WO2010023404A2

WO2010023404A2 - Modular construction assembly

Info

Publication number: WO2010023404A2
Application number: PCT/FR2009/051623
Authority: WO
Inventors: Thierry Nahon; Philippe Landecker
Original assignee: Lunatic Construction
Priority date: 2008-08-25
Filing date: 2009-08-24
Publication date: 2010-03-04
Also published as: FR2921951A1; WO2010023404A3

Abstract

The invention relates to a modular construction assembly comprising at least one support element (1; 17; 19; 31; 39; 49; 55) having a substantially planar upper surface (13; 21; 33; 45; 51; 57) so that an object can be made to rest there, at least one bearing block (7; 27; 34; 63) for said support element, and complementary means of connection between said bearing block and said support element, comprising at least one member (5) which projects from a first face (6) of said block and a cutout (11; 25; 37; 43; 61) formed in said support element and able to accommodate said projecting member. Said projecting member (5) is a stud forming part of said block and having a complementary shape with said cutout so as to provide said connection by fitting said stud in said cutout. Application to the manufacture of modular furniture.

Description

Modular building set

The invention relates to a modular building assembly, of the type comprising at least one support element having a substantially flat upper surface for resting an object, at least one support block for said support element, and means complementary connection between said support block and said support member comprising at least one member which protrudes from a first face of said block and a recess formed in said support member and adapted to receive said protruding member,

DE 20 2005 012721 and DE 20 2007 013817 disclose modular building assemblies consisting of stackable blocks provided with housings, at least one plate having transverse openings, and rods extending through the housings of the blocks. and the openings of the plate and which ensure the fastening of the various elements by means of fasteners of the screw-nut type. This through-rod connection mode and fasteners of the screw-nut type makes the assembly and disassembly of the modular assembly long and tedious.

The object of the invention is to overcome this disadvantage of known assemblies by means of a modular assembly of construction of the aforementioned type which at least partially makes it possible to provide an object support function on said support element while being very easy to assemble and disassemble, rigid and stable, and aesthetic.

For this purpose, the invention relates to a modular assembly of construction as defined in claim 1.

The block or blocks of the modular set are similar to the blocks commonly used in small sizes for fun purposes. We will understand by "small sizes" blocks of dimensions such that the palm of a hand can contain several.

The interlocking of many of these elements allows children to perform all kinds of playful constructions, such as models. The invention relates to a modular assembly whose blocks are made at considerably greater scales, in particular for making partitions, furniture elements, such as coffee tables, or decorative elements or even building elements for the building. architecture. For example, the large blocks (also called oversized blocks) within the meaning of the present invention may have a length of about 38 cm, a width of about 12 cm and a height of order of 7 cm for a block with eight studs. Such blocks, even in the aforementioned large dimensions, having protrusions or pads, are not in themselves used to support objects usually present in buildings, such as plates, vases, bottles, glasses, trinkets, etc. Indeed, an object disposed on one or more pads, or between them in the vicinity of an edge of the block, can be in an unstable position. In addition, an object disposed between pads may be difficult to position and grasp.

By combining such oversized blocks with a support member having recesses having a shape conjugate with that of the projecting members, this problem is solved and ensures a connection by rigid and stable interlocking, aesthetic thanks to the absence of fastening means reported, and allow a particularly easy assembly and fast assembly.

Indeed, the support element is, firstly, stably maintained on a block by means of its attachment means and, secondly, provides a support surface which is flat for rest various types objects as indicated above, the planar character ensuring satisfactory stability to such objects.

To pose an object, the support element provides a flat surface to the right of a block if the thickness of this support element is at least equal to the height of the blocks, and / or on the part of the element of support likely to extend outside the vertical projection of the block.

According to embodiments which will in particular be illustrated and described subsequently, the assembly according to the invention may also comprise the following characteristics, taken separately or in combination: the support element comprises at least one rigid plate in which is provided at least one through opening of complementary section to that of said at least one stud, the through opening constituting the hooking means, the plate has a thickness substantially equal to the height of said at least one stud,

- The rigid plate has a thickness less than the height of said at least one pad, preferably between 1 and 2 mm, - the support member comprises a rigid plate, in particular a solid plate, integral with the plate,

- The plate and the plate are made in two parallel planes, and are connected by a wall forming a shoulder with the plate,

- The plate and the plate are made in the same plane, - the plate has a thickness substantially equal to the height of said at least one stud,

the rigid plate has a thickness of between 1 and 2 mm,

the plate comprises stiffening means,

the stiffening means comprise folded lateral edges, the support element is made of metal, glass, wood or plastic,

said stud has, in a second face opposite to said first face, at least one recess able to receive a pad from another block for the interlocking superimposition of said blocks. The invention will be further understood in the light of the embodiments which will now be presented, with reference to the appended figures in which:

FIG. 1 is a top view of a first support element according to a first embodiment according to the invention; FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the element of FIG. 1 along the M-plane; He,

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a block equipped with the element according to the invention shown in FIG. 1,

FIG. 4 is a view from above of a support element according to a second embodiment according to the invention,

FIG. 5 is a view from above of a support element according to a third embodiment according to the invention, FIG. 6 is a sectional view along the plane VI-VI of the element shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view along plane VII-VII of the element shown in FIG. 5; FIG. 8 is a side view of two blocks connected by a support element according to the invention shown in FIGS. 5 to 7,

FIG. 9 is a view from above of a support element according to a fourth embodiment according to the invention,

FIG. 10 is a sectional view of two blocks connected by the element shown in FIG. 9,

FIG. 11 is a view from above of a support element according to a fifth embodiment according to the invention,

FIG. 12 is a sectional view along the plane X1-X1 of the element shown in FIG. 11; FIG. 13 is a side view of two blocks connected by a support element according to a sixth embodiment according to FIG. the invention, and

- Figure 14 is a partial perspective view showing a modular assembly comprising at least two blocks, a support member according to the invention being fitted on one of the blocks.

A support element 1, shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, is in the form of a square plate 3 of thickness e.

The thickness e of the plate 3 is substantially equal to the height of cylindrical studs 5 projecting on the upper face 6 of a block 7, as can be seen in particular in FIG.

As an indication, the support member 1 may have a thickness e substantially equal to 20 mm, and a side length substantially equal to 190 mm.

The support member 1 may be made of wood, glass, metal or plastic, for example.

Block 7 (illustrated in FIG. 3) is parallelepipedal and comprises, in its lower face 8, recesses 9 in which pads of another block 7 may be fixed. The plate 3 has four through openings 11 whose section, here circular, is of complementary shape to that of the section of the pads 5, and whose dimensions are slightly greater than those of the pads so that each opening 11 can accommodate a stud 5, as illustrated in FIG. 3. When the element 1 is fitted on the studs 5 of the block 3, the surface 13 of the element 1 is at a level at least equal, and in this example equal to that of the top surface Studs 5.

Thus, the upper surface 13 of the element 1 and the studs 5 constitutes a substantially continuous horizontal surface on which an object can be arranged in a stable manner.

Another embodiment of an element 17 according to the invention is illustrated in FIG.

The element 17 is made in the form of a flat element of L shape.

The element 17 has a thickness substantially equal to the height of the pads 5 of a block 3.

Such elements 17 make it possible in particular to produce substantially flat surfaces for forming supports in corners of a piece of furniture made from a modular set of blocks 7, for example.

Another embodiment of a support element 19 according to the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 5 to 8.

Element 19 has the function of making a shelf when it is fitted on two blocks of a modular assembly.

Such a support member 19 also allows to superimpose and nest other blocks on the projecting portion of 5 pads that remains available. The support member 19 comprises a solid plate 21 of substantially rectangular shape, forming a support for positioning various objects.

The plate 21 extends, at each of its ends, into a plate 23 comprising through-openings 25 allowing each of the plates 23 to fit on the studs 5 of two blocks 27, such as those illustrated in FIG. 8.

In the example illustrated in FIGS. 5 to 81, the blocks 27 comprise only two pads 5 each (one of the pads not being visible in FIG. 8). It should be understood that this example of use is not limiting and that the element 19 could be fitted on the blocks of blocks which contain more.

The through openings 25 have complementary shapes to those of the pads 5 so that each opening 25 accommodates a stud 5. The central support plate 21 and the plates 23 are made integral in one piece.

In the context of this example, the support plate 21 and the plates 23 are made of metal, preferably 15/10 ^e polished steel, and have a small thickness, that is to say of the order of a few millimeters preferably between 1 and 2 mm.

To strengthen the support plate 21, the latter has two longitudinal edges 29 which are folded so as to form a right angle with the surface of the support plate for the objects.

The length of the folded flange substantially corresponds to the distance between two blocks 27 when the element 19 is fitted on the pads 5 of these blocks 27.

In the context of this embodiment, the element 19 has a length of substantially 1140 mm, and a width of substantially 190 mm.

The flanges 29 have a length of substantially 760 mm, and a width of substantially 20 mm. The plates 23 are substantially rectangular in shape.

Figure 9 shows a fourth embodiment of a support member 31 according to the invention.

Such an element 31 allows for trays to form, with blocks of a modular assembly, shelves, tables or worktops requiring large areas to support many objects, for example.

The element 31 is of rectangular shape. It comprises a central support plate 33 which is extended at each of its ends in a hooking plate 35. The support plate 33 and the plates 35 have the same thickness, the latter being substantially equal to the height of the pads 5 of the blocks 34 on which the element 31 fits (see Figure 10). In this embodiment, the support plate 33 and the plates 35 are made in one piece.

To enable the element 31 to be engaged on two blocks 34, each plate 35 has through openings 37 made at regular intervals along the entire length of each plate (or over the entire width of the element 31).

Each plate 35 has four through openings 37, of complementary shape to that of four pads 5 that includes each block 34, or that comprise two adjacent blocks with two pads, or four blocks adjacent to a single pad.

The interval between two openings 35 corresponds to the interval between two pads 5, so that each plate can fit perfectly on each block 34.

Figures 11 and 12 show a fifth embodiment of a support member 39 according to the invention.

The element 39 comprises a plate 41 of substantially rectangular shape, having two through openings 43 of complementary shape to that of two pads 5 of a block of a modular assembly.

The element 39 also comprises a solid plate 45 forming a support for objects.

The plate 45 is connected to the plate 41 by a vertical wall 47 so that the support element has, in section, a shape of S.

The element 39 is made of polished steel 15/10 ^e.

The wall 47, the plate 45 and the plate 41 have a common thickness of between 1 and 2 mm.

Thus, when the element 39 is fitted on a block, the plate 41 and the wall 47 form a wedge that engages around a corner of the block, the plate 45 being cantilevered.

FIG. 13 shows another support element 49 according to the invention comprising a solid central support plate 51 connected to two plates 41 by two vertical walls 47.

The figure shows in particular that the right angle between the plates 41 and the walls 47 allows a part of the element 49 to be plastered on a corner 53 of each block 27, which makes the nesting of the element 49 on the blocks 27 more stable.

FIG. 14 shows an element 55 having, like the elements 39 and 49, a solid support plate 57 connected by a wall 47 to a plate 59 having through openings 61, to allow passage to the studs 5 of a block 7.

The block 7 is fitted on the pads 5 (not shown) of another block 63, the two blocks 7 and 63 forming a modular assembly.

As can be seen in this figure, the support plate 57 of the element 55 is outside the vertical projection of the block 7 and is free from any contact with the block 63, which extends under the plate 57.

The plate 57 of the element 55 provides a flat surface forming a stable support for resting objects thereon.

The elements 49 and 55 are for example made from polished steel plate thickness substantially between 1 and 2 mm, especially 15/10 mm.

It will be understood from the embodiments described above how the modular building assembly according to the invention makes it possible, for example, to create furniture elements on which objects can be stably arranged.

It should be understood, however, that the modular building assembly according to the invention is not limited to the embodiments which are specifically described above, and extends to any equivalent embodiment. In particular, the plates according to the invention, whose thickness is substantially equal to the height of the blocks of the blocks, may have other shapes, other dimensions, and a greater or lesser amount of through openings depending of the utility that it is desired to give to said plate. In another variant, the plates located out of contact with the blocks 7 may themselves have openings 11, which allows them to be put in place in several different positions on one or more blocks 7. In general, alternative embodiments of the support elements presented above could be made without departing from the scope of the invention by changing the number of through openings, changing the dimensions, shapes and thicknesses of the different parts of the elements.

Claims

1.- Modular building assembly comprising

- at least one support member (1; 17; 19; 31; 39; 49; 55) having a substantially planar upper surface (13; 21; 33; 45; 51; 57) for resting an object thereon

at least one support block (7; 27; 34; 63) for said support element, and

- Complementary connecting means between said support block and said support member, comprising at least one member (5) which projects on a first face (6) of said block and a recess (11; 25; 37; 43; 61) formed in said support member and adapted to receive said projecting member, characterized in that

- Said protruding member is a stud integral with said block and having a conjugate shape of said recess to ensure said connection by interlocking said stud in said recess.

2. A modular assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that said at least one element comprises at least one rigid plate (3; 17; 23; 35; 41; 59) in which is formed at least one through opening (11; 25; 37; 43; 61) of complementary section to that of said at least one stud (5), said through opening (1 1; 25; 37; 43; 61) constituting said recess.

3. A modular assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that the rigid plate (3; 17; 35) has a thickness substantially equal to the height of said at least one pad.

4. A modular assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that the rigid plate (23; 41; 59) has a thickness less than the height of said at least one pad, preferably between 1 and 2 mm.

5. A modular assembly according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that said at least one element comprises a rigid plate (21; 33; 45; 51; 57), in particular a solid plate, integral with said plate rigid (23; 35; 41; 59).

6. A modular assembly according to claim 5, characterized in that the plate (41; 59) and the plate (45; 51; 57) are arranged in two planes. parallel, and are connected by a wall (47) forming a shoulder adapted to abut with said plate (41; 59) against a corner of said block.

7.- modular assembly according to claim 5, characterized in that the plate (35) and the plate (33) are formed in the same plane.

8. A modular assembly according to claim 7, characterized in that said plate (33) has a thickness substantially equal to the height of said at least one stud (5).

9. A modular assembly according to any one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that said rigid plate (21; 45; 51; 57) has a thickness of between 1 and 2 mm.

10. A modular assembly according to any one of claims 5 to 9, characterized in that the plate (21) comprises stiffening means (29).

11. A modular assembly according to claim 10, characterized in that said stiffening means comprise folded lateral edges (29).

12. A modular assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that it is made of metal, glass, wood or plastic.

13.- modular assembly according to one of claims 1 to 12 characterized in that said pad has in a second face opposite to said first face at least one recess adapted to receive a pad of another block for the superposition with interlocking said blocks.