Background of the Invention

Modular components such as shelves, gables, bulkheads and bases of furniture items such as cabinets, shelving racks, bookcases, retail displays and the like requiring assembly are normally joined together using brackets, pins, studs, screws and other connectors. The services of a skilled joiner or carpenter are usually required to perform such an assembly operation - particularly for complex or bespoke furniture items such as large retail displays or when performing shopfitting operations. Where the furniture item also requires an electrical supply for lighting, bluetooth beacons, visual display monitors, WiFi and the like e.g. in retail displays or when shopfitting, the modular components must additionally be wired and fitted with electrical cables and connectors. This operation can be complex as it can be difficult to conceal wiring whilst the services of a skilled electrician are invariably required.

In short, structural and electrical assembly of furniture items requires a number of separate skilled operations to be carried out by various professionals which are time consuming and complex to perform requiring the use of multiple structural and electrical components and associated tools by carpenters, joiners and electricians.

Summary of the Invention

According to the invention there is provided a modular furniture system comprising: a first furniture module;

a second furniture module, and

a connector for connecting the first furniture module to the second furniture module wherein the connector is a dual purpose structural cum electrical connector.

Preferably, the connector comprises a male connector on the first furniture module and a female connector on the second furniture module. Advantageously, the male connector comprises a housing and a plunger within the housing moveable between a structurally and electrically engaging position and a structurally and electrically disengaged position.

Preferably, the plunger is spring-loaded in the housing.

More preferably, the plunger comprises an electrically conducting head at a first end thereof for making electrical and structural contact with the female member in the structurally and electrically engaging position and an electrical connector at a second end thereof for receiving electrical power. Suitably, the female connector comprises an electrically conducting plate.

Preferably, the female connector comprises a slot in the furniture module for receiving the electrically conducting head. Preferably, the slot comprises a rectangular slot. Alternatively, the slot comprises an arcuate slot.

Preferably, the slot further comprises guide means for guiding the electrically conducting head to the conducting plate. More preferably, the guide means comprises a ramp.

Suitably, the male connector is housed in a bore in the furniture module. Advantageously, the furniture module comprises a cavity.

Preferably, the cavity comprises an electrical wire loom for electrically connecting the connectors.

Suitably, the electrical power comprises a DC power source.

Preferably, the modular furniture item further comprises a lock to prevent

disassembly of the furniture item.

Optionally, the modular furniture system comprises a plurality of furniture modules. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the modular furniture system comprises a shelving system.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the modular furniture system comprises a shop display.

The invention also extends to a dual purpose structural cum electrical connector for electrically and structurally connecting a first furniture component to a second furniture component.

Preferably, the electrical connector comprises a male connector engageable with a female connector.

More preferably, the male connector comprises a housing and a plunger within the housing moveable between a structurally and electrically engaging position and a structurally and electrically disengaged position.

Preferably, the plunger is spring-loaded in the housing. More preferably, the plunger comprises an electrically conducting head at a first end thereof for making electrical and structural contact with the female member in the structurally and electrically engaging position and an electrical connector at a second end thereof for receiving electrical power. Suitably, the female connector comprises an electrically conducting plate. Preferably, the female connector comprises a slot in the furniture module for receiving the electrically conducting head. Suitably, the slot comprises a rectangular slot. Alternatively, the slot comprises an arcuate slot. Preferably, the slot further comprises guide means for guiding the electrically conducting head to the conducting plate. More preferably, the guide means comprises a ramp.

The invention also extends to a method for electrically and structurally connecting a first furniture component to a second furniture component in which the furniture components are connected with a male connector as hereinbefore defined.

The invention also embraces a dual purpose spring loaded support and electrical conducting device assembly for use in the attachment and securing of furniture panels, the assembly comprising a pair of male members, embedded in the component to be attached, said male members comprising a non-conducting, substantially cylindrical, outer casing, with retro-facing grips for securing the member in the component to be attached, a flange at the proximal end of the casing, said flange being substantially greater in diameter than the diameter of the casing, a metal rod extending through the outer casing, said rod comprising a thick cylindrical piece at the proximal end of the casing, rounded at its proximal tip, and a

substantially narrower rearward facing cylindrical piece at its distal end, said narrow cylindrical piece projecting from the distal end of the casing, an electrical connection at the distal end of the rod, which connects the conducting metal rod to wiring concealed in the component, and a spring confined between the distal portion of the casing, and the narrower cylindrical end of the metal rod, said spring acting against movement of the metal rod allowing the major areas of the casing toward the distal end; and causing the rod to project from the proximal end of said casing, and further comprising a pair of female members embedded in the panel, against which the component is to be secured, said female members comprising a recess into which a male member can be fitted, said recess being shallower than the proximal projecting of the rod in the male member at rest, a substantially cylindrical aperture, wide enough to fully accept the diameter of the flange of the male member, a slot projecting downwards from said aperture, said slot being substantially narrower than the flange of the male member, but wide enough to receive the diameter of the body of the outer casing of the male member, an electrical plate at the rear of the recess, which when in contact with the proximal end of the rod of the male member makes an electrical contact with said male member, said electrical plate being electrically connected to a terminal of an electrical power source and wherein one male-female pair acts as a positive terminal for any electrical attachment to the panel and the other acts as a negative terminal for same.

Suitably, the rounded proximal end of the male member's rod is guided to the electrical plate of the female member on insertion by means of a graduated ramp or incline in the upper end of the female members recess. The apparatus is itself sufficient to mechanically support the component when connected to the receiving panel. Brief Description of the Drawings

The invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view from above and one side of an assembled modular furniture item in accordance with the invention in the form of an illuminated shelving system formed from modular panels connected at dual purpose structural cum electrical connectors with the lightfittings omitted for clarity;

Figure 2 is a perspective view from above and one side of the shelving system of Figure 1 showing the dual purpose plunger or bayonet-like structural cum electrical connectors and internal electrical wire loom within the modular panels of the shelving system;

Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view from above and one side of the modular panels of the shelving system;

Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view from above and one side of the modular panels of the shelving system showing the dual purpose structural cum electrical connectors and internal electrical wire loom within each panel;

Figure 5 is an enlarged perspective view from above and one side of an upright support panel of the shelving system; Figure 6 is an enlarged perspective view from above and one side of the upright support panel showing the dual purpose structural cum electrical connectors and internal electrical wire loom within the upright support panel; Figure 7 is an enlarged perspective view from above and one side of the male spring-loaded bayonet-like dual purpose structural cum electrical connector of Figures 1 to 6 in the extended/operating structurally supporting and electrically conducting position; Figure 8 is a perspective view from above and one side of the dual purpose structural cum electrical connector of Figure 7 showing the internal spring of the dual purpose structural cum electrical connector;

Figure 9 is an enlarged perspective view from above and one side of the spring-loaded dual purpose structural cum electrical connector of Figures 1 to 6 in the retracted/non-operating position;

Figure 10 is a perspective view from above and one side of the dual purpose structural cum electrical connector of Figure 9 showing the internal spring of the dual purpose structural cum electrical connector;

Figure 11 is an enlarged perspective view from above and one side of the slot-like female member on a first panel of the shelving system for structurally and electrically receiving the male dual purpose structural cum electrical connector of a second panel of the shelving system; Figure 12 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the male spring-loaded dual purpose structural cum electrical connector of Figure 7 mounted in a first panel engaged with the female member of Figure 11 in the extended/operating structurally supporting and electrically conducting position;

Figure 13 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the male spring-loaded dual purpose structural cum electrical connector and female member of Figure 12 with the male spring-loaded dual purpose structural cum electrical connector partially removed from the female member so that the male spring-loaded dual purpose structural cum electrical connector is in a retracted/non-operating position;

Figure 14 is a plan view from above of a base panel of a second embodiment of a modular furniture item of the invention in the form of an illuminated shelving system in which the base panel is provided with arcuate female slots for securely holding and locking the upright support panel in place, and

Figure 15 is a plan view from above of the base panel of Figure 14 with the upright support panel is in a partially removed/inserted and unlocked position in the arcuate female slot.

Detailed Description of the Invention

As shown in Figures 1 to 5 of the accompanying drawings, an assembled modular furniture item in accordance with the invention in the form of an electrically wired shelving system is generally indicated by the reference numeral 1 and is formed from structurally and electrically connected modular panels 2. More particularly, the shelving system 1 is made up of a base panel 3, first, second and third upright or vertical support panels 4,5,6 respectively upstanding from the base panel 3 and a top transverse bulkhead panel 7 joining the first, second and third upright support panels 4,5,6 at their free ends. The shelving system 1 is further provided with a first shelf panel 8 extending between the first upright support panel 4 and the second upright support panel 5 and a second shelf panel 9 extending between second upright support panel 5 and the third upright support panel 6. As shall be explained more fully below, the modular panels 2 of the shelving system

1 are structurally connected to form the assembled shelving system 1 at dual purpose structural cum electrical male connectors 10 which extend from a first panel

2 into a female connector in the form of an elongate substantially rectangular female slot 11 defined in a second panel 2 having a recessed conducting plate 12 to form a sound structural and electrical connection between the first and second panels 2 e.g. in the shelving system 1 shown in Figures 1 to 5, the second or central upright support panel 5 is electrically and structurally attached to the bulkhead panel 7 via structural cum electrical male connectors 10 which project from the central upright support panel 5 into corresponding female slots 11 in the bulkhead panel 7.

The panels 2 can be manufactured with a plurality of male connectors 10 and female slots 11 so that the position of the modular panels 2 within the shelving system can be adjusted as required whilst ensuring that the shelving system 1 remains

structurally and electrically interconnected. Internally, within the modular panels 2, the conducting plates 12 are electrically wired by a DC powered electrical wire loom 13 which is in turn connected to a positive electrical supply 14 and a negative electrical supply 15 at the bulkhead panel 7. Following assembly of the shelving system 1 , disassembly is prevented by

mechanical locks 16 housed in mechanical lock apertures 17 in the upright support panels 4,5,6 which prevent removal of the upright support panels 4,5,6. More particularly, the mechanical locks 16 in the mechanical lock apertures 17 are adapted to engage selectable complementary mechanical lock support holes 17a defined in the base panel 3 to prevent removal of the upright support panels 4,5,6 from the base panel 3. The base panel 3 is provided with a series of mechanical lock support holes 17a towards the rear and associated respective female slots 11 towards the front of the base panel 3 so that the upright support panels 4,5,6 can be inserted and held in place by the male connectors 10 extending from the upright support panels 4,5,6 into the complementary female slots 11 towards the front of the base panel 3 and the mechanical locks 16 engaged with the mechanical lock support holes 17a towards the rear of the base panel 3. As the base panel 3 is provided with a series of the female slots 11 and associated mechanical lock support holes 17a, the upright support panels 4,5,6 can be positioned as required on the base panel 3.

Figures 5 and 6 show enlarged perspective external and internal views from above and one side of the second or central upright support panel 5. The upright support panel 5 is made up of a panel front wall 18, a panel rear wall 19 spaced apart from the panel front wall 18, a bottom wall 20, a top wall 21 , a first side wall 22 and a second side wall 23 which combine to define an internal cavity 24 within the panel 5 to house and conceal the male connectors 10, the conducting plates 12 and the wire loom 13. A male connector bore 25 for receiving a male connector 10 is formed in the panel walls 18,19,20,21,22,23 as required while the female slots 11 and associated conducting plates 12 can also be positioned as required in the panel walls 18,19,20,21 ,22,23.

As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the remaining panels 2 are similar in construction to the central upright support panel 5 but can differ in size and arrangement of male connectors 10 and female slots 11 as required.

Figures 7 and 8 show enlarged perspective external and internal views from above and one side of the male spring-loaded dual purpose structural cum electrical connector 10 in the extended/operating structurally supporting and electrically conducting position while Figures 9 and 10 show enlarged perspective external and internal views from above and one side of the spring-loaded dual purpose structural cum electrical connector 10 in the retracted/non-operating position.

As shown in the drawings, the dual purpose structural cum electrical male connector 10 is made up of a non-conducting generally cylindrical outer housing 26 having an electrical connector 27 for connection to the electrical wire loom 13 at one end thereof and an electrically conducting head 28 at the opposite end thereof. The electrical connector 27 and the electrically conducting head 28 are connected via a spring-loaded plunger rod 29 which extends axially through the non-conducting cylindrical housing 26. More particularly, a biased spring 30 surrounds the plunger rod 29 between the electrical connector 27 and the electrically conducting head 28 so that, as shall be explained more fully below, the electrically conducting head 28 can structurally and electrically engage with the female slot 11 and conducting plate 12 in a spring-loaded bayonet-like manner. Externally, the cylindrical outer housing 26 is provided with laterally extending barblike ribs 31 for securing the male connector 10 in place within its bore 25.

Movement of the male spring-loaded dual purpose structural cum electrical connector 10 between the extended/operating structurally supporting and electrically conducting position (i.e. the assembled position) and the retracted/non-operating position (e.g. during insertion of the male connector 10 in the female slot 11 during assembly or removal of the male connector 10 from the female slot 11 during disassembly of the shelving system 1) will now be described having regard to Figures 11 to 13.

As shown in the drawings, the female slot 11 for receiving the spring-loaded male connector 10 is formed in the wall 18,19,20,21 ,22,23, of the panel 2 as required. The slot 11 is shaped and contoured in the wall 18,19,20,21 ,22,23 to define an inclined activating guide ramp 36 in the wall 18,19,20,21 ,22,23 along which the electrically conducting head 28 is guided and can travel during insertion or removal of the male connector 10 from the female slot 11.

Following complete insertion of the male connector 10 into the female slot 11 (see Figure 12), the electrically conducting head 28 is urged against the conducting plate 2 by the plunger rod 29 powered by the spring 30 which is biased between the electrically conducting head 28 and a first cylindrical end wall 32 on the housing adjacent the electrical connector 27 and from which the electrical connector 27 slidably projects on the plunger rod 29. The electrically conducting head 28 is urged from the housing 26 at an electrically conducting head opening 33 defined in a second cylindrical end wall 34 at the opposite end of the cylindrical outer casing 26.

The second cylindrical end wall 34 is also provided with a laterally outwardly extending flange 35 which abuts the outer surface of the panel wall

18,19,20,21 ,22,23 surrounding the bore 25 in which the male connector 10 is inserted.

In order to remove the electrically conducting head 28 from the female slot 11 , the panel 2 bearing the male connector 10 is simply moved relative to the panel 2 containing the female slot 11 in the direction in which the electrically conducting head 28 can travel along the activating guide ramp 36. The electrically conducting head 28 (and the plunger rod 29) is therefore urged or retracted into the housing 26 through the opening 34 against the bias of the spring 30.

In use, bores 25 to hold the bayonet-like male connectors 10 and female slots 11 with conducting plates 12 to receive the male connectors 10 are formed or drilled in furniture modules such as panels 2. The bores 25 and female slots 11 with conducting plates can be formed in furniture modules during manufacture or retrofitted to existing suitable furniture. The bores 25 and female slots 11 with conducting plates 12 are positioned as required depending on the ultimate construction of the furniture item. Similarly, the mechanical lock apertures 17 and the mechanical lock support holes 17a can be formed as required in the panels 2. The electrical wire loom 13 is wired within the cavity 24 as required.

As described above, the male connectors 10 are then simply inserted into the bores 25 of a first modular panel 2 so that the electrical conducting head 28 is capable of engaging a corresponding conducting plate 12 in a second modular panel 2 during assembly.

In this position, the conducting plunger rod 29 projects from the male connector 10 due to the axial exerting thrust of the spring 30 in the cylindrical housing 26 of the male connector 10. When the first modular panel 2 is correctly positioned and urged against a second modular panel 2, the plunger rod 29 is forced back into the cylindrical housing 26 by the wall 18,19,20,21 ,22,23 of the second modular panel 2 to which it is being connected. Simultaneously, the biased spring 30 is compressed to allow the modular panel 2 to move freely into position (see Figure 13).

As the plunger rod 29 approaches the activating guide ramp 36 of the female slot 11 of the second modular panel 2, the electrically conducting head 28 is urged from the outer casing 26 by the exertion of the spring 30 and is automatically guided by the activating ramp 36 into electrical contact with the conducting plate 12 in the female slot 11. Accordingly, when the electrically conducting head of the plunger rod 29 of the male connector 10 in the first modular panel 2 ultimately comes to lie in front of the female slot 11 provided in the second modular panel 2, the spring 30 exerts pressure on the plunger rod 29 causing the electrically conducting head 28 to penetrate the female slot 11 thereby providing physical support and simultaneously making contact with the conducting plate 11 thereby allowing an electrical current to be conducted from the first modular panel 2 to the second modular panel 2.

As indicated above, the male connector 10, the female slots 11 and wire loom 13 can be quickly and easily installed during furniture manufacture or can be retrofitted if desired. The invention eliminates the need for multiple skilled craftsmen, complex installation tools and equipment.

The mechanical locks 16 are locked as required to secure the uprights support panels 4,5,6 in position.

Figures 14 and 15 show a base panel and first upright support panel of a second embodiment of a modular furniture item of the invention in the form of an illuminated shelving system 1 broadly similar to the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 13 but in which the base panel 3 is provided with curved or arcuate female slots 11 for securely holding and locking the first upright support panel 4 (and subsequent support panels 5,6) in place. Like numerals indicate like parts.

As shown in the drawings, the base panel 3 is provided with two spaced apart parallel rows 37,38 of substantially lens-shaped arcuate slots 11 in which each slot 11 has a substantially rounded first end defining a male connector receiving hole 39 and an opposite sharp or pointed second locking ramp end 40, at which the male connector 10 of the first upright support panel 4 is locked and secured in place on the base panel 3. The arcuate female slots 11 are oriented on the base panel 3 so that the female slots 11 of each row 37,38 are curved towards the edges of the base panel 3 i.e. the convexly curved face of each female slot 11 is disposed towards the adjacent edge of the base panel so that female slots 11 of the rows 37, 38 are oppositely curved. Accordingly, the first upright panel 4 can be locked in position on the base panel 3 by rotating the first upright panel 4 (and hence the male connectors 10) in the appropriate female slots 11 on the base panel 3. Therefore, when a first shelf panel 8 is subsequently installed between the first upright panel 4 and a second upright panel 5, the first upright panel 4 cannot be moved without first removing the shelf panel 8. Moreover, as the female slots 11 are curved towards their adjacent edge, the first upright panel 4 cannot be pulled forward during assembly.

The advantages of the invention are many. The modular furniture system and dual purpose structural cum electrical connectors of the invention allow for express installation, removal and reconfiguration of furniture panels or components in a swift and efficient manner.

When connecting a first furniture modular component 2 to a second furniture component 2, the bayonet-like plunger rod 29 in the first furniture modular component 2 automatically self-locates into inclined activating ramp 36 of the second furniture component ultimately providing load bearing support without the

requirement for tools or equipment during installation or assembly. This same action when reversed assists in the removal of furniture components without the need for tools or equipment. Simultaneously, the bayonet-like spring loaded plunger rod 29 rod also conducts electrical current from the conducting plate 12 to the electrically conducting head 28 of the plunger rod 29 of the adjacent furniture component to provide an electrical current between the furniture components without the need for external cables, wires or connectors, or the need for tools or equipment.

The invention is an efficient solution for the installation, rearrangement and removal of shelving and display systems and for transferring electrical current to electrical devices and equipment in shelving and display systems. The invention also facilitates electrification of furniture items in a concealed manner through and around furniture panels and components. The invention is suitable for use in domestic or commercial shelving and display furniture. In particular, this invention allows for electrical power to be provided to commercial shelving and display systems and the like without the need for any cables, wires or connectors.

The invention therefore provides a dual purpose spring loaded support and electrical conducting furniture system that enables furniture panels or components to be secured and an electrical current to be transferred from a furniture panel or component to another furniture panel or component in a safe and 'wire free' manner.