Reversible support rail for shelves and furniture bodies

Abstract

Reversible support rail for shelf compartments and furniture bodies, characterized in that it consists of a web (1) with two functional levels (2 and 3), which is connected at right angles to a mounting surface (6) via differently pronounced inclined surfaces (4 and 5) in such a way that, depending on the installation direction, storage containers (7 and 8) of different sizes suitable for the application can be accommodated via differently wide support surfaces.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a reversible support rail for shelf compartments and furniture carcasses, such as those used in shelving systems in the furniture or commercial sectors. The support rail enables the positioning, guidance, and centering of storage containers of different sizes in a shelf compartment, so that they function like removable drawers. The present invention is used for storage containers whose geometric shape and design, in combination with a support or guide rail, ensure functionality. In contrast to drawers, which, for example, have a fixed connection to a furniture carcass via pull-outs, the invention presented here provides a detachable connection. This means that, when installed, the storage container rests loosely on support rails inserted in pairs.

[0002] The essential feature of the present invention is that the one-piece support rail can be used on both sides due to its geometry and installation direction and can thus accommodate different sizes of storage containers.

[0003] The state of the art provides various devices for storing containers in shelving systems or furniture. Typically, drawer-like containers are used, which feature a specific feature in the form of a circumferential edge. The edge of such a container rests loosely on a support rail and is guided in a U-shaped profile or in a groove in the corresponding furniture components. In this configuration, the container functions like a drawer and can also be completely removed.

[0004] A support or guide rail typically consists of rigid or custom-made components designed exclusively for a specific container. In its simplest form, a support rail consists of a standard, plastic, right-angled angle profile, with one leg of the angle attached to the vertical interior of a shelf compartment or furniture body via a screw or adhesive connection. The second leg acts as a load-bearing element and supports, for example, the surrounding edge of a storage container. The length of this load-bearing element, or the distance between the angle profiles used in pairs, ensures the centering of the storage container.This means that the protruding edge of the storage container rests on the leg of the roll, while the part of the storage container located below this edge is positioned between the ends of the legs. To ensure the desired functionality, the edge of the storage container must be wider than the distance between the supporting legs of the angle profiles. The area of ​​the storage container located below the edge must be smaller than the previously described distance between the legs to allow the container to be inserted or placed on top. The width of the storage container below the edge intended for support must be sufficiently dimensioned to ensure sufficient stability of the system.It is also important to ensure that the supporting legs of the angle profile are sufficiently long to avoid excessive distance between the legs of the angle profiles. This is important to prevent the container from slipping sideways off one of the legs of the connecting profiles, which can be caused by excessive clearance.

[0005] The use of additional containers with a different width or geometric shape is usually not possible without negatively affecting the function.

[0006] A well-known example is the use of shelf rails in combination with standardized storage containers, such as those found in furniture used for storing children's toys. To ensure the safe combination of support rail and storage container in an otherwise unchanged piece of furniture, only storage containers that fit the support rail geometrically and functionally can be used. However, there is currently no solution available that allows the use of both larger and smaller storage containers, for example, those offered by two different manufacturers, without further adaptation.

[0007] The technical problem is to provide a simple support rail solution that allows different sized storage containers to be stored in one shelf compartment so that they function like removable drawers and without the support rails that support the storage container having to be replaced or made compatible with additional parts.

[0008] With the invention presented here, it is possible to solve the problem described above with only one reversible support rail that can be used on both sides.

[0009] For example, it is possible to use a support system to accommodate storage containers from different manufacturers without having to replace the required support rails or requiring additional components. Due to the geometry and functionality of the support rail, the storage containers used can be securely positioned within a shelf compartment or furniture body. Furthermore, the support rail enables safe guidance, loading, and removal of the storage containers used with it. One possible application of the invention underlying this invention is described in the following application example.

[0010] In a wooden shelf compartment, two support rails are attached to the vertical interior walls of the compartment. These rails are designed to accommodate a storage container of a specific width, store it, and use it like a drawer. The support rails are made of plastic and are attached to the shelf compartment walls via a simple screw connection. The storage container resting on the support rails can be pulled in and out like a drawer or completely removed from the support rails.

[0011] The support rail is geometrically designed so that it can be used in pairs and accommodates a standard storage container of a specific size. The container rests loosely on the support rail with a surrounding rim, which simultaneously guides it into a central position, allowing the container to assume the desired position within the shelf compartment or furniture body.

[0012] To accommodate another storage container of a different size (i.e., a different width or geometric shape) on the same support rails, it is necessary to loosen the screw connection and turn the support rails. The support rails are then screwed back to the inside of the shelf compartment or furniture body. This process creates a new combination of support rail and storage container that meets the previously described requirements.

[0013] The present invention describes a reversible support rail, which essentially comprises a fastening surface and two support surfaces arranged at right angles to the fastening surface, thus forming two different functional levels. The profile of the support rail resembles a T-profile, with the fastening surface corresponding to the flange of the T-profile and the support surfaces corresponding to the two sides of the T-profile web. The fastening surface is connected to the support surfaces via two inclined surfaces that differ in their shape, so that the support surfaces of the support rail have a different support width depending on the installation direction. The difference in the width of the support surfaces corresponds to the difference in size of the storage containers to be used. Furthermore, the inclined surfaces contribute to simplified positioning when a storage container is placed on a pair of support rails.The mounting surface has symmetrically arranged holes so that screw holes can be created for both possible installation directions.

[0014] The design of the invention of a reversible support rail described above can also be applied to any application in which storage containers of different widths or similar components are to be accommodated by a reversible, one-piece support rail. Furthermore, depending on the application, the support rails can also be made of a material other than plastic, and the fastening surface of the support rail can be connected to the respective shelf or furniture body part in a way other than a screw connection. Depending on the desired functionality or geometric shape of a storage container, it can also be useful if the inclined surfaces between the screw-on surface and the support surfaces have an additional notch to better guide the storage box in the support rail.

[0015] A storage container should be able to be stored in a shelf compartment or furniture body using a pair of support rails, which are used in pairs, and used like a drawer. The storage container should be able to be fed into the shelf compartment from the front via the pair of support rails and positioned in a defined position between the pair of support rails, assuming their target position. Additionally, it should be possible to insert or store another storage container, which differs in size from the one described above, into the shelf compartment or furniture body in the same way using the same support rails.

[0016] The invention presented here solves the problem by using a reversible support rail used in pairs, which can accommodate different sizes of storage containers on both sides.

[0017] The invention defined in claim 1 is based on the problem of creating a possibility to store storage containers of different sizes in a shelf compartment or a furniture body via a support rail system and to use them like drawers without having to replace the support rails used for this purpose.

[0018] The system is implemented using a pair of one-piece support rails. The rails consist of a mounting surface connected by two angled surfaces to a perpendicular web, whose sides represent two functional levels in the form of support surfaces. The mounting surface is designed for vertical installation on a shelf or piece of furniture. The varying shape of the angled surfaces results in support surfaces of varying widths. Depending on the mounting direction of the support rail, this design allows for the accommodation of storage containers of different sizes in a shelf compartment or furniture body.

[0019] This problem is solved by the features listed in the claims.

[0020] A one-piece, elongated support rail, preferably made of plastic, consists of a mounting surface and two support surfaces arranged at right angles to each other. The support rail is constructed similarly to a T-profile, with the two sides of the web of the T-profile corresponding to the support rail's support surfaces. The support surfaces are connected to the mounting surface via an inclined surface, with the inclined surfaces having various shapes. The mounting surface is provided with holes that allow the support rail to be vertically attached to the inside of a shelf compartment or a furniture body.

[0021] An embodiment of the invention is described with reference to Fig. 1 to Fig. 5 explained.

[0022] They show: Fig. 1 shows the cross-section of a reversible support rail, shown in front view, consisting of a web (1) with two opposite functional surfaces (2 and 3) forming the support surfaces, which is connected via two inclined surfaces (4 and 5) of different shapes to a fastening surface (6) arranged at right angles to the web (1). Fig. 2 the perspective view of a reversible support rail with holes for screw fastening in the mounting surface. Fig. 3 the front view of a reversible support rail in the applied state, wherein the support rail used in pairs is fastened with screws (10) to the inside of a shelf compartment (9) and the edge of a storage container (7) rests on the functional plane (2) of the support rail forming a support surface and is guided and limited by the inclined surface (4) which forms a connection between the fastening surface and the support surface. Fig. 4 the front view of a reversible support rail with the same function as in Fig. 3, but with the difference that the support rail is now turned by 180 degrees and accommodates a larger storage container (8), whereby the support surface of the other functional level (3) is now used and the storage container (8) is guided and limited by the inclined surface (5). Fig. 5 the front view of a reversible support rail, as in Fig. 1, but with the difference that the inclined surfaces (4 and 5) have an angled shape (11), which in this view corresponds to a notch.

Claims

[1] Reversible support rail for shelves and furniture bodies, characterized by that it consists of a web (1) with two functional levels (2 and 3), which is connected at right angles to a fastening surface (6) via differently shaped inclined surfaces (4 and 5) in such a way that, depending on the installation direction, storage containers (7 and 8) of different sizes suitable for the application can be accommodated via support surfaces of different widths. [2] Support rail according to claim 1, characterized by that these can be attached in pairs to the inside of a shelf or furniture part (9) via a screw connection (10). [3] Support rail according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that it can be attached to the inside of a shelf or furniture part (9) using a connection other than a screw connection (10). [4] Support rail according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat it can be made from a material other than plastic. [5] Support rail according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the inclined surfaces (4 and 5) connecting the web (1) with the fastening surface (6) additionally have a notch (11).

Images