WO2008020772A2

WO2008020772A2 - A modular array

Info

Publication number: WO2008020772A2
Application number: PCT/NZ2007/000222
Authority: WO
Inventors: Alan David Lesslie Hucks
Original assignee: Hucks Design Limited
Priority date: 2006-08-16
Filing date: 2007-08-16
Publication date: 2008-02-21
Also published as: WO2008020772A3

Abstract

The present invention encompasses a reconfigurable modular array. In a particular aspect, the array is an articulated modular storage device comprising a reconfigurable array of linked storage chambers.

Description

A MODULAR ARRAY

RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of New Zealand Provisional Specification 549192 filed 16 August 2006 which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to a reconfigurable modular array. In one application, the array is an articulated modular storage device comprising a reconfigurable array of linked storage chambers.

BACKGROUND

Multiple chambers or storage locations for respectively housing individual articles are known; for example wine racks for the storage of bottles of wine. These devices often require complex assembly and can usually be assembled in only one predetermined configuration or in only a limited number of fixed configurations. Changing from one configuration to another usually requires dis-assembly and reassembly. Wine bottle racks can be provided by loose stacks of un-connected tubes or similar hollow modules for storage of respective bottles. However, these racks are often unstable.

Temporary barriers, for example for road lane marking, assembled from a series of linked modules are known.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

An object of at least one embodiment of the invention is to provide an articulated modular array, or at least to provide the public with a useful choice. Another object of at least one embodiment of the invention is to provide a storage device presenting a reconfϊgurable articulated array of storage chambers. Another object of at least one embodiment of the invention is to provide a storage device that can be readily reconfigured to adopt any one of a number of different configurations.

In a first aspect, the invention provides a module adapted for use in an articulated modular array structure, wherein the module is adapted to be linked to at least one adjacent module via a link, wherein the module comprises a hollow body comprising at least one journal, wherein each link comprises two bearing apertures in which two adjacent modules are respectively journalled, and wherein the central axes of the two bearing apertures are mutually parallel so as to maintain the axes of the journals of any adjacent modules as substantially parallel.

In a second aspect, the invention may be broadly said to be an articulated modular array device comprising a series of modules wherein each module is linked to one or two adjacent modules and the modules of each pair of adjacent modules are linked together by at least one link, each module comprises a hollow body having at least one journal, each link has two bearing apertures in which two adjacent modules are respectively journalled, and the axes of the two bearing apertures are mutually parallel to maintain the axes of the journals of the two adjacent modules substantially parallel.

Preferably, at least one pair of adjacent modules is linked together by two or more links, each of the adjacent modules of the at least one pair has two coaxial journals that are axially spaced along the module body, and the axes of the two bearing apertures of each of the two or more links are identically spaced apart to maintain the journal axes of the two adjacent modules substantially parallel.

Preferably, each pair of adjacent modules is linked together by two of the links, each module has two journals which are respectively located at or near an axial end of the module body, and the bearing apertures of the two links linking together a pair of adjacent modules are fitted respectively on the two journals at or near the axial ends of the bodies of the two adjacent modules. Preferably, one or more of the modules is a storage container. Optionally, the modules are adapted to be sealed with lids, e.g., air tight lids for food storage.

Preferably, the modules are adapted for use as furniture, e.g., seating, tables, and/or storage containers. Optionally, the modules are adapted to be closed with a seat and/or lid.

Preferably, each hollow body is substantially closed at one end.

Preferably, each hollow body has a tubular wall that is substantially cylindrical, and more preferably is circularly cylindrical.

Preferably, the journals of each module are provided by a circularly cylindrical exterior wall surface of the hollow body of the module.

Preferably, the exterior wall surface of the hollow body has a shoulder at the axially inner end of each journal.

Preferably, the exterior wall surface has a groove at the axially outer end of each journal.

Preferably, a retainer is located in each groove.

Preferably the bearing apertures are substantially circular.

Preferably, the journals are fitted at the outer ends with circular end rings. Optionally, the circular end rings are coloured and/or patterned, or the circular end rings are adapted to sit under removable circular end rings which are coloured and/or patterned. - A -

The invention may further be said to consist in any alternative combination of parts or features mentioned herein or shown in the accompanying drawings. Known equivalents of these parts or features which are not expressly set out are nevertheless deemed to be included.

The term 'comprising' as used in this specification means 'consisting at least in part of, that is to say when interpreting statements in this specification which include that term, the features, prefaced by that term in each statement, all need to be present but other features can also be present.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred embodiments and methods of utilising the invention will be further described, with reference to the accompanying figures, by way of example only and without intending to be limiting, wherein;

Figure 1 shows a side, or radial, view of a tubular container;

Figure 2 shows an end, or axial, view of the tubular container of Figure 1;

Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the tubular container of Figures 1 and 2, as seen at lines 3-3 of Figures 1 and 2;

Figures 4A and 4B show top and bottom, or opposite axial, views of a link;

Figure 5 shows an end, or radial, view of the link of Figures 4A and 4B;

Figure 6 shows a cross-sectional view of the link of Figures 4A, 4B and 5, as seen at lines 6-6 of Figures 4A, 4B and 5;

Figure 7 shows an end, or axial, view of an O-ring retainer; Figure 8 shows a cross-sectional view of the O-ring retainer of Figure 7, as seen at line 8-8 of Figure 7;

Figure 9 shows an enlarged portion of the cross-sectional view of the O- ring retainer, as seen in circle 9 of Figure 8;

Figures 1OA and 1OB show top and bottom, or axial, views of an end ring;

Figure 11 shows an end, or radial, view of the end ring of Figures 1OA and

1OB;

Figure 12 shows a perspective view of an articulated modular storage device having six containers;

Figure 13 shows an elevation of the articulated modular storage device of Figure 12;

Figure 14 shows a plan view of the articulated modular storage device of Figures 12 and 13;

Figure 15 shows an exploded perspective view showing components of the articulated modular storage device of Figures 12, 13 and 14;

Figure 16 shows a perspective view of the articulated modular storage device of Figures 12 to 15 when rearranged in an alternative pyramid-like configuration;

Figure 17 shows a perspective view of an alternative articulated modular storage device having seven containers arranged in a generally circular configuration; and Figure 18 shows an axial cross-sectional view of a container fitted with links, as seen at lines 18'-18' in Figures 13 and 14.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the figures it will be appreciated that the invention may be implemented in various forms and modes. The following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention is given by way of example only.

Figures 12 to 15 and 17 show an articulated modular storage device having six substantially identical tubular containers 1 linked together and serially arranged in a straight linear array. Each container is linked to one or two adjacent containers. The containers of each pair of adjacent containers are linked together by two links 2. The links of the array are substantially identical.

Figures 1, 2 and 3 show one of the tubular containers 1. The container has a hollow interior inside a generally circularly cylindrical wall 10 and an end wall 11. Opposite end wall 11 is an open end. Near each end of the container there is a journal 12 which is provided by a circularly cylindrical exterior surface portion of the container wall 10.

A shoulder 14 is located at the axially inner end of each journal. The shoulder extends radially outward from the generally cylindrical outer surface of the container. A circular groove 16 is provided in the outer surface of the container at the axially outer end of each journal. The journals are coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the tubular container.

Although reference is made to the wall being cylindrical, this is to be understood as not excluding the shoulder and groove described above, and minor tapering of the surfaces, and particularly the internal surface, of the container. Tapering may be provided for ease of removal of the container from a mould during manufacture. For example, a slight tapering of the internal surface of the container and a wall thickness which increases toward the closed end of the container are shown in the cross-sectional view of Figure 3.

Figures 4 A, 4B, 5 and 6 show one of the links 2. Each link 2 has a pair of circular bearing apertures 20 that are substantially co-planar and have mutually parallel axes.

The spacing 21 between the axes of the two bearing apertures of each link is common to all links. The bearing apertures have a common diameter dimension 22 that provides a clearance fit over the journals 12 of the tubular containers.

The outer ends 23 of the links are each shaped with a convex curve that is concentric with the corresponding bearing aperture and has a radius of curvature 24. The links have a waisted mid-portion 25 between the two bearing apertures. Each side of the mid-portion 25 of each link is shaped with concave curve that has a radius of curvature 26 that is approximately equal to the radius of curvature 24 of the convex curve of the outer ends 23. The centres of curvature of the mid- portion 25 are spaced from the axes of the two bearing apertures 20 by distances 27 that are each approximately equal to, or slightly larger than, twice the radius of curvature 24 of the outer ends 23. This relationship between these dimensions of the link outline allows the embodiments of the articulated array as shown in the figures to be configured with the concave and convex surfaces of adjacent links in close juxtaposition. This may be best appreciated from the pyramid and circle configurations shown in Figures 16 and 17.

Each link bearing aperture is surrounded by inner and outer cylindrical walls 31 , 32 that are joined by circumferentially-spaced radially-aligned reinforcing webs 33. The inner wall 31 projects axially beyond the outer wall 32 and webs 33. This projection is provided by the inner cylindrical wall having an axial dimension 34 that is slightly larger than the axial dimension 35 of the outer wall 32 and webs 33, as shown in the cross-sectional view of Figure 6. This projection is provided to reduce the frictional contact between adjacent links 2 fitted to the same journal 12, or between a link 2 and end ring when fitted to the same journal as will be explained further below.

Figures 7, 8 and 9 show an O-ring retainer 40 which is fitted into the groove 16 to retain the links 2 on the journals 12. One preferred O-ring retainer has a cross- sectional shape that is generally square, but with a bevelled or radiused outer corner, as best seen in Figure 9. In an alternative embodiment, a circlip (not shown) may be fitted in the groove and used as the retainer.

Figures 1OA, 1OB and 11 show a circular end ring 50 having a circular bearing aperture 51 with a diameter 52 that provides a clearance fit over the journals 12 of the containers 1. The end rings 50 have a circular outer perimeter having a radius of curvature 53 that is approximately the same as the radius 24 of the convex curve of the outer ends 23 of the links 2.

Each end ring bearing aperture 51 is surrounded by inner and outer cylindrical walls 54, 55 that are joined by circumferentially-spaced radially-aligned reinforcing webs 56. The inner wall 54 projects axially beyond the outer wall 55 and webs 56. This projection is provided by the inner cylindrical wall having an axial dimension 57 that is slightly larger than the axial dimension 58 of the outer wall 55 and webs 56, as shown in the cross-sectional view of Figure 11. This projection is provided to reduce the frictional contact between an end ring 50 and an adjacent link 2 fitted to the same journal 12.

In one preferred embodiment, the tubular containers 1 of the articulated array have one closed end, closed by an end wall 11 that is approximately 4.5mm thick. The tubular containers are approximately 200mm long with an external diameter 17 of approximately 105mm and an interior space that tapers from a diameter 18 of approximately 100mm at the open end to a diameter 19 of approximately 96.62mm adjacent the closed end. The cylindrical container walls are approximately 2.5mm thick adjacent the open end. The shoulders 14 are approximately 3mm high and the grooves 16 are approximately lmm deep. These dimensions may be best appreciated from the cross-sectional view shown in Figure 3.

The bearing apertures 20 in the links 2 have a diameter 22 of approximately 105.5mm and are spaced apart by a distance 21 of approximately 136mm between axes. The radius of curvature 24 of the outer ends 23 of the links is approximately 66.75mm.

The circular end rings 50 have an outer diameter of approximately 133.93mm and a bearing aperture diameter 52 of approximately 105.5mm.

The retainer 0-rings 40 have a cross-section of approximately 3.53mm by 3.53mm.

Figures 12 to 16 show a modular array of six containers arranged in a straight line. The array is assembled by first fitting a pair of the links 2 A on to the axially inner ends of the journals 12 of respective pairs of the tubular containers 1. These inner links 2 A are located up against the respective shoulders 14. These pairs of linked containers can then be joined together by fitting a pair of outer links 2B on to the axially outer ends of the journals 12 of the containers 1 of the respective pairs. This may be best appreciated from Figure 14, which shows containers joined at each end by offset inner and outer links.

Other assemblies of the containers and links described above are possible. For example, two adjacent containers may be joined by one axially inward link and one axially outward link, rather than by both links being either axially inward or axially outward.

An end ring 50 is fitted to each journal 12 of the two containers at the ends of the modular array. These end rings are fitted to occupy the otherwise empty half- space between the shoulder 14 and the groove 16 at these journals, hi the arrangement shown in Figures 12 to 16, these end rings are fitted at the axially outer ends of the journals of the two containers at the ends of the array.

The links and end rings are retained on the journals by fitting a retainer 40 into each groove 16.

Figure 17 shows an alternative arrangement in which an end ring 50A is fitted axially inward of the links 2 joining the container IA at one end of the array to the next container IB in the array.

In an array having an odd number of containers, such as that shown in Figure 17, one end ring 50A will be located at the axially inner end of the respective journal while of necessity the end ring 50B at the other end of the same side of the array will be located at the axially outer end of the respective journal.

Figure 18 shows a cross-section of one container 1 fitted with a two inner links 2 A and a two outer links 2B. The links are fitted over the journals 12 at each end of the container. The links are retained on the respective journals by the shoulders 14 at the axially inner ends of the journals and the O-ring retainers 40 located in grooves 16 at the axially outer ends of the journals. It will be understood that this view could equally represent the arrangement- at the end of the array where one of the links at each journal is replaced by an end ring.

The journalled containers are able to be rotated about any other container in the array so that the array can be readily rearranged into different configurations. The tubular containers are preferably fitted in the bearing apertures of the links with sufficient friction to maintain the array in a set configuration while allowing easy rearrangement of the array to a new configuration.

The bearing apertures and journals allow the articulated array described above to be readily rearranged in an infinite number of configurations. Figures 12 to 16 show the six containers arranged in a straight line. Figure 16 shows the six containers of the array arranged in a pyramid-like configuration, with a first lower row of three containers arranged in line, a second intermediate row of two containers each nesting respectively between two of the three containers of the first row, and the sixth uppermost container nesting between the two containers of the second row.

Figure 17 shows an array of seven containers arranged in a circular arrangement. Any other number of containers from three up may be linked together to form an articulated reconfigurable array according to the invention using the principles described above. In each case the axes of the containers are maintained substantially parallel to one another for any reconfiguration of the array.

The array configurations as described above use end rings 50 at each axial end of the two containers at the ends of the array. In an alternative configuration the array can be closed. For example, the four end rings 5OA, 50B, 5OC, 50D of the circular array shown in Figure 17 may be replaced with two additional links (not shown) that are identical to the links 2. The additional links link the container IA at one end of the Figure 17 array with the container 1C at the other end of the array to form a closed loop array. It will be appreciated that this closed loop array can be configured in a circle similar to the array of Figure 17, or can be reconfigured into non-circular configurations (not shown). For example, the closed loop array of seven containers could be configured as two adjacent parallel rows - one row of three containers and one row of four containers.

The arrays can be used with the container axes substantially horizontal, for example as a bottle rack for storing bottles of wine lain horizontally in respective containers of the array.

The array can be free standing on a table, benchtop or other suitable surface, with the container axes substantially horizontal or vertical. The containers may have both ends open, or have only one end closed as shown in the cross-sectional view of Figure 3, in which the container has an end wall 11. Fasteners, for example screws, may be fitted through holes (not shown) in the end walls 11 to secure the array. In one application the array can be fastened with the container end walls 11 up against a vertical wall surface so that the containers project outwardly from the wall surface with the container axes substantially horizontal.

The containers, links and retainers may be made of any suitable material, for example plastics, metals, wood or rubber. In one embodiment, the containers and links are injection moulded from a polycarbonate and the retainers are polyurethane O-rings. In one embodiment, at least the containers are transparent.

In one alternative (not shown) the links and end rings are made from wire or metal rod suitably bent or curved to define the bearing apertures. For example, the links could be made from wire bent in a figure of eight to define two spaced apart bearing apertures.

The foregoing describes the invention with reference to a preferred embodiment. Alterations and modifications as will be obvious to those skilled in the art are intended to be incorporated within the scope of the invention as defined in the accompanying claims. . ~ ;

For example, although the preferred embodiment described above is a storage device, the modular array can be used as a barrier. The barrier may be an array of solid rods linked together in the manner described above. Alternatively, a barrier may be provided by a linked array of tubular containers that can be filled, e.g. with water, loose metal or soil, to add weight to the barrier when deployed. Such a barrier may be used as a temporary and/or reconfigurable road or safety barrier.

As described above, the containers each have at least one open end. The, or each, open end may be closed by a removable closure or lid (not shown). For example, the generally cylindrical container wall 10 may be provided with a screw thread (not shown) axially outward of the journal for securing a correspondingly threaded closure. Alternatively, a cork or bung may be used to close an otherwise open end of a container.

The containers, bearing apertures and/or journal surfaces may be shaped other than circularly cylindrical. For example, a tubular container having a triangular or quadrilateral transverse cross-section may present a substantially three or four pointed journal that is journalled in circular bearing apertures of the links. Alternatively, the containers may have circularly cylindrical journal surfaces that are journalled in non-circular bearing apertures in the links.

The shoulders located at the axially inner ends of the journals as described above may be substituted by a retainer fitted in a groove, similarly to the retainer and groove arrangement as already described for the axially outer end of the journals.

The links and end rings may be solid rather than having spaced walls joined by webs, as described above.

The outline shape of the links may differ from the waisted symmetrical shape as referred to above and as shown hi the figures. For example, the links may be asymmetric or may not include a waisted mid-portion.

Adjacent containers may be linked by other than two links. For example, a single link having a pair of cylindrical collars providing the two bearing apertures may be used to link the two containers of each adjacent pair of containers in an array. In this case the two collars of each link have mutually parallel axes, in the manner of the bearing apertures described above, and thereby maintain the containers substantially parallel.

Alternatively, and particularly in the case of elongated containers, it may be advantageous to use one or more intermediate sets of links between the two sets of the preferred embodiment shown in the figures. In that case, it may be advantageous to use the retainer and groove arrangement described above, instead of the shoulder, for each journal, thus allowing all links to be identical, and particularly to have a common diameter dimension for all bearing apertures.

The invention has been described herein, with reference to certain preferred embodiments, in order to assist the reader in practising the invention without undue experimentation. However, a person having ordinary skill in the art will readily recognise that many of the components and parameters may be varied or modified to a certain extent without departing from the scope of the invention. Furthermore, titles, headings, or the like are provided to enhance the reader's comprehension of this document, and should not be read as limiting the scope of the present invention.

The entire disclosures of all patent applications, patents, and publications, cited above and below, if any, are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A module adapted for use in an articulated modular array structure, wherein the module is adapted to be linked to at least one adjacent module via a link, wherein the module comprises a hollow body comprising at least one journal, wherein each link comprises two bearing apertures in which two adjacent modules are respectively journalled, and wherein the central axes of the two bearing apertures are mutually parallel so as to maintain the axes of the journals of any adjacent modules as substantially parallel.

2. The module of claim 1, wherein the journal comprises a groove at the axially outer end of the journal.

3. The module of claim 2, wherein a retainer is located in the groove.

4. The module of claim 1, wherein the journal comprises a shoulder at the axially inner end of the j ournal .

5. The module of claim 1, wherein the hollow body is substantially closed at one end.

6. The module of claim 1, wherein the hollow body comprises a tubular wall that is substantially cylindrical.

7. The module of claim 6, wherein the tubular wall is circularly cylindrical.

8. The module of claim 1, wherein the bearing apertures are substantially circular.

9. An articulated modular array structure comprising at least one module linked to at least one adjacent module via a link, wherein the module comprises a hollow body comprising at least one journal, wherein each link comprises two bearing apertures in which two adjacent modules are respectively journalled, and wherein the central axes of the two bearing apertures are mutually parallel so as to maintain the axes of the journals of any adjacent modules as substantially parallel.

10. The modular array structure of claim 9, wherein the journal comprises a groove at the axially outer end of the journal.

11. The modular array structure of claim 10, wherein a retainer is located in the groove.

12. The modular array structure of claim 9, wherein the journal comprises a shoulder at the axially inner end of the journal.

13. The modular array structure of claim 9, wherein the hollow body is substantially closed at one end.

14. The modular array structure of claim 9, wherein the hollow body comprises a tubular wall that is substantially cylindrical.

15. The modular array structure of claim 14, wherein the tubular wall is circularly cylindrical.

16. The modular array structure of claim 9, wherein the bearing apertures are substantially circular.

17. The modular array structure of claim 9, wherein at least one of the modules is adapted for use as a storage container. >

18. The modular array structure of claim 17, which further comprises a lid adapted to fit the storage container.

19. The modular array structure of claim 9, wherein at least one of the modules is adapted for use as furniture.

20. The modular array structure of claim 19, wherein the furniture is selected from the group consisting of seating, tables, and storage containers.

21. The modular array structure of claim 20, which further comprises a seat or a lid.

22. The modular array structure of claim 9, wherein the journal is fitted with a circular end ring at the outer end of the journal.