U.S. patent application number 10/103175 was filed with the patent office on 2002-12-05 for modular sectional structure.
This patent application is currently assigned to QUATTROCCHIO s.r.I.. Invention is credited to D'Urbino, Donato, Lomazzi, Paolo, Poggio, Carlo.
Application Number | 20020178670 10/103175 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 11347722 |
Filed Date | 2002-12-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020178670 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
D'Urbino, Donato ; et
al. |
December 5, 2002 |
Modular sectional structure
Abstract
Modular sectional structure, particularly suitable for creating
furniture pieces, furniture complements or the like, for example
tables, small tables, shelvings, expositors, and the like, or for
the creation of open or closed areas, for example stands, boxes for
fairs, exhibitions, and the like, or for the creation of partition
walls, and the like, characterized in that it comprises vertical
uprights, each of which is provided in at least one position of at
least one lateral fitting for the preferably removable connection
of at least one horizontal transversal member, by which it can be
connected with at least another vertical upright.
Inventors: |
D'Urbino, Donato; (Milano,
IT) ; Lomazzi, Paolo; (Milano, IT) ; Poggio,
Carlo; (Alessandria, IT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
AKIN, GUMP, STRAUSS, HAUER & FELD, L.L.P.
ONE COMMERCE SQUARE, SUITE 2200
2005 MARKET STREET
PHILADELPHIA
PA
19103
US
|
Assignee: |
QUATTROCCHIO s.r.I.
|
Family ID: |
11347722 |
Appl. No.: |
10/103175 |
Filed: |
March 21, 2002 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10103175 |
Mar 21, 2002 |
|
|
|
PCT/IT00/00365 |
Sep 15, 2000 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/272 ;
52/653.2; 52/655.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47B 87/00 20130101;
E04B 1/2403 20130101; A47F 5/105 20130101; E04B 2001/2472 20130101;
E04H 1/1272 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
52/272 ;
52/653.2; 52/655.1 |
International
Class: |
E04B 001/00; E04B
005/00; E04B 007/00; E04H 012/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 21, 1999 |
IT |
CN99A 000008 |
Claims
We claim:
1. A modular sectional structure, particularly suitable for
creating furniture pieces, furniture complements or the like, such
as tables, small tables for offices, shelvings, expositors, and the
like, or for creating open or closed areas such as stands, boxes
for fairs, exhibitions, and the like, or for creating partition
walls, and the like, comprising vertical uprights (101-117) each of
which is provided in at least one position with at least one
fitting (200) at right angles therewith for the removable
connection of at least one horizontal transversal member, by which
it can be connected with at least another vertical upright,
characterized by comprising a connecting joint between said fitting
(200) at right angles with an upright and a transversal member
(302), said joint comprising a first tubular joining portion
integral with the upright and a second tubular joining portion,
coaxial with the first one and integral with the transversal
element, as well as an expansion pin (340) partially insertable
with the ends thereof into said tubular portions (200, 302) and
radially expandable by means of a screw (341) for opening
complementary portions (340', 340") thereof and longitudinally
matchable and screwed in accessible way in a median collar of the
expansion pin (340).
2. A structure according to claim 1, characterized in that said
connecting joint comprises a joining pliers (342) with a pair of
jaws (342', 342") which can be tightened and blocked, for instance
to the upright (101-117), or to perimetrical bars of the
transversal member, by means of a tightening screw (343), at least
one of the jaws being provided with a tang insertable in a tubular
joining portion for instance of the transversal member.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of International
Application No. PCT/IT00/00365, filed Sep. 15, 2000, which was
published in the English language on Mar. 29, 2001, under
International Publication No. WO 01/21046, the disclosure of which
is incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a modular sectional
structure for various uses and applications in general, having
temporary or permanent character, particularly for building boxes
or stands and pavilions, etc., intended for fairs, exhibitions or
the like, or for creating indoor and outdoor open or closed areas,
for example creation of rooms or areas for various purposes as well
as a solution for the subdivision or separation of spaces or
passages of rooms, or for example useable as a structure for
several applications and uses, such as for furniture pieces,
furniture complements or the like, for example tables, small tables
for offices, expositors, shelvings, etc.
[0003] The specific structures which have been up to now intended
to partially perform these functions cannot offer the advantage of
practicality while at the same time meeting aesthetic requirements
and they not always provide a simple solution or are also
comparatively economically advantageous.
[0004] One of these structures according to the prior art is
disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,797,948, limitedly to a fastening
means for tubular members, showing a channel-shaped member attached
at one end to a tubular member and formed with a longitudinally
extending slot. The channel's spaced apart walls, forced away by
means of a spreading element such as self-tapping screw, make
frictional engagement with another tubular member's inner walls,
possibly provided also with a longitudinal slot.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The main object of the present invention is providing a
sectional structure having above all a multiplicity and versatility
of uses and possibility of various utilizations according to the
desired solutions and needs of the user in various and different
activity fields or sectors, wherein assemblage of the constituting
members can be carried out easily and quickly so that very little
skill is required in the interventions for said assemblage, thus
excluding or anyway reducing the need for specialized handwork and
also possible suitable auxiliary equipping.
[0006] Another object is providing a solution of greater
manufacturing simplicity, which nevertheless is statically suitable
and reliable, and at the same time showing appraisable aesthetic
features.
[0007] A further object is allowing various composition
possibilities with a limited typological range of constituting
members, by providing that some of these constituting members have
a large field of uses and adaptability even for the same
construction, that is, a single member being able to perform
different functions, thus allowing various needs and necessities of
the user to be satisfied and also allowing possible subsequent
variations of arrangement and composition of said constituting
members of the previous construction, for instance because of the
user changed needs, thus avoiding in this case the difficulties of
suitable changes or adaptation work.
[0008] A further object is allowing said constituting members to be
quickly and repeatedly disassembled in order to be assembled again,
for instance, in another place with possibly modified composition
and arrangement in order to perform also a different function with
respect to the previous construction according to the user's needs,
with possibility of an easy transportation and moving by means of
the usual transportation means.
[0009] These objects are obtained according to the invention by
means of a modular sectional structure, particularly suitable for
the construction of furniture pieces, furniture complements or the
like, for instance tables, small tables for offices, shelvings,
expositors and the like or for creating open or closed areas, such
as stands, boxes for fairs, exhibitions and the like or for
creating partition walls and the like, that comprises vertical
uprights, each of which is provided, in at least one position, with
at least one fitting at right angles therewith for the removable
connection of at least one horizontal transversal member, by which
it can be connected to at least one other vertical upright,
characterized by comprising a connecting joint between said fitting
at right angles with an upright and a transversal member, said
joint comprising a first tubular joining portion integral with the
upright and a second tubular joining portion, coaxial with the
first one and integral with the transversal element, as well as an
expansion pin partially insertable with the ends thereof into said
tubular portions and radially expandable by means of a screw for
opening complementary portions thereof and longitudinally matchable
and screwed in accessible way in a median collar of the expansion
pin.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed
description of preferred embodiments of the invention, will be
better understood when read in conjunction with the appended
drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is
shown in the drawings embodiments which are presently preferred. It
should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to
the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.
[0011] In the drawings:
[0012] FIGS. 1 to 4 show elevational views of some types of
uprights according to the invention;
[0013] FIGS. 1a, 2a, and 3a are views from the top of the uprights
according to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3;
[0014] FIGS. 5 to 8 show some types of crosspieces of the structure
according to the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 9 shows a perspective view with cutaway portions of a
type of joint with expansion pin of the structure according to the
invention;
[0016] FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of another type of pliers
joint of the structure according to the invention;
[0017] FIGS. 11 to 14 show perspective views of some examples of
table structures, made according to the invention;
[0018] FIGS. 15, 16 and 17 show perspective exploded views of
further embodiments of table structures according to the
invention;
[0019] FIGS. 18 to 20 show perspective views of some embodiments of
structures according to the invention having an arched
conformation;
[0020] FIGS. 21 to 35 show in elevation further types of uprights
according to the invention;
[0021] FIGS. 21a to 35a are views from the top of the uprights
according to FIGS. 21 to 35;
[0022] FIGS. 36 to 47 show perspective views of some types of
panels used as transversal members in the structures according to
the present invention;
[0023] FIGS. 48 to 53 show in perspective view some embodiments of
structures made according to the invention, formed of some of the
uprights according to FIGS. 21 to 35 and of some of the panels
according to FIGS. 36 to 47;
[0024] FIGS. 54 to 66 show perspective views of some embodiments of
panels of the structure according to the present invention;
[0025] FIGS. 67 to 71 show perspective views of some embodiments of
constructions, such as confined areas, boxes, stands and the like,
made according to the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0026] With reference to the drawings, the structure according to
the invention, suitable for various uses and applications,
comprises in modular coordination, members which are statically
suitable for performing upright function and provided with
crosspieces or lateral fittings intended to be associated and
suitable for allowing union with structural members for the
connection of at least two uprights, so that according to their
position with respect to the upright and to their distance, various
configurations and geometrical combinations can be obtained, with
wide composition possibilities according to the desired solution,
since said uprights and crosspieces are modularly conformed so as
to form altogether junctions having two, three or four ways, so as
to allow couplings with other structural members in different
directions, by providing for means for joining together and
reciprocally fixing said different members, so as to allow the
assemblage of the whole structure with easy, simple and quick
repetitive operations, and being the so conformed structure
suitable for allowing easy variations and modifications of the
composition and with the possibility of a likewise easy, simple and
quick disassemblage, re-assemblage and re-use of the components of
said structure.
[0027] The structure comprises uprights, provided in appropriate
typological variability, as a function of the position of lateral
fittings 200 and their number, of the angular arrangement in the
same horizontal plane, preferably at 90.degree. from each other or
multiples thereof, of the distance from the upper and lower end of
the uprights, of the vertical distance between them and all that
with reference to the type of transversal member to be associated
and therefore with reference to the various employment necessities.
This concept and these variables give rise therefore to a number of
embodiments, of which some examples are illustrated in the sheets
of the accompanying drawings.
[0028] FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and corresponding FIGS. 1a, 2a, 3a illustrate
a type of upright, respectively 101, 102 and 103, whose upper
portion is provided with fittings or pairs of fittings 200, which
are superposed and shortly spaced, arranged in a horizontal plane
angularly spaced from each other, particularly by 90.degree., in
order to form junctions having two, three and four ways
respectively.
[0029] Uprights 104, 105, 106, 107 and 108 of FIGS. 21 to 25 and
respective views of FIGS. 21a to 25a show pairs of fittings 200 at
a relatively small distance from the upper end, whereas the other
fittings or lower pairs of fittings 200 are arranged at a certain
distance from the lower end, possibly vertically aligned or
staggered if in several superposed rows, in order to give rise to
junctions having two, three ways and again two, three and two ways
respectively.
[0030] The types of uprights 109, 110, 111, 112 and 113 of FIGS. 26
to 30 have lateral fittings or fitting pairs 200 substantially near
to the upper end, whereas the other fittings or lower fitting pairs
200 are provided at a relatively short distance from the lower end,
possibly vertically aligned or staggered if in several superposed
rows, in order to respectively determine junctions having two,
three ways and again two, three and two ways respectively.
Similarly, FIGS. 31 to 35 and respective FIGS. 31a to 35a show
other types of uprights 114, 115, 116, 117 and 118 wherein the
lateral fittings 200 are positioned in a various way in order to
give rise to junctions having two, three ways and again two, three
and two ways respectively.
[0031] All the uprights are preferably tubular and into their lower
ends are insertable, according to the cases, a supporting foot 201
(FIG. 1) or a preferably spinning and/or brakable roller 202 (FIG.
4).
[0032] To said uprights are associated, by means of fittings 200,
transversal members having different conformations, for instance
straight, or curved, in particular arched, preferably horizontally,
provided in suitable dimensional range and typology, according to
the needs of use.
[0033] In FIG. 5 the transversal member consists of a lattice
crosspiece 301 longitudinally provided with two parallel tubular
bars 302, whereas in FIG. 6 it consists of a plate-shaped member
303 having holes and provided again with similar longitudinal bars
304, in FIG. 7 it consists of a curved lattice crosspiece 305 with
relevant longitudinal bars 306, or it may consist in a crosspiece
having the shape of a bar 307 (FIG. 8) which can have any profile
in transversal cross-section, for example round or polygonal, and
is preferably tubular.
[0034] One type of transversal member can consist in a panel which
can extend substantially over the whole height of the upright or at
least over the main part of the upright height.
[0035] Some embodiments of said panel transversal member are shown
in FIGS. 36 to 47 and 54 to 66.
[0036] Said panels can be provided continuous, such as for example
panels 308 and 309, in the version provided with holes, such as in
panels 310 and 311, 320, 321, 322, 323, 324, 325, 326, 327, 328,
329, 330, which are straight, or also in the curved version, such
as in panels 312, 313, 314, 315, 316, 317, 318, 319, 331, 332. Said
panels are different from each other, for dimensional features and
also for the typology of the holes which can have any arrangement
and pattern and size, and therefore also different from the
illustrated ones.
[0037] Each panel is strengthened by a perimetrical frame or is
carried by the same, and this frame can be provided on the side of
the panel which is in sight (front side) and/or on the opposite
side (back side) of the panel itself.
[0038] Each frame of the panel comprises two bars 350 (FIG. 36)
rectilinear or arched according to the above mentioned versions,
preferably horizontal and parallel to each other, provided on the
same side of the panel and connected by means of two other bars 351
(FIG. 36) preferably vertical and parallel to each other, provided
on the same side of horizontal bars 350 or on the opposite side of
the panel. This is determined also by the use needs and by
aesthetic needs of the desired construction, being necessary to
provide in some cases fittings turned towards the internal side,
such as with panels 312, 313, 314, 315, 331, or towards the
external side in the other panels illustrated as embodiments.
[0039] Said transversal members can be associated to the uprights
by virtue of unbendable connecting joints which can be used at
lateral fittings 200.
[0040] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 9, a type of connecting
joint between a lateral fitting of an upright and a transversal
member comprises a first tubular joining portion, integral with the
upright, and a second tubular joining portion, which is coaxial to
the first portion and integral with the transversal member, for
example bar 302 of member 301, as well as an expansion pin
indicated as a whole with 340, partially insertable with its ends
into said tubular portions and radially expandable, by means of a
screw 341 for opening portions thereof 340' and 340" which are
complementary to each other and longitudinally matchable and
screwed in accessible way in a median collar of expansion pin
340.
[0041] In the embodiment of FIG. 10 another type of connecting
joint between a lateral fitting of an upright and a transversal
member comprises a joining clip indicated as a whole with 342 with
a pair of jaws 342' and 342" which can be tightened and blocked,
for instance to the upright, or to bars of the transversal member,
by means of a tightening screw 343, at least one of the jaws, in
particular jaw 342', being provided with a tang insertable in a
tubular joining portion for instance of the transversal member.
[0042] According to one feature of the invention, constructions
which can extend vertically are allowed, since two or more uprights
are insertable one in the other so as to form a correspondingly
longer upright, or extend longitudinally with transversal members
having possibly a different length and particularly panels having
different vertical and/or horizontal extension, or two or more
superposed rows of uprights can be provided, reciprocally connected
by means of transversal members formed in particular of flat or
curved panels, in particular for forming walls having corresponding
height, equippable on one or both sides with accessories (not
shown), with superposition of panels on panels.
[0043] According to a feature of the invention said structure
comprising the above described components allows the assembly of
constructions, such as furniture pieces, furniture complements or
the like, for example tables, small tables for offices, shelvings,
expositors, etc., or for creating open or closed areas, for example
stands, boxes for fairs, exhibitions, etc., or for creating
partition walls, etc.
[0044] Some embodiments of said constructions are shown, for
example, in FIGS. 11, 12, 13 and 14 such as tables, respectively
401, 402, 403 and 404, with relevant working surfaces using the
types of upright of FIGS. 1 and 2, whereas FIGS. 15, 16 and 17 show
other types of tables 405, 406, and 407 with relevant shelf
accessories, 408, 409, 410, 411 respectively and again using the
uprights substantially of the type of FIG. 1.
[0045] FIGS. 18, 19 and 20 show embodiments relevant to reception
tables 412, 413, 414, having curved conformation, comprising
transversal members 305 (FIG. 7) and 301 (FIG. 5) and using
uprights substantially of the type of FIGS. 1 and 2.
[0046] FIGS. 48, 49 and 50 show further embodiments of structures
according to the invention, consisting in reception tables 415, 416
and 417 comprising uprights of the type of FIGS. 21 to 30, with
straight panels provided with holes of FIGS. 38 and 39, crosspieces
of FIG. 5.
[0047] FIGS. 51, 52 and 53 show other embodiments consisting in
curved reception tables 418, 419 and 420 comprising uprights of
FIGS. 31 to 35, crosspieces 305, bars 307, flat and curved panels
provided with holes of FIGS. 38 to 47.
[0048] FIGS. 67, 69, 70 and 71 show further embodiments consisting
in creations such as stands, whereas FIG. 68 shows an exposing
structure, all said embodiments comprising panels of FIGS. 36 to 47
and FIGS. 54 to 66.
[0049] In said embodiments the above mentioned panels form curtain
walls, partition walls of rooms, subdivision of passages of rooms,
etc., equippable on both sides so that it is possible to apply
accessories (not shown) such as shelves, brackets, etc., all in
modular coordination and in harmony with the preceding creations,
such as tables, small tables, etc.
[0050] It must be specified that the connecting joints between the
lateral fittings and transversal members can consist of male-female
fittings.
[0051] From the above it is apparent that the invention is not
limited to the embodiments herewith described and illustrated by
way of a non limiting example, but it can be widely changed and
modified as a whole and in the particulars thereof, according to
the specific needs and convenience of manufacture and use, above
all from a constructive point of view and within the limits of the
technical and functional equivalents, without leaving the
information principle above explained and claimed in the
following.
[0052] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that
changes could be made to the embodiments described above without
departing from the broad inventive concept thereof. It is
understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to the
particular embodiments disclosed, but it is intended to cover
modifications within the spirit and scope of the present invention
as defined by the appended claims.
* * * * *