GB2555078A

GB2555078A - A modular locker system

Info

Publication number: GB2555078A
Application number: GB1613344.9A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Mills Paul; Bennett Gareth; Butters Jonathan
Original assignee: Inscape Interiors Ltd
Current assignee: Inscape Interiors Ltd
Priority date: 2016-08-03
Filing date: 2016-08-03
Publication date: 2018-04-25
Also published as: GB201613344D0

Abstract

A modular locker system (1, figure 1) comprises a plurality of rigid extrusions (4, 5, 6, 7, figure 2) adapted to form uprights at each vertical corner of one or more lockers (3, figure 1) of the system. A plurality of panels (11, 12, 13, 14, figure 2) is provided and adapted to connect to the uprights to define side, top and bottom walls of the locker or lockers. Each locker has at least one door (9, figure 2) for connection to one (6, 7, figure 2) of the extrusions by at least one hinge 20. The extrusion defines a longitudinally extending first groove 28 into which an edge 26 of a leaf 22 of the hinge fits and a longitudinally extending second groove 29 into which a protrusion 27 defined by the hinge locates whereby the hinge is accurately located relative to the extrusion prior to securement thereto. Preferably, the first and second grooves are arranged at right angles to one another. Also, the hinge is preferably secured to the extrusion by a connector that is fixed to the hinge by passage initially through the extrusion from an interior of the locker to which the door is to be connected by the hinge.

Description

(54) Title of the Invention: A modular locker system Abstract Title: A modular locker system (57) A modular locker system (1, figure 1) comprises a plurality of rigid extrusions (4, 5, 6, 7, figure 2) adapted to form uprights at each vertical corner of one or more lockers (3, figure 1) of the system. A plurality of panels (11, 12, 13, 14, figure 2) is provided and adapted to connect to the uprights to define side, top and bottom walls of the locker or lockers. Each locker has at least one door (9, figure 2) for connection to one (6, 7, figure 2) of the extrusions by at least one hinge 20. The extrusion defines a longitudinally extending first groove 28 into which an edge 26 of a leaf 22 of the hinge fits and a longitudinally extending second groove 29 into which a protrusion 27 defined by the hinge locates whereby the hinge is accurately located relative to the extrusion prior to securement thereto. Preferably, the first and second grooves are arranged at right angles to one another. Also, the hinge is preferably secured to the extrusion by a connector that is fixed to the hinge by passage initially through the extrusion from an interior of the locker to which the door is to be connected by the hinge.

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A MODULAR LOCKER SYSTEM

The present invention relates to a modular locker system for use in changing rooms and similar environments.

Conventionally, lockers are made as individual units with metal or moulded plastic bodies so that the size of the lockers is fixed and locker systems comprising banks of such lockers are not readily adaptable to different customer requirements. These restrictions have been overcome by making modular locker systems using extruded uprights at the corners of the locker to which panels are connected to form the sides, bases and tops of a plurality of lockers. This enables the sides, base and top of each locker to be common to more than one locker and for the sizes of the lockers to be varied. However, the positioning and securement of the of doors to such modular locker systems can be difficult as the door hinges have to be secured to the uprights at the front of the system and the location of these hinges with accuracy is difficult.

An object of the present invention is to provide a modular locker system that overcomes or substantially mitigates the aforementioned problem.

According to the present invention there is provided a modular locker system comprising a plurality of rigid extrusions adapted to form uprights at each vertical corner of one or more lockers of the system, a plurality of panels adapted to connect to the uprights to define side, top and bottom walls of said locker or lockers, at least one door for each locker of the system for connection to one of said extrusions, and at least one hinge for the connection of said one door to said one extrusion, said one extrusion defining a longitudinally extending first groove into which an edge of a leaf of the hinge fits and a longitudinally extending second groove into which a protrusion defined by said hinge locates whereby the hinge is located relative to said one extrusion prior to securement thereto.

Preferably, the first and second grooves are arranged at right angles to one another.

Preferably also, the hinge is secured to said one extrusion by a connector that is fixed to said hinge by passage initially through said one extrusion from an interior of said locker to which the door is to be connected by said hinge.

Other preferred but non-essential features of the invention are described in the dependent claims.

The present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which;Fig. l is a schematic, perspective view of a modular locker system in accordance with the invention when located in an alcove;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the locker system shown in Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is a schematic, perspective view from above of a plurality of rigid extrusions forming uprights at vertical corners of the lockers of the locker system shown in Figs, l and 2;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a single locker being that at the top lefthand corner of the locker system shown in Figs, l and 2;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view to an enlarged scale of part of one of the extrusions shown in Fig. 3 being that to which doors of the lockers are to be connected together with a door hinge;

Fig. 6 is a plan view of the extrusion shown in Fig. 5 when in use connected to other components of the locker system;

Figs. 7a and 7b are perspective views from different angles of the hinge shown in Figs. 5 and 6;

Figs. 8a and 8b are perspective views from above and below respectively of a shelf panel forming part of the locker system; and

Fig. 9 is a perspective view from below of the shelf panel shown in Figs. 8a and 8b with feet fitted to it.

A modular locker system 1 as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings has been configured to fit in an alcove between two side walls 2 and comprises nine lockers 3. Each locker is similar to the individual locker shown in Fig. 4. However, it will be appreciated that a locker system in accordance with the invention is such that many different configurations of lockers 3 are possible and that the sizes of the individual lockers 3 can be varied both within a single locker system or in different such systems.

In the system 1, a plurality of rigid extrusions 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 are provided to form uprights at each vertical corner of one or more lockers 3 of the system 1. The extrusions 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 will typically be aluminium or plastics extrusions. At the rear corners of any configuration are rear corner extrusions 4 whereas at the front corners of any configuration are left and right front corner extrusions 5 and 6 and intermediate door extrusions 7. It will be seen that the left and right door extrusions 5 and 6 are identical to the left and right parts of the door extrusion 7 and placed on either side of the system 1 dependent on which side doors 9 are to be hung, the doors 9 being secured to the extrusions 6 and 7. If the configuration contains more than one locker 3 horizontally, then at the rear intermediate extrusions 8 are provided between each vertical bank of lockers 3 whereas at the front more door extrusions 7 are provided. This arrangement is shown in Fig. 3 and it will be appreciated that the two rear corner extrusions 4 are the same but one is inverted with respect to the other.

All of the extrusions 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 define at least one channel 10 into which edges of panels 11, 12, 13 that define the side walls of the locker or lockers 3 are located. These panels 11, 12, 13 may be made of an appropriate rigid material such as wood, chipboard or plastics. It will be appreciated that each individual panel 11, 12, 13 may form a side wall of one or a plurality of lockers. The panels 11, 12, 13 are fitted vertically into position between the channels 10 defined by adjacent extrusions 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. In this regard, each rear corner extrusion 4 defines two channels 10 at right angles to one another to hold a rear and an end side wall panel 11 and 12 respectively. Each left and right front corner extrusion 5, 6 and each door extrusion 7 defines only a single channel 10 to hold an end or intermediate side wall panel 12 or

13. In contrast, the rear intermediate extrusions 8 define three channels 10, two being in line with one another to hold adjacent rear side wall panels 11 and one being at right angles to these to hold an intermediate side wall panel

13.

The tops and bottoms of each locker 3 are formed by rigid, plastics shelf panels 14. These panels 14 are preferably made by injection moulding and have strengthening ribs 15 on their under surface. It will be appreciated that in a bank of lockers, the top panel 14 of each lower locker 3 forms the bottom panel 14 of the locker 3 above it. The panels 14 may also be used to form one or more shelves with a locker 3. Preferably, each panel 14 also defines a plurality of slots 16 along a front edge to allow ventilation of the interior of the lockers 3 of which it defines a part. The under surface of the panel 14 is also provided with sockets 17 into which feet 18 for the locker system 1 may be push-fitted, preferably with an interference fit. Such feet 18 would only be provided where necessary on the lowermost panels 14 of a locker system and need not be provided at all if not required. Preferably, the feet 18 are made to be adjustable in height by screwing and the sockets 17 are adapted to prevent rotation of the ends of the feet 18 they are secured to while the projecting ends are adjusted to vary their height.

In addition to the foregoing, corners 19, 20, 21, 22 of the panels 14 are shaped to define profiles complementary to the profile of an adjacent extrusion 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 to ensure a snug fit. In order that the same shape of panel 13 can be used anywhere within a locker system, the profiles of the rear corners 19 and 20 are mirror images of one another and complementary to the profiles of the rear corner extrusion 4 and the identical profile of each side of the rear intermediate extrusion 6. The profiles of the front corners 21 and 22 are complementary to the profiles of the left and right front corner extrusions 5 and 6, which are themselves identical to opposite sides of the door extrusions 7.

The panels 14 are secured in position by screws (not shown) that locate through holes or marked predetermined areas of weakness 19 in the side edges of the panel 14 and are screwed into the adjacent panels 11,12,13 and extrusions 4, 5, 6, 8.

Once the carcass of a locker system 1 has been built, the final step is to fit the doors 9. This requires accurate location and fitment of hinges 20 for the doors to ensure that the locker system is viable in use. Hence, in the present invention the door extrusion 7 and the hinges 20 themselves are adapted to facilitate this task and also to make the lockers 3 secure in use by ensuring that the fixings used are hidden and not readily accessible once a locker door 9 has been locked.

Each door 9 is preferably secured to one of the door extrusions 7 or to the corner door extrusion 6 by at least a pair of hinges 20. Each hinge 20 comprises a first, central leaf 21 adapted to be secured to the door 9 and a pair of outer leaves 22 that are adapted to be secured to the door extrusion 7. The leaves 20 and 21 rotate about a pintle 23. In some embodiments, one of the hinges 20 of each door 9 maybe provided with a spring 24 that is located around the pintle 23 to act on the central leaf 21 to make the door 9 selfclosing.

The leaf 21 is planar so that it fits closely to the interior side of the door 9 and is secured thereto by a flat head bolt arrangement 25 of which the screw bolt (not shown) is fitted through a hole formed in the door 9 from the interior side of the door 9 so that it is not accessible from the exterior of the locker 3. In contrast, the leaves 22 are blocks that define two projections 26 and 27. The first projection 26 comprises a flange that projects from the edge of the leaf opposite its attachment to the pintle 23. The second projection 27 comprises a protrusion that preferably comprises a longitudinally extending ridge or a series of serrations or teeth that projects from an edge of the leaf adjacent its connection to the pintle 23, preferably at right angles to the flange 26. These protrusions engage with complementary formations in the door extrusions 7 or the corner door extrusion 6. These complementary formations comprise a longitudinally extending first groove 28 into which the flange 26 locates and a longitudinally extending second groove 29 into which the ridge or teeth 27 locate. These first and second grooves 28, 29 are preferably arranged at right angles to one another. The grooves 28, 29 ensures that the hinge 21 is accurately located and retained in position relative to the extrusion 6, 7 prior to securement thereto by a connector 30, such as a bolt or screw. The connector 30 is secured to the leaf 22 of the hinge 20 by passage initially through the extrusion 6, 7 from an interior of the locker 3 to which the door 9 is to be connected by the hinge 20. This ensures that the connector 30 is hidden from view and cannot be accessed by thieves or vandals from outside the locker 3 when the door 9 is locked.

The extrusions 6 and 7 are both fashioned to provide the grooves 28 and 29 and generally to allow the doors 9 to hide them from view in a finished a locker system 1. To this end, the extrusions 6, 7 are fashioned in the form of a trough 31 into which one edge 32 of the door 9 adjacent its hinge or hinges 20 locates when the door 9 is opened, as shown in Fig.6. Within the trough 31, the first groove 28 is preferably defined by a projecting rib 32 that curls into the interior of the trough 31. The rib 32 also forms an abutment against which the edge 33 of the door 9 impacts when opened, as also shown in Fig. 6. The outer profile and location of the rib 32 thereby defines the maximum opening angle of the door 9. The second groove 29 is located in the face of the extrusion 6, 7 close to one edge 34 and extends longitudinally parallel to the edge along the length of the extrusion 6, 7.

Hence, when fitting a locker system 1, the hinges 20 are attached to the extrusions 6, 7 by first locating their flanges 26 into the grooves 28 formed by the projecting ribs 32 and then by ensuring that the ridge or teeth 27 of the hinge 20 locate into the groove 29. The hinge 20 is now correctly located in the extrusion 6, 7 and can be secured thereto to hang the door 9. An edge

35 of the extrusion 7 opposite the edge 34 and a corresponding edge 35 of the extrusion 5 are each shaped to define a door stop against which a free edge 36 of the door opposite said the edge 33 impacts when the door 9 is closed. The shape and size of the door stop 35 ensures that the doors 9 remain parallel to one another when closed with their outer surfaces in a single

0 plane.

In some embodiments, automatic door closing mechanisms (not shown) can be located within the troughs 31 of the extrusions 6, 7 to act on the edges 33 of the doors 9 after opening so that they close automatically.

These can take the place of the springs 24 on the hinges 20. Such an arrangement has the advantage that the closing mechanisms can be readily replaced if they become faulty without major dismantling of the locker system 1 being required.

All of the doors 9 can be provided with conventional locking mechanisms (not shown) that are connected to the doors 9 and extrusions 5, 7 as appropriate to their construction.

- 8 Hence, the present invention provides a modular locker system that is a simple to erect and which facilitates the correct positioning of the locker doors. The system also deters thieves and vandals from damaging the lockers by securing the hinges 20 of the doors 9 and their attachment to the system 1 out of view and inaccessible behind the doors 9 when these are closed and locked.

Claims

1. A modular locker system comprising a plurality of rigid extrusions adapted to form uprights at each vertical corner of one or more lockers of the system, a plurality of panels adapted to connect to the uprights to define side, top and bottom walls of said locker or lockers, at least one door for each locker of the system for connection to one of said extrusions, and at least one hinge for the connection of said one door to said one extrusion, said one extrusion defining a longitudinally extending first groove into which an edge of a leaf of the hinge fits and a longitudinally extending second groove into which a protrusion defined by said hinge locates whereby the hinge is located relative to said one extrusion prior to securement thereto.

2. A system as claimed in Claim l, wherein the first and second grooves are arranged at right angles to one another.

3. A system as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the hinge is secured to said one extrusion by a connector that is fixed to said hinge by passage initially through said one extrusion from an interior of said locker to which the door is to be connected by said hinge.

4. A system as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 3, wherein said one extrusion is in the form of a trough into which one edge of the door adjacent its hinge or hinges locates when the door is opened.

5. A system as claimed in Claim 4, wherein said first groove is defined by a projecting rib that projects into the interior of the trough defined by said one extrusion.

6. A system as claimed in Claim 5, wherein said projecting rib forms an abutment against which said one edge of the door impacts when opened and that thereby defines the maximum opening angle of the Γ“ door. 5 7· A system as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 6, wherein the protrusion comprises a longitudinally extending ridge or a series of serrations or teeth along said leaf of the hinge parallel with a pintle of the hinge. ίο 8. A system as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 7, wherein an edge of said one extrusion is shaped to define a door stop against which an edge of the door opposite said one edge abuts when the door is closed. 9· A system as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 8, wherein at least one hinge 15 of each door is provided with a spring that automatically closes the door after opening. 10. A system as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 9, wherein all the extrusions define at least one channel into which channels edges of the panels 20 defining the sides of the lockers are located. 11. A system as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 10, wherein the top and bottom walls of the lockers are each formed by a rigid, plastics shelf panel that has corners shaped into profiles complementary to the 25 profiles of the extrusion that is adjacent thereto. 12. A system as claimed in Claim 11, wherein the shelf panel is injection moulded and is provided with strengthening ribs. 30 13. A system as claimed in Claim 11 or Claim 12, wherein the shelf panel defines slots along a front edge to allow ventilation of the interior of the lockers of which it defines a part.

14- A system as claimed in any of Claims 11 to 13, wherein the shelf panel is provided with sockets into which feet for the locker system are push-fitted.

5 15. A system as claimed in Claim 14, wherein the feet are adjustable in height by screwing and the sockets are adapted to prevent rotation of ends of the feet they are secured to while projecting ends of the feet are adjusted to vary their height.

10 16. A modular locker system substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Intellectual

Property

Office

Application No: GB1613344.9 Examiner: Mr David McWhirter