DE102021108016B4 - DIY kit for a desk with integrated shelving - Google Patents

Abstract

Kit (1) for a desk with an integrated shelf, comprising: - a desktop (2), - at least one shelf (3), - two support elements (4) for attaching the desktop (2) and the shelf (3) on both sides, and - connecting elements (5) for connecting the desktop (2) and the shelf (3) to the support elements (4), wherein the desktop (2) and/or the shelf (3) and/or the support elements (4) are made of a sheet metal, characterized in that the desktop (2) and/or the shelf (3) have recesses (7) on their rear surfaces (2D, 3D) for attachment to a wall (W), that the support elements (4) have recesses (7) on their main surfaces (4A) for the connecting elements (5) for connection to the desktop (2) and/or to the shelf (3), and that at least two recesses (7) of the support elements (4) are arranged on an axis (A) which is aligned with the The transverse axis (Q) of the supporting elements (4) includes an angle of inclination (β) in the range between 5° and 15°.

Description

The invention relates to a kit for a desk with an integrated shelf, comprising: a desktop, at least one shelf, two support elements for attaching the desktop and the shelf on both sides, and connecting elements for connecting the desktop and the shelf to the support elements.

In furniture manufacturing, it is common practice to equip desks with shelves above or below the desktop. Such a combination of a desk and a shelf can also be called a "desk shelf" and is found, for example, in... DE 1 885 620 U known. Also from the DE 75 22 736 U A desk is known to which an upward-projecting shelf can be attached.

A combination of a desk and a shelf offers the advantage of efficient space utilization, as the desk and shelf can be arranged above or below each other rather than side by side. Furthermore, this combination allows frequently used items to be taken from and placed back on the shelf without having to get up and leave the desk.

However, desks with integrated shelving often have a more complex construction compared to separate desks and shelves. This is particularly disadvantageous when the customer or user assembles the desk, as these individuals are usually inexperienced in furniture assembly and often lack specialized tools. Joinery methods requiring special expertise and/or tools, such as gluing wooden panels using clamps, are therefore detrimental.

The construction of such furniture becomes even more difficult when it is made from particularly thin-walled materials, such as sheet metal. This is because some joining methods only produce satisfactory results when joining thick-walled components, for example, dowel joints or welding. Nevertheless, sheet metal furniture offers numerous advantages, such as its increased rigidity compared to wood, resulting in greater durability and dimensional stability even under fluctuating humidity.

A furniture combination consists, for example, of DE 17 63 548 U known. Another piece of furniture is made of DE 20 2020 106 916 U1 known. Also, a modular shelving system made of US 2013 / 0 134 842 A1 known.

Against this background, the invention aims to provide a kit for a desk shelf that allows for easy assembly and disassembly, even with thin-walled materials.

This problem is solved by a kit with the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are defined in the dependent claims.

The invention relates to a kit for a desk with an integrated shelf, i.e., a kit for a "desk shelf." The kit initially comprises a desktop, i.e., a surface on which the user can place documents or electronic devices (e.g., laptops). The desktop can, for example, be rectangular. The kit also includes at least one shelf, which serves to hold and store books or other items. Preferably, the kit includes two or more shelves. The shelves can be arranged below or above the desktop, with an arrangement above the desktop being preferred for better visibility and accessibility. The shelves can also, for example, be rectangular. Furthermore, the kit includes two support elements for attaching the desktop and the shelf on both sides. The support elements are approximately vertically extending uprights that serve to position and support the desktop and the shelves. Finally, the kit includes connecting elements for joining the individual components, with which the desktop and the shelves can be connected to the two support elements. The connecting elements are preferably designed in such a way that they create a detachable connection, which is preferably possible without tools.

According to the invention, the desktop and/or the shelf and/or the supporting elements are made of a metal sheet, in particular a steel sheet. Preferably, the desktop and the shelf and the supporting elements are made of a metal sheet, in particular a steel sheet. It can also be provided that the connecting elements are made of metal. Several advantages can be achieved by using metal sheets instead of the wood-based materials commonly used in furniture construction. Metal furniture has the advantage of increased rigidity due to this material. Metal materials offer the advantage of being highly durable even with thin walls, giving the desktop and shelves increased load-bearing capacity. The thin walls also allow for space-saving storage and transport of disassembled furniture. Furthermore, metal furniture is very long-lasting, especially when corrosion is addressed – for example, with a protective coating or a corrosion-resistant finish (such as galvanizing). Another advantage is its superior resistance to moisture compared to wood. Using thin sheets of metal also offers manufacturing advantages, as these sheets can be easily formed, resulting in very cost-effective production of the kit.

According to the kit's design, the desktop and/or shelf are intended to have recesses on their sides for the connecting elements to the support elements. Providing these recesses in the side area of the desktop and/or shelf offers several advantages. One advantage is that the recesses can be pre-cut by the manufacturer, allowing for cost-effective production methods (e.g., stamping) and ensuring precise positioning of the recesses. The customer or user therefore does not need to create the recesses themselves (e.g., drill holes) but can begin assembling the kit directly without tools. Furthermore, the precise positioning of the recesses ensures that all components are in the desired position and orientation (e.g., horizontal) when assembled. The recesses are preferably rectangular.

According to the invention, the desktop and/or shelf have recesses on their rear surfaces for mounting to a wall. These recesses can also be provided by the manufacturer, which simplifies assembly, as working with metal would pose greater challenges for the customer or user than working with wood. By providing the recesses on the rear surfaces of the desktop and/or shelves, reliable mounting of the desk unit to a wall can be achieved. The recesses are preferably round. Preferably, the rear surfaces of the desktop and shelves are the only contact surfaces with the wall; contact between the supporting elements and the wall is therefore unnecessary and should not occur. To facilitate wall mounting, the desktop and shelves are arranged so that their rear surfaces lie in the same vertical plane. This is achieved by angling the rear surfaces upwards at approximately 90° relative to the main surfaces. Alternatively, it would also be possible for the rear surfaces to be angled downwards by approximately 90° relative to the main surfaces.

According to the invention, the support elements have recesses on their main surfaces for the connecting elements to the desktop and/or the shelf. By having recesses already present on the support elements, the advantages described above are achieved, namely simple and precise assembly of the kit. Furthermore, having the recesses produced by the manufacturer allows for cost-effective production (e.g., by stamping). These recesses are preferably rectangular in shape.

With regard to the recesses in the support elements, the invention provides that at least two recesses of the support elements are arranged on an axis that forms an angle of inclination between 5° and 15° with the transverse axis of the support elements. By arranging two or more recesses along one axis, several connecting elements can be used per component, thus enabling a rotationally secure fastening. The inclined arrangement of the recesses (or their axis) relative to the transverse axis of the support elements ensures that a horizontal arrangement of the desktop and shelves results in an inclined position of both support elements. In particular, it allows the support elements to be positioned further from the wall in their lower area (especially the area of the desktop) than in their upper area (especially the area of the shelves). This enables the desk unit to be stably leaned against a wall (like a ladder). Furthermore, such an inclination of the supporting elements has the advantage that the distance of the supporting elements to the wall is adapted to the depth of the components (the shelves arranged higher up preferably have a lesser depth than the desk top arranged lower down).

The kit is designed to use screws as fasteners. Screws have the advantage of being easy to assemble and disassemble, thus creating a detachable connection. They can. Furthermore, screws are available in a wide variety of designs and sizes at low prices.

Alternatively or additionally, snap connectors and/or clamp connectors with spring-loaded clamping jaws can be used as connecting elements. Such connecting elements, marketed by the patent applicant under the name "SNAP," offer several advantages. One advantage is that these connecting elements can be installed without tools – i.e., by hand. Disassembly is also possible; it is therefore a detachable connection. Furthermore, "blind installation" is possible, as it is not necessary to access the back of the connection point (unlike a screw and nut connection). These connecting elements can simply be inserted by hand into the installation opening or recess, with the clamping jaws first being pushed inwards against spring pressure and then pushed outwards again to engage the edge of the recess. These advantages are particularly desirable in furniture construction, as furniture occasionally needs to be assembled and disassembled (e.g., during moves), and assembly and disassembly are almost always carried out by laypersons.

In a further embodiment of the kit, the clamping jaws of the connecting elements each have a lead-in chamfer and a clamping chamfer. Preferably, the clamping chamfer is steeper than the lead-in chamfer. The lead-in chamfer serves the purpose of allowing the connecting elements to slide along the edge of the recess when inserted, thereby pressing the clamping jaws inwards to fully insert the connecting element into the recess. To enable the connecting elements to be inserted without requiring much force, the lead-in chamfers are relatively shallow (e.g., an angle between 20° and 30°). The clamping chamfers, on the other hand, are steeper (e.g., an angle between 70° and 80°) because they are intended to prevent the connecting elements from unintentionally loosening or falling out.

Regarding the fasteners, it is further proposed that they incorporate an opening mechanism for retracting the clamping jaws. Since the clamping jaws are pressed outwards with a relatively high spring force, and the clamping angle of the jaws is preferably quite steep, disassembly of the fasteners would only be possible with considerable force or a special tool, such as pliers. This problem can be solved by an opening mechanism. The opening mechanism is accessible from the outside and can be operated either manually (e.g., as a knob/handwheel) or with a tool (e.g., a Phillips or Torx screwdriver or a special disassembly tool). By rotating the opening mechanism, both clamping jaws are pulled inwards in opposite directions until the fastener can be removed from the recess without collision.

To simplify disassembly, the connecting elements can be designed to have a leaf spring. The leaf spring is preferably positioned behind the head of the connecting element in such a way that it is compressed, i.e., tensioned, when the connecting element is inserted between its head and the component to be joined. This spring tension ensures that the connecting element is pushed out of the recess as soon as the clamping jaws are pulled inwards (e.g., by actuating the opening mechanism). This allows for easy disassembly even if the back of the connection point is inaccessible and the connecting element cannot be pushed out of the recess from the rear.

• 1: einen erfindungsgemäßen Bausatz im zusammengebauten Zustand in perspektivischer Darstellung,
• 2: den Bausatz aus 1 in Seitenansicht,
• 3: einen Bereich des Bausatzes aus 2 in vergrößerter Ansicht,
• 4: den Bausatz aus 1 in Vorderansicht,
• 5: einen erfindungsgemäßen Bausatz in perspektivischer Explosionsdarstellung,
• 6A: ein Verbindungselement zur Montage des Bausatzes in perspektivischer Darstellung von oben,
• 6B: das Verbindungselement aus 6A in perspektivischer Ansicht von unten,
• 7: einen Ausschnitt des Bausatzes in geschnittener Ansicht,
• 8A: das Verbindungselement aus 6A vor der Montage,
• 8B: das Verbindungselement aus 6A während der Montage,
• 8C: das Verbindungselement aus 6A nach der Montage, und
• 8D: das Verbindungselement aus 6A bei der Demontage.

The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to a drawing that illustrates only a preferred embodiment. The drawing shows:

• 1 : a kit according to the invention in its assembled state in perspective view,
• 2 : the kit from 1 in side view,
• 3 : an area of the kit made of 2 in enlarged view,
• 4 : the kit from 1 front view,
• 5 : a kit according to the invention in perspective exploded view,
• 6A : a connecting element for assembling the kit in a perspective view from above,
• 6B : the connecting element made of 6A in perspective view from below,
• 7 : a section of the kit in a cutaway view,
• 8A : the connecting element made of 6A before assembly,
• 8B : the connecting element made of 6A during assembly,
• 8C : the connecting element made of 6A after assembly, and
• 8D : the connecting element made of 6A during dismantling.

1 Figure 1 shows a construction kit 1 according to the invention in its assembled state in a perspective view. In its assembled state, the construction kit 1 forms a desk shelf. The construction kit 1 comprises a desktop 2, two shelves 3, two support elements 4, and connecting elements 5 for joining the aforementioned components together. The desktop 2, the two shelves 3, and the two support elements 4 are shown in the diagram. 1 The illustrated embodiment is made from a sheet of metal, in particular a sheet of steel. The wall thickness of the metal sheet can be between 0.5 mm and 1.5 mm.

The desktop 2 and the shelves 3 each have a main surface 2A, 3A oriented approximately horizontally. Adjacent to this, the desktop 2 and the shelves 3 each have a front surface 2B, 3B and two side surfaces 2C, 3C, wherein both the front surfaces 2B, 3B and the side surfaces 2C, 3C are angled downwards at approximately 90° relative to the main surfaces 2A, 3A. Furthermore, the desktop 2 and the shelves 3 each have a rear surface 2D, 3D adjacent to the main surfaces 2A, 3A, which are angled upwards at approximately 90° relative to the main surfaces 2A, 3A. The two support elements 4 each have a main surface 4A and two adjacent side surfaces 4B, which are angled at approximately 90° relative to the main surfaces 4A, resulting in an approximately U-shaped cross-section. A foot 6 can be arranged at each of the lower ends of the two support elements 4.

The desktop 2 and the two shelves 3 have recesses 7 on their side surfaces 2C, 3C for the connecting elements 5 for connection with the support elements 4 (in 1 (concealed). Furthermore, the desktop 2 and the two shelves 3 have 2D, 3D recesses 7 on their rear surfaces for mounting to a wall W. The support elements 4 also have recesses 7 for the connecting elements 5 for connecting to the desktop 2 and to the two shelves 3.

In 2 is kit 1 from 1 shown in side view. The information already mentioned in connection with 1 The aforementioned characteristics are in 2 - and in all subsequent figures - are provided with corresponding reference symbols. The side view clearly shows that the kit 1, or the resulting desk shelf, stands on a base B and leans against a wall W at an angle α. The angle α can be between 5° and 15° and denotes the angle between a longitudinal axis L of the support elements 4 and the wall W. In 2 The desktop 2 is shown in its regular position (height between 65 cm and 85 cm) and – in dashed lines – in an elevated position (height between 110 cm and 130 cm), whereby the desktop 2 in its regular position serves as a desk and in its elevated position as a standing desk. Accordingly, recesses 7 are provided in the two support elements 4 at the corresponding heights.

3 shows one section of kit 1 from 2 in enlarged view. The one already mentioned in connection with 1 and 2 The aforementioned characteristics are in 3 - and in all subsequent figures - are provided with corresponding reference symbols. The support elements 4 have, in addition to the longitudinal axis L, several transverse axes Q running perpendicular to it. In the support elements 4, two recesses 7 form a pair, with an axis A running through each pair of recesses 7, which runs approximately horizontally in the assembled state of the kit 1. The axis A forms an angle between 5° and 15° with the transverse axis Q of the support elements 4. 3 It is also evident that the supporting elements 4 have a wall thickness 8, which lies in the range between 0.5 mm and 1.5 mm. The desktop 2 and the - in 3 The shelves (not shown) can have a corresponding wall thickness, allowing all components to be made from the same sheet metal.

In 4 is kit 1 from 1 The front view is shown. Here too, the previously mentioned features are labeled with identical reference symbols. In the front view, it is particularly clear that the two support elements 4 run parallel to each other and – at least when viewed from the front – in a vertical direction. It is also evident that the desktop 2 and the shelves 3 are parallel to each other and arranged horizontally. The recesses 7 in the rear surfaces 2D, 3D of the desktop 2 and the shelves 3 are also clearly visible; these can be used, for example, to attach the kit 1 to a wall. Also in 4 (likewise in 2 The desktop 2 is shown in two different positions: in its regular position (used as a desk) and – indicated by dashed lines – in its raised position (used as a standing desk). Since recesses 7 at the corresponding height are provided in the two support elements 4 The desktop 2 can be easily adjusted between the two positions.

5 Figure 1 shows a construction kit 1 according to the invention in a perspective exploded view. Also in 5 The previously mentioned features are provided with identical reference symbols. The in 5 The chosen perspective corresponds to the one in 1 chosen perspective. In the exploded view, the individual components are shown spatially separated from one another; kit 1 has thus been disassembled into its individual parts. This allows for a more precise depiction of those areas that are hidden when assembled. This is particularly evident in 5 Therefore, the recesses 7 in the side surfaces 2C, 3C of the desktop 2 and the shelves 3 are visible. While two recesses 7 are provided in each of the side surfaces 3C of the shelves, four recesses 7 are provided in each of the side surfaces 2C of the desktop 2, since the position of the connecting elements 5 (especially their distance to the wall W, cf. 2 ) as a result of the inclined arrangement of the support elements 4, when the desktop 2 is adjusted between the low position (use as a desk) and the raised position (use as a standing desk).

6A and 6B show a connecting element 5 for assembling the kit 1 in a perspective view from above ( 6A) or from below ( 6B) The connecting element 5 has a housing in which two clamping jaws 9 are movably mounted. The two clamping jaws 9 are mounted in the housing such that one clamping jaw 9 protrudes from the housing on the upper side ( 6A) , while the other clamping jaw 9 protrudes from the housing on the underside ( 6B) The clamping jaws 9 are each connected by a (in 6A , 6B The (not shown) coil spring, which is arranged in the housing, is pressed outwards until it reaches a stop and can be pressed inwards – i.e., into the housing – against the spring pressure. Each clamping jaw 9 has a shallow entry chamfer 10 and a steep clamping chamfer 11, the function of which will be discussed in more detail below. In addition, each connecting element 5 has a leaf spring 12 and an opening mechanism 14 arranged in the head 13 of the connecting element 4; this will also be discussed in more detail below.

7 shows a section of kit 1 in a cutaway view. 7 The previously mentioned features are provided with identical reference symbols. 7 An example connecting element 5 is shown, which connects the desktop 2 to one of the support elements 4. The connecting element 5 connects the desktop 2 and the support element 4 by being inserted through two recesses 7 provided in the desktop 2 (specifically: a side surface 2C of the desktop 2) and in the support element 4 (specifically: the main surface 4A of the support element 4). When inserted, the clamping jaws 9 of the connecting element 5 engage behind the recesses 7 and clamp the components to be joined between the clamping jaws 9 – in particular their clamping angles 11 – and the head 13 and/or the leaf spring 12 attached thereto.

8A until 8D Finally, show the connecting element 5. 6A before assembly ( 8A) , during assembly ( 8B) , after assembly ( 8C ) as well as during dismantling ( 8D ). In these illustrations, the previously mentioned features are also provided with identical reference numerals. Before assembly, the two clamping jaws 9 are pushed outwards by a spring force and are thus fully extended ( 8A) . When the connecting element 5 is installed ( 8B) The two clamping jaws 9, with their leading edges 10, abut the edges of the recesses 7, causing the clamping jaws 9 to be pressed inwards into the housing of the connecting element 5 against a spring force (schematically indicated by arrows). When the connecting element 5 is inserted far enough into the recesses 7, the clamping jaws 9 are pushed outwards again from the housing of the connecting element 5 by a spring force, whereby the clamping jaws 9, in particular their clamping edges 11, engage behind the recesses 7 and thus create a clamping connection. 8C In the assembled position, the leaf spring 12 is compressed. Disassembly ( 8D This can be achieved by inserting a tool 15, for example a screwdriver, into the opening mechanism 14 and twisting it. The twisting action pulls the two clamping jaws 9 inwards against a spring force, allowing the connecting element 5 to be pulled out of the recesses 7 of the components to be joined. The leaf spring 12 assists in the disassembly of the connecting element 5, springing back to its untensioned position and pushing the connecting element 5 out of the recesses as soon as the clamping jaws 9 have been pulled sufficiently inwards by the opening mechanism 14.

Reference symbol list:

1

DIY kit / desk shelf

2

desktop

2A

Main surface (of the desktop 2)

2B

front surface (of the desktop 2)

2C

Side surface (of the desktop 2)

2D

rear surface (of the desktop 2)

3

shelf

3A

Main surface (of shelf 3)

3B

front surface (of shelf 3)

3C

Side surface (of shelf 3)

3D

rear surface (of shelf 3)

4

Supporting element

4A

Main surface (of the supporting element 4)

4B

Side surface (of support element 4)

5

Connecting element

6

Foot

7

Exclusion

8

wall thickness

9

Clamping jaw

10

Inlet slope

11

Clamping angle

12

leaf spring

13

Head

14

Opening mechanism

15

Tool

α, β

angle of inclination

A

axis

B

Floor

L

Longitudinal axis

Q

transverse axis

W

Wall

Claims (7)

Kit (1) for a desk with an integrated shelf, comprising: - a desktop (2), - at least one shelf (3), - two support elements (4) for attaching the desktop (2) and the shelf (3) on both sides, and - connecting elements (5) for connecting the desktop (2) and the shelf (3) to the support elements (4), wherein the desktop (2) and/or the shelf (3) and/or the support elements (4) are made of a sheet metal, characterized in that the desktop (2) and/or the shelf (3) have recesses (7) on their rear surfaces (2D, 3D) for attachment to a wall (W), that the support elements (4) have recesses (7) on their main surfaces (4A) for the connecting elements (5) for connection to the desktop (2) and/or to the shelf (3), and that at least two recesses (7) of the support elements (4) are arranged on an axis (A) which is aligned with the The transverse axis (Q) of the supporting elements (4) includes an angle of inclination (β) in the range between 5° and 15°. Kit (1) according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the desktop (2) and/or the shelf (3) have recesses (7) on their side surfaces (2C, 3C) for the connecting elements (5) for connection with the support elements (4). Kit (1) according to Claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that screws are used as connecting elements (5). Kit (1) according to one of the Claims 1 until 3 , characterized in that snap connectors and/or clamp connectors with spring-loaded clamping jaws (9) are used as connecting elements (5). Kit (1) according to Claim 4 , characterized in that the clamping jaws (9) of the connecting elements (5) each have a leading-in chamfer (10) and a clamping chamfer (11). Kit (1) according to Claim 4 or Claim 5 , characterized in that the connecting elements (5) have an opening mechanism (14) for retracting the clamping jaws (9). Kit (1) according to one of the Claims 4 until 6 , characterized in that the connecting elements (5) have a leaf spring (12) to simplify disassembly.