Wiring of a modular furniture system

• US 20030171017A1
• Filed: 11/19/2002
• Published: 09/11/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 05/19/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Usm Holding AG
• Original Assignee: Usm Holding AG
• Inventors: Schaerer, Alexander, Cassani, Antonio, Gerber, Andre
• Granted Patent: US 6,830,468 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 439/215
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 21/06 characterised by means for holding, fastening or concealing cables
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/0437 Channels
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/38 the cables or lines being installed in preestablished conduits or ducts

Abstract

Electrification of a furniture system which has a plurality of structural elements, formed for receiving functional furniture units, comprises multiple plugs (21 or 31) which can be fastened to a part of the structural element and cables (22 or 32) which are carried on a part of the structural element. The cables (22 or 32) have a predetermined length and serve as an electrical connection between multiple plugs (21 or 31) of two neighboring structural elements. The structural elements are preferably closed frames (1, 2 or 19), which are formed from at least two vertical longitudinal struts (5 or 6) and at least two horizontally connecting stays (3 or 4). The multiple plugs (21 or 31) are clipped on the longitudinal struts (5 or 6), in longitudinal slots (7) arranged therein, in such a way that they can be displaced along the longitudinal slots (7). A set incrementation or a fastening means protruding from the longitudinal struts (5 or 6) may also be provided.

Claims

1. Furniture system with electrification, the furniture system having a plurality of structural elements formed for receiving functional furniture units, characterized in that the electrification has at least one multiple plug (21 or 31) which can be fastened to a vertical part of the structural element and cables (22 or 32) of a predetermined length which are carried on a part of the structural element as an electrical connection between multiple plugs (21 or 31) of two neighboring structural elements.

2. Furniture system according to claim 1, characterized in that the electrification additionally has at least one button (25) or switch or sensor which can be fastened to a part of the structural element.

3. Furniture system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the multiple plug (21 or 31) and the button (25) or switch can be displaceably fastened to a part of the structural element.

4. Furniture system according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the structural element has at least two vertical longitudinal struts (5 and 6).

5. Furniture system according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the structural element forms a closed, vertical, rectangular frame (1, 2 or 19), which is preferably formed by two vertical longitudinal struts (5 and 6) and by two stays (3 and 4) horizontally connecting them.

6. Furniture system according to either of claims 4 and 5, characterized in that the longitudinal struts (5 and 6) have on sides which are aligned parallel to a plane formed by the rectangular frame fastening means for the multiple plug (21 or 31) and/or the button (25) or switch.

7. Furniture system according to claim 6, characterized in that the fastening means are slots (7) running in the longitudinal direction.

8. Furniture system according to either of claims 5 and 7, characterized in that the cables (22 and 32) have a length which corresponds to a length of a stay plus one fifth to a complete length of a longitudinal strut (5 or 6).

9. Furniture system according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that an additional holder (33) which can be detachably fastened on the multiple plug (21 or 31) is provided for control elements.

10. Furniture system according to claim 9, characterized in that the control elements are provided for cabling on the basis of EIB, DALI or LAN [sic].

11. Multiple plug for the electrification of a furniture system according to claim 1, characterized in that it has a housing (38) and an exchangeable multiple coupling insert (39).

12. Housing for a multiple plug according to claim 11, characterized in that the housing (38) has, on at least one outer side, a clip-in mechanism (40) for fastening to a part of the structural element.

13. Housing according to claim 12, characterized in that the housing (38) has on the inside at least one clip-in mechanism for fastening the multiple coupling insert (39) in the housing (38).

14. Housing according to one of claims 12 to 13, characterized in that the housing (38) has on at least one side at least one recess for fastening a further multiple plug (21, 31 or 33).

15. Housing according to one of claims 12 to 14, characterized in that the housing (38) has a tubular form, in particular that of a prism, without any termination underneath and on top.

16. Multiple coupling insert for a multiple plug according to claim 11, characterized in that the multiple coupling insert (39) has at least one incoming feed (45) and at least two taps (46).

17. Multiple coupling insert according to claim 13, characterized in that the multiple coupling insert (39) has a clip-in mechanism for fastening in the housing (38).