SHELF SYSTEM

Info

Publication number: 20100071601
Type: Application
Filed: Jan 11, 2008
Publication Date: Mar 25, 2010
Inventors: Burkhard Hess (Hamburg), Gerhard Bernhold (Hamburg), Carsten D. Bergmann (Bremen), Dirk Wefer (Bremen)
Application Number: 12/522,805

Abstract

A rack system comprises lateral load-bearing frameworks (10, 11) with supports (14, 15) and crossmembers (43, 44), each made of hollow profiles, which are combined in a flush and/or congruent manner by means of special connecting components to form a frame. A groove (16) has fitted in it a load-bearing profile (26) with load-bearing components on which transversely directed elements of the rack system can be fitted.

Description

Description

STATEMENT OF RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is the U.S. National Phase Under Chapter II of the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) of PCT International Application No. PCT/EP2008/000191 having an International Filing Date of Jan. 11, 2008, which claims priority on German Patent Application No. 10 2007 002 637.6 having a filing date of Jan. 12, 2007

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field.

The invention relates to a load-bearing framework, in particular rack, having upright, profiled load-bearing means or supports and having transversely directed elements, in particular having horizontal shelves, carrying rails and the like, fitted thereon via connecting components.

2. Related Art.

The invention is concerned, in the broadest sense, with a three-dimensional load-bearing system made of upright supports and horizontal elements connected to the upright supports. These horizontal elements are constituted, in particular, by shelves, clothes rails or other horizontal components of a rack system.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to design such a rack system such that the individual parts can in particular be straightforwardly assembled or installed on site, but a three-dimensional load-bearing system which can be subjected to high loading is nevertheless created.

In order to achieve this object, the invention is characterized by the following features:

a) the upright load-bearing means, in particular the supports, have a peripheral groove continuing preferably over the entire height,
b) a retaining profile with spaced-apart retaining elements is fixed in the groove,
c) the transversely directed components, in particular shelves, rails or the like, have connecting elements which can be introduced into the groove of the supports and are connected to the retaining elements arranged on the load-bearing profile.

The special feature is that the connection between the upright supports and the horizontal transversely directed components takes place by means of connecting elements which are accommodated entirely within the supports and/or transverse carriers. Accordingly, the connection cannot be seen from the outside.

A further special feature is that the upright supports are designed in the form of hollow profiles, in particular of extruded profiles made of metal or aluminum alloy with the peripheral groove formed therein. In particular the supports or the hollow profiles are dimensioned to be comparatively wide with a comparatively small depth.

A further special feature is that the upright supports are connected to transverse carriers, preferably likewise made of hollow profiles with the same configuration and dimensioning as the supports, wherein the transverse carriers are connected to the upright supports via connection components which have one sub-region located within the transverse carriers, designed in the form of hollow profiles, and have another sub-region located within the mutually facing grooves of the supports which are to be connected, the result being that the transverse carriers butt directly against the upright supports, preferably flush with the supports.

Further connecting means serve for fitting load-bearing profiles which are likewise arranged between the upright supports and are connected via special connecting components to the retaining elements of the load-bearing profile within the grooves.

A further special feature is the design of a clothes rail which can be used in conjunction with the rack system or independently of the same.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

Details of the invention will be described more specifically hereinbelow with reference to the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a side view of an embodiment of the load-bearing system,

FIG. 2 shows a simplified front view of the rack system,

FIG. 3 shows an exploded illustration of the load-bearing or rack system,

FIG. 4 shows, on an enlarged scale, an element of the rack system, namely a profile in cross section,

FIG. 5 shows the profile according to FIG. 4 with a load-bearing profile introduced therein,

FIG. 6 shows a schematic side view of the load-bearing profile,

FIG. 7 shows a connecting component for connecting profiles to one another,

FIG. 8 shows a connecting component of similar design,

FIG. 9 shows a retaining element for supporting horizontal parts on upright supports,

FIG. 10 shows an illustration analogous to FIG. 2 with certain details enlarged,

FIG. 11 shows a first detail XI from FIG. 10,

FIG. 12 shows a second detail XII from FIG. 10,

FIG. 13 shows, on an enlarged scale, a further detail XIII from FIG. 10,

FIG. 14 shows, on an enlarged scale, a detail XIV from FIG. 2,

FIG. 15 shows a (clothes) rail in cross section,

FIG. 16 shows the clothes rail according to FIG. 15 on a smaller scale, with special installation elements inserted therein,

FIG. 17 shows another embodiment of a clothes rail designed in the form of a hollow profile,

FIG. 18 shows, in detail form, a molding for connecting in particular shelves to upright supports, and

FIG. 19 shows a connection between a shelf and an upright support, partly in vertical section.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 1-14 show a load-bearing structure, which is preferably used as a rack or rack system, in its entirety and in detail. The load-bearing structure comprises (two) lateral load-bearing frameworks 10, 11 and transversely directed elements which are connected to the lateral load-bearing frameworks 10, 11. The transversely directed elements are constituted, for example, by transversely directed, horizontal panels, namely shelves 12, and may also be in the form of other set-up parts, for example a clothes rail 13.

The load-bearing frameworks 10, 11 are designed in a particular manner and are shown in elevation in FIG. 1. They are constituted, in the first instance, by upright load-bearing parts, namely supports 14, 15. These are designed in a particular manner, namely in the form of hollow profiles made of plastic or, in particular, made of extruded aluminum profiles or made of aluminum alloys. The FIGS. 4 and 5 show an advantageous embodiment of the cross-sectional shape of the supports 14, 15. Accordingly, the supports 14, 15, in comparison with the profile width, are very deep.

The supports 14, 15 or the hollow profiles according to FIGS. 4 and 5 are configured in a particular manner for connection to other load-bearing elements and in order for transversely directed structural elements to be fitted thereon. An important feature is constituted by a groove 16 which is formed along at least one periphery of the hollow profile or of the supports 14, 15 and has, in particular, a U-shaped cross section and extends over the entire length of the profile and/or over the entire height of the support 14, 15. The groove 16 is bounded by large-surface-area side walls 17, 18 of the hollow profile, these side walls being formed peripherally as projecting, free profile legs. A (first) transverse wall forms a base 19 of the groove 16. This base, or the transverse wall, is provided here with a central slot 20.

Further (two) transverse walls 21, 22 are formed within the hollow profile. These serve for stabilizing the wide hollow profile and/or for allowing cross-sectionally annular profile extensions 23, 24 to be fitted thereon. These profile extensions likewise extend over the entire height and/or length of the hollow profile and are designed such that connecting screws can be introduced longitudinally into the round profile extensions 23, 24 in order to fasten further elements. Formed on that peripheral side of the hollow profile which is located opposite the groove 16 is a transversely directed terminating wall 25, which is connected to peripheries of the side walls 17 and 18.

The groove 16, which is formed along at least one side of the profiles or supports 14, 15, serves for accommodating connecting means for the connection of transversely directed structural parts, such as shelves, load-bearing elements etc., such that the connecting means or fittings are located entirely within the groove 16 once the relevant parts have been installed.

A particular method of connecting elements of the load-bearing system, in particular of a rack system, is constituted by use of separate profiles with connecting components which are positioned independently on or in the load-bearing profile. The present exemplary embodiment makes use of a load-bearing profile 26 which has an exposed load-bearing web 27 extending in the region of the groove 16. Suitable connecting means are arranged on this load-bearing web. In the case of the present exemplary embodiment, these connecting means are transversely directed load-bearing bolts 28, which are arranged in corresponding recesses of the load-bearing web 27. The load-bearing profile 26 is preferably an extruded part made of plastic. The load-bearing bolts 28 expediently consist of metal and are fixed in a force-fitting manner in corresponding holes in the load-bearing web 27. The length of the load-bearing bolts 28 are somewhat smaller than the free spacing between the side walls 17, 18 of the hollow profile or of the groove 16.

The load-bearing profile 26 has a widened base part fastened on the hollow profile or on the support 14, 15. The present exemplary embodiment (FIG. 5) provides for form-fitting fastening. The load-bearing profile 26 has a transverse web 29, and accordingly is of cross-sectionally T-shaped design throughout. The transverse web 29 is fastened on the hollow profile, to be precise in a channel 30 which extends over the entire length of the hollow profile and is bounded by the base 19 of the groove 16, on the one hand, and by the transverse wall 21, on the other hand. The channel 30 corresponds, in terms of dimensions, to the transverse web 29. The correspondingly dimensioned load-bearing web 27 passes through the slot 20 in the base 19 into the region of the groove 16 and is located centrally within the latter. The load-bearing profile 26 is provided with a plurality of preferably equally spaced-apart load-bearing components, that is to say with the transversely directed load-bearing bolts 28. In accordance with the number of these load-bearing means, it is possible for components to be set down on the load-bearing bolts 28, by means of suitable supporting parts, at corresponding height positions or relative positions.

The system parts which are to be connected to the load-bearing framework 10, 11 or the supports 14, 15 may be provided with different fittings for connection to the respective load-bearing profile 26. The fitting parts should be designed such that they disappear completely in the groove 16. An advantageous configuration of the connecting parts is one where an obliquely directed, slot-like recess 31 is formed in a coupling part. The recess 31 fits the load-bearing bolt 28, and the relevant connecting part therefore moves, under its own weight, into a stable anchoring position on the load-bearing bolt 28, the effect being that the connecting component is drawn into the groove 16 as a result of the inclined recess 31.

FIG. 9 shows a first configuration of a connecting component 32. This is suitable, in particular, for supporting panel-like system parts, that is to say, for example, for supporting a shelf 12. The connecting component 32 is connected to the part which is to be supported, that is to say, for example, to the shelf 12, to be precise in each case in the region of the (four) corners of the panel-like structure. A coupling part 33 of the connecting component 32 is provided with the obliquely directed recess 31, which is designed to fit the load-bearing bolt 28. Furthermore, the coupling component 33 is of fork-like design, that is to say it has two spaced-apart legs, each with a recess 31. Accordingly, the coupling part 33 has a central gap. It is thus possible for the two legs of the coupling part 33, upon connection to the load-bearing profile 26, to come into engagement with the exposed regions of the load-bearing bolt 28 on either side of the load-bearing web 27.

The connecting component 32 is connected to the shelf 12, that is to say to mutually opposite side peripheries of the shelf 12, via profile components 34, 35. The two profile components 34, 35 are connected to the shelf 12 in a central region of a side surface of the latter (FIG. 3). The two assembled profile components 34, 35 together form a cavity which is open in the downward direction and into which enters the connecting component 32 (FIG. 14). Accordingly, the profile components 34, 35 butt as a unit against the profiled top side of the connecting component 32, to be precise outside the coupling part 33. The profile components 34, 35 are dimensioned such that they fit between the associated supports 14, 15, and therefore, in this region, the profile components 34, 35 form the outside of the shelf 12 between the supports 14, 15. Furthermore, the profile components 34, 35 are dimensioned such that they terminate flush with the outer surfaces of the supports 14, 15 when the shelf has been inserted (FIG. 3, rear side).

Another type of connecting component 36 is of angular design (FIGS. 8 and 11). This component is also suitable, as an alternative, for mounting shelves 12. In the case of the present exemplary embodiment (FIG. 3), the connecting component 36 serves for fastening a respective transverse carrier 37 on the supports 14, 15 or between the same. The transverse carriers 37, located opposite one another, of the two load-bearing frameworks 10, 11 serve to have any desired load-bearing parts, in the present case the clothes rail 13, fitted on them.

The transverse carrier 37 is likewise designed in the form of a hollow profile with a (downwardly or upwardly directed) groove 16. In the arrangement according to FIGS. 3 and 11, the groove 16 in the transverse carrier 37 is directed downward. A leg 38 of the connecting component 36 enters into the groove 16 of the transverse carrier 37 and is anchored therein, for example by a screw 39. An upright load-bearing leg 40 of the connecting component 36 is provided, at the top end, with a coupling part 41, analogous to the coupling part 33 of the connecting component 32. In particular, the coupling part 41 has an obliquely directed recess 31. This can be fixed, in the manner described, on a load-bearing bolt 28. The coupling part 41, furthermore, is provided with a thickened portion, in the region of which can be found connecting means for fastening the connecting component 36 or the upright load-bearing leg 40 to the transverse carrier 37 in the region of an end surface of the latter, in particular by means of screws which are guided through the thickened portion of the coupling part 41. The upright load-bearing leg 40 is arranged entirely within the groove 16 of the support 14, 15 and the horizontal leg 38 is arranged within the groove 16 of the transverse carrier 37. The abovedescribed configuration of the connecting component 36 with the coupling part 41 makes it possible for the transverse carrier 37, like, for example, the shelf 12, to be connected in a releasable manner, to the upright supports 14, 15 and, accordingly, to be removed again therefrom and fitted in different height positions.

The supports 14, 15, as upright load-bearing elements of the load-bearing framework 10, 11 are connected to one another by transverse profiles, in this case by a top crossmember 43 and a bottom crossmember 44. These form, together with the supports 14, 15, a closed load-bearing framework.

The crossmembers 43, 44 have, along at least one periphery, a groove 16 of the abovedescribed configuration. In particular, the crossmembers 43, 44 are designed in the form of hollow profiles, preferably with the same configuration and the same dimensioning as the supports 14, 15. The arrangement of the crossmembers 43, 44 is selected such that the groove 16 of the top crossmember 43 is directed upward and the corresponding groove of the bottom crossmember 44 is directed downward. The crossmembers 43, 44 lie flush against the supports 14, 15 at the top and bottom.

The crossmembers 43, 44 are connected to the supports 14, 15 by special connecting components 45, which are designed in a similar manner to the connecting components 36 for the transverse carriers 37. A horizontal leg 38 of the connecting component 45 fits in each case within the respectively upwardly or downwardly oriented horizontal grooves 16 of the crossmembers 43, 44 and is connected to the profiles by at least one screw 39. The upright load-bearing leg 40 of the connecting component 45 is fixed to the respective support 14, 15. For this purpose, the free end of the load-bearing leg 40 has arranged on it a headpiece 46 which has the load-bearing leg 40 located in the upright groove 16 of the support 14, 15. In the region of the headpiece 46, the connecting component 45 is fixed on a permanent basis on the support 14, 15 by means of transversely directed screws 42. The screws 42 pass through the slot 20 and are anchored, in particular in the transverse wall 21. It is also the case that this connecting part, that is to say the connecting component 45, is located entirely within the contour of the hollow profiles, that is to say of the supports 14, 15, on the one hand, and of the crossmembers 43, 44, on the other hand. The load-bearing profile 26 is preferably dimensioned such that it terminates at the connecting components 45 at the top and bottom.

A further special feature is the design of the supports 14, 15 in the bottom region. Adjustable supporting feet 47 are fitted here at the bottom ends of the supports 14, 15. The supporting foot 47 can be adjusted by means of an upright threaded bolt 48. The latter passes through a load-bearing plate 49 and can be adjusted in height by being rotated. The load-bearing plate 49 is fastened on the underside of the hollow profile of the support 14, 15 by means of screws, the screws entering into the profile extensions 23, 24.

In order that, irrespective of the adjusted height position of the supports 14, 15, the latter (are seen to) extend right down to the ground, a sleeve 50 is positioned at the bottom end of each support 14, 15, this sleeve comprising a U-shaped profile and being pushed over the bottom end of the support 14, 15 such that it rests under its own weight on the ground. The bottom end of the supports 14, 15 is thus concealed.

It is also provided, in accordance with FIG. 3, that the load-bearing framework 10, 11, namely the frame having the supports 14, 15, is fastened on a building wall, or on some other load-bearing part, by means of an adjustable holder 51. The holder 51 is provided with a claw 52 which partially encloses the wall-side support 14, that is to say beneath the top crossmember 43.

A further special feature is constituted by the clothes rail 13. The latter is designed in the form of a round hollow profile, in particular of a circular hollow profile. This tubular structure has formed within it channels 53, 54 which are separated off from one another by profiled partition walls 55. This gives rise, for example, to a top channel 53 and a bottom channel 54. Functional components providing for novel or additional functions of the clothes rail 13 may be accommodated within the channels.

Open regions extending over the length of the clothes rail 13 are provided for this purpose, that is to say a longitudinal slot 56 is provided on the top side and a longitudinal recess 57 is provided on the underside. The resulting clothes rail is produced in the form of an extruded profile, in particular one made of metal (aluminum alloy).

In the case of the present example, a supporting profile 58, preferably consisting of plastic, is arranged in the region of the top channel 53. This supporting profile is seated in a form-fitting manner within the channel 53. An upright web 59 projects through the longitudinal slot 56 and beyond the contour of the clothes rail 13. This gives rise to a protrusion made of elastic material which acts as a carrying means for clothes hangers, etc.

In the case of the exemplary configuration according to FIG. 15, the bottom channel 54 is provided with a covering profile 60 in order to close the longitudinal recess 57. In the case of the configuration according to FIG. 16, the bottom channel 54 contains another functional component, that is to say a light system 61 comprising light cables, running in the longitudinal direction of the clothes rail 13, and in particular a plurality of downwardly directed lighting elements 62, in particular configured as diodes. The light system 61 is connected to a power source, in particular, in the case of the configuration according to FIG. 3, via the transverse carriers 37 and the supports 14, 15.

The clothes rail 13 can be integrated in the load-bearing system described, that is to say it can be connected, for example, to the appropriately arranged transverse carriers 37. The latter have fitted on them special supporting parts 63 which enter into the downwardly oriented recess, that is to say into the longitudinal recess 57, of the clothes rail 13.

A simpler configuration of a clothes rail 13 designed in the form of a hollow profile is shown in FIG. 17. Predominantly a round profile (of circular form) is provided here too, this time with a slightly curved flattened portion 64 on the underside. The bottom channel 54 is designed in the form of a closed hollow body, with circular sub-channels 65 approximately halfway up the profile. These cross-sectionally circular sub-channels 65 serve for introducing connecting means, in particular screws or bolts, at the ends of the clothes rail for connection to the transverse carrier 37. It is also the case that the top channel 53 is of simpler configuration than in the previous exemplary embodiment, that is to say it is separated off from the bottom channel 54 by a transversely directed partition wall 55, wherein a cross-sectionally C-shaped longitudinal groove 66 is formed in the region of the partition wall and a simple, T-shaped profile 58 is drawn into the same. The profile 58 likewise has a web 59 projecting out of the profile of the clothes rail 13. Accordingly, the embodiment according to FIG. 17 is characterized by a simple cross-sectional shape having two chambers or channels.

As an alternative to the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 9, the connecting component 32 may be configured in accordance with FIG. 18 and consist of metal or plastic. A coupling part 33, with the obliquely directed, slot-like recess 31, is formed on the one side of the connecting component 32. The recess 31 here is provided with an upwardly directed short leg 67, in the region of which rests the load-bearing bolt 28. The coupling part 33 may further be formed from two thin-walled, spaced-apart webs.

A central connecting web 68 is located on the opposite side to the coupling part 33. This connecting web interacts with profiles or profile components which are arranged on transversely directed elements, namely shelves, transverse carriers, clothes rails or the like. FIG. 19 shows an example in which a connection profile 69 is designed in the form of a closed hollow profile. This connection profile—as an alternative to the profile components 34, 35 from FIG. 3—is fitted on the free periphery of a transverse element, in this case on the free periphery of a shelf 12. The connecting component 32 according to FIG. 18 serves for making the connection to the upright load-bearing components, namely the supports 14, 15 or the load-bearing profile 26. The connecting web 68 enters into a free end of the connection profile 69 and is retained in a guide within the profile 69, in this case between bottom and top, inner guide webs 70.

In order for the position of the connecting component 32 on the shelf 12 to be additionally secured, a protrusion 71 is fitted on one or both sides of the connecting component 32. This is designed with a converging, wedge-shaped form and enters into a recess (not shown) in the periphery of the shelf 12, preferably with a fitting part which is fitted on the shelf 12 in the region of a recess.

LIST OF DESIGNATIONS

10 Load-bearing framework
11 Load-bearing framework
12 Shelf
13 Clothes rail
14 Support
15 Support
16 Groove
17 Side wall
18 Side wall
19 Base
20 Slot
21 Transverse wall
22 Transverse wall
23 Profile extension
24 Profile extension
25 Terminating wall
26 Load-bearing profile
27 Load-bearing web
28 Load-bearing bolt
29 Transverse web
30 Channel
31 Recess
32 Connecting component
33 Coupling part
34 Profile component
35 Profile component
36 Connecting component
37 Transverse carrier
38 Leg
39 Screw
40 Load-bearing leg
41 Coupling part
42 Screw
43 Crossmember
44 Crossmember
45 Connecting component
46 Headpiece
47 Supporting foot
48 Threaded bolt
49 Load-bearing plate
50 Sleeve
51 Holder
52 Claw
53 Channel
54 Channel
55 Partition wall
56 Longitudinal slot
57 Longitudinal recess
58 Profile
59 Web
60 Covering profile
61 Light system
62 Lighting elements
63 Supporting part
64 Flattened portion
65 Sub-channel
66 Longitudinal groove
67 Leg
68 Connecting web
69 Connection profile
70 Guide web

Claims

1. A load-bearing system having upright, profiled load-bearing means or supports (14, 15) and having transversely directed elements, such as transverse carriers, shelves, and clothes rails, supported thereon via connecting components (32, 36, 45), wherein:

a) the load-bearing means or supports (14, 15) have a length and/or height and a profiled groove (16) continuing over the entire length and/or height,

b) the groove (16) has arranged in it a load-bearing profile (26) having spaced-apart retaining components, the retaining components being load-bearing bolts (28),

c) the transversely directed elements have arranged on them connecting components (32, 36) which correspond with the retaining components on the load-bearing profile (26) such that a releasable connection can be made between the transversely directed elements and the load bearing means or supports (14, 15).

2. The load-bearing system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the load-bearing profile (26), which is formed as a separate element, is an extruded profile made of plastic with a load-bearing web (27) which has the load-bearing bolts (28) and is directed towards the elements which are to be fitted.

3. The load-bearing system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising load-bearing components formed on the load-bearing profile (26), the load-bearing components being load-bearing bolts (28) which are directed transversely to the load-bearing web (27) and have sub-regions extending on either side of the load-bearing web (27) which runs centrally in the groove (16), the load-bearing profile (26) having a plurality of the load-bearing bolts (28) that are spaced apart from each other.

4. The load-bearing system as claimed in claim 2 wherein the load-bearing profile (26) comprises a base part for anchoring in a hollow profile of the load bearing means or supports (14, 15) and a transverse web (29), wherein the load-bearing profile (26) is of cross-sectionally T-shaped design.

5. The load-bearing system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the load bearing means or supports (14, 15) in the form of hollow profiles, wherein the open groove (16) in which the connecting components are arranged is formed along at least one periphery of the cross-sectionally rectangular hollow profiles whereby coupling components (32, 36, 45) for the transversely directed elements are accommodated predominantly or entirely within the groove (16).

6. The load-bearing system as claimed in claim 5, wherein the coupling components (32, 36) are connecting components for connecting the transversely directed elements to the load bearing means or supports (14, 15), have a coupling part (33) with an obliquely directed recess (31) whereby the coupling part (33) of the connecting component (32, 36) is brought into hook-like engagement with the load-bearing bolt (28) of the load-bearing profile (26).

7. The load-bearing system as claimed in claim 6 wherein the transversely directed elements comprise a shelf (12), and in order to support the shelf (12), the connecting components (32) are connected to corner regions of the shelf (12) by means of profile components (34, 35) which are fitted on the peripheries of the shelf (12) and are supported on a respective one of the connecting component (32).

8. The load-bearing system in particular as claimed in claim 5, wherein the load bearing means or supports (14, 15) are connected to one another by transverse carriers (37) and/or by crossmembers (43, 44), which are configured as hollow profiles with a cross-sectional shape identical or similar to the hollow profiles of the load bearing means or supports (14, 15), wherein the transverse carriers (37) and/or the crossmembers (43, 44) are connected to the load-bearing profile (26), or the load-bearing bolts (28), by the connecting components (36, 45) or are connected directly to the load bearing means or supports (14, 15) which are accommodated entirely in the grooves (16) of the load bearing means or supports (14, 15), on the one hand, and of the transverse carriers (37) and/or the crossmembers (43, 44) on the other hand.

9. The load-bearing system as claimed in claim 8 comprising a plurality of the crossmembers (43, 44), wherein a top crossmember (43) and a bottom crossmember (44) are arranged between two of the load bearing means or supports (14, 15) that are adjacent to each other and are connected thereto, wherein the connecting components (45) are of angular design with a headpiece (46), which enters into the groove (16) of the upright load bearing means or supports (14, 15) and is anchored therein by screws (42), and with a horizontal leg (38), which enters into the groove (16) and is anchored therein.

10. The load-bearing system as claimed in claim 9, wherein the transverse carriers (37) for accommodating the transversely directed elements are arranged between the adjacent load bearing menas or supports (14, 15) and are connected by means of the connecting components (36) to the load-bearing profile (26) of the load bearing means or supports (14, 15) and/or to one of the load-bearing bolts (28), wherein the connecting component (36) is angular and has an upright leg (38) located in the groove (16) of the load bearing menas or supports (14, 15) and has a coupling part (41), containing an obliquely directed recess (31), suspended on the load-bearing bolt (28), and a horizontal load-bearing leg (40) is anchored in the downwardly oriented groove (16) of the transverse carrier (37) by means of the screw (39).

11. The load-bearing system as claimed in claim 1 wherein two lateral load-bearing frameworks (10, 11) with the load bearing means or supports (14, 15) are connected to a wall of a building via an anchoring component, the anchoring component being a holder (51), wherein the holder (51) has a U-shaped retaining part, the U-shaped retaining part being a claw (52) which encloses the wall-side support (14).

12. The load-bearing system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the load bearing menas or supports (14, 15) are supported on the ground by adjustable supporting feet (47), wherein the adjustable supporting feet (47) are mounted in a rotatable manner by means of threaded bolts (48) in a load-bearing plate (49) fastened on the underside of the load bearing means or support (14, 15).

13. The load-bearing system as claimed in claim 1 wherein a bottom region of the load bearing means or supports (14, 15), in the region of an adjustable supporting foot (47), has arranged in it a sleeve (50) which encloses a respective one of the load bearing means or support (14, 15) in the bottom region and butts against the floor irrespective of the position of the load bearing means or support (14, 15).

14. The load-bearing system as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a clothes rail (13) in the form of a round hollow profile, with a circular cross section and with a plurality of channels (53, 54) which run within the clothes rail (13), in the longitudinal direction of the same, and are for accommodating functional components.

15. The load-bearing system as claimed in claim 14 wherein one of the plurality of channels (53, 54) is a top channel (53) having arranged in it an elastic profile (58) which has an upright web (59) projecting through a top longitudinal slot (56) of the clothes rail (13) and serves as a support for clothes hangers.

16. The load-bearing system as claimed in claim 14 wherein one of the plurality of channels (53, 54) is a bottom channel (54) having a light system (61) arranged in the bottom channel (54) and having light cables and light elements directed downward in the region of a downwardly oriented longitudinal recess (57) in the wall of the clothes rail (13).