Horizontally supported planar surfaces – Plural related horizontal surfaces – Separable component
Patent
1998-06-15
2000-05-16
Nelson, Milton
Horizontally supported planar surfaces
Plural related horizontal surfaces
Separable component
108 91, 211186, 211188, A47B 702
Patent
active
060621508
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention concerns a construction system for building three-dimensional structures, in particular shelves with preferably vertical supports to which construction members, in particular panels, can be releasably fixed, wherein the supports extend through bores or openings in the construction members, and wherein there are provided connecting inserts which can each be arranged in the region of a bore or opening in a construction member and by way of which the supports can be connected to the construction members.
Such construction systems can be used in particular for building shelves, wherein there are then provided generally vertical supports and the construction members are in the form of horizontal plates or panels. Other uses however are also certainly conceivable and possible, for example framework structures, exhibitions stands, toys and play items and other three-dimensional structures can be constructed therewith.
2. Description of the Related Art
The connection of the supports which extend through bores or openings in the construction members, to the construction members, is not effected directly but by way of special connecting inserts. Such connecting inserts which are known from EP-A1-0 195 527 make it possible to form a stable connection between the supports and the construction members, even when the construction members are of comparatively small thickness.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The object of the invention is to provide a flexible stable construction system which can be rapidly built, for building three-dimensional structures.
In accordance with the invention that is achieved in that the supports--as is known per se--comprise bars and spacer sleeves which can be pushed thereon, wherein the bars extend through the connecting inserts and the spacer sleeves are arranged between the construction members and are supported at the connecting inserts.
Supports comprising bars and spacer sleeves are already known from GB-A-13 19 737. What is novel however is the idea that the spacer sleeves are supported at the connecting inserts, which permits a stable connection.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
Further advantages and features of the invention are described in greater detail with reference to the following specific description:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the construction system according to the invention,
FIG. 2 shows a detail from FIG. 1 and in particular the upper part and the lower part of a two-part connecting insert,
FIG. 3 also shows a detail from FIG. 1 with the lower part of the connecting insert already pushed into place, with the inserted bar, and with the sleeve still to be pushed on to the support,
FIG. 4 also shows a detail from FIG. 1 in which the connecting inserts are mounted in the finished condition in the construction members,
FIG. 5 shows a side view at the left and a sectional view at the right illustrating the assembly of construction members, connecting inserts and supports which comprise bars and spacer sleeves which are pushed thereon,
FIG. 6 is a view in vertical section diagrammatically explaining the formation of a clamping force when the construction system is loaded.
In the case of the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 6, a shelf which comprises four vertical supports 13 and three horizontal construction members (shelf board members) 4 is constructed. The supports 13 comprise continuous bars 3 and spacer sleeves 2 which are pushed thereon. The shelf members 4 have cylindrical bores 5. Now, in accordance with the invention, the connection of the shelf members 4 to the supports 13 is made by way of connecting inserts 1 which preferably comprise plastic material. In the present structure illustrated by way of example the connecting inserts 1 in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention are of a two-part construction and comprise an upper part 1o and 1u. That two-part construction permits a simple and stable arrangement of the conn
REFERENCES:
patent: 397225 (1889-02-01), Clow
patent: 2944780 (1960-07-01), Monk
patent: 3338605 (1967-08-01), Stoeber
patent: 3730601 (1973-05-01), Misenheimer, III
patent: 3783801 (1974-01-01), Engman
patent: 3851601 (1974-12-01), Davis
patent: 3869218 (1975-03-01), Stoeber et al.
patent: 4128064 (1978-12-01), Chung et al.
patent: 4138953 (1979-02-01), Tashman
patent: 4145977 (1979-03-01), Yellin
patent: 4158336 (1979-06-01), Brescia et al.
patent: 4237798 (1980-12-01), Welsch et al.
patent: 4275666 (1981-06-01), Schriever
patent: 4474416 (1984-10-01), Rogahn
patent: 4615278 (1986-10-01), Cabrelli
patent: 4627543 (1986-12-01), Nicely
patent: 4629077 (1986-12-01), Niblock
patent: 4763799 (1988-08-01), Cohn et al.
patent: 4799818 (1989-01-01), Sudimak et al.
patent: 4843975 (1989-07-01), Welsch et al.
patent: 4852501 (1989-08-01), Olson et al.
patent: 4989519 (1991-02-01), Welsch et al.
patent: 5127342 (1992-07-01), Taylor
patent: 5158187 (1992-10-01), Taub
patent: 5183167 (1993-02-01), Cheng
patent: 5269419 (1993-12-01), Aldeguer et al.
patent: 5303645 (1994-04-01), Meacham
patent: 5464305 (1995-11-01), Liem
patent: 5676067 (1997-10-01), Breindel
patent: 5676263 (1997-10-01), Chang
patent: 5683004 (1997-11-01), Aho
patent: 5802990 (1998-09-01), Lin
patent: 5881653 (1999-03-01), Pfister
Sikora Gerhard
Sikora Gunther
Buck Brian H.
Gunther Sikora
Lorusso Anthony M.
Nelson Milton
LandOfFree
System for producing three dimensional structures does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with System for producing three dimensional structures, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and System for producing three dimensional structures will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-250049