Patent ID: 12256836

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT(S) OF THE INVENTION

Certain terms are used in the following description for practical reasons and are not intended to be limiting. The words “right,” “left,” “below” and “above” indicate directions in the drawing to which reference is made. The terms “inward,” “outward,” “below,” “above,” “left,” “right” or similar are used to describe the arrangement of designated parts relative to each other, the movement of designated parts relative to each other and the directions toward or away from the geometric center of the invention and designated parts thereof as shown in the drawings. This spatial relative information also includes different positions and orientations from those shown in the drawings. For example, if a part shown in the drawings is reversed, elements or features that are described as “below” are then “above.” The terminology includes the words expressly mentioned above, derivatives thereof, and words of similar meaning.

In order to avoid repetitions in the drawings and the associated description of the different aspects and embodiments, certain features are to be understood as common for different aspects and embodiments. The omission of an aspect in the description or a drawing does not suggest that this aspect is missing in the associated embodiment. Rather, such omission can serve for clarity and preventing repetitions. In this context, the following specification applies to the entire further description: If reference signs are included in a drawing for the sake of clarity of the drawing, but are not mentioned in the directly associated description text, reference is made to the explanation thereof in the preceding description of the drawings. If reference signs are also mentioned in the description text belonging directly to a drawing which are not contained in the associated drawing, reference is made to the preceding and following drawings. Similar reference signs in two or more drawings represent similar or identical elements.

FIG.1shows a floor ladder2of a set of floor ladders2of a first embodiment of a furniture kit1according to the invention. The floor ladder2consists of two parallel vertical supports21which are connected to one another by two horizontal rungs22. The rungs22are designed as straight tubes having a circular cross section. They are at right angles to the vertical supports21and are rigidly connected thereto, for example welded. The vertical supports21are also largely designed as straight tubes having a circular cross section and each merge downward into a tapering foot23. The two feet23are each equipped with a slider24which is arranged on the floor for placement of the floor ladder2.

FIG.2shows a single-rung assembly ladder5of a set of assembly ladders5of the furniture kit1. The assembly ladder5comprises two tubular vertical supports51which are rigidly connected to one another via a tubular rung52. Together, the vertical supports51and the rung52are virtually U-shaped. The rungs52of the assembly ladder have the same dimensions as the rungs22of the floor ladder2ofFIG.1, so that the assembly ladder5matches the floor ladder2.

From the lower ends of the vertical supports51of the assembly ladder5, a tube connector23extends vertically downward. The tube connectors23are designed in such a way that they can be inserted into the vertical supports21of the floor ladder2or into vertical supports51of a further assembly ladder5and fix the connected vertical supports21,51to one another by actuation.

In addition to the assembly ladder5, as shown inFIG.2, the set of assembly ladders5of the furniture kit1comprises further assembly ladders having vertical supports connected via two parallel rungs. In comparison to the single-rung embodiment ofFIG.2, these assembly ladders are designed to be longer or higher.

FIG.3shows a cross-bar3of a set of cross-bars3of the furniture kit1. The cross-bar3is formed from an elongate rod portion31and latching claws32extending outward from the longitudinal ends of the rod portion on the left and right. The rod portion31is formed from a tube having a circular diameter corresponding to the diameter of the rungs52of the assembly ladder5and the rungs22of the floor ladder2. On its upper side, the rod portion31is equipped near each of its longitudinal ends with a bore311as a female plug-in part.

InFIG.4, the left of the two latching claws32of the cross-bar3ofFIG.3is shown enlarged. It can be seen that the latching claw32has an upper rung receptacle321shaped to match the rungs22,52of the floor and assembly ladders2,5and a lower slide322. The latching claw32is equipped with a spring which pushes the slide322to the left into the position shown inFIG.4. In this position, the latching claw32is latched onto a rung22,52or a rod portion31of another cross-bar3when the rung receptacle321accommodates said rung or portion. The cross-bar3is then mounted on the rung22,52or the rod portion31.

In order to release the latching claw32, the slide322is pushed to the right, for example manually, counter to the spring force. As a result, the latching claw32is opened and the cross-bar3can be removed. In order to mount the cross-bar3on a rung22,52or on a rod portion31of another cross-bar3, the latching claw32is pushed onto the rung22,52or the rod portion31from above. The slanted underside, designed as an actuating surface, of the slide322pushes said slide to the right so that the rung receptacle321can accommodate the rung22,52or the rod portion31. Driven by the spring, the slide322then snaps in again below the rung22,52or the rod portion31, thus achieving secure fastening.

FIG.5shows a wind brace4of a set of wind braces4of the furniture kit1. The wind brace4has a rod portion41which merges into a clamp42at each of its longitudinal ends. As can be seen in combination withFIG.6, the rod portion41is designed as a solid square rod with a rectangular cross section. Due to the solid design, the wind brace can be particularly robust and designed to absorb comparatively large forces.

FIG.7shows one of the clamps42of the wind brace4in an open position. The clamp42is provided with a base423, an upper gripping part421and a lower gripping part422in the manner of a handcuff. The lower gripping part422is pivotally mounted on the upper gripping part421via a hinge joint. A locking mechanism is located in the base423which fixes the lower gripping part422when the clamp42is closed so that it grips a rung22,52. In particular, the lower gripping part422is equipped with a detent that engages behind a spring-loaded bolt of the locking mechanism. The rung22,52is thus held firmly and loosening of the clamp42without actuation of the locking mechanism can be avoided.

FIG.8shows a frame construction constructed from the furniture kit1as a three-dimensional supporting tubular structure. The frame construction comprises four ladders, which are each formed from one floor ladder2and two assembly ladders5, each with two rungs52, placed vertically thereon. The rungs52of the assembly ladders5, which are at the same height, are each connected to one another via two cross-bars3. For this purpose, the latching claws32of the cross-bars3are mounted on the rungs52adjacent to the vertical supports51of the assembly ladders5. At the same time, several wind braces4are connected diagonally or obliquely to rungs52at two different heights. Two longitudinal rod portions25are connected to one another via transverse struts26.

By providing the cross-bars3together with the wind braces4on the ladder, the frame construction is extremely robust and rigid. In particular, it can absorb comparatively large loads in this way. The upper ends of the tube portions51of the uppermost assembly ladders5are covered with covers6and closed.

FIG.9shows a plate element7of the furniture kit1. The plate element7comprises a board71or a plate, on the underside of which rests72are arranged near the longitudinal edges. In particular, the rests72comprise four positioning rests721and two supporting rests722in the middle therebetween.

As can be seen inFIG.10, the plate element7is designed to rest on two parallel cross-bars3of the frame construction. In each case there is a spacing73between the plate element7and the rungs52on which the two parallel cross-bars3are mounted. The spacings73are uniformly dimensioned in such a way that the latching claws32of the cross-bars3can be mounted on the rungs52and removed therefrom.

InFIG.11the plate element7is shown during assembly on the frame construction. For this purpose, it is placed on the cross-bars3. The positioning rests721have a gripping portion7211and a pin7212as a male plug-in part. The gripping portion7211is designed to partially grip the associated cross-bar3so that the plate element7is secured against horizontal displacement on the cross-bars3. When placed on the cross-bars3, the pins7212are inserted into the bores311so that, on the one hand, the plate element7is further secured against horizontal displacement and, on the other hand, the plate element7is positioned exactly on the cross-bars3. As a result, the spacings73are precise, which is necessary for a secure mounting or removal of other cross-bars3on the rungs52.

FIG.12shows one of two covers81of a panel8of a set of panels8of the furniture kit1. The cover81is designed as a perforated metal sheet with a bent edge811. Near the longitudinal edge811, the cover81is provided with two rails82. The rails82each have a receiving socket821. Corresponding to the rails82, the edge811of the cover81is provided with an opening812through which the associated rail82is accessible.

FIG.13shows one of the rails82of the cover81with a first variant of a fastening piece83of the panel8. The fastening piece83is straight and comprises a block portion which is inserted into the receiving socket821of the associated rail82. The fastening piece83extends from the rail82through the opening812and out of the panel8. Inside the fastening piece83is a locking mechanism which is accessible through an opening831with a tool such as a screwdriver. The locking mechanism comprises a bolt832which can protrude through a window in the block portion of the fastening piece83when the locking mechanism is properly adjusted.

As can be seen in the view ofFIG.14, the fastening piece83is equipped with a groove833on the two longitudinal sides of the block portion, which groove is pushed into a bent edge of the receiving socket821of the rail82. In the assembled state of the panel, a second identical cover81is arranged, rotated by 180°, on the first cover81so that the fastening piece83is arranged in the receiving sockets821of corresponding two rails82of the two covers81. As a result, the two covers81are fastened to one another in an abutting manner. In particular, the four analogous rails82can be used to create a stable connection between the two covers81and a panel consisting of one piece. In the position shown inFIG.14, the bolts832protrude from the fastening pieces83on both sides. The fastening pieces82are symmetrical, so that bolts832protrude upward and downward from the block portions on both sides. As a result, the fastening pieces83are blocked on the rails82and the two covers81are secured to one another.

InFIG.15, the cover81is equipped with a second variant of fastening pieces83′. The fastening pieces83′ are identical to the fastening pieces83of the first variant over long distances. In particular, they comprise the same block portions and the same locking mechanism. In contrast to the straight fastening pieces83, the fastening pieces83′ of the second variant are angled or rectangular in shape.

FIG.16andFIG.17show a panel8with fastening pieces83of the first variant and two panels8with fastening pieces83′ of the second variant mounted on the frame construction. It can be seen that the central panel8having the fastening pieces83of the first variant is arranged between and on two adjacent rungs52of one of the assembly ladders5such that there is a spacing from the two adjacent rungs52. The spacing is dimensioned in such a way that the rungs52are each accessible for the latching claws32of the cross-bars3. The middle panel8is located between the rungs52and in a plane formed by the vertical supports51of the associated ladder5.

The left and right panels8are equipped with the fastening pieces83′ of the second variant. The fastening pieces83′ are each mounted on the rod portions31of two vertically parallel cross members3. As can also be seen in particular inFIG.16, the angled shape of the fastening pieces83′ allows the panels8to be offset from the cross-bars3and in particular in a plane formed by the vertical supports51of the assembly ladders5connected by the cross-bars3. The panels8can thus together form a uniform outer cover of the frame construction.

FIG.18shows a work table assembled from a second embodiment of a furniture kit10according to the invention as a piece of furniture. The furniture kit10comprises three floor ladders20which, identically to the floor ladders2fromFIG.1, are equipped with two vertical supports210comprising parallel feet230, two rungs220connecting the vertical supports210at a right angle, and two sliders240. Furthermore, the furniture kit10has three ladders50each arranged on the floor ladders20, which, identically to the single-rung ladder5ofFIG.2, are equipped with two parallel vertical supports510and one rung. In addition, the furniture kit10comprises sixteen cross-bars30, two wind braces40and four plate elements70, which are each designed in accordance with the cross-bars3, wind braces4and plate elements7described above. The cross-bars30are equipped with rod portions310and latching claws320and the wind braces40are equipped with rod portions410and clamps420.

A special feature of the furniture kit10is that it comprises two further panel elements70′ which are larger than the panel elements70. The plate elements70lie on the eight upper cross-bars30, which connect the rungs of the assembly ladders50to one another, and are fastened thereto. The plate elements70′ protrude beyond the assembly ladders50and the cross-bars30on all sides. As a result, they can form a comparatively generous tabletop. By means of the floor ladders20and the assembly ladders50, the tabletop is arranged at a height at which it is easy to work on.

Although the invention is illustrated and described in detail by means of the drawings and the associated description, this illustration and this detailed description are to be understood as illustrative and exemplary and not as limiting the invention. In order not to transfigure the invention, in certain cases well-known structures and techniques cannot be shown and described in detail. It is understood that persons skilled in the art can make changes and modifications without departing from the scope of the following claims. In particular, the present invention covers further embodiments with any combination of features that may differ from the combinations of features explicitly described.

The present disclosure also includes embodiments with any combination of features mentioned or shown above or below for various embodiments. It also includes individual features in the drawings, even if they are shown there in connection with other features and/or are not mentioned above or below. The alternatives of embodiments and individual alternatives of the features thereof that are described in the drawings and the description can be excluded from the subject matter of the invention or from the disclosed items. The disclosure includes embodiments that only include the features described in the claims or in the embodiments and also those that include additional different features.

Furthermore, the term “comprise” and derivatives thereof do not exclude other elements or steps. Likewise, the indefinite article “a” or “an” and derivatives thereof do not exclude a plurality. The functions of a plurality of features listed in the claims can be fulfilled by a unit or a step. The mere fact that certain measures are listed in different dependent claims does not mean that a combination of those measures cannot be used advantageously. The terms “substantially,” “about,” “approximately” and the like in connection with a property or a value in particular also define exactly the property or exactly the value. The terms “about” and “approximately” in connection with a given numerical value or range can refer to a value or range which lies within 20%, within 10%, within 5% or within 2% of the given value or range.