FURNITURE MODULE

Abstract

The invention relates to a furniture module intended to form a display stand: - at least a first element (I) extending along a longitudinal axis (X) comprising two end walls (6, 8) and side faces, at least one side face comprising windows (18) configured to receive an object, each of the end walls (6, 8) being configured to be fixed to an external element, - a second element (II) forming an articulation, said second element (II) comprising two parts (24, 26) articulated to each other around a vertically oriented axis of rotation (Z), each of the parts (24, 26) comprising a fixing face (32, 38) parallel to the axis of rotation (Z), one of the fixing faces (32, 38) being removably fixed to one of the end walls (6, 8) of the first element (I), the other fixing face being fixed to another external element. [Fig.1]

Description

Title of the invention: FURNITURE MODULE TECHNICAL FIELD AND PREVIOUS ART

[0001] The present invention relates to a furniture module, allowing a large number of arrangements, advantageously for display furniture, for example a catering unit.

[0002] When organizing receptions, sporting events, and cultural or commercial events, it is common to use a company that handles drinks and food. The drinks and food are often presented in buffet style.

[0003] For this purpose, furniture is temporarily arranged to receive drinks and food made available to the public who serve themselves or are served by reception staff provided for this purpose.

[0004] These pieces of furniture are set up for the occasion and then removed. Often, they are tables with folding legs placed side by side. On the one hand, these are relatively bulky and not very user-friendly. On the other hand, they offer very limited possibilities for arranging the space. They are either aligned or placed at right angles. Furthermore, once set up, they are difficult to move.

[0005] Furthermore, caterers wish to be able to offer relatively elaborate dishes that can be served hot or kept cold. However, keeping food hot or cold is not easy on simple tables.

[0006] Problems of clutter, layout and difficulties in modifying configurations also arise in other areas of activity in which commercial objects are presented, such as clothing, watches or jewelry. Description of the invention

[0007] It is therefore one of the aims of the present application to offer a furniture module offering a great deal of freedom in arrangement.

[0008] The stated objective is achieved by a module comprising at least one elongated element and at least one element forming a joint fixed directly to the elongated element, said joint allowing at least one rotation about a vertical axis, so that the elongated element can assume different configurations. The elongated element has, for example, a parallelepiped shape, to which the joint is fixed at one longitudinal end of the elongated element. Said elongated element has lateral faces, at least one of which has at least one window, for example, for the placement of at least one object and / or for accessing the interior of the elongated element. This object can be a container, a tray or any other object used to hold and / or display food, or a commercial item.

[0009] Most advantageously, two of the contiguous side faces are perpendicular to each other and are solid, for example forming a storage and / or presentation surface or forming a surface visible to the public and masking objects that would be placed in the window or windows and / or inside the element forming the display stand.

[0010] The present invention then relates to a furniture module comprising: - at least one first elongated element extending along a longitudinal axis comprising two end walls and side faces, at least one side face comprising at least one window, each of the end walls being configured to be fixed to an external element, - a second articulating element, said second element comprising two parts articulated to each other around an axis of rotation intended to be oriented vertically, each of the parts comprising a fixing face parallel to the axis of rotation, one of the fixing faces being fixed to one of the end walls of the first element, the other fixing face being configured to be fixed to another external element.

[0011] In an advantageous example, the second element is removably fixed to the first element.

[0012] For example, the first element has at least one solid side face and two openwork side faces.

[0013] In a particularly advantageous example, the first element has two solid lateral faces and two openwork lateral faces, the two openwork faces being perpendicular to each other.

[0014] In one embodiment, the end walls of the first element have holes, the fixing faces of the second element have holes, and screw-nut type fixing means are mounted in the holes joining one of the end walls and one of the fixing faces.

[0015] Most advantageously, the end walls of the first element have a central hole separate from the fixing holes, intended to receive an axis of rotation of the first element around its longitudinal axis.

[0016] The furniture module may comprise two first elements, each fixed to a fixing wall of the second element.

[0017] In a preferred example, the first element and the second element are made of aluminum alloy.

[0018] The present invention also relates to a system comprising at least one furniture module according to the invention and at least one external element, for example chosen from feet, counters, bars, the feet, the external element having on at least one side fixing holes for suspending said furniture module by means of screw-nut systems.

[0019] The at least one external element may include several sets of fixing holes allowing the furniture module to be fixed at different heights. Brief description of the drawings

[0020] This application will be better understood with the aid of the following description and the attached drawings, in which: - [Fig. 1] is a perspective view of an example embodiment of a module according to the invention, - [Fig.2] is a perspective view of another example of a beam of a module according to the invention, - [Fig. 3A] is a perspective view of an articulation of the module of [Fig. 1], - [Fig. 3B] is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the articulation, - [Fig. 4] is a perspective view of another example of a module according to the invention, - [Fig. 5] shows different mountings of a module according to an example of an embodiment of the invention on a stand, - [Fig. 6] is a schematic perspective view of an example of a furniture element designated as a bar that can be connected to the module according to the invention, - [Fig.7] is a schematic perspective view of an example of a bottle holder intended to be fixed to the side of a bar and to which a module according to the invention can be connected, - [Fig.8] is a schematic representation of a top view of an arrangement comprising several modules according to the invention and implementing different furniture elements, - [Fig.9] is a schematic representation of a top view of another arrangement taking several configurations, - [Fig. 10] represents two cross-sections of variant embodiments of the beam according to the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF IMPLEMENTATION METHODS

[0021] In the following description, the invention is described more particularly in the field of catering furniture; however, it will be understood that the present invention can be applied to any other technical field in which the presentation of objects is required, such as, but not limited to, the clothing, watchmaking, jewelry, and / or fine jewelry fields. Furthermore, the invention can be applied to any other field in which a reconfigurable furniture system is useful.

[0022] Figure 1 shows an example of the realization of a catering furniture module according to the invention.

[0023] The module comprises an element I intended to form a display stand for food and / or drinks and an element II forming a joint.

[0024] Element I shown alone in [Fig.2], which will be referred to hereafter as "beam" for simplicity, has the shape of a rectangular parallelogram extending along a longitudinal axis X.

[0025] The beam shown in [Fig.2] has a first longitudinal end 2 and a second longitudinal end 4, each closed by a square wall 6, 8. Alternatively, the beam could have a rectangular section or a non-rectangular parallelogram or trapezoidal section and more generally a polygonal section.

[0026] The end walls 6, 8 are configured to allow attachment to a joint or other furniture element. The end walls have holes intended to be aligned with holes in the joint or other furniture element and through which a fastening system, such as a screw-nut system, is mounted.

[0027] The beam has four lateral faces connecting the two longitudinal ends. Two adjacent lateral faces forming a right angle with each other have a solid wall 10, 12 and the other two lateral faces 14, 16 have windows 18.

[0028] At least one upright 20 connects the two end walls at the intersection of the two lateral faces 14, 16.

[0029] In the example shown, the windows are delimited by crossbars 22 connecting the upright 20 and the walls 6, 8.

[0030] In another example, the side face 14 is intended to be positioned horizontally and to form a support for dishes and / or trays. For this purpose, the width of the side face 14 and the spacing of the crossbars are advantageously chosen to allow the placement of standard "gastronomic" dishes. In [Fig. 2], a gastronomic dish G is represented by a dashed line.

[0031] The edges of the plates and trays rest on the crossbars and / or the upright and / or the edge of the wall 12.

[0032] The windows in the side face 16 allow access to the inside of the beam and the placement of objects on the wall 10. For example, it is possible to place a means of heating the dish placed above, for example a hot water tank or a cold holding system.

[0033] It will be understood that the number of crossbeams is not limited. Alternatively, the beam has no crossbeams and the plates and / or platforms rest on the upright and the edge of the wall 12, and possibly on the edge of the end walls. The number of The crossbeams are also chosen according to the mechanical stresses applied to the beam.

[0034] In figures 1 and 2, the beam I is arranged so that one of the faces provided with one or more windows 18 is the upper face.

[0035] Alternatively, the beam can be oriented so that the upper face is a solid side face forming a surface for holding glasses, bottles, serving dishes, or even allowing guests to lean on it or place their plates to eat, thus creating a standing table. Preferably in this configuration, the other solid side face faces the guests, offering an aesthetically pleasing appearance. In this configuration, one of the openwork side faces forms the lower face, which can then include, but is not limited to, one or more trays and / or one or more serving dishes and / or one or more water reservoirs and / or one or more draining trays.

[0036] The end walls include means for attaching to a joint, another beam, an external element such as a leg, a bar, or any other movable or fixed element, such as a wall. The end walls 6, 8 have fixing holes 23 corresponding to holes on the element to which the beam will be attached. In this example, four fixing holes 23 distributed at the four corners and advantageously a central hole 45 are provided. Fastening means, for example of the screw-nut type (not shown), are mounted through the fixing holes. The function of the central hole 45 will be described below.

[0037] Element II, which will be designated "articulation" for simplicity, is intended to ensure a rotation of the beam at least around a vertical axis Z so as to allow the beam to easily take on different configurations, and more generally to allow the arrangement including this beam to be very easily reconfigured according to the space in which it is located.

[0038] In [Fig.3A], the joint II comprises two parts 24, 26 articulated with respect to each other around an axis Z. The parts 24 and 26 are advantageously configured to be able to pivot through an angle of 180 with respect to each other.

[0039] In this example and without limitation, part 24 comprises two flanges 28, 30 connected by a fixing wall 32, and part 26 comprises two flanges 34, 36 connected by a fixing wall 38.

[0040] The flanges 28, 30 are intended to be arranged horizontally and the fixing walls are intended to be arranged vertically.

[0041] Part 24 is arranged inside part 26, with flange 28 opposite flange 34 and flange 30 opposite flange 36. The flanges are connected so as to articulate around the Z axis.

[0042] In the example shown, the two flanges 28, 30 are connected by a tube 40 forming the Z axis and the flanges 34, 36 are secured free to rotate at one end of the tube, for example by means of screws.

[0043] In the example shown, the flanges 28, 30 are rectangular in shape, the mounting plate 32 connects two sides of the flanges, and the tube is fixed to the two opposite sides of the flanges. The flanges 34, 36 are each composed of a rectangular or square portion and a semi-circular portion, the hinge passing through the middle of the diameter of the semi-circular portion. However, a portion 26 in which the flanges are similar to the flanges 28, 30 does not fall outside the scope of the present invention.

[0044] Preferably, a plate 42 arranged perpendicular to the flanges 28, 30 connects the fixing wall 32 and the tube 40 and is welded to the inner faces of the flanges 28, 30 ensuring stiffening in the vertical direction of the part 24; and a plate 44 extending perpendicularly to the fixing plate 38 and to the flanges 34, 36 and welded to them ensures the stiffening of the part 26.

[0045] Plates 42 and 44 may have one or more windows, for example for the passage of technical ducts, for example electrical cables.

[0046] In this example, the fixing plates 32, 38 have a central hole, the plates 42 and 44 then have a cutout 41 at the center of the central hole for the mounting of a screw-nut system or other.

[0047] Advantageously, the fixing plates 32, 38 are shaped to limit the risk of pinching the user when handling the joint. In the example, they have cutouts 47 on their lateral edges.

[0048] Each fixing plate is configured to be fixed either to an end face of another beam, or to another furniture element, such as a leg or a bar, or even to another joint.

[0049] In the example shown, the fixing plates 32, 38 have holes 43 to allow their attachment to an end plate of the beam or to another furniture element. In the example shown, and corresponding to the fixing holes 23, four holes are provided. The holes are located at each corner.

[0050] In [Fig. 3B], a variant embodiment of the joint II' can be seen in which the flange 34' is shaped to form a storage / display tray 35', the tube 40' then has a reduced height relative to the axis 40 of the joint II

[0051] In the example shown, the beam and the joint are joined together in a removable manner, but a furniture module in which the beam and the joint would be fixed together permanently does not fall outside the scope of the present invention.

[0052] Beam I and joint II are advantageously made of metal, for example steel and preferably aluminum alloy, which offers reduced mass and facilitates handling, and the various elements are, for example, welded together. Alternatively, beam I and joint II are made of wood, plastic material such as polycarbonate or PVC (polyvinyl chloride). Beam I and joint II can be made of different materials. Furthermore, beam I and / or joint II can comprise several materials, for example, metal for the end faces and wood for the side faces.

[0053] The beam and the joint are advantageously painted, for example in the cases where they are made of metal by powder coating offering high mechanical resistance.

[0054] The beam and the joint are assembled as follows.

[0055] The mounting plate 32, 38 of one of the parts 24, 26 of the joint is fixed to one of the end plates 6, 8 of the beam. The choice of the mounting plate and the end plate depends on the desired configuration of the arrangement.

[0056] On [Fig. 1], the end wall 6 of beam I is fixed to the fixing plate 38 of joint II so that the openwork side face 14 forms the upper face and the solid side face 10 forms the lower face.

[0057] In [Fig.4], the module comprises two beams I' including a single window 18' on the faces 14', 16' and a hinge II fixed to the two beams.

[0058] Alternatively, the module comprises two beams and two joints, the two beams being fixed to each other and the joints being fixed to each of the other end faces of the beams.

[0059] Advantageously, the end walls of the beam are configured to allow rotation of the beam around the X-axis, thus offering even more arrangement possibilities. In the example of [Fig. 2] and as described above, each end wall has a central hole 45 aligned with the X-axis, in addition to the fixing holes 23, and the other elements to which the beam is intended to be fixed have a corresponding hole. The implementation of this central hole 45 further increases the modularity of the device according to the invention. Indeed, a screw-nut system, for example, passes through this hole and the corresponding hole of the other element, without tightening it; the screw-nut systems in the fixing holes 23 are removed. The beam can then rotate around its axis and allow a solid face or a face with one or more windows 18 to be placed on its upper surface.When the beam is in the desired orientation, the screw-nut systems are mounted in the fixing holes 23 and tightened, immobilizing the beam around its axis. The central screw-nut system can be tightened or removed.

[0060] Figure 5 shows several examples of mounting one end of a beam of Figure 2 onto a foot P. The foot has the shape of a rectangular parallelogram with vertically oriented axis Y. Preferably, the four lateral faces of the foot have holes 46 for attaching, for example, a beam I or a hinge II, thus allowing for a wide range of attachment options. Advantageously, several sets of mounting holes can be provided on the lateral faces to allow attachment at different heights depending on the desired configuration. For example, one set of holes allows attachment at 70 cm from the ground, another set of holes allows attachment at 90 cm from the ground, and yet another set of holes allows attachment at 110 cm from the ground.

[0061] Alternatively, the foot has a quarter-disc cross-section, and the foot then has two perpendicular lateral faces with fixing holes. Alternatively, the foot has one or more rails to which an end face of a beam or joint is fixed, and along which the beam or joint can be moved vertically, thus facilitating height adjustment of the furniture module.

[0062] The beam takes all positions around its X axis.

[0063] The transition from one position to the other is achieved by removing the screw-nut systems from fixing, then rotating the beam around its axis, supporting the beam and replacing the screw-nut systems. This change of position is preferably carried out by two people.

[0064] Where the beam's fixing walls have the central hole 45 and the foot has a corresponding hole, the change of position is achieved by rotating the beam around the central screw-nut system. This change of position can advantageously be carried out by a single person.

[0065] Figure 6 shows a side view of a piece of furniture B to which a module according to the invention can be attached. In this example, furniture B will be used as a bar. However, it is a versatile piece of furniture that can, but is not limited to, be used as a desk, kitchen, docking station, or mixing station.

[0066] The bar B comprises a lower cabinet 48, for example for storing bottles and / or glasses, a work surface 50 above the cabinet, and a counter 52 whose height is suitable for guests standing. Advantageously, the counter 52 is removablely mounted on the cabinet, allowing it to be mounted in different positions and providing the bar with multiple functions.

[0067] The counter 52 can also be used separately from the cabinet 48.

[0068] The side faces 54 of the bar have holes 56 for fixing, for example, a beam or a joint. Advantageously, several sets of fixing holes can be provided on the side faces to allow fixing at different heights depending on the desired configuration.

[0069] Figure 7 shows an example of a CA bottle rack configured, for example, to be fixed by a first face 58 to a side wall of the bar and to be fixed by a second face 60 parallel to the first face to a beam or a hinge. The first and second faces have fixing holes 62 and 64, respectively. In this example, the bottle rack has three compartments 66 of different depths. It will be understood that the number of compartments is not limited. Furthermore, this rack can be used to store objects other than bottles.

[0070] We will describe several examples of arrangements.

[0071] In [Fig. 8], the same combination of furniture elements can be seen in different configurations permitted by the invention, without any disassembly or reassembly required. The transition from one configuration to another can advantageously be carried out by a single person.

[0072] The combination of [Fig.8] comprises, fixed to each other in this order, a bar B, a first hinge II fixed to a side wall of the bar B, a first beam fixed to the first hinge II, a second hinge II fixed to the first beam I, and a second bar B fixed to the second hinge IL. This combination then comprises two axes of rotation Z.

[0073] In this example, the beam I is arranged so that a perforated face is in the upper position. In other configurations, the beam has a solid face on its upper surface.

[0074] In an Al configuration all elements are aligned.

[0075] In another configuration A2, the beam forms a right angle with the two bars which are parallel to each other.

[0076] In another configuration A3, the beam forms an angle of approximately 45° with each of the bars, and the two bars are perpendicular to each other.

[0077] These configurations are presented as examples and are in no way limiting.

[0078] In [Fig.9], we can see another example of the realization of an arrangement according to the invention.

[0079] The combination in [Fig. 9] comprises, fixed to one another in this order, a first leg P, a counter C, a second leg P, a first beam I, a first hinge II, a first bar B, a second counter C, a second bar B, a second hinge II, a second beam I, a quarter-round leg P', a third beam I, a third hinge II, a fourth beam I, and a second quarter-round leg P'. This combination thus has three axes of rotation Z. In this example, the four beams are arranged so that one face openwork either in the upper position. In other configurations, all or part of the beams have a solid face on their upper surface.

[0080] In this example, T tables are arranged under the counters and the third, fourth and fifth beams.

[0081] It will be understood that the length of the beam and the number of windows 18 can vary. Furthermore, the number of windows per side face can vary from one face to another. In addition, only one of the side faces of the beam may be openwork. In [Fig. 10], cross-sections of different embodiments of a beam according to the invention can be seen. In one example, the beam I' has two solid parallel side faces 10', 12' and two other openwork parallel side faces 14', 16', and in another example, the beam I” has only one solid side face 12” and the other three side faces 14”, 16”, 17” are openwork.

[0082] The assembly by different means of the screw-nut systems does not depart from the present invention, for example pins or studs may be used or any other element allowing two objects to be linked in a temporary manner.

Claims

Demands

1. A furniture module comprising: - at least one first elongated element (I) extending along a longitudinal axis (X) having two end walls (6, 8) and side faces, at least one side face having at least one window (18), each of the end walls (6, 8) being configured to be fixed to an external element, - a second hinged element (II), said second element (II) having two parts (24, 26) hinged to each other about a rotation axis (Z) intended to be oriented vertically, each of the parts (24, 26) having a fixing face (32, 38) parallel to the rotation axis (Z), one of the fixing faces (32, 38) being fixed to one of the end walls (6, 8) of the first element (I), the other fixing face being configured to be fixed to another external element, in which each of the parts (24, 26).comprises two flanges (28, 30, 34, 36) connected by a fixing wall (32, 38), one of the parts (24, 26) being arranged inside the other part and each flange of one part is opposite a flange of the other part, the flanges of one of the parts comprising a rectangular or square portion and a semi-circular portion, the axis of rotation passing through the middle of the diameter of the semi-circular portion so that the two parts (24, 26) can pivot at an angle of 180° relative to each other.

2. Furniture module according to claim 1, wherein the second element is removably attached to the first element.

3. Furniture module according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first element (I) comprises at least one solid side face (10, 12) and two openwork side faces (14, 16).

4. Furniture module according to claim 3, wherein the first element (I) has two solid side faces (10, 12) and two openwork side faces (14, 16), the two openwork faces (14, 16) being perpendicular to each other.

5. A furniture module according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the end walls of the first element (I) have fixing holes (23), the fixing faces of the second element (II) have holes (43), and wherein fixing means for Screw-nut type are mounted in holes (23, 43) assembling one of the end walls and one of the fixing faces.

6. Furniture module according to claim 5, wherein the end walls of the first element (I) have a central hole (45) distinct from the fixing holes (23), intended to receive an axis of rotation of the first element around its longitudinal axis (X).

7. Furniture module according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising two first elements (I), each fixed to a fixing wall of the second element (II).

8. Furniture module according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the first element and the second element are made of aluminum alloy.

9. System comprising at least one furniture module according to any one of claims 1 to 8, and at least one external element, for example selected from legs, countertops, bars, the legs, the external element having on at least one side face fixing holes for suspending said furniture module by means of screw-nut systems.

10. System according to the preceding claim, wherein at least one external element has several sets of fixing holes allowing the furniture module to be fixed at different heights.

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