US3729241A

US3729241A - Modular extrusion for cabinets and similar structures

Info

Publication number: US3729241A
Application number: US00137301A
Authority: US
Inventors: J Schippers; J Chisholm
Original assignee: Formica Corp
Current assignee: Formica Technology Inc
Priority date: 1971-04-26
Filing date: 1971-04-26
Publication date: 1973-04-24
Anticipated expiration: 1990-04-24

Abstract

A basic extrusion is in the form of a ''''J'''' on the back of the long upright. There are several extended vanes or flags, preferably three. The extrusions are in suitable lengths for assembling into cabinets using mitered corners. There is also provided a hanger channel, which can be incorporated into a wall and from which the cabinet can hang by the channel portion forming the bottom of the J. Stacking extrusions for stacking together several J''s are also provided. These extrusions fit into two J''s with their bottom channels next to each other. The basic J extrusions are of strong material, preferably aluminum, but the stacking extrusions are usually of plastic having a certain amount of give.

Description

United States Patent 1191 3/1958 Card. ..3l2/l ll Schippers et al. 1451 Apr. 24, 1973 154] MODULAR EXTRUSION FOR 3,639,026 2 1972 Ferdinand etal. ..312/295 CABINETS AND SIMILAR 3,552,579 1/1971 Simon etal ..312 111 x STRUCTURES FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS [75] Inventors: James Henry Schippers; James Ed- I 1,068,526 6/1954 France ..21 1/90 SZY C of Cmcmnan, 1,082,340 9/1967 Great Britain .31'2/350 1o Y [73] Assignee: Formica Corporation, Cincinnati, Primary Examiner james Mitchell g Ohio Attorney-James T. Dunn PP 1371301 A basic extrusion is in the form of a 1" on the back of the long upright. There are several extended vanes 52 u.s. c1. ..'..312/107 312/109 312/111 or flags Preferably three- The extrusims are Suita- 5l2/l38 312/349 ble lengths for assembling into cabinets using mitered [51] Int A47b 77/00 corners. There is also provided a hanger channel, Fieid 248/247 which can be incorporated into a wall and from which 248/248 140 .the cabinet can hang by the channel portion forming the bottom of the J. Stacking extrusions for stacking together several Js are also provided. These extru- 5 R (rt d sions fit into two .Is with their bottom channels next I 1 e erences le to each other. The basic J extrusions are of strong UNITED STATES PATENTS material, preferably aluminum, but the stacking extru- I sions are usually of plastic having a certain amount of 3,419,933 1/1929 Gossen ..3l2/l38 RX m 2,739,028 3/1956 Siggia ..3l2/349 X 2,825,614 ,12 Claims, 27 Drawing Figures Patented April 24, 1973 l0 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTORS. JAMES HENRY .S'CH/PPERS v JAMgS EDWARDS CHISHOLM aZ-WTM Patented April 24, 1973 3,729,241

10 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS. JAMES HENRY .SC'HIPPE/PS JAMES EDWARDS CH/SHOLM BY v 6 ATTORNEY Patented April 24, 1973 3,729,241

10 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTORS. JAMES HE N)? Y .SCH/PPERS JAMES EDWARDS CH/SHOLM BY I ATTORNEY Patented April 24, 1973 3,729,241

10 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTORS. JAMES HENRY SCH/PPERS JAMES E OWARDS CH/SHOLM wvm-Q ATTORNEY l0 Sheets-Sheet 6 Patnted April 24, 1973 INVENTORS.

W 1. AM

ATTORNEY JAMES HENRY SCH/PPERS JAMES EDWARDS CHISHOLM Patented April 24, 1973 3,729,241

10 Sheets-Sheet '7 f INVENTORS.

JAMES HENRY SCH/PPERS JAMES EDWARDS CH/SHOLM W l 0M,

ATTORNEY Patented April 24, 1973 3,129,241

10 Sheets-Sheet 9 fIE. 15C

INVENTORS. JAMES HENRY SCH/PPE/PS JAMES EDWARDS CHISHOL M ATTORNEY Patented April 24, 1973 10 Sheets-Sheet l0 3 F l -f// INVENTORS. JAMES HENRY SCH/PPERS JAMES EDWARDS CHISHOLM ATTORNEY MODULAR EXTRUSION FOR CABINETS AND SIMILAR STRUCTURES BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Many modular constructions have been proposed and actually used for assembling cabinets and similar constructions. It is common to have these modular elements of extruded metal, such as extruded aluminum. in general, numerous different shapes of extrusions have been needed to form cabinets and to provide special features, such as sliding panels, shelf mounting, drawer mounting, and the like. This requires stocking many different shapes and, in some cases, makes assembly of cabinets complicated. Also, in many of the proposed forms it has been necessary to fasten extrusions to each other by bolts, sheet metal screws, and the like, and this requires either drilling holes or accurately predrilled special extrusions and adds further to the complications of assembly into modular assembled structures, such as cabinets. It is with an improved single type of extrusion which can be used in place of many others of different shapes that the present invention deals.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention utilizes a single, all purpose extrusion, preferably of metal, such as aluminum, although strong plastics are not excluded. The crosssection of this all purpose extrusion is a J with a long side from the bottom of the J, which long side .on its face opposite the bottom of the J is provided with a plurality of vanes or flags. Three vanes or flags are preferred, but the invention is not limited to this exact number. Throughout the specification this basic extrusion will be referred to as a J extrusion, and this abbreviated terminology is intended to mean what has been described above, including the flags or vanes. The extrusions are, of course, of various lengths depending on the size of the cabinet or other structure and the portion of the assembled structure for which the extrusions are to be used. The J shaperefers to the cross-section, and for some cabinets this can be very small compared with the length of the extrusion, which may be up to several feet.

One other form of connecting extrusion is in the shape of a fork which is preferablyof springyplastic, although any other material, including metals, may be used provided there is a certain amount of spring. This auxiliary stacking extrusion is used where cabinets or part of cabinets are to be stacked and it fits over the short vertical sides of the bottom of the Js, which are mounted with these short sides'together. The stacking extrusion, of course, is also often quite long in comparison to its dimensions in cross-section and is of length corresponding to the J extrusions, whichare the basic building block ofthe present invention.

Several other auxiliary forms are sometimes used,

. but do not constitute the basic modularblocks'of the present invention. For example, if acabinet is to be hung from a wall, a channel-shaped member can be mounted into the wall into which channel the bottom of a J extrusion fits. It should be noted thatwhen-we refer to top and bottom, this is assuming a J in normal upright position. For hanging, of,course,.the J is upside down. Also, some special shapes, such as'moldings for a countertop are sometimes used. Another extrusion which is used for end frame back moldings is essentially a J extrusion with the bottom of channel of the J eliminated. Another auxiliary component is a connector clip which connects J extrusions side by side instead of one above another as in the case of the stacking member. Such a connector clip is also preferably of molded or extruded plastic, though the particular material is not the distinction of the present invention from the prior art.

The basic improvement of the present invention over other modular constructions is that the J extrusions can be used as the only basic building block. This greatly simplifies production and assembly to form modular structures and so permits firm, rigid structures at minimum cost. It will be noted that the J extrusions for a particular cabinet size or other structure will not all be of the same length. The extrusion can be made in long lengths and cut to the particular sizes needed, and so, for example, a kit for a particular type of cabinet can be made up with the extrusions of the right lengths and the right number of stacking clips, connecting clips, and the like. It should be realized that in some corners the extrusions have to be mitered, and this will be shown in the case ofa typical corner in the drawings and will be described below. The broad idea of mitered corners as a construction feature is not new, as mitered extrusions of the large number of shapes which have been used in the past have also been described with those extrusions for corner use. It is, however, an advantage that the all purpose J extrusion of the present invention can-readily-be mitered for corners.

Where stacking ofJ extrusions is included in a structure, for example whenmodules of cabinets are stacked one on the other or where a special counter is to be applied, it is desirable to provide for a very firm, nonslipping union with a stacking extrusion or connecting clip. Preferably this is effected by light serrations of the inside of-theouter wall of the bottom of the J and corresponding serrations in the stacking extrusions or connecting clips. If there is to be no stacking or connection, it would, of course, be possible to utilize J extrusions which do not have the serrations, and such extrusions are included within broader aspects of the present invention. However, the serrations can be made very cheaply during extrusion and so it is preferred to have all ofthe 'J extrusions with the serrations in one Wall of the bottom of the J whether or not the-particular structure would make such serrations needed or essential.

This can effect some production economies as it is just as cheap to produce serrated J extrusions and it is not necessary to stock both kinds. For this reason, the serrated form is preferred and can add to the economy of the present invention.

Where it isdesired to mount shelves and/or drawers in a cabinet, suitable notches can be made in the corresponding vertical extrusions so that the'flags or vanes of a-horizontal =J extrusion can be inserted, orin the case of certain shelves the bottom part of the j extrusion can be fitted into a notch and the flags or vanes provide for the mounting of shelf edges. In such cases, if the shelf is to have maximum rigidity, its edges can be grooved to fit into the flags.

Where the J extrusion is heldin the notches by its flags, i.e., when the J extrusion has its bottom channel on the inside of a cabinet wall with the opening up, the

J extrusion being right side'up, a shelf should preferably be provided with a horizontal groove in its bottom face near the edge to fit into the bottom portion of the J. This same mounting of J extrusionalso. is useful for drawers as the bottom of the J forms a channel in which drawer rollers can roll, and this is another illustration of the great versatility and flexibility of the single multipurpose J extrusion of the present invention. Theoretically, for shelves mounted as described immediately above and for drawers, the serrations in one wall of the bottom of the J would not be needed. However, ordinarily the serrations are sufficiently shallow so that they do no harm, and therefore, even for this more specialized construction it is not essential that a different form ofJ extrusion be used.

The three-flag or vane form of the J extrusion, which is preferred, may also be used to perform an additional function. The three flags form two adjacent channels, and in these channels sliding doors or panels can slide. It is a further advantage of the present invention that where sliding doors are required or desired, the same basic J extrusion provides the necessary tracks.

The versatility of the present invention permits an extremely large number of constructions with the same basic J extrusion. In the drawings and more detailed description below, only a few typical constructions will be described as illustrations of the wide number of structural forms which can be assembled from the J extrusions, and the invention is, therefore, not intended to be limited only to the structural forms shown, which are intended only as typical illustrations.

The size of the J extrusion and dimensions, for example, of the channels between the three flags in the preferred form mayvary. For most constructions a single size or a single set of dimensions can be used, but of course where; for example, panels of different thicknesses which are supposed to slide in the channels between the flags must be accommodated, it is possible to have basic J extrusions with different cross-sectional dimensions. Ordinarily this is not necessary, and the fact that a single size can be used is an important simplification and advantage of the present invention. Nevertheless, for certain purposes it is an advantage that somewhat different dimensions can permit utilization with panels of different thicknesses.

The multiple flags of the J extrusions may also be used with countertops and similar surfaces where a very firm and rigid structure is desired. When the countertop, for example, of plywood with a decorative resin laminate wearing. surface, is to be used, very narrow grooves corresponding to the width of the flags may be made in the bottom of the countertop and a J extrusion, which is on its side with the flags extending upwardly, fits tightly in the grooves and forms a very firm, imbedded connection and may even be used with some adhesive on its surfaces where a more permanent structure and maximum rigidity is desired. For somepurposes, for example with countertops which are of all reinforced resin construction, it may, be desirable to have solid wooden reinforcement back-ings,along the edges in which the flags are imbedded. The all-laminate countertop is then, of course, preferably bonded to the stiffening and embedding strips by conventional means.

Sometimes the structurewith a countertop is best,

made utilizing a stacking extrusion and in other cases showing sides, top and front;

mayrest on an upside down J extrusion. Sometimes this latter form may show certain advantages as it is easy to actually bolt of screwthe bottom of the horizontal imbedded J to the bottom of the inverted or upsidedown J. It should be'noted that normally it is possible to construct cabinets and other structures with the versatile J extrusions of the present invention without bolting, but it is an advantage in the less common case where maximum strength and rigidity is desired that a very few bolts or screws may be used. The overall framework of the construction is still made with the J extrusion, without requiring the bolting which is so often needed in the modular constructions which have been made hitherto.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a cross-section through a J extrusion shown inverted;

FIG. 2 is an end frame back molding, which is, in effect, a J extrusion with the bottom of the J omitted;

FIG. 3 is a cross-section through a trim molding extrusion for stacking Js;

FIG. 4 is a cross-section through a connector clamp;

FIG. 5 is a cross-section through a wall hanger strip;

FIG. 6 is a cross-section through a toe-kick for the base ofa cabinetjoined to a single J extrusion;

FIG. 7 is a connector clamp or molding;

FIG. 8 is a cross-section through a portion of a freestanding cabinet utilizing a connector clamp of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is an isometric of an assembled cabinet fram FIG. 10 is a similar isometric view of a completely finished cabinet;

FIG. 11 is a cross-section detail of a corner shown along the curved arrows 1 1 l 1 of FIG. 9;

FIG. 12 is a cross-section through a countertop with stacked extrusion frames;

FIG. 13 is a modified countertop detail;

FIG. 14 is a detail of a stringer notched into a vertical extrusion and shown within the curved arrow 14-14 of FIG. 9;

FIGS. 15A and 158 show two alternative shelf mountings in cross-section;

FIG. 16 is a detail of stacked extrusions in cross-section shown within the curved arrow 16- 16 of FIG. 9;

FIG. 17 is a detail of a cabinet in cross-section, partly broken away, showing sliding doors;

FIGS. 18A and 18B are details with front, side and back views in cross-section of an upper rear corner ofa hunger cabinet;

FIG. 18C is a rear view of an upper rear corner of a hung cabinet;

FIGS. 19A, 19B and 19C are details of a horizontal extrusion for drawer or shelf mounting within the area of the curved circle l9-l9 of FIG. 9;

FIG. 20 is a cross-section of a wall mounting and hanging cabinet frame, and

FIGS. 21A and 21B are front and side views of a detail of a side panel taken within the area of the curved arrow 2l2l on FIG. 9.

" DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS F IG; 'l.is a cross-section through the basic J extrusion of the present invention. Throughout the following description the J extrusion will be described in terms of the bottom bowl or rounded part of the J being at the bottom and the flags at the top. In some of the figures, such as FIG. I, the J extrusion is actually shown upside down, but the uniform designation of top and bottom referred to above will be used. It will be seen that the J extrusion has a long vertical leg 1, a bottom channel 2 which forms the stylized bow] at the bottom of the J. Three flags or vanes 3 protrude from the vertical leg 1 in the opposite direction from the channel 2. This channel is U-shaped and will be referred to also as the bottom U-shaped element of the J. FIG. 1 also shows that the inner surface of the outer leg of the channel 2 is serrated, as shown at 7. Serrations are not an essential limitation to the J extrusions of the present invention but are useful, particularly with stacking or connecting extrusions, which will be referred to further below. In the following figures where assembled J extrusions are shown, the serrations 7 are omitted in order not to complicate the drawings except in FIGS. 6, 12 and 16. The extrusions, which can advantageously be of aluminum, are relatively long, their length being determined by the dimensions of the structures formed therefrom. This can be clearly seen in FIGS. 9 and 10, which represent cabinets and their frames.

End frame back moldings are formed of somewhat modified extrusions in which the bottom channel is not present. Such an extrusion is shown in FIG. 2, the vertical leg and the flags bearing the same reference numerals as in FIG. 2. Attachment of the molding to other elements is only through the three flags 3.

Where stacking of J extrusions is to take place, a stacking extrusion, such as is shown in FIG. 3, is used. This T-shaped extrusion has a vertical leg 4, a top trim surface 5 and a bottom fork 6 which is provided with serrations 7. This bottom fork serves to fasten together the bottom channels of J extrusions which are back to back. Typical illustrations of stacking can be seen in FIGS. 12 and 16. These figures show the serrations interlocking, but in order not to confuse the drawings they are shown purely diagrammatically as the scale of these figures is too small to-facilitate showing of the serrations on the two kinds of extrusions separately. They are, however, present in the form shown at 7 in FIG. 1 and at 7 in FIG. 3. Theoretically, if the stacking extrusions and the bottom channels of the Js fit sufficiently accurately, stacking could be effected without the serrations, and such a structure is not excluded from the invention. However, the serrations make for a much firmerjunction and are, therefore, preferred.

While the invention is not limited to, the material of the stacking extrusion shown in FIG. 3, it is preferred to make this of a strong plastic having a slight amount of spring so that the stacking extrusion of FIG. 3 will grip the bottom channels of the J extrusions firmly. The extrusion can be of metal, but as it does not perform the primary function of a strong framing beam member, plastic is usually preferred. The upper portion 5 of the extrusion, which is essentially of T-shaped cross-section with a fork at the bottom of the T, may be smoothly polished; and if it is assembled at a point where it shows on the outside of a frame, a decorative strip can be fastened by adhesives. This has nothing to do with the structural nature of the present invention and, therefore, such a decorative strip is not shown in the drawings.

Where two J extrusions are to be fastened side-byside rather than by stacking, an elongated U-shaped extrusion, also of plastic, is used, and this is shown in FIG. 4. The horizontal portion 8 of the U may be longer than the short vertical legs 9 into bottom channel members of J -shaped extrusions. The inner faces of the short vertical legs 9 may be serrated where they mate with serrated bottom channels of J extrusions. The serrations are not specifically shown in FIG. 4. The horizontal leg 8 can be of various lengths depending on the connection desired. It can also be quite short, of the order of three times the inner dimensions of a bottom channel of a J extrusion, and in such a case it may be used as a filler strip. This-modification is not specifically shown in the drawings as FIG. 4 is not limited to any particular length of the horizontal leg 8 of the U.

When a cabinet is to be hung from a wall, it is desirable to provide a long hanger strip, and this is illustrated in FIG. 5 in cross-section. There is a vertical leg or wall 10 with a bottom J channel having a bottom channel leg 11 which is preferably so dimensioned that when a bottom channel of an inverted J extrusion in a cabinet is hooked over, this can be readily effected without difficult maneuvering or binding. The hanger strip is mounted in a wall, or portion of which is shown top and bottom at 12. The upper and lower horizontal legs of the hanger strip are provided with flanges 13 so that the strip can be firmly mounted into the wall. FIG. 20 illustrates a detail of a cabinet frame hung into a hanger strip, such as shown in FIG. 5. The J extrusion is inverted and is fastened into a panel 14 by its flags 3. Another inverted J extrusion appears with the inverted bottom channel over the top of the panel and its channel contacts the channel of the first inverted J hanging into the wall hanger strip, thus providing further increased strength to the construction. As there is not a tight fit into the hanger strip, serrations on the inner wall of the bottom channel of the inverted J extrusion are not necessary, and if desired, these particular extrusions may be made without serrations. However, serrations do not do any harm, and so it is sometimes economically preferable to make only a single form ofJ extrusion. FIG. 20, as in many other of the figures, does not show any serrations.

FIG. 6 shows a toe kick for the base of the cabinet. Essentially this is a modified J extrusion with the channel portion and the leg 1 carrying the same reference numerals as in FIG. 1. However, instead of multiple short flags, a single long leg 15 is provided, which makes the toe kick the base of the cabinet. Serrations 7 are shown on the channel of the extrusion in FIG. 6 so that when a J extrusion from a cabinet front extrusion is hooked in, a firm connection results. It will be seen that the walls of the channel portion of the extrusion in FIG. 6 are of unequal thickness, the short leg being of substantially the thickness to fit into the bottom channel of a J extrusion and the dimensions between the front and rear portions being little, if any, greater than the wall thickness of a J extrusion. The hooking in is shown diagrammatically in FIG. 6, with a regular three-flag J extrusion fastened in.

When free standing cabinets are required, it is often desirable to provide for a firm mounting, and for this purpose a connector clamp molding is used, which is shown in FIG. 7. Essentially this has a horizontal flange l6 and a curved flange 17, which can be fastened to the support for a cabinet. This connection is shown in FIG. 8, the support being numbered 19, with a cabinet floor 20. A screw 21, orrather a number of screws along the length of the molding, extend through the straight flange 16 as shown. The outer flange helps support a cabinet floor and clamps tightly against a bottom channel ofa J extrusion which is horizontal.

The J extrusions of the present invention, with stacking extrusions where necessary, can be assembled to form various structures, such as a modular cabinet. They constitute the framework of the cabinet and are shown in two views in isometric form in FIGS. 9 and 10. It will be noted that at the ends, and if necessary across top and bottom of the framework, stringers of J extrusion form may be needed. Two of these

extrusions

22 and 23 are shown in FIG. 9. They are preferably mounted in shallow slots in the vertical extrusions in FIG. 9. The slots are quite shallow, really being only notches, and it can be seen where they are present, particularly at the ends of the extrusion 23 in FIG. 9. They are indicated at 24 on one end of the extrusion 23. This is one of the few cases where a J extrusion is not completely interchangeable with another one of the same dimensions. For the most part the extrusions fit together, and a single form can therefore be used for producing a number'of structures. The cross-sections in most of the figures are not at points where there is a slot, and the slots or notches, therefore, do not show in these figures.

For the most part the drawings are self-explanatory, particularly FIGS. 9 and 10. However, there are certain special details which are shown in separate detailed figures. The first of these is a corner, shown in FIG. 11. This is a construction in which the ends of the extrusions are mitered along the line 25 and welded or otherwise fastened. It will be noted that some of the extrusions are in section and some appear in the drawings in elevation. This is the case of the flags on the two wall extrusions in FIG. 11.

FIG. 10, which is similar to FIG. 9 shows a finished cabinet with a top 29, bottom 30 and end 35 in the end frame 36. In order not to confuse the drawing in FIG. 9'

the end frame 36 is not shown in detail, but FIG. 218, which will be described below, shows the detail of one corner. Two sliding doors 28 are shown, the inner one being partly open so that one can look into the cabinet and see the bottom 30 and the shelf 31. FIG. does not show the details of these elements and their mountings or tracks as this appears in FIG. 17, which will be described below.

When a cabinet is to be provided with a countertop, this can be effected as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, which represent cross-sections through the side and front of a counter-top. The top itself appears at 26 with blocks 27 in which the flags ofa J extrusion are embedded. In the case of FIG. 12 it will be seen that the countertop is mounted on a frame which involves stacking of two Js with a stacking clamp or trim molding, the clamp being shown in more detail in FIG. 3.The elements in FIG. 12 carry the same reference numerals as in FIGS, 1 and 3. FIG. 14 shows the location ofa shelf in the flags of an inverted J extrusion. FIGS. A and 158 show the-extrusion alone with two different types of shelves, plain, relatively thin shelves shown in FIG. 15A which. can fit between the center flag and either top or bottom flags of a J extrusion, and FIG. 158 shows a somewhat thicker shelf with a notched end.

FIG. l6shows a detail of stacking one cabinet on the other using a stacking or trim molding of the type shown in FIG. 3. FIGS. l1, l4 and 16 are enlarged details of portions of FIG. 9 enclosed in the curved arrows numbered corresponding to the enlarged detail figures.

FIG. 17 is a section through a cabinet, such as is shown in FIG. 10. The figure is partly broken away, showing the provision of two sliding doors 28 which slide in channels formed by the three flags of a top and bottom front J extrusion. The top 29 is supported by the top flag of one of the rear J extrusions and abutting against the bottom flag of the front top extrusion. A bottom 30 is held by the front and back extrusions in the same way except that the back bottom extrusion has flags vertical and the long leg of the J's horizontal.

FIGS. 18A to 21 are details of portions of the frame surrounded by correspondingly numbered curved arrows in FIG. 9.

FIGS. 18A to 18C are details ofa rear corner of the cabinet. It will be noted that in FIG. 183 there is a projecting bottom channel of an inverted J extrusion extending to the right of the figure. This channel fits into a wall hanger strip, which has been described in more detail above in connection with FIGS. 5 and 20.

There are three detailed views, FIGS. 19A, 19B and 19C. FIG. 19A shows an extrusion with a drawer track in position. FIG. 19B, which is a cross-section at right angles to FIG. 19A, shows the roller 32 of a drawer in the bottom channel of a J extrusion. It is often advantageous for such a construction to have the particular J extrusion without serrations on one leg of the bottom channel to prevent wear or binding on the roller 32. The roller is attached to a drawer, (not shown), in the conventional manner and permits the drawer in the cabinet to slide out easily even though the drawer carries a considerable weight. Of course, there are tracks and rollers on both sides, as is customary with drawers moving on rollers, but FIG. 198 shows only one side. The other side, of course, has the position of the J extrusion reversed right and left but not top and bottom. FIG. 19C uses a mounting of a J extrusion of the same type as shown in FIG. 198 to support a shelf 33 which has a bottom notched short vertical leg of the bottom channel of the J extrusion. This form of mounting a shelf is somewhat stronger than the construction shown in FIGS. 15A and 15B and illustrates another use of the multi-purpose J extrusion of the present invention.

FIGS. 21A and 218 show a front view in section and a side view in elevation of an end or side panel. The panel is at 35 and it fits into a bottom channel ofa .I extrusion. An additional corner support 36 enhances the strength of the end. Even without this reinforcement 21 side panel is still held, but the stiffness is greatly improved with a reinforcement as shown in FIGS. 21A and 218.

The numerous figures of the drawings illustrate a number of typical structures and structural details, all of which can be formed of the versatile multi-purpose J extrusion of the present invention. These illustrations are merely-typical as other types of structures can be formed from the same multi-purpose extrusions.

We claim:

1. A multi-purpose modular building element in the form of an extrusion comprising a long vertical leg, at one end of which, there is positioned a bottom channel which forms a stylized bowl to provide a bottom of a J, three flags, spaced equidistant from one another which protrude from the long vertical leg in the opposite direction from the bottom channel and at the opposite end of the long vertical leg from the bottom channel wherein all adjoining parts of the element are at right angles with one another.

2. An element according to claim 1 in which the flags are of substantially the same length as that leg of the bottom channel of the J that is parallel to the long vertical leg.

3. An element according to claim 2 in which the inner surface of that leg of the bottom channel of the J that is parallel to the long vertical leg is provided with serrations extending lengthwise of the element extrusion.

4. An element according to claim 1 in which the inner surface of that leg of the bottom channel of the J that is parallel to the long vertical leg is provided with serrations extending lengthwise of the element extrusion.

5. A wall hanger strip for a structure made up ofJ extrusions according to claim 1, said strip being an extrusion with flanges to fit against a wall when embedded therein and a bottom lip dimensioned to hook into the channel of an inverted J extrusion, whereby a modular construction having a J extrusion along its rear inverted with the channel pointing out can be hung into the wall hanger strip.

6. A wall hanger strip for a structure made up of] extrusions according to claim 2, said strip being an extrusion with flanges to fit against a wall when embedded therein and a bottom lip dimensioned to hook into the channel of an inserted J extrusion, whereby a modular construction having a J extrusion along its rear inverted with the channel pointing out can be hung into the wall hanger strip.

7. A modular construction ofJ extrusions according to claim 1 having at least one extrusion with its bottom channel extending inwardly of the structure on each side and drawers provided with rollers dimensioned to roll in the channels of the J extrusions.

8. A modular construction ofJ extrusions according to claim 2 having at least one extrusion with its bottom channel extending inwardly of the structure on each side and drawers provided with rollers dimensioned to roll in the channels of the J extrusions.

9. A modular structure of J extrusions according to claim 1 in which there are J extrusions opposite each other with their flags pointing inwardly and adapted to support a shelf thereon.

10. A modular structure of] extrusions according to claim 2 in which there are J extrusions opposite each other with their flags pointing inwardly and adapted to support a shelf thereon, and shelves having end portions fitting into the channels between flags.

11. A modular structure according to claim 12 in which the shelf end has a groove, the sides of the groove fitting into channels between the middle flag and the upper and lower flags respectively.

12. A modular structure ofJ extrusions according to claim 1 having pairs of extrusions with their bottom channels extending inwardly and opposite each other and shelves having a bottom groove positioned to fit over the short legs of the extrusion channels.

Claims

5. A wall hanger strip for a structure made up of J extrusions according to claim 1, said strip being an extrusion with flanges to fit against a wall when embedded therein and a bottom lip dimensioned to hook into the channel of an inverted J extrusion, whereby a modular construction having a J extrusion along its rear inverted with the channel pointing out can be hung into the wall hanger strip.

6. A wall hanger strip for a structure made up of J extrusions according to claim 2, said strip being an extrusion with flanges to fit against a wall when embedded therein and a bottom lip dimensioned to hook into the channel of an inserted J extrusion, whereby a modular construction having a J extrusion along its rear inverted with the channel pointing out can be hung into the wall hanger strip.

7. A modular construction of J extrusions according to claim 1 having at least one extrusion with its bottom channel extending inwardly of the structure on each side and drawers provided with rollers dimensioned to roll in the channels of the J extrusions.

8. A modular construction of J extrusions according to claim 2 having at least one extrusion with its bottom channel extending inwardly of the structure on each side and drawers provided with rollers dimensioned to roll in the channels of the J extrusions.

10. A modular structure of J extrusions according to claim 2 in which there are J extrusions opposite each other with their flags pointing inwardly and adapted to support a shelf thereon, and shelves having end portions fitting into the channels between flags.

11. A modular structure according to claim 12 in which the shelf end has a groove, the sides of the groove fitting into channels between the middle flag and the upper and lower flags respectively. 12. A modular structure of J extrusions according to claim 1 having pairs of extrusions with their bottom channels extending inwardly and opposite each other and shelves having a bottom groove positioned to fit over the short legs of the extrusion channels.