IE20060752A1

IE20060752A1 - A modular furniture system

Info

Publication number: IE20060752A1
Application number: IE20060752A
Authority: IE
Inventors: John B O'hagan
Original assignee: Specialist Joinery Fittings Lt
Priority date: 2005-10-13
Filing date: 2006-10-11
Publication date: 2007-06-13
Also published as: GB0620308D0; GB0520735D0; GB2431570A

Abstract

The present invention is concerned with a modular furniture system which includes a free standing frame with which a plurality of storage units such as presses, drawers or the like, are removably connectable in modular form in order to allow the shape and/or configuration of the system to be altered to suit a particular location and/or application. <Figure 2>

Description

The present invention is concerned with a modular furniture system, and in particular a modular furniture system which is adapted for use with services such as mains water, gas, electricity, etc, and which allows the configuration of the system to be quickly and easily changed to suit a particular location or application.

Summary of the Invention The present invention therefore provides a modular furniture system comprising a frame; one or more storage units removably mountable to the frame, wherein the frame defines a service space isolated, in use, from the at least one storage unit, through which service space services may be routed.

Preferably, the service space comprises a recess for receiving a waste pipe and/or comprises trunking for routing services through.

Preferably, the trunking is removably mountable to the frame . |( 060 752 A MODULAR FURNITURE SYSTEM Background of the Invention The present invention is concerned with a modular furniture system, and in particular a modular furniture system which is adapted for use with services such as mains water, gas, electricity, etc, and which allows the conf iguration of the system to be quickly and easily changed to suit a particular location or application.

Summary of the Invention The present invention therefore provides a modular furniture system comprising a frame; one or more storage units removably mountable to the frame, wherein the frame defines a service space about the frame and the at least one storage unit, through which service space services may be routed.

Preferably, the trunking is removably mountable to the frame. ΙΕ Ο6Ο752 Preferably, the frame may be expanded or reduced in size by adding or removing sub-frames.

Preferably, the sub-frames are joined by at least one 5 common rail.

Preferably, the frame comprises a lower section and an upper section to each of which one or more of the storage units are removably mountable, Preferably, the upper section is mounted on the lower section.

As used herein, the term services is intended to mean water, in particular mains water, in addition to electricity, gas and the like, and is further intended to mean the conduits or cabling utilised in transporting/supplying these services .

As used herein, the term “trunking is intended to mean a passage or corridor, or some other form of enclosure, preferably an elongate tube like enclosure, through which various services may be routed, and at any point on the exterior of the trunking a service outlet may be provided which taps into one or more of the services in order to provide access thereto.

As used herein, the term “service outlet is intended to mean an interface such as an electrical socket or a water or gas tap or the like, in addition to a data ΙΕ 06ο 752 access point such as a fibre optic and/or analogue/digital jack or the like.

Brief Description of the Drawings The present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanied drawings, in which; Figure 1 illustrates a frame which forms part of the 10 modular furniture system of the present invention, having various additional components connected thereto and thereabout, and having a worktop mounted thereon, but being devoid of storage units which may be removably connected thereto; Figure 2 illustrates a perspective view of the system of the invention, in which a number of storage units have been located within the frame illustrated in Figure 1; Figure 3 illustrates a close-up perspective view of one of the storage units forming part of the system of the invention, illustrating a rail by which the storage unit is slidably mounted to the frame; Figure 4 illustrates a perspective view of locking means forming part of the furniture system of the invention, but in isolation from the furniture system; Figure 5 illustrates a close-up perspective view of a lower corner of one of the storage units forming part ΙΕ θβΟ 752 of the furniture system, illustrating the locking means of Figure 4, which is operable to secure the storage unit relative to the frame; Figure 6 illustrates a perspective view of a floor box forming part of the system of the present invention, with a lid thereof removed to show the interior of the floor box; and Figure 7 illustrates an exploded perspective view of the floor box illustrated in Figure 6.

Detailed Description Referring to the accompanying drawings, there is illustrated a modular furniture system, generally indicated as 10, for particular use in applications which require access to services such as water, electricity, gas and the like, which system 10 is modular in nature in order to allow the configuration of same to be adapted to suit particular requirements. It is envisaged that the system 10 will have particular application in locations such as laboratories, for example school science labs, technical labs, language labs and home economics rooms or the like. The system 10 is designed, as will become apparent from the following description of the configuration and operation of same, to be modular in nature in order to allow the size and shape of same to be adapted as required, in addition to being straight forward to ΙΕ ΟβΟ 752 fabricate on site, and being quick and easy to maintain.

The system 10 essentially comprises a frame 12 in 5 which, in use, one or more, preferably a plurality, of storage units 14 are removably mounted, as will be described in detail hereinafter. The frame 12 is comprised of a lower section comprising a plurality of sub-frames 16, each sub-frame 16 being formed by four frame members 18, which are preferably formed from extruded aluminium or the like. The plurality of subframes 16 are connected to at least one rail 20, and preferably each adjacent pair of sub-frames 16 are connected to a respective rail 20. Each sub-frame 16 is also provided, in the embodiment illustrated, with a pair of height adjustable legs 22 on the underside thereof. In this way the frame 12 may be positioned on a floor F which may be uneven, and the legs 22 adjusted in order to level the frame 12. The frame 12 may be 0 located as a freestanding island unit, or as in the preferred embodiment illustrated, seated against a wall W in conventional fashion. The legs 22 also enable the entire frame 12 to be adjusted to a range of heights to suit the particular application of the system 10.

However, as the frame 12 carries the weight of the storage units 14, in addition to dictating the positions/squareness of the plurality of storage units 14 relative to one another, it is not necessary for the frame 12 to be physically fixed to the wall W or the floor F. It will of course be appreciated that the IE 060752 frame 12 could be fixed to the wall W and/or the floor F if desired. In this way, the lengthy processes of custom fitting a piece of furniture against an uneven wall and/or floor in addition to scribing a conventional worktop (not shown) to follow the contour of such an uneven wall, may be avoided.

Each sub-frame 16 further includes an upright 24 (Fig. 3) to which, in use, a length of trunking 26 is secured, which preferably extends along the full length of the frame 12, as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2. The trunking 26 is adapted to carry services, such as piping for hot and/or cold water, electrical cabling for power/communication purposes, in addition to any other service requirement, for example gas for use in a laboratory or the like. For such applications, it is normal to have a supply of running water and thus although not forming part of the system 10 of the invention, it is necessary to install a waste manifold 28, which in the embodiment illustrated runs behind and along the length of the frame 12, towards the rear thereof. In this way a plurality of connections can be made to the waste manifold 28 as required, for example by adding a number of sinks (not shown), or the like to the system 10.

The waste manifold 28, in the embodiment illustrated, exits via the floor F, although it will of course be appreciated that any other suitable routing may be chosen for the waste manifold 28. In addition, the system 10 is designed such that each sub-frame 16 is IE 0 6(, 752 spaced from the respective upright 24 by a short horizontal length of extruded aluminium or the like, for example 200mm in length, thus resulting in each sub-frame 16 being stepped outwardly, in use, away from the wall W, while leaving the trunking 26 in abutting engagement with the wall W. This configuration allows the waste manifold 28 to be routed between the wall W and the plurality of sub-frames 16, in order to simplify the on-site assembly of the system 10, while maintaining the practical and aesthetic benefits of having the trunking 26 directly against the wall W.

Thus the frame 12 defines two service spaces, one occupied, in use, by the waste manifold 28 and the other occupied by the trunking 26. Both of the service spaces are isolated from the storage units 14, thereby allowing the storage units 14 be connected to or removed from the frame 12 without affecting or having to disconnect the various services supplied to the system 10.

Referring back to the trunking 26, a fascia 3 0 is provided thereon which is releasably secured to the trunking 26, for example by means of a key operated locking means (not shown) or the like. Connected to the fascia 30 is a water tap 32, in addition to a plurality of gas taps 34. Thus routed through the trunking 26 is a mains water conduit (not shown), in addition to gas piping (not shown) to feed the plurality of gas taps 34. It will therefore be appreciated that the trunking 26 provides significant IE 060752 flexibility to the system 10, allowing more or less of the gas taps 34 to be provided as required, in addition to allowing one or more additional water taps 32 to be installed on the fascia 30 and connected to the water mains (not shown) routed through the trunking 26. The number and/or position of the water tap 32 and gas taps 34 can therefore be chosen as required. Maintenance or upgrade work to the water mains and gas piping (not shown) contained within the trunking 26 is achieved by simply removing the fascia 30 from the trunking 26. The trunking 26 is also provided with a number of electrical sockets 36 to allow electrical devices (not shown) to be connected to the mains. The services running through the trunking 26 are supplied, in the embodiment illustrated, upwardly though the floor F as will be described in detail hereinafter, although it will of course be appreciated that the services may be routed into the trunking 26 from any other suitable location.

The system 10 further comprises a working surface in the form of a worktop 38 which is releasably securable to the frame 12, in order to allow the worktop 38 to be easily removed for whatever reason. For example, if it is desired to extend the length of the system 10, the worktop 3 8 could be removed and replaced with an elongated version of same, or alternatively the existing worktop 38 could be removed and suitably extended by the addition of material thereto. In applications such as school laboratories or the like, it is also likely that the worktop 38 will experience IE 06ο752 significant wear and tear, and thus it may also be necessary to remove same for periodic reconditioning. The worktop 38, in the embodiment illustrated, abuts against the trunking 26 and the frame 12, and is preferably screwed or otherwise mechanically secured to the frame 12. A bead-like seal 40 is provided between the worktop 38 and the trunking 26, in order to prevent the migration of moisture or chemicals or the like therebetween. An end cap 42 is also preferably provided on either end of the trunking 26, in order to seal same from the exterior.

Referring to figures 2 and 3, and as indicated above, the system 10 includes one or more of the storage units 14, which are removably mounted within the frame 12, again to provide modularity to the system 10. The spacing between adjacent sub-frames 16 is preferably a standard size, or one of a number of standard sizes, such that the storage units 14 can be produced off-site to fixed dimensions, in order to ensure compatibility with the frame 12 when erected. Furthermore the storage units 14 can be produced with a number of internal configurations without requiring any alteration to the configuration of the frame 12, In the preferred embodiment illustrated, each storage unit 14 is provided with a pair of slots 44, one on either upper side thereof as illustrated in figure 3, and cooperating with a corresponding rail 45 provided on the respective frame member 18 of each sub-frame 16. Thus each storage unit 14 is slidably mounted to the ΙΕ Ο6Ο752 frame 12, similar to the mounting of a conventional drawer within a drawer pack. In order to allow each storage unit 14 to be locked relative to the frame 12 during use, each storage unit 14 is preferably provided with locking means 46 which can cooperate with the frame 12 when the storage unit 14 is fully inserted therein, in order to lock the storage unit 14 to the frame 12. In the embodiment illustrated the locking means 46, referring in particular to figure 4 and 5, comprises a cam 48 mounted on a shaft 50 which extends from a body 52 of the locking means 46. The locking means 46 is mounted to the respective storage unit 14 via a suitably shaped and dimensioned slot 54, such that the cam 48 projects beyond the wall of the storage unit 14. Thus as the storage unit 14 is slid into position within the frame 12, the cam 48 is brought into register with a channel 56 provided in the respective frame member 18. Once the cam 48 is so positioned, the shaft 50, and therefore the cam 48, are rotated through 90 degrees by means of an alien key (not shown) or the like, in order to engage the cam 48 with the walls of the channel 56, thus locking the storage unit 14 in position. When it is desired to remove a particular storage unit 14, it is a simple matter of releasing the respective cams 48 and then sliding the storage unit 14 out of the frame 12.

Referring again to Figures 1 and 2, the system 10 is also preferably provided with one or more overhead storage units 58 which, like the lower storage units 14, are modular in form and releasably, preferably IE 060 752 slidably, mounted in the system 10. In order to accommodate the overhead storage units 58, the frame 12 comprises an upper section comprising a plurality of upper sub-frames 60 each of which, in the embodiment illustrated, is provided at the end of the respective upright 24. The upper sub-frames 60 are similar in configuration and operation to the sub-frames 16, preferably incorporating a rail (not shown) for sliding engagement within a corresponding slot (not shown) on either side of the overhead storage units 58. The upper sub-frames 60 are preferably releasably connectable to the uprights 24. In this way, it is possible to select the position of the overhead storage units 58, only one of which is provided in the preferred embodiment illustrated. It will however be appreciated that a full compliment of the storage units 58 could be provided by connecting an upper sub-frame 60 to every upright 24 of the frame 12, and to then connect a plurality of the storage units 58 thereto.

The use of the upper sub-frames 60 provide a number of advantages over conventional means of securing cupboards or the like at such a height, which will normally be directly secured to a wall using conventional fixings such as screws or the like. By utilising the upper sub-frames 60, the weight of the storage units 58 is borne by the frame 12, thereby transferring the load to the floor F, thus avoiding the need to fix the storage units 58 directly to the wall W. It is of course possible to secure the storage units 58 to the wall W in conventional fashion, to IE 060 752 supplement the support provided by the frame 12. It is preferable to fix the upper sub-frames 60 to the wall W using screws or the like, in order to locate the subframes 60 and to stop same from tilting forwardly off the wall under the weight of the storage units 58. Furthermore, once the frame 12 has been levelled on installation, for example using the legs 22, each of the worktop 38, the storage units 14, and the storage units 58 will be simultaneously levelled, thus greatly reducing the work involved. Consequently, if after an initial period it is found that further storage space is required from the system 10, additional overhead storage units 58 can be connected via the uprights 24, and these new overhead storage units 58 will not require any levelling.

Referring now to Figures 6 and 7, in combination with Figures 1 and 2, the system 10 preferably comprises one or more floor boxes 62 which route services upwardly through the floor F to supply the system 10. In use, the floor box is permanently set into the floor F during the laying/pouring of the floor F. The floor box 62 is thus positioned at the intended location of the system 10. However, as can be seen from Figures 1 and 2, one or more additional floor boxes 62 may be provided, either for an island unit version of the system 10, or to allow for the future expansion of the system 10. The floor box 62 is provided with a snap on cover (not shown) which may be fitted to conceal a floor box 62 which is not in use.

IE O6O752 The floor box 62 comprises a number of apertures 64 in the sidewalls thereof, through which, in use, electrical or other dry services may be routed. The floor box 62 further comprises an opening 66 in a base, through which a waste pipe or drain D may be routed as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, in order to enable use as a wet floor box 62. In use, the waste manifold 28 is connected to the drain D. The floor box 62 is also preferably provided with a removable or optional divider 68 which is locatable such as to enable separation of the various services routed through the floor box 62. A rim 70 securable about the top of the floor box 62 provides a flush finish between the floor box 62 and the floor F. The floor box 62 is also provided with a lug 72, which preferably includes a threaded bore therein, to which the frame 12 may be releasably secured, via a suitable fixing (not shown) or the like, in order to fix the frame 12 relative to the floor box 62. This ensures that the frame 12 can not be accidentally moved, which could result in damage to the connection between the system 10 and the various services routed through the floor box 62. This is particularly important where gas or the like is being supplied to the system 10 via the floor box 62. This also ensures that no evidence of a visible fixing will be left if the system 10 is removed and the cover (not shown) is placed on the floor box 62.

It will thus be appreciated that the system 10 provides a highly modular arrangement which can be quickly and easily adapted to suit the needs of the particular IE 06 0 752 application or uses thereof. For example, the overall length of the system 10 and thus the amount of storage space provided thereby, in addition to the worktop 38 space provided, can be quickly and easily altered by adding or subtracting sub-frames 16 and/or upper subframes 60. In addition, the trunking 26 allows the number and/or configuration of the water tap 32 and gas taps 34 to be quickly and easily altered. Furthermore, the trunking 26 may carry electrical wiring or digital communication lines, which can be tapped into at any length along the trunking 26, to provide, for example, the electrical sockets 36, or a data connection points (not shown).

As also mentioned above, the configuration of each storage unit 14, 58 may be altered as required. In the addition, as the waste manifold 28 extends along almost the entire length of the system 10, additional sinks (not shown) or the like may be installed at any desired position along the length of the worktop 38. As the waste manifold is located between the frame 12 and the wall W, the plurality of storage units 14, 58 can be quickly and easily removed from the frame 12 without requiring any consideration to be taken of the waste manifold 28. The same applies for the mains water supply/gas supply/electricity supply passing through the trunking 26.

Claims

1. A modular furniture system comprising a frame; one or more storage units removably mountable to the frame, 5 wherein the frame defines a service space isolated, in use, from the at least one storage unit, through which service space services may be routed.

2. A modular furniture system according to claim 1 in 10 which the service space comprises a recess for receiving a waste pipe and/or comprises trunking for routing services through.

3. A modular furniture system according to claim 2 in 15 which the trunking is removably mountable to the frame.

4. A modular furniture system according to claim 2 or 3 in which the trunking is located, in use, above the at least one storage unit such as to be externally 20 accessible.

5. A modular furniture system according to any preceding claim further comprising a working surface removably mountable on the frame.

6. A modular furniture system according to any of claims 2 to 5 in which the trunking is located, in use, adjacent and above the working surface. ΙΕ 06ο 7$2 7. A modular furniture system according to any preceding claim in which the frame comprises a plurality of height adjustable legs 5 8. A modular furniture system according to any preceding claim in which the at least one storage unit is releasably lockable to the frame.

7. 9. A modular furniture system according to any 10 preceding claim in which the at least one storage unit is slidably mountable to the frame.

8. 10. A modular furniture system according to any preceding claim in which the at least one storage unit 15 and the frame may be flat packed for storage and/or transport.

9. 11. A modular furniture system according to any of claims 2 to 10 in which the trunking comprises a 20 removable fascia.

10. 12. A modular furniture system according to claim 11 in which the fascia is adapted to receive one or more service outlets.

11. 13. A modular furniture system according to any preceding claim in which the frame comprises a plurality of sub-frames between each adjacent pair of which is defined an enclosure for receiving a 30 respective storage unit. IE 06 Ο 752

12. 14. A modular furniture system according to claim 13 in which the frame may be expanded or reduced in size by adding or removing sub-frames. 5

13. 15. A modular furniture system according to claim 13 or 14 in which the sub-frames are joined by a common rail.

14. 16. A modular furniture system according to any 10 preceding claim in which the frame comprises a lower section and an upper section to each of which one or more of the storage units are removably mountable.

15. 17. A modular furniture system according to claim 16 15 in which the upper section is mounted on the lower section.