Frame element for installation in work furniture

Abstract

A furniture system includes a sink, a frame element, a divider, a first module, and a second module. A cross section of the frame element is U-shaped or rectangular such that the frame element includes at least a horizontal extension and a vertical extension. Each of the first module and the second module is arranged along at least one of the horizontal extension or the vertical extension. A dimension of the second module along the at least one of the horizontal extension or the vertical extension is an integral multiple of a dimension of the first module along the at least one of the horizontal extension or the vertical extension. The divider is configured to be detachably secured in the frame element. A dimension of the divider corresponds to the dimension of the first module or the integral multiple of the dimension of the first module.

Claims

1. A furniture system comprising: a sink; a frame element; a divider; a first module; and a second module, wherein: a cross section of the frame element is U-shaped or rectangular such that the frame element includes at least a horizontal extension and a vertical extension; each of the first module and the second module is arranged along at least one of the horizontal extension or the vertical extension; a dimension of the second module along the at least one of the horizontal extension or the vertical extension is an integral multiple of a dimension of the first module along the at least one of the horizontal extension or the vertical extension; the divider is configured to be detachably secured to the frame element; and a dimension of the divider corresponds to the dimension of the first module or the integral multiple of the dimension of the first module.

2. The furniture system of claim 1, wherein the frame element is integrally formed.

3. The furniture system of claim 1, further comprising a securing element on an inside of the frame element for securing the divider.

4. The furniture system of claim 1, wherein a dimension of the divider is smaller than a distance between respective adjacent sides of the frame element.

5. The furniture system of claim 1, wherein the divider is configured to be detachably secured to an outside of the frame element.

6. The furniture system of claim 1, further comprising drilled holes defined on the frame element so as to match a drilling grid.

7. The furniture system of claim 1, wherein the frame element is made of wood, metal or plastic.

8. The furniture system of claim 1, wherein: the frame element includes two different zones; and the furniture system comprises two of the first modules assigned to the two different zones, respectively.

9. The furniture system of claim 1, further comprising an L-shaped attachment element which is configured to be attached to the frame element, and has a U-shaped attachment area.

10. The furniture system of claim 9, wherein the L-shaped attachment element is configured to be secured to the frame element without a tool.

11. The furniture system of claim 1, further comprising a door or a drawer covering the frame element, wherein: the door or the drawer has a vertical or horizontal subdivision according to a grid; and the integral multiple of the dimension of the first module along the at least one of the horizontal extension or the vertical extension matches the grid.

12. The furniture system of claim 1, wherein the second module is: an electronic module; a storage module; a filter module configured to provide filtered water; a carbonation module configured to provide carbonated water; a warming or heating module configured to provide hot water; a cooling water module configured to provide chilled water; a cooling module configured to cool at least part of the storage module; a grinding and shredding module which is connected to the storage module or a drain module; an ionization module configured to provide ionized water; an enrichment module configured to provide enriched water with at least one substance; a concentrate addition module configured to add a concentrate; a light module; or an organization module.

13. The furniture system of claim 9, wherein the L-shaped attachment element is configured to be secured to the frame element by clamping.

14. A frame element comprising: a first frame part; and a second frame part, wherein: a cross section of the frame element is U-shaped or rectangular; the first frame part is identical to the second frame part; each of the first frame part and the second frame part includes a first projection, a second projection and a recess defined between the first projection and the second projection; the first projection of the first frame part is configured to engage with the recess of the second frame part; the first projection of the second frame part is configured to engage with the recess of the first frame part; the second projection of the first frame part is configured to engage with the first projection of the second frame part; and the second projection of the second frame part is configured to engage with the first projection of the first frame part.

15. The frame element of claim 14, wherein: the second projection of the first frame part is secured to the first projection of the second frame part by inserting, screwing or clipping; and the second projection of the second frame part is secured to the first projection of the first frame part by inserting, screwing or clipping.

16. The frame element of claim 14, wherein the frame element is integrally formed.

17. The frame element of claim 14, further comprising a securing element on an inside of the frame element for securing a divider.

18. The frame element of claim 14, further comprising drilled holes defined on the frame element so as to match a drilling grid.

19. The frame element of claim 14, wherein the frame element is made of wood, metal or plastic.

20. The frame element of claim 14, wherein the frame element includes two different zones for assignment of two basic modules, respectively.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 shows a frame element according to an embodiment of this invention;

(2) FIG. 2 shows a frame element according to an embodiment of this invention;

(3) FIG. 3 shows a frame element according to an embodiment of this invention;

(4) FIG. 4 shows a frame element according to an embodiment of this invention;

(5) FIG. 5 shows a frame element according to an embodiment of this invention; and

(6) FIG. 6 shows steps of a method for defining a vertical partition element in a frame element according to an embodiment of this invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(7) FIG. 1 shows a frame element according to an embodiment of this invention.

(8) FIG. 1 shows a frame element 1 in U-shape 2, which frame element is open at the top. The frame element 1 has a secured base frame for inside widths of base cabinets of 60 cm, 80 cm or 90 cm. For bracing purposes, a horizontal divider 7 is welded in parallel to the floor between the two legs of the U-shape 2. Furthermore, horizontal partition elements 7 and vertical partition elements 8 are arranged in a horizontal grid 5 of 184 mm. Such a basic module 3 based on grid 5 is shown hatched. One module can then match to two basic modules 3 arranged adjacently, for instance.

(9) Securing elements (not shown here) are arranged in the corresponding grid 5 to be able to secure the dividers 7, 8, in particular in a detachable manner. Usually, one end of the frame element 1 is covered by a door or drawer, for instance a kitchen door or drawer. For instance, this kitchen door or drawer has a vertical subdivision 14 matching the inner vertical grid 6 of the frame element 1.

(10) FIG. 2 shows a frame element according to an embodiment of this invention.

(11) FIG. 2 is a frame element 1 having a cuboid shape 2. The frame element 1 further has a solid base frame for inside widths of base cabinets of 60 cm, 80 cm or 90 cm. A horizontal divider 7 is welded between the two legs of the original U-shape, forming a cuboid frame element 1 in parallel to the floor. Furthermore, two vertical dividers 8 are arranged in a horizontal grid 5 of 184 mm. Further vertical dividers 8 projecting upwards are arranged at the upper end of the frame element 1, which can be secured independently from the dividers 8 inside the frame element 1, in particular detachably. On the right side of FIG. 2, an attachment element 9 is detachably arranged at the left end of the frame element 1 in parallel to the wall of frame element forming a frictional engagement, which attachment element extends the wall or side of the frame element 1 accordinglyin FIG. 2 from left to right, extending diagonally downwards. Likewise, it extends upward beyond the vertical dividers 8 in FIG. 2.

(12) Further horizontal dividers 7 and further vertical dividers 8 can be arranged according to the relevant grid.

(13) FIGS. 3 and 4 show one frame element each according to an embodiment of this invention.

(14) FIGS. 3 and 4 each show a frame element 1 that is bipartite in design. Both parts 1a, 1b have the same structure. Essentially, the two parts 1a, 1b are U-shaped, wherein two projections 10a, 10b are arranged on each side of the legs of the U.

(15) In FIG. 3, the projections 10a, 10b of the parts 1a, 1b for forming the frame element 1 are arranged such that they are each adjacent to the projections 10a, 10b of the respective other parts 1a, 1b. For this purpose, the two parts 1a, 1b are thus placed on top of each other, but rotated by 180 degrees about the vertical axis as shown in FIG. 1. This can provide a first height, i.e. the vertical extension in FIG. 3, for instance 365 mm. A recess 11 is formed by the projections 10a, 10b. FIG. 3 also shows a module 4 twice the size of a base module 3 (shown hatched).

(16) In FIG. 4, the two parts 1a, 1b and their projections 10a, 10b are now superposed, i.e. a greater height, in this case 440 mm, of the frame is achieved, and at the same time the recess 11 is larger. Matching vertical partitions 8 can be used to perform a horizontal subdivision based on a grid in both embodiments.

(17) FIG. 5 shows a frame element according to an embodiment of this invention.

(18) FIG. 5 shows mainly a frame element 1 according to one of FIGS. 1 to 4. The frame element 1 is now shown installed in a piece of work furniture 100. In FIG. 5 above, a sink 102 is arranged in the piece of work furniture 100 including corresponding piping 101 below the sink 102 in the area of the frame element 1. An attachment element 9 is shown on the frame element 1on the left side of FIG. 5 from the rear, on the right side of FIG. 5 from the front. The attachment element 9 has an essentially L-shaped area 13 in cross-section, wherein a U-shaped attachment area 12 rotated by 90 degrees adjoins the shorter side of the L. This attachment area 12 of the attachment element 9 grips around the inside and outside of the frame element 1 and ensures a friction connection between the frame element 1 and the attachment element 9. On the longer side of the L, for instance, retaining clips for pipes or the like can now be arranged. The detachable connection between frame element 1 and attachment element 9 makes for a quick and easy adaptation to local conditions.

(19) In addition to the L-shape of the attachment element 9 described, it can also be Z-shaped, U-shaped or T-shaped in cross-section, for instance. It is also conceivable that it may, for instance, have a partially elliptical or circular shape in cross-section.

(20) FIG. 6 shows steps of a method for defining a vertical divider in a frame element according to an embodiment of this invention.

(21) A vertical divider 8 is shown In FIG. 6a on the left. The divider 8 has shorter snap lugs 8b on its underside and longer snap lugs 8a on its top side. The vertical extent of the divider 8 without snap lugs 8a, 8bi.e. in the drawing plane in FIG. 6is smaller than that of the side of the frame element 1 shown on the right side of FIG. 6a. The frame element 1 has matching recesses 1c (see FIGS. 6b to d) on the upper and lower inner sides of the frame element 1 for securing the vertical dividers 8. The frame element 1 is designed with the lateral recess 11 as shown in FIG. 4.

(22) To secure the divider 8 in the frame element 1, the vertical divider 8 is first inserted into the interior of the frame element 1 at an angle with respect to the vertical walls of the frame element 1 (FIG. 6b). There, the upper snap lugs 8a are then inserted as far as possible into the recesses 1c provided for this purpose (FIG. 6c). As a result, the divider 8 does not rest on the underside of the frame element 1 and can be pivoted in the horizontal direction such that the lower snap lugs 8b can be pivoted over the recesses 1c on the underside of the frame element 1. The lower snap lugs 8b of the divider 8 can then be lowered into the recesses 1c, wherein the upper snap lugs 8a remain arranged in the recesses 1c (FIG. 6d).

(23) One or more of the modules listed below can be arranged in the frame element 1: at least one electronic module, at least one storage module, in particular in the form of a waste container, a filter module to provide filtered water, a carbonation module to provide carbonated water, a warming and/or heating module for the provision of hot water, a cooling water module to provide chilled water, a cooling module for cooling at least part of the storage module, a module for grinding and shredding, which is connected to the drain module and/or the storage module, an ionization module to ionize water, an enrichment module for enriching the water with at least one substance, in particular mineral substance, flavoring, coloring or the like, an add-on module for the addition of concentrates, in particular fruit juice concentrates or the like, a light module for illuminating at least one of the other modules, and/or at least one organization module for arranging items in an orderly manner, for instance, dishwashing detergents, sponges or the like.

(24) Here, one or more modules can be part of other modules. For instance, the carbonation module, the add-on module, and/or the filter module may be part of the water treatment module. The advantage thereof is that it provides a high degree of flexibility in the selection of modules.

(25) In this case, the modules can be secured to the frame element 1 and/or to an adjacent module and/or to a divider, in particular in a detachable manner. Quick-clamping and/or clamping devices can be provided for this purpose, for instance.

(26) Different basic grids may also be provided in different zones in the embodiments described above. For instance, provision can be made for a first function module having a width of 200 mm, for instance, to be already arranged in the cuboid or U-shaped frame element. The remaining installation space, which forms the second zone, can then be provided with modules according to a second basic grid, for instance having a basic width of 184 mm. The 184 mm size forms the second basic grid to make optimum use of different frame element and thus cabinet widths. To provide any height compensation between modules in the second basic grid 184 mm and, for instance, the water treatment module, a third zone having a third grid, an intermediate grid of 75 mm height (184 mmn width) can be provided. This third basic grid provides an intermediate level of uniform height, on which further modules of the same basic width dimension (184 mmn) with a height of 100 mm can be positioned. In addition, a further fourth zone is created which, depending on the installation situation, can either be installed with a less deep functional module, for instance a storage surface. For instance, if no sink is installed in the base cabinet, the maximum depth of the base cabinet can also be used for this level. In the event that no sink is installed, functional modules can be installed using the full height of the upper two levels.

(27) This is explained below for a sink base cabinet with frame element, by way of example. The frame element there has the dimensions 60 cm78 cm56 cm (WHD) and, when viewed from the front, is provided at the bottom right end of the frame element with a water treatment module having a width of 200 mm. Two installation spaces having the dimensions 184 mm365 mm500 mm (WHD) are formed for this purpose. Functional modules, for instance a waste separation system and an organization system, are then arranged in these installation spaces. Owing to the basic grid, the arrangement of all functional modules including the water treatment module is flexible and can thus be arranged in different ways. This ensures optimum utilization of the available installation space. The flexibility of the arrangement renders reacting to local conditions in the base cabinet, for instance with different positions of water corner valves, possible. In addition, the consistent arrangement of the modules, conveys a high value to a user.

(28) In summary, at least one embodiment of this invention provides at least one of the following advantages and/or provides at least one of the following features: Flexible adaptation to different pieces of kitchen furniture. simple, inexpensive manufacture. Easy and quick assembly of frame element and modules. Optimized installation space for modules. Reliable securing of the modules in the frame element. Reliable securing of the frame element in a piece of working furniture.

(29) Although this invention has been described with reference to preferred exemplary embodiments, it is not limited thereto and can be modified in a variety of ways.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

(30) 1 Frame element 1a, 1b Part of the frame element 1c Recess 2 Shape frame element 3 Basic module 4 Module 5 Horizontal grid 6 Vertical grid 7 Horizontal divider 8 Vertical divider 8a, 8b Upper, lower projection/snap lugs 9 Attachment element 10a Projection first part 10b Projection first part 11 Recess 12 U-shaped area attachment element 13 L-shaped area attachment element 14 Separation of outer door or drawer 100 Work furniture 101 Piping 102 Sink