MXPA99010458A - Box frame system - Google Patents

Abstract

A modular furniture system comprising rectangular support frames with peripheral flanges which cooperate with upstanding side walls to form box structures. The construction may comprise a plurality of such box structures in a stacked formation, with a supporting frame member between each layer if required to support separate wall members. Alternatively the boxes themselves may be preformed, so that a number can be stacked together with supporting frames at the top and bottom only. The frames also incorporate means for making side-to-side connections to facilitate the construction of assemblies to a required width or depth, and sockets for feet or legs to support the complete structure.

Description

FRAME SYSTEM FOR BOX DESCRIPTIVE MEMORY This invention relates to modular furniture and storage systems, and very particularly, but not exclusively, to a system for constructing modular furniture from one or more file boxes. FR-A-22 38 453 discloses a system for constructing modular furniture including panels 1 having peripheral channels 3 adapted to receive the upper or lower edges of erect wall members to form closed boxes or cabinet structures. European Patent No. 05 37 147 describes a system of boxes for files adapted for assembly in various configurations by means of U-shaped interconnect fasteners that are inserted into slots. The present invention provides an improved and more versatile stacking and interconnecting system which is also suitable for use with prefabricated boxes, such as those formed from folded pieces of cardboard. The invention also provides a system for constructing rigid structures using boxes or other prefabricated parts to form furniture such as desks, storage units, chairs and tables.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a system for constructing modular furniture from one or more box structures, said system comprising a rigid rectangular frame having upper and lower surfaces adapted to couple said box structures, said upper surface having peripheral projections which extend outwardly to surround the base of a box structure mounted on the upper surface, and said lower surface has peripheral projections extending downward to surround the upper part of a box structure mounted on the lower surface; characterized by connection means adapted to be connected to corresponding means on an adjacent frame, with which they can be connected in collateral relation. Preferably, the underside of the frame member is provided with means adapted to cooperate with one or more bridging members, which may extend laterally between two or more adjacent frames, so as to provide a collateral connection between vertical assemblies. of boxes that are adjacent or separate. Preferably, the lower side of the frame is also adapted to receive limbs, legs or slices so that it can be used as the base of a furniture structure. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the frame has side edge surfaces provided with plug and socket type plug means adapted to cooperate directly or indirectly with corresponding connector members on an additional frame positioned adjacent to the corresponding side. Preferably, intermediate connecting means comprising double-ended rods are provided, which are adapted to be inserted into receptacles formed on the adjacent edge surfaces of two frames arranged side by side. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, to reduce weight and economize on materials, the frame member is constructed, for example by molding, in the form of a rectangular outer frame with an inner reinforcing structure in the shape of an "X", attached to the outer frame at the corners, to leave open spaces between the arms of the "X". It is preferred that the frame is also adapted to cooperate with a stacking system that includes generally U-shaped fasteners and that is provided with suitable receiving slots for said fasteners on the side edge surfaces of the frame. In a preferred embodiment, the invention also includes a connector system for file boxes that includes receptacle members, each of which comprises an inner part and an outer part that are locked together in an opening in the side of a box for files, forming a slot for receiving an end of a U-shaped fastener that is adapted for interconnection to an adjacent frame or box having a corresponding slot or receptacle. Some embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a frame and box assembly for files in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 is an orthographic projection of the frame showing fragmented upper and lower planes, fragmented front and rear elevations and a right lateral elevation of the frame; Figure 3 is a fragmentary top plan view of two frames joined by a bridging member; Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of an assembly constructed with the frame and a bridging member of the present invention; Figure 5 is a fragmented and enlarged perspective view of a corner of a frame showing plug and plug connectors; Figure 6 is a fragmented cross-section of adjacent frames connected by a plug; Figures 7a-7f are a front elevation, vertical cross section and rear elevation of the half of an outer receptacle member, and a front elevation, cross section and rear elevation of the middle of an inner receptacle member, respectively; Figure 8 is a fragmented and exploded view showing a connector for connecting boxes for stacked files; Figure 9 is a vertical cross section taken through the connector and file boxes of Figure 8 in an assembled condition; Figures 10a-10d are a front elevation, side elevation, top and rear floor elevation, respectively, of a fastener for connecting stacked boxes; Figure 11 is an exploded perspective showing the connector of Figure 10 in relation to the assembled receptacle members; Figures 12a-12c are a front elevation, top plan view and perspective of a furniture leg, respectively; Figure 13 is a perspective of a slice for furniture; Figure 14 is an exploded perspective showing a file box with upper and lower frames; Figure 15 is a perspective showing a box assembly for files with slices; Figure 16 is a perspective showing a small desktop assembly; Figure 17 is a partially exploded perspective showing another desktop assembly; Figure 18 is a perspective showing another desktop assembly; Figure 19 is a perspective showing a cabinet assembly for files; Figure 20 is a perspective illustrating an alternative box structure; Figure 21 is a perspective showing plug and plug connectors for connecting stacked boxes; Figure 22 is a perspective showing a seat assembly in accordance with the present invention; Figure 23 is a cross section through the seat assembly, taken in the plane of line 23-23 of Figure 22; Figure 24 is a perspective showing a wall storage assembly in accordance with the present invention; Figure 25 is a perspective showing an erect file assembly in accordance with the present invention; Figure 26 is a perspective view of a desk that has separators; Figure 27 is a fragmented cross-section through the spacers, taken in the plane of line 27-27 of Figure 26; Figure 28 is a perspective showing a sliding keyboard tray of the present invention; and Figure 29 is a cross-section through the keyboard tray, taken in the plane of line 29-29 of Figure 28. Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the different views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED MODALITY Referring to the drawings and in particular to Figure 1, a frame is designated in its entirety by the reference number 40. The frame 40 includes a central reinforcing body 42 in the form of an X, a pair of longer lateral members 44. and a pair of shorter end members 46. The upper and lower surfaces of the reinforcing body 42 form upper and lower surfaces 48., 50, respectively (Figure 2), of the frame 40. The side and end members 44, 46 include a rib 52 extending up and down the reinforcing body 42 (and therefore, above and below the top surfaces and lower 48, 50 of the frame 40) to cooperate with file boxes, generally designated 54, mounted on the upper and / or lower surfaces, respectively. (In Figure 1 only one file box is shown placed to be mounted on the bottom surface of the frame). In this way, the frame 40 can be seated on a file case 54, and a second file case (not shown) can be seated on a tray structure formed by the rib 52 projecting upwards from the frame 40. The cooperation between the frame 40 and the file boxes 54 reinforces the connection between the file boxes 54 when they are stacked. The frame 40 of the illustrated embodiment is formed from molded plastic such as polypropylene, but can of course be formed from any other suitable material.

As illustrated in Figure 2, the underside of the frame 40 includes longitudinal channels 56 that extend parallel to the side members 44 and that terminate in openings 58 extending through the rib 52 of the end members 46. The channels longitudinal members 56 are connected with side channels 60 which extend parallel to the end members 46. As shown in Figure 1, the longitudinal and lateral channels 56, 60 are adapted to receive a rigid rectangular bridging member, generally referred to as a longitudinal member. , which has sides 64 which are longer than the side members 44 of the frame 40 and ends 66 which are shorter than the end members 46 of the frame. The bridging member 62 of the illustrated embodiment is made of a steel rod, although any other rigid material may be used. The bridging member 62 can be mounted on the frame 40 by manually pressing the sides 64 of the bridging member into the longitudinal channels 56 of the frame. As shown in Figure 2, each of the longitudinal channels 56 has a projection 68 that extends inwardly in the channel from one side to engage the bridging member 62 and hold it releasably in the channel. When the bridging member 62 is mounted in this manner, the ends 66 of the bridging member are exposed as shown in Figure 3. The mounting of the bridging member 62 on a frame 40 makes it possible to construct an assembly in which a frame is supported by a bridging member suspended between two boxes 54 separated by a distance equal to the width of a file box as shown in Figure 4. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, the sides 64 of the member Bridging 62 extends through the opening 58 of the adjacent frame 40 as shown in Figure 3, such that the ends 66 of the bridging member couple the side channels 60 of the adjacent frame to prevent separation of the frames. In this way, the bridging member 62 not only supports the frame 40, but also locks it to the adjacent frames so that the complete assembly, including the file boxes 54, forms a rigid structure. The structure can be completed as shown in Figure 4 by inserting suitable panels 70 of laminate material, such as medium density cardboard, into the tray structure formed on the top of each frame 40. As will also be apparent to those skilled in the art. the technique, said structure can be used to form desks and other furniture that have hidden holes. In addition to connecting frames 40 to bridging members , the racks can also be connected by means of plug and plug connectors, designated generally with the number 80 in Figure 5. Each frame 40 includes two receptacles 82 through each rib 52 for receiving double-ended plugs 84 having a pair of deformable arms 86 at each end. The plugs 84 can be manually depressed in the receptacles 82 of the frames 40. By depressing the plugs 84 in the receptacles 82, their arms 86 deform towards each other and return to their undeformed position when the plug is fully inserted and the arms 86 return to their non-deformed position. Each end 86 has a hook 88 on its end to hold the stopper in place when it is fully inserted. Figure 6 illustrates adjacent frames 40 being connected using connectors 80. A collar 90 provided around the middle of the plug 84 centers the plug between adjacent frames 40. Counterbores 92 formed around the receptacles 82 allow the collar 90 to be housed in the frame 40, thereby allowing the frames 40 to be more closely joined. As illustrated in Figure 1, a C-shaped fastening connector, generally designated 100, can be used., for attaching a frame 40 to a file case 54 placed on or under the frame. Slots 102 are provided in the center of each end member 46 and in the center of the rear side member 44 of the frame 40. Corresponding slots 104 are also provided in the molded plastic receptacle members, generally designated 106, which are fixed to the boxes for files 54 as explained below. The slots 102, 104 receive limbs 108 of a C-shaped fastener, generally designated 110, for connecting a frame 40 and a box 54. The structure of the receptacle members 106 is illustrated in detail in Figure 7. Each member of receptacle 106 comprises two generally triangular molded halves 112, 114 adapted to be joined together through a generally T-shaped opening 11 (Fig. 1) provided on the side of the box 54 such that a half 112 is placed inside. of the box and the other half 114 is placed outside the box. Figures 7a-7c illustrate a front elevation, a vertical cross section and a rear elevation of the outer half 114 of the receptacle member 106, and Figures 7d to 7f illustrate corresponding views of the inner half 112 of the receptacle member. The inner half 112 has a hole 118 which is adapted to receive a cooperating tubular rod 120 extending from the outer half 114. The end of the rod 120 has a rib 122 configured to settle into an annular cavity 124 correspondingly enlarged and formed around the hole 118. In this way, the two halves 112, 114 are locked together in the opening 116 of the box 54 as illustrated in Figure 8. The slot 104 extends through each half 112, 114 of the limb member. receptacle 106. When the halves 112, 114 are locked together, the slots 104 in each half are aligned and positively positioned with respect to the case 54. The fastener and receptacle arrangement can also be used to directly connect two boxes 54 stacked one on the other as illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9. FIG. 8 illustrates two receptacle members 106 in relation to boxes for files 54 stacked and limbs 108 of the suj. stepper 110. Figure 9 shows a vertical cross section through a fastener 110 connecting two boxes 54. As can be seen in figures 9-11, the limbs 108 of the fastener 110 have projections 126 which engage corresponding ridges 128 in the groove. 104 on the inner half 112 of the receptacle member 106 to securely lock the fastener in place. The plugs 84 for connecting adjacent frames 40 can also be used in combination with the fasteners 110 to connect boxes 54 stacked one on top of the other as shown in Figure 21. When used to connect stacked boxes 54, the plugs 84 are inserted into holes (not shown) on the top and bottom of the boxes. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, plugs 84 reinforce the connection between the stacked boxes when used in this manner. As shown in Figure 5, a receptacle 130 is provided at each corner of the frame 40 to receive a support such as a leveling foot 132 (Figure 12) or a slice 134 (Figure 13). The leg 132 or slice 134 is inserted into the receptacles 130 of the lowermost frame 40 in an assembly. This makes it possible to build mobile furniture in which the slices 134 are inserted into the receptacles 130 to form a small mobile file box as shown for example in figures 14 and 15. Similarly, static furniture can be constructed by inserting legs 132 in the receptacles 130 as shown in Figure 16. As further shown in Figure 16, the receptacles 130 can also be used to attach limbs 136 to the underside of an upper support frame 40 and form an individual pedestal desk. Other examples of desks are illustrated in figures 17 and 18, and Figure 19 illustrates a stack of file boxes 54 assembled to form a file cabinet. The system can also be used to form assemblies that do not comprise boxes for preformed files, but instead incorporate flat panels 140 that form boxes when combined with the frame members. Figure 20 illustrates a structure of this type that forms a desk similar to that of Figure 16. However, instead of stacking boxes for files, a frame 40 supports side and rear panels 140 to form an open-faced box structure. Another frame 40 is placed on this structure, and this in turn supports additional side and rear panels 140 that form another box structure. As mentioned above, the upper part of the structure is formed by a frame 40 and a panel 70. Panels 70 are also inserted in each frame 40 to form the base of each box structure. The side panels 140 can be secured to the frames by a fastener and receptacle as shown in Figures 7 and 8. Alternatively, in the case of panels of a reasonably thick material such as medium density board, they can be directly secured to the frames 40, for example with screws (not shown) passing through preformed holes in the frames. Vertical divisions or other suitable internal dividers can be provided inside the boxes. Figure 22 illustrates a chair, generally designated 180, made with the system of the present invention. The chair 180 comprises a file case 54 having frames 40 fixed to its upper and lower part with fasteners 110. A backing, generally designated 182, is connected to the upper frame 40 by manually pressing it into the longitudinal channels 56 (FIG. 2) of the frame as shown in figure 23. The backrest 182 is formed from two rigid rectangular members 184, 186 joined by tubular connectors 188 is its upper ends. Although other materials may be used without departing from the scope of the present invention, the rectangular members 184, 186 of the preferred embodiment are made of steel rods. To complete the chair, a first cushion 190 is placed on the upper frame 40 and a second cushion 192 is fastened to the rear 182 with hook and loop fasteners such as the VELCRO® fasteners. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the tubular connectors 188 used to join the rectangular members 184, 186 enable the backrest 182 to be folded for shipping. Figure 24 illustrates a wall mounted shelf assembly, generally designated 200, constructed with the system of the present invention. The shelf assembly 200 is constructed by depressing a rigid rectangular wall bracket 202 in the longitudinal channel 56 (Fig. 2) of a frame 40 and connecting a file case 54 to the frame with fasteners 110. Connectors 204 and screws (not shown) are used. ) to fasten the bracket 202 to a wall of a building (not shown) in a conventional manner. Bolts are also used to attach the frame 40 to the wall.

An upright filer assembly 210 can be connected to the top of a frame 40 as shown in Figure 25 to allow the folders to be hung from the assembly. Holes (not shown) extend through the upper panel 70 to allow the ends of the assembly 210 to be inserted into the receptacles 130 (figure 2) and the corners of the frame 40. As with the back 182, the elements forming The archival assembly is joined by tubular connectors 188 so that the assembly can be folded for shipping. As shown in Figure 26, vertical spacers 220 can be used to separate upper and lower frames 40, instead of using file boxes 54, to extend the top surface of furniture such as desks. It is more desirable to use the separators 220 than the file boxes 54 when the contents of the boxes can not be accessible, since the separators are less expensive than the boxes. As shown in Figure 27, the spacers 220 are rigid rectangular members that can be depressed in the longitudinal channels 56 (Figure 2) in the frames, and which can include tips 220 that extend from one or more corners. These tips 222 allow the frames 40 to be placed between two spaced pairs of spacers 220 as shown in Figure 26. The upper and lower frames 40 are connected to corresponding adjacent frames with plugs 84 as explained above, to prevent the spacers 220 rotate in the respective channels 56 of the frames 40. Although the spacers 220 of the embodiment illustrated have the height of two boxes, the spacers may have other heights without departing from the scope of the present invention. Figures 28 and 29 show a sliding keyboard tray, generally designated 230. This assembly 230 is constructed by hooking brackets 232 over file boxes 54 that are connected by a bridging member 62 (Figure 3). U-shaped supports 234 connected to the brackets 232 support a tray 236 so that it can slide back and forth on the supports. In this way, the tray 236 can be extended to write on a keyboard held by the tray, or retracted to store the keyboard under the bridging member 62 when it is not used. In view of the foregoing, it will be noted that the different objects of the invention are achieved and that other advantageous results are obtained.

Claims (18)

NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION CLAIMS

1. A system for constructing modular furniture from one or more box structures, said system comprises a rigid rectangular frame (40) having upper and lower surfaces adapted to couple said box structures, said upper surface having peripheral projections (52) that extend upward to surround the base of a box structure (54) mounted on the top surface, and said bottom surface have peripheral projections (52) that extend downward to surround the top of a box structure (54). ) mounted on the lower surface; characterized by connection means (62, 82) adapted to be connected to corresponding means on an adjacent frame, with which they can be connected in collateral relation.

2. A system according to claim 1, wherein the peripheral projections comprise a peripherally extending rib or flange.

3. A system according to claim 1 or 2, further characterized in that said connection means comprise a plug and plug connector system (82, 84).

4. A system according to claim 3, further characterized in that each of said first and second frames includes a receptacle (82) in at least one lateral edge, and said connector comprises a plug (84) adapted to couple said receptacles for connecting adjacent racks.

5. A system according to claim 1 or 2, further characterized in that said frame includes an elongated channel (56) on at least one of said upper and lower surfaces, which extends through an opening (58) in the periphery of said frame, said connector comprises a bridging member (62) adapted to simultaneously couple said channels (56) in said adjacent frames and to extend through corresponding openings (58) in the peripheries of said frames to connect said frames in collateral relation.

6. A system according to claim 5, further comprising a keyboard tray assembly (234, 236) adapted to be connected below the bridging member to support a keyboard (230) below the bridging member.

7. A system according to any preceding claim, further comprising a connector (110) for connecting said frame to a file box mounted on one of said upper and lower surfaces of the frame.

8. A system according to claim 7, further characterized in that the connector (110) includes a fastener having at least two ends; the frame includes an opening (102) adapted to releasably receive one of said limbs of the fastener; and the file box includes an aperture (104) adapted to releasably receive another said limb of the fastener.

9. A system according to any preceding claim, further characterized in that said frame includes a receptacle (130) on at least one of said upper and lower surfaces, adapted to receive and locate a support member to support the frame.

10. A system according to any preceding claim, further characterized in that said frame includes a receptacle (210) on at least one of said upper and lower surfaces, adapted to receive and locate an erect file to hold papers.

11. A system according to any preceding claim, further comprising a seat backrest (182) adapted to be coupled with the frame to build a chair from a file box and the frame.

12. A system according to any preceding claim, further comprising a wall bracket (202) adapted to be coupled to the frame and suspended from a wall of a building.

13. A system according to claim 1, further comprising: a second rigid rectangular frame (40) having upper and lower surfaces adapted to couple said file boxes, said upper surface having a rib (52) extending upwardly from the upper surface to enclose a box for files mounted on the top surface, and said bottom surface has a rib (52) that extends down from the bottom surface to encircle a file box mounted on the bottom surface; and a separator (220) for connecting said first and second frames in a position in which said second frame is separated on said first frame.

14. A system according to any preceding claim, in which the, or each frame member, further comprises an X-shaped reinforcing member extending between the opposite corners of the frame.

15. A system according to any preceding claim, in which the, or each frame member, is formed by molding a plastic material.

16. A system according to any preceding claim, wherein the, or each frame member, further comprises receptacle means (130) at each corner adapted to receive and locate a supporting end.

17. A piece of furniture comprising: a first rectangular support frame (40) having a peripheral rim projecting upwards on each of its edges; a plurality of erect side walls each having a lower edge that is seated within said respective flange; a second rectangular frame (40) having a peripheral rim that falls down on each of its edges and which cooperates with an upper edge of the corresponding side wall; each frame also comprises means (82, 84; 56, 64) adapted to be connected to corresponding means on an adjacent frame, with which they can be connected in collateral relation.

18. A piece of furniture comprising: a first rectangular support frame having a peripheral rim that projects upwards on each of its edges; a plurality of erect side walls each having a lower edge that is seated within one of said respective flanges; a second rectangular frame having a peripheral rim which falls down on each of its edges and which cooperates with an upper edge of the corresponding side wall.