Modular system for the assembly of office furniture

The present invention relates to systems furniture of office, of the type comprising a plurality of modular columns and horizontal development elements that can be joined to each other according to various configurations to obtain a bearing lattice structure for planar working and partition walls located at heights variety.

A furniture system belonging to the aforementioned type has been described in the European patent application EP-A-0458264.

Employment office furnishing systems of this type is widespread in recent years due to benefits offered by their simplicity, their quick assembly as well as by their flexibility. These systems can indeed be used to furnish workspaces with screens or partition walls arranged at different heights, desks, conference tables, work plans typists, etc., in a particularly rational manner, flexible and simple. The production and storage of the components of system are simplified, and the assembly can be performed using Fast and simple operations. It is further possible to arrange quickly available space according to changing needs.

Systems that have been proposed so far are however not quite satisfactory from the standpoint of speed assembly and versatility. The modular element system is usually the weak point of conventional systems. this element is used as a connecting joint between the modular columns and horizontal development system elements. This node, in conventional systems, is relatively complicated and it can also not to connect several horizontal members in directions that form between these angles are not straight.

The object of the present invention is to eliminate these drawbacks by realizing a system whose structure is extremely simple. these systems can be mounted easily and quickly, and their use is very flexible.

To achieve this object, the invention relates to a furniture system of the aforementioned type which is characterized in that each of the columns Modular comprises:<ul><li>a first support portion, provided at its lower end with a base member,</li><li>a second portion, secured to the upper end of the first portion, and forming a connecting joint between the column and the elements horizontal development associated to it, said second portion having a cylindrical body whose outer surface has a circular series of vertical grooves, each of which tapering downwards and having an upper end which opens at the upper surface of the body cylindrical, said grooves being designed to receive and support the complementary male coupling elements of tapered look worn by said horizontal development elements.</li></ul>

In a preferred embodiment, this second portion has a series of eight grooves which form between them angles equal. More number of horizontal elements can therefore be connected to a Modular same column, so as to form an angle of 45 °, or an angle equal to a multiple of 45 °. The invention can naturally also be configured with a different number of grooves on the aforementioned second portion, which is in fact the connection node, such that the grooves do between them an angle that may differ from 45 °.

Still in the case of the embodiment discussed above, it is anticipated that this modular column may further comprise, a third portion forming an upper extension. The third portion in question is attached to the second portion and has a cylindrical body whose dimensions correspond to those of the cylindrical body of the second portion. It is also provided with a series of vertical grooves, arranged in the extension of the vertical grooves of the second portion, and whose cross section is uniform over the entire length of this third portion. This section corresponds to that of the end upper grooves of the second portion. The third portion may be used for example to endure partitions, screens or equivalent elements.

Preferably said third portion is secured to the second portion using a rapid implementation means, for example by means of a fastener of the bayonet type.

It is provided, alternatively, that the second portion is secured to the first portion in a manner that is adjustable in height, thereby have an attached work plan to link node several heights.

According to another preferred characteristic, the first portion of the Modular column is steel, while the second and third portions are made of light alloy.

Starting from the basic component which has just been described, the system on the invention allows a large number of configurations furniture, including desks, countertops, walls separating at different heights, etc. The usual weak point of the system, namely the connection node is built in an extremely simple manner and Economic and allows for the connection of the horizontal elements of the supporting structure of the system modular columns in a quite simple and fast. Furthermore, the particular structure and arrangement of the node link as described used to make the connection between the various elements of the supporting structure according to various configurations, by disposing the horizontal elements such that they converge towards the same node in directions that form between them angles which may be different from 90 °.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the system comprises horizontal planes could be used, for example, offices, tables or work plans for typists. Each has a portion that can move by sliding or pivoting in a position which allows access to an internal duct, in which are housed electric cables service. Thanks to this feature, operations Linkage of the system and the connection of various cables with electrical appliances intended to be placed on the work plans are particularly simple and convenient to perform.

The following description highlights and other features other advantages of the invention. This description is supported by the figures attached, which, however, illustrate that non-limiting examples of the invention:<ul><li>Figure 1 highlights a sample configuration Furniture carried out using the system of the invention;</li><li>Figure 2 explains the supporting structure of the configuration of the figure 1;</li><li>Figure 3 is a perspective view of another example of furniture configuration for an office, also achievable through system of the invention,</li><li>Figure 4 is a side view of another configuration example Furniture, still workable with the system of the invention, and shows the various types of partition walls which can be by example provided with corresponding modular columns;</li><li>Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view of a first type modular column for use in a system of the invention;</li><li>Figure 6 is an exploded perspective view of a second type Modular column;</li><li>Figures 7 and 8 are an exploded sectional view and a side view mounted modular column of Figure 5;</li><li>Figures 9 and 10 are views in section along the lines IX-IX and XX of Figure 8;</li><li>Figure 11 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment a desk through the system of the invention;</li><li>12 is an exploded perspective view of the office 11;</li><li>Figure 13 is a perspective view and on a large scale of a detail of Figure 12;</li><li>Figure 14 is a partial side view and partially sectioned of the support structure of FIGS office 11 and 12;</li><li>Figure 15 is a plan view of the configuration of Figure 14;</li><li>Figures 16A, 16B, 16C, 16D are side views of four different configurations of offices; </li><li>Figure 17 is another side view of a desk with feasible the system of the invention, with an adjustable work surface height;</li><li>Figure 18 is an enlarged section and a view of a detail of Figure 17, when the office work plan occupies the position low as possible, and</li><li>19 is a perspective view of another feasible office using the system of the invention, which highlights the possibility of removing part of the work plan in order to access the internal duct in which are contained the electrical cable service.</li></ul>

Figure 1 shows as an example a furniture configuration achievable through the system of the invention. It has two offices (1) integrated into a single working plane, each being provided with a extension (2), as well as removable portions (3, 4), according to which will be described and explained in more detail later. Both workstations thus defined are separated by a partition or a screen (5) which comprises panels (6) themselves maintained by modular columns (7). These will be also described in more detail below. They are also used to support the various work plans.

As shown in Figure 2, wherein the work plans are represented transparent and panels (6) have been deleted, the columns Modular (7) are provided, at their lower level of base elements (8) and (9) and, at their upper level, elements developing horizontally (10, 11) which connect the columns to each other and support the work plans. All of these elements is therefore a lattice structure bearing for furniture configuration. Naturally, the configuration demonstrated in Figures 1, 2 is cited only as an example, being Because the system of the invention, as clear from the following description, can be used to compose at will large number of furniture configurations, with endless variations possible as regards the provision of the partition walls (5) and workplans.

Figure 3 is another example of a configuration with a desk, achievable with the system of the invention, which uses modular columns (12) of a second type different from that of the columns (7) of Figures 1 and 2, as will also be explained in detail in the following. In that case, office (1) shall contain an extension (2) provided for meetings, and a additional work station (13) for accommodating a computer.

4 shows, by way of example and on the basis of a practical case made, the various versions of the modular column (7) and partitions separation (5) which are provided by the system of the invention to achieve workstations (1) with screens (5) of various heights, functions type of separation that is desired. As will be more clearly demonstrated thereafter, each of the columns (7) comprises a first support portion (14) provided at the lower level of an element of base (15), and at the upper end of a second portion (16).

This acts as a connecting joint between the modular column (7) the horizontal development elements (10, 11). As seen, it is possible to provide above link node (16), a portion complementary upper extension (17). The latter is itself provided according to various models of different heights to support partitions or screens (5), also of different heights, particularly through the interposition of panels (6) of variable height. The Separation may also extend below the work surface and is then performed using other panels (18).

Figures 5 and 7-10 show in detail an exemplary embodiment of the Modular column (7).

As we have indicated above, the modular column (7) comprises a lower support portion (14) which, in the embodiment presented is constituted by a tubular element in steel. Configuring this element is such that there is decreased gradually section upwards, said portion ending at the upper level by a cylindrical end constant diameter. However, in its main part, the profile of the section is substantially cross-shaped, with four large veins (14a) separated by as many grooves (14b) whose width increases gradually down. At its lower end, the portion (14) of the Modular column (7) is connected to a base member (15) which is provided in several versions (15a), (15b), (15c) and (15d) which are functions of needs, as will be better understood in the following description.

As shown in Figure 7, the connection between the support portion (14) and the base (15) is formed, in the example shown, using two threaded rods (19) being inserted in the lower end of the portion (14) engaging in two vertical pins (20). They exceed above the base (15), meanwhile, has a small foot adjustable (21).

Above the portion of the support (14) is fixed the complementary portion (16) which constitutes the node of the link. In the example in question, the the body portion (16) is of light alloy. Its lower end (16a) whose diameter is reduced is fitted into the upper end of the portion (14) with a sleeve (22) interposed which can for example be plastic material.

This sleeve has several elastic longitudinal fins (22a). The cylindrical body portion (16) further comprises a main portion (16b) on the outer surface of which there emerges a series of grooves vertical (23) of section tapering down. In the example shown, the grooves are eight in number and the angles that they make them are equal so that two adjacent grooves define a 45 ° angle (see FIG 10).

Each groove (23) has a blind bottom end width minimum and an open upper end of maximum width, which opens on the surface of the upper end (24) of the portion (16).

Also in regard to Figures 5 and 7-10, the portion of upper extension (17) has a cylindrical body made of light alloy, provided with a plurality of vertical grooves (25) of uniform cross section throughout the portion (17), corresponding to the section of the grooves (23) at the surface upper (24) of the portion (16). The grooves (25) are arranged at grooves (23) so as to form the extension. The portion (17) at its lower end a reduced diameter stub (17a) which is housed inside the cylindrical cavity (16c) of the portion (16) (Figure 7) and which is blocked in the latter by means of a rapid implementation device, example by means of a fastening of the bayonet type (shown schematically by the groove (17b) in Figure 5). A disc in plastic (26) is preferably interposed between the portions (16) and (17) (Figure 5) and a cover member (26) is arranged at the top of the portion (17).

Figures 11-13 show the use of modular column (7) described above in a made desk according to the system of the invention. As shown in Figures 11-13, the office (27) comprises a support two modular columns (7) of the type described above. Each in turn comprises a support portion (14) of the type also described above, provided in the lower part of a base (15b) and the upper portion a connection node (16) connected to the end of an upper crossbar of link (28). As shown in Figure 13, the connecting web (28) consists of a metal section provided at each of its ends, a male member (29) which is accommodated in a corresponding groove (23) of connecting joint (16).

The male connecting member (29) has a conical shape which corresponds to the also form tapered grooves (23) corresponding, from where the locking in this groove. The element (29) consists, in the example shown, by a folded sheet metal portion. Each connecting node (16) supports as a console (30) to the plane of the substrate (31) Office (27). Each brackets is also provided with a male coupling element (32), similar to the male coupling element (29) which is accommodated in a corresponding groove (23). In the illustrated example, the plane (31) is provided on its lower surface with pins (33) which are housed in elements corresponding coupling (34) carried by the brackets (30). The upper ends of the connecting joints (16) are covered by two closure elements (26) (Figure 11).

Referring to Figure 12, one can observe that in the plane (31) is a fixed duct (35) which serves to accommodate electric cables, in accordance with this which will be explained hereinafter. The plane (31) has a front portion (31a) working for example by sliding or by pivoting, to enable access to the internal pipe which serves to accommodate electrical cables.

Figures 14 and 15 show in detail the connection between the top rail (28) with two connecting nodes (16) carried by columns Modular (7).

Figures 16A, 16B, 16C, 16D show four types of positions working achievable through the invention system. In the case of Figure 16D, modular columns (7) comprises the upper portion of extension (17) which serves for fixing of the separating screen (5), in accordance with what has been already described with reference to Figure 4.

In the case of Figure 16D, three grooves of each link node (16) are occupied by two opposite brackets to one another (30) and by the upper cross link (28).

As we have already stated, the development of grooves (23) at number eight and in positions which are equal angles, allows placing them at a node (16), yet the two elements a horizontal angle of 45 °, which gives the system flexibility of higher employment than conventional systems.

Figures 17, 18 show a variant wherein the node link (16) has a lower heel (16a), provided with a series of openings radial vertical bandwidths (35), which can be especially engaged a connecting screw (36). Between the upper end of the portion (14) and the heel (16a) is a cylindrical member (37) which has also a series radial vertical openings (38) which can be engaged in the screw (36). By suitably choosing the pair of openings (35, 38) in which must be introduced the screw (36), it is possible to place at heights different the connecting element (16). Figure 18 highlights the node link (16) in the lowest position, while Figure 17 corresponds to the highest possible position.

Figure 19 is another example of a workstation can be achieved thanks to the system of the invention. It highlights one hand the use of ducts (35) which serve to receive the electrical cable service and secondly the development of portions (31a, 31b) of the plan work (31) that are removable (in the first case by sliding and in the second case by pivoting) in order to allow access to the ducts. The side elements (30a) of cover brackets (30) are also represented.

Returning to Figure 6, note that it has a second type Modular column, indicated as a whole by the reference number (12), and which is not identical to the modular column (7) due to the different conformation of the lower support portion, and the upper portion of extension. In this case, the lower portion of support, indicated as a whole by the reference number (40), has a tubular conformation tapering towards the bottom and terminating in a foot support (41), while the portion of upper extension, indicated in a whole by the numeral (42) is constituted by a tubular element cylindrical whose bottom is provided with a heel (42a). This serves to establish at means of a bayonet, said portion (42) in the cavity (16c). The columns Modular (12) of this type are for example used in the system the invention to make workplaces of the type shown in Figure 3.

The above description shows how the furniture system Office of the invention is characterized by simplicity of construction, with extreme ease of use, with great rapidity assembly and finally a flexible configuration for production of various furniture assemblies.

The configurations and the embodiments may vary from what is described and explained by way of example, without departing from the scope of the present invention.