GB2534665A

GB2534665A - Modular storage furniture and method of assembly

Info

Publication number: GB2534665A
Application number: GB1520791.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Williams Tim
Original assignee: DESIGNWORKS21 Ltd
Current assignee: DESIGNWORKS21 Ltd
Priority date: 2014-11-25
Filing date: 2015-11-25
Publication date: 2016-08-03
Anticipated expiration: 2035-11-25
Also published as: GB201520791D0; GB2534665B; GB201420893D0

Abstract

A modular storage system, kit and method of assembly wherein a number of modules 10, formed from three panels 12, 14, 16 are arranged in an array wherein the adjacent horizontal and vertical neighbouring members form the fourth 18 and fifth 20 sides of the receptacles which may be substantially rectangular or in the shape of an open box. The panels may be connected along their edges, by connector or compression connectors (38, 40 figure 7) in a releasable manner to allow disassembly of the storage system. The connectors or fixings may be located centrally with respect to the edge thickness of the panels which provides a greater aesthetic appeal. Panels or walls may be provided for completing the open peripheral sides of the arrays. There may be different types of panels for each different face of the open box or receptacle. The panels may be made from a variety of materials, such as 18mm birch plywood as timber and low embodied energy sources are preferred.

Description

Modular Storage Furniture and Method of Assembly The present invention relates to modular storage furniture and to a method of assembling such furniture.

The present invention is defined in the attached independent claims, to which reference should now he made. Further, preferred features may be found in the sub-claims appended thereto.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a modular storage system comprising a plurality of modules arranged in use to form an array, the modules each comprising three panels, wherein each panel is connected to The other two panels to form three sides of an open receptacle, and wherein the panels of immediately horizontally and vertically adjacent modulcs in the array are arranged to form fourth and fifth sides of the open receptacle.

The panels are preferably substantially rectangular.

The modules preferably each comprise three panels, wherein each panel is connected to the other two panels to form 25 three sides of an open box.

Preferably the panels are connected along their edges.

Preferably, at least some of the horizontally and/or 30 vertically adjacent receptacles in the array share at least one panel.

At least some of the panels are preferably connected together by fixing or connection elements, which may comprise compression-type connectors.

Preferably the connection elements are arranged to connect adjacent oanels releasably, for disassembly of the storage system.

Preferably, at least some adjacent panels that occupy substantially the same plane are arranged in use to be secured at their ends to an edge of a common further panel extending transversely to the plane. The adjacent panels may each extend across a part of an edge of said further panel. Fixing elements may be used to secure each of the adjacent panels to the transverse panel, by extending through the adjacent panels and into the edge of the transverse panel.

Ends of at least some of the adjacent panels may be 20 arranged to fit together so as to substantially cover the edge of the transverse panel.

The ends of the adjacent panels may be shaped so that at least a part of the end extends over more than 50 % of the thickness of the transverse panel to which it is arranged to be secured. Preferably, at least a part of the end extends over more than 6D%, more preferably more than 70% and still more preferably more than 80% of the thickness of the common transverse panel. Preferably the ends of each of two adjacent panels extend over 50%, more preferably over 60%, more preferably still over 70% and even more preferably over 80% of the thickness of the common transverse panel to which the adjacent panels are arranged to be secured.

The arrangement of the ends of the adjacent panels 5 extending most of the way across the edge of the transverse panel to which they are secured means that only a single row of fixing elements need be used to secure the connection. This uses less material and takes less time for the modules to be assembled together. It also means that 10 the fixing elements can be located substantially centrally with respect to the edge thickness of the transverse panel, rather than close to one side of the transverse panel, which reduces the risk of inadvertently damaging the transverse panel during assembly.

A further advantage is that a more central fixing has a greater aesthetic appeal.

in a preferred arrangement the system includes a plurality 20 of single panels for completing the open sided receptacles located at the periphery of the array.

in a preferred arrangement the system comprises a plurality of panels of a first type, a plurality of panels of a second type and a plurality of panels of a third type. The first type may comprise base panels, the second type may comprise back wall panels and the third type may comprise end wall panels. For an array of open sided storage receptacles comprising x horizontal by y vertical, the number of third-type panels is less than x and the number of first-type panels is loss than y.

The modules may be left and right handed. In a unit having more than one row of modules, the unit may comprise at least one module of a first configuration and at least one module of a second configuration, wherein the modules of the first and second configurations are configured to appear substantially as a mirror image of each other. Preferably, in a unit having more than one row of modules, at least some modules from vertically adjacent rows are arranged in an opposite-handed sense.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of assembling modular storage furniture comprising a plurality of storage vessels in the form of open receptacles connected in an array, the method comprising assembling a plurality of modules, each comprising three panels, wherein each panel is connected to the other two panels to form an open Lhree-sided receptacle, and connecting modules together such that panels of adjacent modules provide the fourth and fifth sides of an open receptacle.

The panels are preferably substantially rectangular.

The modules are preferably such that each comprises three 25 panels, wherein each panel is connected to the other two panels Lo form three sides of an open box.

The method may comprise forming one row of modules of a first configuration, and forming a vertically adjacent row 30 of modules of a second configuration.

The method Preferably comprises completing the array by attaching single horizontal and/or vertical panels to complete receptacles at located peripherally of the array.

The method may comprise connecting panels along their edges.

Preferably the method comprises connecting panels by connector elements that comprise compression-type 10 connectors. The method may comprise releasably connecting together at least some of the panels.

The invention also includes a kit of parts for constructing a modular storage furniture system comprising a plurality of open storage vessels arranged in an array, wherein the kit comprises a plurality of a first panel type, a plurality of a second panel type and a plurality of a third panel type, wherein each module comprises one of a first, a second and a third panel type, the kit further comprising a plurality of panels of a fourth type and a plurality of panels of a fifth type for completing boxes located at a periphery of the array. Preferably the kit includes one of a fourth type of panel far each column of an intended array of boxes, and one of a fifth type for each row of an intended array of boxes.

The kit may also include connector elements for connecting the panels. The connector elements may be compression-type connectors and may be suitable for rolcasably connecting 30 the panels.

The invention may include any combination of the features or limitations referred to herein, except such a combination of features as are mutually exclusive, or mutually inconsistent.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows, in schematic view, module parts of a modular storage furniture system according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 shows one of the module parts of Figure 1 in 15 several alternative views; Figure 3 shows the modular storage furniture system in one configuration in assembled form; Figure 4 shows the modular storage furniture system in several alternative configurations; Figure 5 shows a number of base panels in more detail; Figure 6 is a set of schematic views showing one embodiment of leg member; Figure 7 is a set of schematic views showing an alternative embodiment of leg member; Figure 8 shows an alternative embodiment of panel; and Figure 9 is a detailed schematic diagram showing the ends of two adjacent co-planar panels secured to a common transverse panel.

Turning to Figure 1, this shows a number of modules 10, 10a for making up a modular storage furniture system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The basic module comprises a base panel 12, a back panel 14 and an end panel 16. Each of the panels 12, 14 and 16 is joined along two edges to the other two panels, so that the three panels become fixed together in a mutually perpendicular manner to form three sides of an open box. The panels are joined by connector elements, examples of which will be described later.

The modules 10 and 10a are left and right-handed, being substantially mirror images of each other. Where a storage furniture unit is assembled with a plurality of vertical rows, one on top of the other, rows may alternate between modules of type 10 and modules of type 10a, as in the embodiment shown. This gives a balanced visual effect in the finally assembled unit, and also provides for a more stable structure, in the manner of a bonded brickworx.

The modules are intended to be joined together, by fixing the end panel 16 of one module to the base and back panels 12 and 14, of the adjacent module, and so on adding modules horizontally and vertically until an array has been assembled in which adjacent modules share some common panels. In particular, each three-sided module in the assembled array is completed as a five-sided, or open, box by an end panel of a horizontally adjacent module and by a base panel of a vertically adjacent module.

This is with the exception of the modules forming the end-5 most column on each alLernaLc row, and those on the uppermost row in the array. These do not have respectively a horizontally adjacent module immediately to the side and/or a vertically adjacent module immediately above. in these cases the open sides are provided by separate 10 completion end panels 18 and top panels 20.

In the example of Figure 1 the array is only two modules wide and three modules high, bit the same basic modules can be used to create arrays of different sizes, using the 15 completion panels as necessary.

Figure 2 shows one of the modules 10 in different views. Dowel pins 22 and compression fixings 24 are used La connect the panels together. In Figure 2, dowel pins 22 can be seen protruding upwardly from the end panel 16 to be received in appropriately positioned holes in an upwardly adjacent base panel of another module, or a top completion panel. Similarly, dowel pins 22 can be seen protruding upwardly from one end of the base panel to be received in a lower cdgc of an adjacent end panel of another module, or in a completion end panel.

The fixings for connecting together the panels of the modules, and for connecting the modules Logether, can by any of a number of types known in the art The example used in the embodiment shown is of dowels and pins with cam bolts, which together form a strong connection that can be tightened and undone using a screwdriver. A releasable fixing is preferred so that the modules can he separated and reconfigured to provide alternative combinations of storage boxes. The vertical end panels, or walls, 16 in the interior of the unit have through-holes, so that a common pin extending between the edges of adjacent back panels can extend through the wall 16 and be tensioned by cam bolts recessed in the back panels. This holds the back panels firmly together.

Figure 3 shows one such arrangement, which is a free-standing, floor mounted storage unit comprising three storage boxes by three storage boxes. Tn this case there are three each of the completion top panels 20 and completion end panels 18.

Figure 4 shows some alternative combinations of storage furniture made up from the modules 10. A free-standing single row of modules is shown aL 24, and various wall mounted storage units are shown at 26, where suitable fixings or support tracks or brackets (not shown) are employed to mount the storage unit Lo the wall (W). In the example shown at 28, a free-standing unit has a single row of modules and legs 30 are provided.

Figure 5 shows some of the panels 12 in plan. As well as various pre-drilled holes 32, for accommodating fixings, the drawing shows that the footprint of the panel differs slightly from rectangular, in that at one end there is a recess or cutaway portion 34, and at the other end there is a tongue 36. The cutaway is provided to accommodate the tongue of a base panel from an adjacent module in the assembled unit. The panels 12 in each row R1 of modules are arranged so that a recess follows a tongue and so on, until the last panel in the row is reached, whereupon a symmetrical panel 12a is used, that has a recess 34 at each 5 end. Then, on the next row upwards R2 the panels are oriented in the opposite manner, again ending the row with a symmetrical panel 12a. This alternating of the orientation of the panels 12 helps to create a strong and stable finished unit, and also ensures that the finished 10 unit is balanced aesthetically.

The completion top panels above the base panels follow the same shape, so that most of them are asymmetrical, with a recess at one end, and a tongue at the other end, with the exception of the end-most panel 20a on every alternate row, which is symmetrical with a recess at each end. This provides for a balanced appearance of the unit as a whole, when viewed from either end.

The rearward-facing surfaces and edges of all the panels are finished to the same standard as the front and sides, so that when the unit is viewed from the rear is aesthetically pleasing, enabling the unit to be used as a room divider, for example.

Figure 6 shows one example of a leg fixing for a unit made up of the modules 10, such as the unit 28 of Figure 4. A stud plate 38 is first secured to an underside of the unit, namely the lowermost base panel 12 (not shown) using four screws (not shown). The stud plate has a stud 40 which is Lhroaded for engagement with a leg 42, having a complementary internal thread.

Figure 7 shows an alternative for a leg fixing. A leg 44 has a mounting plate 46 that is attached directly to the underside of a base panel (not shown) using screws (not shown).

Figure 8 shows a pair of panels according to an alternative embodiment of the invention. The panels 112 and 112a correspond to the panels 12 and 12a of Figure 5. They may comprise base panels or top panels for the modules of Figure 1.

The difference between the panels 112, 112a and the panels 12, 12a is that the in the former, the depth of recesses 15 134 and the extent of Longues 136 is greater than in their counterparts from the previously described embodiment.

Figure 9 shows schematically panels 112 and 112a secured to an edge of a common transverse panel 116 lying beneath (and 20 shown in broken lines). The panel 116 may be, for example, an upright end or internal wall.

A row of Xs indicates suitable locations for fixing or connection elements, such as screws or compression fixings, which enter pre-drilled holes. The geometry of the tongues 136 and recesses 134 enables the locations for the fixing elements to be substantially central with respect to the edge thickness of panel 116, thereby reducing the risk that the panel 116 will become inadvertently damaged during assembly.

A further advantage of the substantially symmetrical arrangement described in relation to Figure 9 is that vertical panels can be flipped (for example turned inwards)if a surface is damaged, and the fixing holes will remain in the correct position. Vertical end panels 116 and 118 may omit some of the fixing holes, for example where there is no requirement to accommodate a tongue 135 from panels 112a, as these would otherwise be exposed, which might detract from the aesthetic appeal.

The embodiments described above provide a versatile system of storage receptacles in which a module, comprising a three-sided unit made up of rectangular panels each attached along two of its edges to two other panels, is repeated horizontally and vertically to form an array. In the assembly of the array, each module is dependent upon other modules, in particular its horizontal and vertical neighbours, with the exception of the top-most, and some end-most, modules in the array. There is no repetition of vertical and horizontal panels in immediately adjacent modules.

The storage system described provides flexibility of shape and an economy of manufacture and assembly, since most panels are common to adjacent units. The economical use of materials also helps to keep down the costs of packaging and transportation. The various combinations of open box storage vessels can be used to accommodate books, household items, pull-out boxes, drawers and doors, among others. In order to do this, the modules can he made of variously sized panels to p-^ovide open boxes of different widths, such as 600mm or 900mm, for example, and different depths, such as 300mm, 450mm or 150mm, for example.

The panels themselves can be made from various materials, 5 but preferably have low embodied energy, with timber sourced from sustainable sources. One example of a suitable material is 18mm birch plywood.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance, it should be understood that the applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features referred to herein, and/or shown in the drawings, whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A modular storage system comprising a plurality of modules arranged in use to form an array, the modules each comprising three panels, wherein each panel is connected to the other Lwo panels to form three sides of an open receptacle, and wherein the panels of immediately horizontally and vertically adjacent modules in the array are arranged to form fourth and fifth sides of the open receptacle.
2. A system according to Claim 1, wherein the panels are substantially rectangular.
3. A system according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the modules each comprises three panels, wherein each panel is connected Lo the other Lwo panels Lo form three sides of an open box.
4. A system according to any of Claims 1 to 3, wherein the panels are connected along their edges.
5. A system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein at least some of the horizontally and/or vertically adjacent receptacles in the array share at least one panel.
6. A system according to any of the preceding claims wherein the modules are connected together releasably by connector elements.
7. A system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the system includes a plurality of single panels for completing the open sided receptacles located at the periphery of the array.
8. A system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the system. comprises a plurality of panels of a first type, a plurality of panels of a second type and a plurality of panels of a third type, the first type comprising base panels, the second type comprising back wall panels and the third type comprising end wall panels, wherein for an array of open sided storage receptacles comprising receptacles horizontally by y vessels vertically, the number of third-type panels is less than x and the number of first-type panels is less than y.
9. A method of assembling modular storage furniture comprising a plurality of storage vessels in the form of open receptacles connected in an array, the method comprising assembling a plurality of modules, each comprising three panels, wherein each panel is connected to the other two panels to form an open three-sided receptacle, and connecting modules together such that panels of adjacent modules provide the fourth and fifth sides of an open receptacle.
10. A method according to Claim 9, wherein the modules each comprises three panels, wherein each panel is connected to the other two panels to form three sides of an open box.
11. A method according to Claim 9 or 10, wherein the method comprises completing the array by attaching single horizontal and/or vertical panels to complete receptacles at located peripherally of the array.
12. A method according to any of Claims 9 to 11, wherein the method comprises connecting panels by connector elements that comprise compression-type connectors.
13. A method according to any of Claims 9 to 12, wherein the method comprises releasably connecting together at least some of the panels.
14. A kit of parts for constructing a modular storage furniture system comprising a plurality of open storage vessels arranged in an array, wherein the kit comprises a plurality of a first panel type, a plurality of a second panel type and a plurality of a third panel type, wherein each module comprises one of a first, a second and a third panel type, the kit further comprising a plurality of panels of a fourth type and a plurality of panels of a fifth type for completing boxes located at a periphery of the array.
15. A kit according to Claim 14, wherein the kit includes one of a fourth type of panel for each column of an intended array of boxes, and one of a fifth type for each row of an intended array of boxes.
16. A kiL according to Claim 14 or 15, wherein the kit also includes connector elements for connecting the panels.
17. A kit according to Claims 16, wherein the connector elements comprise compression-type connectors suitable for releasably connecting the panels.