BUILT-IN CLOSET ASSEMBLY

Abstract

The invention relates to a built-in closet assembly having at least one closet element and at least one facing element, which adjoins the closet element. In order to create a flexible built-in closet assembly, the facing element is fastened to the closet element and aligned with respect to the closet element by means of being fastened to the closet element.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims the priority benefits of International Patent Application No. PCT/EP2011/056183, filed on Apr. 18, 2011, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a built-in cupboard arrangement, a built-in cupboard arrangement having at least one cupboard element and having at least one facing element which is connected to the cupboard element.

A wall/cupboard arrangement is already known from European patent specification EP 1 870 529 B1 and consists of a combination of a drywall sheet and a piece of home furniture, such as a cupboard or a shelving unit. The wall/cupboard arrangement is used as a partition. The drywall thereof is formed, in a typical manner, of horizontal frame profiles, in particular standardized U-shaped profiles, and vertical post profiles which are covered with gypsum plasterboard. In each case, one post profile and one sidewall element of a cupboard or shelving unit are combined to form a structural unit.

Furthermore, built-in cupboards are generally known which are custom-fitted into the alcoves of rooms. The built-in cupboards become a building component after being fitted in this manner. For traditional built-in cupboards, high costs also have to be borne for the individual customization. Someone who rents the accommodation will thus be unlikely to choose a built-in cupboard. Moreover, once a built-in cupboard has been built-in, generally it cannot be used in another location unless a cabinetmaking company disassembles the built-in cupboard and adapts it to the circumstances of a new assembly location.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a flexible built-in cupboard arrangement.

A built-in cupboard arrangement, according to an aspect of the invention, includes at least one cupboard element and at least one facing element which is connected to the cupboard element and is aligned with respect to the cupboard element by virtue of the connection to the cupboard element. The cupboard element(s) include right and left sidewalls which are connected together via an upper and a lower structural base and abutment profiles are attached to the outer walls of the right and left sidewalls and the outer wall of the upper structural base. The facing element(s) is attached to the abutment profiles including a groove disposed in each of the outer walls of the right and left sidewalls and the outer wall of the upper structural base. The abutment profile is inserted into the groove. The abutment profiles protrude at the top with an upper end beyond the upper structural base in the direction of a ceiling and protrude at the bottom with a lower end beyond the lower structural base in the direction of a floor. The lower end engages into a lower frame profile which lies on the floor and an upper frame profile plugs into the upper ends of the abutment profiles.

A flexible built-in cupboard arrangement having at least one cupboard element and having at least one facing element which is connected to the cupboard element is created by virtue of the fact that the facing element is attached to the cupboard element and is aligned with respect to the cupboard element by virtue of the attachment to the cupboard element. In this manner, an intermediate space can be covered or the connection to a wall can be effected in a particularly simple manner after the completed assembly and alignment of the cupboard element or of a group of cupboard elements. The cupboard elements may be formed such that a precise alignment of the facing elements with respect to the cupboard elements is effected purely by way of the attachment thereof. For this purpose, corresponding mounting locations may already be provided on the cupboard elements. Since cupboard elements having standard dimensions may be used, this type of built-in cupboard is more cost-effective than known systems and in addition can be re-used more easily at other assembly locations since only the facing elements have to be adapted anew. The height and width dimensions of the cupboard elements may be selected such that they can be used in as many cases as possible at the assembly location between the floor and ceiling without being shortened. Typically, the facing element is composed of several plate-shaped facing elements.

In one embodiment, provision is made that the facing element covers an intermediate space between the cupboard element and a wall, floor and/or ceiling. This is the case, for example, when the cupboard element is assembled in an existing wall alcove. This intermediate space could also be merely partially covered so that a cupboard element which is free-standing in the room and has one or more connecting short stub walls or a cupboard element connected at one side in the manner of a partition are also encompassed hereby. A cupboard element which is not connected towards the ceiling is also feasible.

A further advantage can be seen in the fact that the cupboard element can bear the facing element. The cupboard element is thus self-supporting including bearing the facing element. “Bearing” is understood in this case to mean that at least a portion, in particular a predominant portion, of the weight of the facing element is transferred via the cupboard element into the floor. Since, in the lateral region, the lower ends of the facing elements are supported on a lower frame profile, a portion of the weight of the facing element is definitely transferred directly into the floor. The lower frame profile in this case lies loosely on the floor since its alignment is effected simply by being placed against the cupboard element. “Bearing” in the sense of this feature may also mean that the facing element that, as seen in the vertical direction, stands on the cupboard element and on the floor and, in the two horizontal directions, is held by being attached to the cupboard element. The wider the lateral facing elements, the more the lower frame profile or the floor will bear the facing elements. With respect to the wall, ceiling and floor, connection may be effected purely for aesthetic reasons in order to cover a gap. This may be effected via fillers or sealing compounds.

The facing element may be formed peripherally on all sides as seen from the front of the cupboard element. Therefore, fitting into wall alcoves in the manner of a built-in cupboard can be effected in a particularly simple manner, in particular if walls are not vertical and ceilings or floors are not horizontal.

Provision may be made that the cupboard element comprises right and left sidewalls which are connected together via an upper and a lower structural base and abutment profiles are attached to the outer walls of the right and left sidewalls and the outer wall of the upper structural base, the facing element being attached to the abutment profiles. The use of the abutment profiles provides in a particularly simple manner mounting locations for the facing elements on the cupboard element.

A groove may be disposed in each case in the outer walls of the right and left sidewalls and the outer wall of the upper structural base, the abutment profile being inserted into the groove. The abutment profiles can thus be readily assembled in the manner of a construction kit. Instead of the groove, other mechanisms can also be provided such as strips or bores for pins on the abutment profiles.

The abutment profiles may be aligned in relation to the front longitudinal edges of the cupboard element via the grooves. An alignment, precise to the nearest millimetre, of the front visible surface of the facing elements with respect to the front longitudinal edges of the cupboard element is thus achieved simply by assembling the abutment profiles and subsequently mounting the facing elements.

The facing element may be attached to the right and left sidewalls and the upper structural base in such a manner that a front longitudinal edge protrudes with respect to the facing element by a distance. The transition between the front longitudinal edge and the facing element can thus be readily designed to be visually appealing. This distance is 0 to 15 mm, preferably 0 to 4 mm. When the distance is 0 mm, a planar transition between the front longitudinal edge and the facing element is provided.

The upper and lower facing elements may be aligned and attached simply by virtue of the fact that the abutment profiles protrude at the top with an upper end beyond the upper structural base in the direction of a ceiling and protrude at the bottom with a lower end beyond the lower structural base in the direction of a floor, the lower end engages into a lower frame profile which lies on the floor and an upper frame profile plugs into the upper ends of the abutment profiles.

Alignment of the lower frame profile with respect to the front longitudinal edges of the cupboard element may be effected via alignment surfaces disposed on the cupboard element.

The facing elements may be formed as gypsum plasterboards and the abutment profiles and the frame profiles formed as frame profiles typical for drywalls. Therefore, commercially available materials can be used in relation to the facing of the cupboard element. In an alternative embodiment, the abutment profiles and the frame profiles may be formed as timber product profiles. Since gypsum plasterboards are used as the facing elements and the facings do not have to consist of the same materials as the cupboard as is otherwise typical, the facing elements can be produced from the same materials as the wall. It is therefore also possible to provide the typical installation possibilities in gypsum plasterboards, such as, for example, use of standard outlet sockets for light switches or electrical sockets. Further processing of the wood during assembly is also not required owing to the prefabricated cupboard elements and the gypsum plasterboards. The cupboard elements are typically produced from wood or timber products.

The facing elements may lie in abutment from the outside against the right and left sidewalls and the upper and lower structural bases. A further processing step, such as, for example, filling is thereby avoided.

The cupboard element can also be readily subsequently dismantled without the facing formed from the facing element(s) having to be irreparably damaged. For this, in a first step, the abutment profiles are disconnected from the cupboard space from the inside, the upper and lower structural bases are disconnected and removed from the cupboard space from the inside. Then, the right and left sidewalls are removed from the cupboard space from the inside leaving the abutment profiles on the facing element. It is also feasible for initially only the abutment profiles of the upper and lower structural bases to be disconnected and to disconnect the abutment profiles of the sidewalls only after the upper and lower structural bases have been dismantled.

The cupboard element may stand on a floor. The facing element can thus be mounted based on a self-supporting cupboard element aligned in the room.

Embodiments of the present invention provide simple integration of cupboard elements in standardized drywall. The term “drywall” is also understood in this case to mean a facing to be created which is to be covered when building a cupboard into a wall alcove. The course of such drywall is predetermined essentially by frame profiles which are attached beneath the ceilings and to the floor and are formed in particular as U-shaped profiles. In particular, pluggable vertical profiles are connected to these frame profiles on the floor and beneath the ceiling and form the substructure of a drywall.

The invention will be explained in more detail hereinafter with the aid of an exemplified embodiment illustrated in a drawing, in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an upper partial region of a built-in cupboard arrangement,

FIG. 2 shows a right side elevational view of the cupboard arrangement in FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 shows the same view as FIG. 2 of a sidewall,

FIG. 4 shows an enlarged view of a lower portion of the cupboard arrangement in FIG. 2,

FIG. 5 shows the same view as in FIG. 4 of an alternative embodiment,

FIG. 6 shows a top plan view of the built-in cupboard arrangement in FIG. 1, and

FIG. 7 shows the same view in FIG. 4 of an alternative embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an upper partial region of a built-in cupboard arrangement 1 which consists substantially of a cupboard element 2 and a facing element 3 connected thereto. The cupboard element 2 is typically formed as a cuboid cupboard body which is open towards the front and includes a right sidewall 2a and a left sidewall 2b which is disposed in parallel with and spaced apart from the right sidewall. The sidewalls are connected together at the top by an upper structural base 2c and at the bottom by a lower structural base 2d (see FIG. 4). The upper structural base 2c and the lower structural base 2d are also spaced apart from each other and are disposed in parallel with each other. In the region of its upper sides, the upper structural base 2c also terminates flush with the upper ends of the right and left sidewalls 2a, 2b. The right sidewall 2a, the left sidewall 2b, the upper structural base 2c and the lower structural base 2d delimit a cuboid cupboard space 2e which can typically be used for storing objects in the home. Towards the rear, this cupboard space 2e is closed by a rear wall 2f. If required, this rear wall 2f could also be omitted or be only partly provided at the rear side of the cupboard element 2.

Furthermore, it can be seen from FIG. 1 that a series of mutually spaced apart bores 4 extending in the longitudinal direction of the right or left sidewalls 2a, 2b extend in each case in the region of the front longitudinal edge 2g of the right sidewall 2a and the left sidewall 2b and the respective rear longitudinal edge. These bores 4 are used to receive supports, not illustrated, for shelves 5 or for mounting cupboard doors, not illustrated, for closing the cupboard space 2e of the cupboard element 2.

In order to connect these cupboard elements 2 in the manner of a built-in cupboard flush with a wall, floor and/or ceiling, facing elements 3 are provided. In FIG. 1, the wall, ceiling and floor have not been illustrated for reasons of clarity. The use of facing elements 2 which have the function of screens allows cupboard elements 2 to have standard dimensions that can be used and the adaptation to the respective built-in cupboard situation can be made via the facing elements 3. There is no need for a costly adaptation of the height and/or width of the cupboard elements 2. Therefore, the cupboard elements 2 can also readily be re-used at other installation locations since only the facing elements 3 have to be adapted to the new installation situation.

These facing elements 3 may consist of gypsum plasterboards. Other materials such as, for example, gypsum fibre boards, boards consisting of wood, boards consisting of synthetic material, synthetic material-coated boards or boards consisting of timber products can also be used. In order to be able to attach the facing elements 3 between the floor, wall or ceiling, grooves 6 are disposed in the outer walls 2h of the right sidewall 2a, left sidewall 2b or upper structural base 2c in each case facing a wall or ceiling. The grooves 6 have a flat and rectangular cross-section, extend in the longitudinal direction of the sidewalls 2a, 2b and the upper structural bases 2c and form a front delimitation edge 6a and a rear delimitation edge 6b. The front and rear delimitation edges 6a, 6b are aligned perpendicularly with respect to the respective outer wall 2h. This groove 6 is also disposed in the region of the front longitudinal edge 2g of the sidewalls 2a, 2b and the upper structural base 2c. The groove 6 has a width b of approximately 75 mm and extends over the entire length of the sidewalls 2a, 2b and upper structural base 2c. The distance a between the front delimitation edge 6a and the front longitudinal edge 2g is the same as or is slightly greater than the thickness d of the facing element 3 which means that the facing element 3 is either aligned to be planar with respect to the front longitudinal edge 2g or is set back a few millimetres, preferably in the range of 1 mm to 4 mm.

For the facing, an abutment profile 7 is inserted into each groove 6 and is screwed to the sidewalls 2a, 2b or the upper structural base 2c. Screwing can be effected from the inside or outside. Clamping attachments are also feasible. The abutment profile 7 has the form of a cuboid strip with a front abutment side 7a which protrudes from the sidewalls 2a, 2b or the upper structural base 2c and is directed forwards. Prior to being attached to the abutment profile 7, the facing element 3 is cut to the dimensions of the intermediate space 8—which is to be covered—between the floor, wall or ceiling and the sidewalls 2a, 2b or upper structural base 2c. In the region of the ceiling or wall, a frame profile 9, in particular a standardized U-shaped sheet metal profile, is attached to the ceiling or wall and is aligned on the facing sidewall 2a, 2b or the upper structural base 2c in parallel with the abutment profile 7 at a spaced disposition and in the present case of a horizontal ceiling and a an upper horizontal structural base 2c. The abutment profile 7 is preferably formed as a standardized C-shaped sheet metal profile known from drywall construction. The C-shaped profile can be attached in a particularly simple manner from the inside using U-shaped clamps known by the Applicant. The limbs of the C-shaped profile engage into the groove 6 and its webs disposed at the lower ends of the limbs and protruding inwardly are pressed by the clamp into the base of the groove. The clamp can be pulled from inside the cupboard space 2e into the groove 6 via a threaded screw.

FIG. 1 illustrates a facing element 3 in the form of a gypsum plasterboard which is screwed at the bottom to the front abutment side 7a of the abutment profile 7 and at the top to the U-shaped frame profile 9, in particular its front profile side 9a and thus covers the intermediate space 8. A corresponding frame profile 9 on the right wall and a further facing element 3 are not illustrated but are provided to complete the facing. Of the right facing, only an abutment profile 7 inserted into the groove 6 of the right sidewall 2a and attached thereto is shown. It should be emphasised that this abutment profile 7 protrudes beyond the right sidewall 2a, bridges the upper intermediate space 8 and is inserted into the frame profile 9. The stability in the region of the facing is increased thereby. Of course, it is also possible to make the right abutment profile 7 terminate at the upper end of the right sidewall 2a.

FIG. 1 also shows that the left sidewall 2b is a middle wall and thus also a right sidewall 2a for a second cupboard element 2 which is connected thereto on the left-hand side and of which only an upper structural base 2c is shown.

FIG. 2 shows a view of the right sidewall 2a of FIG. 1. In order to be able to illustrate the upper and lower region of the right sidewall 2a in one figure, a middle part of the right sidewall 2a is not illustrated. The abutment profile 7 inserted into the groove 6 of the right sidewall 2a and attached thereto is shown and is inserted with its upper end 7b into the upper frame profile 9. The upper end 7b is thus guided in the upper frame profile 9 and lies precisely against the inner surfaces of the limbs of the upper frame profile 9. In one embodiment, the upper frame profile 9 can be screwed to the ceiling 11. Alternatively, it is possible to cut the abutment profile 7 precisely to length and to place the upper frame profile 9 onto the upper end 7b of the abutment profile 7 and to attach it thereto.

In the lower region of the cupboard element 2 and its right sidewall 2a, the facing having a facing element 3 is formed in a comparable manner to the upper region of the cupboard element 2 and its right sidewall 2a. Also, in the lower region, the lower end 7c of the abutment profile 7 extends beyond the lower structural base 2d in the direction of the floor 12. Placed on and attached to the floor 12, transverse to the cupboard element 2, is a lower U-shaped frame profile 10. The lower end 7c of the abutment profile 7 engages into the frame profile 2 and is held therein. The lower frame profile 10 is aligned on the cupboard element 2, in particular its sidewalls 2a, 2b. In this respect, a forwardly facing alignment surface 14 is disposed on each cupboard element 2 and below the lower structural base 2d, the distance b of the alignment surface to the front longitudinal edge 2g of the sidewalls 2a, 2b corresponding at least to the width of the lower frame profile 10 and the thickness d of the built-in element 3. The built-in element 3 and the front longitudinal edge 2g then form a planar plane or are flush. If the front longitudinal edge 2g is to protrude with respect to the built-in element 3, the distance b is to be selected to be correspondingly greater.

The alignment surfaces 14 can be formed in one embodiment by the sidewalls 2a, 2b. For this, on the one hand the sidewalls 2a, 2b protrude downwards beyond the lower structural base 2d and in the region of the front longitudinal edge 2g a rectangular cut-out 15 is provided so that an alignment surface 14 extending in parallel with the front longitudinal edge 2g and set back in relation thereto is formed for the lower frame profile 10. The lower ends of the sidewalls 2a, 2b can also be used as a standing surface for the cupboard elements 2. Alternatively, height-adjustable feet 16 can be attached to the lower side of the lower structural base 2d so that in the assembled and aligned state the lower ends of the sidewalls 2a, 2b are at a slight spaced disposition with respect to the floor 12.

FIG. 2 shows the built-in cupboard arrangement 1 when mounted. During assembly of the built-in cupboard arrangement 1, in a first step the cupboard elements 2 are assembled and brought into the desired mounting position.

Then, in the embodiment, the frame profiles are attached to upper and lower frame profiles 9 and 10 and lateral frame profiles screwed to the ceiling 11, floor 12 and walls 13 and these delimit the built-in space 8 on one side. The lower frame profile 9 is aligned by virtue of the fact that the rear profile side 10b is placed against the alignment surface 14 of the cupboard element 2. The upper frame profile 9 can be aligned by inserting in the lateral grooves 6 of the sidewalls 2a, 2b. Any lateral frame profile can be aligned using the upper and lower frame profiles 9, 10. Then, the abutment profiles 7 are inserted into the upper and lateral grooves 6. The abutment profiles 7 fit tightly in the grooves 6 or are screwed at that location to the sidewalls 2a, 2b or the upper structural base 2c, 2d. In this case, the abutment profiles 7 are pulled into the groove 6. The lateral abutment profiles 7 are inserted at the top and bottom into the U-shaped frames 9, 10 and are also attached at that location if required. Then, the intermediate space 8 now delimited by the frame profiles 9, 10 and the abutment profiles 7 is closed by means of facing elements 3.

In the embodiment in which the cupboard element(s) 2 bear(s) the facing with the facing elements 3, in one step the rear profile side 10b of the lower frame profile 10 lies against the alignment surface 14 of the cupboard element 2. Then, the lower ends 7c of the lateral abutment profiles 7 are placed into the lower frame profile 10, the upper frame profile 9 is placed onto the upper ends 7b of lateral abutment profiles 7 and the lateral abutment profiles 7 are moved into the lateral grooves 6 of the cupboard elements 2. In particular, for this purpose the abutment profiles 7 are cut slightly shorter (approximately 10 mm shorter than the clearance between the ceiling 11 and floor 12) in order for the upper frame profile 9 to be able to be placed more easily. Then, the abutment profiles 7 are pushed upward in the grooves 6 until the upper frame profile 9 comes to lie against the ceiling 11. Then, the abutment profiles 7 are attached. After that, the abutment profiles 7 are inserted into the upper grooves 6. The abutment profiles 7 fit tightly in the grooves 6 or are screwed at that location to the sidewalls 2a, 2b or the upper structural base 2c, 2d. In this case, the abutment profiles 7 are pulled into the groove 6. The lateral abutment profiles 7 can also be attached to the U-shaped frames 9, 10. Then, the intermediate space 8 now delimited by the frame profiles 9, 10 and the abutment profiles 7 is closed by means of facing elements 3. The cupboard element 2 or cupboard elements 2 thus transfer their alignment to the facing elements 3 connected thereto.

If the upper facing element 3 is not to extend as far as the ceiling 11, and there is thus no ceiling height, the upper frame profile 9 is to be horizontally aligned via the displaceable vertical abutment profiles 7. It is also advantageous if the vertical front longitudinal edges 2g of the sidewalls 2a, 2b do not extend as far as the floor 13 owing to the cut-out 15. Any tilts of the floor 13 thus cannot be seen. The upper facing element 3 and the lower facing element 3 are also not illustrated in FIG. 2 or are not yet mounted.

FIG. 3 shows an individual sidewall 2a, 2b in a view from the right or left. This Figure shows in particular the shape and position of the cut-out 15 which is substantially covered in FIG. 2 by the abutment profile 7.

FIG. 4 shows a sectional enlargement of FIG. 2 from the lower region of the sidewall 2a, 2b which is only partially illustrated. It can be seen that the distance c, by which the sidewall 2a, 2b protrudes over the facing element 3, is determined by the distance e, which relates to the depth of the cut-out 15, the thickness d of the facing element 3 and the width b of the lower frame profile 10. Moreover it is shown that the rear profile side 10b of the lower frame profile 10 lies with its outer side against the alignment surface 14 formed by the sidewall 2a, 2b. The gap provided is only an inaccuracy of the drawing. It can also be seen that the lower end 7c of the abutment profile 7 is inserted between the front and rear limbs of the lower frame profile 10 in a positive-locking manner and lies against the inner sides of the opposite limbs.

FIG. 5 shows a view in accordance with FIG. 4 in an alternative embodiment. In accordance with this embodiment, the right and left sidewalls 2a, 2b terminate flush with the lower side of the lower structural base 2d. The cupboard element 2 is supported on the floor 12 via height-adjustable feet 16. The preferably two front feet 16 are disposed such that their front surfaces form the alignment surfaces 14 for the abutment of the lower frame profile 10 and the required distance e is maintained. The further embodiment coincides with that of FIG. 4 which means that reference is made to the above description.

FIG. 6 shows a view from above of a part of a built-in cupboard arrangement. For reasons of clarity, the ceiling 11, the upper frame profile 9 and the upper structural base 2c are omitted. This figure shows in particular that the intermediate space 8 between the walls 13 and the cupboard element 2 is covered by a facing element 3 which is supported at the bottom on the lower frame profile 10 and on the side on the abutment profile 7. It is also shown that the front longitudinal edge 2g protrudes forward with respect to the facing element by the distance c.

FIG. 7 shows a view in accordance with FIG. 4 in an alternative embodiment. Instead of forming the upper and lower frame profiles 9 and 10 as standardized U-shaped profiles and the abutment profiles 7 as standardized C-shaped profiles, profiles made from wood or timber products are provided. The abutment profile 7 has a rectangular cross-section and is provided on the upper and lower ends 7b, 7c with a rectangular pin 17a. The frame profiles 9, 10 are formed as profiles having a rectangular cross-section and a pin groove 17b in order to be able to receive the pin 17a of the abutment profile 7 in a positive-locking manner.

It can be seen from the preceding FIGS. 1 to 7 that, owing to the use of one or more cupboard elements 3 having standard dimensions to form a built-in cupboard arrangement 1, a peripheral intermediate space 8 is created with respect to the adjacent walls, ceiling and floor. The intermediate space 8 is covered by facing elements 3 so that a facing extending around the cupboard elements 2 is created. It is particularly advantageous if, in an alternative embodiment, the cupboard elements 2 bear the facing elements 3 and contact with the walls, ceiling, walls and floor is only provided via a filler or sealing joint. A seal consisting of mineral materials is preferred. The frame profiles 9 used are then not screwed to the floor or the ceiling. The lower frame profile 9 simply lies loosely on the floor and the upper frame profile 9 is supported on the upper ends 7b of the two abutment profiles 7. Lateral frame profiles 9 are not provided or are screwed onto the edges of the facing elements 3 facing away from the cupboard elements 2 in order reinforce same. The right and left facing elements 3 are each supported at the top on the upper frame profile 9, at the bottom on the lower frame profile 10 and on the right or left on the abutment profile 7. The lower facing element 3 which has at most a height of only 50 mm to 150 mm is attached only to the lower frame profile 10. If the distance between the walls 13 and the sidewalls is more than 80 mm, a further abutment profile 7 can be inserted as a wall mounting, vertically without a measuring process, into the upper and lower frame profile 9, 10 which are placed in a precise manner.

The cupboard element 2 can be subsequently dismantled easily without irreparably damaging the facing formed from the facing element(s) 3. The cupboard element 2 can thus be used easily at another mounting location. In a first step, the abutment profiles 7 are disconnected from the cupboard space 2e from the inside, the upper and lower structural bases 2c, 2d are disconnected and removed from the cupboard space 2e from the inside. Then, the right and left sidewalls 2a, 2b are removed from the cupboard space 2e from the inside leaving the abutment profiles 7 on the facing element 3. It can also be feasible to initially disconnect only the abutment profiles 7 of the upper and lower structural bases 2c, 2d and disconnect the abutment profiles 7 of the sidewalls 2a, 2b only after the upper and lower structural bases 2c, 2d have been dismantled.

A butt joint is provided between the facing elements 3, which are preferably gypsum plasterboards or gypsum fibreboards, and the outer sides of the upper and lower structural bases 2c, 2d and the right and left sidewalls 2a, 2b. Therefore, additional filling between the cupboard elements 2 consisting of wood or timber products and the gypsum plasterboards or gypsum fibreboards is not required. In order to abut these gypsum plasterboards or gypsum fibreboards particularly tightly against the structural bases 2c, 2d and sidewalls 2a, 2b, the abutment profiles 7 are slightly loosened prior to screwing the gypsum plasterboards or gypsum fibreboards to the abutment profiles 7, and then the gypsum plasterboards or gypsum fibreboards are screwed to the abutment profiles 7 and after that the abutment profile 7 is pulled into the groove 6 by means of the screwing.

The above exemplified embodiments describe the arrangement of a cupboard element 2 in a wall alcove in the manner of a built-in cupboard. However, in terms of the invention, it is also possible to provide a cupboard element in a drywall which is to be newly erected. The facing elements 3 are then the boards of the drywall. Such a drywall can also then cover an intermediate space in terms of connecting the cupboard element to a wall or ceiling. The intermediate space to be covered would then be created only after the cupboard element 2 has been assembled.

While the foregoing description describes several embodiments of the present invention, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that variations and modifications to these embodiments may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined in the claims below. The present invention encompasses all combinations of various embodiments or aspects of the invention described herein. It is understood that any and all embodiments of the present invention may be taken in conjunction with any other embodiment to describe additional embodiments of the present invention. Furthermore, any elements of an embodiment may be combined with any and all other elements of any of the embodiments to describe additional embodiments.

Claims

1. Built-in cupboard arrangement, comprising:

at least one cupboard element and at least one facing element which is connected to the cupboard element and aligned with respect to the cupboard element by virtue of the connection to the cupboard element;

the at least one cupboard element comprises right and left sidewalls which are connected together via an upper and a lower structural base and abutment profiles are attached to the outer walls of the right and left sidewalls and the outer wall of the upper structural base;

the facing element being attached to the abutment profiles including a groove disposed in each of the outer walls of the right and left sidewalls and the outer wall of the upper structural base, the abutment profile being inserted into the groove;

the abutment profiles protrude at the top with an upper end beyond the upper structural base in the direction of a ceiling and protrude at the bottom with a lower end beyond the lower structural base in the direction of a floor; and

the lower end engages into a lower frame profile which lies on the floor and an upper frame profile plugs into the upper ends of the abutment profiles.

2. Built-in cupboard arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the facing element covers an intermediate space between the cupboard element and at least one chosen from a wall, a floor and a ceiling.

3. Built-in cupboard arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cupboard element bears the facing element.

4. Built-in cupboard arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the facing element is formed peripherally on all sides as seen from the front of the cupboard element.

5. Built-in cupboard arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the abutment profiles are aligned in relation to the front longitudinal edges of the cupboard element via the grooves.

6. Built-in cupboard arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the facing element is attached to the right and left sidewalls and the upper structural base in such a manner that a front longitudinal edge protrudes with respect to the facing element by a distance.

7. Built-in cupboard arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lower frame profile is aligned with respect to the front longitudinal edges of the cupboard element on alignment surfaces disposed on the cupboard element.

8. Built-in cupboard arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the facing elements are formed as gypsum plasterboards and the abutment profiles and the frame profiles are formed as drywall frame profiles.

9. Built-in cupboard arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the facing elements are formed as gypsum plasterboards and the abutment profiles and the frame profiles are formed as timber product profiles.

10. Built-in cupboard arrangement as claimed in claim 8, wherein the facing elements lie in abutment against the right and left sidewalls and the upper and lower structural bases.

11. Built-in cupboard arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein for dismantling the cupboard element from the facing element, the abutment profiles can be disconnected from the cupboard space from the inside, the upper and lower structural bases can be disconnected and removed from the cupboard space from the inside and the right and left sidewalls can be removed from the cupboard space from the inside leaving the abutment profiles on the facing element.

12. Built-in cupboard arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cupboard element is adapted to stand on a floor.

13. Built-in cupboard arrangement as claimed in claim 2, wherein the cupboard element bears the facing element.

14. Built-in cupboard arrangement as claimed in claim 13, wherein the facing element is formed peripherally on all sides as seen from the front of the cupboard element.

15. Built-in cupboard arrangement as claimed in claim 14, wherein the abutment profiles are aligned in relation to the front longitudinal edges of the cupboard element via the grooves.

16. Built-in cupboard arrangement as claimed in claim 15, wherein the facing element is attached to the right and left sidewalls and the upper structural base in such a manner that a front longitudinal edge protrudes with respect to the facing element by a distance.

17. Built-in cupboard arrangement as claimed in claim 16, wherein the lower frame profile is aligned with respect to the front longitudinal edges of the cupboard element on alignment surfaces disposed on the cupboard element.

18. Built-in cupboard arrangement as claimed in claim 17, wherein the facing elements are formed as gypsum plasterboards and the abutment profiles and the frame profiles are formed as drywall frame profiles.

19. Built-in cupboard arrangement as claimed in claim 18, wherein the facing elements are formed as gypsum plasterboards and the abutment profiles and the frame profiles are formed as timber product profiles.

20. Built-in cupboard arrangement as claimed in claim 18, wherein the facing elements lie in abutment against the right and left sidewalls and the upper and lower structural bases.