MODULAR RACKING SYSTEM AND METHODS OF USE AND MANUFACTURE THEREOF

Abstract

Some embodiments are directed to a modular assembly for housing at least one object. The modular assembly can include multiple elongated support members each including an elongated body portion and a pair of separated connecting ends, each connecting end defining multiple grooves that are each at least partially non-linear. The assembly can also include multiple brace members that each include a central portion and a pair of spaced non-linear end portions, each non-linear end portion being shaped to occupy one of the grooves of the connecting ends, such that one non-linear brace portion of each brace member is able to at least partially occupy one groove of one connecting end of one support member while the other non-linear end portion of the one brace member is able to at least partially occupy another groove of another connecting end of another support member.

Claims

1. A modular assembly for housing at least one object, the modular assembly comprising: multiple elongated support members that each include an elongated body portion and a pair of separated connecting ends, each connecting end defining multiple grooves that are each at least partially non-linear; and multiple brace members that each include a central portion and a pair of spaced non-linear end portions, each non-linear end portion being shaped to occupy one of the grooves of the connecting ends, such that one non-linear brace portion of one brace member is able to at least partially occupy one groove of one connecting end of one support member while the other non-linear end portion of the one brace member is able to at least partially occupy another groove of another connecting end of another support member, the multiple brace members being configured such that partially occupying the non-linear end portions of the multiple brace members in the grooves of the multiple elongated support members defines a space sufficient for housing the at least one object.

2. The modular assembly of claim 1, wherein each elongated body portion is unitary.

3. The modular assembly of claim 1, wherein each of the connecting ends defines an end face and multiple other faces that are each approximately perpendicular to the end face, each of the grooves being open at the end face and one of the other faces.

4. The modular assembly of claim 3, wherein each non-linear end portion is configured for insertion into each groove via the opening at the end face.

5. The modular assembly of claim 1, wherein each brace member is configured such that the central portion is linear, and the non-linear portions are disposed at opposing ends of the linear central portion to form non-linear end portions.

6. The modular assembly of claim 5, wherein each non-linear end portion includes a curved section that spans approximately 90.

7. The modular assembly of claim 6, wherein each non-linear end portion includes a linear section disposed at an end of the curved section opposite the central portion, such that an end of the linear section defines a face that is approximately perpendicular to a face of the central portion.

8. The modular assembly of claim 5, wherein each brace member is configured such that the non-linear end portions extend from the central portion in opposite directions such that each brace member is approximately S-shaped.

9. The modular assembly of claim 1, wherein each elongated support member is formed from a polymeric material.

10. The modular assembly of claim 1, wherein each brace member is formed from stainless steel.

11. The modular assembly of claim 10, wherein each brace member is formed from brushed stainless steel.

12. The modular assembly of claim 1, wherein each brace member is configured such that the non-linear end portions have dyadic rotational symmetry.

13. The modular assembly of claim 1, wherein each connecting end defines a pair of grooves such that non-linear end portions of two different brace members are able to at least partially occupy the pair of grooves, such that the central portions of the two different brace members are perpendicular.

14. The modular assembly of claim 1, wherein each connecting end also defines a second pair of grooves such that non-linear end portions of another two different brace members are able to at least partially occupy the second pair of grooves, such that the central portions of the other two brace members are perpendicular.

15. The modular assembly of claim 1, wherein the multiple support members and the multiple brace members can be configured to form a prism-shaped assembly.

16. The modular assembly of claim 1, wherein the object is a 750 millilitre wine bottle, and the elongated support members and the brace members are configured such that the central portions and the body portions are of a sufficient length such that the space is sufficient to house the 750 millilitre wine bottle.

17. The modular assembly of claim 16, wherein each body portion is longer than each central portion.

18. A method of manufacturing a modular assembly that is configurable to house at least one object, the method comprising: forming multiple elongated support members that each include an elongated body portion and a pair of separated connecting ends, each connecting end defining multiple grooves that are each at least partially non-linear; and forming multiple brace members that each include a central portion and a pair of spaced non-linear end portions, each non-linear end portion being shaped to occupy one of the grooves of the connecting ends, such that one non-linear brace portion of one brace member is able to at least partially occupy one groove of one connecting end of one support member while the other non-linear end portion of the one brace member is able to at least partially occupy another groove of another connecting end of another support member, the multiple brace members being configured such that partially occupying the non-linear end portions of the multiple brace members in the grooves of the multiple elongated support members defines a space sufficient for housing the at least one object.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising forming each brace member unitarily.

20. The method of claim 18, further comprising forming each elongated support member from a polymeric material.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0093] The disclosed subject matter of the present application will now be described in more detail with reference to exemplary embodiments of the apparatus and method, given by way of example, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0094] FIG. 1A shows a elongated support.

[0095] FIG. 1B shows the star-shaped end with four grooves.

[0096] FIG. 1C illustrates the star-shaped end with four curved braces within four grooves.

[0097] FIG. 2 shows a curved brace.

[0098] FIG. 3A illustrates the interconnection between two elongated supports and a curved brace.

[0099] FIG. 3B illustrates the interconnection between four elongated supports and eight curved braces.

[0100] FIG. 3C shows one bottle rack unit.

[0101] FIG. 4 illustrates a elongated support including three parts.

[0102] FIG. 5A shows a modular racking system with three bottle rack units.

[0103] FIG. 5B shows a modular racking system with nine bottle rack units.

[0104] FIG. 5C shows a modular racking system with twenty five bottle rack units.

[0105] FIG. 5D shows a modular racking system with fifty bottle rack units.

[0106] FIG. 5E shows an L-shaped modular racking system.

[0107] FIG. 5F shows an H-shaped modular racking system.

[0108] FIG. 5G shows an under stair modular racking system.

[0109] FIG. 6A shows an extended curved brace.

[0110] FIG. 6B shows a 45-degree brace.

[0111] FIG. 6C shows a U-shaped brace.

[0112] FIG. 7A illustrates an angled-corner modular racking system.

[0113] FIG. 7B illustrates an angled-top modular racking system.

[0114] FIG. 8A shows a wall saddle.

[0115] FIG. 8B illustrates a wall saddle fixed to a three-unit rack.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

[0116] A few inventive aspects of the disclosed embodiments are explained in detail below with reference to the various figures. Exemplary embodiments are described to illustrate the disclosed subject matter, not to limit its scope, which is defined by the claims. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize a number of equivalent variations of the various features provided in the description that follows.

[0117] The following provides a detailed description of several embodiments each including a bottle rack unit wherein each unit is repeated to provide a reconfigurable, modular racking system. Additional components are also described for reconfiguring the units into various shapes and sizes for storage and display in confined spaces and for corner displays.

Bottle Rack Unit

Two Part Unit

[0118] The present embodiment is formed from a two part bottle racking unit which is constructed from only two different parts; an elongated support and a curved brace. Four elongated supports and eight curved braces form each unit which may be repeated to provide a reconfigurable, modular racking system assembly suitable for the storage or display of bottles therein.

Elongated Support

[0119] FIG. 1A illustrates a moulded plastic elongated support 100 formed from a polymeric material by injection moulding processes well known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Elongated support 100 includes a star-shaped rod 102 terminating in two star-shaped opposite ends 150. The star-shaped rod includes four arms 110, 120, 130, 140 extending towards its terminating ends 110a, 120a, 130a, 140a wherein each end is 1-5 mm wider than the width of each arm and is fixed to the two star-shaped opposite ends 150. The arms on the star-shaped rod provide support and are spaced to maintain different sized or shaped bottles thereon which may include narrower bottles like riesling bottles, standard-sized bottles, or large bottles such as magnums.

[0120] FIG. 1B and 1C show the star-shaped opposite ends 150 of the elongated support 100 including four grooves 150a, 150b, 150c and 150d wherein each groove is shaped to maintain a curved brace therein. FIG. 1B shows the internal surface of grooves 150a, 150b, 150c and 150d which include a series of small protrusions 152 that assist in gripping the curved brace 158. FIG. 1C illustrates the fit of curved braces 160 within the curved grooves such that they are fixed in place.

Curved Brace

[0121] FIG. 2 provides a simple representation of a curved brace 158 formed of a metal or metal alloy using a custom jig. Curved brace 158 includes a flat metallic section 160 having two opposite ends 160a and 160b that are symmetrically curved in opposing directions.

[0122] The shape of curved brace 158 is critical for stabilising the bottle rack and providing strength and rigidity to large racking systems that are capable of supporting a large number of bottles, and which may be configured in varying sizes and shapes.

Connecting the Elongated Support and Curved Brace

[0123] FIG. 3A illustrates an interconnecting arrangement between two elongated supports 100 and curved brace 158; which are the only two parts of a two part bottle rack unit. The end of a first curved brace 160a is threaded into the curved groove 150a of the star-shaped end of a first elongated support, and the other end of the first curved brace 160b is threaded to another groove 170c of the star-shaped end of a second elongated support such that the entire first curved brace 160 is maintained in a fixed position between the first and second elongated supports.

[0124] A complete bottle rack unit is constructed in accordance with the above approach of interconnecting the elongated supports 100 and curved braces 158 to form a cube shaped structure. FIG. 3B provides an illustration of a bottle rack unit wherein four elongated supports are interconnected with the eight curved braces to form a bottle rack unit to support one bottle. As illustrated in FIG. 3B, one end of a first curved brace 160a is threaded into the curved groove 150a of the star-shaped end of first elongated support, the other end of the first curved brace 160b is threaded into another curved groove 170c of the star-shaped end of a second elongated support wherein the entire first curved brace 158 is maintained in a fixed position between the two elongated supports.

[0125] A second curved brace 200 is provided wherein one end of a second curved brace 200a is threaded within the groove 170b of the star-shaped end of the second elongated support and the other end of second curved brace 200b threads within the curved groove 180d of the star-shaped end of third elongated support such that the entire second curved brace 200 is maintained in a fixed position between the second and third elongated supports.

[0126] A third curved brace 210 is provided wherein one end of third curved brace 210b is threaded within the groove 180c of the star-shaped end of third elongated support and the other end of third curved brace 210a is threaded within the curved groove 190a of the star-shaped end of a fourth elongated support such that the entire third curved brace 210 is maintained in a fixed position between the third and fourth elongated supports.

[0127] Similarly, a fourth curved brace 220 is provided wherein one end of fourth curved brace 220b is threaded within the groove 190d of a star-shaped end of a fourth elongated support and the other end of a fourth curved brace 220a is threaded within the groove 150b of a star-shaped end of the first elongated support such that the entire fourth curved brace 220 is maintained therein between the fourth and first elongated supports.

[0128] The other ends of the four elongated supports are interconnected in a similar fashion using another four curved braces to form one complete bottle rack unit 222 shown in FIG. 3C. A mallet may be used to fit the curved braces within the corresponding grooves of the star-shaped ends of the elongated supports, particularly where the components are provided to consumers for assembling one or more bottle rack units.

[0129] Several elongated supports and curved braces are provided to form a modular racking system.

Three Part Unit

[0130] A second embodiment relates to a three part bottle rack unit including three main connecting components including a support beam 230 and a cross connector 240 as illustrated in FIG. 4, and a curved brace 160, wherein the combination of a cross connector 240 and support beam 230 functions in a similar manner to a elongated support 100 described earlier.

[0131] The cross connector 240 functions as the star-shaped end 150 of the elongated support 100 and the support beam 230 as the star-shaped rod 102 with four arms as described with respect to the two-part unit above. Once a cross connector 240 is fitted onto the opposite terminal ends of the support beam 230, it functions in a similar manner to the elongated support discussed above. Several sets of the three part elongated support components are provided together with several curved braces to form a repeating three part bottle rack unit.

[0132] The interconnection between eight cross connectors 240, four support beams 230 and eight curved braces 158 is made in a similar fashion to that described with respect to a two part unit to form a repeating three part bottle rack unit for forming a reconfigurable modular racking system.

Size and Shape

[0133] The modular racking system may be built with any desired number of repeating bottle rack units to form almost any desired shape, of almost any width or length. For example, a small sized modular racking system may include only three units (FIG. 5A) or nine units (FIG. 5B) whereas a medium sized modular racking system may include 25 units (FIG. 5C) and a large modular racking system may include 50 units (FIG. 5D) and so on.

[0134] FIG. 5E illustrates a modular racking system may be built for forming a single L-shaped modular racking system for the display and storage of bottles to suit a 90-degree corner. An L-shaped corner unit may be used to make use of otherwise lost or void corner spaces of homes, restaurants, pubs, bars, hotel rooms, kitchen and the like Similarly, a modular racking system may be built into different shapes such as an H-shaped modular racking system (FIG. 5F), an under stair modular racking system (FIG. 5G) and the like.

Accessories

Extended Curved Brace

[0135] FIG. 6A illustrates an extended curved brace 248 including a combination of two flat metallic sections 250 having two opposite ends 250a, 250b that are curved in opposing directions. The two opposite ends of the extended curved braces are threaded into a curved groove of a star-shaped ends in a similar fashion to that of a two or three part bottle rack unit.

[0136] An extended curved brace 248 may be provided to build a modular racking system in particular, to fit spaces with an angled corner. This allow the modular racking system to conform to any desired available corner space, thereby providing a pleasant aesthetic appearance.

45 Degree Curved Brace

[0137] FIG. 6B illustrates a 45-degree curved brace 252 including one flat metallic section 254 having two opposite ends 254a, 254b that are curved in opposing directions wherein one end 254c of the flat metallic section is bent at a 45-degree angle. The 45-degree curved brace may be suitable for a 45-degree corner space. It may be used in the modular racking systems using an extended curve brace.

U-Shaped Curved Brace

[0138] FIG. 6C illustrates a U-shaped curved brace 258 including a U-shaped metallic section 256 having two opposite ends 256a, 256b that are curved in opposing directions. A U-shaped curved brace is particularly useful for modular racking systems having an angled-top display unit. It may be used in the modular racking systems using an extended curve brace.

[0139] Several shapes may be built using extended curved braces 248, 45-degree curved braces 252 or U-shaped curved braces 258 including but not limiting to angled corner units, angled top units, and the like.

Angled-Corner Modular Racking System

[0140] An angled-corner modular racking system may be provided with at least one pair of extended curved braces 248 and at least one pair of 45-degree curved brace 252. FIG. 7A illustrates an angled corner modular racking system including three pairs of extended curved braces 248 positioned at the top-back, middle-back and bottom-back, three pairs of 45-degree curved braces 252 position at top-front, middle-front and bottom-front, and nine elongated supports 100.

[0141] An angled-corner modular racking system may be further interconnected between two modular racking systems to form a large angled modular racking system. In an angled-corner modular racking system, the bottles are displayed at a 90-degree angle. An angled-corner modular racking system may be used to make use of otherwise lost or void corner space of homes, restaurants, pubs, bars, hotel rooms, kitchen or the like.

Angled-Top Modular Racking System

[0142] An angled-top modular racking system may be provided with at least one pair of extended curved brace 248 positioned at the angled top of a modular racking system wherein the top elongated support members are supported by at least one U-shaped curved brace 258.

[0143] FIG. 7B illustrates an angled top modular racking system for displaying bottles at a 45-degree or 90-degree angle including a nine-unit modular racking system, two pairs of extended curved brace 248 positioned at the top-back and three U-shaped curved braces 258 positioned at the top-front, and four additional elongated supports 100 positioned at an angled-top wherein each elongated support is interconnected between one of the ends of extended curved brace and two ends of U-shaped curved brace.

[0144] The angled-top modular racking system may be placed in any space suitable for fitting an angled-top unit. They may also be used in spaces such as mini-bars where the ceilings may be angled, and which may otherwise be suitable to fit the angled-top modular racking system therein.

Wall Saddle

[0145] For the modular racking systems greater than 1.2 meters in height, optional wall saddle 242 are provided (FIG. 8A) for fixing assembled rack to a wall by anchoring the saddle 242 to a solid wall or other structure using typical tethering anchors (not shown) suitable for anchoring to the desired structure. Tethering anchors are threaded through wall saddle apertures 244 to fix the modular racking system in place (FIG. 8B). Wall saddles allow for stability and anchorage of the modular racking system to a fixed point, as the weight of the unit is stabilised but remains on the footprint of the modular racking system.

[0146] Throughout this specification the word include, or variations such as includes or including, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps.

[0147] All publications mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated by reference. Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles or the like which has been included in the present specification is solely for the purpose of providing a context for the presently disclosed subject matter. It is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form part of the related art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the presently disclosed subject matter as it existed in Australia or elsewhere before the priority date of each claim of this application.

[0148] While the presently disclosed subject matter has been described above in terms of specific embodiments, it is to be understood that the presently disclosed subject matter is not limited to these disclosed embodiments. Upon reading the teachings of this disclosure many modifications and other embodiments will come to the mind of those of ordinary skill in the art to which this presently disclosed subject matter pertains, and which are intended to be and are covered by both this disclosure and the appended claims.

[0149] It is indeed intended that the scope of some embodiments should be determined by proper interpretation and construction of the appended claims and their legal equivalents, as understood by those of ordinary skill in the art relying upon the disclosure in this specification and the attached drawings.