, for example, that attachment parts 44, as aforementioned, can be provided in an opening 47 in a shelf. It is clear that the edges of the rear wall parts, which edges are facing each other, then can have a simple straight-lined contour.
In FIG. 86, a variant is represented, wherein use is made of protrusions in the form of plugs 200 which are provided in the rear edge of a shelf.
In FIG. 87, a variant is represented wherein the protrusion is realized on the rear edge of a shelf, and in this case is formed in one piece therewith in the form of a cam-shaped protruding portion 201, such that no separate parts are necessary. Such one-piece profile, which is provided with a protrusion, can be realized such, for example, as explained herein below by means of FIGS. 88 and 89. Herein, first a continuous tongue profile 202 is realized over the entire length of the rear edge, as illustrated in FIG. 88. Subsequently, at the height of the tongue profile 202, a groove profile 203 is realized, for example, is milled in, as illustrated in FIG. 89, wherein the respective milling cutter just is drawn back somewhat on the location where the protrusion has to be effected, whereby the tongue profile locally remains present in the form of a local protrusion or, thus, portion 201, whereas the groove profile 203 then forms the opening or groove 47 in which one or more attachment pieces can be provided.
In FIG. 90, a variant is represented, wherein the protrusion is realized in a continuous manner in the form of a tongue 204, wherein the recesses above and below the tongue function as seats for the rear wall parts 9-10. In the tongue 204, an opening is formed, in this case in the form of a groove 47 in which attachment pieces 44 can be provided. Possibly, such protrusion can also be provided locally, whether or not on a plurality of locations.
In FIG. 91, a particular embodiment is represented of an attachment piece 44 which as such combines various features. The attachment piece 44 comprises an attachment part 45 with which it can be attached to the piece of furniture, and a stop-forming part 49, which can cooperate with the rear wall parts 9-10. In the example, the attachment portion is performed as a clamping part, which can be pressed down in an opening 47. The stop-forming part 49 is made as a flange with wings 50-51 and has various functions. A first function consists in that the flange functions as a support part for the uppermost rear wall part 10. A second function consists in that the wings function as tensioning elements which, in one or more directions, exert tensioning forces on the rear wall parts. In the represented example, these are lateral tensioning forces T1, which press down the rear wall parts 9-10 in their remaining seats, as well as frontal tensioning forces T2, which press down the rear wall parts against the shelf 8. A third function consists in that the attachment piece 44 possibly can be mounted beforehand and that the flange allows to press down the rear wall parts 9-10 behind the edges of the wings by a frontal pressing-down movement M. Herein, the edges of the wings shortly will bend inward in order to subsequently elastically engage behind the edges 205-206 of the rear wall parts 9-10.
In FIGS. 92 to 94, another particular embodiment of an attachment piece 44 according to the invention is represented, which can be pressed smoothly into the groove-shaped opening 47 by means of a turning movement. The attachment piece 44 comprises an attachment portion 45 and a stop-forming part 49. The attachment portion 45 consists of a preferably semi-circular body 207, which, due to its relatively flat design, fits into the groove-shaped opening 47, wherein this body is provided with curved ribs 208, which preferably are present on both sides of the body 207 and, when being provided, tension against the walls of the groove 47 and more or less cut therein. Due to the curved shape of the ribs 208, automatically a rotation movement is induced when they are pressed on. As represented, the ribs 208 preferably are made as cutting ribs, thus, with a relatively sharp distal edge. It is also preferred that they systematically increase in height towards the stop-forming part. At the extremity 209 of the body 207 which is intended for being first inserted into the opening, preferably one or more local clamping parts 210 are formed, which, when installing the attachment piece, provide for an initial clamping in order to more or less form a hinge point.
The working can simply be deduced from FIG. 94 and substantially consists in that such attachment piece 44 first is pressed with the extremity 209 somewhat into the groove 47 and subsequently a force is exerted onto the exterior side of the stop-forming part 49, which causes the body 207 to become fixed in the groove 47 by means of a turning movement. The distance between the rear wall parts can also be chosen such that the ribs 208 also cooperate with the edges of the rear wall parts, with the extra advantage that a higher rigidity of the piece of furniture is obtained in that the rear wall parts mutually can no longer shift in lateral direction.
In FIGS. 95 to 97, also a particular embodiment of a rear wall 2 is represented, wherein FIG. 97 at a larger scale illustrates the part indicated by F97 in FIG. 95. Herein, the particularity consists in that the rear wall 2 is composed of a plurality of rear wall parts, preferably two separate rear wall parts 211-212, which can be fitted into each other via edge profiles 213-214, more particularly can be pressed into each other and/or can be mutually pivoted into each other, while preferably being laterally taken up in seats 215-216. In certain applications, this offers the advantage that such rear wall, after installing the remaining parts of the piece of furniture, still can be provided in the piece of furniture and can be removed therefrom as well.
In FIGS. 98 and 99, another rear wall construction according to the invention is represented, wherein the particularity consists in that the rear wall 2, or at least a rear wall part thereof, is fixed by means of pressing elements 223 which cooperate with openings 224 in the furniture parts. This offers the advantage that the whole can be designed such that first a carcass can be built and afterwards the rear wall can be mounted therein.
Herein, the rear wall part preferably will be seated in a recessed portion 225. As more clearly represented in FIG. 99, the pressing elements 223 can consist of press-on plugs, which are provided in the respective rear wall part through openings 226 and which engage in the opening or openings 224 by means of clamping portions 227, for example, by means of a clamping toothing. The openings 226 preferably consist of bore holes, whereas the openings 227 preferably consist of grooves. Such attachment can be applied along the entire circumference of a rear wall or rear wall part, or only along a portion thereof.
In FIGS. 100 to 104, also a tensioning device 228 is represented, which allows increasing the rigidity of a composed element, more particularly a piece of furniture, by making an additional connection between the rear wall 2 and a constructional part in which the rear wall is provided, in this case a sidewall 5.
Herein, FIG. 100 in perspective represents a view where such tensioning device 228, amongst others, can be provided. FIG. 101 represents the tensioning device as such. FIG. 102 represents a cross-section according to line CII-CII in FIG. 100 after the tensioning device 228 has been provided, however, is not yet fixed, whereas FIGS. 103-104, for two different positions, represent a cross-section according to line CIII-CIII in FIG. 102.
The attachment means 230 consist of at least two pins 232-233 with which the whole can be provided in openings 234-235 in the constructional part 5. A first of these pins 232 is fixedly installed, whereas the other pin 233 is made as an eccentric part which can be turned via a handle 234, wherein the eccentricity is chosen such that, when the handle is being turned, the effective distance between the pins changes and a clamping is obtained in the openings, in this case in that the pins move towards each other and will clamp towards each other against the intermediate material part of the piece of furniture. The engagement system 231 is formed by an eccentrically installed disk 235 which in the example also can be turned by means of the handle 234 and by turning engages in the rear wall and/or tensions against it. According to not-represented variants, the disk can also be replaced by another element, such as a pin or the like, wherein this element can cooperate with the back by a displacement.
It is noted that the term “furniture” in the above description has to be interpreted in a broad manner. More particularly, this may relate to complete pieces of furniture as well as to parts for furniture. This may also relate to loose pieces of furniture as well as to pieces of furniture forming part of a larger whole, such as kitchen, bathroom and dressing furniture for installation.
1. A composed element comprising at least a rear wall and a plurality of constructional parts forming a whole in which the rear wall has to be provided, the rear wall forming a rear side of the composed element and including one or more rear wall parts; wherein the composed element comprises seats for installing at least one of the one or more rear wall parts configured such that said one or more rear wall parts can be slid into the seats starting from the rear side of the composed element from a position differing from a final plane in which the one or more rear wall parts will be situated in a final condition;
wherein the constructional parts comprise panel-shaped elements; wherein the seats form grooves for the one or more rear wall parts, said grooves being integrated into the respective panel-shaped elements; and wherein one or more passages are present between the grooves and the rear side of the composed element allowing that at least one of said one or more rear wall parts can be slid from the rear side through the one or more passages into the grooves.
2. The composed element of claim 1, configured such that, when all constructional parts to which the rear wall has to be attached are mounted to each other, said rear wall still can be slid into the seats.
3. The composed element of claim 1, wherein the rear wall part concerned, the rear wall parts concerned, respectively, can be slid into the seats by bending.
4. The composed element of claim 1, wherein such grooves are provided on the composed element according to any one of the following possibilities:
the grooves are situated on at least two opposite edges of the rear side of the composed element;
the grooves are situated on at least two opposite edges of the rear side of the composed element as well as on a third edge perpendicular to said two opposite edges;
the grooves are situated on a first pair of opposite edges of the rear side of the composed element as well as on a second pair of opposite edges, directed perpendicular to the first pair of opposite edges;
one or more of said one or more rear wall parts, on a first pair of opposite edges, can be displaced by sliding in said grooves until they finally are also positioned at a second pair of opposite edges in the grooves which are present there.
5. The composed element of claim 1, wherein the rear wall part, the rear wall parts, respectively, can be provided in the respective seats starting from one edge of the rear side.
6. The composed element of claim 1, further comprising at least two rear wall parts arranged for sliding starting from one pair of opposite passages in opposite directions into the respective grooves.
7. The composed element of claim 1, wherein the rear wall comprises a plurality of rear wall parts and/or a number of multi-part rear wall parts, which, in a mounted condition, substantially adjoin each other and as such define transitions, wherein one or more of the transitions are formed and located behind shelves or partition walls present at the composed element.
8. The composed element of claim 1, wherein one or more of the seats are formed by a recess in at least one of the constructional parts and closed off towards the rear by means of a finishing tape, wherein passages are realized as local recesses in the finishing tape for installing the rear wall parts.
9. The composed element of claim 1, wherein the panel-shaped elements comprise exterior panels and at least one intermediate piece, and wherein the composed element comprises at least one attachment piece for at least one of the one or more rear wall parts which cooperates with the at least one intermediate piece.
10. The composed element of claim 9, wherein the at least one intermediate piece is formed by an intermediate panel and wherein the at least one attachment piece comprises an attachment portion which engages at a narrow edge of the at least one intermediate panel.
11. The composed element of claim 10, wherein the attachment portion consists of a clamping part which can be pressed down in an opening provided in the intermediate panel.
12. The composed element of claim 9, wherein the at least one attachment piece comprises a stop-forming part, which cooperates with a rear side of at least one of the one or more rear wall parts.
13. The composed element of claim 9, wherein the at least one attachment piece comprises at least one support part, which laterally cooperates with a narrow edge of the one or more rear wall parts.
14. The composed element of claim 9, wherein the at least one attachment piece is made in the form of a profile strip.
15. The composed element of claim 9, wherein the at least one intermediate piece comprises intermediate panels.
16. The composed element of claim 15, wherein the intermediate panels include one or more shelves or one or more partition walls.
17. The composed element of claim 1, wherein said composed element is a piece of furniture.
US14/007,766 2011-03-28 2012-03-28 Composed element and rear wall construction applied herewith Active 2034-07-23 US9781997B2 (en)
BE2011/0189 2011-03-28
US14/007,766 US9781997B2 (en) 2011-03-28 2012-03-28 Composed element and rear wall construction applied herewith
US20140017001A1 US20140017001A1 (en) 2014-01-16
US9781997B2 true US9781997B2 (en) 2017-10-10
US14/007,766 Active 2034-07-23 US9781997B2 (en) 2011-03-28 2012-03-28 Composed element and rear wall construction applied herewith
US15/710,161 Pending US20180008038A1 (en) 2011-03-28 2017-09-20 Composed element and rear wall construction applied herewith
US10308362B2 (en) * 2014-12-01 2019-06-04 Safran Seats Usa Llc Tray table assembly
US20020002769A1 (en) * 1997-04-07 2002-01-10 Jan Ohlsson Method for bill-posting and system adapted for said method
DE102006022313A1 (en) 2006-05-11 2007-11-15 Fritz Egger Gmbh & Co. Additional element for a piece of furniture from a lightweight board, furniture part and furniture
US20140239785A1 (en) * 2011-10-28 2014-08-28 Ikea Supply Ag Piece of furniture
US6722068B2 (en) * 1997-04-07 2004-04-20 Sca Packaging Sweden Ab System for bill-posting
EP2105063A1 (en) 2008-03-26 2009-09-30 Hettich-Heinze GmbH &amp; Co. KG Furniture body
US9149113B2 (en) * 2011-10-28 2015-10-06 Ikea Supply Ag Piece of furniture
International Search Report from corresponding PCT Application No. PCT/IB2012/051496, Nov. 19, 2012.
Search Report from corresponding BE Application No. 201100189, Dec. 15, 2011.
CA2826600A1 (en) 2012-10-04
US8561369B2 (en) 2013-10-22 Molding profile and molding profile assembly
Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:MAERTENS, LUC;DEMAN, LUC;CAPPELLE, MARK;AND OTHERS;SIGNING DATES FROM 20130830 TO 20131010;REEL/FRAME:031551/0059