GB2142669A

GB2142669A - Cupboards and the like structures

Info

Publication number: GB2142669A
Application number: GB08316907A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Eric Keith Cheng
Original assignee: Reyloc Ltd
Current assignee: Reyloc Ltd
Priority date: 1983-06-22
Filing date: 1983-06-22
Publication date: 1985-01-23
Also published as: JPS60501588A; GB8327577D0; GB8316907D0; ZA844584B

Abstract

The structure includes at least an upper 140 and a lower 170 elongate linear support member, each such member having a horizontal portion e.g. 148 and a vertical portion e.g. 142 as seen in cross-section and each having a series of recesses e.g. 152 regularly spaced along the length of their horizontal portions, which serve to receive and position vertical divider panels. The horizontal lower limb of the lower support member supports a lower edge of these panels. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Apparatus and Method for Supporting Cupboards and the Like This invention relates to an apparatus and method for building, erecting or suspending structures. In this specification the word structures is used to mean partitions and space divider panels, portable buildings, shelving whether industrial or domestic, cupboards, bins, racks, shelves, display units for use in retailing or at exhibitions and conferences and fitted or assembled units for dividing and using space which may be floor-supported and free standing or suspended from a wall or ceiling or other suitable support. Such units may be used for domestic, industrial or commercial applications.

Purely for clarity of description, the invention will be particularly described primarily with reference to the erection of cupboards but it will be realised by those skilled in the art that the principles of the invention can readily be applied in any of the above-mentioned fields.

Systems are known in which strips or battens are screwed or otherwise fixed to a wall and prefabricated cupboards are fixed to the strips or battens. Two disadvantages of such arrangements are that they usually require a skilled tradesman or carpenter to erect and are costly in material.

A cupboard construction system has been proposed in British Patent No. 1 460 392 (BARGET). This system includes vertical bars in which attachment blocks of special shape can slide, and tie bars which extend horizontally between the blocks and are screwed or clamped to them. The dimensions of the cupboard so built are determined by the length of the vertical and horizontal bars used, and so this system in the Applicant's opinion lacks versatility, and tends to be costly because of the variety of special shaped parts which must be used.

It is an aim of the present invention to provide an apparatus for building, erecting or suspending structures which is easy to use, versatile, and offers a saving in material and therefore reduced cost.

According to the invention, there is provided apparatus for building, erecting or suspending structures including at least an upper and a lower elongate linear support member, each such member having a horizontal portion and a vertical portion as seen in cross-section and each having a series of recesses regularly spaced along the length of their horizontal portions.

The regularly-spaced recesses in each support member in use serve to receive and position vertical divider panels and the horizontal limb of the lower support member supports a lower edge of these panels. The recesses are preferably but not necessarily rectangular in shape.

Alternatively, they could be v-shaped notches.

In one embodiment of the invention, each support member has a main portion having a horizontal web and a vertical web, and the horizontal web has at its edge further from the vertical web a series of flanges defining between them the aforesaid recesses.

One embodiment of lower support member according to the invention may have a main portion having horizontal and vertical webs of which the horizontal web constitutes a means for locating divider panels. It may further have a second (lower) horizontal web which supports the rear part of the lower edge of the divider panels.

In this specification, the words horizontal and vertical are not used in a strict geometrical sense, they are used to mean "substantially vertical" and "substantially horizontal" since it will be apparent to a practical man that all or most of the advantages of the invention can be obtained when the relevant parts referred to depart by a small amount, e.g. a few degrees from the strict vertical and horizontal.

Also according to the invention, there is provided a method of erecting a structure defining a space whose sides are formed by a pair of vertical panels, the method comprising the steps of securing to a wall or other support an elongate upper and lower support member each having a horizontal web which has regularly-spaced recesses therein, locating space divider panels partly in said recesses so that they extend substantially perpendicularly to the elongate support members with a part of the lower edge of each divider panel resting on and supported by the lower support member, and fixing an upper rear part of the divider panel to the upper support member.

The invention will be better understood from the following non-limiting description of embodiments thereof given with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a cross-section taken in a vertical plane of a cupboard erected using one embodiment of apparatus according to the invention; Figure 2 is a back view showing a series of laterally-adjacent cupboards of the kind shown in Figure 1; Figures 3 and 4 are perspective views respectively showing upper and lower support members according to one embodiment of the invention; Figures 5 and 6 are perspective views respectively showing one form of upper and lower front rails as used in the invention; Figure 7 shows the upper front rail of Figure 6 in end elevation; Figure 8 shows the detail of an upper front corner of a dividing panel with a slot cut to fit the member of Figure 7;; Figure 9 shows an end plug in an upper front support member and its co-operation with an end support panel serving as an end wall for a series of cupboards; Figure 10 is a perspective view showing upper and lower support members useful for wall-hung cupboards or the like and a divider panel; and Figure 11 is an enlargement of part of Figure 10 illustrating grooves in the divider panel; Figure 1 2 illustrates an alternative design of elongate linear support member which can be used as an upper, lower or intermediate support member; Figure 13 diagrammatically illustrates an array of cupboards, shelves and drawers which can be constructed using inter alia the support member shown in Figure 12; Figure 14 is a perspective view showing how a partition can be mounted in a building using the principles of the invention;; Figure 1 5 is a plan view of the arrangement shown in Figure 14; Figure 1 6 is a diagrammatic plan view showing the partition being moved into place; Figure 1 7 illustrates part of an arrangement for a wall-supported cabinet containing shelves according to the invention; and Figure 18 is a front view of a wall cabinet that can be erected using the support members shown in Figure 17.

Referring firstly to Figures 1 and 2, the series of cupboards are illustrated as supported by an upper-support member 20 and a lower support member 22. These are elongate linear relatively rigid members and may be metal sections. They are fixed to a vertical wall 24. The illustrated cupboard has its roof formed by a worktop 26, and has a back-panel 28, a door 30, and a floor 32. A top front rail 34 extends as illustrated in Figure 2. The floor 32 is also support by a bottom front rail 36. The lower support member 22 and the bottom front rail 36 may rest on the floor of the room. End plugs 38 and 40 assist in connecting an end panel 42 to the structure.

Upper and lower support members according to one embodiment of the invention are illustrated.

in Figures 3 and 4. Figure 3 illustrates an elongate linear relatively rigid upper support member having substantially an L-shape seen in crosssection formed by a horizontal web 50 and a vertical web 52. Flanges 54 extend downwardly from the part of the horizontal web 50 furthest from the vertical web 52. These flanges 54 define a series of recesses, equally linearly spaced, 56, whose function will be described in detail later.

The lower end of the web member 52 has a series of forwardly extending flanges 58 formed by a horizontal portion 60 and an upwardly extending portion 62. These flanges 58 define a series of equally-spaced recesses 64, the recesses 64 being at a spacing such that their centres are coincident with the centres of the recesses 56. As illustrated the inner (rearward) boundary 66 of each of the recesses 64 is serrated or constructed in saw tooth form, although in other embodiments such serrations may be omitted.

The horizontal web 50 has a series of small holes 68 therein for receiving stabilising pins, and a series of larger holes 70, which may be countersunk for receiving screws used to attach the worktop 26 to the upper support member.

The function of the recesses 56 and 64 is to receive and locate vertical divider panels 44, and the serrated edges 66 dig into the rear vertical edge of each divider panel 44 and serve to firmly locate and fix it. The longitudinal spacing between the centres of the recesses 56 is equal, and is .equal to the spacing between the centres of the recesses 64. The longitudinal extent of the flanges 54 and 58 are equal and are chosen to be any suitable value. For example, the recesses 56 and 64 may be at 50 or 100 millimetre centres.

Figure 4 illustrates a lower support member 80 in accordance with one embodiment of this invention and which is suitable for use as a floor mounted support member. The member 80 has a vertical web 82 a lower horizontal web 84 with upstanding flange 86 and a second horizontal web 88, extending horizontally from an upper region of the web 82 and having rectangular recesses 90 at regularly spaced intervals provided by cut-outs from the web 88. Downwardly extending flanges 92 extend from the web 88.

The recesses 90 are equally linearly spaced along the lower support member 80 and their spacing is equal to that of the recesses 64 and 56 of Figure 3. The function of the recesses 90 is to locate the bottom rear part of the divider panels 44 and such panels are supported by the web 84. The panels 44 may have a small groove in their lower edge to receive the flange 86. This assures a very positive and secure location. Each recess 90 is bounded at its rear side by a serrated edge 94, for the purpose described above in connection with serrated edge 66.

Figure 5 illustrates one example of top front rail 34 having a vertical web 100 with screw holes 102 by which it can be fixed to the edge of a divider panel 44 by wood screws, and having a horizontal web 102. The web 102 has a downwardly extending flange 104 which is intended to extend into a corresponding groove in an upper edge of a divider panel 44. A lower horizontal web 106 has an upstanding flange 108 and defines recesses 110 which receive and locate vertical divider panels 44.

Figure 6 illustrates a lower (base) support rail 36, and shows its manner of co-operation with the bottom portion of a divider panel 44. Each divider panel 44 is substantially rectangular but preferably has cut-outs defining a surface 112 which rests upon the flange 114 of the rail 36 and a surface 11 6 which in use rests upon the web 88 of the lower support member 80 (Figure 4). A lower horizontal web 11 8 of the lower front rail 36 has screw holes 120 at suitable intervals whereby if desired the lower front rail 36 can be fixed to the floor. Figure 7 is an end elevation of the upper front rail 34. Figure 8 shows a top front corner df a divider panel 44, illustrating a groove 1 24 for receiving the flange 104 of Figure 5.

Figure 9 shows the upper front rail 34, looking forwardly from inside the cupboard, and iilustrating the arrangement at the end of the rail 34. A plug 130 is placed in the end of the rail 34 and is shaped to make a snug fit therein. It is secured therein by a screw 1 32 passing through the web 102 and screws 134 extending into an end support panel 136 which forms the end wall of a single cupboard or a line of cupboards. The plug 130 may for example be rectangular in section.

Figure 10 illustrates an upper support member and a lower support member according to a further embodiment of the invention which is useful as a wall hanging support system for cupboards or racks or shelves as may be desired.

The upper support member 140 has a vertical web 142 and a horizontal web 144, the latter having a downwardly extending flange 146. The web 142 has a web 148 extending therefrom, to which is attached an upstanding flange 150. The web 1 48 has recesses 1 52 therein, there being an optional serrated edge 1 54 at the rear of each recess. Figure 11 shows the upper top corner of a dividing panel 158, according to one embodiment of the invention, there being two grooves 160, 1 62 respectively in the top and rear edges.When the dividing panel 158 is assembled with the upper support member 140, the flange 146 extends into the groove 1 60 and the serrated edge portion 1 54 of web 1 48 extends into the groove 1 62.

An elongate lower support member 1 70 is shown at the lower part of Figure 10, and this is generallly similar in construction to the lower support member 80 of Figure 4, except that its height is less.

Figure 12 shows a dual-purpose support member which can be used as an upper support member or a lower support member or as an intervening support member. It is constructed according to similar principles to those already described and has a vertical web 180, a central horizontal web 1 82 with vertical webs 1 84 extending upwards and downwards at intervals along the length of the member 180, the front edge of the web 182 being seen at 1 86.The dual purpose support member has respective upper and lower horizontal webs 1 90, 192, and these have respective recesses 1 94 and 1 96 whose rear sides are bounded by serrated edges 198, 200. The web 190 has a downwardly extending flange 202 at intervals, and the web 1 92 has similar flanges 204.

As an alternative in accordance with the invention, one can construct a dual-purpose support member such as is shown in Figure 12 by bolting together two support members 140, 170 of the kind shown in Figure 10.

Figure 13 illustrates a floor-standing composite item of furniture made up from an upper support member 220, and intervening support member 220, and a floor support member 224. End panels 226 are attached to the support members in the manner illustrated in Figure 9, using plugs corresponding to plug 130, not shown in Figure 13, and divider panels 228, 230 divide the upper region into three cupboards or compartments while divider panels 234, 236, divide the lower part of the item into a wardrobe cupboard 236, a shelf section having shelves 238, and a five draw section 240 whose upper surface (corresponding to worktop 26 of Figure 1) serves as the lowermost shelf 242. The right hand part of the unit is constituted by a tall cupboard 242 and a hat shelf 244.The divider panels 228, 230, 232, and 234 are all connected to and supported by the support members 220, 222 and 226 in the manner described in the preceding description.

An important advantage of the cupboards, etc, particularly described with reference to Figures 1-4 or 13 in that a saving in material can be achieved, in that no back panel of the cupboard is needed, since the adjacent wall can serve as the cupboard rear boundary; and also since the divider panels (44 or 232, 234) serve as structural members and support (in conjunction with the upper and lower front rails) the cupboard door, no forwardly-extending beams are needed for this purpose.

It will be appreciated that numerous variations can be made within the concept of this invention, and the composite furniture unit illustrated in Figure 13 is only one of a very large number of possible configurations of cupboards, drawers, racking, bins, shelving etc. which can be constructed using the apparatus and method of the present invention. Moreover, construction is not difficult and can easily be carried out by the "do it yourself" enthusiast or by unskilled personnel. Once the upper and lower support members are correctly secured to floor or wall or suitable support as the case may be (or both to the wall in the case of a wall-suspended unit) then the rest of the structure can be readily assembled without the use of any special craft skills.

Moreover, according to an optional refinement of the invention, each support member can incorporate or have secured to it a small spirit level so that placing these members with their length horizontal can be done without undue difficulty.

It will be realised that the apparatus particularly disclosed herein for erecting cupboards, etc., can be used for erecting a portable building or cabin by increasing the size of the parts. In such an embodiment of the invention upper support member such as 49, Figure 3, a lower support member 80, Figure 4, top rail 140 and bottom rail 170, Figure 10 would constitute 4 parallel beams of the building, and a pair of end panels would constitute the end walls of the building, the panels being located perpendicular to the four parallel beams. A roof, floor and front and rear walls would then be attached to the beams, so producing a portable building.

The invention can also be used in a building to enable moveable partitions to be located in any selected one of numerous positions. This is illustrated in Figures 14, 1 5 and 1 6. A room or warehouse is provided with upper and lower elongate linear support members in an opposed pair of parallel walls. One upper elongated linear support member is shown at 300, Figures 14 and 16 and the other at 302, Figure 16. Each of these members has a cross-section similar (but not identical) to that of member 140, Figure 10, and is located in or on one of the pair of walls at ceiling level. A lower support member (not shown) is disposed parallel to it and at floor level on each of opposed walls.Each of these upper members has a lower horizontally-extending flange 304 having regularly-spaced recesses 306, and each of these lower members has an upper horizontally-extending flange also having similar and equally-spaced recesses. The ceiling level elongate linear support member 300 and its counterpart member on the opposed wall both have an upper horizontal web portion 308 which may abut the ceiling. The web portion 308 has at its edge which is innermost in the room a downwardly extending flange 310 in which are recesses 312. The recesses are at equal spacings and of equal length (along the member 300) to the recesses 306. They are dimensioned to receive the upper corner of a partition 314 and the like recesses in the two lower elongate linear support members are similar spaced and designed to receive the lower corners of the rectangular partition 314. The partition is.

constructed to include an extensible portion 31 6 which can be moved outwardly and inwardly by any suitable means. Such partitions are known in the art. When the partition is being moved into its final position, as seen at 31 4a and 31 4b in Figure 16, the portion 31 6 is retracted, and when the partition is properly located with one end 314d located in recesses in the upper and lower support members on one of the pair of opposed walls, the portion 31 6 is extended so that it moves into recesses 306, 312 in the upper and lower support member on the other of the two opposed walls. In this way the partition is securely held in position.

It is an important feature of the invention that both an upper and a lower support member each have horizontally extending webs, and that each of these webs has recesses and the spacing of these recesses is equal in the two members.

When such support members according to the invention are assembled to provide a structure such as a furniture unit, the recesses locate and accurately position vertical divider panels.

The elongated linear support members according to the invention are preferably made of a metal such as steel, but may be made of other suitable materials.

When a partition such as partition 314 is used in a commercial building such as a warehouse, the partition 314 can be provided with floor runners or ball bearings and so can be pulled or driven to any desired position within the building. A number of such partitions may be connected together to give a wall of considerable length. As the elongate linear support members have a plurality of recesses 306, 312 at -regular spaced intervals along their length, partitions may be positioned within a building using any desired recesses.

Consequently, the provision of elongate linear support members according to the invention allows an industrial or domestic space to be divided up as desired according to a large number of possibilities without extra expense. The partition 314 may be of hollow construction made from latticed steel with a fire-proof outer skin on each side. The extensible portion 31 6 may be moved relative to the main part of the partition 314 by any suitable means such as an electric motor, or a cam connected to a lever handle.

Figure 1 7 shows an elongate linear upper support member 400 and an elongate linear lower support member 402. These have respective recesses 404 and 406 in their horizontal flanges 408 and 410 and the lower member also has recesses 412 in its upstanding flange 414. The recesses are regularly and equally spaced along the length of the members 400, 402. End plugs 416 (Figures 17 and 18) and 418 (Figure 18, not shown in Figure 1 7 for clarity) are disposed in each end of the members 400, 402 and support respective end panels, one shown at 420. The end panel 420 has a horizontal slot 421 for receiving the roof of a cupboard if desired. Intervening vertical panels 422, 424, 426, 428 and 430 are located in selected aligned recesses and serve to divide the cabinet as may be desired.The panels 422-430 also support shelves 432 which may serve to define a bookcase portion, shelves 434 which may define a wine rack portion, and shelf 436 which may define aglassware portion. The cupboard bottom 438 is also supported by the end panels and optionally also by one or more of the intervening panels. The regular spacing of the recesses 404, 406 permit ready variation by the user of the design of the cabinet, as the intervening panels can be located in any desired recesses. Upper and lower front rails (not shown) are provided, in a similar manner to the arrangements described previously.

The top back rail enables the partitions to stand without falling forward by means of the unslotted flange 442 at leading top edge. The bottom back support member 402 takes the weight of the cabinet or shelves.

The end panels tie the front top and bottom rails together completing the structure although the top and bottom front rails stay in position whilst the end panels are being fitted by means of the cut in the dividing panels.

CLAIMS (Filed on 1/7/83).

1. Apparatus for building, erecting or suspending structures includes at least an upper and a lower elongate linear support member, each such member having a horizontal portion and a vertical portion as seen in cross-section and each having a series of recesses regularly spaced along the length of their horizontal portions.

2. Apparatus according to Claim 1 in which the recesses are rectangular in shape.

3. Apparatus according to Claim 1 in which the recesses are v-shaped notches.

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

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. 16 and the other at 302, Figure 16. Each of these members has a cross-section similar (but not identical) to that of member 140, Figure 10, and is located in or on one of the pair of walls at ceiling level. A lower support member (not shown) is disposed parallel to it and at floor level on each of opposed walls. Each of these upper members has a lower horizontally-extending flange 304 having regularly-spaced recesses 306, and each of these lower members has an upper horizontally-extending flange also having similar and equally-spaced recesses. The ceiling level elongate linear support member 300 and its counterpart member on the opposed wall both have an upper horizontal web portion 308 which may abut the ceiling.The web portion 308 has at its edge which is innermost in the room a downwardly extending flange 310 in which are recesses 312. The recesses are at equal spacings and of equal length (along the member 300) to the recesses 306. They are dimensioned to receive the upper corner of a partition 314 and the like recesses in the two lower elongate linear support members are similar spaced and designed to receive the lower corners of the rectangular partition 314. The partition is. constructed to include an extensible portion 31 6 which can be moved outwardly and inwardly by any suitable means. Such partitions are known in the art. When the partition is being moved into its final position, as seen at 31 4a and 31 4b in Figure 16, the portion 31 6 is retracted, and when the partition is properly located with one end 314d located in recesses in the upper and lower support members on one of the pair of opposed walls, the portion 31 6 is extended so that it moves into recesses 306, 312 in the upper and lower support member on the other of the two opposed walls. In this way the partition is securely held in position. It is an important feature of the invention that both an upper and a lower support member each have horizontally extending webs, and that each of these webs has recesses and the spacing of these recesses is equal in the two members. When such support members according to the invention are assembled to provide a structure such as a furniture unit, the recesses locate and accurately position vertical divider panels. The elongated linear support members according to the invention are preferably made of a metal such as steel, but may be made of other suitable materials. When a partition such as partition 314 is used in a commercial building such as a warehouse, the partition 314 can be provided with floor runners or ball bearings and so can be pulled or driven to any desired position within the building. A number of such partitions may be connected together to give a wall of considerable length. As the elongate linear support members have a plurality of recesses 306, 312 at -regular spaced intervals along their length, partitions may be positioned within a building using any desired recesses. Consequently, the provision of elongate linear support members according to the invention allows an industrial or domestic space to be divided up as desired according to a large number of possibilities without extra expense. The partition 314 may be of hollow construction made from latticed steel with a fire-proof outer skin on each side. The extensible portion 31 6 may be moved relative to the main part of the partition 314 by any suitable means such as an electric motor, or a cam connected to a lever handle. Figure 1 7 shows an elongate linear upper support member 400 and an elongate linear lower support member 402. These have respective recesses 404 and 406 in their horizontal flanges 408 and 410 and the lower member also has recesses 412 in its upstanding flange 414. The recesses are regularly and equally spaced along the length of the members 400, 402. End plugs 416 (Figures 17 and 18) and 418 (Figure 18, not shown in Figure 1 7 for clarity) are disposed in each end of the members 400, 402 and support respective end panels, one shown at 420. The end panel 420 has a horizontal slot 421 for receiving the roof of a cupboard if desired. Intervening vertical panels 422, 424, 426, 428 and 430 are located in selected aligned recesses and serve to divide the cabinet as may be desired.The panels 422-430 also support shelves 432 which may serve to define a bookcase portion, shelves 434 which may define a wine rack portion, and shelf 436 which may define aglassware portion. The cupboard bottom 438 is also supported by the end panels and optionally also by one or more of the intervening panels. The regular spacing of the recesses 404, 406 permit ready variation by the user of the design of the cabinet, as the intervening panels can be located in any desired recesses. Upper and lower front rails (not shown) are provided, in a similar manner to the arrangements described previously. The top back rail enables the partitions to stand without falling forward by means of the unslotted flange 442 at leading top edge. The bottom back support member 402 takes the weight of the cabinet or shelves. The end panels tie the front top and bottom rails together completing the structure although the top and bottom front rails stay in position whilst the end panels are being fitted by means of the cut in the dividing panels. CLAIMS (Filed on 1/7/83).

3. Apparatus according to Claim 1 in which the recesses are v-shaped notches.

4. Apparatus according to Claim 1,2 or 3 in

which each support member has a main portion having a horizontal web and a vertical web, and the horizontal web has at its edge further from the vertical web a series of flanges defining between them the aforesaid recesses.

5. Apparatus according to Claim 1,2 or 3 in which each lower support member has a main portion having horizontal and vertical webs of which the horizontal web constitutes a means for locating divider panels, and further has a second (lower) horizontal web which supports the rear part of the lower edge of the divider panels.

6. A method of erecting a structure defining a space whose sides are formed by a pair of vertical panels, the method comprising the steps of securing to a wall or other support an elongate upper and lower support member each having a horizontal web which has regularly-spaced recesses therein, located space divider panels partly in said rececesses so that they extend substantially perpendicularly to the elongate support members with a part of the lower edge of each divider panel resting on and supported by the lower support member, and fixing an upper rear part of the divider panel to the upper support member.

7. Apparatus for building, erecting or suspending structures substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

8. A method of erecting a structure substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.