Linking device for pieces of furniture

Abstract

The invention relates to a linking device (10) for pieces of furniture (1), having a plurality of housings (4) which each have two linking elements (8) for mechanically connecting the housing (4) to a respective piece of furniture (1), wherein the housings (4) each have at least one socket (11, 12) and are connected to one another by way of flexible connecting elements (5).

Description

[0001] Linking device for furniture pieces

[0002] The invention relates to a linking device for furniture pieces with several housings, each having two linking elements for mechanically connecting the housing to a piece of furniture.

[0003] Individual chairs are sometimes used in the seating arrangements of conference rooms or lecture halls. To ensure a stable configuration in rows of seats, linking elements are often used to connect the adjacent chairs.

[0004] There is an increasing demand to provide conference and lecture participants with connection options for electronic devices used during these events. These options may include standard household sockets for 230V mains power or data connections such as network or USB connections.

[0005] From WO 2019 / 220121 A, a furniture system is known in which a series of seats arranged on a common beam are supplied with electricity via this beam. This satisfies the participants' need for adequate energy and information supply. However, this system is not suitable for individual seating of the type described above. Typically, there are not enough floor outlets available in the rooms to supply individual chairs with cables.

[0006] US Patent 9,326,610 B discloses a telescopic seating system in which the individual rows of seats can be equipped with cables for power supply or data transmission. Such a system is very inflexible and offers little adaptability to different needs. Similar disadvantages apply to a solution disclosed in GB Patent 2,593,795 A, in which seats are attached to fixed rows of seats.

[0007] The object of the invention is therefore to further develop a linking device in such a way that individual chairs can be supplied without having to lay a large number of cables.

[0008] This problem is achieved according to the invention by each housing having at least one electrical socket and being connected to one another via flexible connecting elements, and by these flexible connecting elements containing electrical conductors. In the solution according to the invention, several pieces of furniture, typically armchairs, but optionally also tables, are connected in a row. The connection between two adjacent pieces of furniture is achieved via a housing that is suspended within the furniture. The housings are connected to one another in the form of a chain, with the connecting elements having a length approximately equal to the width of the furniture, so that they can run, for example, below the seat of a chair without sagging excessively. The distance between the individual chairs, determined by the housing, allows access to the electrical sockets provided in the housing.

[0009] A key aspect of the present invention is that the pieces of furniture are completely independent of each other and are only mechanically connected to each other by means of detachable linking elements.

[0010] Preferably, at least one power outlet is provided for supplying mains power or USB power, which can be used, for example, to charge mobile phones or laptops.

[0011] Alternatively or additionally, at least one power outlet can be provided for establishing a data connection. This could be, for example, a LAN port or a USB port, but could also cover any other standard.

[0012] Mechanically, it is particularly advantageous if the linking elements are designed as hooks that can be secured with a locking mechanism. In particular, the hooks can be U-shaped with opposing openings. This ensures that the tensile forces that can occur when people attempt to move the chairs are reliably absorbed by the robust hooks, without the risk of the row of furniture being pulled apart.

[0013] An efficient securing of the connection can be achieved by designing the locking element as a rotary lever which, in its closed position, engages the hooks on both sides.

[0014] Particularly simple and flexible handling of the device is achieved by the fact that the flexible connecting elements have a coupling for creating a detachable connection. In this way, the device can be modularly adapted to the respective number of furniture pieces.

[0015] Alternatively, additional security for the connection can be achieved by incorporating a tensile force transmission element, such as a wire rope, into the flexible connectors. This reduces flexibility in application, as the number of furniture pieces to be connected must match the configuration of the connectors.

[0016] The present invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the embodiment shown in the figures. The figures show:

[0017] Fig. 1 shows a rear view of several pieces of furniture connected by a linking device according to the invention;

[0018] Fig. 2 shows a section along line II-II in Fig. 1; and

[0019] Fig. 3 shows a rear view of a linking device according to the invention.

[0020] Fig. 1 shows a series of furniture pieces 1, in this case armchairs, which have chair legs 2 to which brackets 3 are attached, which serve to link the furniture pieces 1 to form continuous rows of seats.

[0021] The linking device 10 according to the invention consists of several housings 4 which are interconnected via flexible connecting elements 5 and, in the simplest case, consist of power and / or data cables. These can also contain wire ropes to withstand high mechanical loads. The connecting elements 5 can be attached to the furniture pieces 1 to prevent sagging. A plug 6 is provided at one end to supply the linking device 10 according to the invention centrally.

[0022] Couplings 15 are preferably provided along the connecting elements 5 to allow the linking device 10 to be modularly adapted to the number of furniture pieces 1 to be supplied. These couplings can be standardized plug connections, such as standardized cold plugs, or they can be special connections, for example, a locking mechanism to prevent them from being pulled apart.

[0023] The individual housings 4 of the linking device 10 are each hooked into the brackets 3 of the two adjacent pieces of furniture 1 to connect them. Alternatively, the housings 4 can also be attached directly to the chair legs 2, for example, directly below the seat 7. They are attached via hooks 8, which are U-shaped and located on the back of the housings 4, with the openings of the U facing each other. This ensures that any tensile force exerted when attempting to pull the adjacent chairs 1 apart is transferred directly into the hooks 8. The connection is secured by a rotary lever 9, which acts as a locking element and engages the hooks 8 when closed. Each housing 4 has a first set of sockets 11 for 230 V mains power and additional sockets 12 for a data connection, such as USB ports.

[0024] Figure 3 shows how the rotary lever 9, in the open position depicted here, engages with projections 9a in slots 8a of the hooks 8 by rotating about the axis 14 in the direction of arrow 13, thus closing them. A locking device (not shown), for example in the form of a magnetic closure, can prevent or at least make unauthorized opening of the rotary lever 9 more difficult.

[0025] The present invention makes it possible to efficiently supply rows of seats with power and / or data connections while simultaneously creating a detachable mechanical connection.

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS 1. Linking device (10) for furniture (1) with several housings (4), each having two linking elements (8) for mechanically connecting the housing (4) to each piece of furniture (1), characterized in that the housings (4) each have at least one socket (11, 12) and are connected to each other via flexible connecting elements (5), and that the flexible connecting elements (5) contain electrical conductors.

2. Linking device according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one socket (11) is provided for supplying mains power or USB power.

3. Linking device according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that at least one socket (12) is provided for establishing a data connection.

4. Linking device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the linking elements (8) are designed as hooks (8) which can be secured with a locking element (9).

5. Linking device according to claim 4, characterized in that the hooks (8) are U-shaped and have openings that are opposite each other.

6. Linking device according to one of claims 4 or 5, characterized in that the locking element (9) is designed as a rotary lever which, in its closed position, engages the hooks (8) on both sides.

7. Linking device according to claim 6, characterized in that the locking element (9) has a locking means to secure it in its closed position.

8. Linking device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the flexible connecting elements (5) have a coupling (15) for producing a detachable connection.

9. Linking device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the flexible connecting elements (5) contain a tensile force transmission means.

10. Linking device according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the linking elements (8) are designed for attachment to chair legs (2).

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