EP0959723B1 - Storage system - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a storage system (1) comprising shelves and cabinets constructed from pieces of sheet material. Pairs of mounting rails (7, 8), which are arranged to be supported horizontally at a mutual distance from one another, exhibit means for setting up the rails on a wall (10), upright or other support intended for that purpose at the location where the storage system is installed. At least the upper and the lower shelves (4, 5) are so arranged by means of connecting devices as to be detachably attached to the aforementioned matching mounting rails (7, 8). Pieces in the form of sheets are so arranged by means of securing devices as to be capable of vertical installation between the aforementioned upper and lower shelves (4, 5) so as to be supported by said mounting rails (7, 8) to form the sides of installed formed cabinet carcasses. Components included in the system (1) exhibit a finished length at the time of delivery to the location where they are to be set up or have their dimensions adapted in conjunction with the setting-up of the components.

Description

The present invention relates to a storagesystem comprising shelves and cabinets constructed frompieces of sheet material forming shelves and side panels.

Previously disclosed storage systems inaccordance with the above comprise units manufactured at afactory by a large number of employees and with the help oflarge, expensive machines to produce bulky cabinet and shelfunits of varying sizes, colours and types of wood, etc. Boththe storage and the transport of the installed bulky units,which contain large volumes of air, present problems and highcosts, since non-useful volume must be produced in advanceand stored and transported on the public roads with anegative effect on the environment due to poor utilization ofthe transport capacity of the vehicles. Fuel economy is alsopoor, and there is a negative effect on road safety.

There is a requirement to be able to producestorage systems more rationally than previously, therebyavoiding large, bulky stores which cost a lot of money, andavoiding the need to transport the assembled cabinets, etc.,over long distances from the factory to the customers forinstallation on walls and other supporting structures.

The cabinet carcasses for high-level and low-levelcabinets included in the storage system, which are alsosuitable for the fitting-out of kitchens, stores, shops,offices and other premises, require right angles and flatsurfaces for installation on walls, etc. This makesinstallation a time-consuming operation, because work must bedone in conjunction with this to permit the alignment ofplinths, and fitting pieces must be shaped, etc., and in theworst case the strength must be jeopardized in conjunctionwith installation in order to obtain an aesthetically pleasing façade without gaps and differences in level in thefinished cabinet installation. Handling of these bulkycabinet carcasses makes the work laborious and is oftenassociated with poor ergonomics. Conventional cabinetcarcasses also lack all flexibility with regard to changedstorage needs with rearrangement of the spaces in the storagesystem. In the best case a new need may be satisfied.Conventional cabinet carcasses consisting of pre-assembledunits which are installed next to one another thus exhibitdouble dividers, which involve the unnecessary use ofmaterials.

The shelf construction disclosed through GB,A,2237729 comprises shelves and a side panel which are soarranged as to be supported by installation rails with arigid side edge which extends along a channel-likeaccommodating opening. The shelf in question is accommodateddirectly in the aforementioned accommodating opening withoutany aids to connection. Only elastic devices are arrangedbetween the edges therein. It is difficult to achieve anystable and precise securing because of the considerable freeplay that is present in the accommodating openings, to whichthe elastic device also contributes, without having to use avertically opposing support element to support the outer endsof the shelves. This means that a shelf construction withpairs of vertical side panels and interjacent horizontalshelves can be used to form cabinets and shelves in a simplefashion for installation on a wall, for example, or someother support intended for the purpose.

EP,A2, 0 146 932 certainly discloses, in asystem for forming cabinets, the application of connectingelements for joining vertical side panels to one another, andalso the arrangement of vertical rear and front panelsforming the cabinet connected to the side panels via theaforementioned connecting elements. There are no connectingelements which connect horizontal shelves to wall rails, however, nor is any reference made to anything which might beable to provide tips relating to such shelf-connectingelements.

The principal object of the present inventionis thus, in the first place, to find a storage system which,with simple and efficiently functioning means, solves theaforementioned problems effectively.

Said object is achieved in accordance with thepresent invention, which is characterized essentially in thatpairs of mounting rails, which are arranged to be supportedhorizontally at a mutual distance from one another, exhibitmeans for setting up the rails on a wall, upright or othersupport intended for that purpose at the location where thestorage system is installed, in that at least the upper andthe lower shelves are so arranged by means of connectingdevices as to be detachably attached to the aforementionedmatching mounting rails, in that arranged between theaforementioned mounting rails and shelves are interactingconnecting pieces which exhibit connecting devices forattachment to the mounting rails along one of their longsides, and exhibit connecting devices along the correspondinglong side so arranged as to be capable of being connected tosaid shelves along their front edge, and in that pieces inthe form of sheets are so arranged by means of securingdevices as to be capable of vertical installation between theaforementioned upper and lower shelves so as to be supportedby said mounting rails to form the sides of installed formedcabinet carcasses, in conjunction with which componentsincluded in the system exhibit a finished length at the timeof delivery to the location where they are to be set up orhave their dimensions adapted in conjunction with thesetting-up of the components.

The storage system comprises prefabricatedcarcass elements of essentially uniform design for basepanels, side panels, dividers and top panels. These exhibit integrated or fixed edge profiles which interact withconnecting elements for the on-site installation of thecarcass. The installed carcass is self-stabilizing and hangsfrom horizontal, wall-mounted profile rails, interacting withthe top and bottom edges of the cabinet carcass, which alsoengage in a positive fashion with the edge profiles. The edgeprofiles are executed for the attachment of fitting detailssuch as sliding rails for drawers or bins, shelf supports,hinges and decorative elements, etc.

Advantages gained through the cabinet carcassin accordance with the invention can be summarized asimproved transport economy, reduced storage space, simplerand cheaper installation, reduced material consumption,greater flexibility of application and thus maximumutilization of the available space inside the premises, inother words better total economy.

The invention is described below withreference to the accompanying schematic drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 shows a plan view of a wall withcabinets in accordance with the invention mounted on it;

Fig. 2 shows a part of the storage system inperspective and as an exploded view;

Fig. 3 shows a part of a cabinet capable ofbeing mounted on a wall with its constituent parts separatedfrom one another slightly in the interests of clarity;

Fig. 4 shows the outer edge part of thecabinet illustrated in Fig. 3, similarly in a position inwhich the constituent parts are separated from one anotherslightly;

Fig. 5 shows a schematic solution for astorage system with its constituent cabinets and shelvesinstalled on a wall and a bearer projecting therefrom.

Astorage system 1 in accordance with thepresent invention, which comprises a number ofshelves 2 andcabinets 3 constructed from pieces of sheet material 4-6, is installed in accordance with the invention at the intendedlocation and directly at the place where the storage systemis to be fixed by means of pairs ofmounting rails 7, 8. Saidmountingrails 7, 8 are so arranged as to be supportedhorizontally at a mutual distance A from one another. Saidmountingrails 7, 8 exhibit means 9 for said purpose, forexample holes forscrews 9A for setting up the rails in asteady fashion on awall 10, on uprights, or on someothersupport 11 intended for this purpose at theactual location12 for the installation of thestorage system 1. Atrim panel10A can be accommodated between therails 7, 8 and clippedsecurely in place.

In this way at least the upper and the lowershelves, which form thetop panel 13 and thebase panel 14respectively of the installedcabinet 3 or the installedshelf 2, are so arranged as to be detachably attached to saidmatchingmounting rails 7, 8 by means of connectingdevices15.

In this way at least the upper and lowershelves, which respectively form thetop panel 13 and thebase panel 14 of the installedcabinet 3 or the installedshelf 2, are so arranged as to be detachably attached bymeans of connectingdevices 15 to said matchingmountingrails 7, 8. Pieces of sheet material are also so arranged asto be attached vertically by means offixing devices 16, 17between said upper and lower shelves so that they are alsosupported by saidmounting rails 7, 8 to form theside panels18, 19 and thedivider 20 of the installed formedcabinetcarcasses 3. In this way a novel and unique feature of theinvention is also that the constituent parts of thesystem 1,i.e. the pieces of sheet material 4-6, the mounting rails 7-8and thefixing devices 17 either exhibit a finished lengthwhen they are delivered from the factory, etc., to thesetting-uplocation 12, or are only adjusted to size in conjunction with the setting-up of the components 4-8, 15 inthe intended location.

Said components are supplied from the factoryor stores in the form of flat packs, which are easily handledfrom the point of view of both transport technology andstorage, and which can be simply packaged to affordprotection from damage before they are used. Arranged betweentheaforementioned mounting rails 7, 8 and theshelves 4, 5are interacting connectingpieces 21, which exhibitconnectingpieces 21 for connection to themounting rail 7, 8along one long side 21A, and exhibit connectingdevices 23along the oppositelong side 21B which are so arranged as tobe capable of connection with saidshelves 4, 5, 6 alongtheirfront edge 4A, 5A, 6A. Said connectingpiece 21 ispreferably formed from a profile which, at least along onelongitudinal edge 4A, 5A, 6A of the shelves, but preferablyalong both of theirlongitudinal edges 4A, 5A, 6A; 4B, 5B,6B, is connected to the shelf at the time of delivery. Thusboth thefront edge 4A-6A and therear edge 4B-6B of theshelves 4-6, when viewed in their installed state, canexhibit profiles attached on the edges, for example in theform of a taperingedge part 24 milled down into the shelvesand as aU-shaped profile 25.

The shape of the connectingdevices 22 of theconnecting pieces is preferably adapted to that of afixingdevice 26 on themounting rails 7, 8, for example as a maleand female connection.

Said mountingrail 7, 8 is formed preferablyfrom a U-shaped profile rail with aflange 26 at each of thefree ends of theshank 27, and said connectingdevice 22 isin the form of a tubular component, preferably rectangular inform, which is so arranged, after having been snapped intoengagement over theflanges 26, as to be accommodated in themounting rail at its accommodating part 28, and as to be enclosed in this way by theshanks 27, and is prevented bytheflanges 26 from being forced out of engagement.

Fixing of theside panels 18, 19 to thetoppanel 13 and thebase panel 14 which are attached to themounting rail is permitted thanks to the fact that theverticallysupportable side panels 6 exhibit connectingrails29, 30 along bothlongitudinal edges 6A, 6B of thepieces 6and with means of connection at theshort end 6¹, 6², forexample in the form ofholes 31 forscrews 16 orother fixingdevices 17 capable of being accommodated therein, for examplein the form of a clasp with a laterally projectingpart 17Acapable of being accommodated in a slotted hole 32, in orderto permit connection of saidside panels 6 to saidshelves 4,5.

Connection is made possible, for example, inthat saidshelves 4, 5 andside panels 6exhibit connectionpieces 21 and 29, 30, which are provided withtranscurrentholes 33 uniformly distributed in a straight line along theirlength on both therear edge 4B, 5B, 6B and thefront edge4A, 5A, 6A for the purpose of connection toadditional sidepanels 20 and shelves. The connectingrails 29, 30 of theside panels exhibitholes 31 in theirshort ends 6¹, 6² inaccordance with the above positioned directly in line withsaidholes 33 arranged in a straight line.

Theshelves 4, 5 and theside panels 18, 19and thedivider 20 are identical in shape, and it makes nodifference where they are positioned, i.e. as shelves or sidepanels.

In order to provide a neat and also durablefront surface, afront strip 34 can be capable of attachmentto the respective connectingpieces 21 and connectingrails30 of theshelves 4, 5 andside panels 6 along their front bysnapping securely into engagement. Strips can also beinserted in other grooves so that smooth, easily cleanedsurfaces are achieved.

Components and front strips intended forconnection consist of a plastic and/or metal material,preferably aluminium, in conjunction with which the shelvesand side panels consist of fibre material, wood, plastic,metal or a combination of said materials.

The flexibility of the cabinet carcass inaccordance with the invention permits adaptation to meetvarious storage needs and can be supplemented with desiredfittings, such as shelves, drawers, plinth drawers, hangingrails, wire baskets and cabinet doors, etc.

The invention is described below further andin more detail in conjunction with the installation of thevarious constituent components of the system.

In conjunction with installing the carcass,horizontally oriented profiles or wall rails are attached tothe wall and are aligned vertically and levelled. Ifrequired, a side panel element may be used as a spacer duringinstallation of the wall rails. A base panel is theninstalled with a fixed or integrated rear edge profile inpositive engagement with the lower wall rail, after whichside panels are fitted between the wall rails with theirlower edges resting against the upper surface of the basepanel and are fixed with the help of connecting elements tothe rear and front edge profiles of the base panel. A toppanel is fitted with an integrated, rear edge profile inpositive engagement with the upper wall rail, after whichconnecting elements are used to fix the side panels to therear and front edge profiles of the top panel to form a box-shapedcabinet carcass, and finally dividers are fitted inthe desired position between the base panel and the top paneland are fixed to these with the help of connecting elementsin the same way as the side walls. The cabinet carcass is nowready for fitting out with fitting items and for decoration.

The carcass elements, i.e. the base panel, theside panels, the top panel and the dividers, are of uniform construction in a basic embodiment and are manufactured incontinuous lengths for cutting to size as specified in theorder or on-site.

Fig. 2 shows a prefabricated cabinet carcass,in conjunction with which a panel, for example a base panel,exhibits plain milled recesses on the top and bottom sides ofboth of its longitudinal edges to accommodate an edgeprofile. The sheet material is of less significance forachieving the advantages of the invention, but may benefitfrom being made of pressure-glued wood fibres.

The edge profile exhibits in an inner part alongitudinal groove of essentially U-shaped cross-section forfitting the longitudinal edge of the sheet, and can be fixedto it with the help of an adhesive, for example a quick-settingtwo-component adhesive or an adhesive of the cyanoacrylatetype. Alternatively, the edge profile may beintegrated with the sheet and formed in a single piece withit. The edge profile exhibits, in a centrally located part, alongitudinal cavity which, as shown in Fig. 2, can have acircular cross-section, but, in an alternative embodiment,can also have a rectangular and possibly square cross-section.In the outer part opposite the groove, the edgeprofile exhibits a cross-sectional form which is adapted forpositive engagement with the wall rail shown in the drawingfigure. The outer part of the edge profile exhibits edgestapered for the purpose to facilitate snapping intoengagement with the wall rail, and stops to provide lockingin the snapped-in position by hooking into engagement withcorrespondingly shaped tongues on the wall rail.

Mounting holes are arranged at regularintervals through the edge profile across the extent of thecavity, in conjunction with which the centre axes of theholes intersect the centre axis of the cavity at rightangles. The holes have a cross-sectional form whichpreferably corresponds to the cross-sectional form of the cavity and are intended to permit a connecting element topass through. The holes can be stamped, milled or drilled ina supplementary machining process in conjunction with theproduction of the edge profile, which is preferablymanufactured by the continuous casting of aluminium or analuminium alloy. The holes are preferably distributed alongthe length of the edge profile with a mutual distance betweenthem such that at least every tenth centimetre of the edgeprofile contains a hole, so that the dividers present in astorage system can be positioned in that way withstandardized distances for fitting-out components such asdrawers, shelves and cabinet doors, i.e. with widths of 40,60 or 80 centimetres, for example.

The connecting element preferably consists ofa self-tapping screw with a diameter adapted for threadedengagement with the cavity. In another embodiment theconnecting element may be an opening whose rectangular cross-sectionis adapted to the holes of rectangular cross-sectionand the cavity, which element may, in the connectingposition, be fixed to prevent axial movement inside thecavity with the help of an assembly washer comprising aprojection for positive engagement with a recess in thecotter pin in conjunction with the introduction of the washerin a direction cross-wise to the axial extent of the cotterpin. Attention must be drawn in this respect to the need,when designing the head of the cotter pin, to take account ofthe space occupied by the aforementioned tongues of the wallrail, which are described in greater detail below, when theedge profile is snapped into engagement in the wall rail.Although not illustrated specifically here, the use of otherdevices for the axial fixing of the connecting element in thecavity is conceivable. Such devices may comprise transversecotter pins, locking screws or similar.

The centrally located section of the edgeprofile, comprising the cavity and the holes, can be recessed and can lie within the lateral plane of the edge profile inorder to permit the head of the screw, the head of the cotterpin and the head of the assembly washer to be accommodatedwithin said lateral plane and, as such, not to encroach uponthe space available for any additional fitting-out anddecorative components. It will be appreciated that the holesmay be recessed as an alternative for the purpose ofaccommodating the head of the screw, in which case thecentrally located section of the edge profile need not berecessed in its entirety.

The outermost section of the edge profile,which, in its installed position, is in positive engagementwith the wall rail, is dimensioned in such a way, togetherwith the wall rail described below, as to form a unit whosethickness corresponds to the thickness of the sheet material.Due to the fact that the outside of the sheet and the wallrail thus lie in a common plane, a level supporting surfaceis formed for side panels and dividers, when these are placedon the base panel.

The wall rail has an essentially U-shapedcross-section with a cavity which is adapted to accommodatethe outermost section of the edge profile in a positivelyengaged fashion. The connecting web of the wall rail has athickness which permits a rear panel to be clamped inconjunction with installation of the rail between the walland a flange formed on the wall rail. The web exhibits anumber of recessed holes through which fixing screws can bepassed, whose head in the screwed-in position is located onor beneath the plane of the web to permit insertion of theedge profile, which, when in the inserted position, is incontact with the web of the wall rail. Extending from the webare a pair of shanks, each of the outermost ends of whichexhibits a locking heel running across the extent of theshank and towards an imaginary central plane. The lockingheels fix the edge profile to the wall rail through a process of locking engagement behind the stops with the edge profilein its fully snapped-in position, when the shanks spring backafter the snapping-in movement into contact with the lateralplane of the edge profile.

Considerable flexibility in respect of thearrangement of the storage space is offered in conjunctionwith installation, which is also applicable to subsequentrearrangement as storage needs change. Installation isperformed easily by one man, and the setting-up of thestorage system is restricted to the levelling and verticalalignment of the wall rails. Side panels and dividers arelocked to the edge profiles of the base panel and the toppanel by the introduction of connecting elements which extendthrough the holes in the aforementioned edge profiles, afterwhich the connecting elements are fixed in the cavities bythe edge profiles of the side panels and the dividersrespectively. Fixing is by threaded engagement betweenconnecting element and cavity, or alternatively with the helpof a locking washer, locking screw or some other device forlocking the connecting element axially in the cavity.

The installed cabinet carcass can besupplemented with various fitting-out components such assliding rails for drawers, bins and wire baskets, shelfsupports and plinth drawers suspended beneath the base panel,etc., in conjunction with which these components interactwith the edge profiles to form a storage system.

Although not specifically illustrated,coloured and structured trim strips can be securely clampedto the edge profiles in a manner obvious to a person skilledin the art for the purpose of covering visible edge profiles,and side covering pieces can be applied to visible endpanels. The holes in the edge profiles can be used forsecuring shelf supports, slide rails and guides, but also forinstalling commercially available types of hinges which, asthe cabinet door is opened, lift it outwards from the cabinet carcass in order to permit opening of doors which, in theclosed position, cover the cabinet carcass and the frontedges of the dividers. The edge profile on the base panel ofthe high-level cabinet can be used as an attachment devicefor kitchen appliances, such as microwave ovens, and forlight fittings, etc. Pull-out plinth drawers suspended fromrails can also be integrated in the facade of the storagesystem, in conjunction with which the plinth-freeconstruction of the storage system permits a high degree ofutilization of the space between the base panel and thefloor.

A cover panel or work surface is usuallyinstalled above the cabinet carcass, in which case the toppanel can be executed for reasons of material economy as aframe of edge profiles or as a ladder structure with edgeprofiles integrated into its long sides.

The invention is not restricted to theillustrative embodiments described above and shown in thedrawings, nut may be varied within the scope of the PatentClaims without departing from the idea of invention.

Claims (10)

1. Storage system (1) comprising shelves (2)andcabinets (3) constructed from pieces (4-6) of sheet materialforming shelves (4, 5) and side panels (6, 18, 19, 20),pairs of mounting rails (7, 8), whichare arranged to be supported horizontally at a verticalmutual distance (A) from one another, exhibit means (9) forsetting up the rails (7, 8) on a wall (10) and uprights or othersupport (11) intended for that purpose at the location (12)where the storage system (1) is installed,characterized in that at leastthe upper (4) and the lower shelves (5) are so arranged bymeans of connecting devices (15) as to be detachably attachedto the aforementioned matching mounting rails (7, 8),in thatarranged between the aforementioned mounting rails (7, 8) andshelves (4, 5) are interacting connecting pieces (21) whichexhibit connecting devices (22) for attachment to themounting rails (7, 8) along one of their long sides (21A),and exhibit connecting devices (23) along the correspondinglong side (21B) so arranged as to be capable of beingconnected to said shelves (4, 5) along their front edge (4A,5A), andin that pieces in the form of sheets are so arrangedby means of securing devices (16, 17) as to be capable ofvertical installation between the aforementioned upper andlower shelves (4, 5) so as to be supported by said mountingrails (7, 8) to form from the sides (18, 19) of installedformed cabinet carcasses (3), in conjunction with whichcomponents (4-8) included in the system exhibit a finishedlength at the time of delivery to the location (12) wherethey are to be set up or have their dimensions adapted inconjunction with the setting-up of the components (4-8).
2. System as claimed in Patent Claim 1,
   characterized in that said connecting piece (21) is formed from a profile which, at least along one longitudinal edge(4A, 5A) of the shelves, but preferably along both theirlongitudinal edges (4A, 5A; 4B, 5B), is connected to theshelf at the time of delivery.
3. System as claimed in Patent Claim 1,
   characterized in that the shape of the connecting devices(22) of the connecting pieces is adapted to that of themounting rails (7, 8), for example as a male and femaleconnection.
4. System as claimed in Patent Claim 3,
   characterized in that said mounting rail (7, 8) is formedfrom a U-shaped profile rail with a flange (26) at each ofthe free ends of the shank (27), andin that said connectingdevice (22) is in the form of a tubular component, which isso arranged, after having been snapped into engagement overthe flanges (26), as to be accommodated in the mounting railand enclosed by the shanks.
5. System as claimed in Patent Claim 1,
   characterized in that vertically supportable side panels (6)exhibit connecting rails (29, 30) along both longitudinalvertical edges (6A, 6B) of the pieces with means ofconnection at the short ends, for example in the form ofholes (31) for screws (16) or other fixing devices (17)capable of being accommodated therein, in order to permitconnection of said side panels (6) to said shelves (4, 5).
6. System as claimed in Patent Claim 5,
   characterized in that shelves (4, 5) and side panels (6)exhibit connection pieces (21, 29, 30), which are providedwith transcurrent holes (33) uniformly distributed in astraight line along their length on both the rear edge (4B-6B)and the front edge (4A-6A) for the purpose of connectionto additional side panels and shelves.
7. System as claimed in Patent Claim 6,
   characterized in that the connecting rails (29, 30) of the side panels exhibit holes (31) in their short ends (6¹, 6²)suitable for screws or other connecting means.
8. System as claimed in Patent Claim 4,
   characterized in that a front strip (34) is capable ofattachment to the respective connecting pieces (21) andconnecting rails (30) of the shelves (4, 5) and side panels(6) along their front edge.
9. System as claimed in one or other of PatentClaims 1-8,characterized in that components and front stripsintended for connection consist of a plastic and/or metalmaterial, preferably aluminium, in conjunction with which theshelves and side panels consist of fibre material, wood,plastic, metal or a combination of said materials.
10. System (1) in accordance with Patent Claim 1,characterized in that said connecting piece (21) ispreferably formed from a profile which, at least along onelongitudinal edge (4A, 5A) of the shelves, but preferablyalong both their longitudinal vertical edges (4A, 5A; 4B,5B), is connected to the shelf at the time of delivery,inthat the shape of the connecting devices (22) of theconnecting pieces is adapted to that of the mounting rails(7, 8), for example as a male and female connection,in thatsaid mounting rail (7, 8) is formed preferably from a U-shapedprofile rail with a flange (26) at each of the freeends of the shank (27), said connecting device (22) is in theform of a tubular component which is so arranged, afterhaving been snapped into engagement over the flanges (26), asto be accommodated in the mounting rail and to be enclosed inthis way by the shanks, andin that the verticallysupportable side panels (6) exhibit connecting rails (29, 30)along both longitudinal edges (6A, 6B) of the pieces and withmeans of connection at the short ends, for example in theform of holes (31) for screws (16) or other fixing devices(17) capable of being accommodated therein in order to permitconnection of said side panels (6) to said shelves (4, 5).

Images