Furniture

Abstract

Learning tower comprising a front and a back, each with a base area having stationary first anti-tip elements running parallel to the back and in the base area, characterized in that at least one second anti-tip element (28) is slidably arranged in the base area of ​​the front (38) such that, in a first position, the second anti-tip element, viewed in the direction of thrust, has its outer free end aligned with or approximately aligned with the front and, in a second position, projects above the front, and that the second anti-tip element is subjected to force in the direction of the second position, wherein the force acting on the second anti-tip element (28) for its displacement is designed such that, when a force is applied in the direction of the first position, the second anti-tip element is moved in the direction of the first position and is in the second position when no force is applied.and that the second anti-tip element (28) has a lubricant on its bottom side.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a learning tower comprising a front and a back, each with a floor area having stationary first anti-tip elements running parallel to the back and in the floor area.

[0002] A learning tower is a piece of furniture that allows a toddler to reach standing height, for example, to reach a sink or a tabletop. A learning tower typically has steps and upper safety rails to protect the toddler.

[0003] To increase stability, it is known that a tipping protection device is provided at each end of a side section that forms the front and / or back of the learning tower. This can be an extension of a base support board of the learning tower, as described in DE 10 2021 120 610 A1, so that the tipping protection device runs laterally.

[0004] If such learning towers are located near, for example, a sink or a table, they do not prevent the learning tower from tipping towards these objects. Tipping backwards is also not prevented.

[0005] Therefore, there is a risk that if the toddler shifts their balance, the learning tower may tip over and possibly fall over.

[0006] The object of the present invention is to further develop a learning tower of the type described above in such a way that it offers high stability, in particular preventing the furniture from tipping forward. At the same time, it should be possible to ensure that the footprint is not larger when not in use compared to known furniture.

[0007] To solve the problem, the invention essentially provides that at least a second anti-tip element is slidably arranged in the bottom area of ​​the front such that, in a first position, the second anti-tip element, viewed in the direction of thrust, has its outer free end aligned with or approximately aligned with the front, and in a second position projects above the front, that the second anti-tip element is subjected to force in the direction of the second position, wherein the force acting on the second anti-tip element for its displacement is designed such that, when a force is applied in the direction of the first position, the second anti-tip element is moved in the direction of the first position and is in the second position when no force is applied, and that the second anti-tip element (28) has a lubricant on its bottom side.

[0008] In particular, the side element runs along the front of the furniture.

[0009] According to the invention, an anti-tip element is provided that extends beyond a side boundary, wherein the side boundary is, in particular, the front and / or back of the furniture, i.e., especially the learning tower. This prevents the furniture from tipping over when the toddler leans out over the front, as the anti-tip element prevents this, provided it extends over the front. At the same time, however, it is possible to push the furniture directly against, for example, a table, a sink, or other furnishings to the desired extent, whereby the furniture may, if necessary, touch the furnishings at the bottom, or elements connected to them, without the anti-tip element obstructing the view.

[0010] The furniture will not tip over if a corresponding second anti-tip element is present on the back.

[0011] In particular, the adjustability ensures that when the furniture is not in use, the second anti-tip element neither interferes with the furniture nor causes an undesirable increase in the footprint, so that it can be placed against a wall, for example, as before.

[0012] The second anti-tip element automatically moves into the second position when no external force is applied. If such a force is applied, for example, if the furniture hits an obstacle, the second anti-tip element is pushed into the furniture against the spring force, so that no obstruction occurs.

[0013] In particular, it is provided that the second anti-tilt element is subjected to force in the direction of the second position by means of a spring element, such as a coil spring.

[0014] The longitudinal axis of the spring element should run parallel to the longitudinal axis of the first anti-tip element, preferably coinciding with it.

[0015] Preferably, a second anti-tip element is provided at each bottom-side end area of ​​the side boundary, such as the front and / or back of the learning tower.

[0016] The thrust direction of the second anti-tipping element therefore preferably runs perpendicular to the plane spanned by the bottom-side area of ​​the side boundary.

[0017] To prevent lateral tipping, as with conventional learning towers, stationary, i.e., non-movable, first anti-tip elements should be provided, which run in a plane or planes that extend parallel to the front and / or back of the furniture.

[0018] The anti-tip element should have a cuboid geometry with a longitudinal extent L1 extending along the longitudinal axis and a transverse extent L2 running parallel to the side surface of the furniture, which is smaller than the longitudinal extent L1, in particular 2 L2 ≤ L1 ≤ 10 L2.

[0019] The second anti-tip element has a sliding element on the bottom side to allow low-friction movement on a floor.

[0020] The second anti-tip element with the spring can be housed in a separate casing that is attached to the furniture. Alternatively, a corresponding recess can be created in the furniture in which the second anti-tip element can be slidably positioned.

[0021] Further details, advantages and features of the invention will become apparent not only from the claims and the features to be derived therefrom - individually and / or in combination - but also from the following description of a preferred embodiment.

[0022] They show: Fig. 1. A schematic representation of a learning tower as furniture, Fig. 2 a section of the learning tower according to Fig. 1 with the second tilt protection element extended, Fig. 3 the learning tower with the second anti-tip element in a first position and Fig. 4 the learning tower with the second anti-tip element in a second position.

[0023] The invention is explained below using a learning tower as an example, although this is not intended to be a limitation. Rather, the teaching according to the invention can be used for any type of furniture where the risk of tipping is to be reduced without manual intervention on the existing anti-tip device.

[0024] A learning tower is a piece of furniture for children that provides a way to stand while also preventing falls. Using a learning tower, a child can reach the height of, for example, a countertop, a table, or a sink.

[0025] The learning tower should have a railing that serves both as a handhold and as protection against falling out.

[0026] The figures depict, in principle, a learning tower 10 which, in the exemplary embodiment, has a cuboid geometry, a base 12 in the central area, and a surrounding railing 14 spaced apart from this, from which corner elements 16, 18, 20 extend, leading to floorboards. Side areas, at least below the base 12, can also be enclosed.

[0027] As with known learning towers, a stationary first anti-tip element 24 is provided, for example, in the rear area and running parallel to the rear side 22, extending from both end areas of the rear side 22. Only one stationary first anti-tip element is shown in the drawing.

[0028] If the drawings only show corresponding stationary anti-tip elements on the rear side, there may also be corresponding anti-tip elements on the front side.

[0029] The first anti-tip elements 24 provide resistance against the learning tower 10 tipping sideways, but not against tipping towards the front or back. While anti-tip elements for this purpose could be provided in the base area, similar to the first anti-tip elements 24, this would increase the footprint towards the front or back. This could hinder positioning the learning tower 10 in close proximity to, for example, a sink or table, and also impede placing the learning tower 10 against a wall, as the footprint would be increased.

[0030] To ensure a high level of stability against tipping, without increasing the footprint when the furniture, i.e., in the exemplary embodiment the learning tower 10, is placed against a boundary such as a cabinet, a vanity unit, or a workstation, an automatically extending second anti-tip element 28 is provided. In the exemplary embodiment, this element is located in the area of ​​the front 22, specifically along the edges of the front and extending into the base area, as shown in the illustration. Fig. 2 to 4 illustrate.

[0031] Arrow 30 is intended to indicate that when a force acts on the second anti-tip element 28 in the direction of the learning tower 10, the anti-tip element 28 is pushed into the learning tower 10 against the force of a spring 32, as can be seen from a comparison of the Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 is self-explanatory.

[0032] This comparison also shows that when a force acts on the free end of the movable second anti-tip element 28, in this case by pushing the learning tower 10 against the wall 26, the second anti-tip element 28 is pushed against the force of the spring 32, which is in particular a coil spring, in the direction of the respective side that is opposite to the side over which the second anti-tip element 28 projects, and this continues until the learning tower 10 has been completely pushed against the wall 26 with the corresponding side, as shown by the Fig. 4 illustrates this.

[0033] In this position, which can be described as the first position, the free front end of the second tilt protection element 28 is aligned with the side boundary over which the second tilt protection element 28 can project.

[0034] In the operating position, the second tilt protection element 28 is extended by the force of the spring 32 acting on the second tilt protection element 28. This extension is symbolized by the arrow 34.

[0035] If a force now acts on the second anti-tip element 28, e.g. by pushing the learning tower 10 towards the wall 26, the second anti-tip element 28 is pushed or pressed into the learning tower 10 against the force of the spring 32.

[0036] For this purpose, the second anti-tip element 28 with the spring element 32, such as a coil spring, can be arranged in a separate housing, which is located in the base area of ​​the learning tower 10.

[0037] However, it is also possible that a recess is provided in a leg 36 running along the bottom of the learning tower 10, in which the spring 32, such as a coil spring, and the second anti-tip element 28 are arranged in an adjustable or sliding manner.

[0038] In order to allow the second anti-tip element 28 to be adjustable along a standing surface with as little friction as possible, the second anti-tip element 28 should have a sliding element on its bottom side.

[0039] In the simplest case, this could be felt. But skids or rollers can also be used as sliding elements, to name just a few examples.

[0040] If, in the exemplary embodiment, the second anti-tip element 28 is arranged in the area of ​​the front 38 of the learning tower 10, a second or more second anti-tip elements may also be present at the rear, i.e. projecting over the back of the learning tower 10, if no force acts on the second anti-tip element 28 in the direction of the learning tower 10.

[0041] The learning tower 10 is additionally protected against tipping forward or backward by the second anti-tip element(s) 28 according to the invention. Lateral tipping is prevented by the stationary first anti-tip elements 24.

[0042] The second anti-tip element 28 can be made of a desired material, in particular wood, like the learning tower 10 itself. Other materials, such as metal, are also suitable, which can achieve particular stability. The second anti-tip element 28 can also be made of plastic.

[0043] The length of the second anti-tip element 28 can be, for example, approximately 5 cm to 20 cm, and in particular 7 cm to 15 cm. If the second anti-tip element 28 has a cuboid geometry, the width should be between 1 cm and 2 cm and the height between 1 cm and 2 cm. QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] DE 10 2021 120 610 A1

[0003]

Claims

[1] Learning tower comprising a front and a back, each with a floor area containing stationary first anti-tip elements running parallel to the back and in the floor area, characterized by, that at least a second anti-tip element (28) is slidably arranged in the bottom area of ​​the front (38) such that, in a first position, the second anti-tip element, viewed in the direction of thrust, has its outer free end aligned with or approximately aligned with the front and, in a second position, projects above the front, that the second anti-tip element is subjected to force in the direction of the second position, wherein the force acting on the second anti-tip element (28) to displace it is designed such that, when a force is applied in the direction of the first position, the second anti-tip element is moved in the direction of the first position and is in the second position when no force is applied, and that the second anti-tip element (28) has a lubricant on its bottom side. [2] Furniture according to claim 1, characterized by, that the second tilt protection element (28) is actuated by means of a spring element (34), such as a coil spring. [3] Furniture according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by , that the longitudinal axis of the spring element (34) runs parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tilt protection element (28), preferably coincides with it. [4] Furniture according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that a second anti-tip element (28) is present at each bottom-side end area of ​​at least one side boundary. [5] Furniture according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the thrust direction of the second anti-tipping element (28) runs perpendicular to the plane spanned by the bottom-side area of ​​the side boundary. [6] Furniture according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the side area is the front and / or back of the furniture (10), in particular the learning tower. [7] Furniture according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that stationary first anti-tipping elements (24) are provided running parallel to the plane and in the ground area of ​​the side boundary in the area of ​​its side edges. [8] Furniture according to at least claim 5, characterized by , that the second anti-tip element (28) has a cuboid geometry with a longitudinal extent L1 extending along the longitudinal axis and a transverse extent L2 extending parallel to the side surface of the furniture, which is smaller than the longitudinal extent L1, in particular 2 L2 ≤ L1 ≤ 10 L2.

Images