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  Supporting structrue for a cupboard or shelf systemUSPTO Application #: 20060279185Title: Supporting structrue for a cupboard or shelf system Abstract: The invention relates to a supporting structure for a cupboard or shelf system, having a supporting rod (3) which is arranged between two joining elements. According to the invention, said supporting rod comprises at least one tab (9) which can be pivoted about an axis (1) parallel to the longitudinal axis of the supporting rod (3). (end of abstract) Agent: Michael J. Striker - Huntington, NY, US Inventor: Volker Magderburg USPTO Applicaton #: 20060279185 - Class: 312257100 (USPTO) The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060279185. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
[0001] The present invention relates to a supporting structure for a cupboard or shelf system with a supporting rod positioned between two joints. [0002] With the supporting structure under discussion, which is known, e.g., from EP 0 787 907, a maximum of six supporting rods can be interconnected at right angles to each other at one joint, thereby enabling the configuration of many different spacial designs of a cupboard or shelf system. To this end, the supporting rods, which are usually formed by hollow profiles, can also be provided with exterior grooves for receiving a rectangular sheet to be used as a base, a cover, or a side panel. [0003] A disadvantage of the known supporting structures is the absence of suitable structural elements for pivotable shutters or doors, which would also enable a cupboard closed off with doors or individual compartments closed off with shutters to be formed in a shelf system. [0004] Based on this technical background, the object of the present invention is to provide a supporting structure for a cupboard or shelf system that also enables easy installation of shutters or doors. [0005] To solve this technical problem, in the case of a supporting structure for a cupboard or shelf system with a supporting rod positioned between two joints according to Claim 1, the objective is for the supporting rod to include at least one tab capable of being pivoted around an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the supporting rod, it being possible to attach a shutter or doors to the tab such that they are pivotable relative to the supporting rod. [0006] For small shutters, it may be sufficient to provide a single tab with a correspondingly wide configuration. Preferably, however, two tabs are regularly provided, and even more if large doors or shutters are used and they must be capable of holding the weight of relatively large doors or shutters. [0007] In a preferred structural embodiment, it is provided that a hinge with the tab connects two supporting rod sections. As a result of this measure, supporting rod sections already present in a modular system of the supporting structure according to the present invention can be utilized. This eliminates the need for specially-designed supporting rods with at least one pivotable tab and allows the modular system to be kept very universal overall with relatively few components. [0008] In a further structural embodiment it is provided that the hinge has an axial, central threaded hole, thereby enabling the supporting rod sections to be connected, e.g., using screws. [0009] In a further embodiment, it is provided that the hinge has a central body on which a pivotable sleeve is mounted, to which the tab is connected. A hinge with bearing capacity is therefore realized in a simple manner, it being possible to achieve axial guidance of the sleeve by the fact that the sleeve is inserted flush in a groove in the central body. In addition to this axial enclosure, the sleeve is also preferably designed to be radially flush with and encompass the central body, and therefore does not project radially. [0010] If the geometry of the outer jacket of the central body with the inserted sleeve corresponds to that of the supporting rod or the supporting rod sections, the hinge is barely noticeable in the supporting rod, in particular between the supporting rod sections. This is the case in particular when the tab is located behind a shutter or a door, as viewed from the outside. To this end, the tab is advantageously displaced on the sleeve relative to the axis by a distance equal to the thickness of a sleeve or shutter. [0011] In a further embodiment it is provided that the central body tapers in the axial direction at both ends in the shape of a truncated cone. With receptacles for the supporting rod sections configured accordingly on the front side, self-centering takes place during assembly, and a large supporting surface is provided for good force transfer via the hinge between the support rod sections. [0012] Advantageously, the central body has a two-component configuration, a first subpiece including an axially extending, central inner thread, and a second subpiece engaging with a plug-like, externally threaded projection in the central inner thread of the first subpiece. As a result of this two-component configuration, the two components can be connected individually with supporting rod sections, and a supporting rod can be created by subsequently screwing the two sub-pieces together. The hinge securely connects two supporting rod sections. [0013] If the supporting rod sections are formed by hollow profiles, the hinge can be advantageously connected with them using two dowel rods inserted in the supporting rod sections. A connection of this type that can be repeatedly disconnected is usually sufficient. [0014] According, it can be provided that the joint is also created using a similar dowel rod, in particular, on a supporting rod section. To this end, the outer dimensions of the central body and the sleeve of the hinge advantageously correspond to those of a joint. It is therefore also preferrable for the joint to taper in the axial direction at both ends in the shape of a truncated cone, and for a central, cylindrical section to include a sleeve that has been slid onto it. [0015] To connect a supporting rod to the cylindrical section of the joint, it can also be provided that a shaped part which creates a form-fit transition is located between the joint and the supporting bar. In addition to creating an attractive appearance, this also enables relatively strong forces to be directed along the supporting rod and supporting rod sections into the joints. [0016] A dowel rod is also preferred for connecting the supporting rod sections to the hinge and to the joints, with which two segments--which have rectangular cross-sections and are moveable toward each other--are provided with opposing wedge-shaped surfaces and can be tightened against each other using a screw. The wedge-shaped end of each segment results in an enlarged cross-section across the segments. The wedge effect makes it possible for the segments to apply strong contact pressure against the inner wall of the hollow profile, thereby making it nearly impossible to pull the dowel rod out of the supporting rod section formed by a hollow profile, or out of the supporting rod. [0017] The present invention is described in greater detail herein below with reference to the drawing, in which exemplary embodiments are depicted schematically. In the drawing: [0018] FIG. 1 Shows an outer view of a joint with supporting rod section and hinge, [0019] FIG. 2 Shows an axial longitudinal section through the hinge, [0020] FIG. 3 Shows a radial longitudinal sectional view along the line III, III in FIG. 1, [0021] FIG. 4 Shows a front view of the area indicated by arrow IV in FIG. 2, [0022] FIG. 5 Shows an axial longitudinal section through a joint, [0023] FIG. 6 Shows a top view of the connection of the joint to a supporting rod, [0024] FIG. 7 Shows a view of the area indicated by arrow VII in FIG. 1, and Continue reading... Full patent description for Supporting structrue for a cupboard or shelf system Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Supporting structrue for a cupboard or shelf system patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Supporting structrue for a cupboard or shelf system or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Ejector faceplate for electronics module Next Patent Application: Closing device Industry Class: Supports: cabinet structure ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Supporting structrue for a cupboard or shelf system patent info. 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