Support structure for a piece of furniture for storing items

Abstract

The invention relates to a support structure (10) for a piece of furniture for storing objects, comprising a first support strut (12a, 12b) which has a strut wall (18) and a free strut cross-section (20) at least partially surrounded by the strut wall (18), a second support strut (14a, 14b) and a strut connector (16) via which the first support strut (12a, 12b) and the second support strut (14a, 14b) can be connected to each other.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a support structure for a piece of furniture for storing objects, comprising a first support strut which has a strut wall and a free strut cross-section at least partially surrounded by the strut wall, a second support strut and a strut connector by which the first support strut and the second support strut can be connected to each other.

[0002] Furthermore, the invention relates to a piece of furniture for storing objects, with a supporting structure.

[0003] Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for manufacturing a support structure for a piece of furniture for storing objects, comprising the step of connecting a first support strut, which has a strut wall and a free strut cross-section at least partially surrounded by the strut wall, to a second support strut by means of a strut connector.

[0004] Currently, welded support structures are the predominant form of welding technology. Welding allows for very cost-effective manufacturing. However, subsequent steps in the product development process result in increased effort and higher costs. The large footprint of welded support structures makes handling, transport, and packaging of the finished product cumbersome and expensive.

[0005] To improve the handling of the support structures, particularly with regard to transport and packaging, welding should be avoided. The support structures should be able to be assembled from individual parts at the final assembly site.

[0006] However, bolted support structures are not yet available on the market. Standard pipe connectors, pipe extensions, and screw connectors are generally unsuitable for furniture support structures. Firstly, these are designed only for common cross-sections of rectangular or round tubing and are mostly used to connect two identical tubes or cross-sections. In particular, simple screw connections can loosen over time under the typically dynamic loads of storage furniture, meaning a permanently secure connection cannot be guaranteed.

[0007] Other common connectors are often simply plug-in and not designed to transmit high forces, making them unsuitable for screwing and stiffening a furniture support structure. The various dowels available on the market, such as expansion dowels or expansion anchors, are also unsuitable for the application at hand, as they are only available for standardized cross-sections of round or square tubing.

[0008] The object underlying the invention is therefore to provide a furniture support structure that can be assembled at the place of use, which is inexpensive to manufacture, transportable and packable, and at the same time has sufficient load-bearing capacity for use in a piece of furniture for storing objects.

[0009] The problem is solved by a support structure of the type mentioned above, wherein an elastically deformable deformation section of the strut connector of the support structure according to the invention can be positioned in the free strut cross-section of the first support strut and can be deformed by applying an assembly force to the deformation section in such a way that the deformation section of the strut connector is clamped in the free strut cross-section on the strut wall of the first support strut to connect the strut connector with the first support strut.

[0010] The first support strut can be a metal strut and / or a hollow body. The second support strut can also be a metal strut and / or a hollow body. The deformation section of the strut connector is preferably inserted into the free cross-section of the first support strut via a recess in the strut's end face. The support structure can be a support structure for a tall cabinet pull-out. The support structure can be part of the pull-out mechanism of the tall cabinet pull-out. The support structure can be extendable from the tall cabinet and / or prepared to accommodate shelves. The first and second support struts preferably have different cross-sections. The first support strut can have a tubular cross-section. The second support strut can be a U-profile or have a U-shaped cross-section.

[0011] The elastically deformable strut connector significantly simplifies handling, reduces packaging, and considerably increases the number of support structures that can be transported per wire mesh box, pallet, or truck. As an alternative to final assembly at the installation site, the support structure can also be assembled at the manufacturer's facility, particularly by fully automated bolting. The internal logistics and handling advantages are maintained up to the bolting stage of the manufacturing process.

[0012] The support structure preferably comprises a front and a rear support strut, wherein the front and rear support struts are connected via an upper and a lower support strut to form a circumferential support structure, the circumferential support structure forming a support frame. The front and rear support struts can, for example, be rectangular tubes or square tubes. The upper and lower support struts can be U-shaped support struts. The upper and lower support struts preferably serve as connections to extension or guide rails of an extension mechanism.

[0013] The deformation section can be formed by a plastic component. Alternatively, the deformation section can be formed by an elastomer section of the strut connector. A reduction in clamping force does not immediately lead to unintentional loosening of the connection, as the strut connector continues to exert pressure and friction on the inner wall of the first support strut. Therefore, this type of connection is superior to a purely mechanical metal connection in this respect as well, where the connection can be loosened by vibration. The deformation section also allows for the compensation of manufacturing tolerances.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment of the support structure according to the invention, the cross-sectional shape of the deformation section and the free cross-section of the first support strut coincide, at least partially. The cross-section of the deformation section and the free cross-section of the first support strut can be round or polygonal, in particular rectangular. The cross-section of the deformation section and the free cross-section of the first support strut can also have other free shapes. The first support strut is preferably an upright support strut to which several shelves, each with a receiving area for stored objects, can be attached on one mounting side. The first support strut preferably has an elongated guide recess on the mounting side for receiving and guiding guide projections of shelves. The first support strut can have several mounting openings for attaching shelf mounting hooks.The elongated guide recess of the first support strut can comprise two guide cheeks and a recessed base connecting the two guide cheeks, with the mounting openings preferably located in the recess base. The first support strut is preferably designed as a profile tube and / or has a circumferential and / or closed cross-section at least beyond the mounting openings. The first support strut has one or more profiled corner recesses in which the corners of the first support strut have a concave corner profile, at least partially.

[0015] The support structure according to the invention is further advantageously developed in that the deformation section can be compressed longitudinally by applying the assembly force, wherein the longitudinal compression causes an increase in cross-section and / or a clamping force between the deformation section and the strut wall of the first support strut. The clamping force caused by the increase in cross-section and / or the clamping force preferably acts transversely, i.e., perpendicular to the longitudinal direction in which the deformation section is compressed by applying the assembly force. The clamping force tensions the deformation section of the strut connector in the first support strut.

[0016] In a further preferred embodiment of the support structure according to the invention, the deformation section of the strut connector and the strut wall of the first support strut contact each other in the clamped state along a linear and / or circumferential contact path and / or via a contact surface, in particular a circumferential contact surface. A homogeneous clamping force distribution is achieved via the linear and / or circumferential contact path or the, in particular, circumferential contact surface. If the deformation section is formed by a plastic body, the risk of creep, i.e., plastic deformation over time and stress, is also counteracted. Even in the event of creep effects, the homogeneous clamping force distribution ensures a sufficient degree of stability.

[0017] The support structure according to the invention is further advantageously developed in that the strut connector has a stop surface or stop edge which, in a mounting position of the strut connector in the first support strut, comes into contact with a stop surface or stop edge of the first support strut. The insertion and positioning of the strut connector in the first support strut is considerably simplified by the stop. The stop ensures relative positioning of the strut connector and the first support strut to each other. The strut connector can have a stop collar that projects laterally beyond the free cross-section of the first support strut.

[0018] In a further preferred embodiment of the support structure according to the invention, the strut connector has a strut contact area for the outer surface of the second support strut. Once the deformation section of the strut connector has been positioned in the first support strut, the second support strut is placed onto the strut contact area of ​​the strut connector. The second support strut preferably has a recess through which a mounting element, for example a screw, can be inserted for screwing it to the strut connector.

[0019] In a further preferred embodiment of the support structure according to the invention, the contour of the strut contact area is adapted to the contour of the second support strut. The strut contact area preferably has a counter-contour adapted to the outer contour of the second support strut, so that relative rotation of the strut connector and the second support strut is prevented.

[0020] In another preferred embodiment of the support structure according to the invention, the strut connector is positively locked against rotation relative to the first support strut. This anti-rotation feature of the strut connector relative to the first support strut is achieved, for example, by ensuring that the outer contour of the deformation section corresponds to the inner contour of the first support strut. Alternatively or additionally, the strut connector is positively locked against rotation relative to the second support strut. This positive locking anti-rotation feature of the strut connector relative to the second support strut is preferably achieved by ensuring that the contour of the strut contact area is adapted to the outer contour of the second support strut.

[0021] The support structure according to the invention is further advantageously developed in that the strut connector has a receiving recess for a mounting element, through which a mounting force can be applied to the strut connector. The mounting element can be a screw or a threaded rod. The mounting element can also be a mounting bolt. To apply the mounting force, a thread can be provided in the receiving recess of the strut connector, into which the mounting element can be screwed. The thread can be located on an insertion end piece of the strut connector. When the mounting force is applied, the receiving recess preferably narrows, so that the mounting element is also tensioned, thus further increasing the stability.

[0022] The support structure according to the invention is further advantageously developed by the fact that the strut connector is designed in multiple parts. The parts of the strut connector can be so firmly connected to one another that separation of the parts from one another is only possible by destructive means. Alternatively, the multiple parts of the strut connector can be reversibly and non-destructively connected to one another.

[0023] Furthermore, a support structure according to the invention is advantageous in which the strut connector has a deformation body that carries the elastically deformable deformation section. The deformation body can be an elastomeric body. The elastomeric body can be a rubber body. The strut connector can also have an insertion end piece that can be inserted into the first support strut and is arranged on an insertion side of the deformation body facing away from the second support strut. The strut connector can also have a receiving end piece for receiving the second support strut, which is arranged on the side of the deformation body facing the second support strut. The insertion end piece and / or the receiving end piece can be connected to the deformation body by frictional, positive, and / or material bonding.

[0024] In another preferred embodiment of the support structure according to the invention, the first support strut is a vertical frame strut and the second support strut is a horizontal frame strut. The support structure preferably comprises two vertical frame struts and two horizontal frame struts, which are connected to form a support frame via four strut connectors. The two vertical frame struts are preferably connected to an upper horizontal frame strut via two strut connectors and to a lower horizontal frame strut via two further strut connectors.

[0025] The problem underlying the invention is further solved by a piece of furniture of the type mentioned at the outset, wherein the supporting structure of the furniture according to the invention is designed according to one of the embodiments described above. With regard to the advantages and modifications of the furniture according to the invention, reference is first made to the advantages and modifications of the supporting structure according to the invention. The furniture can, for example, be a tall cabinet with a pull-out mechanism. The supporting structure is preferably an integral part of the pull-out mechanism. The supporting structure can form a support frame which can be pulled out of and pushed into a furniture body via a pull-out mechanism.

[0026] The furniture according to the invention is further advantageously developed by several shelves arranged one above the other, which are suspended in the supporting structure. The shelves preferably have fastening hooks, wherein the fastening hooks of the shelves can be inserted into suspension openings of the supporting structure.

[0027] The problem underlying the invention is further solved by a method of the type mentioned at the outset, wherein, within the framework of the inventive method for connecting the first support strut to the second support strut, an elastically deformable deformation section of the strut connector is positioned in the free strut cross-section of the first support strut, and the deformation section is deformed by applying an assembly force such that the deformation section of the strut connector is clamped in the free strut cross-section against the strut wall of the first support strut. A support structure according to one of the embodiments described above is preferably produced by means of the method. With regard to the advantages and modifications of the inventive method, reference is therefore made to the advantages and modifications of the inventive support structure.

[0028] Preferred embodiments of the invention are explained and described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. These show: Fig. 1 a cabinet pull-out with a support structure according to the invention in a perspective view; Fig. 2 the connection between two support struts of the in the Fig. 1. The supporting structure shown is depicted in detail; Fig. 3 a support strut including strut connector of a support structure according to the invention in a schematic sectional view; Fig. 4 a strut connector of a supporting structure according to the invention in a perspective view; Fig. 5 den in the Fig. 4 strut connectors shown in a perspective exploded view; Fig. 6. The insertion of a strut connector into a supporting strut of a supporting structure in a perspective view; Fig. 7 who are in the Fig. 6 illustrated support strut including inserted strut connector in a perspective view; Fig. 8 a perspective view of the assembly state of a support structure according to the invention; Fig. 9 another assembly state of the in the Fig. 8 illustrated supporting structures in a perspective view; Fig. 10. An assembly state of a support structure according to the invention in a perspective view; and Fig. 11 another assembly state of the in the Fig. The supporting structure shown in the 10 figures is depicted in a perspective view.

[0029] The Fig. Figure 1 shows a 100 mm pull-out drawer for a kitchen tall cabinet. The 100 mm pull-out drawer can be extended from the cabinet body of the kitchen tall cabinet using a pull-out mechanism.

[0030] The cabinet pull-out 100 comprises a support structure 10 designed as a support frame. Several shelves 102a-102e are suspended one above the other in the support structure 10. The support structure 10 has hanging openings for the shelves 102a-102e, into which fastening hooks of the shelves 102a-102e can be inserted.

[0031] The supporting structure 10 comprises two first support struts 12a, 12b, wherein the support struts 12a, 12b are vertical frame struts. Furthermore, the supporting structure 10 comprises two second support struts 14a, 14b, wherein the support struts 14a, 14b are horizontal frame struts. The support struts 12a, 12b are hollow metal struts. The support struts 14a, 14b have a U-shaped cross-section and are also made of metal.

[0032] The support struts 12a, 12b are connected to the support strut 14a via two strut connectors 16. Furthermore, the support struts 12a, 12b are connected to the support strut 14b via two strut connectors 16.

[0033] The Fig. Figure 2 shows, using the example of the connection between the support struts 12a and 14b, that the strut connector 16 is arranged section by section within the support strut 12a. A mounting force is applied to the strut connector 16 via a mounting element 60 designed as a screw. The mounting element 60 is a screw which is screwed into the strut connector 16.

[0034] The Fig. Figure 3 shows that an elastically deformable deformation section 22 of the strut connector 16 is positioned in the free strut cross-section 20 of the support strut 12a. The assembly force applied to the deformation section 22 via the assembly element 60 deforms the deformation section 22 such that it is clamped against the strut wall 18 of the support strut 12a in the free strut cross-section 20. The shape of the cross-section 24 of the deformation section 22 and the shape of the free cross-section of the support strut 12a are identical.

[0035] The support strut 12a is an upright support strut to which several shelves 102a-102e can be attached on one mounting side 28. The support strut 12a has an elongated guide recess 30 on the mounting side 28 for receiving and guiding guide projections of shelves 102a-102e. The guide recess 30 is located between two guide cheeks 32a, 32b. The guide cheeks 32a, 32b are connected to each other via a recess base 34 that is offset to the rear.

[0036] The support strut 12a is designed as a profile tube and has a continuous and closed cross-section beyond the mounting openings 52 for the shelves 102a-102e. The support strut 12a also has profiled corner recesses in which the corners of the support strut 12a have a concave corner profile 36a, 36b.

[0037] The deformation section 22 can be compressed longitudinally by applying the assembly force, whereby the longitudinal compression causes an increase in cross-sectional area and generates a clamping force between the deformation section 22 and the strut wall 18 of the support strut 12a. The clamping forces 26 act transversely, i.e., perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The clamping forces 26 clamp the deformation section 22 of the strut connector 16 in the support strut 12a. In the clamped state, the deformation section 22 of the strut connector 16 and the strut wall 18 of the support strut 12a are in contact along a circumferential contact surface 62, resulting in a homogeneous clamping force distribution.

[0038] As in the Fig. As shown in Figure 4, the strut connector 16 is designed in multiple parts. The strut connector 16 has a deformation body 38, which carries the elastically deformable deformation section 22. The deformation body 38 is an elastomer body, namely a rubber body. The strut connector further comprises an insertion end piece 40 and a receiving end piece 42. The insertion end piece 40 can be inserted into the support strut 12a and is arranged on an insertion side of the deformation body 38 facing away from the support strut 14b. The receiving end piece 42 serves to receive the support strut 14b and is arranged on the side of the deformation body 38 facing the support strut 14b. The strut connector 16 has a strut contact area 44 for the outer surface of the support strut 14b. The contour of the strut contact area 44 is adapted to the outer contour of the support strut 14b. The strut connector 16 is positively locked against rotation relative to the support strut 12a and relative to the support strut 14b.

[0039] Furthermore, the strut connector 16 has a receiving recess 46 for the mounting element 60, through which a mounting force can be applied to the strut connector 16. The mounting element 60 is a screw which can be inserted into the receiving recess 46.

[0040] The Fig. Figure 5 shows that the insertion end piece 40 and the receiving end piece 42 are connected to the deformation body 38 via fastening elements 50a, 50b of the deformation body 38, which are designed as deformable fastening nipples. The insertion end piece 40 has a thread 48 into which the mounting element 60 can be screwed to apply the mounting force.

[0041] The elongated guide recess 30 of the support strut 12a comprises two guide cheeks and a rearwardly offset recess base connecting the two guide cheeks, with the suspension openings 52 being located in the recess base.

[0042] The Fig. Figure 6 shows that the strut connector 16 has a stop surface 58 on its underside, which, after the strut connector 16 is inserted into the strut recess 54 of the support strut 12a, comes into contact with a stop edge 56 of the support strut 12a in a mounting position of the strut connector 16 in the support strut 12a. The stops 56, 58 significantly simplify the insertion and positioning of the strut connector 16 in the support strut 12a.

[0043] The Fig. Figure 7 shows the support strut 12a with inserted strut connector 16, wherein the stop collar of the strut connector 16 rests on the end face of the support strut 12a.

[0044] The Fig. 8 and Fig. Figure 9 shows that the strut connectors 16 can first be inserted into the support struts 12a, 12b before the support strut 14a is placed on top and screwed in place using the mounting links 60. When the mounting links 60 are screwed in, the deformation sections 22 of the strut connectors 16 are elastically deformed in such a way that the strut connectors 60 are tensioned in the support struts 12a, 12b.

[0045] The Fig. 10 and Fig. Figure 11 shows that the strut connectors 16 can alternatively be attached to the support strut 14b first. The strut connectors 16 attached to the support strut 14b can then be inserted into the support struts 12a, 12b. After the strut connectors 16 have been inserted into the support struts 12a, 12b, the assembly links 60 can be tightened further, causing further elastic deformation of the deformation section 22, which in turn causes the strut connectors 16 to clamp in the support struts 12a, 12b. Reference sign 10 Supporting structure 12a, 12b Support struts 14a, 14b Support struts 16 strut connectors 18 Strut wall 20 free strut cross-section 22 Deformation section 24 Cross-section of the deformation section 26 clamping forces 28 Mounting side 30 Leadership Development 32a, 32b Guide cheeks 34. Reason for further study 36a, 36b Corner profiles 38 Deformation bodies 40 Insert end piece 42 Recording end piece 44 Strut contact area 46 Recording Exclusion 48 threads 50a, 50b Fastening elements 52 mounting holes 54 Strut recess 56 Stop edge 58 Stop surface 60 Mounting element 62 contact area 100 cabinet pull-out 102a-102e Shelves

Claims

Support structure (10) for a piece of furniture for storing objects, comprising: - a first support strut (12a, 12b) which has a strut wall (18) and a free strut cross-section (20) at least partially surrounded by the strut wall (18); - a second support strut (14a, 14b); and a strut connector (16) via which the first support strut (12a, 12b) and the second support strut (14a, 14b) can be connected to each other; characterized in that an elastically deformable deformation section (22) of the strut connector (16) can be positioned in the free strut cross-section (20) of the first support strut (12a, 12b) and can be deformed by applying an assembly force to the deformation section (22) such that the deformation section (22) of the strut connector (16) is clamped in the free strut cross-section (20) on the strut wall (18) of the first support strut (12a, 12b) to connect the strut connector (16) to the first support strut (12a, 12b). Supporting structure (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the shape of the cross-section (24) of the deformation section (22) and the shape of the free cross-section of the first support strut (12a, 12b) are at least partially identical. Support structure (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the deformation section (22) can be compressed by applying the assembly force in the longitudinal direction, wherein the longitudinal compression causes an increase in cross-sectional area and / or a clamping force generation between the deformation section (22) and the strut wall (18) of the first support strut (12a, 12b). Support structure (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the deformation section (22) of the strut connector (16) and the strut wall (18) of the first support strut (12a, 12b) in the clamped state touch along a linear and / or circumferential contact path and / or via a contact surface (62), in particular a circumferential contact surface. Support structure (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the strut connector (16) has a stop surface (58) or stop edge which, in a mounting position of the strut connector (16) in the first support strut (12a, 12b), comes into contact with a stop surface or stop edge (56) of the first support strut (12a, 12b). Support structure (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the strut connector (16) has a strut contact area (44) for the outer surface of the second support strut (14a, 14b). Support structure (10) according to claim 6, characterized in that the contour of the strut contact area (44) is adapted to the outer contour of the second support strut (14a, 14b). Support structure (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the strut connector (16) is positively locked against rotation relative to the first support strut (12a, 12b); and / or the strut connector (16) is positively locked against rotation relative to the second support strut (14a, 14b). Support structure (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the strut connector (16) has a receiving recess (46) for a mounting element (60) via which a mounting force can be applied to the strut connector (16). Support structure (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the strut connector (16) is designed in multiple parts. Support structure (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the strut connector (16) - has a deformation body (38) which carries the elastically deformable deformation section (22); - has an insertion end piece (40) which can be inserted into the first support strut (12a, 12b) and is arranged on an insertion side of the deformation body (38) facing away from the second support strut (14a, 14b); - has a receiving end piece (42) for receiving the second support strut (14a, 14b) which is arranged on the side of the deformation body (38) facing the second support strut (14a, 14b). Support structure (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first support strut (12a, 12b) is a vertical frame strut and the second support strut (14a, 14b) is a horizontal frame strut, wherein two vertical frame struts and two horizontal frame struts are connected to a support frame via four strut connectors (16). Furniture for storing objects, comprising a supporting structure (10); characterized in that the supporting structure (10) is designed according to one of the preceding claims. Furniture according to claim 13, characterized by several shelves arranged one above the other (102a-102e) which are suspended in the supporting structure (10). Method for manufacturing a support structure (10) for a piece of furniture for storing objects, in particular a support structure (10) according to one of claims 1 to 12, comprising the step of: - connecting a first support strut (12a, 12b), which has a strut wall (18) and a free strut cross-section (20) at least partially surrounded by the strut wall (18), with a second support strut (14a, 14b) by means of a strut connector (16);characterized in that, for connecting the first support strut (12a, 12b) with the second support strut (14a, 14b), an elastically deformable deformation section (22) of the strut connector (16) is positioned in the free strut cross-section (20) of the first support strut (12a, 12b) and the deformation section (22) is deformed by applying an assembly force such that the deformation section (22) of the strut connector (16) is clamped in the free strut cross-section (20) on the strut wall (18) of the first support strut (12a, 12b).

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