VIVARIUM BASE CABINET

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a base cabinet for vivariums, in particular aquariums. Base cabinets for vivariums accommodate the technical equipment necessary for the operation of a vivarium, such as devices for lighting control and / or temperature control. Particularly when used as a base cabinet for aquariums, the base cabinet can also accommodate external filters for filtering the aquarium water. For aquarium technology arranged inside the base cabinet, in particular an external filter, power supply lines as well as supply and drainage lines for the water taken from the aquarium and the water returned to the aquarium must be provided. The object of the present invention is to provide a base cabinet that enables a visually appealing and, at the same time, particularly easy-to-use passage for these lines.

[0002] From CN 212 507 853 U1 an aquarium cabinet is known which has a frame with vertical posts, wherein between two adjacent vertical posts first magnetic closure elements are arranged, via which a door panel provided with second magnetic closure elements can be inserted into the frame between two vertical posts.

[0003] US 2016 345 726 A1 discloses a frame structure with a hollow frame and a plurality of cover or panel elements that can be inserted into openings in the frame structure.

[0004] From DE 10 2012 000 027 A21, an interior design system with at least two three-dimensional basic elements, each with a plurality of sides, at least two connecting element receptacles and at least one connecting element is known, wherein in at least one of the sides of each of the basic elements at least one of the connecting element receptacles is provided for the connecting element, wherein the connecting element is held in the connecting element receptacles by magnetic force and the connection of the basic elements takes place by assembling it with the connecting element.

[0005] The present object is achieved by a base cabinet with side walls, wherein at least one side wall has a recess and at least one first magnetic closure element arranged adjacent to the recess. Furthermore, the base cabinet has at least one panel element that can be inserted into the recess and at least partially closes the recess in the installed position. The panel element has a second magnetic closure element, wherein the second magnetic closure element is arranged in the recess in the installed position of the panel element corresponding to the first magnetic closure. In the installed position, the panel element is held exclusively by magnetic forces acting between the first magnetic closure element and the second magnetic closure element. No further fittings such as hinges need to be provided or are present. Limiting stops for the panel element are not necessary.The recess can be designed simply and, once the panel element is removed, is free of any fittings that could obstruct the passage of cables through the recess. The panel element can be easily inserted and removed from the recess without the need for tools. By eliminating the need for additional fittings, such a base cabinet is easy to construct and offers a clean, visually appealing appearance, both with and without the panel element inserted into the recess.

[0006] In the context of the invention, arranged adjacent to the recess means that the first magnetic closure element is arranged such that it can enter into a magnetic interaction with the second magnetic closure element of the panel element in an installed position, wherein the magnetic forces between the first and the second magnetic closure element are large enough to fix the panel element in the recess. The first and / or second magnetic closure element is designed as a magnetic element, in particular as a permanent magnet. The respective other magnetic closure element can also be designed as a magnetic element, in particular as a permanent magnet. Preferably, however, the respective other magnetic closure element is designed from a non-magnetic, but magnetizable ferromagnetic element, in particular from a magnetizable steel material.

[0007] The first magnetic closure element is embedded in a front side of the side wall that borders the recess. This allows the first magnetic element to be positioned adjacent to the recess. At the same time, the magnetic forces within the recess allow for easy centering of the panel element. Furthermore, this arrangement of the first magnetic element enables a particularly clear and appealing design of the base cabinet.

[0008] The second magnetic closure element is embedded in one side of the panel element, which, when the panel element is installed, faces the end face of the side wall that defines the recess. This arrangement of the first and second magnetic closure elements enables automatic centering of the panel element in the recess relative to an outward-facing surface of the side wall. The panel element can be easily inserted into the recess. Furthermore, this arrangement enables a clear and visually appealing design of the panel element and thus of the cabinet.

[0009] The at least one panel element can be fixed flush with an outer surface of the base cabinet in the recess. This enables a particularly clear and visually appealing design of the base cabinet. Known panels that can be inserted into recesses for cable ducts and are mechanically fixed there typically have stop areas that extend beyond the recess and with which the panel rests against the outer surface of the side wall. Such a panel thus protrudes from the surface of the side wall and is necessarily larger than the recess. In contrast, the solution according to the invention enables a flush arrangement of the respective outer surfaces of the side wall and panel element by dispensing with stop surfaces in this way, and consequently a visually particularly appealing appearance of the base cabinet.

[0010] Preferably, the second magnetic closure element is designed as a non-magnetic, yet magnetizable element. The panel element is thus non-magnetic and therefore easier to store. In particular, the panel element can be placed inside the base cabinet when not in use without magnetically interacting with any vivarium technology located in the base cabinet, such as lighting controls, temperature controls, or possibly a filter system. Such a panel element is particularly easy to handle.

[0011] Preferably, the first magnetic closure element and the second magnetic closure element arranged on the cover element corresponding to the first magnetic closure element have opposing surfaces with approximately the same spatial dimensions in the installed situation. If the first magnetic closure element and the second magnetic closure element have opposing surfaces, in particular cross-sectional surfaces, with approximately the same spatial dimensions, centering of the cover element in the installed position is particularly simple not only relative to an outer surface of the side wall, but also in a direction parallel to the outer surface. If the first and second magnetic closure elements have, for example, round or rectangular cross-sections with the same area, they strive to be arranged exactly one above the other in the installed situation.

[0012] This makes it easy to precisely specify the installation position of the panel element in the recess.

[0013] Alternatively, the first magnetic closure element or the second magnetic closure element can be configured as a planar element. This planar element is particularly preferably made of a non-magnetic, yet magnetizable material. In this alternative configuration, a cover element that only partially closes the recess can be arranged along the planar extension of the respective magnetic closure element in various positions within the recess, displaced along the planar extension of the magnetic closure element.

[0014] The recess advantageously has a rectangular contour and extends horizontally across the entire side wall of the base cabinet. Aquarium base cabinets are designed to be particularly stable in order to be able to accommodate the heavy weight of a water-filled aquarium and transfer it into the floor. Corresponding base cabinets for vivariums designed as aquariums have a frame, preferably arranged internally, for example a tubular steel frame. The weight of an aquarium placed on the base cabinet is absorbed by the frame. Unlike conventional base cabinets, the side walls of such a base cabinet do not contribute to the statics of the base cabinet but represent a cladding element. It is therefore easy to provide a recess in a side wall that extends horizontally across the entire side wall.The rectangular contour of this recess creates a particularly attractive appearance for the base cabinet. The recess, or the panel element inserted into it, can be integrated into the base cabinet with clean lines.

[0015] Preferably, the at least one panel element can be secured in the recess rotated by 180° around a main axis. For this purpose, the panel element can have a second magnetic closure element extending through the panel element or a plurality of second magnetic closure elements on opposite sides of the panel element. This results in particularly simple operation, as less attention must be paid to inserting the panel element into the recess in a specific orientation. With a cuboid-shaped panel element, it is possible for the panel element to be inserted into the recess rotated by 180° around each of the three main axes of the cuboid. The operability of the base cabinet is thus improved. The back of the panel element can also be visually designed differently, thus allowing the user to create visually different variants of the base cabinet.

[0016] Preferably, the base cabinet has first magnetic closure elements on opposite sides of the recess, in particular above and below the recess. This allows for a particularly good fit of the panel element in the recess.

[0017] The base cabinet preferably comprises at least one set of at least two control elements of different dimensions that can be optionally inserted into the recess. One cover element of the set is designed such that it completely closes the recess when installed. At least one further cover element of the set is designed such that it only partially closes the recess. When this further cover element is used, the base cabinet forms a cable duct in the side wall. The recess without the cover element already forms a cable duct. However, a cable duct is typically designed larger for the easy insertion of cables than is necessary for the actual cables during operation. For example, cable connectors such as plugs are typically significantly larger than the actual cable.The additional cover element makes it possible to close the recess after the cables have been installed, giving the base cabinet a visually appealing appearance. The set of cover elements particularly preferably comprises two, preferably identical, cover elements which only partially close the recess when installed. The first and second magnetic closure elements are arranged such that the two additional cover elements can be fixed in the recess such that they form the cable duct between them. This makes it possible to specify not only the size of the cable duct, but also its location in the side wall. For example, it is possible to position the cable duct centrally in the recess or to move it towards the rear wall as required.

[0018] As a practical feature, the base cabinet can have at least one additional magnetic element embedded in a wall of the base cabinet, preferably however on the inside of a door of the base cabinet that closes the cabinet. Tools regularly required for caring for the vivarium, such as scissors, can be easily stored on such a magnetic element. Tools made of magnetizable material can be easily placed on this embedded magnetic element and are easily accessible there. Tools made of non-magnetizable material can be provided with corresponding elements made of magnetizable or magnetic material in order to be stored on such a magnetic element, in particular on the inside of a door of the base cabinet. Unused panel elements can also be stored there in a fixed manner inside the base cabinet.

[0019] Further advantages and details can be found in the following description of the figures. The schematic figures show: Fig. 1 shows an aquarium cabinet according to the invention with an aquarium arranged thereon and a cable duct on the left side as viewed from the front; Fig. 2 shows a side view of the left side of the aquarium cabinet according to the invention according to Fig. 1 , wherein the recess is closed with a panel element that completely closes the recess; Fig. 3 a detailed view of the base cabinet for aquariums according to Fig. 2 , with a representation of the first and second magnetic closure elements; Fig. 4 the base cabinet according to the invention according to Fig. 1 , in which the recess is closed by two cover elements which only partially close the recess and form a cable feedthrough between them; Fig. 5 a detailed view according to Fig. 4 with a representation of the first and second magnetic closure elements.

[0020] Parts with the same or similar functions are provided with identical reference numerals where appropriate. Individual technical features of the exemplary embodiments described below can be combined with the features of claim 1 as well as with the features of individual previously described exemplary embodiments to form inventive objects.

[0021] Fig. 1 shows a vivarium base cabinet 2 according to the invention in the form of a vivarium base cabinet 2 with an aquarium arranged thereon. The view shows a cable on the left side leading into the vivarium base cabinet 2.

[0022] Fig. 2 shows the base cabinet 2 for vivariums according to Fig. 1 in a side view. The base cabinet 2 has a side wall 4 in which a recess 6 is arranged. The recess 6 according to Fig. 2 has a rectangular contour and extends completely through the side wall 4. In the illustration according to Fig. 2 The recess 6 is closed by a cover element 8. The cover element 8 is designed to completely close the recess 6 in the installed position. The cover element 8 is held in the recess 6 by first magnetic closure elements 10 and second magnetic closure elements 12.

[0023] Fig. 3 shows the arrangement of the first magnetic closure elements 10 and second magnetic closure elements 12. Four first magnetic closure elements 10 are arranged in the side wall 4 below the recess 6. The first magnetic closure elements 10 are located directly adjacent to the recess 6 on the front side of the lower part of the side wall 4. The cover element 8 has two second magnetic closure elements 12. The first magnetic closure elements 10 are designed as permanent magnets. The second magnetic closure elements 12 are designed as non-magnetic, but magnetizable steel pins that are embedded in the cover element 8. The second magnetic closure elements 12 are positioned in the cover element 8 such that, when the cover element 8 is installed in the recess 6, they each lie opposite one of the first magnetic closure elements 10.The first magnetic closure elements 10 and the second magnetic closure elements 12 interact in such a way that the cover element 8 automatically assumes a specific, predefined position in the recess 6. In this position, the first magnetic closure elements 10 and the second magnetic closure elements 12 are aligned coaxially one above the other. The cover element 8 can be inserted into the recess 6 without tools and can be pushed outwards from the recess 6 starting from an interior of the base cabinet 2. Because no stops are provided for the cover element 8, it can also be pushed out of the recess 6 from the outside towards the interior of the base cabinet 2. In the installed position, the cover element 8 is flush with the outer surface of the side wall 4. The cover element 8 can be placed in the recess 6 rotated by 180° around each of its three main axes.The usability is thus significantly improved, since there is no need to pay attention to the exact alignment of the panel element 8 when inserting it into the recess 6.

[0024] Fig. 4 shows the base cabinet 2 in a view according to Fig. 2 . In Fig. 4 Instead of the cover element 8 completely closing the recess 6, the recess 6 is closed by two further cover elements 8 that only partially close it. The further cover elements 8 form a cable feedthrough between them. Fig. 4 Five cables are shown arranged in the cable entry.

[0025] Fig. 5 shows a detailed view Fig. 4 , in which the first magnetic closure elements 10 and the second magnetic closure elements 12 are shown. Each of the two further panel elements 8 has two second magnetic closure elements 12, which in an installed position interact with two first magnetic closure elements 10, which are embedded in the side wall 4 adjacent to the recess 6. The second magnetic closure elements 12 are again designed as non-magnetic, but magnetizable steel pins. The first magnetic closure elements 10 are the same first magnetic closure elements 10 that are also shown in the illustration according to Fig. 3 For the base cabinet as shown in Fig. 4 and 5 The aperture element 8, which is shown in the illustrations according to Fig. 2 and 3in the recess 6, and replaced by the two shorter, further aperture elements 8, which only partially close the recess 6 and which are arranged in Fig. 4 and 5 shown, replaced.

[0026] In a base cabinet 2 for vivariums, in particular aquariums, according to the exemplary embodiment, the recess 6 provided in the side wall 4, which serves as a cable feedthrough, can thus be completely closed by a cover element 8 when the cable feedthrough is not necessary. The recess 6 can also be partially closed by two additional cover elements 8 that can be used alternatively, such that they leave an area of the recess 6 free between them as a cable feedthrough when a cable feedthrough is required. The cover elements 8 can be easily changed without tools thanks to the magnetic holder and, when inserted into the recess 6, they align themselves automatically via the first magnetic closure elements 10 and the second magnetic closure elements 12 due to the magnetic holder.

[0027] Of course, the second magnetic closure elements 12 can also be designed as magnets, in particular permanent magnets. In this case, it is conceivable to design the first magnetic closure elements 10 as non-magnetic but magnetizable steel pins instead of magnets. The base cabinet 2 can comprise additional sets of panel elements 8 or additional panel elements within a set of panel elements 8. For example, the panel elements 8 of an alternative set can be designed differently, e.g., provided with a different decor.

Claims

1. Base cabinet (2) for vivariums, in particular aquariums, having lateral walls (4), characterized in that at least one lateral wall (4) has a recess (6) and at least one first magnetic closure element (10) disposed adjacent to the recess (6), wherein the base cabinet (2) comprises at least one panel element (8) which is able to be inserted into the recess (6) and in an installed position at least partially closes the recess (6) and has at least one second magnetic closure element (12), wherein the second magnetic closure element (12) in the installed position is disposed so as to correspond to the first magnetic closure element (10) in such a way that the panel element (8) is held and able to be fixed in the recess (6) exclusively by magnetic forces acting between the first magnetic closure element (10) and the second magnetic closure element (12), wherein the first magnetic closure element (10) is embedded in an end face of the lateral wall (4) delimiting the recess (6), and the second magnetic closure element (12) is embedded in a side of the panel element (8) that in the installed situation of the panel element (8) faces the end face of the lateral wall (4) delimiting the recess (6), wherein the at least one panel element (8) is able to be fixed in the recess (6) so as to be flush with an outer surface of the base cabinet (2), and wherein the base cabinet (2) does not have any delimiting stops for the panel element (8).

2. Base cabinet according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first magnetic closure element (10) and the second magnetic closure element (12), disposed on the panel element (8) so as to correspond to the first magnetic closure element (10), in the installed situation have mutually opposite faces with approximately identical spatial extents.

3. Base cabinet according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the recess (6) has a rectangular contour and is disposed so as to extend horizontally over the entire lateral wall (4) of the base cabinet (2).

4. Base cabinet according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the panel element (8) is able to be fixed in the recess (6) so as to be rotated by 180° about a main axis.

5. Base cabinet according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the base cabinet (2) comprises at least one set of at least two panel elements (8) of different dimensions that can be selectively inserted into the recess (6), wherein one panel element (8) of the set is designed to completely close the recess (6) in the installed situation, and at least one further panel element (8) of the set is designed to only partially close the recess (6), and wherein the base cabinet (2) when using the further panel element (8) that only partially closes the recess (6) forms a cable conduit in the lateral wall (4).

6. Base cabinet according to Claim 5, characterized in that the set of panel elements (8) comprises two, preferably identical, further panel elements (8) that only partially close the recess (6) in the installed situation, wherein the first and second magnetic closure elements (10, 12) are disposed in such a way that the two further panel elements (8) of the set are able to fixed in the recess (6) in such a way that they form the cable conduit between them.