Furniture made from a plurality of mutually connectable flat members

Abstract

The present invention relates to furniture made of a plurality of interconnectable flat plate members (1, 2), particularly designed as children's furniture such as a playhouse, wherein at least two of the adjacent flat plate members (1, 2) are connectable by at least one plug connection formed by a protrusion (3) formed on an end face of the first flat plate member (1) and having an opening (4) extending transversely to the flat surface of the flat plate member (1), a cavity (5) of the second flat plate member (2) into which the protrusion (3) of the first flat plate member (1) can be inserted, and a fixing member (6) which can be inserted into and engages with the opening (4) of the protrusion (3). The second plate member (2) has, in the region of the cavity (5), a blind-hole-shaped receiving portion (8) that projects from the end face (7) of the plate member (2) closest to the cavity (5) through the cavity (5), the receiving portion being aligned with the opening (4) of the protrusion (3) of the first plate member (1) when assembled. The fixing member (6) is located entirely within the blind-hole-shaped receiving portion (8) and in the opening (4) of the protrusion (3) when assembled.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to furniture made of a plurality of mutually connectable flat members, especially designed as children's furniture such as playhouses, and at least two of the adjacent flat members can be connected by at least one plug-in connection part. This plug-in connection part is formed by a protrusion having an opening formed on the end surface of the first flat member and extending in a direction intersecting the flat surface of the flat member, a hole part of the second flat member into which the protrusion of the first flat member can be inserted, and a fixing member that can be engaged and inserted into the opening of the protrusion.

Background Art

[0002] Furniture having various plug-in connection parts that can be assembled immediately without tools and disassembled again as needed has been known for a long time. For example, Patent Document 1 or Patent Document 2 describes a shelf system made of boards that can be plugged together and fixed at key points by fixing members that can be inserted into tabs. In particular, Patent Document 3 discloses a playhouse for children, which can also be assembled immediately by simply plugging it together, and is finally fixed in the assembled state by bolts as fixing members inserted into corresponding openings.

[0003] Known connection parts, especially in the case of children's furniture such as playhouses, have the drawback that although this type of assembly can be done immediately and easily, the fixing members can also be easily removed by children. As a result, there is a risk of causing a great obstacle to children because a child may be trapped between unfixed structural members, or even the entire structure may collapse and the components may fall on the child. Since the construction with plug-in connection parts having more expensive wooden structural members has not been practical so far due to the above-mentioned safety concerns, either lighter members such as cardboard or foam materials are used, or expensive and firmly screwed furniture is used.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] An object of the present invention is to create a modular furniture that is designed especially as children's furniture such as a playhouse and can be assembled particularly immediately without using tools in a few minutes. At the same time, the modular furniture may be capable of being disassembled immediately and being stored in a space-saving manner. The playhouse may be assembled from high-quality wooden components and be less expensive and more user-friendly than a playhouse that is firmly screwed together integrally. It is preferable that it is immediately possible to replace individual components using variously designed modules that provide various play options so that the furniture can be adapted to children of various ages and children with various interests. It is also preferable that additional functional members such as a lighted starry sky can be installed immediately. By fixing the structure after assembly, it is preferable to protect it from children's mischief and avoid the risk of obstacles.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The object achieved by the present invention is that a second flat plate member in the area of the hole portion has a blind hole-shaped receiving portion that protrudes through the hole portion from the end face closest to the hole portion of the flat plate member, and in the assembled state, Counterbore shapeThe receiving part is aligned with the opening of the protruding part of the first flat plate member, and in the assembled state, the fixing member is completely within the blind hole-shaped receiving part and present in the opening of the protruding part In the region of the counterbore shape receiving portion of the second flat plate member, an opening is provided on the flat surface of the second flat plate member. This opening extends into the counterbore shape receiving portion and, when assembled, is substantially positionally aligned with the opening of the fixing member. As a result, by inserting a tool such as a pin into the opening and then performing a pushing movement, the fixing member can be released from the fixed position. This is the case Due to the fact that when assembled, the fixing member is completely located within the second flat plate member, it becomes impossible to easily remove the fixing member from the outside. For this reason, for example, unexpected disassembly by children is prevented. The fixing member may be, for example, a small wooden plate, and the blind hole-shaped receiving part may be a slot into which the fixing member is inserted. The small wooden plate can be artistically designed, for example, as a familiar forest fairy, and thereby, it becomes clearer to children that the forest fairy is the most important protective member that holds the entire playhouse or furniture together For intentional disassembly, a tool such as a pin can be inserted through the opening on the flat surface of the second flat plate member and the opening of the fixing member, thereby enabling the fixing member to be pushed out. To enable this, the outer edge portion of the opening of the fixing member must protrude further inward in the insertion direction than the outer edge portion of the opening of the second flat plate member when viewed from the insertion direction. This can be achieved either by making the opening of the fixing member smaller overall than that of the second flat plate member or by arranging the opening of the fixing member further inward in the insertion direction such that the two openings are substantially positionally aligned and the corresponding edge portions of the opening of the fixing member provide an engaging surface for inserting the tool. As a result of a short-distance movement with the tool in the direction opposite to the insertion direction, a portion of the fixing member then protrudes from the end face of the second flat plate member and can be grasped from the outside and removed again.

[0007] A further advantageous feature is that in the assembled state, the fixing member is clamped in a friction-locking manner in the blind hole-shaped receiving part of the second flat plate member. Although it is certain that shape fitting is already sufficient for fixation, for example, when the furniture is completely overturned or violently bumped, the additional pressure fitting by clamping the fixing member also prevents the fixing member from accidentally falling off

[0009] Also, a further advantageous feature is that the blind hole-shaped receiving part of the second flat plate member and the fixing member have a key-lock geometry that cooperates with each other, and as a result, the fixing member can be fully inserted only in one insertion direction. Apart from the artistic design of the fixing member, the member can also have a special geometry such as an essentially triangular or wedge-shaped form, or it can have lateral grooves or depressions. When the blind hole-shaped receiving part is designed in the reverse direction, it can be thus ensured that the fixing member can be correctly inserted only in a specific direction. This prevents misuse during assembly

[0010] In one possible embodiment of the present invention, the furniture is a playhouse comprising four flat members as wall components and one flat member as a roof component, the wall components being insertable into each other via hooks and receiving parts, and the roof component being connectable to each of at least two opposing wall components via at least one plug connection having a fixing member insertable in a hidden state. The wall components of the playhouse can be assembled very quickly simply by inserting each hook into the receiving part of an adjacent wall component. Using various wall components having hooks and receiving parts of the same arrangement, various modules having various openings and play members can be combined as desired. Finally, the roof component is applied from above and then the roof component fixes the entire structure by inserting the fixing member. Minimally, only appropriate fixing members on two opposing wall components are required for connection to the roof component. However, for complete safety, it is preferable to provide at least one fixing member between each wall component and the roof component.

[0011] Further advantageous features are that, in the assembled state, on the upper part of the wall part, there is provided a protruding part protruding inward that supports the intermediate ceiling part, and on the roof part, there is provided a protruding part protruding downward. As a result, the inserted intermediate ceiling part is clamped between the protruding part of the wall part and the protruding part of the roof part. This makes it particularly easy to equip the interior of the playhouse with various modules and functions. For example, an intermediate ceiling part having a lighting member in the form of a starry sky can be inserted. All electronic devices, for example, a battery box, and / or a receiving device of a remote control for switching on and off the lighting member are located on the intermediate ceiling part and are thus fixed between the roof part and the intermediate ceiling part. When a direct lighting switch is provided, this lighting switch protrudes downward through the corresponding opening of the intermediate ceiling part and can thus be operated by a child in the playhouse. As a result, the sensing parts are out of reach of children, and it only becomes necessary for all parts of the entire structure to be connected to children in a safe manner by means of plug-in connections having fixing members. Depending on the application, other intermediate ceiling members with equipment such as swings, hanging chairs, etc. can also be inserted in a modular manner. Other electronic devices such as microphones, speakers, or cameras can also be integrated into the intermediate ceiling part. This makes it possible to monitor children's play like a baby phone or transmit music to the playhouse via the speaker.

[0012] Finally, according to a further advantageous embodiment, the furniture is a wall-mounted one having a first flat member, the first flat member being capable of being fastened to the wall-mounted in a modular manner and being formed as a wall component, the wall-mounted being provided with at least two mounting members that are positionally aligned at right angles to the wall and parallel to each other in the vertical direction, and on the upper surfaces of the at least two mounting members, a second flat member pivotally connected and formed as a roof component is provided via a joint, a wall component capable of being fastened to the wall-mounted in a modular manner can be fastened to the mounting members of the wall-mounted via hooks and receiving parts, and then the roof component pivotally mounted in a fixed position can be connected to the wall component via at least one plug connection part having a fixing member, the fixing member being completely present in the blind hole-shaped receiving part and in the opening of the protrusion in the assembled state. Such a wall-mounted enables various wall members, which can exhibit various activities and games, for example, to be immediately fastened to and exchanged with the wall-mounted in a child-safe manner. The wall members can be configured in the same way as, for example, the wall members of the playhouse described above, and as a result, the individual members can be used in various ways. There is also the development possibility of suspending some wall members on the wall-mounted for storage, in which case the last suspended wall member is then fixed by the roof component and the plug connection part. This enables the playhouse to be tidied up in a space-saving manner without the risk of the individual board members falling over. The connecting connection of the roof component represents a preferred variant. It goes without saying that the roof component can be applied as another member for fixing the plug connection part and another member fixed by the plug connection part.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0013]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0014] In the schematic exploded view shown in FIG. 1, only the portion of the insertion connection part between the first flat plate member 1 and the second flat plate member 2 is shown. The dimensions do not correspond to the actual dimensions and merely illustrate the basic function of the insertion connection part. The first flat plate member 1 forms a wall part here. For example, on its upper end face, it has a protrusion 3 having an opening 4 extending in a direction intersecting the flat surface of the first flat plate member 1. The second flat plate member 2 is designed as a roof part here and has a hole part 5 into which the protrusion 4 of the first flat plate member 1 can be inserted. The hole part 5 is shown as a through opening in the exemplary embodiment, but it is also possible to form this hole part as a blind hole, for example, when the roof part is made thicker.

[0015] The second flat plate member 2 further has a receiving part 8 in the form of a blind hole protruding in a direction intersecting through the hole part 5 on the end face 7 closest to the hole part 5. After the protrusion 3 of the first flat plate member 1 is inserted, the receiving part 8 is positionally aligned with the opening 4 of the protrusion 3. To fix the connection of the two flat plate members 1 and 2, a fixing member 6 is inserted. The fixing member 6 is completely accommodated in the receiving part 8 and protrudes through the opening 4. As a result, the two flat plate members 1 and 2 are connected by shape fitting.

[0016] In an exemplary embodiment, the fixing member 6 is designed as a small plate and can be artistically designed. Ideally, the fixing member 6 and the receiving portion 8 are designed such that a clamping action occurs within the receiving portion 8 when the fixing member 6 is inserted. FIG. 2 shows the connection of the flat plate members 1 and 2 in the assembled state. In this way, the fixing member cannot be removed without tools, which means that the connection of the flat plate members 1 and 2 is protected from unwanted operations, for example by children.

[0017] FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the plug connection in the assembled state. In order to be able to remove the fixing member 6 from this position again, openings 9 and 10 are provided in the fixing member 6 and the second flat plate member respectively, and these openings are substantially positionally aligned in the assembled state. To disassemble the furniture, a tool in the form of a pin, for example, can be inserted into the opening 9 of the second flat plate member 2, and then this tool can also pass through the opening 10 of the fixing member 6. By performing a lateral pushing movement, the fixing member 6 can be slightly pushed out of the receiving portion 8. Then, the fixing member 6 can be grasped and removed again from the end face 7 of the second flat plate member 2. This also ensures a quick disassembly for disassembling and reassembling the furniture.

[0018] FIG. 4 shows the furniture according to the invention as a children's playhouse. The playhouse has four first flat plate members 1 forming wall components. At the side edges, each wall component has three designed hooks 11 that can be inserted into corresponding receiving portions 12 on the side edges of adjacent wall components. The walls of the playhouse can be immediately erected simply by inserting the walls together. To complete it, the second flat plate member 2 is applied as a roof component. A plug connection as described above is arranged between each wall component and the roof component, and the roof component is fixed by inserting four fixing members 6. As a result, the wall components cannot be separated from each other, and the entire playhouse is connected in a safe manner for children.

[0019] The playhouse is intended to simulate a child's creativity and at the same time provide various learning stimuli, which is achieved through the use of various modular wall components that can be very easily exchanged by choice. For example, individual wall components can be equipped with doors, windows, handles, members for motor skills or play. Accessories can be attached to or used with the individual modules. For example, Punch and Judy shows, riddle bags, learning clocks, basketball hoops, steering wheels, mirrors, various throwing games, various locks, and many others can be integrated into or connected to the wall components. It is also possible to monitor children playing inside the house through various openings in the various wall components, such as doors, windows, decoratively designed handle holes. Since it can be quickly rearranged, it is possible to use it in a way that targets various modules, which also provides children with diversity without being overwhelmed by an oversupply.

[0020] The playhouse also provides a protected, cave-like space for children to use as a hideout. Fig. 5 schematically shows the playhouse, where two of the wall components are not depicted. In the upper region of the wall components, there are bar-shaped, inwardly protruding protrusions 13, on which an intermediate ceiling component 14 is placed. In the shown intermediate ceiling component 14, LED lighting for illuminating the interior of the playhouse as a starry sky is incorporated into the perforated holes. Since the electronic devices, as well as the battery box and / or the receiving device for the remote control, are located above the intermediate ceiling component 14, they are out of reach of children, which also eliminates unnecessary operation of the charged components here. Also, a lighting switch may protrude through the corresponding holes of the intermediate ceiling member so that children can directly operate the lighting. On the roof component, bar-shaped protrusions 15 protruding downward are provided, and when the roof component is fitted, they press the intermediate ceiling component 14 in the direction of the protrusions 13 located on the wall component, sandwiching the intermediate ceiling component 14. Thus, the intermediate ceiling component is protected from accidental lifting by children and also prevents damage caused by clamping. Also in this case, other intermediate ceiling components 14 with various designs can also be inserted in a simple modular manner.

[0021] Fig. 6 shows the wall mount 16. This is an embodiment of the furniture according to the present invention, where various modular wall components can be attached to the wall mount 16. Various activities and games can be arranged on the individual wall components. The wall mount 16 includes two side mounting members 17 arranged vertically and at right angles to the wall, and as a roof component, a second flat plate member 2 arranged above and in a direction intersecting these with respect to the side mounting members 17. The roof component may be loosely fitted to the mounting members 17 in a hinge manner or connected to them. To impart further stability to the wall mount and to enable simple assembly, the essential members are connected to each other via a frame member 18.

[0022] Figure 7 schematically shows in side view the essential members of the wall hanging 16 and the first flat plate member 1. The first flat plate member 1 formed as a wall component can be suspended from the hook 11 of the mounting member 17 via the receiving portion 12. Then, the second flat plate member 2 formed as a roof component is placed in a fixed position or pivotally attached. Thereby, the protruding portion 3 of the first flat plate member 1 can penetrate the hole portion 5 of the roof component and then be fixed by inserting the fixing member 6 into the blind hole-shaped receiving portion 8.

[0023] In this way, individual wall members with various play or educational activities can be quickly and easily exchanged, thus always providing diversity. At the same time, like a playhouse, the fixation is safe for children. The wall members of the playhouse can also be fixed to the wall hanging 16 as wall components, bringing about further application development. The wall hanging 16 can also be designed so that some of the wall components of the playhouse can be suspended for storage, in which case the fixation is carried out via the insertion connection between the roof component and the outermost wall component. This ensures that the space of the playhouse is saved and safely stored when the playhouse is not in use.

Claims

Claim 1: A piece of furniture made of a plurality of mutually connectable flat members (1, 2) designed as children's furniture, at least two of the adjacent flat members (1, 2) can be connected by at least one plug connection part, the plug connection part includes a protruding part (3) having an opening (4) formed on an end face of the first flat member (1) and extending in a direction intersecting the flat surface of the flat member (1), a hole part (5) of a second flat member (2) into which the protruding part (3) of the first flat member (1) can be inserted, and a fixing member (6) that can be inserted by engaging with the opening (4) of the protruding part (3), the second flat member (2) has a blind hole-shaped receiving part (8) protruding through the hole part (5) from an end face (7) closest to the hole part (5) of the flat member (2) in the region of the hole part (5), in the assembled state, the blind hole-shaped receiving part (8) is positionally aligned with the opening (4) of the protruding part (3) of the first flat member (1), in the assembled state, the fixing member (6) is completely within the blind hole-shaped receiving part (8) and exists in the opening (4) of the protruding part (3), in the region of the blind hole-shaped receiving part (8) of the second flat member (2), an opening (9) is provided on the flat surface of the second flat member (2), the opening (9) on the flat surface extends into the blind hole-shaped receiving part (8) and is substantially positionally aligned with the opening (10) of the fixing member (6) in the assembled state, so that by inserting a tool such as a pin into the opening (9) on the flat surface and the opening (10) of the fixing member and then performing a pushing operation, the fixing member (6) can be released from the fixed position characterized by the above-mentioned piece of furniture. Claim 2 The piece of furniture according to claim 1, in the assembled state, the fixing member (6) is clamped by friction in the blind hole-shaped receiving part (8) of the second flat member (2) characterized by the above-mentioned piece of furniture. Claim 3: The piece of furniture according to claim 1 or 2, the blind hole-shaped receiving part (8) of the second flat member (2) and the fixing member (6) have matching geometric shapes, so that the fixing member (6) can be fully inserted by insertion in only one direction characterized by the above-mentioned piece of furniture. **Claim 4**: The furniture according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the furniture is a playhouse comprising four first flat members (1) as wall components and one second flat member (2) as a roof component, the wall components can be collectively inserted into each other via hooks (11) and receiving portions (12), the roof component can be connected to each of at least two opposing wall components via at least one insertion connection portion having the fixing member (6), the fixing member (6) is, in the assembled state, completely within the blind hole-shaped receiving portion (8) and located in the opening (4) of the protruding portion (3) characterizing the furniture. **Claim 5**: The furniture according to claim 4, wherein in the assembled state, a protruding portion (13) protruding inward to support an intermediate ceiling component (14) is provided on the wall component of the upper portion, a protruding portion (15) protruding downward is provided on the roof component, as a result, the inserted intermediate ceiling component (14) is clamped between the protruding portion (13) of the wall component and the protruding portion (15) of the roof component characterizing the furniture. **Claim 6**: The furniture according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the furniture is a wall hanging (16) having a first flat member (1), the first flat member (1) can be fastened to the wall hanging (16) in a modular manner and is formed as a wall component, the wall hanging (16) comprises at least two mounting members (17) that are positionally aligned at right angles to the wall and parallel to each other in the vertical direction, on the upper ends of the at least two mounting members (17), a second flat member (2) designed as a roof component is connected in a pivotable manner via a joint portion, a wall component that can be fastened to the wall hanging in a modular manner can be fastened to the mounting member (17) of the wall hanging (16) via hooks (11) and receiving portions (12), and then the roof component pivotably mounted in a fixed position can be connected to the wall component via at least one insertion connection portion having the fixing member (6), the fixing member (6) is, in the assembled state, completely within the blind hole-shaped receiving portion (8) and present in the opening (4) of the protruding portion (3) characterizing the furniture.

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