MODULAR WALL PANEL AND MODULAR WALL MOUNTING SYSTEM

Abstract

 Wall panel (1) comprising a panel (2) and a rail (10) for fixing furniture components to the wall panel (1), the panel (2) has a width in a first direction (81), the rail (10) extends in the first direction (81) and has in the first direction (81) a width, the rail (10) has a rail portion (11) with a thickness in a second direction (82), the rail (10) has an opening (12) for inserting in the rail (10) the furniture components, the rail width is smaller than the panel width, the opening (12) has an opening thickness in the second direction (3) larger than the rail thickness.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a wall panel with a rail allowing a modular fixation of furniture components on the wall and a modular wall mounting system comprising such a wall plate and furniture components.

Prior art

[0002] Nowadays, there exist many different modular furniture systems.

[0003] A second example of modular furniture systems is the use of stackable cubes which can also be combined with plates which can be plugged on top of the cubes as disclosed for example in US6877824B2 or US3856147A. The disadvantage of these systems is that they always are supported on the floor and cannot be attached to the wall.

[0004] A second example are panels with horizontally extending rails at different heights for fixing different furniture components in these rails. Such rails can be self-supporting or mounted to a wall. Such modular rail systems are often used in shops, exposition areas or workspaces. EP0557092A1, US5941026A, EP2327843, EP2982272 and EP1942233 disclose examples of such modular rail systems. Most of these rail systems are difficult to mount as the rail system is constituted by a vertical assembly of panel, rail, panel, rail, etc. This makes not only the assembly very cumbersome but makes the system either unstable or very heavy. The furniture components are either hooked in from the front or slid in from the side. The first solution is often not that stable, while the second requires lateral openings. A further disadvantage is that these solutions are limited to the arrangement of furniture at the wall.

Brief summary of the invention

[0005] It is the object of the invention to provide an improved modular furniture system.

[0006] According to the invention, this object is solved by a wall panel configured to be mounted to a wall and comprising a panel and a rail for fixing furniture components to the wall panel, wherein the panel has a panel width in a first direction, wherein the rail extends in the first direction and has in the first direction a rail width, wherein the rail has a rail portion with a rail thickness in a second direction, wherein the rail has an opening for inserting in and/or removing from the rail the furniture components, wherein the rail width is smaller than the panel width, and wherein the opening has an opening thickness in the second direction larger than the rail thickness.

[0007] The object is further solved by a wall mounting system comprising a wall panel as described above and at least one furniture component configured to be fixed in the rail or the rails of the wall panel.

[0008] Rails which do not extend over the complete width of the panel allow to use the same panel above and below the rail. Since the rail does not extend up to the edge of the panel, the panel above and below the rail remain integral such that the wall panel does not require connection elements or a frame to maintain the stability of the wall. Instead of inserting the connection elements for the furniture components laterally of the wall panel (not allowing integral panels) or from the front (not stably holding the furniture components), the connection elements are inserted or removed via an opening which has a higher height than the rail portion.

[0009] The object is further solved by a wall mounting system comprising a wall panel, at least four connection elements, at least one box and at least one board, wherein the wall panel is configured to be mounted to a wall and comprises a panel and a rail, wherein each connection element comprises a rail element which can be inserted in the rail, wherein at least two of the connection element are hook connection elements providing a hook, wherein at least two of the connection elements are bracket connection element having a bracket extending perpendicular from the panel, when the rail element of the bracket connection element is inserted in the rail, each box having two openings in its back wall to hang the box on two of the hook connection elements, when they are fixed in the rail, wherein the box has a set of engagement means on its lower side and a corresponding set of engagement means on its upper side so that an identically constructed further box could be stacked on upper side of the box with the set of engagement mean on the lower side of the further box engaging in the set of engagement means on the upper side of the box, each board can be placed on two of the bracket connection elements, when they are in the rail, in order to fix the board to the wall panel, wherein the board comprises on its lower side a set of box engagement means which can engage with the set of engagement means on the upper side of the box.

[0010] The combination of the connection elements, boxes and boards which can be attached to the wall via two respective connection elements and which can be combined via their engagement means.

[0011] The object is further solved by one of the wall mounting system described above installed in a room.

[0012] The dependant claims refer to further advantageous embodiments.

[0013] In one embodiment, the rail is arranged such in the panel that a first end of the rail is arranged at a distance in the first direction of a first edge of the panel and that a second end of the rail is arranged at a distance in the first direction of a second edge of the panel.

[0014] In one embodiment, the opening is arranged at a first end of the rail and/or at a second end of the rail. This allows to insert the furniture components or rail elements easily from each side of the rail.

[0015] In one embodiment, the panel is realized by one integral panel. Preferably, the panel comprises a panel rail recess for the rail. This accelerates the manufacturing/assembling process and facilitates the handling of the final wall panel.

[0016] In one embodiment, the rail comprises an upper rail profile and a lower rail profile, wherein the opening is constituted by a difference in the length of the upper rail profile and the lower rail profile. This saves material for the shorter rail profile and avoids additional manufacturing steps in increasing the rail profile for the opening.

[0017] In one embodiment, the rail portion is configured such that a rail element of a furniture component fixed in the rail portion cannot be removed, except via the opening and/or such that the rail element of the furniture component can only be inserted via the opening.

[0018] In one embodiment, the panel comprises a panel rail recess, wherein the rail comprises a lower rail profile fixed to the panel at a lower edge/side of the panel rail recess and an upper rail profile fixed to the panel at an upper edge/side of the panel rail recess. This has a number of advantages. First, it facilitates the cross-sectional form of the profile and makes them easier to manufacture. Second, it allows to assemble the upper and lower rail profile independently on the panel. Thus, the rail fits even when the manufacturing tolerances of the panel rail recess are not perfectly met.

[0019] In one embodiment, the upper rail profile engages in the lower rail profile. This stabilizes the complete rail profiles as if they were one, even though they are realized in two parts.

[0020] In one embodiment, the lower rail profile comprises an inner portion lying on the lower side of the panel rail recess, a back portion lying on the back side of the panel below the panel rail recess, wherein the upper rail profile comprises an inner portion lying on the upper side of the panel rail recess, a back portion lying on the back side of the panel above the panel rail recess, a first back rail portion extending in the same direction as the inner portion protruding from the back side of the panel and a second back rail portion extending from the first back rail portion downwards at a distance from the back portion of the lower rail profile in order to form a rail recess.

[0021] In one embodiment, the upper rail profile comprises a protruding portion protruding from the second back rail portion towards the panel to form an upward facing hook, wherein the lower rail profile comprises a protruding portion protruding from the back portion first away from the panel and then downwards to form a downward facing hook, wherein the upward facing hook of the upper rail profile and downward facing hook of the lower profile engage with each other.

[0022] In one embodiment, the at least one rail profile comprises a rail hook portion forming a downward facing hook, wherein the wall panel comprises a wall fixation profile to be mounted on the wall in a horizontal extension and forming in its cross-section a hook portion forming an upward facing hook, when mounted to the wall, so that the wall panel can be fixed to the wall by hooking the rail hook portion of the at least one rail profile in the hook portion of the wall fixation profile. This has the advantage that wall panel can easily be mounted and dismounted to and from the wall. At the same time, the weight furniture components is directed directly from the at least one rail profile into the wall fixture profile without creating any stress for the panel.

[0023] In one embodiment, the rail hook portion of the rail is formed by the protruding portion of the upper rail profile, a wall hook portion of the upper profile extending from protruding portion of the upper rail profile downwards with a distance to the panel.

[0024] In one embodiment, the wall panel comprising a plurality of these rails arranged parallel to each other one above the other to allow to fix the furniture components at different heights.

[0025] In one embodiment, the rail has in its cross-section an L-shaped recess for moving an L-shaped hook in the rail in the first direction.

[0026] In one embodiment, the at least one furniture component comprises two connection elements and one furniture element, wherein the two connection elements can be inserted each in the rail, wherein the furniture element can be placed on the two connection elements to support the furniture element on the wall panel. Each connection element comprises preferably a rail element to be fixed in the rail and a support element configured to support the furniture element. Having two independent connection elements has the advantage that they can be inserted in the opening one after the other such that the opening can be kept small independent from the width of the furniture element. Also, the same two connection elements can be used for furniture elements of different size.

[0027] In one embodiment, the support element is a hook, wherein the furniture element comprises a back wall with two hook openings, wherein the furniture element can be fixed to the wall panel by hooking the back wall with the two hook openings in the two hooks provided by the two connection elements fixed via the two rail elements in the rail.

[0028] In one embodiment, the furniture element is a box which can be fixed with its back wall to the wall panel.

[0029] In one embodiment, the box has a set of engagement means on its bottom side and a corresponding set of engagement means on its upper side so that an identically constructed further box could be stacked on upper side of the box with the set of engagement mean on the lower side of the further box engaging in the set of engagement means on the upper side of the box. This furniture element has thus a double modularity. It can be used for stacking differently sized furniture and it can be used to be appended to the rails of the wall panel. This brings the modularity of existing rail system and of existing stackable cubes to a new level.

[0030] In one embodiment, the support element is a bracket extending perpendicular from the wall panel, wherein the furniture element is a flat board which can be placed between the brackets of the two connection elements. Preferably, the support element provides a first support surface for supporting the board and a second support surface for supporting a further board in combination with a third connection element having as support element a bracket.

[0031] In one embodiment, the system comprising a first furniture component with the box and the connection elements having each a hook as support element, the system comprising further a second furniture component with the board and the two connection elements having a bracket as support element, wherein the board comprises on its lower side a set of box engagement means which can engage with the set of engagement means on the upper side of the box. The engagement means on the lower side of the boards of the wall panel system which can engage with the boxes bring the modularity of this system to a new level. With only two furniture elements, i.e. a box and a board, and only two types of connection elements, shelfs, desks, free tables, stacked boxes, etc. can be realized.

[0032] In one embodiment, the lower side of the board comprises a second set of box engagement means to engage with the set of engagement means on the upper side of the box at a different position of the board. This allows to place the board on two boxes and create thus a free standing table or a board between two box towers.

[0033] In one embodiment, the system comprises a third furniture component with a further box and two further connection elements having each a hook as support element, wherein the further box is identically constructed, wherein the two boxes and the board can composed in at least one of the following modular compositions:

• two boards placed with its respective lower side on the floor and the board placed with the set of box engagement means in the set of engagement means of the upper side of the box and the further set o of box engagement means in the set of engagement means of the upper side of the further box;
• a first side of the board fixed with the two connection elements in the rail of the wall panel and a second side of the board supported by the upper side of the box by engaging the set of box engagement means on the lower side of the board with the set of engagement means on the upper side of the box, wherein the box is placed on the floor or stacked on the further cube placed on the floor. Other embodiments according to the present invention are mentioned in the appended claims and the subsequent description of an embodiment of the invention.

Brief description of the Drawings

[0034] 

Fig. 1 is a three-dimensional view of a part of a wall panel according to an embodiment of the invention showing the front side of the wall panel.

Fig. 2 is a three-dimensional view of the part of the wall panel according to the embodiment of the invention of Fig. 1 showing the back side of the wall panel.

Fig. 3 is a 3D cross-sectional view of the part of the wall panel according to the embodiment of the invention of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 shows a front view of the wall panel according to the embodiment of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of the rail of the wall panel of the embodiment of Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 shows an exemplary embodiment of a wall mounting system according to the invention.

Fig. 7 shows an embodiment of a box as a furniture component of the wall mounting system.

Fig. 8 shows a first embodiment of a board as a furniture component of the wall mounting system.

Fig. 9 shows a second embodiment of a board as a furniture component of the wall mounting system.

Fig. 10 shows a back side a second embodiment of two wall panels according to the invention.

Fig. 11 shows an three-dimensional view of the blocking means.

[0035] In the drawings, the same reference numbers have been allocated to the same or analogue element.

Detailed description of an embodiment of the invention

[0036] Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will be derived from the non-limitative following description, and by making reference to the drawings and the examples.

[0037] Fig. 1 to 5 show an embodiment of a wall panel 1 according to the invention. The wall panel 1 comprises a panel 2 and at least one rail 10.

[0038] The wall panel 1 is configured to be fixed on a wall. The panel plane is the plane of the panel 2, i.e. the plane perpendicular to the normal vector of the panel. When the wall panel 1 is fixed to the wall, the panel plane is arranged vertically and/or is arranged parallel to the wall and/or is arranged perpendicular to the floor. The wall panel 1 and/or the panel 2 has/have a front side and a back side parallel to the panel plane. The back side is the side which faces towards the wall, when the wall panel 1 is mounted or fixed to the wall. The front side is the side opposite to the back side and/or facing away from the wall, when the wall panel 1 is mounted or fixed to the wall. The wall panel 1 and/or the panel 2 has/have four peripheral sides, a bottom or lower side, a top or upper side and two lateral sides. The lower side of the panel faces to the floor, when the wall panel 1 is mounted to the wall, while the upper side faces upwards. The wall panel 1 and/or the panel 2 have preferably a rectangular shape, i.e. the upper and/or lower sides are perpendicular to the lateral sides. However, the panel 2 could also have a different shape.

[0039] A first direction 81 is defined as the direction in the panel plane parallel to a horizontal direction, when the wall panel 1 is fixed to the wall. In a preferred embodiment, the first direction 81 is parallel to the lower and/or upper side of the panel 2, especially if the panel is rectangular. A second direction 82 is defined as the direction in the panel plane being perpendicular to the first direction 81. Preferably, the second direction 82 is parallel to a vertical direction, when the wall panel 1 is fixed to the wall. Preferably, the second direction is parallel to the lateral sides and or perpendicular to the upper and/or lower side. The first and second directions 81, 82 span thus the panel plane. A third direction 81 is the direction perpendicular to the panel plane or perpendicular to the first direction 81 and/or to the second direction 82. The dimension of the wall panel 1 and its parts are defined in the first direction 81 as width, in the second direction 82 as height and in the third direction 83 as thickness. The first, second and third direction 81, 82, 83 are not directed to one or the other direction along the arrow or line. The second direction 82 towards the upper side shall be referred to as above, upper direction, upper direction, etc., and the second direction 82 towards the lower side shall be referred to as under, lower direction, lower direction, towards ground, etc. The third direction 83 from the front side towards the back side of the panel 2 shall be referred as back, backwards, to the wall, etc., and the third direction 83 from the back side towards the front side of the panel 2 shall be referred as frontwards, front, etc.

[0040] The panel 2 is a flat board configured to support the at least one rail 10 in it. The panel 2 is preferably made of a wooden material, preferably a wood composite material like MDF. Preferably, a fire resistant MDF is chosen. Obviously, also other wood panels like plywood, cross-laminated timber, or even massive wood would be possible. It is also possible to use other materials than wood. E.g. plasterboard, composite material boards or plastic boards could be used. The outer form of the panel 2 along the peripheral sides corresponds preferably to outer form of the peripheral sides of the wall panel 1 already described above.

[0041] The wall panel 1 comprises at least one rail 10. The at least one rail 10 is extends along the first direction 81. The wall panel 1 comprises preferably a plurality of rails 10 which are arranged preferably parallel to each other. The plurality of rails 10 are preferably arranged one above the other. Preferably, a first end of each rail 10 starts on the same position in the first direction 81, and/or a second end of each rail 10 starts on the same position in the first direction 81. The plurality of rails 10 comprise preferably at least three, preferably four rails 10 per wall panel 1 arranged one above the other. Even if the wall panel 1 comprises preferably a plurality of rails 10, it is also possible that the wall panel 1 comprises only one rail 10. The subsequent description and Fig. 1 to 3 refer to only one rail 10. However, the description of this rail 10 applies equally for the other rails 10 in case the wall panel 1 has a plurality of rails 10. Preferably, the different rails 10 are identically constructed (at least regarding the claimed and/or subsequently described features), even if it would also be possible to have the plurality of rails 10 realized differently.

[0042] The rail 10 is arranged such in the panel 2 that it does not extend to the two lateral sides or edges of the panel 2. In other words, the width of the rail 10 (in the first direction 81) is smaller than the width of the panel 2 (in the first direction 81). Thus, the position of the first end of the rail 10 on a first lateral side of the panel 2 has a first (non-zero) distance to the edge of the first lateral side of the panel 2 and the position of the second end of the rail 10 on a second lateral side of the panel 2 has a second (non-zero) distance to the edge of the second lateral side of the panel 2. The fact that the rail 10 does not extend up to the borders/edges of the panel 2 allows to use the same panel 2 for the wall panel 1 instead of a different panel above the rail 10 than the panel below the rail 10 due to the rail 10 extending up to the lateral side which would cut the panel above and below in two parts. This facilitates the manufacturing and improves the stability of the wall panel 1 as the panel 2 is made of one integral panel 2.

[0043] The rail 10 is configured to hold a furniture component, more precisely a rail element 50 or 54 of such a furniture component. The furniture component or the rail element 50, 54 comprises a rail element 51, 56 configured to be inserted in and/or to be removed from the rail 10 and/or to be moved in the first direction 81. In a preferred embodiment, the rail 10 comprises a rail portion 11 which extends over most part of the width of the rail 10 and at least one opening 12. The rail portion 11 is preferably such that the rail element 31 cannot be inserted in or removed from the rail portion 11. The rail portion 11 comprises preferably a front rail recess 16 and a back rail recess 17. The front rail recess refers to the part of the rail recess 16 extending through the panel 2, while the back rail recess refers to the part of the rail 10 or rail portion 11 increasing in height behind the panel 2. Preferably, the height of the front rail recess of the rail portion 11 is so small that the rail element 51, 56 cannot be removed from the rail portion 11 or inserted from the front side. Preferably, the height of the rail element 51, 56 is larger than the height of the front rail recess in the rail portion 11. The rail portion 11 is further configured to allow to move the rail element 51, 56 in the first direction 81 within the rail portion 11. The cross-sectional form of the rail element 51, 56 is designed such that it has a first portion at least the thickness of the front rail recess 16 (in the third direction 83) and then a second portion extending in the second direction 82 in the back rail recess 17. In the shown embodiment, the second portion of the rail element 51, 56 extends downwards. Preferably, cross-sectional shape of the rail recess (formed by back and front rail recess) corresponds roughly to the cross-sectional form of the rail element 51, 56. This cross-sectional form is here roughly an L with a front rail recess 16 or the first portion which extends backwards and then downwards in the back rail recess 17 or in the second portion, i.e. forming a downwards facing hook. However, obviously other cross-sectional forms are possible, e.g. a T-shape which in the back rail recess 17 / second portion extends downwards and upwards.

[0044] The opening 12 is configured to insert the rail element 51, 56 in the rail 10 or to remove the rail element 51, 56 from the rail 10 (by moving the rail element 51, 56 in the first direction 81 to the opening 12). The process for inserting or removing will be described in more detail below. Preferably, the height of the rail portion 11 is smaller than the height of the opening 12. Preferably, the height of the opening 12 is so large that the rail element 12 can be inserted from the front side (in the third direction 83, backwards). The opening 12 is connected such with the rail portion 11 that the rail element 51, 56, when inserted in the opening 12 from the front side, can be inserted in the rail portion 11 by moving the rail element 51, 56 laterally in the first direction 81 in the rail portion 11. Preferably, the opening 12 is arranged at each end of the rail 10. However, it is obviously also possible to have only one opening 12 or a different number of openings 12 larger than two. It is further possible that the at least one opening 12 is not arranged at one of the ends, but there in between the two ends of the rail 10. The opening 12 is preferably shaped such that the lower side of the opening 12 is aligned with the lower side of the rail recess of the rail portion 11 such that a rail element 51, 56 can be smoothly moved in the first direction 81. The upper side of the opening 12 extends upwards when moving from the rail portion 11 into the opening 12 so that the height of the opening 12 is increased. Even if this form of the opening 12 is preferred, it is also possible to center the opening 12 with respect to the rail portion 11 so that the opening 12 extends above and below with respect to the rail portion 11 or to extend the opening only towards the lower side (instead of the upper side). The opening 12 is preferably closed towards the wall by a cap 14 which can be plugged in the opening as shown in Fig. 2 or which can be fixed by screws to the back side of the panel as shown in a second embodiment in Fig. 10. The cap 14 is preferably made out of rubber or plastic.

[0045] Especially, the combination of the rail 10 not extending up to the edge of the panel 2, the opening 12 of the rail to allow to insert the rail element 51, 56 comfortably from the front side and the rail portion 11 providing a simple and stable support for the rail element 51, 56 showed to be a very convenient combination as it provides stable wall panels 1 with low manufacturing complexity with a simple usage and a stable support for the furniture components.

[0046] Preferably, the rail 10 is realized by providing a corresponding panel rail recess in the panel 2 and reinforcing the panel rail recess with at least one rail profile (rail) 20, 30 mounted in the panel rail recess. The panel rail recess could for example be cut out from the panel, e.g. by milling. This at least one rail profile 20, 30 is preferable made off a resistant material which supports the weight of the furniture components and its movement along the first direction 81. The at least one rail profile 20, 30 can for example be made off a metal. However, it is obviously also possible to use other materials like hard plastic. The subsequently described form of the at least one rail profile 20, 30 refers to its cross-sectional shape in the cross-section through the plane spanned by the second and third direction 82, 83 (if not mentioned otherwise).

[0047] The at least one rail profile 20, 30 covers preferably the upper and lower side of the rail recess in the rail portion 11 and forms the cross-sectional form of the rail recess behind the panel 2 in which the rail element 51, 56 can be moved within the rail portion 11.

[0048] Preferably, the wall panel 1 comprises further a wall fixation profile (rail) 40 which is configured to be fixed on the wall (to which the wall panel 1 shall be mounted/fixed). The wall fixation profile is preferably fixed to the wall in a horizontal arrangement so that the wall fixation profile 40 extends horizontally. The wall fixation profile 40 is configured to support the wall panel 1, preferably the rail 10, preferably the at least one rail profile 20, 30 of the rail 10. The at least one rail profile 20, 30 comprises in its cross-section preferably a hook portion which can be hooked on the wall fixation profile 40 fixed on the wall. The wall fixation profile 40 comprises preferably a first portion 41 which is realized rather flat (in its cross-section) so that it can be placed on a flat wall along its width (in the first direction 81). The wall fixation profile 40 can be fixed to the wall e.g. via some screws which extend through some holes 43 in the first portion 41 so that the head of the screw presses the first portion 41 against the wall, when the screw engages in the wall. Obviously also other fixation means are possible. The wall fixation profile 40 comprises a second portion which (in its cross-section) extends from first portion 41 upwards and towards the wall panel 1 (i.e. away from the wall). Thus, the second portion 42 will form a kind of (upward facing) hook on which the corresponding (downward facing) hook portion of the at least one rail profile 20, 30 can be placed/hooked. This allows to mount and dismount the wall panel 1 very quickly to and from the wall or to and from the wall fixation profile 40. Thus, the wall fixation profile 40 is a separate profile which is fixed on the wall and which engages for mounting and fixation with the wall panel 1, in particular with the rail 10, in particular with the at least one rail profile 20, 30, in particular with its hook portion. The fact that the wall panel 1 is mounted directly with the rail 10, in particular with the at least one rail profile 20, 30 to the wall, the weight of the furniture components hold in the rails 10 are directly transferred over the rail 10 to the wall without putting too much mechanical stress on the panel 2. In case there are multiple rails 10, preferably each rail 10 (or its respective at least one profile 20, 30) is hooked on a corresponding wall fixation profile 40 at the wall. However, it would also be possible to have a lower number of wall fixation profiles 40 then rails 10 for fixing the wall panel on the wall as shown for example in the second embodiment in Fig. 10. However, preferably there are at least two wall fixation profiles 40 for a stable fixation to the wall. Preferably, the wall fixation profile 40 extends over the complete width of the rail portion 11, preferably over the complete width of the rail 10 (i.e. rail portion 11 plus opening(s) 12). If there are multiple wall panels 1 installed next to each other as shown in Fig. 6, the same wall fixation profile 40 extending over the rails 10 of two or more wall panels 1 can be used to fixe the two or more wall panels 1 to the wall. This allows to have them aligned better to each other.

[0049] The at least one rail profile 20, 30 is preferably realized by an upper rail profile 20 and a lower rail profile 30 which together constitute the at least one rail profile 20, 30 described above.

[0050] The lower rail profile 30 comprises an inner portion 31 lying on the lower side of the front rail recess 17 or panel recess and a back portion 32 lying on the back side of the panel 2 below the front rail recess 17 or panel recess. The inner portion 31 and the back portion 32 are preferably arranged perpendicular. Since the back portion 32 lies on the back side of the panel 2, it can be easily fixed on the panel 2 by some screws extending through holes 35 in the back portion 32 and pressing the back portion 32 with its screw head to the panel 2, when the screw thread engages in the panel 2. Obviously other fixation methods like gluing the lower rail profile 30 are also possible.

[0051] The upper rail profile 20 comprises an inner portion 21 lying on the upper side of the front rail recess 17 or panel rail recess, a back portion 22 lying on the back side of the panel 2 above the front rail recess 17 or panel rail recess. The inner portion 21 and the back portion 22 are preferably arranged perpendicular. Since the back portion 22 lies on the back side of the panel 2, it can be easily fixed on the panel 2 by some screws extending through holes in the back portion 22 and pressing the back portion 22 with its screw head to the panel 2, when the screw thread engages in the panel 2 as shown in Fig. 5. Obviously other fixation methods like gluing the lower rail profile 30 are also possible.

[0052] In a preferred embodiment, the back rail recess 17 is closed towards the wall. This is preferably achieved by the upper rail profile 20 which comprises a first back rail portion 23 extending in the same direction as the inner portion protruding from the back side of the panel 2 (backwards and/or perpendicular to the panel plane) and a second back rail portion 24 extending from the first back rail portion 23 downwards at a distance from the panel 2 or the back portion 32 of the lower rail profile 30 in order to form the back rail recess 17. Thus, the upper and lower rail profile 20, 30 provide an L-shaped recess for guiding the L-shaped rail element 51, 56.

[0053] Preferably, the lower rail profile 30 comprises further a protruding portion 33 protruding from the back portion 32 first away from the panel 2 and then downwards to form a downward facing hook, and the upper rail profile 20 comprises a protruding portion 25 protruding from the second back rail portion towards the panel to form an upwards facing hook which engages in the downward facing hook provided by the protruding portion of the lower rail profile. Since the downward facing hook of the lower profile transfers most of its received weight load on the upward facing hook of the upper profile, and the weight load received at the upward facing hook of the upper profile 20 (forming part of the hook portion of the at least one rail profile 20, 30) is transferred on the hook portion 42 of the wall fixation profile 40, the weight load of the upper and lower rail profile 30, 30 is well transferred to the wall. The weight load of the lower rail profile 30 also stabilizes the engagement of the lower and upper rail profile 20, 30 as the downward facing hook 33 of the lower rail profile 30 pushes the upper facing hook 25 of the upper rail profile 20 against the hook portion 42 of the wall fixation profile 40. Preferably, the back portion 32 of the lower rail profile 30 comprises a small protrusion below the protruding portion 33 arranged such that it creates a small resistance for entering in and removing from the final position of the upward facing hook 25 in the downward facing hook 33. This generates a plug feeling, when the two hooks engage in the correct position and holds them in this position, before the wall panel 1 is mounted to the wall.

[0054] Preferably, the upper rail profile 20 comprises further a wall hook portion 26 extending from the back rail portion 24 downwards (below the protruding portion 25). The front side of the wall hook portion 26 or the side of the hook portion 26 facing the panel 2 and the lower side of the protruding portion 25 form the hook portion of the at least one rail profile 20, 30. The hook portion 42 of wall fixation profile 40 extends preferably with an inclined direction. Thus, the hook portion 42 extends upwards and slightly away from the wall (towards the wall panel 1). The inclined direction is preferably with an angle between 70° and 85°, preferably between 75° and 83°, preferably 80° with respect to the third direction 83. This allows to insert or hook the wall panel 1 easier in the hook portion 42 of the wall fixation profile 40. The front side of the wall hook portion 26 of the upper rail profile 20 has preferably a corresponding inclined surface so that inclined surface of the wall hook portion 26 lies flat on the hook portion 42 of the wall fixation profile 40. This inclined arrangement of the hook portion 42 has further the advantage that between the lower part of the hook portion 42 and the back portion 32 of the lower rail profile 30, there remains some space for the screw head fixing the back portion 32 with the panel 2. So, it avoids the use of flat head screws.

[0055] The wall panel 1 is shown completely in Fig. 4. Preferably, the wall panel 1 comprises a plurality of rails 10, preferably at least two, preferably at least three, preferably at least four. The plurality of rails 10 are preferably identically constructed and identically arranged, just at a different height of the wall panel 1. Preferably, the plurality of rails 10 are arranged equidistantly, i.e. two neighboring rails 10 have always the same distance in the second direction 82.

[0056] Preferably, the wall panel 1 comprises a blocking mechanism 15 for avoiding that the wall panel 1 can be removed from the wall fixation profile 40. Such a blocking mechanism can be realized by a screw which can be fixed and loosened from the front side of the wall panel 1 and which protrudes in the blocked state from the back side of the panel towards the wall fixation profile 40. The blocking mechanism or screw can be arranged below the rail 10 such that, when somebody lifts the wall panel 1, the protruding screw hits against the hook portion 42 before the hook portion of the at least one rail profile 20, 30 releases hook portion 42 of the wall fixation profile 40. In an alternative embodiment, the blocking means 15 can be simply one or two screws which extend from the front side of the wall panel 1 through the panel 2 into the wall. In a further alternative, the blocking means 18 can also be realized as a piece which is fixed to the back side of the wall panel 1 and extends behind the opening 12. It has a fixation opening 7 such that the wall panel 1 can be fixed from the front side by fixing a screw in the opening 12 extending through the fixation opening 7 in the wall. These blocking means 15, 18 or other described can obviously also be combined.

[0057] A wall mounting system comprises the wall panel 1 and a furniture component which can be fixed to the wall panel 1 via a rail 10. Preferably, the wall mounting system comprises a plurality of wall panels 1 which are fixed to a wall or a plurality of walls in a room, preferably all at the same height (so that the rails of the same height of the different wall panels have all the same height). The width of the wall panels 1 can be different so that different room dimensions can be easily fit by two or three different wall panels 1 of different width. However, they can also have all the same width.

[0058] Fig. 6 shows an exemplary embodiment showing a room wall having four wall panels 1 fixed to it. Different furniture components are fixed to the wall panels 1, like a desk 91, shelfs 92, 93, cupboard 94, an picture support 95.

[0059] In a preferred embodiment, the furniture component comprises two connection elements 51 or 54 and one furniture element 60 or 70. The two connection elements 50 or 54 comprise a rail element 51 or 56 to be fixed in the rail 10 in the wall panel 1. The connection element 50 or 54 comprise further a support portion 53 or 57 to support the furniture element in the defined position at the wall panel 1. The use of two connection elements 50 or 54 for fixing a furniture element to the wall panel 1 has different advantages. First, the same two connection elements can be used to attach different furniture elements with different widths. Second, the opening 12 must provide only the possibility to insert one connection element 50 or 54 at a time as they are not realized as one piece. Thus, the two connection elements 50 or 54 can be inserted one after the other in the same rail 10 or even in two different rails at the same height. Then, the two connection elements 50 or 54 are arranged at the width corresponding to the furniture element which should be fixed to the wall panel 1 and the furniture element can be attached easily. Thus, the same type of connection element 50 or 54 can be used for many different furniture elements.

[0060] The connection elements 50 or 54 are preferably made of metal. The furniture element is preferably made of wood, e.g. MDF.

[0061] Fig. 1 show the two different types of connection elements 50 and 54 used.

[0062] The first type of connection element 50 (short first connection element 50) provides a hook on the wall panel 1 for hooking one or different furniture elements to the wall panel 1. The first connection element 50 has a panel portion 52 configured to lie on the front side of the wall panel 1 and/or being arranged parallel to the panel plane, when the first connection element 50 is fixed to a rail 10. The rail element 51 protrudes from a back side of the panel portion 52 and has the form corresponding to the rail recess 16, 17, here a downwards facing L or hook. A hook element 53 protrudes from the front side of the panel portion 52 (opposed to the back side of the panel portion 52) and forms an upward facing hook. Thus, when the first connection element 50 is inserted with the rail element 51 in the rail 10, the hook element 53 protrudes from the front side of the wall panel 1 and allows to attach certain furniture elements. Preferably, the hook element 53 is arranged below the rail element 51. In the present embodiment, the first connection element 50 is realized by bending a metal sheet. In this case, the metal sheet plane forms a rectangular frame in which a kind of H is cut-in so that the upper and lower remaining projections are bent to the back and front side, respectively to form the rail element 51 and the hook element 53, respectively. The remaining frame would then form the panel portion 52. Certainly, other shapes or manufacturing methods of the first connection element 50 are also possible. It is also possible that the panel portion 52 is avoided so that the rail element 51 is directly connected to the hook element 52. However, such a solution generates higher stress for the rail 10 due to the higher lever forces.

[0063] Two first connection elements can be used for a furniture element which provides at its back side two openings at the same height with a distance in the first direction in which the two hook elements 53 of the two first connection elements 50 fixed in the rail 10 can be hooked. Preferably, the furniture element comprises a back wall which provides these two openings. Example of the furniture elements are for example a box 60 with the openings 61 as described in Fig. 7 and a picture support element 95.

[0064] The second type of connection elements 54 (second connection element 54) refers to a bracket extending perpendicular to the panel plane of the wall panel 1 to support a horizontal board like furniture element between two of these second connection elements 54. The second connection element 54 has a panel portion 55 configured to lie on the front side of the wall panel 1 and/or being arranged parallel to the panel plane, when the second connection element 54 is fixed to a rail 10. The rail element 56 protrudes from a back side of the panel portion 55 and has the form corresponding to the rail recess 16, 17, here a downwards facing L or hook. The rail element 56 is preferably identically constructed/realized as rail element 51. A bracket element 57 protrudes from the front side of the panel portion 55 (opposed to the back side of the panel portion 55) and forms the bracket. The bracket element or portion 57 extends preferably perpendicular to the panel portion 55 or, when connected to the rail 10, to the panel plane. Thus, when the second connection element 54 is inserted with the rail element 56 in the rail 10, the bracket element 57 protrudes from the front side of the wall panel 1 and place furniture elements on it. Preferably, the bracket element 57 is arranged below the rail element 56. In the present embodiment, the second connection element 54 is realized by bending a metal sheet. The metal sheet is bent along a first bending line to form a panel portion 55 and the bracket portion 57. Similar as the first connection element 50, the panel portion 55 forms a rectangular frame in which a metal piece is cut out along three sides so that the rail element 56 can be formed by bending the metal piece along the fourth side. The metal piece is bent to the back side to form the rail element 56 as for the first connection element 50. Similar as for the hook element 53, a second metal piece is cut out along three sides below the rail element 56 and bent to extend parallel to the bracket element 57 to form a first positioning means 49. The first positioning means 49 extends parallel to the bracket element 57 with a distance corresponding to the thickness of the furniture element to support. Thus, the first positioning means 49 avoids that the furniture element is moved upwards, when it is in the correct position. The thickness (dimension in the third direction 83) of the first positioning means 49 can actually be very short so that the function is fulfilled, but the furniture element can be easily be inserted. The second connection element 54 comprises preferably a second metal sheet with its sheet plane being perpendicular to the panel plane or panel portion 55 and perpendicular to the bracket element 57, the second metal sheet provides thus a stabilizing means 58 which acts at the same time as second positioning means 58 to avoid that the furniture element can be moved in the first direction 81. The two metal sheets can be connected by soldering, welding and/or form-fit. The second connection element 50 comprises preferably an engagement means 59 configured to engage the furniture element with the second connection element 50, when it is placed in the correct position. Especially, this engagement means 59 shall avoid that the furniture element moves in the third direction 83 and/or in the first direction 81. The engagement means can be simply a screw. However, a plug-means is preferred like a male connector 59 on the bracket and a female connector 72 on the furniture element 70, 70' or vice versa. The male connector 59 can be simply realized by a small pin extending through the whole 59 upwards. Thus, with the first positioning means 49, the second positioning means 58 and the engagement means 59, the furniture element 70, 70' is fixed in nearly all directions. By rotating the front edge of the furniture element 70, 70' upwards, the furniture element 70, 70' could be disengaged and removed from the bracket elements 54. Obviously, the bracket element 54 can be realized differently with having the same functions. Preferably, the same second connection element 54 can be used to support two furniture elements, one on each side of the second connection element 54 as shown for the two furniture elements 70, 70' of the desk 91 which are fixed with three second connection elements 54. The second connection element 54 in the center supports both furniture elements 70, 70'.

[0065] Two second connection elements 54 can be used for fixing horizontal boards to the wall panel 1. This is achieved by placing two opposed sides/edges of a board 70, 70' on the bracket elements 57 of the two second connection elements 54. The two second connection elements 54 are fixed in the rail 10 and hold in between them the board 70, 70'. The main example of the furniture elements used with the second connection elements 54 are boards 70, 70' at different dimensions. Example of the furniture elements are a first board 70 used as shelfs 92, 93 or desk 91 or a second board 70' used the desk 91.

[0066] Subsequently, two furniture elements shall be described in more detail.

[0067] The first furniture element is a box 60. Fig. The box has a cuboid form, in a preferred embodiment a cubic form (i.e. all 3 side lengths are equal). The box has a back side configured to be placed to the front side of the wall panel 1, when connected to the wall panel 1 via the rail 10. The box has a front side opposed to the back side. The box has a lower or lower side and an upper or upper side opposite to the lower side. The box 60 has further two lateral sides. The box 60 is preferably closed by a box wall on all sides except the front side. The walls are called back wall, upper wall, lower wall, and lateral walls for the respective sides of the box 60. The back wall or back side of the box 60 contains two openings 61 (more generally two connection elements) for hooking the box 60 on two first connection elements 50, more precisely on their two hook portions 53. The box 60 can be used as cupboard with different functionalities.

[0068] The box 60 has further a set of engagement means 62 on the lower side/wall and corresponding set of engagement means 63 on the upper side of the box 60. The set of engagement means 62 on the lower side/wall are designed such that it can engage with a set of corresponding engagement means 63 of the upper side of another box 60. Like this, different boxes can be stacked one above the other. The sets of engagement means 62 and 63 is realized here by at least three, preferably four engagement means 62, 63. The engagement means 62 on the lower side are preferably realized as protruding elements which work as well as feet for the box, when it is placed on the floor. The set of engagement means 63 on the upper side/wall of the box 60 are preferably realized as recesses corresponding to the form and position of the protrusions 62 so that that two boxes 60 can be stacked above each other and they are held in this position by the set of engagement means 62 of the lower side of the upper box 60 engaging in the set of engagement means 63 on the upper side of the lower box 60. This is for example shown in Fig. 6 with the two stacked boxes 60 under the desk 91. The sets of engagement means 62, 63 are preferably arranged such that when they engage with each other, the lateral, back and front sides of the two boxes are vertically aligned. There might be different types of boxes 60, e.g. a cubic box 60 and a cuboid box 60'. The interior of the box might be modularly adapted, e.g. by inserting a further box as shown in the box 60', by inserting a shelf as shown in the boxes 60 and 60', by adding a door on the front side, etc. However, these variations are well known and are not relevant for the invention. The box 60 has preferably fixation openings 64 for fixing a shelf in the box 60.

[0069] The board 70 can actually be fixed in different rotational states. Therefore, we introduce quickly dimensions which relate just to the board 70 itself. The board plane refers to the plane defining the largest sides of the board and/or to the sides of the board 70 which show upwards or downwards, when fixed to the wall panel 1. As will be explained later, there is actually one side which is configured to be placed downwards, when fixed to the wall panel 1, i.e. the lower or lower side of the board 70. Consequently, the upper or upper side of the board 70 shows upwards and/or is opposed to the lower side. The third board direction refers to the direction perpendicular to the board plane. The board thickness refers to the dimension in the third board direction, i.e. the smallest dimension of the board. The first and second board direction refer to the two board directions both perpendicular to the third board direction. The first board direction is perpendicular to the second board direction. The board 70 has preferably a rectangular shape. The first board direction is preferably parallel to the longest side of board and the second board direction is preferably parallel to the second longest side of the board 70. Preferably, the system comprises different types of boards 70 with different dimensions. For example, the boards 70 and 70' have both a rectangular shape. The board 70' shown in Fig. 9 has a larger board width than the board 70. The board 70 is better for realizing shelfs 92 or the desk extension 70 of the desk 91. The board 70' with the larger board width is better for realizing a desk by fixing the board 70' with its longest side towards the wall panel 1 in the rail 10.

[0070] The board 70,70' has preferably on its lower side at least two, preferably more wall engagement means 71 to engage with the engagement means 59 of the second connection element 54. The wall engagement means 71 are preferably arranged such that the board 70, 70' can be fixed via with any of the four lateral sides towards the wall panel.

[0071] The board 70,70' has preferably on its lower side at least one set of box engagement means 72 configured to engage with the set of engagement means 63 on the upper side of the box 60 in order to place the board 70 on upper of the box 60 by engaging the one set of box engagement means 72 in the set of engagement means 63 on the upper side of the box 60. The set of box engagement means 72 are such that the can engage in a set of engagement means 63 on the upper side of the boxes 60. Preferably, the set of box engagement means 72 is realized identically as the set of engagement means 62 on the lower side of the box 60. Preferably, the board 70, especially when having a rectangular shape, have two sets box engagement means 72 so that the box 60 can be engaged under the board 70 at two different positions. Preferably, the first set of box engagement means 72 is arranged (on the lower side) versus the first (shorter) lateral side, and the second set of box engagement means 72 is arranged (on the lower side) versus the second (shorter) lateral side of the board 70. This allows also to place the board 70 on upper of two boxes 60, e.g. to realize a table.

[0072] Thus, the possibility to combine boards 70, 70', boxes 60 and rails 60 of the wall panel 1 allows thus to build a large number of different types of furniture by a small number of base elements. Examples for different combinations will be explained in the following list:

a) two boxes 60 could be placed with their respective lower side on the floor and a board 70' is placed with the two sets of box engagement means 72 on the two sets of engagement means 63 provided on the upper sides of the two boxes 60. Thus, the board 70 provides a table where users could sit around. Further boxes could be used to sit on. With differently sized boards 70', the size of the table could be varied. By stacking two boxes 60 on each side (with a total of 4 boxes 60), the height of the table could be doubled.

b) a first side of the board 70 is fixed with in the rai 10 of the wall panel 1 and a second side of the board 70 is supported by the upper side of the box by engaging the set of engagement by inserting the set of protrusions of the plate in the set of recesses of the cube, wherein the cube is placed on the floor or stacked on the further cube placed on the floor.

c) The boxes 60 and the board(s) 70, 70' are connected with their respective connection elements 50, 54 to the rails 10.

[0073] Thus, the system comprising at one, preferably two boxes 60, one, preferably two boards 70, 70' and comprising at least two first connectors 50 and at least two second connection elements 54 allows to modularly change the furniture of the room with a small number of base elements.

[0074] The height of the rails 10 from the floor is preferably such that the lower side of a board 70 fixed at the lowest rail 10 via two second connection elements 54 has the height of a box 60 placed on the floor. The height of the second rail 10 from the floor is preferably such that the lower side of a board 70 fixed at the lowest rail 10 via two second connection elements 54 has the height of two stacked boxes 60 placed on the floor. Preferably, the distance between the rails 10 corresponds to the height of the box 60.

[0075] It is clear that there are also simpler furniture components, e.g. the hook 96 fixed directly in the rail 10.

[0076] It should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the described embodiments and that variations can be applied without going outside of the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. Wall panel (1) configured to be mounted to a wall and comprising a panel (2) and a rail (10) for fixing furniture components to the wall panel (1), wherein the panel (2) has a panel width in a first direction (81), wherein the rail (10) extends in the first direction (81) and has in the first direction (81) a rail width, wherein the rail (10) has a rail portion (11) with a rail thickness in a second direction (82), wherein the rail (10) has an opening (12) for inserting in and/or removing from the rail (10) the furniture components,
characterized in that

the rail width is smaller than the panel width, and

the opening (12) has an opening thickness in the second direction larger than the rail thickness.

2. Wall panel according to claim 1, wherein the rail (10) is arranged such in the panel (2) that a first end of the rail (10) is arranged at a distance in the first direction (81) of a first edge of the panel (2) and that a second end of the rail (10) is arranged at a distance in the first direction (81) of a second edge of the panel (2).

3. Wall panel according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the opening (12) is arranged at a first end of the rail (10) and/or at a second end of the rail (10).

4. Wall panel according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the panel (2) is realized by one integral panel with a panel rail recess for the rail (10).

5. Wall panel according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the rail (10) comprises an upper rail profile (20) and a lower rail profile (30), wherein the opening (20) is constituted by a difference in the length of the upper rail profile (20) and the lower rail profile (30).

6. Wall panel according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the rail portion (11) is configured such that a rail element (51, 56) of a furniture component fixed in the rail portion (11) only be inserted and removed via the opening (12).

7. Wall panel according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the panel (2) comprises a panel rail recess, wherein the rail (10) comprises a lower rail profile (30) fixed to the panel (2) at a lower side of the panel rail recess and an upper rail profile (20) fixed to the panel (2) at an upper side of the panel rail recess, wherein the upper rail profile (20) engages in the lower rail profile (30) to form together the rail (10).

8. Wall panel according to claim 7, wherein the lower rail profile (30) comprises an inner portion (31) lying on the lower side of the panel rail recess, a back portion (32) lying on the back side of the panel (2) below the panel rail recess and a protruding portion (33) protruding from the back portion (32) first away from the panel (2) and then downwards to form a downward facing hook, wherein the upper rail profile (20) comprises an inner portion (21) lying on the upper side of the rail recess, a back portion (22) lying on the back side of the panel (2) above the rail recess, a first back rail portion (23) extending in the same direction as the inner portion (21) protruding from the back side of the panel (2) and a second back rail portion (24) extending from the first back rail portion (23) downwards at a distance from the back portion (32) of the lower rail profile (20) in order to form an L-shaped recess (16, 17), wherein the upper rail profile (20) comprises a hook portion (25) protrudes from the second back rail portion (24) towards the panel (2) and then upwards to form an upwards facing hook which engages in the downward facing hook provided by the protruding portion (33) of the lower rail profile (30).

9. Wall panel according to claim 8 comprising a wall fixation profile (40) to be mounted on the wall in a horizontal extension and forming in its cross-section a hook portion (42) in which the rail (10) can be hooked with a rail hook portion on the wall fixation profile (40) to fix the wall panel (1) on the wall, wherein the rail hook portion of the rail (10) is formed by the hook portion (25) of the upper rail profile (20) and a wall hook portion (26) of the upper rail profile (20) extending from hook portion (25) downwards with a distance to the panel (2).

10. Wall panel according to one of the previous claims comprising a plurality of these rails (10) arranged parallel to each other one above the other to allow to fix the furniture components at different heights.

11. A wall mounting system comprising a wall panel (1) according to one of the previous claims and at least one furniture component (91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96) configured to be fixed in the rail (10) or the rails (10) of the wall panel (1).

12. System according to claim 12, wherein the at least one furniture component comprises furniture (91, 92, 93, 94, 95) component comprising two connection elements (50, 54) and one furniture element(60, 65, 70), wherein each connection element (50, 54) comprises a rail element (51, 56) which can be inserted in the rail (10) and a support element configured to support the furniture element (60, 65, 70), wherein the furniture element (60, 65, 70) can be placed on the two support elements (53, 57) of the two connection elements (50, 54) to support the furniture element (60, 70) on the wall panel (1).

13. System according to claim 13, wherein the support element (53) is a hook, wherein the furniture element (60, 65) comprises a back wall with two hook openings (61), wherein the furniture element can be fixed to the wall panel by hooking the back wall with the two hook openings in the two hooks provided by the two connection elements fixed via the two rail elements in the rail.

14. System according to claim 13, wherein the support element (57) is a bracket extending perpendicular from the panel (2), wherein the furniture element is a flat board (70) which can be placed between the brackets of the two connection elements (54).

15. System according to claim 12 comprising :

at least four connection elements (50, 54), wherein each connection element (50, 54) comprises a rail element (51, 56) which can be inserted in the rail (10), wherein at least two of the connection element (50) are hook connection elements (50) providing a hook, wherein at least two of the connection elements (54) are bracket connection element (54) having a bracket extending perpendicular from the panel (2), when the rail element (56) of the bracket connection element (54) is inserted in the rail (10);

at least one box (60, 60') having two openings (61) in its back wall to hang the box on two of the hook connection elements (50) fixed in the rail (10), wherein the box has a set of engagement means on its lower side and a corresponding set of engagement means on its upper side so that an identically constructed further box could be stacked on upper side of the box with the set of engagement mean on the lower side of the further box engaging in the set of engagement means on the upper side of the box;

at least one board (70, 70') which can be placed on two of the bracket connection elements (54), when they are in the rail (10), in order to fix the board to the wall panel (1), wherein the board (70, 70') comprises on its lower side a set of box engagement means (72) which can engage with the set of engagement means (63) on the upper side of the box (60, 60').

Drawing