Shelf Element

Abstract

A shelf element which is intended to be incorporated in a shelf contains, at each of its corners, an angular profile (1) whose upper and/or lower ends are to be connected to a similar angular profile (1). The shelf element contains at least one plate element (2). The plate element (2) is cut out at the corners in such a way that an angular profile (I) of another shelf element can be inserted into the angle between the two limbs (8) of the angular profile (1) without being disturbed by the plate element (2).

Description

The invention relates to a shelf for holding objects that is composed of individual shelf elements which are arranged one above the other. At its four corners, the shelf has vertical angular profiles to which shelves are affixed. The shelves descend from back to front so that the objects can slide forward. With the exception of a bottom alignment, the angular profiles of the other shelf elements are arranged so that the top ends of the two rear angular profiles are higher than the two front angular profiles.

The connection is made in such a way that the ends of the angular profiles are connected to each other, whereby the bottom ends for example are shaped in such a way that their legs are recessed inward. As a result, the ends in their end area lie flat against each other, whereby the outsides of the angular profiles are flush (DE 29614168).

If a shelf element is inserted in such a shelf that has a top, horizontal panel, the top ends of the angular profiles of the shelf element must project enough above the panel so that the connection with the angular profiles of the next highest shelf element can be made in the same manner as before. The space between the lowermost descending shelf of the top shelf element and the top panel of the just cited element is thereby reduced.

A similar problem occurs when a shelf element is used with side walls that are welded or otherwise fastened to the inside of the legs of the angular profiles. In this case as well, fastening in the normal manner is impossible when the side walls extend up to the top edge of the angular profiles. Problems of this type can arise wherever there is a connection between the angular profiles.

The invention is based on the problem of designing a shelf element that is intended for use with other shelf elements in such a way that the connection of the neighboring shelf elements to the angular profiles can be made without losing space.

To solve this problem, the invention proposes a shelf element having the features of claim 1 and/or a shelf element having the features of claim 2. Modifications of the invention are the subject of subclaims.

The cutout in the top and/or bottom panel element or cutout in the side wall directly in the area of the angular profiles ensures that the bottom ends of the top (or the top ends of the bottom) neighboring shelf element can be advanced further than would be allowed by the position of the top and/or bottom panel element or sidewall.

A particularly easy type of cutout in the top and/or bottom panel element is provided by cutting off the corners at an angle. Thus the resulting edge runs approximately along a hypotenuse of the angle formed by the two legs of the angular profile.

Given a shelf element with four angular profiles at the corners, the initially-cited design of the panel element can for example be only in the area of the two front angular profiles, or only in the area of the two rear angular profiles depending upon the use. Given a shelf as portrayed in the initially-cited prior art, it can be sufficient to correspondingly design the top cover panel only in the area of the two front angular profiles. The same holds true for the side walls.

It is particularly useful to use the invention for a shelf element that is designed as a cabinet unit, i.e. that has two side walls, one rear wall, and one top and one bottom panel, and where the front is closed by a door.

Additional features, details and advantages of the invention are found in the claims whose wording is rendered part of the description by means of reference, the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention, as well as the drawing.

The drawing shows the following:

FIG. 1 Perspective view of a shelf element designed as a cabinet unit;

FIG. 2 Plan view of a corner of the shelf element in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 Enlargement of a side view of the front, top corner area.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a shelf element that is designed as a cabinet unit and is intended to be assembled together with other vertically adjoining shelf elements to form a shelf.

The shelf element contains four angular profiles 1 that run vertically and all have the same length. The two legs of the profile face inward so that the inside of the angle between the two legs faces to the inside. The shelf element contains a top cover panel 2 and a bottom panel that cannot be seen in the perspective view in FIG. 1. Furthermore, the shelf element contains a left side wall 3 and a right side wall 4 that cannot be seen in FIG. 1. The cabinet unit can be closed at the back by a rear wall.

The side walls 3, 4 are arranged between the angular profiles 1 so that they are connected (for example by welding) to the insides of the facing legs of the angular profiles. The top cover panel 2 and the floor are connected (for example by welding) to the side walls 3, 4.

The angular profiles 1 of the shelf element all have the same length but are arranged so that the two, rear angular profiles 1h are higher than the two, front angular profiles 1. At the front, the shelf element is closed by a door 5.

This shelf element is intended for example to be connected to another shelf element that is arranged above the portrayed shelf element. This shelf element therefore also contains four angular profiles 1 at the corners that are shaped in their bottom area (see FIG. 3) in such a way that the two legs are recessed inward by the thickness of the material of the angular profiles. The outside 12 of the bottom areas 11 of the angular profiles 1 thuslie flat against the inside of the legs of the angular profiles 1 of the bottom shelf elements when they are connected to the bottom shelf element.

As can also be seen in FIG. 1, the top ends 9 of the front angular profiles 1 only extend slightly above the top side of the top panel element 2.

Let us now consider FIG. 2. FIG. 2 shows a plan view of the right, front corner area of the shelf element. The angular profile 1 contains two legs 8 that, as is usual with angular profiles, form a right angle. The leg 8 facing the rear is welded to the inside of the side wall 4. The side wall 4 can for example be designed as a single piece with the top panel element 2 that is then bent at a right angle to thereby form the panel element 2. This panel element 2 is cut off at an angle opposite the inside of angular profile 1 and forms an edge 7 there that leaves space between the two legs 8 of the angular profile 1. In the area of the front edge 6 at the bottom in FIG. 2, the top panel element 2 is bent slightly upward.

Cutting off of the top panel element 2 at an angle allows an angular profile to be inserted from above with its bottom end 11 that is bentinward in such a way that the bottom edge 13 of said angular profile lies below the top side of the top panel element 2. A different way of cutting off the corner of the panel element 2 would also be sufficient; however, cutting it off at an angle is the easiest method.

Since the rear angular profiles 1h on the top side extend further upward than the front ones, such a shaping in the area of the rear, two angular profiles 1h is not necessary. Given a shelf element in which the angular profiles also project only slightly or not at all beyond the top panel 2 in the rear area, the corners could also be shaped in the rear area.

Let us now consider FIG. 3. FIG. 3 shows the bottom area 11 of the angular profile 1 of a top shelf element opposite angular profile 1 of the bottom shelf element shown in FIG. 1. The side wall 4 whose top edge 14 coincides with the top side of the top panel element 2 has, in the area of its top edge, a cutout 15 that is designed so that the inside of the leg 8 remains free over a certain area at this location. Below the cutout 15, the side wall 4 is connected to the inside of the leg 8 of the angular profile 1, for example by welding. The interaction of this cutout 15 and the cut-away corner area of the panel element 2 makes it possible to shove the bottom end area 11 of the top angular profile sufficiently downward so that the fastening holes 16 of the top angular profile coincide with the fastening holes of 16 in the bottom angular profile. Screw connections for example can then be made.

In the portrayed example, the distance between the rear edge 17 of the cutout 15 from the front edge 18 of the sidewall 4 is larger than the inside length of the leg 8 of the angular profile 1. This takes into account the fact that the bottom area 11 of the angular profile is bent to the rear so that the edge 19 facing the rear of this bottom area 11 extends further to the rear than the corresponding edge 19 of the angular profile 1 in the top area. This is enabled by the slot which can be seen in FIG. 3 that is formed between the edge 17 of the cutout 15 and the back edge 19 of the bottom angular profile 1.

In the portrayed embodiment, the bottom ends of the angular profile 1 of the shelf elements are bent inward, whereas the top ends remain unchanged. Consequently, the cutouts are formed in the top panel element and in the bottom edges of the sidewalls 3, 4. Shelf elements are of course also possible in which the top ends of the angular profiles are bentinward, and the bottom ends remain unchanged. In this case, the corner areas are shaped in the bottom panel element, and the cutouts 15 are in the area of the bottom edges of the side walls 3, 4.

Claims

1. Shelf element having at least two vertical angular profiles (1),whose top (9) and/or bottom ends are designed to connect with a vertically adjoining shelf element, and havingat least one of a top and a bottom panel element (2) extending between the angular profiles (1),said panel element being designed in the area of least one corner facing an angular profile (1) so that the space between the legs (8) of the angular profile (1) remains free by at least the cross-sectional shape and cross-sectional dimension of an angular profile (1).

2. Shelf element, especially according to claim 1, having at least two vertical angular profiles (1),whose top (9) and/or bottom ends are designed to connect with a vertically adjoining shelf element, and havingat least one side wall (3, 4) thatis fastened to the inside of a leg (8) of at least one angular profile (1), andhaving a cutout (15) at the junction with the angular profile (1) at its top side and/or its bottom side,and the height of said cutout corresponds to the desired overlapping section of the angular profile with the angular profile of the adjoining shelf element.

3. Shelf element according to claim 2, wherein the cutout (15) together with the edge (19) of the leg (8) of the angular profile (1) forms a slot corresponding at least approximately to the thickness of the leg (8) of the angular profile.

4. Shelf element according to claim 1, wherein the panel element (2) is beveled in at least one corner area.

5. Shelf element according to claim 1, with four angular profiles (1), and the panel element is designed to leave free space in the area of the angular profiles (1) at one of the front of the shelf element and the rear of the shelf element.

6. Shelf element according to claim 2, wherein the cutout (15) in the side wall (3, 4) is provided at one of the angular profiles (1) at the front and/or at the angular profiles (1h) of the rear.

7. Shelf element according to claim 6, having a rear wall that is fastened at the inside of the leg (8) of both angular profiles (1h) in the area of the rear and has cutout at the junction with the angular profiles (1h) at its top and/or its bottom, the height of which corresponds to the desired overlapping path of the angular profile (1) with the angular profile (1) of the adjoining shelf element.

8. Shelf element according to claim 7, wherein the cutout together with the edge of the leg (8) of the angular profile (1h) forms a slot corresponding to approximately the thickness of the leg (8) of the angular profile (1h) at the minimum.

9. Shelf element according to claim 8 that is designed as a cabinet unit having a door (5) at the front.