FURNITURE SYSTEM

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a furniture system with at least two side panels which can be detachably coupled to at least one support element of the furniture system. Furthermore, the invention relates to a piece of furniture constructed from such a furniture system, a furniture set comprising a plurality of such furniture pieces, and a method for constructing a piece of furniture or the use of such a furniture system for constructing a piece of furniture.

[0002] Some types of furniture are designed to be disassembled and reassembled multiple times, for example, for storage or transport. This applies, for instance, to furniture for traveling exhibitions, trade fairs, etc., but especially to garden furniture that is stored away for the winter and reassembled in the spring. This is particularly true for tables, but also for benches, which, when assembled, usually occupy a considerable volume and are often difficult to stack. For such furniture, disassembly and reassembly should be as simple as possible, ideally without the need for special tools.

[0003] With tables, there's usually a need to detach the legs. With very simple systems, such as plastic tables, this is typically achieved by inserting the individual legs into slots under the tabletop. However, the disadvantage of these systems is that after repeated assembly and disassembly, stability is often compromised. Other tables on the market offer the option of unscrewing the legs individually. In some systems, the legs are held in place by clamps in the corners of a frame located under the tabletop. Usually, a screw passes through the end of each leg and is tightened into the table frame. All these systems have the drawback that they can loosen over time, requiring the screws to be tightened regularly to restore stability.Furthermore, there are systems on the market where the tabletop rests on two runners, which must be screwed to the tabletop with several screws. This means that disassembling the table requires a considerable amount of work. Most chairs and benches on the market are designed in such a way that they are not intended for quick disassembly and reassembly at all; they are often delivered as a kit and then assembled with several screws in such a way that they are not really meant to be taken apart again. One such furniture system is disclosed in GB2539577A.

[0004] It is an object of the present invention to provide a furniture system of the type mentioned above, as well as a piece of furniture constructed therefrom and a corresponding method for constructing a piece of furniture, which allows for quick coupling of the side parts with the supporting element and also for quick disassembly and recoupling of the parts with each other.

[0005] This problem is solved by a furniture system according to claim 1, a piece of furniture according to claim 13 and a method for constructing a piece of furniture according to claim 15.

[0006] The furniture system according to the invention, which could also be referred to as a furniture kit, has, as described above, at least two side parts which can be detachably coupled to at least one supporting element of the furniture system.

[0007] A load-bearing element, in this context, refers to a component of a piece of furniture designed to support objects or people. Examples include a tabletop, a bench or chair seat, or, in the case of a shelf or cabinet, a shelf or cabinet base, which also includes the top surface, i.e., a type of top panel. It should be noted that a load-bearing element can be a single piece or consist of several parts, such as a substructure or frame, or, as will be explained later, several beams and possibly crossbeams, as well as a suitable surface covering or top panel, which forms the actual surface of the load-bearing element upon which objects can be placed or people can sit.

[0008] For the purposes of this invention, "side panels" are understood to be parts or elements of the furniture system or piece of furniture that may be constructed in a side-like manner, but, particularly in the case of tables or seating furniture such as benches, chairs, or the like, may also be open, as will be explained later by means of an example, e.g., as a kind of U-profile. As the name "side panels" already suggests, these side panels are essentially attachable laterally to the respective support element and preferably enclose it between them; that is, the side panels are preferably located, for example, at the ends of two opposite sides of the support element. The side panel is constructed in such a way that, in the intended assembled and erected state of the piece of furniture, it establishes contact with the floor, i.e., it has at least two legs or feet.Unlike some models based on the aforementioned state of the art, this piece of furniture does not have individual legs attached to the supporting element, such as the tabletop, but instead uses side panels. This construction, with a single, continuous side panel that provides contact with the floor on each side of the assembled furniture, ensures greater stability than with individual legs.

[0009] According to the invention, the side panels are designed such that they each have at least two plug-in elements, each of which is directly integrated into the side panel. "Integrated" in this context means that the plug-in elements were arranged on the side panel during its manufacture in such a way that they are permanently and rigidly connected to it. For example, the plug-in elements can be molded into the side panel, welded to the side panel, or preferably at least partially welded into the side panel. These are therefore not separate parts that then need to be coupled to the side panel.

[0010] Furthermore, according to the invention, the support element comprises at least two mating elements located at appropriate positions on at least one side, corresponding to the plug-in elements, in order to couple the side part to the support element. Preferably, the mating elements are also integrated into the support element. Here, too, "integrated" means that the mating elements are permanently and firmly connected to the support element, e.g., molded in some way or welded onto or into the support element, and are not separate parts.

[0011] The modular furniture system, with its central support element held by two side panels that can be connected laterally, allows for quick and easy assembly and disassembly of each piece of furniture using a simple plug-in mechanism. As will be explained in more detail later, the elements can be connected with exceptional stability, ensuring consistent stability even after repeated assembly and disassembly. This means the furniture remains stable immediately, even without the need to adjust any screws, which is particularly advantageous for tables. This system can also be used to construct other furniture, such as seating (e.g., benches, chairs, stools) or other items like shelves, in the same way.In particular, the components can be designed so that the side panels, as explained later, can be connected to the support element with virtually no play, even after repeated assembly and disassembly of the furniture. It is especially advantageous for this if the plug-in elements are integrated with the side panels and the mating plug-in elements with the support element, thus ensuring exceptionally high precision.

[0012] Accordingly, a piece of furniture according to the invention is constructed from the furniture system described above.

[0013] A furniture set according to the invention, preferably a garden furniture set, comprises a plurality of corresponding furniture pieces, for example a table and associated benches and chairs. Particularly preferably, for example, the side panels of benches and chairs can be designed in such a way that they can be optionally exchanged, i.e., that side panels of the chair can also be used on the bench or vice versa.

[0014] In an inventive method for constructing a piece of furniture, a furniture system according to the invention is first provided. The two side panels of the furniture system are then coupled to at least one support element of the furniture system, wherein at least two plug-in elements of a side panel, preferably integrated into the support element, are coupled to plug-in elements on one side of the support element, preferably also integrated into the support element. As already described above, the support element can be enclosed between the laterally coupled side panels.

[0015] By using a furniture system according to the invention for assembling furniture, particularly stable furniture pieces are provided, which, as already mentioned, can be easily disassembled into parts and reassembled as often as desired.

[0016] Further, particularly advantageous embodiments and developments of the invention defined by the claims result from the dependent patent claims and the following description, wherein the independent claims of a claim category may also be further developed analogously to the dependent claims and embodiments of another claim category and, in particular, individual features of different embodiments or variants may be combined to form new embodiments or variants.

[0017] The dimensions of the support element and the side panels, and in particular the position of the plug-in and mating elements, are preferably selected such that, when a side panel is properly mounted to the support element, the top surface of the support element is flush with the top surface of the side panel. In this way, the side panels extend the surface area of ​​the piece of furniture, for example, the table surface or the usable seating surface of a chair or bench, by extending the support element, i.e., the actual tabletop or seat, on both sides with the side panels.

[0018] It should be noted at this point that there are various ways to design the plug-in and mating elements. The crucial point is that these elements can be plugged into each other in some way, preferably the plug-in elements into the mating elements. However, it is also possible for the plug-in and mating elements to have corresponding protruding elements and recesses, allowing them to be coupled together by mutual insertion (similar to a tongue-and-groove system).

[0019] The plug-in elements and / or mating plug-in elements preferably each comprise plug-in tabs or connecting tabs and / or coupling or insertion openings, wherein the plug-in tabs can be inserted into the insertion openings. The plug-in elements are particularly preferably designed as plug-in tabs and the mating plug-in elements as corresponding insertion openings. Since a plug-in tab is a connecting piece in the form of a tab, it is preferably formed, as usual, from flat material or a strip of material, for example, a flat metal strip, preferably a flat steel strip.

[0020] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the side panels each have at least two plug-in tabs. The support element then has, accordingly, at least two insertion openings on at least one side where it is to be coupled to the side panel; these openings form the mating plug-in elements. The plug-in tabs can then be inserted into these insertion openings to couple the side panel to the support element. The insertion openings can particularly preferably be designed in the form of hollow tubes, as will be explained in more detail later.

[0021] Conversely, the supporting element could also have at least two plug-in tabs or connecting tabs on at least one side, and the side parts would accordingly have two insertion openings.

[0022] It would also be possible for each of the two parts, i.e., the side part and the support element, to each have a number of plug-in tabs (which could also be called insertion tabs) and correspondingly one or more insertion openings that are positioned to fit each other so that, when the support element is oriented to the side part as intended for assembly, the plug-in tab of one part can be inserted into an insertion opening of the other part that is assigned to this plug-in tab.

[0023] Preferably, at least one part of an inner contour of the insertion opening, in particular of the said hollow tubes, is adapted to at least one part of the outer contours of a plug-in element, in particular a plug-in tab, and the positions and orientation of the plug-in elements and the insertion opening are chosen relative to each other so that the plug-in elements can be inserted appropriately into the insertion opening.

[0024] It is of course possible for the inner contours of the insertion openings to be adapted to the plug-in elements all the way around. However, in principle it is sufficient if the adaptation of the inner contour of the insertion openings and the outer contour of the plug-in elements is only such that (e.g., only in one section or area along the contours) that, overall, the positioning, in particular the spacing, of the plug-in elements relative to each other and of the insertion openings relative to each other allows the side part to be inserted into the support element in exactly one precise, well-fitting position with as little play as possible. Preferably, the play is less than 0.2 mm.

[0025] For this purpose, it would be sufficient, in particular, to ensure that in all four spatial directions, at least one side or surface of the plug-in elements (especially the plug-in tabs) and the plug-in openings (especially the hollow tubes) involved in the connection are correctly aligned when plugged in. This means, for example, that of any two plug-in tabs spaced apart in a first direction, only the two outer surfaces facing away from each other need to rest against an inner surface of a plug-in opening to prevent relative movement of the coupled parts in this first direction.

[0026] Even if such a plug-in mechanism ensures that the side panels fit snugly against the support element immediately after insertion and that the piece of furniture is not unstable or wobbly, it can be advantageous to provide additional fixing elements. That is, the plug-in and / or mating plug-in elements can preferably also have fixing elements, preferably clamping elements, to detachably fix the plug-in and / or mating plug-in elements to each other, preferably to clamp them firmly.

[0027] Preferably, fixing elements could be arranged at the insertion openings to detachably fix the plug-in elements in the insertion openings. These are preferably clamping elements to additionally clamp the plug-in elements in the insertion openings. If, for example, the insertion openings in the preferred variation are realized by simple hollow tubes and the fixing elements are plug-in tabs, clamping screws could preferably be used, which are screwed into threaded bores in the hollow tubes from the side, so that they are pressed against the inserted plug-in tab on the inside of the hollow tube to clamp it firmly in the hollow tube. This will also be shown later using an exemplary embodiment.

[0028] In principle, other pinning or screwing connections between a hollow tube and a plug-in tab or the like are also possible.

[0029] As mentioned at the outset, there are various possibilities for the design of the supporting element. According to the invention, the supporting element comprises at least two longitudinal beams as well as a surface covering (e.g., a tabletop or seat) and / or cross braces that connect the longitudinal beams to each other. The connection between the longitudinal beams can also be made via the surface covering, i.e., by connecting the covering, for example, to the cross braces and additionally to the longitudinal beams.

[0030] A surface covering can, in principle, be a continuous slab made of any material, such as wood, natural stone, artificial stone, plastic, metal, glass, or a combination of different materials. Particularly with garden tables and seating, it can also be advantageous to use a panel-like covering instead of a continuous slab; that is, a "tabletop" or "seat" made of several—especially spaced—wooden panels or similar materials, as is often the case with garden furniture.

[0031] The longitudinal beams of the support element preferably have at least one insertion opening on one end face, and more preferably on both end faces. For example, the longitudinal tubes can comprise hollow tubes or simply be formed from hollow tubes. In this case, the end faces of the hollow tubes can simultaneously form the insertion openings, as described above.

[0032] In this preferred variant, in the simplest case it would therefore be sufficient to attach two longitudinal beams in the form of hollow tubes to the underside of a supporting element in the form of a continuous cover plate in order to obtain a supporting element which has two insertion openings on each end face into which the plug-in elements on the side part, in particular the plug-in tabs already mentioned, can then be inserted.

[0033] There are also various options for the design of the side panels: Ideally, the side panels are designed to include two height-adjustable legs each. The adjustable height of the legs makes it easy to compensate for unevenness in the floor where the furniture is to be placed. Using side panels with two height-adjustable legs has the advantage that each leg is adjustable, unlike some other tables where only one leg has a limited height adjustment to compensate for unevenness. Depending on the user's needs, the height of the furniture can thus be changed, which is particularly advantageous for tables and benches. The user can then adjust the furniture to their own height.This idea of ​​equipping the side panels with height-adjustable legs is therefore advantageous regardless of the type of coupling of the side panels to the support element and can consequently also be seen as an independent idea, even though of course the greatest advantages are achieved in a synergy of the two ideas.

[0034] The legs can ideally each incorporate a telescopic tube. The use of telescopic tubes has the advantage of allowing for very wide height adjustments with minimal effort. This simply requires the use of appropriately long hollow leg tubes and appropriately long foot sections, such as corresponding foot tubes, to achieve the necessary adjustment range.

[0035] The height-adjustable legs are preferably designed to be adjustable by at least 8 cm, and preferably by approximately 10 cm. It is particularly preferred that the table height (top edge of the tabletop) can be adjusted between a minimum of 70 cm and a maximum of 90 cm. A height adjustment between approximately 78 cm in the lowest position and approximately 88 cm in the highest position is especially preferred.

[0036] Preferably, the legs comprise an upper hollow leg tube and a lower foot section that is slidably guided within it and can be fixed, particularly by clamping, in various sliding or height positions relative to the hollow leg tube. In principle, it would also be possible to design the foot section as a larger hollow tube with a larger diameter and to arrange the upper part slidably guided and clamped within this inner section. However, the reversed, first-mentioned variant is preferred for aesthetic reasons and also for reasons of lower susceptibility to soiling.

[0037] Height adjustability using telescopic tubes offers the advantage that the legs can be extended to the desired length much more easily and quickly, and can also be positioned correctly on the surface to compensate for any unevenness. For example, the fully assembled piece of furniture, with its supporting element (such as a table with its tabletop), could first be temporarily propped up at the desired height on a suitable trestle. Then, the locking mechanism or clamp on the legs can be released, allowing the legs to extend automatically to the correct length from the hollow tubes under their own weight. It is then simply necessary to tighten the locking mechanism or clamp again, and after removing the trestle, the piece of furniture is correctly aligned in the desired position and at the desired height.

[0038] If a piece of furniture, such as a table, whose height has already been adjusted, needs to be moved to a different location with different flooring and unevenness, the tabletop can be leveled relatively easily by placing a weight on the surface of the furniture at the opposite corner of the leg to be adjusted (for example, by having someone sit on it) and releasing the locking mechanism or clamp on the leg. This will cause the leg to automatically extend to its final position. It can then be locked or clamped in place, and finally the weight can be removed from the tabletop.

[0039] There are various options for the further detailed design of the telescopic tubes. For example, the foot sections could be made from solid rods, i.e., not hollow. However, using hollow material results in a corresponding saving in material, and the weight of the side panel and the entire piece of furniture can also be reduced.

[0040] Regarding the shape of the telescopic tubes, it is possible to design the leg hollow tubes and the foot sections as round tubes. However, it is particularly preferred that the leg hollow tubes and the foot sections are each designed as square tubes, especially preferably with a rectangular cross-section.

[0041] Regardless of the shape, but particularly preferably in the case of such square tubes, the outer dimensions of the foot sections are at least so small as to be smaller than the inner dimensions of the leg tubes that the foot sections are guided at a distance from the inner walls of the leg tubes by means of a spacer element. The spacer element is preferably selected such that the distance between the outer wall of the foot section and the inner wall of the leg tube is essentially identical on all sides.

[0042] Provided that, as mentioned, the leg hollow tubes and the foot sections are each designed as square tubes in the preferred embodiment, the spacer element can comprise a simple spacer plate or be essentially formed from one. This spacer plate can have a thickness corresponding to the desired distance between the outer wall of the respective foot section and the inner walls of the leg hollow tube, and then only needs to be positioned on one side between the foot section and the leg hollow tube.

[0043] To guide the foot section inside the hollow leg tube and fix it at the desired height, a clamping plate is preferably located inside the foot section, which can be pressed or pulled against the foot section by means of externally operable screw elements, so that the foot section can be clamped between the clamping plate and the hollow leg tube.

[0044] For example, the foot section can have a slot running lengthwise along the foot section or leg tube. The clamping plate can be connected to at least clamping screws or similar devices, the ends of which are screwed into corresponding threaded holes in the clamping plate. The two clamping screws are positioned one above the other along the length of the foot section and are arranged so that they protrude outwards through the slot in the foot section. The leg tube has at least two through holes at appropriate locations, through which these clamping screws protrude from the leg tube, allowing them to be tightened to pull the clamping plate against the foot section.If, as described above, a spacer element in the form of a spacer plate is used, this spacer plate can be fixed by the screws, with the respective clamping screws passing through corresponding through-holes in the spacer plate. It is particularly preferred that two screw elements, especially two clamping screws, are used for each leg to prevent the foot section from tilting within the hollow leg tube.

[0045] The previously described design is mechanically relatively simple and comprises only a few parts, making it both very stable and cost-effective. Spacing the foot section from the hollow leg tube has the advantage that, once the clamping mechanism is released, the foot elements move very easily relative to the hollow leg tubes. This means that height adjustment can be easily achieved, as described above, by the weight of the foot sections themselves, since, in the preferred case, these foot sections then rest only on the spacer plate and are otherwise guided by the clamping screws, as will be shown in more detail below in an exemplary embodiment. Particularly preferably, the side section has a downwardly open U-shaped tubular profile. Most preferably, a side section consists essentially (e.g., apart from the aforementioned foot sections) of such a U-shaped tubular profile.

[0046] The U-shaped legs can, for example, form the legs of a table or seating furniture, preferably the hollow leg tubes in which the foot parts are movably mounted.

[0047] Such a U-shaped tubular profile has the advantage that, on the one hand, it provides stable side panels with two connected legs each, thus making it particularly easy to achieve the desired stability of the piece of furniture, as mentioned earlier. On the other hand, this ensures that there is sufficient space between the legs, which is particularly advantageous for tables, as it gives users relatively ample legroom.

[0048] The U-shaped tube profile is preferably a metal tube profile. For example, it can be made from at least three square tubes, which are preferably welded together at the corners of the "U".

[0049] Advantageously, the plug-in elements, particularly preferably the plug-in tabs, can be arranged on the side panel such that they are perpendicular to a plane in which the U-shaped tube profile extends. In other words, if this plane in which the U-shaped tube profile lies is referred to as the U-plane, then the plug-in elements, especially the plug-in tabs, are perpendicular to this U-plane. Particularly preferably, the tolerance of the deviation with respect to the angle between the plug-in tabs and the U-plane is minimal. Particularly preferably, the deviation from a right angle is less than ±2°.

[0050] The plug-in elements are particularly preferably located in the area of ​​the corners of the U-shaped tube profile, for example by connecting the individual tubes to form the U-profile.

[0051] As mentioned above, the plug-in elements are intended to be manufactured integrally with the side panels. Preferably, the plug-in elements, especially the plug-in tabs, are welded to the side panels. Particularly preferably, the plug-in elements, or plug-in tabs, can be welded into the side panel with a section of their length. For example, the plug-in tabs could each be designed as rectangular tabs in cross-section, protruding from the side panel.

[0052] The tabs can extend into the side panel (particularly in a straight line extending from the section that protrudes from the side panel), and preferably transversely through the U-tube. The tabs can then be welded to the wall of the U-tube where they protrude from the side panel, and similarly to the opposite wall of the U-tube. This will be explained later using an exemplary embodiment.

[0053] In this way, a particularly low tolerance with regard to the aforementioned angular deviation is possible. The plug-in elements, in particular plug-in tabs, are preferably located in an upper corner area of ​​the side parts, for example within a corner area of ​​the U-profile of the side part where a leg of the U abuts the crossbar of the U.

[0054] In addition to the supporting element and the side panels, the furniture system may also preferably include connecting elements for joining two supporting elements.

[0055] Preferably, a connecting element can have at least one central part, or be formed from one, which has plug-in elements, in particular plug-in tabs, on two opposite sides, each of which can serve for coupling to a support element. Several support elements can be coupled to one another using such a central part, and thus, for example, a piece of furniture can be realized that has an extended support element, such as a table with twice the length.

[0056] The middle section may preferably also have legs. It is particularly preferred that it be constructed essentially like a side section, with the difference that it has plug-in elements, in particular plug-in tabs, on both opposite sides. In this case, the plug-in tabs may, for example, particularly preferably also project transversely through the U-tube and be welded to the tube at their point of penetration through the side walls.

[0057] Additionally or alternatively, the furniture system can also have simple individual connecting elements for connecting two support elements, for example in the form of connecting plug-in elements, especially preferably in the form of connecting plug-in tabs.

[0058] For this purpose, for example, connecting tabs could be used that are approximately twice as long as the section of the connecting tabs protruding from the side panels. These connecting tabs could then be positioned in the insertion openings of the first support element to connect two support elements and secured, for example, with the fixing elements at the respective insertion opening, in particular the clamping screws in a hollow tube of the longitudinal beam. This first support element, with the connecting tabs already fixed within it, can then be coupled to a second support element by inserting the free ends of the connecting tabs fixed in the first support element into the insertion openings of the second support element and securing them there, for example, in the same way, also using clamping screws or similar devices.

[0059] As already mentioned, the piece of furniture to be assembled from the furniture system can be, in particular, a piece of seating furniture, such as a bench, a chair, or a stool.

[0060] Preferably, the furniture system can therefore also include a backrest, preferably one that is easily attachable and detachable. Preferably, the backrest can be detachably attached to the support element. Alternatively or additionally, it would also be possible to detachably fix the backrest to the side panels using suitable coupling elements.

[0061] The backrest may preferably have a backrest surface and at least two crossbars, each extending beyond the backrest surface at one end and featuring a coupling element for connecting it to a supporting element of the furniture system. The backrest surface need not be a single piece; it is also possible to manufacture it (like, for example, the tabletop of the aforementioned garden table) from individual wooden panels connected by the crossbars.

[0062] The coupling elements could particularly preferably be designed for coupling with a longitudinal beam of a support element. For example, they could have a gripping element, especially in the form of a U-shaped profile, to grip the longitudinal beam. The coupling elements are particularly preferably designed to grip the longitudinal beam from below (i.e., from the side facing away from the top surface of the support element). Most preferably, the gripping element, especially the U-profile, can be clamped and / or screwed to the longitudinal beam. If screwing is used, the holes can also be closed with blanking plugs if no backrest is to be attached to the respective piece of furniture, for example, a stool. In this case, a stool differs from a chair only in whether or not a backrest is mounted. Therefore, a stool can be converted into a chair at any time.

[0063] Furthermore, a furniture system may preferably include at least one railing that can be detachably connected to the supporting element. Such a railing can also be detachably attached to the longitudinal beams of the supporting element, for example. A railing like this offers particular advantages on the two long sides of a table, as it allows the table to be quickly moved to a different location. It can also serve as arm support when sitting at the table for extended periods.

[0064] Various materials can be used to manufacture the different parts of the furniture system.

[0065] As already mentioned, the side panels are preferably made of metal, especially metal tubing. Metal side panels are very stable and, with sufficient thickness of the metal material, are normally virtually indestructible.

[0066] Especially when such furniture is intended for outdoor use, for example as garden furniture, it is advisable to use stainless steel. Alternatively or additionally, the parts can also be powder-coated to make the metal elements rust-resistant. Such powder-coated metal parts have high scratch resistance, a pleasant feel, and are also highly environmentally friendly because the powder coating can be applied without solvents. Both stainless steel parts and powder-coated metal elements are essentially weather-resistant.

[0067] If wooden components are used for the surface of the supporting element, high-density wood is particularly preferred to ensure sufficient weather resistance. constancyto ensure this. Woods such as Iroko or Kambala are particularly preferred. However, specially treated woods can also be used very well, with accoya® wood being a preferred example.

[0068] All different materials should preferably be easily separable from one another to allow for their exchange or processing.

[0069] For example, the beams or crossbeams, etc., of the supporting element could be attached to the respective wooden parts with screws, with the screws in turn being screwed into threaded inserts, in particular threaded inserts (e.g., so-called RAMPA nuts or RAMPA sleeves), which are embedded in the wooden elements. This allows for particularly easy unscrewing of the parts from one another, ensuring that the screw connection still functions even after repeated screwing and unscrewing and that the individual parts can be reused.

[0070] This makes it possible, for example, to refurbish the wooden and metal elements separately after a few years to remove any signs of wear. The furniture as a whole is therefore not only stable even after repeated assembly and disassembly into its large individual parts, but is also designed so that all parts (including individual panels or boards of a top or backrest) can be individually replaced or refurbished, thus ensuring a particularly sustainable product with a long lifespan.

[0071] This is particularly advantageous when dealing with outdoor furniture, such as the aforementioned garden furniture. Therefore, the furniture system according to the invention is preferably used to manufacture tables, especially garden tables, and seating furniture such as benches, especially garden benches, chairs, or stools, especially garden chairs or stools. The side panels of the seating furniture can be identical in construction; that is, the bench and chair or stool differ in principle only in the length of the supporting element between the side panels and the length of the backrest, if present.

[0072] Shelves or cabinets can also be manufactured using a furniture system according to the invention, especially for outdoor use (for example, the garden or the terrace).

[0073] In the case of a shelf or sideboard, for example, the top panel and, if applicable, a bottom shelf could be designed according to the support elements of the invention, which are connected to the side panels in the manner of the invention. The side panels can then be designed very similarly to the side panels of seating furniture, except that they are taller overall, namely having the height that the shelf or sideboard is intended to have. In particular, the side panels can again be designed as downwardly open U-shaped tubular profiles, preferably also with height-adjustable feet.

[0074] These side panels could then each have at least two plug-in elements, in particular plug-in tabs, in the upper corner areas for the top cover plate, and additionally corresponding plug-in elements, in particular plug-in tabs, in a lower area for, for example, the bottom shelf.

[0075] Furthermore, intermediate shelves could be detachably fixed to the side elements, which can also be achieved by using appropriate plug-in elements at the desired heights on the side panels or by clamping or screwing the intermediate shelves into holes provided for this purpose on the side panels.

[0076] A cabinet could be constructed in a similar way, with hinges additionally arranged on the side panels at the front to attach doors for the cabinet, and at the back the cabinet could be closed by a back panel which is attached to the side panels and / or the supporting elements.

[0077] Preferably, the hinges for the doors and / or the back panel can be detachably coupled to the side panels and / or the support elements, similar to what has already been described for the backrest.

[0078] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying figures and an exemplary embodiment. The different figures show identical components with identical reference numerals. They show: Figure 1 a perspective view of an embodiment of a furniture set according to the invention comprising a table, two benches and two chairs, Figure 2 a perspective view of the table of the furniture set made of Figure 1 , Figure 3 an enlarged perspective partial view of the tabletop and one side panel of the table made of Figure 2 in the decoupled state, Figure 4 a perspective view of the side panel according to Figure 3 , Figure 5 a view from below of the tabletop made of Figure 2 , Figure 6 an enlarged perspective underview of a corner area of ​​the tabletop with attached side panel of the table according to Figure 1, here with a partially transparent representation of the connection between the tabletop and the side panel, Figure 7 a cut through the in Figure 6 shown corner area of ​​the tabletop with the attached side panel, Figure 8 a perspective view with a partially transparent representation of the embodiment of a leg hollow tube with the foot part of the side part arranged therein according to Figure 4 , Figure 9 a section through the leg hollow tube according to Figure 8 with a foot section arranged therein, Figure 10 a perspective view of the foot section with the spacer plate made of Figure 4 , Figure 11 a perspective view of one of the chairs of the furniture set made of Figure 1 , Figure 12 a perspective bottom view of the chair according to Figure 11 with a decoupled side panel, Figure 13 a perspective bottom view of a corner area of ​​the chair according to Figure 11 to illustrate the coupling of the backrest, Figure 14 a perspective view of a section of the backrest of a bench from the furniture set made of Figure 1 , Figure 15 a perspective view of a bench from the furniture set made of Figure 1 , Figure 16 a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment for a central part, Figure 17 a perspective view of the by means of a middle section according to Figure 16 extended longitudinal beams and the side panels of a piece of furniture, Figure 18 A perspective, partially transparent representation of an embodiment of a connection between two longitudinal beams using connecting plug-in tabs.

[0079] Based on the Figures 1 to 15First, a particularly preferred embodiment of a garden furniture set 100 is described, which comprises several pieces of furniture 10, 50, 70, namely a table 10, two chairs 50 and two benches 70. Each of these pieces of furniture 10, 50, 70 has been assembled from a particularly preferred embodiment of a furniture system 10, 50, 70 according to the invention, i.e., the piece of furniture 10, 50, 70 is the assembled furniture system 10, 50, 70, which is why, for the sake of simplicity, only the same reference numerals 10, 50, 70 are used for the piece of furniture and the furniture system.

[0080] As will become clear in the following description of the individual pieces of furniture 10, 50, 70, all pieces of furniture 10, 50, 70 (or furniture systems 10, 50, 70) are each equipped with a support element 11, 51, 71, to which a side panel 30, 55 is attached at each end, so that the support element 11, 51, 71 is enclosed between the side panels 30, 55 and held by them. In the case of the table 10, the support element 11 forms the tabletop 11, and in the case of the chairs 50 and the benches 70, the support element 51, 71 essentially forms the seat 51, 71.

[0081] The principle according to the invention will now be illustrated by way of example using the coupling of the side parts 30 with the support element 11 of the table 10 of the garden furniture set 100. Figure 1 explained, first referring to the Figures 2 to 7 is referred.

[0082] The in Figure 2The illustrated table 10 comprises, as mentioned, a tabletop 11 as a support element 11 and two side pieces 30, between which this tabletop 11 is held.

[0083] The tabletop 11 here consists essentially of a metal substructure and a top covering 12, which here is formed from several panel boards 25 running lengthwise along the table 10.

[0084] The metal substructure 13 comprises, as can be seen particularly well in the underside view in Figure 5The diagram shows two longitudinal beams 15 running along the side edges of the tabletop 12, a central beam 16 running centrally between these longitudinal beams 15 and parallel to them, and outer cross braces 17 running perpendicular to the longitudinal beams 15 and the central beam 16 at each of the two end transverse edges of the tabletop 11, and inner cross braces 18 running parallel to the outer cross braces 17 in a central area. The longitudinal beams 15 and the central beam 16 are, incidentally, designed as hollow square tubes.

[0085] The entire metal substructure 13 is screwed to the panel boards 25 using numerous screws 19, resulting in a very stable tabletop 11. The longitudinal beams 15 and the central beam 16 do not necessarily need to be directly connected to the cross braces 17, 18, as the connection via the screws to the panel boards 25 is sufficient. However, this is of course possible to further increase stability and / or reduce the number of screw connections to the panel boards 25. The longitudinal beams 15 and the central beam 16 can be welded to the cross braces 17, 18, creating a self-contained, stable metal substructure 13 that acts as a kind of base or support frame for the tabletop 11.

[0086] The panel boards 25 are equipped on their underside with screw-in sleeves 22, e.g., so-called RAMPA sleeves 22, at appropriate locations for screwing in the screws 19 for connection to the metal substructure 13. These sleeves are inserted into blind holes 21 in the panel boards 25. Figure 7 Two blind holes 21 with RAMPA sleeves 22 are shown in cross-section as an example (shown there without screws). Such sleeve-screw connections can be connected or disconnected as often as desired without wear or loss of holding force. The internal thread of the screw-in sleeves 22 can correspond to the usual thread of a typical machine screw or socket head cap screw, for example an M6 or M8 thread, so that commercially available screws can also be used, which are easy to obtain at any time if such a screw is lost.

[0087] The panel boards 25 are made of wood 25, preferably the particularly dense Iroko or Kambala wood or accoya ®< .

[0088] The dimensions of the decking 12 resulting from the panel boards 25 and the dimensions of the substructure 13 are chosen such that the substructure 13 is completely located beneath the decking 12 and fits snugly against the decking 12 at the ends, while maintaining a small gap along the long edges. This means that the longitudinal joists 15 are set back a small distance (for example, approximately 5 mm) from the outermost longitudinal panel boards 25. This is also particularly advantageous in Figure 5 to recognize

[0089] Preferably, the panel boards 25 are not placed close together, but with a small gap between them. The gap between the individual panel boards 25 is preferably at least 2 mm and / or at most 4 mm. Particularly preferably, this gap is approximately 3 mm.

[0090] Furthermore, on tabletop 11 there are - as can be seen in particular from Figure 2 and 3 As can be seen, there is a railing 29 on each of the two long sides 26, which is connected to the longitudinal beams 15 of the substructure 13 by means of railing screws 28. These railings 29 can therefore also be unscrewed if desired. They serve, firstly, to allow the table 10 to be easily grasped by two people on its two long sides and, for example, moved to another location. They also provide comfortable armrests. They are preferably made of metal tubes, each of which is closed at the ends.

[0091] Out of Figure 4The basic shape of one of the two side parts 30 of the table is particularly good. Figure 2 to recognize.

[0092] The side panel 30 has a base body 49 in the form of a downwardly open U-shaped tubular profile 49. The downwardly pointing, parallel U-shaped legs 32 of the U-shaped tubular profile 49 form hollow leg tubes 32 for height-adjustable legs 30a of the side panel 30, which will be explained in more detail later. At the top, the two U-shaped legs 32, or leg tubes 32, are each connected by a connecting piece 48 perpendicular to them, which also consists of a hollow tube and forms the base of the U-shaped tubular profile 49. When the table is set up as intended, the top surface of this connecting piece 48 is preferably perfectly horizontal.

[0093] It should be noted here that the directional terms "below" and "above" refer to the intended placement of the respective piece of furniture.

[0094] The leg hollow tubes 32 and the connecting piece 48 each consist of square tubes and have an identical – preferably square – cross-section, so that the leg hollow tubes 32 are connected to the connecting piece 48 at the upper corners (U-corners) of the base body 49 by a 45° miter joint. In this case, the hollow tubes are metal tubes, preferably made of stainless steel, or the finished side part 30 is powder-coated after manufacturing. Preferably, the leg hollow tubes 32 are welded to the connecting piece 48 at the interfaces along the entire tube cross-section.

[0095] On one page (in Figure 4the front side) has two plug-in tabs 31 in the two upper corners of the base body 49, here directly below the miter where the leg hollow tubes 32 are connected, in particular welded, to the connecting piece 48, as plug-in elements 31 for coupling the side part 30 with the support element 11, here the table top 11, of the table 10, wherein the plug-in tabs are exactly perpendicular to a plane in which the U-shaped tube profile 49 extends.

[0096] The tabs 31 are welded into the side pieces 30. To ensure particularly good stability and a precise fit (especially an almost exact right angle to the plane of extension of the U-shaped tube profile 49), the tabs 31 are each connected to a tab section 31a (in Figure 4The tab section 31 (shown as a dashed line) is inserted into a precisely machined slot at the upper corner (just below the miter cut) of the respective leg hollow tube 32 until the end face of this tab section 31a abuts the opposite wall of the hollow profile of the leg hollow tube 32. At this end face and at the point of entry, i.e., at the aforementioned slot, the tab section 31 is then welded to the leg hollow tube 32. This means that the tab section 31 is welded to the leg hollow tube 32 at two opposite walls of the hollow profile. This significantly reduces the risk of distortion of the tab section 31 (i.e., a deviation from a right angle), even in the event of potentially rough handling of the side piece 30 later on, e.g., during transport.

[0097] The side panels 30 are connected to the tabletop 11 using these plug-in tabs 31, by inserting the plug-in tabs 31 into corresponding insertion openings 14 in the tabletop 11. This process is particularly well suited to Figure 3 to see.

[0098] As already mentioned, the longitudinal beams 15 are designed as hollow square tubes. At each end face of the longitudinal beams 15, which run along the longitudinal sides of the substructure of the tabletop 11, there is a insertion opening 14 that serves as a mating element 14. In this way, the tabletop 11 can be connected to a side panel 30 at each end face 27.

[0099] For this purpose, the distances of the two longitudinal beams 15 on the tabletop to each other and the plug-in tabs 31 on the side panel 30, as well as their orientation to each other, are chosen so that the plug-in tabs 31 can be inserted into the insertion openings 14 of the longitudinal beams 15, with the outwardly facing side surfaces of the plug-in tabs 31 being directly in contact with the inner surfaces of the outermost walls of the two longitudinal beams 15.

[0100] In a particularly preferred embodiment of a table 10, the distance a L between the outer sides of both tabs 31 of a side panel 30 is preferably at least 750 mm and / or a maximum of 1000 mm, depending on the model. The distance a R between the inner sides of the outermost walls of the two longitudinal beams 15 is adapted accordingly and, for example (to maintain the desired clearance), is only slightly larger (e.g., a maximum of 0.5 mm, preferably a maximum of 0.2 mm).

[0101] The length of a table (tabletop 11 with two side panels 30) is preferably at least 100 cm, preferably at least 160 cm and / or preferably a maximum of 260 mm. However, the table can preferably also be extended upon request, as explained below.

[0102] To ensure a virtually play-free connection between the side panel 30 and the tabletop 11, the locking tabs 31 are shaped and dimensioned on their outer surfaces so that their contour is as closely matched as possible to the inner contour of the longitudinal beams in the area of ​​the outermost walls. This means that the height bL of a locking tab is also adapted to the clear height bR of the hollow tube 15 or longitudinal beam 15, and the radii on the upper and lower outer edges of the locking tab are adapted to the radii of the corresponding inner edges of the hollow tube 15. This is particularly advantageous in the section shown in Figure 7 to see.

[0103] In a preferred embodiment, the height b L of the plug-in tabs 31 is preferably approximately 45.6 mm and the clear height b R inside the longitudinal beams 15 is preferably approximately 45.8 mm.

[0104] Furthermore, the length l L of a plug-in tab 31 projecting freely from the side part 30 of a table 10 can preferably be at least 120 mm, particularly preferably at least 140 mm and most preferably approximately 142 mm.

[0105] The previously described coupling using the plug-in tabs 31 is sufficient to assemble a table 10 from a tabletop 11 and two side panels 30, which stands stably without wobbling. In principle, no further stabilization or clamping would therefore be necessary.

[0106] However, to secure the side panels 30 to the tabletop 11 against the removal of the tabs 31, they can be clamped in the longitudinal beam 14 using clamping screws 20, e.g., suitably long, commercially available machine screws or Allen screws. Alternatively, other clamping elements or fixing elements can be used instead of or in addition to the clamping screws 20.

[0107] As seen from the bottom view in Figure 6 Two clamping screws 20 are inserted here in a corner area of ​​the table top 11 with the attached side part 30 (with transparent representation of the longitudinal beam 15 with a plug-in tab 31 inserted therein).

[0108] The Figure 7The figure shows a cross-section through this longitudinal beam 15 in the area of ​​one of the clamping screws 20. It can be seen that the locking screw 20 is screwed into a threaded bushing 20g, which is pressed and / or welded into the inward-facing side wall of the longitudinal beam 15 or hollow tube 15, i.e., the side wall facing away from the outer edge of the tabletop 11. The clamping screw is screwed into the longitudinal beam 15 up to the locking tab 31, thus pressing the locking tab 31 firmly against the inside of the outer side wall of the longitudinal beam 15. These clamping screws 20 are well concealed under the tabletop, yet easily accessible.

[0109] Additionally, if further securing is desired, the substructure of the tabletop 11 can be screwed to the side panel 30. Threaded blind holes 24 between the tabs 31 in the connecting pieces 48 of the side panels 30 are used for this purpose (see Figure 4), which, when the side panel 30 is mounted to the table top 11 as intended, result in through holes 23 in the end cross braces 17 of the substructure (see Figure 6 ) are arranged in a straight line. Thus, commercially available screws of suitable length, e.g. machine screws or Allen screws, can be screwed into the threaded blind holes 24 through the through holes 23 to fix the cross braces 17 of the substructure to the side panel.

[0110] It should be noted at this point that the dimensions of the table top 11 and side panels 30, and in particular the position of the tabs 31 and the longitudinal beams 15 relative to each other, are chosen so that when the side panel 30 is mounted on the table top 11 as intended, the top of the table top 11 is flush with the top of the side panel 30, so that the top (of the connecting piece 48) of the side panel 30 extends the table surface at the front.

[0111] The following will be used as an example to illustrate the Figures 8 to 10 The construction of the height-adjustable legs 30a of the side panels 30 is explained in more detail. As mentioned, each such height-adjustable leg 30a is formed by a telescopic tube with an upper hollow leg tube 32 and a lower foot section 35 that can be slid and fixed within it in an extension direction. The upper hollow leg tube 32 is one of the U-shaped legs 32 of the U-shaped tube profile 49 of the respective side panel 30.

[0112] The foot section 35 is essentially also formed by a square tube with a rectangular cross-section, wherein the outer edge length b F (or width) of the cross-section of the foot section 35 is considerably smaller than the corresponding clear inner dimension of the leg hollow tube 32. This allows the foot section 35 to be easily inserted into the leg hollow tube 32 from below.

[0113] At the lower end of the foot section 35 there is a cover cap 37, which is fastened with a small screw 38 that is screwed in from the side (see here). Figure 8 ). This cover cap 37, which closes the lower end face of the foot section 35, is preferably made of plastic in order to be able to place the table gently on any type of floor covering.

[0114] On one long side of the foot section 35 there is - as in the Figures 8 to 10 Each can be clearly seen - from the upper front side, which is intended to be inserted into the leg hollow tube 32, a slot 34 is made which (here in the middle) runs downwards in the longitudinal direction of the foot part 35.

[0115] In a preferred embodiment, this slot 34 ends at a distance dF of at least 200 mm, preferably at least 300 mm, above the lower end of the foot section. The height bF of the entire foot section 35 is preferably at least 300 mm and / or preferably at most 700 mm.

[0116] Accordingly, in a lower end region of the leg hollow tube 32 (preferably on the sides facing inwards in the U of the U-shaped tube profile 49 of the respective side part 30), two through holes are arranged one above the other in a connecting line running longitudinally along the leg hollow tube 32. This connecting line also runs centrally on the respective side of the leg hollow tube 32. The foot part 35 is then inserted into the leg hollow tube 32 such that the two through holes in the leg hollow tube 32 are aligned with the slot 34 in the foot part 35.

[0117] With the aid of clamping screws 33, which are guided from the outside through the through holes in the leg hollow tube 32 and then further inside through the slot 34 of the foot part 35, and a clamping plate 36 inside the foot part 35 which interacts with the clamping screws 33, the foot part 35 can be securely guided in the leg hollow tube 32 during a height shift and can also be fixed at any desired point.

[0118] For this purpose, the clamping plate 36 is adapted in its width perpendicular to the extension direction to the inner dimension of the foot part 35, so that good guidance of the foot part 35 is ensured over the entire length of the clamping plate 36.

[0119] To allow the foot section 35 to slide more easily in the leg hollow tube 32, a gap or distance d is provided on all sides between the foot section 35 and the leg hollow tube 32. For this purpose, a spacer plate 39 is located between the outer side of the foot section 35 and the inner side of the leg hollow tube 32. This spacer plate 39 has through holes for the clamping screws 33.

[0120] The thickness of the spacer plate 39 is dimensioned such that the gap z between the foot section 35 and the leg hollow tube 32 is approximately the same on all four sides. This is particularly advantageous in Figure 9 The gap or distance d can preferably be at least 2 mm, particularly preferably about 3 mm. Preferably it is at most 4 mm.

[0121] The thickness b B , i.e. the outer edge length b B (or width) of the cross-section, of a leg 49 of a table 10 is preferably at least 60 mm, particularly preferably approx. 80 mm.

[0122] A construction with a telescopically height-adjustable foot section 35 arranged in a leg hollow tube 32 enables stepless height adjustment of the leg 49 in a relatively wide range.

[0123] The preferred dimensions of a side panel 30 of a table 10 can be as follows: The side panel 30 can, for example, preferably have a width a T (distance between the two outer sides of the U legs, see Figure 4 The width aT should be at least 950 mm, particularly preferably at least 960 mm. The width aT should preferably be at most 1000 mm, particularly preferably at most 980 mm. Particularly preferably, the width aT should be approximately 970 mm.

[0124] The minimum height hT of a side panel 30, i.e., the minimum adjustable height of a leg 49 with the foot section 35 fully retracted, can preferably be at least 700 mm, more preferably approximately 780 mm. Preferably, the minimum height hT is at most 880 mm, more preferably at most 800 mm.

[0125] The maximum adjustable height of a side panel 30, i.e., the height of a leg 49 with the foot section 35 fully extended, can preferably be at least 800 mm, more preferably approximately 880 mm. Preferably, the maximum adjustable height is at most 980 mm, more preferably at most 900 mm.

[0126] The adjustable height difference of a leg 49 is preferably at least 80 mm and / or at most 120 mm. Particularly preferably, the height difference is approximately 100 mm.

[0127] The height adjustment of a table 10 according to the invention, particularly during initial setup, can proceed as follows: Raise the table 10 on a suitable support (such as trestles or the like) at the desired height; loosen the clamping screws 33 on the legs 49, which will automatically extend the foot sections 35 to the desired height by their own weight; tighten the clamping screws 33 again; remove the support.

[0128] If the table wobbles slightly, for example after being moved to a different location on an uneven surface, it is generally sufficient to lengthen the leg that is too short. To do this, the table can be weighted down on the diagonally opposite side so that it stands correctly on three legs, and then the clamping screws on the shorter leg can simply be loosened so that it extends to the correct length. Afterwards, the clamping screws can be tightened again.

[0129] As an example of a seating piece 50, 70 of the garden furniture set 100, the following is used: Figures 11 to 14First, let's take a closer look at chair 50. The chairs 50 and benches 70 of the furniture set 100 are essentially identical in construction, except that, as can be seen from the figures, the benches 70 have longer seats than the chairs 50.

[0130] The chair 50 comprises a seat 51 as a support element 51, two side panels 55 and a backrest 60. The seat 51 and the side panels 55 form a kind of "seating unit" 69, which could be used as a stool without the optional backrest 60.

[0131] The basic structure of such a seating unit 69 is essentially the same as that of a table 10. However, the dimensions of a seating unit 69 differ from those of a table 10. Further details regarding the structure will be discussed later.

[0132] The seat surface 51 comprises a substructure 52, here made of metal, and a top covering 53, which, like the table top 11, consists of several panel boards 53a that are screwed to the substructure 52 (using screw-in sleeves).

[0133] The substructure 52 comprises, as shown in Figure 12 Two longitudinal beams 58 can be seen, which, like the longitudinal beams 15 of the table top, are designed as hollow square tubes (only with smaller dimensions), and two cross braces 59.

[0134] The side panels 55 of a chair are essentially constructed in the same way as the side panels 11 of a table 10, only with different dimensions. In particular, they also feature telescopically constructed, height-adjustable legs 55a, each with a foot section 57 that can be moved within a hollow tube of the leg, all based on the same principle. Therefore, reference can again be made to the Figures 8 to 10 and reference is made to the explanations.

[0135] The adjustable height difference of a leg 55a of a seating furniture 50, 70 is preferably adapted to the adjustable height difference of a leg 49 of an associated table in order to adjust the table height and seat height to each other.

[0136] The preferred dimensions of a side panel 55 of a seating furniture 50, 70 can be as follows: The side panel 55 can, for example, preferably have a width a S (distance between the two outer sides of the U legs, see Figure 11 ) of approximately 415 mm.

[0137] The minimum height hS of a side panel 55, i.e., the minimum adjustable height of a leg 55a with the foot section 57 fully retracted, is preferably at least 480 mm, more preferably approximately 500 mm. Preferably, the minimum height hS is at most 580 mm.

[0138] The maximum adjustable height of a side panel 55, i.e., the height of a leg 55a with the foot section 57 fully extended, is preferably at least 500 mm, more preferably approximately 580 mm. Preferably, the maximum adjustable height is at most 600 mm.

[0139] The adjustable height difference of a leg 55a is, for example, preferably at least 80 mm and / or at most 120 mm. Particularly preferably, the height difference is approximately 100 mm.

[0140] The thickness b S , i.e. the outer edge length b S (or width) of the cross-section, of a leg 55a of a seating furniture 50, 70 is preferably at least 50 mm, particularly preferably approx. 60 mm.

[0141] The coupling of the side panels 55 to the seat surface 51 is also carried out in principle like the coupling of the side panels 30 to the tabletop 10 by means of plug-in tabs 61 on the side panel 55, which fit into the end faces (i.e. the insertion openings 14, see Figure 12) the longitudinal beams 58 of the substructure 52 of the seat surface 51 are inserted.

[0142] However, the dimensions of the plug-in tabs 61 and their distance from each other are also smaller in the reduced version of the side panels 55 (relative to the large side panels 30 of a table 10).

[0143] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the height b LS of the plug-in tabs 61 is preferably approximately 45.7 mm, and the clear height inside the longitudinal beams 58 is correspondingly preferably approximately 46 mm. The freely projecting length ILS of a plug-in tab 61 for the side panel 55 of a seating furniture is preferably approximately 112 mm.

[0144] The distance a LS between the outwardly facing outer surfaces of both tabs 61 of a side panel 55 is preferably approximately 379 mm. Correspondingly, the distance between the inner surfaces of the outermost walls of the two longitudinal members 58 is preferably approximately 380 mm.

[0145] The tabs 61 on the side panels 55 of the seating furniture 50, 70 are each provided with a through hole 56a and a recess 56b on the front. These serve to accommodate the screws of a backrest 60 that can be detachably attached to the seat surface 51, as shown below. Figures 12 to 14 will be explained.

[0146] The backrest 60 has a backrest surface 65 which is held by two crossbars 63 which extend beyond the backrest surface 65 at one of their ends (in the intended state mounted on the seat 50, 70 on the lower side of the backrest surface 65) and each have a coupling element 61 for coupling with a (the rear) longitudinal beam 58 of the seat surface 51.

[0147] The leaning surface 65 can be used as in Figure 12The figure shows a number of panel boards 65a, preferably made of wood, which are screwed to flange pieces 66 (using threaded sleeves) that are attached to the cross members 63. The cross members 63 are preferably made of metal (like the side parts 55), e.g., stainless steel or powder-coated metal. The flange pieces 66 can, for example, be welded to the cross members 63. At their upper ends, the cross members 63 are terminated by a tube 65c or a rod (similar to the railing on a table) running parallel to the panel boards 65a of the backrest 65, which connects the cross members 63. In the middle section of the cross members 63, a tube 65b or rod can also run parallel to the panel boards 65a between them to firmly connect the cross members 63. The tubes 65b, 65c, or rods can be connected by plug connections, screw connections, or other types of connections, such as... B. Welding, connected to the crossbars 63.

[0148] The crossbars 63, which in the assembled state run essentially vertically, can be slightly curved in the area of ​​the backrest surface according to the desired shape of the backrest 60, e.g. to form an optimized ergonomic shape such as lumbar support or the like.

[0149] In the free area below the leaning surface (see in particular Figure 14 , where a part of a backrest 80 for a bench 70 is shown here, which is identical to the backrest 60 of a chair 50 except for its length), the crossbars 63, 83 each extend forward in an approximately quarter-circle arc, so that in the assembled state they extend at their ends under the seat surface of the respective piece of seating furniture 50, 70.

[0150] At their free ends, the crossbars 63, 83 each carry the coupling element 61 for connection with the longitudinal beam 58 of the seat surface 51.

[0151] Such a coupling element 61 comprises two parallel, upwardly projecting retaining plates 62 in the mounted state of the backrest on the seating furniture 50, 70 (as in Figure 14 (shown), the clearer distance between which corresponds to the width of the longitudinal beam 58, so that the longitudinal beam 58 can be accommodated between the retaining plates 62. That is, the coupling element 61 thus encompasses the longitudinal beam 59 from below.

[0152] Each of the clamping plates 62 has two through holes 62a for receiving through bolts 64. The two through bolts 64 each connect a coupling element 61 to the longitudinal beam 59 of the seat surface 51. The rear longitudinal beam 58 has correspondingly arranged through openings or bores for receiving the through bolts 64 for coupling a coupling element 61 to attach a backrest 60, 80.

[0153] The coupling element 61 is attached to the chairs 50 such that the clamping plates 62 are located on the rear and front outer sides of the rear longitudinal member 58 at the level of a rear locking tab 56. The through bolts 64 then each pass through a through hole 62a of a clamping plate 62, a through hole 58 on the rear inner side of the rear longitudinal member 58, the through hole 56a or the indentation 56b of a rear locking tab 56, a through hole on the front inner side of the rear longitudinal member 59, and up to the through hole 62a of the clamping plate 62 on the front side of the rear longitudinal member 58. The through bolts 64 can then be tightened with a nut. Alternatively, the through hole 62a of the clamping plate 62 on the front side of the rear longitudinal member 59 could also be provided with a suitable thread. (See in particular for this design.) Figure 13, in which the through holes 62a of the clamping plates 62 are each aligned with the bores in the longitudinal member 58 and the through hole 56a or the indentation 56b of a plug-in tab 56 inserted therein, so that the through bolts 64 can be inserted through here. The through bolts 64 themselves are in Figure 12 to recognize).

[0154] Since the locking tab 56 in the rear longitudinal member 59 is necessarily already secured by the through screws 64, clamping screws that press the locking tab 56 firmly against the inside of the outer side wall of the longitudinal member 59, as can be the case with the table, are specifically omitted here. On the front longitudinal member 58, however, clamping screws 20 are preferably used again (see Figure 12 ).

[0155] A preferred bench 70 is constructed like a preferred chair 50, except that, as mentioned, the backrest 80 and the seat unit 89 of a bench 70 are longer than the backrest 60 and the seat unit 69 of a chair 50 (see here). Figure 15 That is, the seat unit 89 is again formed from two side parts 55 (which are identical to those of the chairs 50) and a longer seat surface 71 as a supporting element 71. Likewise, the backrest 80, just like the backrest 60 of a chair 50, comprises a backrest surface 85 with panel boards 85a and tubes 85b or rods arranged between them, and at the top an end tube 85c or rod, which are attached to crossbars 83. However, since here the crossbars 83 are arranged at a greater distance from the lateral ends of the backrest 80 (see Figure 15The through bolts 64 for attaching the backrest 80 to the rear longitudinal beam 58 are not inserted through the tabs 56. To secure the tabs 56 in the longitudinal beam 58, corresponding clamping screws, as used for the table, can then be used.

[0156] It is also possible to extend a table 10 or a seating furniture 50, 70 by connecting several support elements 11, 51, 71 (i.e. table tops 11 or seating surfaces 51, 71) to each other via suitable connecting elements 89, 99.

[0157] In Figure 16A first variant of a connecting element 99 in the form of a central part 99 is shown. Such a central part 99 is constructed in the same way as a side part 30, 55 with two height-adjustable legs 49, 55a. In contrast to a "normal" side part 30, 55, however, here plug-in tabs 31 extend from the base body on both opposite sides. For this purpose, the plug-in tabs 31 can, for example, be made longer so that they protrude from the U-shaped tube profile on both sides after welding.

[0158] Since the extension of a table 10 or a piece of seating furniture 50, 70 with such a middle section 99 proceeds in the same manner, the following describes, as an example, the extension of a table 10 using such a middle section 99 and a second tabletop 10, assuming that the table was previously assembled with only one tabletop: A side panel 30 is removed from the table 10; The tabs 31 on one side of the center panel 99 are inserted into the free insertion openings 14 of the first table surface 11; The tabs 31 of the removed side panel 30 are inserted into the insertion openings 14 on one side of the new, second table surface 11; The tabs 31 on the other side of the center panel 99 are inserted into the free insertion openings 14 of the second table surface 11.

[0159] It should be noted that the order in which the tabletops 11 are connected to the center section 99 or to the side sections is arbitrary. Furthermore, the connecting tabs 31 can each be secured to the longitudinal beam 15 of the tabletop 11 with any number of clamping screws 20 as desired.

[0160] In Figure 17This type of extension is shown, although for better visibility only the longitudinal beams 15, 58 of a support element 11, 51, 71 are shown here, and the plug-in tabs 31, 56 are indicated by dashed lines in the longitudinal beams 15, 58. It is clear that the dimensions of the middle section 99 are adapted accordingly to the dimensions of the respective side section 30, 55.

[0161] In Figure 18An alternative method for extending a table 10, a chair 50, or a bench 80 using connecting tabs 98 as connecting elements 98 is shown. As illustrated here, these connecting tabs 98 are simple metal strips that essentially correspond to the shape of the tabs 31, 56 on the side panels 30, 55, except that they are approximately twice as long as the section of the respective tabs 31, 56 that is to be inserted into the longitudinal beams 15, 58. To extend a first tabletop 11 or a seat 51, 71, the connecting tabs 98 are inserted halfway into the longitudinal beams 15, 59 on the corresponding side and fixed there using clamping screws 20, as already explained above for the table. Subsequently, the respective first tabletop 11 or seat 51, 71 can be connected to a second tabletop 11 or seat 51, 71.Seat surfaces 51, 71 are coupled by inserting the free ends of the connecting tabs 98, which protrude from the longitudinal beams 15, 58 of the first tabletop 11 or seat surface 51, 71, into the longitudinal beams 15, 58 of the second tabletop 11 or seat surface 51, 71 and fixing them there using the clamping screws 20. This is shown in . Figure 18 schematically shown for the connection of a longitudinal beam 15, 58.

[0162] Finally, it should be noted once again that the devices described in detail above are merely exemplary embodiments which can be modified in various ways by a person skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention defined by the claims. For example, the tabletops can be made from a single piece of material. Other embodiments of the table with substructures are possible. In particular, seating without a backrest can also be used. In this case, the through holes on the longitudinal beam 58 for receiving the screws of the backrest coupling element can each be closed using blind screws. Furthermore, the specific dimensions mentioned above are only preferred, advantageous embodiments, and other dimensions are not excluded. The use of the indefinite articles "a" or "a" also includes, but is not limited to, the following:The term "one" does not preclude the possibility that the relevant features may be present multiple times. Similarly, the terms "facility," "arrangement," and "system" do not exclude the possibility that the component in question consists of several interacting subcomponents, which may also be spatially distributed. Reference symbol list

[0163] 10 Furniture system / piece of furniture / table 11 Support element / tabletop 12 Covering 13 Substructure 14 Counter element / insertion opening 15 Longitudinal beam / hollow tube 16 Center beam 17 Cross brace 18 Inner cross brace 19 Screw 20 Fixing element / clamping element / clamping screw 20g Threaded bushing 21 Blind hole 22 Screw-in sleeve / RAMPA sleeve 23 Through hole 24 Threaded blind hole 25 Panel board 26 Long side 27 End side 28 Railing screw 29 Railing 30 Side panel 30a (height-adjustable) leg 31 Plug-in element / plug-in tab 31a Plug-in tab section 32 Leg hollow tube 33 Clamping screw 34 Slot 35 Foot section 36 Clamping plate 36g Threaded hole 37 Cover cap 38 Screw 39 Spacer element / spacer plate 48 Connector 49 Base body / U-shaped tubular profile 50 Furniture system / Furniture piece / Chair 51 Support element / Seat surface 52 Substructure 53 Top covering 53a Panel board 54 Through hole 55 Side panel 55a Leg 56 Plug-in element / Plug-in tab 56a Through hole 56b Indentation 57 Foot section 58 Longitudinal rail / Hollow tube 59 Cross brace 60 Backrest 61 Coupling element 62 Clamping plate 62a Through hole 63 Cross brace 64 Through bolt 65 Backrest surface 65a Panel board 65b Tube 65c Tube 66 Flange pieces 69 Seating unit 70 Furniture system / Furniture piece / Bench 71 Support element / Seat surface 80 Backrest 83 Cross brace 85 Backrest surface 85a Panel board 85b Tube 85c Tube 98 Connecting element / Connecting plug-in tab 99 Connecting element / Center section 100 Furniture set a L Distance a LS Distance a R Distance a S Width of a side panel a T Width of a side panel b B Edge length / Width of a leg b L Height of a plug-in tab b LS Height of a plug-in tab b F Edge length / Width of a foot section b F Height of the foot section b R Clear height of a hollow tube b S Edge length / Width) of a leg d Distance d F Distance h T Minimum height of a side panel h S Minimum height of a side panel l L Length of a plug-in tab l LS Length of a plug-in tab

Claims

1. Furniture system (10, 50, 70) with at least two side parts (30, 55) which can be detachably coupled to at least one supporting element (11, 51, 71) of the furniture system (10, 50, 70), wherein the side parts (30, 55) each have at least two plug-in elements (31, 56) integrated into the side part (30, 55) and the support element (11, 51, 71) has at least on one side two mating plug-in elements (14), preferably integrated into the support element (11, 51, 71), 71) in order to couple the side part (30, 55) to the supporting element (11, 51, 71), wherein the supporting element (11, 51, 71) comprises at least two longitudinal bars (15, 58) as well as a deck covering (13, 53) and / or cross struts (17, 59), wherein the deck covering (13, 53) and / or the cross struts (17, 59) connect the longitudinal spars (15), wherein the dimensions of the supporting element (11, 51, 71) and the side parts (30, 55), in particular the position of the plug-in elements (31, 56) and mating plug-in elements (14), are selected such that, when a side part (30, 55) is mounted on the support element (11, 51, 71) as intended, the upper side of the support element (11, 51, 71) is aligned with the upper side of the side part (30, 55).

2. Furniture system according to claim 1, wherein the plug-in elements (31, 56) and / or mating plug-in elements (14) each comprise plug-in tabs (31, 56) and / or insertion openings (14) into which the plug-in tabs (31, 56) can be inserted, wherein preferably the side parts (30, 55) each have at least two plug-in tabs (31, 56) as plug-in elements (31, 56) and the support element (11, 51, 71) has at least two plug-in openings (14) on at least one side as mating plug-in elements (14) for plugging in the two plug-in tabs (31, 56) of a side part (30, 55), wherein particularly preferably one insertion opening (14) is formed by an open end of a hollow tube (15, 58).

3. Furniture system according to claim 2, wherein at least a part of an inner contour of each of the insertion openings (14), in particular the open end of the hollow tubes (15, 58), is adapted to at least a part of the outer contours of a plug-in element (31, 56), in particular a plug-in tab (31, 56), and the positions and orientation of the plug-in elements (31, 56) and the coupling openings (14) are selected relative to one another in such a way that the plug-in elements (31, 56) can be inserted into the insertion openings (14) in a fitting manner, and / or wherein fixing elements (20), preferably clamping elements (20), are arranged at the insertion openings (14), in particular at the hollow tubes (15, 58), in order to releasably fix, preferably clamp, the plug-in elements (31, 56), in particular plug-in tabs (31, 56), in the insertion openings (14).

4. Furniture system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the longitudinal spars (15, 58) each have one of the insertion openings (14) on at least one end face (27) and / or the longitudinal spars (15, 58) comprise hollow tubes (15, 58).

5. Furniture system, in particular according to one of the preceding claims, having at least two side parts (30, 55, 75) which can be detachably coupled to at least one supporting element (11, 51, 71) of the furniture system (10, 50, 70), the side parts (30, 55, 75) each comprising two height-adjustable legs (30a, 55a), wherein the legs (30a, 55a) each preferably comprise a telescopic tube with an upper hollow leg tube (32) and a lower foot part (35, 57) which can be displaced and fixed therein.

6. Furniture system according to claim 5, wherein the outer dimensions of the foot parts (35) are smaller than the inner dimensions of the hollow leg tubes (32), and the foot parts (35) are guided at a distance (d) from the inner walls of the hollow leg tubes (32) by means of a spacer element (39), wherein preferably the hollow leg tubes (32) and the foot parts (35) are each designed as square tubes and particularly preferably the spacer element (39) comprises a spacer plate (39).

7. Furniture system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the side part (30, 55, 75) comprises a downwardly open U-shaped tubular profile (49), wherein preferably the U-legs of the U-shaped tubular profile (49) form the leg hollow tubes (32).

8. Furniture system according to claim 7, wherein the plug-in elements (31, 56), in particular plug-in tabs (31, 56), preferably in the region of the corners of the U-shaped tubular profile (49), are arranged on the side part (30, 55, 75) in such a way that they are perpendicular to a plane in which the U-shaped tubular profile (49) extends.

9. Furniture system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the plug-in elements (31, 56), in particular plug-in tabs (31, 56), are welded to the side parts (30, 55, 75), preferably with a plug-in tab section (31a) welded into the side part (30, 55, 75).

10. Furniture system according to one of the preceding claims, comprising connecting elements (98, 99) for connecting two supporting elements (11, 51, 71), wherein the connecting elements (99) preferably comprise at least one central part (99), which on two opposite sides has plug-in elements (31), in particular plug-in tabs (31), in each case for coupling to a supporting element (11, 51, 71), and / or wherein the connecting elements (98) preferably comprise connecting plug-in elements (98), in particular connecting plug-in lugs (98).

11. Furniture system according to one of the preceding claims, comprising at least one backrest (60, 80) which can be detachably coupled to the supporting element (51, 71), the backrest (60, 80) preferably comprising a backrest surface (65, 85) and at least two cross struts (63, 83) which each extend beyond the backrest surface (65, 85) at one end and each have a coupling element (61) for coupling to a supporting element (51, 71) of the furniture system (50, 70).

12. Furniture system according to one of the preceding claims, comprising at least one railing (29) which can be detachably coupled to the supporting element (11, 51, 71).

13. Piece of furniture (10, 50, 70) which is constructed from a furniture system (10, 50, 70) according to one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the piece of furniture (10, 50, 70) is preferably a piece of garden furniture (10, 50, 70), particularly preferably one of the following pieces of furniture (10, 50, 70): - a table (10), - a piece of seating furniture (70, 50), in particular a bench (70) or a chair (50), - a shelf, - a sideboard, - a cupboard.

14. Furniture set (100), in particular garden furniture set (100), with a plurality of furniture pieces (10, 50, 70) according to claim 13.

15. A method of assembling a piece of furniture (10, 50, 70) comprising at least the steps of: - Providing a furniture system (10, 50, 70) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, - Coupling of two side parts (30, 55, 75) of the furniture system (10, 50, 70) to at least one support element (11, 51, 71) of the furniture system (10, 50, 70), wherein in each case at least two plug-in elements (31, 56) of a side part (30, 55, 75), each integrated in the side part (30, 55, 75), are coupled to mating plug-in elements (14), preferably integrated in the support element (11, 51, 71), on one side of the support element (11, 51, 71).

16. Use of a furniture system (10, 50, 70) according to any one of claims 1 to 12 for constructing a piece of furniture (10, 50, 70)