GB1604260A - Interlocking modular storage facility - Google Patents

Description

(54) INTERLOCKING MODULAR STORAGE FACILITY (71) I, PETER NOEL HENRY SCARFE, of Apartado 58, Garrucha, Almeria, Spain, of British nationality, do thereby declare the invention for which I pray that a patent may be granted to me, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: This invention relates to a construction of storage rack built up from interlocking modules and affording storage facility for elongated articles such as, for example, rolled maps or posters, lengths of wooden or plastic rods, dowels or the like but more particularly serving as a wine rack for bottle storage.

An object of the present invention is to provide an interlocking modular storage rack construction, the modular components of which are identical and are nestable one within the other for pre-sale packaging and transportation, while the rack is easily built up by interlocking engagement of the modules. The invention consists in an interlocking modular storage rack construction comprising a plurality of identical modules in the form of lengths of gutter form cross section adapted to be interlocked in pairs to form tubular storage members which are adapted to be interlocked with similar tubular storage members into a storage rack of the desired capacity.

The invention further consists in an interlocking modular storage rack construction comprising a plurality of identical modules capable of being interlocked together into a storage rack, each module is of a gutter form having a generally semicircular cross section, one longitudinal edge of which is formed or provided with a male and the other longitudinal edge a female interlocking formation such that two modules can be interlocked together to form a tubular storage member of gencrally circular cross-section, each gutter-form module being further formed or provided with a male and a female interlocking formation on the convex surface hereof disposed at centres 900 apart.from each other and at 45 from each longitudinal edge of the module so that in a pair of interlocked modules four external interlocking formations are provided at equidistant spacing around the outer periphery the soformed tubular member as diametrical opposed male and female interlocking formations, the arrangement being such that a plurality of tubular storage members, each interlock assembled from a pair of modules, can be interlocked one with another to build up a storage rack of the required capacity.

The invention still further consists in an interlocking modular storage rack construction according to the preceding paragraph wherein the interlocking formation on the longitudinal edges of each module and on the convex surface thereof extend continuously along the length of the module; whereby interlocking assembly of each pair of modules, and interlocking assembly of the tubular storage members formed therefrom, is effected by engagement and axial sliding of the interlocking formations.

The basic modules can each have a cross section such that the tubular sub assembly formed from an assembled pair of modules is of generally circular or generally polygonal cross section. In the preferred form the tubular sub assembly is of octagonal cross section, providing diametrically opposed faces on and along which the external interlocking formations are provided.

It is preferred that the basic module is an extruded plastics body e.g., of rigid polyvinylchloride, in which instance the design of the interlocking formations and the wall section of the module is such as to be suitable for extrusion in known manner.

Due to the gutter form of the basic module and the adequate springiness of such a section, the modules can be nested one within another for pre-sale storage and transportation enabling, for example, a set of modules sufficient for a twently-four bottle wire rack measuring when assembled 66 by 44 centimetres and 22 centimetres in depth to be packed in a volume measuring 22 by 22 by 22 centimetres.

Further due to axially sliding interengagement of the tubular sub assembled storage members in the preferred construction, the assembled rack may have the tubular storage members disposed so that all the ends are in a common plane. Such a rack is perferably with the axes of the tubular members laid horizontal. Where a rack is desired wherein the axes of the tubular storage members are slightly upwardly inclined, the successive rows of tubular storage members can slightly overhang those below, the rack being mounted on a rearwardly inclined base.

The above described storage facility may also be provided with means for securing the margins of an assembled rack to a wall or other surface, e.g. hooked rods adapted to engage the front of the rack and having an eye at the other end of each to receive a fluxing screw.

In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is a front elevation of a storage rack in accordance with the present invention.

Figures 2 and 3 are side elevations of storage racks as shown in Figure 1 respectively in a hon- zontal and an inclined form, Figure 4 is a cross-section of a tubular storage member constituting a sub assembly in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 5 is a cross-section of the basic module from which the rack is built up.

Figure 6 shows diagrammatically a plurality of the modules nested for packing and transportation, and Figures 7 and 8 show respectively a side and end elevation of a convenient means for securing the rack to a wall or other surface.

In carrying the invention into effect according to one mode by way of example, a storage rack such as a wine rack comprises a plurality of tubular storage members 1 interlocked together in either a horizontal (see Figure 2) or an inclined (see Figure 3) disposition, the latter requiring an inclined base 2.

Each tubular member 1 (see Figure 4) is made up of two identical gutter-form modules 3, one of which is shown in cross-section in Figure 5.

In the present example the tubular storage members 1 are of generally octagonal cross section and the modules 3 each have three complete sides 4 and two half sides 5 of an octagon (see Figure 5) so that the assembly of two modules 3 to form a tubular member 1 cause the two half sides 5 of the modules 3 to form two more complete sides of the octagon.

The longitudinal margins 6 of each module 3 are formed with one male and one female interlocking formation 7 and 8, so that by axial sliding two modules 3 can form one tubular member 1.

On each module two of the complete sides 4 of the octagon are formed respectively with male and female dovetail interlocking formations 9 and 10 so that by axial sliding a succession of tubular members 1 can be assembled into a complete rack as shown in Figure 1 to the desired capacity.

Due to the gutter shape of the modules 3 they can be nested as shown in Figure 6 for packing and transportation.

Should it be necessary to anchor the completed rack to a wall or other surface, securing hooks 11 as shown in Figures 7 and 8 having a hook portion 12 to engage the end of a tubular member 1 and an eye 13 to receive a fixing screw, may be provided.

WHAT I Cl.AlM IS: 1. An interlocking modular storage rack construction comprising a plurality of identical modules in the form of lengths of gutter-form cross section adapted to be interlocked in pairs to form tubular storage members which are adapted to be interlocked with similar tubular storage members into a storage rack of the desired capacity.

2. An interlocking modular storage rack construction comprising a plurality of identical modules capable of being assembled together into a storage rack; wherein each module is of a gutter form having a generally semicircular cross section, one longitudinal edge of which is formed or provided with a male and the other longitudinal edge a female interlocking formation such that two modules can be interlocked together to form a tubular storage member of generally circular cross-section, each gutterform module being further formed or provided with a male and a female interlocking formation on the convex surface hereof disposed at centres 900 apart from each other and at 45 from each longitudinal edge of the module so that in a pair of assembled modules two male and two female interlocking formations are provided at equidistant spacing around the outer periphery of the so-formed tubular member as diametrical opposed male and female interlocking formations, the arrangement being such that a plurality of tubular storage members, each assembled from a pair of modules, can be interlocked one with another to build up a storage rack of the required capacity.

3. An interlocking modular storage rack construction as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the interlocking formation on the longitudinal edges of each module and on the convex surface thereof extent continuously along the length of the module, whereby interlocking assembly of each pair of modules, and interlocking assembly of the tubular storage members formed therefrom is effected by engagement and axial sliding of the interlocking formations.

4. An interlocking modular storage rack construction as claimed in any of the preceding Claims wherein the tubular members are of generally circular cross section.

5. An interlocking modular storage rack construction as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 3 wherein the tubular members are of generally polygonal cross section.

6. An interlocking modular storage rack construction as claimed in Claim 5 wherein the polygonal cross section is octagonal.

7. An interlocking modular storage rack construction, in accordance with any of the preceding claims 1-6, wherein the modules are formed by extrusion of a plastics material.

8. An interlocking modular storage rack construction substantially as described with reference to Figures 1 to 6 of the accompanying drawings.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (9)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. The above described storage facility may also be provided with means for securing the margins of an assembled rack to a wall or other surface, e.g. hooked rods adapted to engage the front of the rack and having an eye at the other end of each to receive a fluxing screw. In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is a front elevation of a storage rack in accordance with the present invention. Figures 2 and 3 are side elevations of storage racks as shown in Figure 1 respectively in a hon- zontal and an inclined form, Figure 4 is a cross-section of a tubular storage member constituting a sub assembly in accordance with the present invention. Figure 5 is a cross-section of the basic module from which the rack is built up. Figure 6 shows diagrammatically a plurality of the modules nested for packing and transportation, and Figures 7 and 8 show respectively a side and end elevation of a convenient means for securing the rack to a wall or other surface. In carrying the invention into effect according to one mode by way of example, a storage rack such as a wine rack comprises a plurality of tubular storage members 1 interlocked together in either a horizontal (see Figure 2) or an inclined (see Figure 3) disposition, the latter requiring an inclined base 2. Each tubular member 1 (see Figure 4) is made up of two identical gutter-form modules 3, one of which is shown in cross-section in Figure 5. In the present example the tubular storage members 1 are of generally octagonal cross section and the modules 3 each have three complete sides 4 and two half sides 5 of an octagon (see Figure 5) so that the assembly of two modules 3 to form a tubular member 1 cause the two half sides 5 of the modules 3 to form two more complete sides of the octagon. The longitudinal margins 6 of each module 3 are formed with one male and one female interlocking formation 7 and 8, so that by axial sliding two modules 3 can form one tubular member 1. On each module two of the complete sides 4 of the octagon are formed respectively with male and female dovetail interlocking formations 9 and 10 so that by axial sliding a succession of tubular members 1 can be assembled into a complete rack as shown in Figure 1 to the desired capacity. Due to the gutter shape of the modules 3 they can be nested as shown in Figure 6 for packing and transportation. Should it be necessary to anchor the completed rack to a wall or other surface, securing hooks 11 as shown in Figures 7 and 8 having a hook portion 12 to engage the end of a tubular member 1 and an eye 13 to receive a fixing screw, may be provided. WHAT I Cl.AlM IS:

1. An interlocking modular storage rack construction comprising a plurality of identical modules in the form of lengths of gutter-form cross section adapted to be interlocked in pairs to form tubular storage members which are adapted to be interlocked with similar tubular storage members into a storage rack of the desired capacity.

2. An interlocking modular storage rack construction comprising a plurality of identical modules capable of being assembled together into a storage rack; wherein each module is of a gutter form having a generally semicircular cross section, one longitudinal edge of which is formed or provided with a male and the other longitudinal edge a female interlocking formation such that two modules can be interlocked together to form a tubular storage member of generally circular cross-section, each gutterform module being further formed or provided with a male and a female interlocking formation on the convex surface hereof disposed at centres 900 apart from each other and at 45 from each longitudinal edge of the module so that in a pair of assembled modules two male and two female interlocking formations are provided at equidistant spacing around the outer periphery of the so-formed tubular member as diametrical opposed male and female interlocking formations, the arrangement being such that a plurality of tubular storage members, each assembled from a pair of modules, can be interlocked one with another to build up a storage rack of the required capacity.

3. An interlocking modular storage rack construction as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the interlocking formation on the longitudinal edges of each module and on the convex surface thereof extent continuously along the length of the module, whereby interlocking assembly of each pair of modules, and interlocking assembly of the tubular storage members formed therefrom is effected by engagement and axial sliding of the interlocking formations.

4. An interlocking modular storage rack construction as claimed in any of the preceding Claims wherein the tubular members are of generally circular cross section.

5. An interlocking modular storage rack construction as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 3 wherein the tubular members are of generally polygonal cross section.

6. An interlocking modular storage rack construction as claimed in Claim 5 wherein the polygonal cross section is octagonal.

7. An interlocking modular storage rack construction, in accordance with any of the preceding claims 1-6, wherein the modules are formed by extrusion of a plastics material.

8. An interlocking modular storage rack construction substantially as described with reference to Figures 1 to 6 of the accompanying drawings.

9. A module for an interlocking modular

storage rack construction substantially as described with reference to Figure 5 of the accompanying drawings.