ASSEMBLY

Technical Field of the Present Invention

The present invention relates to a modular construction textile panel assembly for textile panel displays. Background of the Present Invention

It is well-known that, textile panels are constructed by stretching textiles over individual aluminum frames. These frames can be attached to a structure to be used as an element of interior decoration via different techniques. The textile comprises plastic strips sawn on its edges whereby it can be attached to corresponding channels on said frames to obtain a stretched and smooth surface. Use of a light textile panel of this kind provides ease of transportation, storage and construction of seamless displays in large dimensions. These displays may also contain light sources to obtain illuminated textile displays.

In the prior art, textile panels are prepared as modules specific to a certain project and cannot be reused in another project. If desired, the struts need to be cut down to smaller dimensions and reconstructed, which require a well- equipped workshop and therefore can only be accomplished by the manufacturer and not the end user. Meanwhile, textiles are not resized and sawn again for reuse. In addition, the frames are constructed as a whole specifically for each display; therefore new structures are needed to carry frames or different panels for each different application. Also, as conventional frames do not contain separate static building elements, they might require additional structures to form architectural units and spaces. The modular construction of the present invention comprises struts, connection nodes allowing for six strut connections and diagonal stabilizing struts whereby structures of varying sizes, ranging from small displays to architectural spaces can be constructed. These structures and units can be covered by textile panels via channels provided on the struts. As said textile panels and construction elements are modular, they can be reused to form different units for different applications. If desired, lighting modules may be added to the struts to obtain illuminated displays.

Structures comprising means for carrying textile panels or modular systems having means for attaching textile panels are not available in the prior art.

Some examples of modular constructions in the prior art are given below. One of the prior art disclosures in the technical field of the present invention can be referred to as US2008175655 disclosing a supporting framework comprising a connection node having at least two strut receiving elements, each strut receiving element being arranged centrally on an imaginary cube face of the connection node; and a plurality of arms extending from each of the strut receiving elements, the arms disposed generally parallel to the edges of the imaginary cube face and extending up to an edge of the imaginary cube face that is perpendicular to the arms, the arms of one strut receiving element meet the arms of an adjacent strut receiving element arranged orthogonal thereto and form at least one loop; whereby a connection element is hooked into the loop for producing a diagonal connection.

The present invention aims to improve on the shortcomings described in the prior art, particularly as to the construction of structures of varying sizes, ranging from small displays to architectural spaces, containing textile panels prepared as modules independent from a certain configuration.

The present invention provides a modular construction system as provided by the characterizing features defined in Claim 1.

Objects of the Present Invention

The object of the invention is to provide a modular construction textile panel assembly for textile panel displays having light textile panels ensuring ease of transportation, storage and construction of seamless displays in large dimensions.

A further object of the invention is to provide a modular construction textile panel assembly for textile panel displays that can be combined with light sources to obtain illuminated textile displays.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a modular construction textile panel assembly for textile panel displays, textile panels of which are prepared as modules independent from a certain project and can be reused in another project.

A yet still further object of the invention is to provide a modular construction textile panel assembly for textile panel displays that does not require expertise or special equipment to be installed and which can thereby be accomplished by the end user.

A yet still further object of the invention is to provide a modular construction textile panel assembly for textile panel displays by which structures of varying sizes, ranging from small displays to architectural spaces can be constructed.

A yet still further object of the invention is to provide a modular construction textile panel assembly for textile panel displays by which textile panels and construction elements can be reused to form different units for different applications.

A yet still further object of the invention is to provide a modular construction textile panel assembly for textile panel displays by which an economically viable and environmentally friendly way of setting up displays is obtained.

Brief Description of the Technical Drawings

Accompanying drawings are given solely for the purpose of exemplifying a modular construction system, whose advantages over prior art were outlined above and will be explained in brief hereinafter.

The drawings are not meant to delimit the scope of protection as identified in the Claims, nor should they be referred to alone in an effort to interpret the scope identified in said Claims without recourse to the technical disclosure in the description of the present invention.

The drawings are only exemplary in the sense that they do not necessarily reflect the actual dimensions and relative proportions of the respective components of the system with the exception of explicit explanations.

Figure 1 demonstrates an exploded perspective view of a corner section of a modular construction system according to the present invention.

Figure 2 demonstrates an assembled perspective view of a corner section of a modular construction system according to the present invention. Figure 3 demonstrates an assembled sectional view of a corner section of a modular construction system according to the present invention.

Figure 4 demonstrates an exploded perspective view of a side section of a modular construction system according to the present invention.

Figure 5 demonstrates an assembled perspective view of a side section of a modular construction system according to the present invention.

Figure 6 demonstrates an assembled sectional view of a side section of a modular construction system according to the present invention.

Detailed Description of the Present Invention

Identical elements have the same reference numbers in the figures. The following numerals are referred to in the detailed description of the present invention:

10) Modular construction system 11) Connection node

12) Extension pin

13) Strut

14) Diagonal stabilizing strut

15) Textile panel

16) Receiving portion

17) Side extension

18) Locking slot

19) Hook-shaped connection element

20) Singular slot channel

21) Strut opening

22) Plastic strip

23) Double slot channel

24) Inclined channel edge

25) Channel flange

26) Channel hole

The connection node (11) is preferably configured to have a spherical form and has receiving portions (16) at its respective faces into which struts (13) are insertable. Said receiving portions (16) are formed by circular contour frame elements suitable for releasably receiving said struts (13) so as to establish a connection node-strut (11-13) assembly. Each receiving portion (16) is configured to extend along an imaginary planar face to receive a given strut (13) along the surface normal of said imaginary planar face.

Receiving portions (16) have side extensions (17) extending away from the circumferential line of the receiving portion (16) along the imaginary planar face in the manner that each face has four radially equally distributed side extension (17) in total. These side extensions (17) extend in the direction of a neighboring edge of the imaginary planar face so that two side extensions (17) at both sides of any imaginary planar face form in cooperation a locking slot (18) for attachment with a diagonal stabilizing strut (14).

The connection node (11) has a total of six receiving portions (16) and the side extensions (17) form a total of twelve locking slots (18) into which hook- shaped connection elements (19) of said diagonal stabilizing struts (14) can be hooked.

Typically, extension pins (12) for struts (13) are inserted into the receiving portions (16) of the connection node (11) preferably in the form of a plug-in connection or by screwing it in. Preferably, the connection between the struts (13) and the connection node (11) is magnetic as explained in EP1853134 (Al). The strut (13) has a magnet in the area of its inserted free end, cooperating with an associated counterpart in the connection node (11) being ferromagnetic.

Figures 1 to 6 illustrate an embodiment of the present invention, referred to as modular construction system (10). Modular construction system (10) comprises connection nodes (11), extension pins (12), struts (13), diagonal stabilizing struts (14), textile panels (15) and optionally lighting elements. Connection node (11) is the intersection point of all struts (13). Connection node (11) comprises receiving portions (16) and locking slots (18) onto which respectively struts (13) can be attached and diagonal stabilizing struts (14) can be inserted. Extension pins (12) are preferably mounted onto connection node (11), whereby struts (13) can be fixedly attached to connection node (11). Struts (13) form the framework of the structure that makes up units and architectural spaces. Struts (13) are connected to connection nodes (11) via extension pins (12). Struts (13) comprise singular slot channels (20) on their surfaces so that textile panels (15) can be attached. Struts (13) can be rotated around extension pins (12) to position the singular slot channels (20) in the desired predetermined locking orientations and attached to connection nodes (11). These positions are additionally supported by channel flanges (25; best seen in Fig. 1), which are adapted to laterally bear against said side extensions (17), by which rotation of the strut (13) around its central axis is prevented by said channel flanges (25). As can be seen in Fig. 3, two side extensions (17) are adjacent to dashed line portions of the strut (13) having channel flanges (25; not directly seen in Fig. 3). When locked in one predetermined orientation, axial rotation of the strut (13) relative to the connection node (11) is therefore prevented. As can be seen from Fig. 3, the strut (13) can have four different orientations relative to the connection node (11).

On the other hand, the position of the strut (13) can also be locked by a channel hole (26) of a double slot channel (23) of a strut (13), as seen in Fig. 6. In this case, said double slot channel's (23) channel hole (26) directly receives a side extension (17) to stop strut's (13) rotation in both directions. Said channel hole (26) is best seen in Fig. 1 or Fig 4. Two channel flanges (25) and one channel hole (26) are radially distributed unevenly around the central axis of the strut (13) such that while the two channel flanges (25) are separated by about 90 degrees (preferably slightly more than 90 degrees and particularly 95 degrees), the angle between each one of the channel flanges (25) and the channel hole (26) is around 135 degrees (Fig. 3 & Fig. 6). Therefore, the two channel flanges (25) always bear against two respective side extensions (17) in an enclosing contact relation in any configuration or orientation in case any singular slot channel (20) is used. If the double slot channel (23) is used, the channel hole (26) at least partially encloses a respective side extension (17).

Struts (13) comprise strut openings (21) on both ends to house extension pins (12). Said strut openings (21) contain magnets to affix extension pins (12) therein.

Diagonal stabilizing struts (14) are connected to connection nodes (11) that are attached to each other via struts (13). Diagonal stabilizing struts (14) are used to prevent the framework structure from stretching and deforming and its tension is adjusted by tension adjusting members contained thereon.

Textile panels (15) constitute the surface onto which the display is exhibited. These surfaces can be used for presentation or forming architectural spaces. Textile panels (15) are attached to the framework by inserting plastic strips (22) sawn onto the edges on textile panels (15) to channels on the struts (13) which are positioned as desired beforehand.

Optionally, lighting elements are used to illuminate textile panels (15). Lighting elements contain light sources. Lighting elements are placed behind textile panels (15) in the formation of a frame. In this manner, lighting elements are optionally maintained in an inner non-visible frame portion at both side of which respective textile panels (15) are affixed onto the framework to cover both sides of the structure. In accordance with the present invention, the modular construction comprises struts (13) having channels where textile panels (15) can be attached. Textile panels (15) can be attached to the struts (13) in different positions depending on the application. Singular slot channels (20) are used for textile panels (15) attached from the sides and double slot channels (23) are used for textile panels (15) arranged to form a planar array to obtain larger surfaces. Channels are rotated around the axis of the strut (13) to the desired position and the channel profile is positioned in correct alignment when the strut (13) is affixed to the connecting node (11).

The angles of the channels on the struts (13) are positioned in such a way as to not interfere with the attachment of diagonal stabilizing struts (14) thanks to the relative positioning of these components in accordance with the invention. Particularly, both the two singular slot channels (20) and the double slot channel (23) of the strut (13) have inclined channel edges (24) in the proximity of the connection node (11) so that said diagonal stabilizing struts (14) can be freely mounted in any combination of use of different locking slots (18) and any channels.

As mentioned earlier, existing panel structures are obtained from available frames by attaching textiles thereto; however, these elements cannot be reused. On the other hand, the elements of the modular construction of the present invention can be assembled in different combinations to form distinct structures and can be therefore used countless times, which also provides efficiency of storage. Also, as the elements of the modular construction can be reused, the invention provides an economically viable and environmentally friendly way of setting up displays. Additionally, the structure is formed by the elements itself without requiring a supplementary framework and can be assembled without using tools and hardware.

In a nutshell, the present invention proposes a modular construction system (10) comprising a plurality of inter-connected connection nodes (11), each one of said connection nodes (11) having receiving portions (16) into which struts (13) are insertable, each receiving portions (16) being configured to extend along an operational face of a connection node (11) to receive a strut (13) along the surface normal of said operational face, said receiving portions (16) having side extensions (17) extending away from a circumferential line of the receiving portion (16) in a direction to a neighboring edge of the operational face in the manner that two side extensions (17) situated in two neighboring operational faces and neighboring a common edge form in cooperation a locking slot (18) for attachment of the connection node (11) with a diagonal stabilizing strut (14).

In one aspect of the present invention, struts (13) comprise two singular slot channels (20) and one double slot channel (23) in the manner that textile panels (15) can be attached to said struts (13) in the inter-connected position of said connection nodes (11) where singular slot channels (20) receive textile panels (15) to form non-planarly neighboring textile panels (15) and double slot channels (23) receive textile panels (15) to form a planar array of textile panels (15). In a further aspect of the present invention, said textile panels (15) are attached to the struts (13) by inserting plastic strips (22) to said singular slot channels (20) and double slot channel (23), said plastic strips (22) being joined onto the edges on textile panels (15). In a further aspect of the present invention, channel flanges (25) of the singular slot channels (20) are adapted to laterally bear against said side extensions (17) in fixed position of said struts (13) relative to the connection nodes (11), by which rotation of the strut (13) around its central axis is prevented.

In a further aspect of the present invention, the two channel flanges (25) of the two singular slot channels (20) in a strut (13) bear against two side extensions (17) on an operational face of the connection node (11) in an enclosing contact relation.

In a further aspect of the present invention, the struts (13) are rotatable around extension pins (12) to position the singular slot channels (20) and the double slot channel (23) in the desired predetermined locking orientations.

In a further aspect of the present invention, said double slot channel (23) comprises a channel hole (26) at least partially receiving a side extension (17) to stop a strut's (13) rotation in both axial directions.

In a further aspect of the present invention, said two singular slot channels (20) and one double slot channel (23) are radially distributed unevenly around the central axis of the strut (13) such that while the two singular slot channels (20) are separated by about 90 degrees, the angle between each one of the singular slot channels (20) and the double slot channel (23) is around 135 degrees.

In a further aspect of the present invention, lighting elements are placed within said modular construction system (10) to illuminate textile panels (15).

In a further aspect of the present invention, lighting elements are placed in an inner non-visible portion of the modular construction system (10) with textile panels (15) affixed to cover both sides of said lighting elements.

In a further aspect of the present invention, the two singular slot channels (20) and the double slot channel (23) of the strut (13) have inclined channel edges (24) in the proximity of the connection node (11).

In a further aspect of the present invention, the receiving portions (16) are formed by circular contour frame portions suitable for releasably receiving said struts (13) so as to establish a connection node-strut (11 and 13) assembly.

In a further aspect of the present invention, each operational face of a connection node (11) has four radially equally distributed side extensions (17) in total. In a further aspect of the present invention, each connection node (11) has a total of six receiving portions (16) and the side extensions (17) form a total of twelve locking slots (18) into which hook-shaped connection elements (19) of said diagonal stabilizing struts (14) can be hooked. In a further aspect of the present invention, each extension pin (12) for struts (13) is inserted into a receiving portion (16) of the connection node (11) in the form of a plug-in connection or by screwing. In a further aspect of the present invention, struts (13) comprise strut openings (21) on both ends to house extension pins (12) and said strut openings (21) contain magnets to affix extension pins (12) therein. In a further aspect of the present invention, connection between the struts (13) and the connection node (11) is magnetic such that the strut (13) has a magnet in the area of its inserted free end, cooperating with an associated counterpart in the connection node (11) being ferromagnetic.