WO2005076739A2

WO2005076739A2 - Universal fasteners for do-it-yourself modular furniture and shelves

Info

Publication number: WO2005076739A2
Application number: PCT/IL2005/000190
Authority: WO
Inventors: Doron Lachish
Original assignee: Doron Lachish
Priority date: 2004-02-16
Filing date: 2005-02-15
Publication date: 2005-08-25
Also published as: IL160421A0; WO2005076739A3

Abstract

A universal fastener assembly for DIY modular furniture and shelves comprising first and second identical fastener adapted to be reversibly and rigidly interconnected by a means of one lock. Each of the fasteners is comprised of a distal portion and a proximal portion. A connector member is located at the said distal portion and perpendicular plugs are located at the said proximal portion. The plugs comprising a lateral recess exceeded for at least a portion of the said plug's circumference. The lock is having a face and rear portions and four sidewalls. Two opposite side walls comprising alcoves and the face portion comprising bores. The alcoves and bores fit by means of size and shape the plugs members of the fastener. The first and second fasteners are arranged so their plugs are facing or entrapping each other along their main longitudinal axis. The alcoves of the lock are insertedable to the recesses of the said first fastener and said opposite standing second fastener in manner that said fasteners are reversibly and rigidly immobilized.

Description

UNIVERSAL FASTENERS FOR DO-IT-YOURSELF MODULAR FURNITURE AND SHELVES

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to universal fasteners for do-it-yourself (DIY) modular furniture and shelves.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Modular furniture and shelves apparatuses, such as knock-down furniture which can be shipped compactly in a disassembled state to be assembled at a subsequent location, some of them are adapted for do-it-yourself (DIY) assembling, are known in the art, such as described in US Pat No 4,846,078 to Janson, which teaches a furniture assembly and assembly device. Moreover, US designs No. D297,303 and D286,743 to Finklestein and Cohen, respectively, describe multiple panel connectors. US Pat. No. 4,616,571 to Lange discloses a panel section interconnecting member and a shelf structure using a plurality of the panel section interconnecting members. Similarly, US Pat. No. 4,291,512 to Walton presents a jointing member for supporting one or more sheets of material comprises a hollow cylindrical member divided longitudinally into several separate compartments each having an external wall formed with a slot. Nevertheless, cost effective, esthetic and robust modular furniture and shelves assembly adapted for any DIY purposes and further adjusted to any assembly arrangment is still a long felt need.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is thus one object of the present invention to provide a universal fastener assembly for DIY modular furniture and shelves comprising a first fastener and a second identical fastener adapted to be reversibly and rigidly interconnected by a means of one lock. Each of said fasteners is inter alia comprised of a distal portion and a proximal portion; a connector member is located at the said distal portion and a plurality of perpendicular plugs are located at the said proximal portion; wherein at least a portion of said plurality of plugs comprising a lateral recess exceeded for at least a portion of the said plug's circumference. Said lock is having a face and rear portions and four side walls; two opposite side walls comprising a plurality of alcoves and said face portion comprising a plurality of bores; said alcoves and bores are equal in number and fit by means of size and shape the said plugs members of the fastener. It is the core of the present invention wherein said first fastener and said second fastener are arranged in the manner their plugs are facing or entrapping each other along their main longitudinal axis, the said alcoves of the lock are insertable to the recesses of the said first fastener and said opposite standing second fastener, said fasteners are reversibly and rigidly immobilize.

It is in the scope of the present invention wherein the universal fastener assembly defined above is comprised of two plugs, two alcoves and two bores. Preferably, those plugs are non-identical, at least one is a male plug and at least one is a female plug, wherein the proximal end of said male plug is adapted to be inserted into the open bore at the proximal portion of the said female plug. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the said fastener assembly comprising two plugs, one male plug and one female plug. Additionally or alternatively, said fastener assembly comprising either at least one lip terminator or lip connector. Moreover, the plugs preferably are exceeded from the connector proximal wall in a non-symmetrical manner.

It is also in the scope of the present invention wherein the said universal fastener assembly is adapted to be assembled in furniture. This furniture is characterized by a main planar sandwich-like board defining a plurality of lateral elongated cells. It is further characterized by a plurality of perpendicular bores fit by number shape and size the proximal portion of the plugs; wherein said cells are adapted to fit at least one connector portion of the fastener.

It is also in the scope of the present invention wherein the aforementioned main board comprising two perpendicular bores at every corner of said board, said bores are perpendicular to the cell's main longitudinal axis and located in the center of its lateral cross section. Hence, at least a portion of the cells is potentially adapted to fit one connector portion of the fastener. Alternatively, at least a portion of the cells is adapted to fit two connector portions of the fastener. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In order to understand the invention and to see how it may be implemented in practice, a plurality of embodiments will now be described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which figures 1A-1D schematically presents a fastener according to one embodiment of the present invention; figures 2A-2D schematically presents a lock according to said embodiment of the present invention; figures 3A-3B schematically presents a universal fastener assembly according to said embodiment of the present invention; figures 4A-4D schematically presents a lip terminator according to yet another embodiment of the present invention; figures 5A-5D schematically presents a lip connector according to another embodiment of the present invention; figures 6A-6B schematically presents a universal fastener assembly comprising a lip terminator; figure 7 schematically presents a universal fastener assembly incorporated in one planar board of a furniture according to another embodiment of the present invention; figure 8 schematically presents a do-it-yourself modular furniture and/or shelves assembly comprising a plurality of universal fastener assemblies forming a "+" joint; and , figures 9A-9C schematically presents three different DIY modular furniture and/or shelves assemblies according to still further embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following description is provided, alongside all chapters of the present invention, so as to enable any person skilled in the art to make use of said invention and sets forth the best modes contemplated by the inventor of carrying out this invention. Various modifications, however, will remain apparent to those skilled in the art, since the generic principles of the present invention have been defined specifically to provide universal fasteners for DIY modular furniture and shelves and modular furniture and shelves comprising the same.

The terms 'DIY modular furniture and shelves' and/or shortly 'furniture' refer in the present invention to any DIY or any other modular, knockdown or collapsible furniture and shelves. The aforementioned furniture may be used either indoors or outdoors; and may be at least partially made of any suitable plastic or polymeric composition, selected yet not limited to high density polypropylene, polystyrene, polycarbonate, ABS etc; metal ware, wood products; composite materials or any mixture or combination thereof. The said furniture may be adapted for DIY and/or for self-assembling purposes, for collapsible furniture; for ready to use furniture; kits for modular shelves, cupboards, closets, tables, chairs, setting assemblies etc.

The terms 'universal fastener assembly', 'fasteners', 'locks', 'lip connector' and/or 'lip terminator' refer in the present invention to universal means for assembling and maintaining said furniture rigid structures; and may be at least partially made of any suitable plastic or polymeric composition, selected yet not limited to high density polypropylene, polystyrene, polycarbonate, ABS etc; metal ware, wood products; composite materials or any mixture or combination thereof. This universal fastener assembly and its ingredients may be constructed in polygonal shapes or rounded shapes, and may be transparent or colored.

Reference is made now to figures 1A-1D presenting a fastener (10) according to one embodiment of the present invention wherein Fig. 1A is an isometric view of the same, comprising a distal portion (1) having a polygonal connecting member (i.e., connector), and a proximal portion (2) having a plurality of studs, here respectively elongated one male plug (2) and one short female plug (3) and vice versa, both exceeded perpendicularly from the distal portion of said connector.

The aforementioned connector comprising inter alia a rigid body and optional perpendicularly reinforcement members (4 for example) provided for a plurality of cell like constructions (5 for example). Adjacent to the distal portion of each of the two plugs located a lateral and continuous recess (6), surrounding at least a portion of said plug's circumference. Said male plug (2) is characterized by tow integrate segments: a base member (7A) at its distal portion and a head member (7B) at its proximal portion. Said plugs are characterized by a rounded cut, polygonal cross section or any combination thereof. Hence, fastener (10) comprising two plugs of a circular cross-section (8, 9), both having an open bore extended along the plug's longitudinal axis. The external diameter of the male plug proximal end (8) is equal to the inner diameter of the open bore of the female plug (9); wherein the length of 7A is approximately equal to the length of bore (9).

Reference is made now to Fig. IB showing a face view of fastener (10); wherein the external diameter of the male plug (2) in its proximal portion is equal to the inner diameter of female plug (3). It is acknowledged in this respect that according to the described embodiment of the present invention in a non-limiting manner, the centers of plugs (2,3) exceeded from connector (1) are located in a non-symmetrical manner adjacent to one rim of said connector.

Reference is made now to figures 1C ad ID showing recess (6) located at the circumference of plugs (2,3); and further presenting the proportions between male tip (7B) and its female housing (3B). Also underlined the connector (1) shape, preferably having a plurality of reinforced (4) cells-like structures (5).

Reference is made now to figure 2A-2D presenting lock (20). Lock (20) is comprised of a plurality of alcoves (21A, 21B) adapted to feet in size and shape plug's outer diameter in their recess (6) location. Here again, said alcoves are located in a non- symmetrical manner. Said lock (20) is having a top portion having alcoves (21A, 21B), side-walls (21), rear wall and face portion having a plurality of bores (22A, 22B). Figure 2B is presenting a face vie w of lock (20) having said two bores (22A, 22B); figure 2C is showing a side view of sidewall (21) and Fig. 2D is showing the two alcoves (21A, 21B).

Reference is made now to figures 3A and 3B presenting universal fasteners assembly (30) in its pre-assembled (Fig. 3A) and secured conformation (Fig. 3B); wherein to connectors (10) are oriented in the manner male-to-female plugs are assembled and lock (20) is appended in the manner its alcoves are directed into the plugs' recesses.

An example is hereto provided in a non-limiting manner, presenting the proportions between the various ingredients and members of the universal fastener assembly as described and defined in one embodiment of the present invention. Possible dimensions of the connector member (1) of the distal portion of the fastener (10) are 35 mm (IL); 21 mm (IT); and 53.7 mm (IW). Possible dimensions of plugs members at the proximal portion are 23.5 mm ( A); wherein the centers of the plugs are distant each other by 26 mm, and asymmetrically located at about 61% of connector thickness (IT). The lock possible dimensions, respectively to the said fastener dimensions, are 41.4 mm (20T); 49.4 mm (21W) and 20 mm (20T); wherein the distance between the centers of the two rounded alcoves (21A and 21B) is 26 mm.

Lid terminators and connector are available in many embodiments. Reference is made thus to figures 4A to 4D, presenting lid terminator (40) having a male plug (42), female plug (43) at its proximal portion and cover (41) in its distal end. Said lid terminator (40) is adapted to entrap the universal fasteners assembly at its very distal end, providing the assembly with an esthetic ending. Similarly, reference is made to figures 5A to 5D, presenting lid connector (50) having a male plug (42), female plug (43) at its proximal portion and cover (41) in its distal end. Those plugs are comprised of recesses (56) adapted to entrap the universal fasteners assembly at its very distal end, providing the assembly with an esthetic ending. Figures 6A and 6B shows lid terminator (50) or lid connector (60), lock (20) and fastener (10) assembly in its pre- assembled configuration (Fig. 6A) and secured manner (Fig. 6B).

Reference is made now to figure 7 presenting the universal fasteners assembly (30) incorporated in shelf (71), provide a simple method for assembling furniture as defined in any of the above and in any predetermined shape, configuration and manner. The horizontal furniture presented in figure 7 is comprised of a plurality of horizontal open bores (72A and 7B for example) and elongated cells (73 for example) reinforced by means of a plurality of perpendicular reinforcing members (74 for example). Plugs (2, 3) are inserted perpendicularly into the bores (72A, 72B), wherein connectors (1) are exceeded upwards or downwards. Lock (20) is inserted into the cell (73), locking the two fasteners (10) so a universal fastener assembly (30) is provided as defined above. It is acknowledged in this respect that the dimension of the cell's (73) cross-section is equal to the dimensions, sizes and shapes of two connectors (10) assembled together in parallel. Hence for solely for example, and respectively to the fastener and lock possible dimensions listed above, said cell (73) possible inner dimensions are 42 X 53.4 mm; wherein with 42 mm equal to twice the external thickness of the connector (21 mm, IT) etc. For the purpose of illustrating said embodiment; one may calculate the thickness of the said plastic-made cell (73) to range from 2 to 4 mm.

Reference is made now to figure 8 presenting an assembly of horizontal furniture (71A and 72B) and perpendicular furniture (80A and 80B) jointed together in a "+" joint assembly whereat two parallel universal fastener assemblies (30) are plugged into the elongated cell (such as 73). It is acknowledge in this respect that other joints are possible, selected yet not limited to "T", "L", "-" or "X" joints.

Reference is lastly made to figures 9A-9C presenting in a not-limiting manner three typical types of furniture as defined above. Other shapes, sized and fashions are also possible, including yet not restricted to those comprising doors, drawers, legs, etc.

Claims

1. A universal fastener assembly for DIY modular furniture and shelves comprising a first fastener and a second identical fastener adapted to be reversibly and rigidly interconnected by a means of one lock; wherein each of said fasteners is inter alia comprised of a distal portion and a proximal portion; a connector member is located at the said distal portion and a plurality of perpendicular plugs are located at the said proximal portion; wherein at least a portion of said plurality of plugs comprising a lateral recess exceeded for at least a portion of the said plug's circumference; said lock is having a face and rear portions and four side walls; two opposite side walls comprising a plurality of alcoves and said face portion comprising a plurality of bores; said alcoves and bores are equal in number and fit by means of size and shape the said plugs members of the fastener; further wherein said first fastener and said second fastener are arranged so their plugs are facing or entrapping each other along their main longitudinal axis, the said alcoves of the lock are insertedable to the recesses of the said first fastener and said opposite standing second fastener in manner that said fasteners are reversibly and rigidly immobilized.

2. The universal fastener assembly according to claim 1, comprising two plugs, two alcoves and two bores.

3. The universal fastener assembly according to claim 1, comprising at least one male plug and at least one female plug, wherein the proximal end of said male plug is adapted to be inserted into the open bore at the proximal portion of the said female plug.

4. The universal fastener assembly according to claim 3, comprising two plugs, one male plug and one female plug.

5. The universal fastener assembly according to claim 1, additionally comprising either at least one lip terminator or lip connector.

6. The universal fastener as defined in claim 1 or in any of its dependent claims, wherein the plugs are exceeded from the connector proximal wall in a non- symmetrical manner.

7. The universal fastener assembly according to claim 1, adapted to be assembled in furniture characterized by a main planar sandwich-like board defining a plurality of lateral elongated cells; and further characterized by a plurality of perpendicular bores fit by number, shape and size the proximal portion of the plugs; wherein said cells are adapted to fit at least one connector portion of the fastener.

8. The universal fastener assembly according to claim 7, wherein said main board comprising two perpendicular bores at every corner of said board, said bores are perpendicular to the cell's main longitudinal axis and located in the center of its lateral cross-section.

9. The universal fastener assembly according to claim 7, wherein at least a portion of the cells are adapted to fit one connector portion of the fastener.

10. The universal fastener assembly according to claim 7, wherein at least a portion of the cells are adapted to fit two connector portions of the fastener.

11. The universal fastener assembly as described in any of figures 1 to 6.

12. The universal fastener assembly as defined in the present invention

13. DIY modular furniture and shelves assemblies comprising the universal fastener assembly as defined in claim 1 or in any of its dependent claims.

14. DIY modular furniture and shelves assemblies as described in any of figures 7, 8 or 9.

15. DIY modular furniture and shelves assemblies as defined in the present invention.