A modular furniture system

摘要

A clamping system for modular furniture comprises a support beam 1 and a clamp for mounting to the support beam 1. The support beam 1 is generally of light gauge metal and may for example be an extruded aluminium tube with a hollow interior 3. The beam I is of generally square shape in transverse cross section and has four projecting lobes 5, one at each corner. Concave portions 6 extend between each lobe 5. The clamp may comprise one, two, three or four identical clamping elements 10 for mounting to the beam 1. Each clamping element 10 has a single recess 12 of complementary shape to the lobe 5 so that the clamping element 10 can engage with and slidably move along the beam by engagement of the beam lobe 5 in the clamp recess 12. Each clamping element 10 comprises a single piece having a recess 12 of complementary shape to that of the lobe 5. In use, the clamping element recess 12 fully embraces the lobe 5 for securely mounting the clamp to the beam 1. The clamping element 10 fully embraces the lobe 5 so that accessories can be locked firmly to the support rail 1 without rotating, for example to hold accessories in a vertical or horizontal position relative to the support rail 1.