CONNECTING ELEMENT FOR A PIECE OF FURNITURE, PLUG-IN SYSTEM COMPRISING SUCH A CONNECTING ELEMENT AND METHOD OF ASSEMBLING A PIECE OF FURNITURE

Abstract

Connecting element for a piece of furniture for connecting a first furniture component, for example a side wall, to a second furniture component extending obliquely to the first furniture component, for example a shelf support or a shelf, without additional material-locking means and without additional fastening means, including: a first functional section for a first snap-in device which, in the assembled state, forms a first form-fit of the connecting element with the first furniture component, a second functional section for a second snap-in device which, in the assembled state, forms a second form fit of the connecting element with the second furniture component, a receiving area in which, in the assembled state, a section of the second furniture component is received, and a third functional section for a third snap-in device which, in the assembled state, forms a third form fit of the connecting element with a cladding element which covers the receiving area at least partially, preferably completely, towards a visible side of the piece of furniture, and/or a fourth functional section for a fourth snap-in device which, in the assembled state, fixes a rear wall of the piece of furniture.

Claims

1. A connecting element for a piece of furniture for connecting a first furniture component, for example a side wall, to a second furniture component extending obliquely to the first furniture component, for example a shelf support or a shelf, without additional material-locking means and without additional fastening means, comprising: a first functional section for a first snap-in device which, in the assembled state, forms a first form fit of the connecting element with the first furniture component, a second functional section for a second snap-in device which, in the assembled state, forms a second form fit of the connecting element with the second furniture component a receiving area in which, in the assembled state, a section of the second furniture component is received, and a third functional section for a third snap-in device which, in the assembled state, forms a third form fit of the connecting element with a cladding element which covers the receiving area at least partially, preferably completely, towards a visible side of the piece of furniture, and/or a fourth functional section for a fourth snap-in device which, in the assembled state, fixes a rear wall of the piece of furniture.

2. The connecting element according to claim 1, wherein the second functional section is arranged in the receiving area.

3. The connecting element according to claim 1, wherein the connecting element is substantially T-shaped.

4. The connecting element according to claim 1, wherein the connecting element is integrally formed and in particular is made of plastic.

5. The connecting element according to claim 1, wherein the first functional section and/or the second functional section comprises at least one bracket-like arm section, preferably exactly one bracket-like arm section.

6. The connecting element according to claim 1, wherein the section of the second piece of furniture to be received is insertable into the receiving area along a plug-in direction during assembly, wherein the second functional section on the one hand and the third functional section and/or the fourth functional section on the other hand are offset relative to one another in a direction running parallel to the plug-in direction and in a direction running perpendicular to the plug-in direction.

7. The connecting element according to claim 1, wherein the connecting element comprises a centering aid for the second furniture component, wherein the centering aid is preferably formed in the second functional section.

8. A plug-in system for assembling a piece of furniture comprising a first furniture component, a second furniture component, a cladding element, and a connecting element according to one of the preceding claims, in particular a connecting element according to one of the preceding claims separate from the first furniture component and the second furniture component, a first snap-in device which, in the assembled state, forms a form fit between the connecting element and the first furniture component, a second snap-in device which, in the assembled state, forms a second form fit between the connecting element and the second furniture component, a receiving area in which, in the assembled state, a section of the second furniture component is received, and a third snap-in device which, in the assembled state, forms a form fit of the connecting element with a cladding element which covers the receiving area at least partially, preferably completely towards a visible side of the piece of furniture, and/or a fourth snap-in device which, in the assembled state, fixes a rear wall of the piece of furniture.

9. The plug-in system according to claim 8, wherein the first furniture component has two cover walls for forming a light-weight component, between which hollow spaces are formed, in particular between transverse struts which connect the two cover walls to one another, wherein the first functional area of the first snap-in connection interacts with at least one of the two cover walls in a form-fitting manner in the assembled state.

10. A method of assembling a piece of furniture, wherein a connecting element according to claim 1 is used for connecting a first furniture component and a second furniture component.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0038] Further advantages and features will result from the following description of preferred embodiments according to the disclosure with reference to the attached figures. Individual features of the individual embodiment can be combined with each other within the scope of the disclosure.

[0039] It is shown in:

[0040] FIG. 1a/b: a plug-in system according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure in a first variant and in a second variant,

[0041] FIG. 2: a connecting element according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure in a perspective view

[0042] FIG. 3: the connecting element of FIG. 2 in assembled condition,

[0043] FIGS. 4a, 5a, 6a, 7, 8a and 9: a method of assembling a piece of furniture according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure according to a first variant, and

[0044] FIGS. 4b, 5b, 6b, 7, 8b and 9: a method of assembling a piece of furniture according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure according to a second variant, and

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0045] In FIG. 1a, a plug-in system 100 for assembling a piece of furniture according to a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure is illustrated in a kind of exploded view. In particular, the piece of furniture illustrated in FIG. 1a is a shelf in which, in the assembled state, a first furniture component 11, for example a side wall of the shelf, is connected to a second furniture component 12, for example a shelf support or a shelf, by means of the plug-in system 100. In the example shown in FIG. 1a, the second furniture component 12 is a shelf support in the form of a rail, in particular an L-shaped rail or a rail with a front side 15 and a rear side 16. The second furniture component 12, which is in the form of a rail, is connected to the first furniture component 11, which is a side wall in FIG. 1a, via a connecting element 10, in order to form a support surface for a shelf or shelf board 12′.

[0046] In particular, the plug-in system 100 is such a plug-in system 100 in which light-weight components are used as furniture components. For example, it is conceivable that the shelf 12′ and/or the first furniture component 11 formed as a side wall is a lightweight component. To form a lightweight component, the first furniture component 11 and/or the shelf 12′ comprises two cover walls 50 extending parallel to each other and separated from each other by transverse strut 51. The transverse struts 51 are arranged such that hollow spaces are formed between the two cover walls 50, whereby comparatively lightweight first furniture component 11 and/or shelves 12′ can be used for assembling the piece of furniture in the piece of furniture. In particular, it is provided that the rail-shaped second furniture component 12 has a front side 15 facing a visible side in the assembled state, and a rear side 16 opposite this front side 15 when viewed in the plug-in direction in the assembled state, which rear side 16 is shorter than the front side 15 facing the visible side. In the assembled state, this shorter rear side 16 of the rail-shaped second furniture component 12 engages, in the embodiment shown, in a corresponding groove 53 in the shelf 12′, the groove extending, in particular, on an underside of the shelf 12′ and preferably being formed by an interruption in one of the cover walls 50 and cutouts in the transverse struts 51.

[0047] For joining the first furniture component 11 to the second furniture component 12, a connecting element 10 is provided which is insertable or pluggable, preferably concealable, into a provided cutout 54 in the first furniture component 11 at its outer periphery, preferably forming a flush closure to the visible side. In order to avoid the use of material-locking means, such as glue or other adhesive, and further fastening means, such as screws, bolts or the like, it is provided that the plug-in system 100 comprises a first snap-in device 31 and a second snap-in device 32. In this regard, the first snap-in device 31 serves to form a form fit between the first furniture component 11 and the connecting element 10, and the second snap-in device 32 serves to form a form fit between the connecting element 10 and the second furniture component 12. In order to form the first snap-in device 31 and the second snap-in device 32, the first furniture component 11, the second furniture component 12 and the connecting element 10 are provided in the corresponding areas with a matching course on their outer surface.

[0048] The connecting element 10 has a first functional section 21 for forming the first snap-in device 31 and a second functional section 22 for forming the second snap-in device 32. The first functional section 21 and the second functional section 22 are, in particular, elastically formed and are elastically deformed during assembly for a latching or snapping movement to form the respective form fit. By the form fit between the first functional section 21 and the first furniture component 11 and/or between the second functional section 22 and the second furniture component 12 is meant, in particular, that form fit which is created after a latching or snapping movement during assembly of the plug-in system 100.

[0049] Furthermore, it is provided that the connecting element 10 comprises a receiving area 20 in which the second furniture component 12 can be inserted or pushed in during assembly, in particular in order to countersink it in the connecting element 10. In particular, the second furniture component 12 is supported in the receiving area 20 in the assembled state by resting on the connecting element 10 in the receiving area 20. To form the receiving area 20, the connecting element 10 is provided with a U-shaped section into which a section of the second furniture component 12 can be inserted. Therein, an opening of the U-shaped section faces in particular the visible side in the assembled state of the connecting element 10. Therein, it is particularly provided that a length of the receiving area 20 dimensioned in the plug-in direction S is greater than a length of the section of the second furniture component 12 received by the receiving area 20 dimensioned in the same direction. As a result, the second furniture component 12, in particular its front side 15, is arranged set back relative to a face side St of the first furniture component 11 facing the visible side. In particular, it is provided that the first furniture component 11, for example formed as a side wall, comprises an end section 45 in which the first furniture component 11 preferably tapers or is tapered by reducing a distance between the cover walls 50. In the assembled state, the end section 45 protrudes in a direction parallel to the plug-in direction S with respect to the section of the second furniture component 12 received in the receiving area 20. In other words, the end section 45 protrudes in a direction parallel to the plug-in direction S with respect to the section of the second furniture component 12 received in the receiving area 20, in particular the front side 15 thereof.

[0050] It is further provided that the form fit of the connecting element 10 to the first furniture component 11 and the form fit of the connecting element 10 to the second furniture component 12 act in a common form fit direction, which runs in particular parallel to the plug-in direction S along which the connecting element 10 is inserted into the first furniture component 11 and/or along which the second furniture component 12 is inserted into a receiving area 20 of the connecting element 10 during assembly.

[0051] In particular, it is provided that the second functional section 22 cooperates with the in particular shorter rear side 16 of the rail-like second furniture component 12 to form the second snap-in device 32, so that the form fit is formed between the shorter rear side 16 of the second furniture component 12 and the second functional section 22 of the connecting element 10, by means of which the second furniture component 12 is fixed to the connecting element 10 in the assembled state. In a corresponding manner, the shorter rear side 16 of the second furniture component 12 interacts positively both with the connecting element 10, in particular its second functional section 22, and with the shelf 12′, in particular the groove 53 on the underside of the shelf 12′.

[0052] Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the end section 45 of the first furniture component 11 is sheathed or enclosed by a cladding element 13. For this purpose, it is in particular provided that the cladding element 13 is substantially U-shaped, preferably with legs of equal length, and in particular in the assembled state encases the end section 45 of the first furniture component 11 facing the visible side. In this respect, it is preferably provided that the cladding element 13 adjoins or abuts with the open ends of the U-shaped course of the cladding element 13 against the second furniture component 12 received by the receiving area 20, in particular against the front side 15 thereof. In this way, it is advantageously possible to cover the connecting element 10 and the end section 45 with the cladding element 13 and with the second furniture component 12, so that it is no longer visible on the visible side.

[0053] Preferably, it is provided for this purpose that, in the embodiment example shown in FIG. 1a, the first functional section 21 for forming the first snap-in device 31 is designed in such a way that, in the assembled state, it is arranged in the end section 45 of the first furniture component 11. As a result, the first snap-in device 31 is advantageously covered or disguised by the disguising element 13.

[0054] It is further provided that the connecting element 10 is substantially T-shaped, and the receiving area 20 facing the visible side in the assembled state for receiving a section of the second furniture component 12 is integrated in the portion of the T-shaped course extending parallel to the mirror axis of the T-shaped basic course.

[0055] It is further provided that the connecting element 10 comprises a third functional section 23 for forming a third snap-in device 33, the third snap-in device 33 serving to attach the cladding element 13 to the connecting element 10. As a result, in addition to the task of joining or connecting the first furniture component 11 and the second furniture component 12, the connecting element 10 also has the task of fixing the cladding element 13 with which the connecting element 10 is to be concealed or covered in the assembled state. This proves to be advantageous in particular because it means that only a single component is required with which the first furniture component 11, the second furniture component 12 and the cladding element 13 can be connected to one another.

[0056] The second variant illustrated in FIG. 1b differs from the first variant essentially only in that an end portion 43 is dispensed with. In this case, the connecting element 10, in particular its third functional section 23 and fourth functional section 24, protrudes with respect to the face side St of the first furniture component 11. In particular, the section of the connecting element 10 extending transversely to the plug-in direction rests on the face side St of the first furniture component 11. In this second variant, the third furniture component 13 embraces a free area which, in the first variant, is formed by the tapered end section 43.

[0057] FIG. 2 shows a connecting element 10 according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. In the embodiment example illustrated in FIG. 2, in particular in contrast to the connecting element 10 of FIG. 1a, it is provided that the first functional section 21 is not arranged in such a way that it is arranged in the end section 45 of the first furniture component 11 in the assembled state, but at the end of the connecting element 10 facing away from the visible side of the piece of furniture. In particular, it is provided by the first function section 21 in the embodiment example of FIG. 2 that engaging elements of the first functional section 21 engage in corresponding holes or recesses in the cover walls 50 of the first furniture component 12, the recesses or holes being closed, that is to say the recesses or holes are recessed into the interior of the first furniture component as seen in the plug-in direction. In particular, it is provided that the first functional section 21 is substantially resilient or elastic in a direction perpendicular to a main plane substantially spanned by the T-shaped configuration of the connecting element 10. In contrast, the resilient action of the first functional section 21 of FIG. 1a extends in a direction parallel to the main plane of the connecting element 10 defined by the T-shaped basic course of the connecting element 10. Furthermore, in contrast to the embodiment in FIG. 2, it is provided that the cover wall 50 or cover walls 50 in FIG. 1a of the first furniture component 11 are provided at the outermost periphery with a cover wall contour course 28 with which, in the assembled state, the first functional section 21 interacts positively with the respective cover wall 50 of the first furniture component 11.

[0058] Furthermore, a fourth functional section 24 is shown in the embodiment example illustrated in FIG. 2. The fourth functional section 24 is provided, in particular, for forming a fourth snap-in connection by means of which it is possible to connect a rear wall 14 of the piece of furniture. In particular, it is provided that the third functional section 23 and the fourth functional section 24 are offset with respect to the second functional section 22 along a direction parallel to the plug-in direction S and in a direction perpendicular to the plug-in direction S. In particular, the third functional section 23 and/or the fourth functional section 24 form a termination of the side of the connecting element 10 facing the visible side in the assembled state.

[0059] Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the bracket-like arm sections of the first functional section 21, the second functional section 22, the third functional section 23 and/or the fourth functional section 24 differ from each other. In this way, a corresponding force application can be set in particular serving the respective functional purpose.

[0060] Further, it is preferably provided that the second functional section 22 is formed of only a single bracket-like arm portion, since the receiving area 20 already serves as a support for the portion of the second furniture component 12 received in the receiving area 20. The bracket-like arm portion presses the second furniture component 12 against the support side of the second furniture component 12 at the receiving area 20.

[0061] It is further provided that, in a direction parallel to a main plane defined by the T-shaped path and perpendicular to the plug-in direction S, the third functional section 23 and fourth functional section 24 are arranged one above the other, in particular are arranged one above the other directly adjacent to each other.

[0062] In FIG. 3, the connecting element 10 of FIG. 2 is shown in the assembled state in a sectional view. In particular, it can be seen that the hook-shaped, in particular arcuate arm sections of the first functional section 21, engage in closed cutouts in the cover walls 50 of the first furniture component 11, so as to implement a form fit between the connecting element 10 and the first furniture component 11. By a closed cutout is meant such a recess, the boundary of which is closed and has no opening at the face side St of the first furniture component 11.

[0063] Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the bracket-like arms of the fourth functional section 24 project laterally with respect to the U-shaped section of the connecting element 10, in particular in such a way that, in the assembled state, they project in a direction perpendicular to the main plane with respect to the cover walls 50 of the first furniture component 11. Thereby, it is advantageously possible to fix the rear wall 14 with the ends of the fourth functional section 24 and/or the bracket-like arm sections by means of these bracket-like arm sections of the fourth functional section 24. Therein, the bracket-like arm sections of the fourth functional section 24 embrace the rear wall 14 and fix it to the piece of furniture.

[0064] FIGS. 4a to 9 show a method for assembling or mounting a piece of furniture with a plug-in system 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, in particular for the first variant shown in FIG. 1a. In particular, it is provided here that in a first step (on the left in FIG. 4a) the connecting element 10 is pushed or inserted into the first furniture component 11 along a plug-in direction S. For this purpose, a corresponding cover wall contour course 28 is provided in the cover walls 50, which is profiled in particular in such a way that it is designed to be complementary to the outer contour of the connecting element 10, in particular in its U-shaped section. In this respect, the cover wall contour course 28 interacts in a form-fitting manner, at least in sections, with the first functional section 21 which, in the illustrated embodiment example, is arranged in the end section 45 of the first furniture component 11 which, in particular, faces the visible side of the piece of furniture in the assembled state. It is further provided that a centering aid 40 is formed in the second functional section 22 of the connecting element 10, in particular in the form of a hemispherical or dome-shaped elevation on the face side of the second functional section 22 arranged in the receiving area 20. It is further provided that the cover wall contour course 28 is shaped such that the third functional section 23 of the connecting element 10 can be recessed in the first furniture component 11 and, in particular, is flush with the face side St of the first furniture component 11 facing the visible side of the piece of furniture. In particular, it is envisaged that a fourth functional section 24 is dispensed with in the connecting element 10 of FIG. 4a.

[0065] It is further provided that the second functional section 22 is arranged within the receiving area 20, in particular set back with respect to the face side St of the first furniture component 11 facing the visible side of the piece of furniture. The illustrations in the center and on the right of FIG. 4a show the connecting element 10 in the assembled state in a perspective view (center) and in a sectional view (right), the right-hand illustration showing the honeycomb structure of the transverse struts 51 of the first furniture component 11, which is in the form of a lightweight component. In particular, it is provided that the connecting element 10 cooperates with the first furniture component 11 in a form-fitting manner along a direction parallel to the plug-in direction S in the assembled state.

[0066] FIG. 5a shows how the second furniture component 12 is joined or assembled with the connecting element 10. For this purpose, the second furniture component 12, in particular a section of the second furniture component 12, is pushed or inserted along the plug-in direction S into the receiving area 20. During insertion, the centering aid 40 cooperates with a corresponding first recess 41 in such a way that the second furniture component 12, in particular the rail-like second furniture component 12, is fixed with respect to lateral displacement and assembly is simplified. During a plug-in movement, the second functional section 22 of the connecting element 10, which is formed in particular on the inside at the bottom of the U-shaped recess region, deforms and engages with its bracket-like arm portion behind the rear face 16 of the section of the second furniture component 12 which has been inserted into the receiving area 20. The bracket-like arm section and the rear side 16 of the second furniture component 12 then cooperate positively along a direction parallel to the plug-in direction S.

[0067] In the method steps of FIG. 6a, a shelf 12′, in particular designed as a lightweight component, is placed on the rail-like second furniture component 12. In this process, the shelf 12′ acts positively together with the rear side 16 of the second metal component 12, in particular by means of its underside or a groove 52 recessed into the underside. In this way, the shelf 12′ is fixed with respect to displacements parallel to the plug-in direction S.

[0068] FIG. 7 shows a further cladding element 13′ which is positively connected to the end section of the first furniture component 11 via a fifth snap-in device. In particular, it is provided that the further cladding element 13′ covers or closes an upper side of the first furniture component 11. In this case, the cladding element 13 and the further cladding element 13′ are separate components, wherein in particular the cladding element 13 is provided for covering the end section 45 on the visible side of the piece of furniture, while the further cladding element 13′ is provided for covering the upper side of the first furniture component 11.

[0069] In order to cooperate with a corresponding fifth functional section 25 on the further cladding element 13′, a second cutout 42 is recessed in the end section 45, in particular at the upper end of the end section 45, in the first furniture component 11, in which cutout the corresponding fifth functional section 25 of the fifth snap-in device engages in order to cooperate positively with the end section 45.

[0070] FIG. 8a shows the connection of the cladding element 13 to the connecting element 10. In this case, it is preferably provided that the connection of the connecting element 13 takes place after the connection of the further cladding element 13′, in order to thus also cover the fifth functional section 25 or the end section with the second recess 42 by the cladding element 13. The cladding element 13, which is substantially U-shaped, is plugged onto the connecting element 10 along the plug-in direction S and, with a corresponding contour course on the inner side of the U-shaped cladding element 13′, acts in a form-fitting manner together with the third functional section 23 of the connecting element 10 in a direction parallel to the stacking direction S. In this way, the cladding element 13 is mounted on the piece of furniture in an advantageous manner. In order to prevent the cladding element 10 from moving vertically, i.e. to prevent the cladding element 13 from moving up and down, it is preferably provided that the further cladding element 13″ engages over the cladding element 13 and cooperates with the cladding element 13 in a form-fitting manner on the upper side of the first furniture component 11.

[0071] FIG. 9 shows an example of the assembly of the rear wall 14, in particular using a fourth functional section 24 on the connecting element 10. While the left-hand and central illustrations in FIG. 9 each show the connection of the rear wall 14 to the connecting element 10 in a perspective view, the right-hand illustration of FIG. 9 shows a sectional view. The sectional view reveals that the bracket-like arm sections of the fourth functional section 24 engage hollow regions in the rear wall 14, which is also formed as a light-weight component. In particular, the ends of the bracket-like arm sections of the fourth functional section 24 cooperate positively in the direction of the plug-in direction S with the cover wall 50 facing away from the visible side. Preferably, the bracket-like arm sections are dimensioned such that they extend substantially along a direction parallel to the plug-in direction S over a distance substantially corresponding to the distance between the cover walls 50, so that the rear wall 14, which is formed as a lightweight component, conceals the bracket-like arm sections and does not reveal them. This optimizes the visual impression on the rear wall 14 in an advantageous manner.

[0072] FIGS. 4b, 5b, 6b, 7, 8b and 9 show the method of assembling a piece of furniture for the second variant illustrated in FIG. 1b. In particular, the method illustrated here differs from that for the first variant, in that the fourth functional section 24 is additionally provided for fixing the third furniture component 13. In this respect, the fourth functional section 24 interacts with the inner side of the third furniture component 13 in addition to the third functional section 23. Preferably, it is provided that in the assembled state a deformation of the fourth functional section 24 is larger than the deformation of the third functional section 23. As a result, the fourth functional section 24 can advantageously support the fixation of the third furniture component 13 to the connecting element 10 by a corresponding clamping or spreading force. Moreover, the same type of connecting element 10 can be used for the front side and the rear side of the piece of furniture.