JP2000050973A - Selectively changeable module type space system having rack - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a highly flexible improved space system capable of housing various typical personal and business files, documents and equipment within the selected range and suitable for the configuration of various kinds of usable indoor spaces at the same time. SOLUTION: This system is provided with side opened modules 12 and 14 mutually piled for forming a side opened strut 16 and an upper frame has the same depth as a frame loading it but the depth is less than that frame so that stability is reinforced. Selected rack elements 18, 18' and 18" in various sizes are extended through the guide opening part of the frame and mutually lock struts 16 and 16' and horizontal working and preserving surfaces are provided. The frame of a snapping type is selectively attached to the module frame and supports various accessories such as file holder and drawer.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to document files, books, office equipment, computer equipment, including peripherals, photographs, and any number of other items commonly found in office or home rooms. For space systems, such as for accommodating a vehicle, the system includes modules of various sizes that can be selectively interconnected with respect to each other to fit available room space.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In this specification, "space system"
Or, the term "space unit" refers to a system or unit that is located in a home or office room and supports a wide variety of objects in a visible and tidy manner. Perhaps the most frequently encountered space unit is a table of stacked objects to be displayed and quickly picked up. Such tables are usually
With a fixed geometry, the size is limited both practically and for certain desired aesthetic effects.

Another conventional system for containing objects, such as document files, pivots open to provide access to side, top and bottom, and interior spaces where items are not normally visible. The present invention provides a cabinet with a sliding drawer or drawer door. The cabinet is not only heavy and bulky, but also has preferred access points (eg, doors and drawers) that allow only access to the interior. Furthermore, when several such cabinets are used and placed in a given room, the method of accessing the inside of the cabinet is limited, so the spatial arrangement of the cabinet is limited,
The indoor space cannot be used efficiently. further,
Such a file cabinet has a fixed design and limited flexibility in use. In other words, the location of the cabinet is moved, but otherwise, the predetermined size and shape and the accessible side cannot be changed.

There are other units known in the art that have various structural aspects that can be used more flexibly and have the capacity to accommodate space. An example of such a prior art solution to this problem is U.S. Pat.
No. 783, "Modular storage unit", which discloses a somewhat flexible modular support unit, but is not entirely satisfactory, especially in terms of overall space use.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A selected range of a variety of typical personal and business files, books and equipment can be accommodated, while at the same time adapting to a wide variety of available interior space configurations. It is a primary object of the present invention to provide an improved, more flexible and improved space system. According to another object, there is provided a system according to the above object, comprising vertically sized stacks forming pillars, the pillars comprising open-walled tubular modules of various sizes that can be interconnected by one or more shelf elements. You.

Another goal, similar to the above, is a space system that includes a plurality of modules, of different cross-sectional dimensions, that can be selectively placed in several stacked struts interconnected by shelves. To provide. Yet another object of the present invention is, similar to the above object,
A first module in a basal plane position, including a second module for mounting the assembly on the first module, wherein the second module provides a space system with a reduced cross-sectional dimension to enhance system stability; is there.

[0007]

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a first module frame is provided and comprises individual rod-like elements interconnected to form a relatively rigid and generally parallelepiped structure. You. The second module frame is the first
It is configured similarly to the module frame, and can be stably mounted and received on the top of the first module frame below by the lower portion. The portion extending in the upward direction of the second module frame has a smaller cross-sectional area than the first frame. The first and second frame frames stacked on one another form a column with a restricted guide slot through which the shelf element is placed. The third module frame is generally rectangular, with a pair of opposing edges received on top of the topmost first or second frame to provide a guide slot in the top shelf between adjacent module posts. , Placed outside of the remaining surface. According to another aspect of the invention, different sets of module frames are made with different cross-sectional areas (e.g., 12, 16, and 24 square inches [78.5, 104.5, and 157 square centimeters]) and separate struts are also included. Stacked from module frames of size, the various struts are linked by shelves. The above objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
It is even clearer.

[0008]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment of the invention, reference is made to the drawings, and in particular to FIG. As illustrated therein, the system 10 described herein includes a plurality of first and second side open module frames 12 and 14, which are assembled together and include several separate struts, for example, 16,16. And the bottom module frame rests on a suitable base (not shown), not shown. Further, in the manner further described below, 1
One or more shelf elements 18, 18 ', 18 "interconnect two or more struts in a removable manner, the shelf elements pointing upwards to a collection of devices, files, books or other materials. Can be supported and displayed on the surface.

Referring simultaneously to FIGS. 2 and 3, the first
It can be seen that the module frame 12 includes an upper base 20 and a lower base 22, both of rectangular geometry and composed of metal tubes or rods forming the outside of the base. In particular, the upper base 20 is comprised of a single tube or rod and forms spaced first and second parallel sides 24 and 26 of equal length, which are bent at an angle upward. , And end portions 28 and 30 joining the third parallel base sides 32 and 34, respectively. Therefore,
The base 20 has sides 24, 26 that are parallel to, and spaced from, the plane formed by the third and fourth sides 32, 34. Also, the third and fourth sides are
Distance D greater than the distance D2 between the first side and the second side
Separate each other by one. When formed from a single rod or tube, the two opposing rod ends are preferably welded together (not shown) to form a rigid, strong, closed-loop configuration.

The lower base 22 is constructed similarly to the base 20, but with a bent end portion opposite the base 20. For example, if the end portion of the longer side is bent over the base 20, the bent end portion preferably occurs at the shorter side of the base 22 (FIGS. 1 and 2). The implant shaft 36 is welded to each of the approximately four corner points 38 of the bases 20 and 22, and the bends are applied to the end portions 28 and 3
It is done to provide a zero and only extends in the opposite direction to the bend (FIG. 3). When assembling the module frame 12,
Four identical support tubes 39 (or, optionally, rods with shallow axial openings at each end) are received at their ends on the implanted shafts 36 of the opposing upper and lower bases 20 and 22; An overall parallelepiped modular first frame 12 is formed.

The second module frame 14 is configured so that the eye is mounted on the upper base 20 of the first module frame 12 in a relatively stable configuration. The lower base 40 of the second frame is constructed with the same geometry and dimensions as the lower base 22 of the first frame, but the two implanted shafts 42 and 44 are at a bending point on one base side. And the remaining two implanted shafts 46 and 48
Are located a predetermined distance L inward from the pair of opposite bending points. As further shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the upper base 50 of the second frame is constructed identically to the upper base 20 of the first frame, but with its side portions 52 and 54.
Has a reduced length so that it can be assembled via a vertical support tube having the lowest end received by the implant shafts 42-48. The lower base 22 of the frame 12 so that the frame 12 rests on the basal plane only at two opposing sides and the other two intervening sides are spaced apart from the basal plane.
It is important to note that the bent end portion extends downward. On the other hand, the upper base 20 of the frame 12
The bent end portion extends upward from the lower base 22. Similarly, the lower base of each module frame 14 has a bent end portion extending downward, and a bent arm portion of the upper base extends upward. These aspects of the two module frames are maintained in all of the various frame assemblies described below.

Referring again to FIG. 2, a single column 1 including a first module frame 12 resting on a basal plane (not shown).
6 is further illustrated, and the first frame 12 ′ has a lower base of the frame 1.
2 on the upper base. Also, the bent portion of the lower base of the frame 12 ′ extends downward and outward from the upper base of the frame 12, and at the same time, the bent end portion of the upper base of the frame 12 Note that it extends upward around the sides. As a result of this arrangement, the two frames are in a locked state in which the frames do not rotate or translate relative to each other. Finally, the second module frame 14 is placed on the upper base of the frame 12 'in the same manner as just described in connection with mounting the frame 12' on the frame 12. In addition to the locking action that keeps the three columns of FIG. 2 from relatively rotating and translating, the top frame 14 has a smaller cross-sectional area so that the column structure is the same size as the underlying frame. More stable.

FIG. 4 shows a pair of first module frames 12 and 12 "stacked on a post used specifically to hold the hanging file 58.
Hangs on the sides 32 and 34 of the lower base of the upper frame 12 "and places the file in the central space of the frame in this manner. The retrieval of the file is mainly done from the top, Access from the side is limited, FIG.
Shows an alternative form of a system for accommodating a hanging file 58, this file having an edge hanger 60 in FIG.
It is the same as the hanging file shown in. In this version, the first and second slide rails 62 and 64 each include a pair of adjacent support tubes such that the two slide rails are parallel, spaced, and face each other through the center space of the frame. Or it is fixed to the rod 39. A generally rectangular carriage 66 in the open center
Are slidably received in the rails 62 and 64 and are adjustable from a position completely within the center space of the frame to a position almost completely outside the frame 12 as shown in FIG. The hanger 60 of each suspension file 58 hangs on opposite sides of the carriage, as in the embodiment of FIG.

Returning to FIG. 1, the shelf elements 18, 18 ', 1
8 ″ are each composed of an elongated plate-like member having a uniform thickness and width. The two first module frames 12 and 1
When the 2's are stacked on one another in the column, the downwardly extending bent end portions of the lower base of the 12 'form a pair of aligned guide grooves 67 and 68 through which the shelf element 18 passes. . Similarly, the shelf element can be received in a guide groove of a further column 16 '. Further, the second module frame 14
Provides a similar guide groove for receiving the shelf element in the manner described above when overlaid on the first frame 12 or 12 '. If it is desired to interconnect adjacent columns by shelf elements 18 "extending at the level of the upper base of the top frame (12 or 14), an additional or third module frame 70 must be used. The latter frame is constructed of a single rod with the ends welded together and the closed loop thus formed is bent so that a first pair of parallel sides 72 and 74 located in one plane and a first There is a second pair of intermediary parallel sides 76 and 78 located on a common plane spaced from one side of the plane, and the third module frame 70 is located on the upper base of the top frame 14 (see FIG. 1 for example). ), For example, so as to provide a pair of guide grooves 80 and 82 for receiving the shelf elements 18 ".

As shown in FIGS. 8-10, when a module frame is assembled to another module frame, two orthogonal sets of aligned guide grooves are created, thereby providing two vertically spaced shelf elements. 18, 18 ', 18 "can be secured to the assembled frame and extend 90 degrees with respect to each other. The groove pairs are 84-86 and 88-90 (FIG. 8). It is especially advantageous if the described system has to accommodate, for example, the interior corners of a room, or if it is desirable to give the space system an overall L-shape.
First modified to receive drawer 92 with open top
The module frame 12 is shown. In particular, the first and second slide rails 94 and 96 are provided with individual slide inserts 9 on the two opposite outer sides of the drawer.
8 on the opposite side of the frame that slides against
6 is fixed. The drawer can be slid into and out of the inner frame space using the knob 100.

As shown in FIG. 12, it may be desirable to use one or more module frames as the closed compartment 102. The side wall 104 and the bottom panel are detachably secured to the base side and the support tube by spring clips. The access side is closed by a door 108, which is swingably attached to the upper base side of the module frame by a pair of cantilevered segment spring clips 110. The clip can be attached to the inside surface of the door 108 (FIG. 13) or to the outward facing surface (FIGS. 14 and 15). Upon accumulating the columns of the module frame as described, once the top module frame is reached, the four upwardly extending embedded shafts 36 remain without the associated support bar attached. FIG. 17 shows a safety sphere 112 having an opening so that it can snugly receive an implanted shaft. When the shelf elements 18, 18 ', 18 "are in an obstructing position such that the sphere 112 cannot be used, the hemispherical element 114 includes an opening for tightly receiving the embedded shaft 36, with the flat side 116 facing the shelf element (FIG. 16).

In the above description, it is assumed that the module frames 12 are all the same size. Also, the module frame 14 has an offset so that the cross-sectional area is specified to be smaller than the frame 12, but the frame 14 was presented only as a fixed single size up to this point. These module frames are advantageously made in different sized sets, especially to increase flexibility by using different sized module frames in the same system. As a critical example, refer to FIG. 18, where a generally U-shaped system 114 is illustrated. In particular, one arm 11 of the system
6 comprises a module frame 118 sized to support a 12 inch (30.5 cm) wide shelf element 120, while the other arm 122 has a 24 inch (61c wide) arm.
m) with a module frame 124 sized to handle a shelf element 128 of intermediate width (eg, 16 inches [4
0.5 cm]) shelf element 128 interconnects the two arms.

The larger module frame 124 can be used to form a desktop or relatively large table top surface 130, given the wide shelf elements 126. The inkwell receptacle on the desk is formed by leaving space between adjacent columns of the arm 122. The first arm 116 having the narrowest shelf element can correspond to a smaller object, and the middle shelf 128 corresponds to a medium-sized object (eg, a television, computer monitor). The entire assembly can extend along a single wall, form an "L" adjacent a corner, or be placed in the center of the room to provide 360 degrees of accessibility.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one type of space system of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a column according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows in exploded view two forms of the module frame of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a partial perspective schematic view of supporting a document suspension file using the module frame of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a partially exploded enlarged detail view of a contact portion of two stacked module frames.

FIG. 6 is a partially exploded sectional view of a support tube assembled to a module frame.

FIG. 7 is an isometric view of a module frame used as a drawer-type hanging file of a document.

FIG. 8 is an isometric view of shelf elements secured by a pair of stacked module frames and locking them together.

FIG. 9 is a first elevational view of shelf elements secured by a pair of stacked module frames and locking them together.

FIG. 10 is a second elevational view of shelf elements secured by a pair of stacked module frames and locking them together.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a module frame including a drawer.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a module frame adapted to provide a compartment approached by a swing door.

13 is an elevational cross-sectional view of the swing type door mounting means of the compartment of FIG.

FIG. 14 is a partial elevational cross-sectional view of the swing type door mounting means of the compartment of FIG.

FIG. 15 is a partial elevational cross-sectional view of the swing type door mounting means of the compartment of FIG.

FIG. 16 is an elevational view of one form of an end fitting that receives the exposed end of the sub-shaft.

FIG. 17 is an elevation view of one form of an end fitting that receives the exposed end of the sub-shaft.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a system formed from individual struts of differently sized module frames.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 System 12 Module frame 14 Module frame 16 Post 18 Shelf element 20 Upper base 22 Lower base 24 Side 26 Side 28 End part 30 End part 32 Side 34 Side 36 Implanted shaft 38 Corner point 39 Support pipe 40 Lower Base 42 Implanted shaft 44 Implanted shaft 46 Implanted shaft 48 Implanted shaft 50 Upper base 52 Side 54 Side 56 Support tube 58 Hanging file 60 Hanger 62 Slide rail 64 Slide rail 66 Carriage 67 Guide groove 68 Guide groove 70 Module Frame 72 side 74 side 76 side 78 side 80 guide groove 82 guide groove 84 groove 86 groove 88 groove 90 groove 92 drawer 94 slide rail 96 slide rail 98 slide insert 100 knob 102 comper Toment 104 Side wall 108 Door 110 Spring clip 112 Safety ball 114 Hemisphere element 116 Arm 118 Module frame 120 Shelf element 122 Arm 124 Module frame 126 Shelf element 128 Shelf element 130 Table top surface

Claims (15)

[Claims] 1. A modular space system comprising a first lower frame having a first lower base and a first upper base, wherein the first lower base and the first upper base are substantially parallel to each other. A first upper frame having a second lower base and a second upper base, wherein the second lower base and the second upper base are substantially parallel, Combined with each other in a longitudinally spaced relationship with respect to each other, the second lower base has the same width and depth as the width and depth of the first upper base, and rests on the first upper base. The frame and the first upper frame are connected, and the second upper base is
A modular space system having a width equal to the width of the second lower base and having a depth less than the depth of the second lower base. And a second lower frame having a third lower base and a third upper base, wherein the third lower base and the third upper base are substantially parallel and vertically spaced from each other. A second upper frame having a fourth lower base and a fourth upper base, wherein the fourth lower base and the fourth upper base are substantially parallel to each other and are vertically spaced from each other. Coupled to each other in a spaced relationship, the second lower and upper frames are laterally spaced from the first lower and upper frames, and further comprise a plurality of plates having various selected depths, wherein the plates are laterally spaced. The modular space of claim 1, wherein the modular space extends between, and is supported by, the first and second spaced lower frames and the first and second upper frames to create a plurality of horizontal surfaces. ·system. And a horizontal rail coupled at a first end to the first vertical member and at a second end to the second vertical member, the first and second vertical members comprising:
A horizontal rail slidably receives the carriage in a manner that is selectively snapped and disengaged to either the first lower frame or the first upper frame; The modular space system of claim 1, wherein the modular space system is movable from a first position substantially within the first lower or upper frame to a second position substantially outside the first lower or upper frame. 4. The modular system of claim 3, wherein the carriage suspends the plurality of file holders such that the file holder moves with the carriage substantially from the first position to the second position. Space system. 5. The modular space system of claim 3, wherein the carriage is coupled to the drawer such that the drawer moves with the carriage substantially from a first position to a second position. 6. A plurality of panels detachably attached to one of the first upper frame and the first lower frame to confine the space in the frame, and a space attached to the frame by hinges to select the space in the frame. The modular space system of claim 1, further comprising: a door that provides for and restricts access thereto. 7. A modular space system comprising: a first lower frame having a first lower base and a first upper base, wherein the first lower base and the first upper base are substantially parallel to each other. A first upper frame having a second lower base and a second upper base, the second lower base and the second upper base being substantially parallel; The second lower base rests on the first upper base and is connected to the first upper base in a longitudinally spaced relationship with respect to each other.
A horizontal rail coupled to the lower frame and the first upper frame and further coupled to the first vertical member at the first end and to the second vertical member at the second end, wherein the first and second vertical members are
The horizontal rail is selectively snapped to and removed from either the first lower frame or the first upper frame,
Receiving the carriage in a slidable manner, the carriage can be moved along the horizontal rail from a first position substantially within the first lower or upper frame to a second position substantially outside the first lower or upper frame. Modular space system. 8. The modular of claim 7, wherein the carriage suspends a plurality of file holders such that the file holder moves with the carriage substantially from the first position to the second position. Space system. 9. The modular space system of claim 7, wherein the carriage is coupled to the drawer such that the drawer moves with the carriage substantially from a first position to a second position. 10. A plurality of panels removably attached to either the first upper frame or the first lower frame to confine the space in the frame, and a space attached to the frame by hinges to select the space in the frame. 9. The modular space system of claim 7, comprising: a door that provides for and restricts access thereto. And a second lower frame having a third lower base and a third upper base, wherein the third lower base and the third upper base are substantially parallel and spaced longitudinally from each other. A second upper frame having a fourth lower base and a fourth upper base, wherein the fourth lower base and the fourth upper base are substantially parallel to each other and are vertically spaced from each other. The fourth lower base rests on the third upper base and the second lower base
The lower and upper frames are laterally spaced from the first lower and upper frames, and further comprise a plurality of plates having various selected depths, wherein the plates are laterally spaced first and second lower frames. The modular space system of claim 7, extending between and supported by the first and second upper frames to create a plurality of horizontal surfaces. 12. A modular space system comprising a first lower frame having a first lower base and a first upper base, wherein the first lower base and the first upper base are substantially parallel to each other. A first upper frame having a second lower base and a second upper base, the second lower base and the second upper base being substantially parallel; The second lower base rests on the first upper base and is connected to the first upper base in a longitudinally spaced relationship with respect to each other.
A lower frame connected to the first upper frame; and a second lower frame having a third lower base and a third upper base, wherein the third lower base and the third upper base are substantially parallel to each other. Coupled to each other in a longitudinally spaced relationship, the fourth lower base rests on the third upper base,
The second lower and upper frames are laterally spaced from the first lower and upper frames, and further comprise a plurality of plates having various selected depths, wherein the plates are laterally spaced first and second lower frames. A modular space system extending between and supported by the frame and the first and second upper frames to create a plurality of horizontal surfaces. 13. The modular of claim 12, wherein the carriage suspends a plurality of file holders such that the file holder moves with the carriage substantially from the first position to the second position. Space system. 14. The modular space system of claim 12, wherein the carriage is coupled to the drawer such that the drawer moves with the carriage substantially from a first position to a second position. 15. A plurality of panels removably attached to either the first upper frame or the first lower frame to confine a space in the frame, and a space attached to the frame with a hinge to select a space in the frame. 13. The modular space of claim 12, comprising: a door that provides for and restricts access thereto.
system.