GB2558219B

GB2558219B - A construction device for modular furniture

Info

Publication number: GB2558219B
Application number: GB1621962.8A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Brough Graham
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2016-12-22
Filing date: 2016-12-22
Publication date: 2019-08-21
Anticipated expiration: 2036-12-22
Also published as: GB201621962D0; GB2558219A

Description

A CONSTRUCTION DEVICE FOR MODULAR FURNITURE Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a construction device, in particular a device for construction of modular furniture or similar; more particularly but not exclusively construction with sheet materials.

Background

Increasing interest in aesthetics, disposable income and mass production has led to greater variation and choice in furnishings and similar.

In particular many users may wish to change furniture more frequently. As a result of this flat-pack or self-assembly furniture has become more prevalent. Forming furniture this way typically involves screw fittings and/or substantially predrilled, pre-cut or preformed boards.

Prior Art WO 2005 037 660 (SARAVIS) discloses a snap together connection system whereby panels or other elements can be connected to form structures. Catches snap into latches thereby connecting panels or other elements. Snap in straight connectors may be used as a bridge to connect panels or other elements in-line. CN 203 584 986 (LI) discloses a modularized box body comprising a connecting assembly and edge boards connected through the connecting assembly, wherein the connecting assembly comprises a top cover, a sleeve pipe, a mandrel and a jacket, wherein the sleeve pipe sleeves the outer side of the mandrel a snap-fit portion is arranged on the sleeve pipe and at least one clamping portion is mounted on the jacket. The edge boards are fixed on the jacket in a threaded connection mode. US 2013 259 563 (CAMPBELL) discloses a universal bracket system that can be used to create multiple interlocking bracket assemblies for construction of buildings, dwellings, structures and other objects. A primary planar bracket plate member has flange extensions and holes for bolts or other fasteners. Primary and supplementary plate members, as well as the ridge bracket plate member, can be combined in multiple interlocking configurations to create brackets for connecting structural members into many different connection joints.

The present invention arose in order to overcome problems suffered by existing devices.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided a construction device for modular furniture comprising: two grip portions, each grip portion having a back with a channel formed therein; and a resiliently deformable joining bridge connects the two grip portions one to another; each grip portion has a mouth facing away from a back, each mouth is dimensioned and arranged to engage a board, sheet or capping member; the resiliently deformable joining bridge enables the grip portions to be arranged in a first configuration, in which mouths of the grip portions face in substantially opposing directions and away from the joining bridge; and to be arranged in a second configuration, in which the mouths are not opposing; the joining bridge contacts the back of at least one grip portion and each back has a locking part comprising a male stud on the first back and a female indentation on the second back that engage such that the two grip portions face at 90 degrees to one another in the second configuration, the locking parts limiting the return from the second configuration to the first configuration.

The second configuration has a locking configuration, such that the grip portions are locked into this configuration by an engagement of locking parts.

In this way the device comprises a means to engage two boards or sheets in a mutual relationship, and accordingly provides potential to secure the relationship in at least two different configurations.

In some embodiments the bridge may join the backs. In some further embodiments the backs and bridge are coplanar at rest and the grip portions may have mouths with axes directed orthogonally away from said plane at rest, wherein the mouths may be substantially parallel or opposing.

The grip portions may be arranged to receive and close over board edges, and the mouths may consequently comprise parallel or substantially parallel jaws. In some embodiments one or more or part of the jaws may be resiliently deformable.

The device may take intermediate configurations, for example a third configuration where the mouths are facing 60 degree directionally apart, wherein the bridge joins the backs at 45 degrees. A fourth configuration may comprise the mouths facing in orthogonal directions with the bridge deviated or bent backwards through 270 degrees, the back of one grip portion displaced from the back of another.

The bridge may comprise a living hinge centrally intermediate the grip portions so as to allow for a well-formed and angular deviation. In some embodiments the bridge may be arranged with a tapering depth of material towards its centre, which allows for easier bending in use.

The bridge may further comprise a hinge adjacent a grip portion, for example where the bridge joins with the grip portion. This hinge may allow for easy bending to enable the bridge to fold tight against the back for the second configuration.

The backs of the grip portions may comprise profiles arranged for receipt of a capping section or member. Such profile may comprise an indentation or ingress for receipt of the capping member.

In some embodiments the device may comprise an elongate part, which part may consequently be used along the length of the edge of a piece of board, and which may be cut to size.

The mouths may comprise elongated strips extending orthogonally from the backs so as to describe an open ended rectangular or square receiving volume. The backs may comprise planar elongated parts to the interior face of the volume, with an exterior face arranged for other purposes.

In some embodiments the mouths may comprise an internally disposed barb, which barb may be used to inter-fit with a routed area or channel on the board. In this way the board may be kept securely within the mouth.

This barb may run the length of the mouths, and may comprise an inwardly disposed ridge, which may have a triangular profile in section. The barb may be situated at the outer end of the jaw or jaws, such that the jaws may be easier to deform resiliently to accept the board in use, wherein the jaws may comprise resiliently deformable material.

The device may be formed of a unitary piece of synthetic plastics material, such as a thermos plastic material and is ideally formed as an extruded section.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a kit of parts comprising: the device and one or more of the following: an end cap, an elongate cover, a board, a corner support.

In some embodiments the construction device may be used to construct a shelving assembly. A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the Figures in which:

Brief Description of Figures

Figure 1 shows a sectional view of an embodiment of the device according to the present invention, in the first configuration;

Figure 2a shows a sectional view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1, in the second configuration;

Figure 2b shows a sectional view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1, in the third configuration;

Figure 3 shows a sectional view of an embodiment shown in Figure 1, in the fourth configuration;

Figures 4 show section views of embodiments of capping members for use with an embodiment of the device as shown in Figure 1;

Figures 5 show isometric views of the embodiment shown in Figure 1, in different configurations, wherein Figure 5a comprises an isometric view of the embodiment in a first configuration, Figure 5b shows an isometric view of the embodiment in a third configuration, Figure 5c shows an isometric view of the embodiment in the fourth configuration as shown in Figure 3, Figure 5d shows a reverse isometric view of the embodiment in the first configuration, Figure 5e shows a reverse isometric view of the embodiment in the third configuration, and Figure 5f shows a reverse isometric view of the embodiment in the fourth configuration;

Figures 6 show isometric views of support sections for use with the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1;

Figures 7 show isometric views of end capping members for use with the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1;

Figures 8 show isometric views of capping members for use with the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1;

Figure 9 shows an isometric view of a shelf built with embodiments of the device as shown in Figure 1;

Figure 10 shows an exploded isometric view of a shelf built with embodiments of the device as shown in Figure 1;

Figures 11 shows an isometric view of a shelf support for use with the device;

Figures 12 show section and isometric views of a spacer or packing strip for use with an embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1;

Figures 13 show sectional views of the support sections shown in Figures 6;

Figures 14 show an isometric view of a structure formed using the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1, and an exploded isometric view of the same structure, respectively; and

Figures 15a and 15b show isometric views of the device.

Detailed Description of Figures

With reference to the figures there is shown an embodiment of the device at rest comprising two grip portions 1 for engaging board edges (61 in Figure 10), the grip portions thereby providing two opposing mouths 2, which comprise backs 3 parallel to and facing each other, with a bridge 4 joining the backs substantially along a plane A definable as parallel to one jaw of each mouth at rest and what may be defined as inner jaws 9 being the outer surfaces of the jaws arranged coplanar the outer surface of the bridge at rest.

The jaws 10 comprise thin flanges extending perpendicular to the backs 3, so as to define in each grip portion an inner volume bounded by a back 3, and two jaws, with a fourth side substantially open for receipt of the board edge. This volume is substantially square sectional.

The grip portion mouth 2 is formed of two parallel opposing jaws 10 each having barbs 11 facing inwards at their outer edges distal the backs 3 and extending continuously along both jaw edges. The barbs are flat facing the back 3 and inclined towards the backs at their top surfaces, and extend a little towards the other jaw 10.

The mouths 2 and bridge 4 are coaxial at rest, as pictured in Figure 1, such that two board edges may be placed into the mouths 2 so as to locate parallel and substantially spaced apart by the width of the bridge 4.

The bridge 4 is resiliently deformable and may be drilled through in use so as to fix the device 100 to a surface or structure.

The bridge 4 further includes a hinge 13 situate at the joint of the bridge 4 and back 3 of one of the mouths. This enables the bridge 4 to hinge at the joint easily, so as to enable the second position in particular by allowing a precise bending against the adjacent back 3.

The bridge 4 further includes a fold point 14 exactly intermediate or equidistant the backs to provide a living hinge. The bridge 4 also decreases in material depth 15 increasingly towards this central fold point, so as to advantageously aid in easy use of the fold point.

The hinge 13 is arranged to hinge and fold in only one direction, having an indent 12 such that the fold point 14 is not compromised by hinging further along the bridge or vice versa.

The device 100 is formed in thermoplastics, namely acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (abs) in a single extrusion, and may be made available in long lengths so as to allow cutting to length with a saw or similar. The hinge 13 comprises thermoplastic elastomer like nitrile, and comprises a manufacture insert.

The backs 3 comprise an inner wall 5 and a parallel outer wall 6, the outer walls discontinuous centrally to provide an aperture and the walls separated by four orthogonal parallel members 7, 8, wherein the two outermost 7 of these comprise continuations of the jaws 10, and the two inner 8 of these arranged to provide a T shaped aperture or a channel.

With reference to Figure 2a the hinge 13 is used to bend the bridge 4 against the back 3 of one grip portion so that the other grip portion is placed against the outer surface of the mouth of the first grip portion.

Locking parts are comprised in the opposing backs wherein one back comprises a male stud 95 extending sidewards coplanar the back, and the other back comprises a female indentation 96 arranged to receive the male stud 95 and limit return from the second configuration. The male stud comprises a chamfered leading edge to encourage engagement, and a perpendicular rear edge to limit return.

With reference to Figure 2b the bridge 4 is folded or flexed at the fold point 14 and the grip portions 1 are approximated at the distal sides of the backs, so as to allow the mouths to face in different directions at an angle of 60 degrees and the outer jaws 99 touching.

With reference to Figure 3 the embodiment is shown with a 90 degree fold at the fold point 14 of the bridge 4, such that the mouths’ inner jaws arrange orthogonally away from the fold point.

With reference to Figure 4a there is shown a sectional view of a capping member 20, which member is formed with resiliently deformable legs 22 which may be clipped between the grip portions 1 and wherein the top 21 is parallel the bridge 4 of the device 100. The legs of the capping member have out-turned feet 23, which clip into the aperture channel in the outer wall 6 of the backs 4, and under the outer wall, so as to maintain the capping member in place.

With reference to Figures 4b to 4e capping members 30 for insertion into the mouths 2 are shown, with differing outer cap faces 26 according to aesthetic preference.

The capping members have caps extending outwards and away from two parallel legs 24, which legs fit into the mouth and against the inner surfaces of the jaws and have out-turned feet 25 for engagement.

With reference to Figures 6 there are shown embodiments of support sections 45 for configuring the device when in the fourth embodiment, more particularly wherein the support sections have two orthogonal T shape connectors 44, which connectors are arranged to slide into the aperture channels of the grip portion backs 4. The embodiment pictured in Figure 6a provides an intermediate perpendicular corner support section 45, and the embodiment shown in Figure 6b a curved comer support section 45 with both having a diagonal internal brace 46.

With reference to Figures 7 there are shown embodiments of end capping members 50 which comprise substantially planar radiused corners or perpendicular corners 52 formed by section sides 51 of the device 100 underlying in a second configuration, and providing clip parts 53 which clip into the device sectionally. The end capping members 40 shown in Figures 8 show straight sides 41 and inset sides 42, with clipping parts 43 arranged to resiliently deform to hold the end capping members on the devices.

With reference to Figures 10 and 11 the kit of parts for a shelving unit is demonstrated, wherein the boards 600 are provided with routed grip lines 62 substantially adjacent one of the edges 61, and the other edge provides a channel for accommodating outstanding screws.

With reference to Figures 11 there are shown brace parts 70, which are used in the kit of parts for shelving to brace the perpendicular boards therein. The brace parts comprise ends 71 arranged for insertion against the brace 4 into the device 100 when it is in the first configuration, and ends 73 arranged for insertion into the mouths, having channels 74 for receipt of the barbs 11. The ends are arranged at a 45 degree angle to an elongate body 72.

With reference to Figure 12, there is shown an embodiment of a spacer or packing strip is used to support and fill the gap of the bridge for receipt of board in the unit shown in Figure 10.

Figures 5a to 5f and Figures 15a and 15b show elongate embodiments of the device 100.

Figures 15a and 15b show the device 100 that is folded at the bridge 4 to configure the mouths 2 in two different orientations.

In use the kit of parts pictured is used with a board such as a medium density fibreboard, which board comprises routed channels for receipt of the grip portions, or more particularly barbs of the jaws. The present invention may consequently comprise a tool for routing or scoring such channels.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention as defined by the claims, in particular but not solely combination of features of described embodiments.

Claims

1. A construction device for modular furniture comprising: two grip portions, each grip portion having a back with a channel formed therein; and a resiliently deformable joining bridge connects the two grip portions one to another; each grip portion has a mouth facing away from a back, each mouth is dimensioned and arranged to engage a board, sheet or capping member; the resiliently deformable joining bridge enables the grip portions to be arranged in a first configuration, in which mouths of the grip portions face in substantially opposing directions and away from the joining bridge; and to be arranged in a second configuration, in which the mouths are not opposing; the joining bridge contacts the back of at least one grip portion and each back has a locking part comprising a male stud on the first back and a female indentation on the second back that engage such that the two grip portions face at 90 degrees to one another in the second configuration, the locking parts limiting the return from the second configuration to the first configuration.

2. A construction device for modular furniture according to claim 1 wherein the mouth of the grip portion is defined by two substantially parallel jaws.

3. A construction device for modular furniture according to claim 2 wherein grip portions have two outer jaws and two inner jaws, the innerjaws being separated by the deformable joining bridge.

4. A construction device for modular furniture according to any preceding claim wherein the device is formed from a resiliently deformable material.

5. A construction device for modular furniture according to any preceding claim wherein the device is formed as an elongate extrusion.

6. A construction device for modular furniture according to any preceding claim wherein the device is formed integrally with the grip portions on opposing faces of the bridge.

7. A construction device for modular furniture according to any preceding claim formed as a unitary item.

8. A construction device for modular furniture according to any preceding claim wherein the joining bridge includes a hinge adjacent to and integral with an inner jaw of a grip portion.

9. A construction device for modular furniture according to any preceding claim wherein the profile of the joining bridge tapers from a wide section, adjacent the grip portion, to a narrower section, at a point equidistant the grip portions.

10. A construction device for modular furniture according to any preceding claim wherein the joining bridge comprises a living hinge formed equidistant the grip portions.

11. A construction device for modular furniture according to any preceding claim comprising at least one inward facing barb running at an outer edge of the mouth.

12. A construction device for modular furniture according to any preceding claim wherein the channel is T-shaped.

13. A kit of parts comprising: the device according to any of claims 1 to 12 and one or more of the following: an end cap, an elongate cover, a board, a corner support.

14. A kit of parts comprising a construction device for modular furniture according to any of claims 1 to 12 and a support section.

15. A kit of parts comprising a construction device for modular furniture according to any of claims 1 to 12and a pre-routed board.

16. A kit of parts comprising a construction device for modular furniture according to any of claims 1 to 12 and a capping member.

17. A kit of parts comprising a construction device for modular furniture according to any of claims 1 to 12 and a spacer or packing strip.