Freight accommodation on freight carrier – Load bracing means – Panel or frame – wall-to-wall
Reexamination Certificate
1998-12-18
2001-01-16
Gordon, Stephen T. (Department: 3612)
Freight accommodation on freight carrier
Load bracing means
Panel or frame, wall-to-wall
C410S121000, C410S129000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06174116
ABSTRACT:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
Not Applicable
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
Not Applicable
REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX
Not Applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a system of adjustable interlocking panels and a method for constructing a cargo barrier, shelving unit, box, and other modular systems with a plurality of such panels.
2. Background Information
Modular storage systems, furniture, shelving units, and containers in general are known in the prior art. These include free-standing stackable cubes that come from the manufacturer precut with the necessary hardware to join the parts of the cube. Knock-down and set-up construction is also known, particularly boxes, crates, and containers. Known cargo barriers, e.g. for placement in the load beds of pick-up trucks, include netting, load locks, Working Mats with flip-up panels, and grooves in the load bed that are designed to accept dimensional lumber.
What is needed is a versatile panel system with a sturdy yet quickly detachable interlocking system so that the consumer can quickly erect, modify, and breakdown various configurations without the need for tools. The present adjustable interlocking system can be used to build modifiable cargo barriers, boxes, shelving systems, and various other household constructions. The adjustable interlocking panels in the system have sliding interlocks at each end and adjustment grooves that are spaced apart to provide many compartment variations. The adjustable interlocking panels of the present invention join end-to-end and perpendicular to each other, and are easy to assemble and disassemble. This allows for repeated modification by the consumer. A storage assembly constructed from the adjustable interlocking system can be used lying down (e.g. for cargo barrier, toy, or stool applications) or standing upright (e.g. for organizer or shelving applications).
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is a system of adjustable interlockable panels for assembling a modular unit, which comprises a plurality of generally rectangular, adjustable interlockable panels. Each panel has four edges: a first edge comprises a male sliding interlock, and a third, opposite edge comprises a female sliding interlock; a second edge, which is approximately at right angles to the first and third edges, comprises one or more adjustment slots; and a fourth edge, which is opposite to the second edge, is a straight edge and does not comprise adjustment slots. The adjustment slots in the second edge are: parallel to the first and third edges; of a sufficient width to tightly accommodate any of the other panels in the system; and each slot extends between about ¼ and ¾, preferably ½, of the way into the panel. The male sliding interlock on a first panel is complementary to the female sliding interlock on a second panel in the system. The panels in this AIP system have approximately the same width and thickness; and each panel in the system is connectable, one at a time, with each of the other panels by removably sliding a first panel onto the complementary sliding interlock on a second panel so that the panels are connected end to end, or by removably inserting a first panel into an adjustment slot in a second panel such that the first panel is approximately at right angles to the second panel. Lastly, a user can assemble the modular unit or dissemble it without using tools. The modular unit is preferably a cargo barrier, shelving unit, box, or building toy with a plurality of such panels.
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System Works! “Custom Closet Planner” hand-out brochure, 1 page.
Rubbermaid Inc. 1998 magazine advertisement re polyethylene cabinets, 1 page.
http://www.workingmat.com, 2 page advertisement for Working Mats.
http://www.vanterior.com, Van-Terior Outfitters, Nets and Retainers ad, 1 page.
Gordon Stephen T.
Harleston Kathleen M.
Harleston Law Firm
LandOfFree
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