GB2368002A - Modular storage unit - Google Patents

Modular storage unit Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2368002A
GB2368002A GB0025531A GB0025531A GB2368002A GB 2368002 A GB2368002 A GB 2368002A GB 0025531 A GB0025531 A GB 0025531A GB 0025531 A GB0025531 A GB 0025531A GB 2368002 A GB2368002 A GB 2368002A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
storage unit
wall section
external wall
walls
section
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
GB0025531A
Other versions
GB2368002B (en
GB0025531D0 (en
Inventor
Stephen Duddy
James Ward
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Lakeland Ltd
Original Assignee
Lakeland Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Lakeland Ltd filed Critical Lakeland Ltd
Priority to GB0025531A priority Critical patent/GB2368002B/en
Publication of GB0025531D0 publication Critical patent/GB0025531D0/en
Publication of GB2368002A publication Critical patent/GB2368002A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of GB2368002B publication Critical patent/GB2368002B/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47BTABLES; DESKS; OFFICE FURNITURE; CABINETS; DRAWERS; GENERAL DETAILS OF FURNITURE
    • A47B87/00Sectional furniture, i.e. combinations of complete furniture units, e.g. assemblies of furniture units of the same kind such as linkable cabinets, tables, racks or shelf units
    • A47B87/007Linkable independent elements with the same or similar cross-section

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  • Assembled Shelves (AREA)

Abstract

A storage unit has an external wall section 2 with walls 3,4 each having a flange 5,6. The walls and flanges each have a tapered slot 14,15,16,17. Two adjacent units are connected by a retaining clip having a tapered region adapted to engage a pair of aligned slots (Figs 3, 5). Each unit may have an internal wall section 7 connected to the external walls by flanges 5,6,8,9 and which includes a rear wall 12 with a hole 13 for wall mounting.

Description

DESCRIPTION STORAGE UNIT The present invention relates to a storage unit, in particular, a storage unit which may be connected to other similarly constructed storage units to provide a multiplicity of storage spaces with flexibility of configuration.
Storage units come in many forms and a wide variety of different types of storage units, such as shelving units, box units and drawer units, are known.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved form of storage unit.
In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide a storage unit which makes the best possible, or near to the best possible, use of the storage space available and yet still provides a multiplicity of storage compartments. It is a further object of the invention to provide a storage unit which can be added to from time to time in an aesthetically pleasing manner when the user desires. Yet another object of the invention is to provide a storage unit which can be assembled with other similar storage units in a number of different orientations to provide a flexible and adaptable storage system. Other objects and benefits of the invention will become apparent in the following description.
According to the present invention there is provided a storage unit comprising an external wall section having at least two walls, at least one wall of the external wall section comprising at least one connecting means thereon for connecting the at least one wall of the external wall section to an external wall section of another similarly constructed storage unit.
The storage unit of the invention allows a user to allocate a storage space in, for example, a house, garage, office or warehouse, and install one or more storage units according to the invention in the storage space. If more than one unit is required then the units can be connected together to provide a multiplicity of storage compartments whilst maximising the utilisation of the storage space available. Being connected together, it is ensured that there are no gaps between plural storage units. If the user requires more storage space in the future then more storage units according to the invention can be added to the existing installation, providing more storage compartments and still fully utilising the space available.
Equally, if a user requires less storage space then units according to the invention can simply be removed from the installation. The storage units of the invention therefore provide the user with great flexibility.
The storage units of the invention may be provided in a variety of shapes and sizes. In one preferred embodiment of the invention, a single storage unit has an external wall section having two walls which are perpendicular to each other. When two such storage units are connected together in a first orientation, with the free ends of the respective wall pairs joining each other, a combined storage unit having four walls defining a square cross section is produced. When two such storage units are connected together in a second orientation, with one wall of one unit being connected back to back with one wall of the other unit, a combined storage unit having three walls defining a T-shaped cross section is provided. When two such storage units are connected together in a third orientation, with one wall of one unit being connected back to back with one wall of the other unit, a combined storage unit having three walls defining a step cross section is provided. When two such storage units are connected together in a fourth orientation, with the free end of one wall of one unit being connected to the free end of one wall of the other unit, a combined storage unit having three walls defining a U-shaped cross section is provided.
Accordingly, a single storage unit according to the invention can be seen as a building block which can be connected to other similar building blocks to produce a wide variety of different configurations and sizes of storage unit.
Although a preferred embodiment of the invention has two perpendicular walls, many other numbers and orientations of walls may be envisaged. For example, three walls with interconnecting angles of 120'may be provided so that two such storage units connected together at both their free ends form a combined storage unit of hexagonal cross section.
In one preferred storage unit according to the invention, the external wall section comprises at least one flange extending from a free end of one of the at least two walls in a direction generally subtending an area defined by at least two walls, the at least one flange having one of the at least one connecting means thereon.
The flange provided on this embodiment of the invention facilitates interconnection of storage units according to the invention by means of the free (flanged) ends of the walls thereof.
Thus, one preferred storage unit according to the invention may comprise two perpendicular walls, each wall have at its free end a flange extending in a direction subtending a right angled triangle bounded on two sides by the two perpendicular walls. Connecting means may be provided in one or both of the two walls and in one or both of the two flanges. Each allow further storage units according to the invention to be connected to the storage unit in different types of orientation, as will be particularly illustrated below.
In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the at least one connecting means comprises a slot in the external wall section, which slot may be aligned with a corresponding slot on the external wall section of the similarly constructed storage unit and held in such alignment with a clip.
Preferably, the slot is tapered away from an edge of the wall or flange.
Specific examples of such slots and clips will be described later with reference to the drawings In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the storage unit further comprises an internal wall section comprising at least one wall nested in the external wall section.
Preferably, the internal wall section is joined to the external wall section by respective front and/or side edges of the wall sections and wherein at least a section of the respective back edges of the wall sections are unjoined.
Usually, the internal wall section will have the same number of walls as the external wall section. Preferably, the internal wall section is connected to the external wall section at the free ends thereof respectively. Even more preferably, the internal wall section is formed integrally with the external wall section.
The invention will now be more particularly described with reference to the following drawings in which: Figure 1 is a first perspective view of one embodiment of a storage unit according to the invention ; Figure 2 shows a second perspective view of the storage unit shown in figure 1 ; Figure 3 shows a perspective from the back of the storage unit of figure I in part assembly with two similar storage units on either side; Figure 4 shows a perspective view from the front of the assembled unit of figure 3; Figure 5 shows a perspective view from the back of the storage unit at figure 1 in part assembly in a different orientation with two further storage units. Only part of the second and third storage units are shown in Figure 5; Figure 6 shows a perspective view from the front of four storage units assembled following the part assembly shown in figure 5, With reference to Figures I and 2, there is shown a storage unit I comprising an external wall section 2 having two walls 3 and 4. Walls 3 and 4 are perpendicular to each other and at their free ends are joined to respective flanges 5 and 6 which extend in a direction generally subtending the area defined by walls 3 and 4.
An internal wall section 7 is nested in external wall section 2 and is connected thereto by connecting flanges 8 and 9 and by flanges 5 and 6, all of which constitute beveled edges. Internal wall section 7 has a pair of perpendicular walls 10 and 11 which are generally nested within the corresponding perpendicular walls 3 and 4 of the external wall member 1.
Internal wall section 7 also has a back wall 12 for attachment of the storage unit to a desired surface, such as a wall in a house, office, garage or warehouse. Screw threaded hole 13 is provided for attachment of the storage unit 1 to such a wall.
Flanges 5 and 6 and walls 3 and 4 are provided with respective slots 14,15, 16 and 17 for connection of the storage unit to other similar storage units.
Referring now to Figure 3 storage unit 1 is shown in part assembly with further similar storage units 1'and I". The connection between storage 1 and storage unit l'is achieved by aligning the slot 17 with the slot 17'and then inserting clip 18 which comprises an elongate U-shaped body having a tapered in-filled region corresponding generally to the geometry of tapered slots 17 and 17'.
The connection between storage unit 1 and storage unit I"is effected by aligning slot 15 with slot 14"and slot 14 with slot 15"and inserting clips 18'and 18"of similar construction to clip 18.
The assembled arrangement is shown from the front in Figure 4 from which it can be seen that the storage units of the invention combine to create an aesthetically pleasing storage space, the means of connection between storage units being hidden from view in the assembled version. Referring now to Figure 5, there is shown in part assembly an alternative orientation of connection between storage units. Storage unit 1 is connected to storage units 1'and 1" (partially shown in figure 5) by aligning the edges of external walls 3 and 4, so that slots 14 and 15 are oppositely orientated in the manner shown and inserting a clip 19 having an elongate triangular body with an elongate projection 20 for corporating with slot 14 and an opposing elongate projection 21 for corporating with slot 15'.
A similar clip 19' (not shown) is used to link storage unit 1 to storage unit 1".
Storage units 1'and 1"may then be linked to a further storage unit 1 N l and the combined configuration is shown from the front in perspective view in Figure 6.

Claims (6)

  1. CLAIMS 1. A storage unit comprising an external wall section having at least two walls, at least one wall of the external wall section incorporating at least one connecting means thereon for connecting the at least one wall of the external wall section to an external wall section of another similarly constructed storage unit.
  2. 2. A storage unit according to claim 1, wherein the external wall section comprises at least one flange extending from a free end of one of the at least two walls in a direction generally subtending an area defined by the at least two walls, the at least one flange having one of the at least one connecting means thereon.
  3. 3. A storage unit according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the at least one connecting means comprises a slot in the external wall section, which slot may be aligned with a corresponding slot on the external wall section of the similarly constructed storage unit and held in such alignment with a clip.
  4. 4. A storage unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising an internal wall section comprising at least one wall nested in the external wall section.
  5. 5. A storage unit according to claim 4, wherein the internal wall section is joined to the external wall section by respective front and/or side edges of the wall sections and wherein at least a section of the respective back edges of the wall sections are unjoined.
  6. 6. A storage unit as hereinbefore described and with reference to the drawings.
    6. A kit of parts comprising a plurality of storage units according to any one of claims 1 to 5 and one or more connectors for cooperating with the connecting means.
    7. A storage unit as hereinbefore described and with reference to the drawings.
    Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows
    1. A storage unit comprising an external wall section having at least two walls, at least one wall of the external wall section incorporating at least one connecting means thereon for connecting the at least one wall of the external wall section to an external wall section of another similarly constructed storage unit; and an internal wall section comprising at least one wall nested in the external wall section.
    2. A storage unit according to claim 1, wherein the external wall section comprises at least one flange extending from a free end of one of the at least two walls in a direction generally subtending an area defined by the at least two walls, the at least one flange having one of the at least one connecting means thereon.
    3. A storage unit according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the at least one connecting means comprises a slot in the external wall section, which slot may be aligned with a corresponding slot on the external wall section of the similarly constructed storage unit and held in such alignment with a clip.
    4. A storage unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the internal wall section is joined to the external wall section by respective front and/or side edges of the wall sections and wherein at least a section of the respective back edges of the wall sections are unjoined.
    5. A kit of parts comprising a plurality of storage units according to any one of claims 1 to 4 and one or more connectors for cooperating with the connecting means.
GB0025531A 2000-10-18 2000-10-18 Storage unit Expired - Fee Related GB2368002B (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0025531A GB2368002B (en) 2000-10-18 2000-10-18 Storage unit

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0025531A GB2368002B (en) 2000-10-18 2000-10-18 Storage unit

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB0025531D0 GB0025531D0 (en) 2000-11-29
GB2368002A true GB2368002A (en) 2002-04-24
GB2368002B GB2368002B (en) 2003-12-10

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB0025531A Expired - Fee Related GB2368002B (en) 2000-10-18 2000-10-18 Storage unit

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GB (1) GB2368002B (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7181803B2 (en) 2003-06-26 2007-02-27 Samsung Gwangju Electronics Co., Ltd. Dual filter, upright vacuum cleaner with detachable hose

Citations (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB492116A (en) * 1937-06-11 1938-09-15 Robert Henderson Improvements in and relating to means for storing wearing apparel
GB884776A (en) * 1959-09-03 1961-12-20 Antti Aaroni Pohjaniemi Improvements in or relating to drawers
GB933918A (en) * 1959-07-30 1963-08-14 W C B Containers Ltd Improvements in or relating to storage racks
GB1062480A (en) * 1962-12-12 1967-03-22 Ethicon Inc Cabinet assembly unit
GB1145532A (en) * 1966-08-09 1969-03-19 John Kennedy Power Improvements in storage units
GB1273394A (en) * 1969-06-05 1972-05-10 Brown F C Steel Equipment An assembly of two or more articles each having at least one flat surface and a device for joining them
FR2422363A1 (en) * 1978-04-10 1979-11-09 Chazal Ets R Sectional cupboard casing with open front - is built from two mono-piece halves with joint on central vertical plane normal to front open face
DE3109331A1 (en) * 1981-03-12 1982-09-30 IDV Design Produkte GmbH, 7148 Remseck Stackable right parallelepipedal container
GB2161365A (en) * 1984-07-10 1986-01-15 Gefitec Sa Storage arrangement constituted by a stack of boxes
GB2259443A (en) * 1991-09-10 1993-03-17 Lin Pac Mouldings Storage locker
DE19528546A1 (en) * 1995-08-03 1997-02-06 Cato Ital Container for construction kit-type building of furniture - has open front and tongue and groove arrangement in side wall exteriors for attachment to neighbouring container

Patent Citations (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB492116A (en) * 1937-06-11 1938-09-15 Robert Henderson Improvements in and relating to means for storing wearing apparel
GB933918A (en) * 1959-07-30 1963-08-14 W C B Containers Ltd Improvements in or relating to storage racks
GB884776A (en) * 1959-09-03 1961-12-20 Antti Aaroni Pohjaniemi Improvements in or relating to drawers
GB1062480A (en) * 1962-12-12 1967-03-22 Ethicon Inc Cabinet assembly unit
GB1145532A (en) * 1966-08-09 1969-03-19 John Kennedy Power Improvements in storage units
GB1273394A (en) * 1969-06-05 1972-05-10 Brown F C Steel Equipment An assembly of two or more articles each having at least one flat surface and a device for joining them
FR2422363A1 (en) * 1978-04-10 1979-11-09 Chazal Ets R Sectional cupboard casing with open front - is built from two mono-piece halves with joint on central vertical plane normal to front open face
DE3109331A1 (en) * 1981-03-12 1982-09-30 IDV Design Produkte GmbH, 7148 Remseck Stackable right parallelepipedal container
GB2161365A (en) * 1984-07-10 1986-01-15 Gefitec Sa Storage arrangement constituted by a stack of boxes
GB2259443A (en) * 1991-09-10 1993-03-17 Lin Pac Mouldings Storage locker
DE19528546A1 (en) * 1995-08-03 1997-02-06 Cato Ital Container for construction kit-type building of furniture - has open front and tongue and groove arrangement in side wall exteriors for attachment to neighbouring container

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7181803B2 (en) 2003-06-26 2007-02-27 Samsung Gwangju Electronics Co., Ltd. Dual filter, upright vacuum cleaner with detachable hose

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB2368002B (en) 2003-12-10
GB0025531D0 (en) 2000-11-29

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PCNP Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 20061018