GB2205380A - Framework structure - Google Patents

Abstract

A framework structure comprises a plurality of junction members (1), and frame members (2) extending therebetween, each junction member comprising a hollow member having on the walls thereof a plurality of circumferentially spaced studs (7), eg attached by screws (8) and fixing holes (6). Cross-members (11) are securable on or in the studs (7). <IMAGE>

Description

FRAMEWORK STRUCTURE This invention relates to a framework structure for use, for example, as furniture, a shop display stand, an exhibition display system, industrial or domestic storage racking, or for recreational use.

According to the invention, a framework structure comprises a plurality of junction members, and frame members extending therebetween, each junction member comprising a hollow member having through the wall thereof a plurality of circumferentially spaced fixing holes, each adapted to receive a fixing member for detachably mounting a stud projecting externally of the hollow member, and the frame members comprising uprights receivable in the open ends of the hollow members, and cross-members securable on or in the studs.

Preferably, the circumferentially spaced fixing holes are threaded, and the fixing member is a correspondingly-threaded screw which is passed through a longitudinal bore through the stud. The cross-members are suitably tubes whose ends may be located over the studs and secured thereto by screws passed through holes in the tube walls corresponding with threaded holes or bores in the studs. The tubes are suitably of circular cross-section, but may also be rectangular, oval, hexagonal, or any other desired cross-section. The studs may be of a corresponding shape, or a standard shape, for example of circular cross-section, with each cross-member being provided with a corresponding socket in each end for receiving the studs, irrespective of the external shape of the cross-member.

The hollow members may be of square section, so as to produce a rectangular framework, but may also be triangular to produce a triangular framework arrangement, or circular or other shaped cross-section. When the shape is such as to produce a plurality of flat faces on the hollow member, each face is provided with a fixing hole, preferably centrally thereof. When the hollow member is of circular cross-section,or example, the holes are arranged circumferentially at a spacing according to the desired shape of the framework, for example 900 where a rectangular framework is desired.

The studs may be arranged to carry wall mounting brackets so that the framework may be mounted on a wall. Alternatively, feet may be located in the lowermost junction members so that the framework can be free standing on the feet, which may comprise a vertically-adjustable part to permit levelling of the framework on an uneven surface, for example. Capping members may be located in the uppermost junction members and where appropriate, the framework, if desired, may be fixed in place by securing the feet to the floor and the capping members to the ceiling.

The uprights may be of any suitable structural material, for example timber and may have section the same size as, or larger than, that of the hollow members, but provided with reduced end portions having a cross-sectional shape and size corresponding with that of the interior of the hollow members.

The framework structure of the invention may readily be constructed to any desired configuration, and can be made strong and rigid.

Reference is made to the drawings, in which: Figure 1 is an isometric view of a shelving structure in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is an exploded view of a junction member with connecting frame members in a structure according to the invention; Figure 3 is an elevation of the part of the structure shown in Figure 2; Figure 4 shows a wall mounted shelving and clothes display stand in accordance with the invention; Figures 5 and 6 are respectively partially-sectioned top plan and side elevational views of a junction member in a framework structure according to a second embodiment of the invention; and Figure 7 is a side elevation of a junction member in a framework structure according to a third embodiment of the invention.

The framework structure shown in Figure 1 is suitable for use as storage and shelving, planks or boards 20 being secured across the horizontal members as desired to form the shelves. The structure comprises a plurality of junction members 1 vertically separated by uprights 2 and horizontally separated by crossmembers 3. Feet 4 are inserted into the lowermost junction members, the structure being free-standing.

The shelves may be attached by any suitable means, for example by hooked brackets (see Figure 4) which can be hooked over the cross-members 3. The uprights may also be provided with regularly spaced holes 2A along their length to receive intermediate cross-members 3A, each of which has a fixed rod projecting from one end thereof and a spring-loaded retractable rod extending from the other end thereof. This permits the intermediate cross-members 2A to be easily inserted into the already-assembled framework, by inserting the fixed rod into one hole 2A and, by retracting the other rod, engaging that rod in the hole 2A opposite thereto.

The components of the framework structure shown in Figure 1 will now be described in more detail with reference to Figures 2 and 3. Each junction member 1 consists of a square section tube 5 having through the centre of each face thereof a threaded fixing hole 6.

On at least one face of the tube 5 a stud 7 is mounted, by means of a screw 8 passing through a bore 9 in the stud 7 and screwed into the threaded hole 6.

Each stud is itself provided with a threaded hole 10 through the wall thereof. The cross members each consist of a length of tube 11 having an internal diameter just greater than the external diameter of the studs so as to be sliding fit thereon. A hole 12 is provided through the wall of the tube 11 at each end thereof, at a position corresponding to the position of the threaded hole 10 in the studs. The cross-members are secured on the studs by means of a fixing screw 13 which is passed through the hole 12 in the tube 11 and screwed into the threaded hole 10 of the stud. Each fixing screw 13 is of a length such that it engages the shank of the screw 8, while the head of the screw 13 engages the surface of the tube 11.Although for clarity in Figure 2 the threaded holes 10 of the studs 7 are shown uppermost on the studs, they are suitably arranged so as to be underneath the studs and therefore less visible.

The uprights 2 are formed of square section structural material, conveniently timber, having dimensions corresponding to the external dimensions of the square section tube 5 of the junction member. At each end of each upright, a tenon 14 is formed with a first portion 14a having reduced dimensions corresponding to half the internal cross section of the square section tube 5 and a second portion 14b whose cross-section is such as to be a close fit within the tube 5. The first portion 14a forms a major part of the length of the tenon and the second portion 14b forms a minor part of the length. The overall loength of the tenon is substantially equal to the length of the square section tube 5. For extra rigidity, the screws 8 are sufficiently long to bear against the tenons 14 within the square section tube 5, so as to provide a clamping action therefor.The second section 14b of the tenon aids rigidity and strength of the joint and ensures that no gaps are visible between the tenons at the ends of the tube 5, or, if the tenons should be cut marginally too short, that the space between the end of one tenon and the adjacent end surface of the next upright is not visible.

Where the junction member 1 is one of the uppermost junction members, a capping member 17 may be used to close the upper open face of the junction member. The capping member 17 is provided with a tenon 14 corresponding with the tenon 14 in the lower upright 2. Similarly, the feet 4 may each be provided with a tenon 14 co-operating with the tenon of the upright 2 located above.

Figure 4 shows a wall mounted shelving and clothes display structure in which each junction member 1 is attached to the wall 40 by means of a wall mounting bracket 41. Each bracket 41 consists of a flat plate having one or more screw holes permitting the plate to be screwed to the wall, and a short section of tubing identical to that used for the cross members extending from the back plate. The short piece of tubing is attached to the stud extending from the junction member 1 in the same manner as for the cross members.

By ensuring that each junction member is attached securely to the wall, a high load-carrying capacity is obtained for the structure.

Shelf supports 42 extend from some of the junction members 1 and consist of a length of tube attached at one end to a junction member 1 in the same manner as the cross-members, the other end of the support 42 being free. Shelving 43 may be suspended between a pair of these supports 42 by means of hooked brackets 44. Arms 45 may be attached to other of the junction members 1 to serve as supports for garment hangers permitting garments to be displayed thereon. Each arm 45 may be formed as a length of tube fitted on to the stud on the junction member 1 in the same manner as for the cross members 3, the arm 45 being bent downwardly and having a plurality of stop members 46 to space out the garment hangers along the length of the arm 45, in conventional manner.It will be understood that, in place of, or as well as, the arms 45, garment-hanging rails or other accessory arms may be used, according to the goods to be displayed.

An alternative embodiment of the junction members 1 is illustrated in Figures 5 and 6. The junction member 1 consists of a length of square section tube 5 as with the embodiment shown in Figure 2, but each junction member has four studs 50 permanently attached, one to each face thereof, each stud 50 having a circumferential groove 51 therearound. The cross-members 3 have the holes 12 threaded so as to receive a set screw 52 therein which can be engaged in the groove 51 to lock the cross member in place on the stud. Unused studs may be hidden by means of a flexible polyurethane cap 53 having a bore with a circumferential rib 54 therearound which may be received in the groove 51 to hold the cap in place, the cap being sufficiently elastic to permit the rib 54 to be reasily disengaged from the groove 51, and the cap 53 removed from the stud 50.

A modification of the junction member 1 of Figures 5 and 6 is illustrated by Figure 7. In this embodiment, the studs 50 are formed, as before, with circumferential grooves 51, but each stud has a screw-threaded portion 70 extending therefrom which can be screwed into a correspondingly threaded hole 71 in the wall of the square-section tube 5. The cross-members 3 have in each end thereof a reinforcing member 72 with a threaded hole 73 passing through the tube and the reinforcing member. The reinforcing member is an interference fit in the bore of the tube of the cross-member 3, and the bore of the reinforcing member 72 is a close fit over the stud 50. Each stud 50 is provided in the free end thereof with a slot 74 engageable by a screwdriver to permit the stud to be screwed into position or removed readily.

The embodiment of Figure 7 has the advantage over that of Figures 5 and 6 of not requiring a cap to conceal unused studs, while the advantage shared by the embodiments of Figures 5 and 6 and Figure 7 over the embodiments illustrated by Figures 1 to 4 is that alignment of a screw hole in the cross-member with a hole in the stud is not required.

Claims (16)

1. A framework structure comprising a plurality of junction members, and frame members extending therebetween, each junction member comprising a hollow member having through the wall thereof a plurality of circumferentially spaced fixing holes, each adapted to receive a fixing member for detachably mounting a stud projecting externally of the hollow member, and the frame members comprising uprights receivable in the open ends of the hollow members, and cross-members securable on or in the studs.

2. A framework structure according to Claim 1, wherein the circumferentially spaced fixing holes are threaded, and the fixing member is a correspondingly-threaded screw which is passed through a longitudinal bore through the stud.

3. A framework structure according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the cross-members are tubes locatable over the studs.

4. A framework structure according to Claim 3, wherein each stud is provided with a threaded hole or bore therein, and a corresponding hole is provided in the wall of the tube located over the stud, the tube being secured to the stud by a screw passed through the hole and engaging the threaded hole or bore.

5. A framework structure according to any preceding claim, wherein the tubes are of circular crosssection.

6. A framework structure according to any of Claims 1 to 4, wherein the tubes are of rectangular, oval or hexagonal cross-section.

7. A framework structure according to Claim 6, wherein the studs are of a shape corresponding to the internal cross-sectional shape of the tubes.

8. A framework structure according to any of Claims 1 to 6, wherein each cross-member is provided with a socket in each end for receiving the studs and corresponding in cross-section thereto, irrespective of the external shape of the cross-member.

9. A framework structure according to any preceding claim, wherein the hollow members are of square section, thereby producing a rectangular framework.

10. A framework structure according to any of Claims 1 to 8, wherein the hollow members are triangular in section, thereby producing a triangular framework arrangement.

11. A framework structure according to any of Claims 1 to 8, wherein the hollow members are of circular cross-section.

12. A framework structure according to any preceding claim, comprising feet located in the lowermost junction members.

13. A framework structure according to Claim 12, wherein each foot comprises a vertically-adjustable part to permit levelling of the framework.

14. A framework structure according to any preceding Claim, wherein capping members are located in the uppermost junction members.

15. A framework structure according to any preceding claim, wherein the uprights are formed of timber.

16. A framework structure, substantially as described with reference to, or as shown in, the drawings.