Title:
SELECTIVELY VARIABLE MODULAR SPACE SYSTEM WITH SHELVING AND ENCLOSURES
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2000/074524
Kind Code:
A2
Abstract:
An improved modular space system is shown and described. A first lower frame resting on a support surface such as the floor is coupled to a second frame spaced from and aligned in parallel relationship to the first frame by a plurality of posts. Each post has a bore provided in each of a top and bottom surface to receive a stud extending toward the post from one of the frames. Each of the frames has a substantially tubular cross section, and each of the top and bottom surfaces of the post is provided with a groove, having a curvature to matingly engage the tubular outer surface of the frames. Planar members are received by and extend between slots provided in the posts to provide three sides of a substantially rectangular enclosure. Supports provided on the inner surfaces of the planar members have a series of equally spaced holes, allowing an end user to position sets of rails at selected locations within the enclosure. The rails receive shelves, or slidingly receive drawers, or a combination thereof. If desired, a door is pivotally coupled between opposing surfaces of two of the forward posts. Additional frames are coupled to the enclosure in longitudinally spaced relation to each other via spacers, to form open-sided columns. Two or more columns may be coupled together via boards that extend between and rest along parallel upper surfaces of the frames, to provide a horizontal work surface.
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| WO/2001/091859 | CLAMPING CONNECTION FOR A PLAYGROUND STRUCTURE |
Inventors:
MOORE JOHN C (US)
Application Number:
PCT/US2000/014737
Publication Date:
December 14, 2000
Filing Date:
May 30, 2000
Export Citation:
Assignee:
SPACE STATIONS INC (US)
MOORE JOHN C (US)
MOORE JOHN C (US)
International Classes:
A47B47/00; A47B87/02; (IPC1-7): A47B/
Foreign References:
| DE29822057U1 | 1999-05-12 | |||
| US4030425A | 1977-06-21 | |||
| US3964810A | 1976-06-22 | |||
| FR2746613A1 | 1997-10-03 |
Other References:
None
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
Linford, Lorraine (WA, US)
Download PDF:
Claims:
The embodiments of the invention in which an
exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:
| 1. | A modular space system comprising: a first lower frame having a plurality of first studs extending above an upper surface of the first lower frame; a second frame having a plurality of second studs, each second stud having a first portion extending above an upper surface of the second frame and a second portion extending below a lower surface of the second frame; and a plurality of posts extending longitudinally between the first lower frame and the second frame and having a first open end and a second open end, the first open ends of the posts receiving the first studs and the second open ends of the posts receiving the second portion of the second studs, to couple the first lower frame and the second frame in longitudinally spaced relation to each other, the plurality of posts including a first forward post and a second forward post spaced laterally from each other and a first rearward post and a second rearward post spaced laterally from each other and from the first and second forward posts, the first forward post having a first slot aligned with a second slot provided in the first rearward post, a first planar member being received by and extending between the first and second slots, a third slot provided in the second forward post being aligned with a fourth slot provided in the second rearward post, a second planar member being received by and extending between the third and fourth slots, and a fifth slot provided in the first rearward post aligned with a sixth slot provided in the second rearward post, a third planar member being received by and extending between the fifth and sixth slots, the first, second and third planar members forming three sides of an enclosure. |
| 2. | The modular space system according to Claim 1, wherein the first and second frames have a substantially tubular outer surface and a top surface and a bottom surface of each of the plurality of posts is provided with a groove having a curvature to matingly engage the tubular outer surface of the first and second frames. |
| 3. | The modular space system according to Claim 1 wherein a plurality of gliders are coupled to an inner surface of each of the first and second planar members, a plurality of drawers being slidably engaged in the enclosure by the gliders. |
| 4. | The modular space system according to Claim 1 wherein a door is pivotally coupled to opposing surfaces of the first and second forward posts to selectively allow access to the enclosure. |
| 5. | The modular space system according to Claim I further comprising: a plurality of first longitudinal spacers having a first open end and a second open end, the first open end of the first longitudinal spacers receiving the first portion of the second studs; and a third frame having a plurality of third studs, each third stud having a first portion extending above an upper surface of the third frame and a second portion extending below a lower surface of the third frame, the second open ends of the first longitudinal spacers receiving the second ends of the third studs to couple the third and second frames in longitudinally spaced relation to each. |
| 6. | The modular space system according to Claim 5 further comprising: a fourth frame having a plurality of fourth studs extending below a lower surface of the fourth frame; and a plurality of second longitudinal spacers having a first open end and a second open end, the first open ends of the second longitudinal spacers receiving the first portions of the third studs and the second open ends of the second longitudinal spacers receiving the fourth studs, to couple the fourth and third frames in longitudinally spaced relation to each other. |
| 7. | The modular space system according to Claim 6, wherein each of the first, second, third, and fourth frames have a generally rectangular configuration having first and second sets of parallel sides; and a board is placed on top of and supported by the upper surface of one of the sets of parallel sides of one or more of the first, second, third, and fourth frames. |
| 8. | The modular space system according to Claim 7 further comprising: a second board positioned on and supported by the other of the first and second sets of parallel sides of one or more of the first, second, third, and fourth frames. |
| 9. | The modular space system according to Claim 5, further comprising a plurality of tracks coupled to the first longitudinal spacers in parallel, spaced relation to each other, a plurality of drawers being slidingly received and retained by the tracks. |
| 10. | A modular space system comprising: a first side having a first planar member coupled to and extending between a first post and a second post, a first bore extending longitudinally into a bottom surface of each of the first and second posts and a second bore extending longitudinally into a top surface of each of the first and second posts; a second side having a second planar member coupled to and extending between a third post and a fourth post, a third bore extending longitudinally into a bottom surface of each of the third and fourth posts and a fourth bore extending longitudinally into a top surface of each of the third and fourth posts; a third planar member being removably attachable to the first and second sides, the first side, second side, and third planar member forming three sides of a parallelogramshaped enclosure when the third planar member is coupled to the first and second sides; a support assembly extendible into the first and third bores to provide a bearing surface for the modular space system; and a first frame having a plurality of first studs, each first stud having a first portion extending above an upper surface of the first frame and a second portion extending below a lower surface of the first frame, the second portions of the first studs being received by the second and fourth bores. |
| 11. | The modular space system according to Claim 10 wherein the second post has a first slot provided therein and the fourth post has a second slot provided therein aligned with the first slot, and the third planar member has a selected width and thickness to extend between and be received by the first and second slots. |
| 12. | The modular space system according to Claim 10 wherein the support assembly comprises a second frame having a plurality of second studs extending above an upper surface of the second frame to be received by the first and third bores. |
| 13. | The modular space system according to Claim 12, wherein the first and second frames have a substantially tubular outer surface and a top surface and a bottom surface of each of the first, second, third and fourth posts is provided with a groove having a curvature to matingly engage the tubular outer surface of the first and second frames. |
| 14. | The modular space system according to Claim 10 wherein the support assembly comprises a plurality of adjustable feet extending into the first and third bores, a fourth planar member being selectively coupled to and extending between a lower region of each of the first, second, and third planar members to provide a substantially horizontal support surface. |
| 15. | The modular space system according to Claim 10 further comprising: a plurality of first longitudinal spacers having a first open end and a second open end, the first open end of the first longitudinal spacers receiving the first portion of the first studs; and a second frame having a plurality of second studs, each second stud having a first portion extending above an upper surface of the second frame and a second portion extending below a lower surface of the second frame, the second open end of the first longitudinal spacers receiving the second end of the second studs to couple the first and second frames in longitudinally spaced relation to each. |
| 16. | The modular space system according to Claim 15 further comprising: a third frame having a plurality of third studs extending below a lower surface of the third frame; and a plurality of second longitudinal spacers having a first open end and a second open end, the first open end of the second longitudinal spacers receiving the first portion of the second studs and the second open end of the second longitudinal spacers receiving the third studs, to couple the second and third frames in longitudinally spaced relation to each other. |
| 17. | The modular space system according to Claim 16, wherein each of the first, second, and third frames have a generally rectangular configuration having first and second sets of parallel sides; and a board is placed on top of and is supported by the upper surface of one of the sets of parallel sides of at least one of the first, second, and third frames. |
| 18. | The modular space system according to Claim 15, further comprising a plurality of tracks coupled to the first longitudinal spacers in parallel, spaced relation to each other, a plurality of drawers being slidingly received and retained by the tracks. |
| 19. | The modular space system according to Claim 10 wherein a plurality of gliders are coupled to an inner surface of each of the first and second planar members, a plurality of drawers being slidably engaged in the enclosure by the gliders. |
| 20. | The modular space system according to Claim 10 wherein a door is pivotally coupled to opposing surfaces of the first and third posts to selectively allow access to the enclosure. |
Description:
INTERNATIONAL SEARCH REPORT lntf. ional Application No PCT/US00/14737 C. (Continuation) DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED TO BE RELEVANT Category Citation of document, with indication, where appropriate, of the relevant passages Relevant to claim No. A FR 2 746 613 A (MOMBELLET OLIVIER) 1,5,6, 3 October 1997 (1997-10-03) 10,12, 15,16 abstract; figures 15, 16 1 INTERNATIONAL SEARCH REPORT | Inte. ional Application No Information on patent family members PCT/US 00/14737 Patent document Publication Patent family Publication cited in search report date member (s) date DE 29822057 U 12-05-1999 NONE US 4030425 A 21-06-1977 NONE US 3964810 A 22-06-1976 NONE FR 2746613 A 03-10-1997 NONE