Abstract
The invention relates to a modular system (10) for structuring or shaping spaces, surfaces, or the like, comprising a component assembly, which comprises at least two modular elements (12) and at least one connecting element (14, 15, 16), said modular element being designed as a box-shaped body, whose base has at least three corners, each corner forming a connecting structure for connecting the modular element to a connecting element, said connecting structure being designed as an arc-shaped contour of the corner together with a void adjacent to the contour, said connecting element forming a pin for each of the connecting structures to be connected, said pin being designed congruent with the void and in such a manner that the pin can be interlockingly inserted into the void, said connecting element forming a positioning device for positioning the connecting element on the modular element, said positioning device comprising an axis, said axis being designed congruent with the contour and in such a manner that the axis can be arranged on the contour.
Claims
1. A modular system (10, 81, 103, 109, 113, 118) for structuring or designing spaces or surfaces, comprising a component assembly, comprising at least two modular elements (12, 13, 65, 71, 82, 83, 86, 93, 97, 98, 99, 100, 101, 104, 111, 115, 120, 122, 127, 136, 141, 142) and at least two connecting elements (14, 15, 16, 37, 38, 53, 54, 59, 60, 67, 68, 75, 76, 77, 96, 105, 134, 140, 148, 154), said modular element being designed as a box-shaped body (22, 87), whose base (17, 84, 125, 131) comprises at least three corners (18, 94, 146), each corner forming a connecting structure (19, 128) for connecting the modular element to the connecting elements, the connecting structure having an arc-shaped contour (24, 144) of the corner in conjunction with a void (23, 129, 137, 152) adjacent to the contour, each connecting element comprising a pin (29, 41, 80, 107, 138, 151, 155) for the connecting structures to be connected, said pin being congruent with the void for being interlockingly inserted into the void, each said connecting element forming a positioning device for positioning the connecting element at the modular element, said positioning device comprising an axis (30, 42, 79, 106, 149), said axis being congruent with the contour for being arranged at said contour, said at least two connecting elements arranged opposite one another at the connecting structure in such a manner that the axes (30, 42, 79, 106) and pins (29, 41, 80, 107, 138, 151, 155) align.
2. The modular system according to claim 1, characterized in that the positioning device forms at least one protrusion (31, 43), said protrusion being formed to be arranged at a respective lateral edge (34) of two bodies (22, 87) to be connected, said protrusion being able to arranged at each connecting element (14, 15, 16, 37, 38, 53, 54, 59, 60, 67, 68, 75, 76, 77, 96, 105, 134, 140, 148, 154) in a symmetrical plane, which refers to two adjacent pins (29, 41, 80, 107, 138, 151, 155) and the axis (30, 42, 79, 106, 149).
3. The modular system according to claim 2, characterized in that the protrusion (31, 43) is shaped like a crosspiece in such a manner that the adjacent bodies (22, 87) can be positioned relative to one another.
4. The modular system according to claim 3, characterized in that each connecting element (14, 15, 16, 37, 38, 53, 54, 59, 60, 67, 68, 75, 76, 77, 96, 105, 134, 140, 148, 154) forms connecting crosspieces (108) or a connecting plate (32, 44, 63, 64, 156), which connects the pins (29, 41, 80, 107, 138, 155) and the axis (30, 42, 79, 106) and forms an abutting surface for the connecting structure.
5. The modular system according to claim 4, characterized in that the connecting plate is designed comprising a hinge (70), which enables moving modular elements (12, 13, 65, 71, 82, 83, 86, 93, 97, 98, 99, 100, 101, 104, 111, 115, 120, 122, 127, 136, 141) relative to one another.
6. The modular system according to claim 1, characterized in that a concentric through opening (45) and/or a concentric void (46) are formed in the axis (30, 42, 79, 106, 149) and/or in the pins (29, 41, 80, 107, 138, 151, 155), a screw (39, 51, 55, 56, 61, 69, 135) for connecting the at least two connecting elements (14, 15, 16, 37, 38, 53, 54, 59, 60, 67, 68, 75, 76, 77, 96, 105, 134, 140, 154) being able to be inserted into the through opening and the void, respectively.
7. The modular system according to claim 1, characterized in that the axis (149) and the pins (151, 155) of the connecting element are individual components, the arc-shaped contour (144) being formed as a void (145) in the corner (146) such that the axis can be at least partially received in the void and be covered by the base sides (147) of the body.
8. The modular system according to claim 7, characterized in that the axis (149) comprises through openings (150), the pin (151, 155) being able to be interlockingly inserted into the through opening of the axis and into the void (152) of the connecting structure (143), said void (152) aligning with the through opening.
9. The modular system according to claim 1, characterized in that the positioning device comprises two axes (79), which are each allocated to a pin (80), said axes being connected to one another by means of a partially flexible rod (78) or a truss.
10. The modular system according to claim 1, characterized in that the base (17, 84, 125, 131) is rectangular or square and comprises at least four corners (18, 94, 146), the modular element (12, 13, 65, 71, 82, 83, 86, 93, 97, 98, 99, 100, 101, 104, 111, 115, 120, 122, 127, 136, 141, 142), at least partially, and/or the connecting elements (14, 15, 16, 37, 38, 53, 54, 59, 60, 67, 68, 75, 76, 77, 96, 105, 134, 140, 148, 154) being made of a transparent, translucent or opaque plastic.
11. The modular system according to claim 1, characterized in that the body (22, 87) is formed by the base (17, 84, 125, 131) and frame walls (21, 89, 126) peripherally surrounding the base, said frame walls extending on only one base side (20, 147) of the base or on both base sides (130, 132) of the base.
12. The modular system according to claim 11, characterized in that a height of the frame wall (21, 89, 126) is formed at a ratio of 1:10, 1:5 or 1:1 to a width of the base (17, 84, 125, 131).
13. The modular system according to claim 11, characterized in that the modular element (12, 13, 65, 71, 82, 83, 86, 93, 97, 98, 99, 100, 101, 104, 111, 115, 120, 122, 127, 136, 141, 142) comprises a lid wall (26), which can be inserted in or at a cupped body (22, 87) parallel to the base (17, 84, 125, 131) in such a manner that an intermediate floor (27) or a lid (28, 88) of the modular element, respectively, is formed.
14. The modular system according to claim 13, characterized in that the lid (88) forms protrusions (91) and the frame walls (89) form voids (90), and vice versa, said protrusions being able to be inserted into the voids in such a manner that the protrusions and the voids form a hinge (92), which enables opening and closing the lid (88).
15. The modular system according to claim 1, characterized in that the connecting structure (128) is formed on only one base side (130, 132) of the base and an oppositely arranged base side (147) of the base is formed uninterruptedly all the way to the corners (18, 94, 146).
16. The modular system according to claim 1, characterized in that the base (84) comprises an opening (85), which extends across a significant portion of the base.
17. The modular system according to claim 1, characterized in that the modular element is formed as a modular angular element (13, 97, 98, 99, 100, 101), at least two connecting structures of the modular angular element being arranged relative to one another at an angle of >0.
18. The modular system according to claim 1, characterized in that the component assembly comprises an adapting element (116), said adapting element being formed so as to be able to be connected to the connecting structures of a modular element (12, 13, 65, 71, 82, 83, 86, 93, 97, 98, 99, 100, 101, 104, 111, 115, 120, 122, 127, 136, 141, 142) and forming a container-like shape (117).
19. A modular system product formed using the modular system (10, 81, 103, 109, 113, 118) according to claim 1.
20. The modular system according to claim 1, characterized in that the modular element is formed as a modular angular element (13, 97, 98, 99, 100, 101), at least two connecting structures of the modular angular element being arranged relative to one another at an angle of 45-90.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES
(1) In the following, different embodiments of the invention are further described under reference to the attached drawings.
(2) In the figures,
(3) FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a wall, formed using a first embodiment of the modular system;
(4) FIGS. 2a to 2d show different views of a first embodiment of a modular system;
(5) FIG. 3 shows an enlarged view of four modular elements according to the first embodiment;
(6) FIGS. 4a to 4b show different representations of a connecting element assembly in a first embodiment;
(7) FIGS. 5a to 5c show different representations of a connecting element assembly in a second embodiment;
(8) FIG. 6 shows a perspective representation of a connecting element assembly in a third embodiment;
(9) FIG. 7 shows a sectional representation of a connecting element assembly in a fourth embodiment;
(10) FIG. 8 shows a sectional representation of a connecting element assembly in a fifth embodiment;
(11) FIG. 9 shows a front view of a connecting element assembly in a sixth embodiment;
(12) FIG. 10 shows a front view of a connecting element assembly in a seventh embodiment;
(13) FIG. 11 shows a perspective representation of a connecting element assembly in an eighth embodiment;
(14) FIG. 12 shows a front view of a modular system in a second embodiment comprising the connecting element assembly according to the sixth embodiment;
(15) FIGS. 13a to 13c show a second embodiment of a modular element in different views;
(16) FIGS. 14a to 14c show a third embodiment of a modular element in different views;
(17) FIGS. 15a to 15c show a fourth embodiment of a modular element in different views;
(18) FIG. 16 shows a representation of a connecting element assembly in a ninth embodiment;
(19) FIG. 17 shows a fifth embodiment of a modular element;
(20) FIG. 18 shows a sixth embodiment of a modular element;
(21) FIG. 19 shows a seventh embodiment of a modular element;
(22) FIG. 20 shows an eighth embodiment of a modular element;
(23) FIG. 21 shows a ninth embodiment of a modular element;
(24) FIG. 22 shows a front view of a wall formed using a third embodiment of a modular system;
(25) FIG. 23 shows a lateral view of a wall formed using a fourth embodiment of a modular system;
(26) FIG. 24 shows a lateral view of a wall formed using a fifth embodiment of a modular system;
(27) FIG. 25 shows a front view of a shelf formed using a sixth embodiment of a modular system;
(28) FIGS. 26a to 26d show a tenth embodiment of a modular element in different views;
(29) FIGS. 27a to 27c show an eleventh embodiment of a modular element in different views;
(30) FIG. 28 shows a sectional representation of a connecting element assembly in a tenth embodiment;
(31) FIG. 29 shows a sectional representation of a connecting element assembly in an eleventh embodiment;
(32) FIGS. 30a to 30b show a twelfth embodiment of a modular element in different views comprising a connecting element assembly in a twelfth embodiment;
(33) FIG. 31 shows a front view of a wall formed using a seventh embodiment of the modular system;
(34) FIGS. 32a to 32b show the twelfth embodiment of a modular element in different views comprising a connecting element assembly in a thirteenth embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
(35) A synopsis of the FIGS. 1 to 3 shows a modular system 10, by means of which a wall 11 is formed. The modular system 10 comprises a plurality of modular elements 12 and modular angular element 13 as well as connecting elements 14, 15 and 16. The modular elements 12 comprise a square base 17, a connecting structure 19 being formed at each of its corners 18. Along base sides 20 of the base 17, frame walls 21 extend in such a manner that the base 17 is entirely surrounded by the frame walls 21 so that a box-shaped body 22 is formed.
(36) The connecting structure 19 comprises a through opening 23 and an arc-shaped contour 24 of the corner 18. Furthermore, crosspieces 25 are formed at the frame walls 21, a lid wall 26 being able to be placed on said crosspieces 25 so that an intermediate floor 27 is formed. Using another lid wall 26, it is possible to form a lid 28 for the modular element 12 so that the box-shaped body 22 is closed on all sides.
(37) As can be seen in the enlarged view in FIG. 3, four modular elements 12 can be interlockingly connected to one another by means of a connecting element 14. The connecting element 14 comprises four pins 29 and an axis 30, said pins 29 being able to be inserted into the through openings 23 and said axis 30 being adjusted to the contour 24. Moreover, the connecting element 14 forms four crosspiece-shaped protrusions 31, which are connected to one another in conjunction with the pins 29 and the axis 30 via a connecting plate 32 of the connecting element 14. The protrusions 31 rest against bevels 33 of the connecting structure 19 or at lateral edges 34 of the modular element 12, respectively, in such a manner that the modular elements 12 are positioned relative to one another at equal distances. Gaps 35 potentially arising between the modular elements 12 are adjusted to one another regarding their size.
(38) A synopsis of the FIGS. 4a to 4b shows a connecting element assembly 36, comprising connecting elements 37 and 38 as well as a bolt 39 comprising a nut 40. The connecting element 37 comprises pins 41 as well as an axis 42 and crosspiece-shaped protrusions 43, said protrusions 43 being connected to one another via a connecting plate 44. A through opening 45 is formed within the axis 42 and a blind hole 46 is formed in each pin 41. In the connecting element 37, moreover, a void 47 for receiving the nut 40 is formed, a depression 48 for receiving the bolt head 49 of the bolt 39 being formed in the connecting element 38. The bolt 39 can be inserted through both connecting elements 37 and 38 and screwed in place using the nut 40.
(39) The FIGS. 5a to 5c show a connecting element assembly 50, which, in contrast to the connecting element assembly from FIGS. 4a to 4b, comprises a self-drilling screw 51. Using the self-drilling screws 51, the connecting elements 37 and 38 can be connected as commonly known.
(40) FIG. 6 shows a connecting element assembly 52 comprising connecting elements 53 and 54, bolts 55 and screws 56 as well as a nut 57. The connecting elements 53 and 54 are shaped as a quadrant so that they can serve as an end of a corner of a modular element, said corner not shown here.
(41) FIG. 7 shows a sectional view of a connecting element assembly 58 comprising connecting elements 59 and 60, a bolt 61 and a nut 62. The connecting elements 59 and 60 each comprise connecting plates 63 and 64, respectively, which are realized such that a modular element 65 can be clamped between the connecting plates 63 and 64 by means of the bolt 61 and the nut 62.
(42) FIG. 8 shows another sectional representation of a connecting element assembly 66 comprising connecting elements 67 and 68 as well as screws 69. In particular the connecting element 67 forms a hinge 70. Modular elements 71 are each clamped between the connecting elements 67 and 68.
(43) FIGS. 9 to 11 each show different embodiments of connecting element assemblies 72, 73 and 74 and their connecting elements 75, 76 and 77, respectively. As can be seen in the example of the connecting element 75, rods 78 each always connect an axis 79 to a pin 80, which are formed for connecting to a connecting structure of a modular element not shown here. The rods consequently enable connecting the respective modular elements to one another at a defined distance, defined by the rods 78, to one another.
(44) FIG. 12 shows a modular system 81 comprising the connecting element assembly 72 from FIG. 9 as well as four modular elements 82, which are shown only in sections.
(45) A synopsis of FIGS. 13a to 13c shows a modular element 83, which is generally realized like the modular element shown in FIGS. 2a to 2d, albeit comprising a square opening 85 in a base 84.
(46) FIGS. 14a to 14c show a modular element 86 comprising a cupped body 87 and a lid 88. Voids 90 are formed in frame walls 89 of the modular element 86, protrusions 92, which are formed at the lid 88, being able to be engaged in said voids 90. Thus, a hinge 92 can be formed for the lid 88, said hinge 92 enabling opening and closing the lid 88.
(47) FIGS. 15a and 15c show a modular element 93, which forms five corners 94.
(48) Befittingly thereto, FIG. 16 shows a connecting element assembly 95 comprising a connecting element 96.
(49) FIGS. 17 to 21 each show different embodiments of modular angular elements 97, 98, 99, 100 and 101.
(50) FIG. 22 shows a wall 102, which is formed by a modular system 103 comprising modular elements 104 and connecting elements 105. In particular the connecting elements 105 do not comprise connecting plates. Axes 106 and pins 107 are connected to one another via crosspieces 108.
(51) FIG. 23 shows another modular system 109, by means of which a wall 110 is formed, modular elements 111 being connected to one another in a displaced manner or arranged on top of one another, respectively, relative to a wall plane 112.
(52) FIG. 24 shows a modular system 113, by means of which a wall 114 is formed, an adapting element 116 being mounted on modular elements 115. The adapting element 116 is formed as a container 117 for receiving office supplies.
(53) FIG. 25 shows a modular system 118, which forms a shelf 119. Modular elements 120 are essentially shaped like an open cube 121.
(54) A synopsis of FIGS. 26a to 26d shows a modular element 83, which is made of two congruent modular element halves 123. The modular element halves 123 abut against one another in a middle plane 124 and together form a base 125 and a middle frame wall 126.
(55) A synopsis of FIGS. 27a to 27c shows a modular element 127, whose connecting structure 128 or blind bore 129, respectively, is formed only on one side of a base side 130 of a base 131. An opposite base side 132 is entirely closed and formed flat.
(56) FIG. 28 shows a sectional view of a connecting element assembly 133 comprising a connecting element 134 and a self-drilling screw 135 as well as a modular element 136. A blind bore 137 is formed in the modular element 136, a pin 138 of the connecting element 134 being able to be inserted in said blind bore 137. The pin can be spread like a screw anchor by means of the screw 135.
(57) FIG. 29 shows a sectional view of a connecting element assembly 139 comprising a connecting element 140, although, in contrast to the connecting element assembly from FIG. 28, a modular element 141 comprises a shortened blind bore so that the screw 135 can be screwed into a material of the modular element 141.
(58) A synopsis of FIGS. 30a to 30b shows a modular element 142 having a connecting structure 143, in which the arc-shaped contour 144 forms a void 145 in a corner 146 of the modular element 142. The void 145 is limited by base sides 147 of the modular element 142. A connecting element assembly 148 is formed in several pieces and comprises a disk-shaped axis 149 comprising through openings 150 as well as a number of pins 151 corresponding to the number of through openings 150. The axis 149 can be inserted into the void 145 so that the axis 149 is at least partially covered by the base sides 147 and can be received in the void 145. Through openings 152 are also formed in the base sides 147, said through openings 152 aligning with the through openings 150 of the axis 149. A pin 151 can thus be inserted through the through openings 152 and 150 and the axis 149 can be interlockingly mounted to the modular element 142.
(59) FIG. 31 shows a front view of a wall 153 made of modular elements 142 comprising connecting elements 148.
(60) A synopsis of FIGS. 32a to 32b shows the modular element 142 comprising a connecting element 154. The connecting element 154 is formed in several pieces and comprises the axis 149 and pins 155, which are connected to one another via a round connecting plate 156. A length of the pins 155 is measured such that two sets of pins 155 can be inserted opposite one another into the modular element 142 or the axis 149, respectively, in conjunction with the connecting plate 156.
