EP0108392A2 - Shelf unit - Google Patents

Abstract

The shelf unit, in particular an open shelf unit for glasses, has horizontal shelf elements which can be arranged at least at different vertical heights. From a space-saving viewpoint, a column shelf unit is designed, in which the individual horizontal column elements are arranged around or on a central attachment column. <IMAGE>

Description

The invention relates to a shelf and in particular to an open glass shelf according to the preamble of claim 1.

Such a shelf is particularly suitable as a glass shelf for use in bars, bars and the like. From the basic idea and the conception, however, it can be used wherever a high variability of the footprints is to be achieved.

In the conventional and usual way, shelves are constructed from vertical elements, which usually form the side or load-bearing elements, and horizontal shelf elements which can be inserted between them. The horizontal shelf elements, which are normally flat shelves, can be arranged at different vertical heights to the side elements by means of pins or other pluggable elements.

These well-known shelves are usually used behind the counter in taprooms, where they serve as glass shelves. The person standing behind a counter who is serving the desired drinks must e.g. when pouring a beer from the actual tap, the beer tap, turn through 180 ° to reach the clean glasses normally arranged on a rear wall in a glass shelf. This movement sequence for gripping a new glass is extremely unfavorable from an ergonomic point of view, since these glasses cannot be reached in the normal working area, namely in the vicinity of the tap.

When serving larger drinks, the operator places a number of glasses, usually directly in the area of the tap, in order to be able to reach them quickly and easily and, on the other hand, to avoid large rotations of the body for the detection of glasses from the rear glass shelf. This arrangement then inevitably leads, with additional consideration of the glasses used and possibly rinsed, to the result that a large number of glasses are placed relatively disordered in the area of the dispensing station. The drained water of the rinsed glasses forms corresponding areas of water on the surface of the counter and thus also affects the new dry glasses.

The arrangement of a small glass shelf on the surface of the counter, which would make the glasses readily available to the operator, is not possible, since this would further reduce the work surface on the counter surface, which is usually very small. For this reason, despite the above-mentioned disadvantages of the traditional arrangement, the counter manufacturers and outfitters design the glass shelf in the rear area of the counter without being able to prevent the accumulation of glasses on the counter surface during bar operation.

The invention is therefore based on the object to provide a variable shelf as an arrangement and preparation system for handy objects, in particular for glasses of all kinds, which can be set up in a space-saving manner at the respective stand and can be varied both vertically and horizontally, with a good use of space for the individual shelf elements Room adaptation of the shelf should be guaranteed despite good availability and access to the individual objects.

This object is achieved in a generic shelf by the features of the characterizing part of claim 1.

The essential idea of the invention is to be seen in departing from a shelf arrangement with at least two side walls or supporting walls provided at a horizontal distance from one another and instead a central column. The shelf elements should not only be used as storage space on their upper side, but also, if possible, the lower side of the shelf elements should be used for attaching objects or glasses.

This shelf, hereinafter referred to as the "column shelf", generally requires only a relatively small footprint, so that it is arranged, for example, in an extremely space-saving manner on the counter surface itself. This is preferably done by direct attachment through the top plate of the counter into the column base. On the other hand, however, the column base of this column shelf can be provided with a flat base plate, which ensures the appropriate stability due to the large base area. Even when using a base plate, which should be as thin as possible, it is ensured that the upper surface the base of the column shelf is kept free for other work and activities on the counter.

The petrol pump itself can also be used as a location for this column shelf. For example, the column shelf can be provided on the gas pump or on its rear area. In addition to the previously mentioned types of fastening and positioning, the column shelf can of course also be permanently embedded in the upper counter end board or clamped in a type of multiple screw clamp holder on the edge of the counter.

The shelf elements preferably have the shape of circular segments in plan view, which are in principle only arranged on one side around the central column of the column shelf. These circular segments of the shelf elements can have a semicircular or quarter-circle shape. However, because of the still greater variability, they are preferably held in an angular range of approximately 40 °. These shelf elements are preferably arranged at the same vertical distance around the column. Due to their segment-like design and their horizontal rotatability around the column, the shelf elements can be arranged in any position. Here, a spiral staircase arrangement is possible as well as the arrangement e.g. all shelf elements in one direction. The latter arrangement is particularly advantageous in the corner area of the counter. The more one-sided, approximately 180 ° arrangement of all shelf elements is, however, essentially only advantageous from one side in terms of accessibility.

In addition to the circular segment-like design of the individual shelf elements, circular plates, semicircular plates or polygonal shapes, for example hexagon shapes, are of course also possible. Nor is it necessary for the individual shelf elements have a uniform radial distance from the central column. Rather, it is also possible, particularly taking into account the corresponding parking space of the pillar rack, to make the space available even cheaper, taking into account the corresponding space conditions. Seen in the horizontal direction, the shelf element can have approximately twice the radial extent on one side, while the shelf element, which is arranged offset in height on the other side, is designed with only half the radial extent.

In a preferred embodiment, the shelf elements are fastened to a sleeve with a short radial support arm, the inside diameter of which is slightly larger than the outside diameter of the column. These sleeves, which preferably have a uniform vertical extension, are pushed onto the column in accordance with the desired arrangement, the horizontal and vertical adjustability being ensured. If a larger vertical distance between the individual sleeves pushed onto the column is desired, this can be done via blind elements or intermediate pieces in the manner of decorative sleeves.

The individual shelf elements can also be fixed to the column in any horizontal angle position. For this purpose, on the one hand the column itself is provided with annular grooves provided at a certain distance via its vertical extension. When attaching the individual sleeves around the column shaft, a threaded hole provided in the sleeve is aligned with the corresponding annular groove. By screwing a corresponding screw through the threaded hole into the ring groove, the shelf element can therefore be fixed in the desired position on the entire column shelf. To increase flexibility and relief the interchangeability of the individual shelf elements, the individual setting area of the shelf element can also have a detachable and lockable connection to the support arm or the sleeve. This can be solved, for example, in the manner of a square and a square hole between the shelf and the support arm. In another way, even with a fixed connection between the support arm and the actual shelf element, a fitting element in the form of a partial circle with the sleeve is conceivable. This fitting element is then preferably designed in the form of a dovetail tapering vertically downwards. A slight bevel at the lower edge of the adjacent upper sleeve would allow vertical lifting out or insertion of a new shelf element.

Of course, other forms of attachment are also conceivable. For example, the sleeve itself can be part of the column and, with an appropriate recess, allow the shelf element to be inserted and fastened in a positive manner.

In addition to the rotatability of the respective shelf element, which, however, preferably serves primarily for an optimally desired arrangement and subsequent fixing of the shelf element, the entire column shelf itself can also be rotatably mounted. For this purpose, it is possible to arrange the cylindrical column rotatably in the horizontally somewhat enlarged foot, for example via a ball bearing or roller bearing.

To enlarge the actual shelf area, the individual shelf elements are designed with a storage space on the upper side, while an additional hanging area is provided on the lower side. This hanging surface can have, for example, a large number of hooks in order to be able to hang stem-o-handle glasses on it, or slit-shaped ones Provide hanging areas so that the wider feet of stemmed glasses can be arranged in them. In the simplest and most cost-effective form, the hanging bracket consists of a serpentine "bent wire, which has longer straight lines and short bends. This serpentine shape is generally adapted to the corresponding circular segment. This serpentine curved wire has hanging areas in which the distance between adjacent wire lines is smaller than the maximum width of the corresponding glass base, so that it is possible to reach behind the glass base and to hang it in. Adapted intermediate areas of this bent wire delimit several rows of such insertion areas from one another. The overall configuration of these hanging areas is provided such that the hanging glasses are arranged radially outwards can be removed.

In the upper footprint of the individual shelf element of this column shelf, a trough can preferably be provided, which has a perforated upper side on the upward-facing surface. This tub, which is adapted to the shape of the corresponding shelf element, e.g. like a segment of a circle, in which case an outline approximates a trapezoidal shape, serves as a water collecting trough for the water dripping from freshly rinsed glasses. The perforated top is preferably formed in one unit with the entire tub, so that by engaging in a larger hole formed in the top, the entire tub including the water present therein can be removed from the shelf element. Holes or slits of small dimensions are usually formed in the upper side, so that overturned glasses can be placed on this drip tray without being affected by this perforation.

In adaptation to the rest of the interior design and equipment, for example a bar counter, the shelf element, which is preferably made of a metal, preferably chrome or brass, can have a profiled facing on the outer edge, e.g. in wood or the like. This facing is then held relative to the actual shelf element so that a slightly protruding edge is formed in the vertical direction up and down. This provides additional protection to prevent the glasses from accidentally sliding over the edge area. The shelf element can in principle consist of an L-shaped frame iron bent or welded in the corresponding outer contour. Depending on the manufacturing material chosen, such as chrome or brass, this frame iron can be welded or soldered to the sleeve. The L-shaped iron is particularly suitable because this type also creates a support surface for the tub that can be inserted into the shelf element from above. In another form, the circular segment, which has a more trapezoidal shape, can be produced with an L-iron, while the transition to the sleeve is carried out with a flat iron web. When using an L-iron for the frame of the respective shelf element, the wire forming the hanging bracket can be fastened in the simplest form by means of bolt-like fastening elements with the L-iron, the fastening elements ensuring a defined distance from the underside of the L-iron or the tub.

In the prescribed way, the column shelf does not only do justice to the ergonomic aspects of the physiologically most favorable access possibilities to provided objects. Rather, the use of space, for example a counter, is solved much better than with conventional control racks. The horizontal displaceability contributes to this and different length dimensions of the individual shelf elements as well as their vertically variable distance _/ at. When used as a glass shelf, this column shelf offers the possibility of arranging a large number of different glasses in the optimally desirable handle area. This is due to the additional creation of arrangement space on the underside of the individual shelf elements through the hanging system. On the other hand, however, also by combining the upper shelves of the individual shelf elements with a drip tray, so that freshly rinsed glasses can be placed in an overturned shape directly on them. The high flexibility and individual adaptability of this column shelf opens up a variety of arrangement and placement alternatives, while at the same time the work surface, e.g. a counter, remains free. A particular advantage of this pillar rack opens up when it is used in combination with a free-standing petrol pump. A free-standing petrol pump is understood here to mean a petrol pump that is accessible from all sides and that can consist, for example, of several actual petrol pumps. This free-standing petrol pump can be placed anywhere in the manner of a table with suitable connections. In the combination of such a free-standing petrol pump with a column shelf attached to it, an ideal beverage dispenser is created for closed companies, for example, where queuing and waiting is eliminated due to the restricted access to the dispenser.

• Fig. 1 eine schematische Ansicht eines Säulenregals mit einigen in unterschiedlicher Höhe und winkelversetzt angeordneten Regalelementen sowie der angedeuteten Anordnungsmöglichkeit verschiedener Gläserarten;
• Fig. 2 eine schematische Draufsicht auf die winkelversetzte Anordnung mehrerer segmentartig ausgebildeter Regalelemente;
• Fig. 3 eine Draufsicht auf ein einzelnes Regalelemente mit eingesetzter Wanne, jedoch ohne Gläser und
• Fig. 4 eine Ansicht auf die Unterseite des entsprechenden Regalelementes aus Fig. 3 mit einer Hängehalterung und angedeutetem Durchmesser eines Glasfußes.

The invention is explained in more detail below with the aid of a schematic exemplary embodiment. Show it:

• Figure 1 is a schematic view of a column shelf with some shelf elements arranged at different heights and at different angles, as well as the suggested arrangement options for different types of glasses.
• 2 shows a schematic plan view of the angularly offset arrangement of a plurality of shelf elements designed in the manner of a segment;
• Fig. 3 is a plan view of a single shelf elements with an inserted tub, but without glasses and
• Fig. 4 is a view of the underside of the corresponding shelf element from Fig. 3 with a hanging bracket and indicated diameter of a glass base.

The column shelf 1 for glasses shown in FIG. 1 is attached to a counter plate 30 in the example. As a central element, this column shelf 1 has a fastening column 2, which is arranged at the lower end 4 with a wider column base 3 on the counter plate 30. 1, two screws 32 are screwed into the column base 3 from the underside of the counter plate 30, which force the latter against the surface of the counter plate 30. To achieve a good work surface, the counter top 30 is covered on the upper side with a covering, e.g. made of V2A steel.

At the upper end of the column shelf, as shown in FIG. 1, a decorative head 35 can be attached, for example with a box-like basic shape, which gives the column shelf a decorative finish. This decorative head 35 can also be used for advertising purposes in the sense of a beer advertisement and, for example, can also be illuminated from the inside.

In the example according to FIG. 1, the column shelf can extend approximately over a height of 1 m to 1.50 m. The inner column 2, which is indicated by a broken line, serves as a central connecting element for the sleeves 15 arranged from the bottom up and the intermediate piece 34 designed as a decorative element. Chromed sleeves 15 have an inner diameter which is adapted to the outer diameter of the column 2. However, the combination between the sleeve 15 and the column 2 must ensure that a slight pushing over of the sleeve and also a horizontal turning of the sleeve on the column 2 is ensured.

In order to obtain a free work surface in the vicinity of the column base 3, the column shelf at the lower end 4 initially has a long sleeve 12, which can be, for example, approximately 40 cm. Instead of this long sleeve 12, this area can of course also be formed directly by the column 2, the column 2 then having a smaller diameter upwards in the area of the sleeves 15 to be fitted.

Following this lower long sleeve 12 are annular grooves 40, e.g. in the form of a rectangular groove with a width and depth of 5 mm. These ring grooves 40 are worked into the column 2 at a distance of approximately 5 cm. The number of these ring grooves 40 incorporated into the column 2 varies from the total height of the column and can be approximately 20 ring grooves 40 on average. This number then corresponds to the corresponding number of sleeves 15 or intermediate pieces 34, which can be arranged on the column 2 over the entire length, with the exception of the lower long sleeve 12.

In the respective sleeve 15, which serves to guide and fasten the respective shelf element 5 to the column 2, a threaded bore 41 is made at the level of the annular groove 40. After aligning the shelf element 5 in its corresponding angular position, the sleeve 15 and thus the entire shelf element 5 is 40-fastened by screwing, for example, a screw into the threaded bore 41 and fixing it in the annular groove. The known jaw screws can be used for this purpose. This fixation fixes the shelf element both horizontally and vertically.

In the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 1, the column shelf 1 has seven shelf elements 5. While the bottom shelf element 5 is arranged about 45 cm above the surface of the counter in the left area of the column shelf 1, the shelf element which projects furthest radially outward in the right area is about 80 to 90 cm from the surface of the counter. This different height arrangement is possible in that the individual shelf elements are fastened in the manner of segments of a circle segment with a support arm 16 to the corresponding sleeves 15.

This circular segment-like design, as shown in FIG. 2, makes it possible to arrange the individual shelf elements 5 in the manner of spiral staircases over the total height of the column. 2, the angular distances 46 between adjacent shelf elements 5 can be set differently. This angular distance 46 is primarily determined by the best possible accessibility to the individual types of glasses, the remaining room equipment in the vicinity of this column shelf or, for example, the corresponding use of the individual shelf surfaces. According to FIG. 2, the individual shelf elements 5 have the same radial extent and have a radial outer edge in this shape that extends over approximately the same angular range all that is required is a universal shelf element 5 in order to be able to create a column shelf 1. In addition to the type shown, however, different radial extensions of the individual shelf elements 5 are also possible.

As already shown in Fig. 1, the individual shelf elements 5 are not only provided on their top with a footprint 6. Rather, the shelf elements 5 of this column shelf 1 also have a usable area on their underside, in which this lower side is designed as a hanging surface 7 for glasses, in particular stem glasses 11. The two-sided use of the shelf elements 5 is further improved in that the upper shelf 6 for overturned glasses 10 is essentially formed by a tray 18 which can be inserted into the shelf element 5. This pan 18 serves as a collecting pan for the dripping water of the freshly rinsed glasses 10 and has a perforated surface 19 on its top.

As can be seen schematically in FIG. 3, this trough 18 has in principle the approximate shape of a trapezoid with a slight rounding on the radially outer region. The upper side 19 is provided with holes 20. At least one of these holes 20 is designed as a larger engagement hole, so that it can be intervened, for example, with two fingers to lift the entire tub 18 out of the shelf element and to drain the water collected therein. The frame of a shelf element 15 is formed, for example, by an L-bar, which essentially has the trapezoidal configuration. These bent or welded L-bars serve to form a support area for the tub 18 to be used with their horizontally running foot. The tub 18 itself is preferably designed as a unit. In another form, however, it can be provided with a removable, perforated upper side 19 be formed lid. The L-iron forming the frame 17 on the inside can be attached to the sleeve 15 either directly or according to FIG. 3, for example via a flat iron 16, which functions as a support arm. In the case of a fixed connection between the support arm 16 and the sleeve 15, a welded attachment is preferably preferred.

To improve the aesthetic impression and to adapt to the rest of the room design e.g. a bar area, the frame 17 is clad with an edge strip 8 at least in the radial leg area and in the outer area 27. A suitable wooden profile is particularly suitable for this.

In order to achieve a usable area on the underside of the respective shelf element 5, the underside is designed as a hanging area 7. In the simplest embodiment, a serpentine-shaped wire, e.g. 3 mn thick, made of copper is sufficient, which has straight-line areas running approximately in the radial direction within the frame 17. Relative bending regions adjoin these rectilinear regions, so that a holder 25 with suspension regions 36 and intermediate regions 37 provided between them is created by the meandering lines of the wire. The attachment of the bracket 25 is preferably carried out in the bending areas with fasteners 38. These fastening elements 38 can, for example, be welded to the frame 17 itself in the manner of spacer bolts with an internal thread. The appropriate wire loop can then be inserted into a slot-like depression in the spacer sleeves that is open at the bottom. For fastening itself, a screw can be screwed into this spacer sleeve, which is screwed tight against the inserted wire in a positive or non-positive manner.

The distance between the straight wire areas of a hanging area 36 is kept smaller than the smallest foot diameter of a corresponding stemmed glass. The stem glasses can thus be inserted from the outside radially with their foot into the hanging area 36, the straight-line regions of the holder 25 engaging behind the foot in a finger-like manner relative to the narrow stem. In addition to using the lower side, there is also the fact that the glasses 11 stored in this way are open at the bottom, so that they remain dust-free and aesthetic over a longer period of time.

The over the rim of: mimic the frame 17 slightly to the vertically top and protruding below the edge strip 8 _R improves the overall visual impression of the frame 17 ensures on the other hand this About standing but also that glass can not accidentally slide off the individual shelf members. 5

The large number of individual shelf elements 5 in a single column shelf makes it possible to mount an equally large number of different types of glasses in the ergonomic handle area of a person operating them. Through the tub 18 it is also possible to arrange freshly rinsed glasses directly on the column shelf.

When dimensioning the column shelf with medium dimensions, it can be assumed that for each shelf element 5, approximately 15 pieces of 0.3 liter glasses can be stored both on the upper shelf 6 and on the lower hanging surface 7. This column shelf 1, which is in principle accessible from all sides, thus opens up the possibility of accommodating a large number of different types of glasses in a space-saving manner, the work surface under the column shelf being nevertheless kept free for other purposes.

Claims (12)

1. shelf, in particular open glass shelf, with horizontal shelf elements that can be arranged at least at different heights,
characterized ,
that the horizontal shelf elements (5) are arranged around or on a central fastening column (2). 2. Shelf according to claim 1,
characterized ,
that the mounting column (2) and / or at least individual shelf elements (5) can be brought into relative angular rotation to a point on the shelf of the shelf. 3. Shelf according to one of claims 1 or 2,
characterized ,
that the shelf elements (5) are essentially designed as circular segments of a circle with the radius of their maximum distance from the center of the column. 4. Shelf according to one of claims 1 to 3,
characterized ,
that the shelf elements (5) are arranged in a spiral staircase around the fastening column (2). 5. Shelf according to one of claims 1 to 4,
characterized ,
that the shelf elements (5) with an upper horizontal footprint (6) and a lower horizontal hanging surface (7) are equipped. 6. Shelf according to claim 5,
characterized,
that the upper footprint (6) has a closed trough (18) which is provided with a perforated upper surface (19). 7. Shelf according to one of claims 5 or 6,
characterized,
that the lower hanging surface (7) has a finger-like holder (25) for hanging arrangement of stemmed glasses (11) at least in one row. 8. Shelf according to claim 7,
characterized ,
that the holder (25) has a plurality of radial suspension areas (36) in the circumferential direction and intermediate areas (37) separating them. 9. Shelf according to claim 7 or 8,
characterized ,
that the holder (25) consists of a serpentine bent wire attached to the underside (7) of the shelf elements (5). 10. Shelf according to one of claims 1 to 9,
characterized ,
that the horizontal outer areas of the shelf elements (5) are essentially provided with an edge strip (8) which projects slightly in the vertical direction beyond the levels of the upper surface of the tub (18) or the holder (25). 11. Shelf according to one of claims 1 to 10,
characterized ,
that the shelf elements (5) with a rotatable and fixable against the mounting column (2), these _um comprehensive sleeve (15) are arranged on the mounting column (2). 12. Shelf according to one of claims 1 to 11,
characterized ,
that the vertical distance between the individual shelf elements (5) is adjustable by the arrangement of sleeve-like intermediate pieces (34).

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