Shelf with integrated compartment

Abstract

The present invention relates to a shelf (1) with an integrated compartment, wherein the shelf (1) has a body (3) with a base plate (4) and wall surfaces including lateral wall surfaces (5, 6) and a cover plate (2), the base plate (4) and the wall surfaces enclose a cavity which is open at the top and which can be releasably closed at the top with the cover plate (2), wherein the releasable closure is a magnetic closure.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a shelf in which a compartment is integrated in such a way that it is not visible to an observer.

[0002] The compartment, which is not visible from the outside, can be used as a secret compartment for storing valuables, documents, etc.

[0003] Given the increasing frequency of burglaries these days, secure storage options for money or valuables such as jewelry, etc., are desirable. These options can be easily stored in a room and yet remain undetectable to unauthorized persons. However, these storage options should be easily accessible to the owners. This is where the present invention comes in.

[0004] The present invention relates to a shelf with an integrated secret compartment, wherein the secret compartment as such is not recognizable to an observer from the outside, but allows easy access for those in the know.

[0005] The shelf according to the invention looks like a standard wall shelf, e.g., a wall shelf consisting of a body consisting of a top surface, a base, and wall surfaces, and blends harmoniously into the interior design. Unlike a wall shelf, the body of the wall shelf according to the invention is detachable from the top surface, which is designed as a cover plate.

[0006] The body has a base plate and wall surfaces that together form a hollow space that can serve as a secret compartment for the objects to be hidden.

[0007] The term “wall surface” includes the side walls, front wall surface and rear wall, although the rear wall may be missing if necessary.

[0008] The cover plate itself is typically designed to be attached to a wall.

[0009] The body is detachably connected to the cover plate via a locking system.

[0010] To open the secret compartment, the body can be easily pulled downwards from the cover plate after unlocking the locking system or against the resistance of the locking system.

[0011] The top panel can be attached to the wall using any method commonly used for attaching wall shelves, as long as the body can be easily removed from the top panel to open it and reattached to close it.

[0012] A magnetic closure has proven particularly suitable for connecting the top panel and the body. The magnetic closure simultaneously ensures a firm connection between the top panel and the body, even after the shelf according to the invention has been attached to a wall, with the body being held in position only by the connection to the top panel.

[0013] For the present invention, commercially available magnetic closures can advantageously be used, which can be mounted in a conventional manner according to their instructions for use.

[0014] For example, a commercially available magnetic lock with a locking bolt, for example made of stainless steel, which runs in a guide rail, with the corresponding locking hole, also made of stainless steel, can be used.

[0015] In principle, the external appearance of the shelf according to the invention can be freely designed, as long as its functionality is ensured. For example, the top panel and body can be designed differently, for example, they can be made of a different material and / or be different colors.

[0016] According to the invention, the top panel and body should convey the impression of a conventional shelf. For example, the edges and joints between the top panel and body should be as unobtrusive as possible.

[0017] Preferably, the cover plate and the body are flush with each other. For this purpose, the cover plate can be inserted into the open upper side of the body, with the surface of the cover plate and the end faces of the body's walls flush with each other. The body's walls can be provided, at least partially, with projections or steps on the inside that can support the cover plate.

[0018] Alternatively, the cover plate can rest on the end faces of the body's wall panels. Preferably, the edge of the cover plate is flush with the outer surfaces of the wall panels.

[0019] The cover plate can be provided with a rebate, creating a smaller inner section that engages with the open top of the cabinet. The inner section of the cover plate can be dimensioned to fit snugly (positively) into the open top of the cabinet.

[0020] To remove the body and expose the secret compartment, the body can be pulled downwards away from the cover plate, even against the resistance of the magnetic closure.

[0021] The shelf according to the invention can be made of any material. Examples include wood, plastic materials, or other materials that can be used for the production of shelves.

[0022] In principle, the dimensions can also be freely chosen, e.g. according to the dimensions of commercially available wall shelves or wall boards.

[0023] According to one embodiment, individual or all parts of the shelf, such as the wall surfaces and / or the base plate and / or the cover plate, can be reinforced with a thin steel sheet. The reinforcement can be integrated into the part, e.g., inserted centrally.

[0024] The size of the steel sheet depends on the size of the shelf section. The surface area of the steel sheet may be smaller than the surface area of the section. Several smaller pieces of steel sheet may be used. The steel sheet may be perforated, for example, to save weight.

[0025] The back panel of the cabinet can also be omitted if necessary, since the shelf is usually attached to a vertical surface, such as a room or closet wall. To prevent the contents of the compartment from falling out, a lip can be provided on the back of the cabinet, which can be lower than the sides.

[0026] The structure of the present invention is explained in more detail below with reference to figures which schematically show embodiments of the shelf according to the invention.

[0027] It shows Fig. 1 schematically shows a sectional view of a first embodiment from the front, with the front wall surface omitted to reveal the interior, and Fig. 2 schematically shows a sectional view of a second embodiment from the front, wherein the front wall surface is omitted to make the interior visible.

[0028] The shelf 1 after Fig. 1 has a rectangular cross-section, with a length significantly greater than its height. Shelf 1 has a top panel 2 and a body 3 with a base panel 4 and side panels 5, 6 (the front panel is omitted here).

[0029] The inside of the side wall panels 5, 6 is provided with a rebate 7 at the upper edge, which forms a projection or step. The dimensions of the cover panel 2 are matched to the opening of the carcass 3, with the height of the cover panel 2 corresponding to the height of the rebate 7 (i.e. the distance between the projection and the upper edge of the wall panels). When assembled, the cover panel 2 sits as tightly as possible on the projection formed by the rebate 7, with the surface of the cover panel 2 and the end faces 11, 12 of the upper edge of the wall panels (including the front wall panel (not shown here)) being aligned. The joints should be as narrow as possible to maintain a uniform appearance.

[0030] According to a further embodiment as described in Fig. 2, the cover plate 2 is not fitted into the upper opening of the body as in Fig. 1, but rests on the end faces 11, 12 of the wall panels. The cover plate 2 has a fold 8 on its underside, resulting in a smaller inner section 9, the circumference of which is matched to the opening of the body 3 and the height to the projection formed by the fold 7. When assembled, the cover plate 2 rests flush on the end faces 11, 12 of the wall panels, including the end faces of the wall panel and rear wall (not shown here) - if present - and the inner section 9 rests precisely on the projection.

[0031] In the Fig. In the embodiment shown in Figure 2, at least the lateral wall surfaces 5, 6 and the cover plate 2 are reinforced internally with one-piece steel sheets 10.

[0032] The base plate 4 is also reinforced internally with steel 10, but the steel sheet is perforated, or alternatively strips of steel sheet are arranged side by side at a distance along the length of the base plate 4.

[0033] The shelves 1 shown in the figures have a rectangular perimeter. It is understood that, in particular, the perimeter formed by the side wall surfaces 5, 6 and the front side may have a shape other than rectangular, e.g., a rounded, oval, or polygonal shape. List of reference symbols 1 shelf 2 cover plate 3 Corpus 4 Base plate 5, 6 side wall surfaces 7 fold 8 Fold (cover plate 2) 9 inner smaller section 10 Steel sheet reinforcement 11, 12 End faces of the side wall surfaces 5, 6

Claims

[1] Shelf (1) with integrated compartment, wherein the shelf (1) has a body (3) with a base plate (4) and wall surfaces including side wall surfaces (5, 6) and a cover plate (2), wherein the base plate (4) and the wall surfaces form a cavity open at the top, and wherein the cavity can be closed upwards with the cover plate (2), wherein the body (3) is detachably connected to the cover plate (2), wherein the body (3) is detachably connected to the cover plate (2) by means of a magnetic closure. [2] Shelf according to claim 1, wherein the cover plate (2) and the body (3) are designed to be flush with one another. [3] Shelf according to claim 1 or 2, wherein individual or all wall surfaces of the body (3), and / or the base plate (4) and / or the cover plate (2) are reinforced with at least one insert made of sheet steel (10). [4] Shelf according to claim 3, wherein the insert made of sheet steel (10) has at least partially a perforation. [5] Shelf according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the height of the rear wall is less than the height of the other wall surfaces.

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