MODULAR UTILITY SYSTEM
20230065062 · 2023-03-02
Inventors
Cpc classification
F16M11/24
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F16M11/42
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F16M11/425
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F16M11/2014
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
B66C23/62
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
F16M11/2085
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F16B7/20
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F16M11/10
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F16B7/0446
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F16M2200/024
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F16B9/05
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F16B7/185
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F16M11/04
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
G12B5/00
PHYSICS
B66F9/06
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
F16M11/2092
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F16M11/20
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F16M2200/044
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
International classification
F16M11/42
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F16B7/04
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F16M11/24
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F16M11/20
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
B66C23/62
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
F16M11/04
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F16B7/20
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F16B9/00
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F16M11/10
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
Abstract
A kit of parts for use in demountably configuring a variety of structural assemblies. A kit may comprise a plurality of cylindrical structural components configured for engagement with various types of male connector components along the sides or at the ends of the cylindrical structural components, there provided for demountable engagement of a female-end socket component at the end of another cylindrical structural component. The kit may additionally comprise components for one or more of roller carriage assemblies and/or one or more of sliding carriage assemblies configured for rolling or sliding movement along rail assemblies comprising a plurality of cylindrical, square, rectangular, or octagonal track components. The rail assemblies may be supported by bases comprising the cylindrical structural components and other components such as weight components, as well as threaded foot components or threaded caster components on which the rail assemblies can be adjustably levelled.
Claims
1. A kit of parts for a carriage assembly configurable for rolling engagement along a cylindrical rail assembly, the carriage assembly comprising: a body component having two inclined axle ends at both ends wherein each inclined axle end has a threaded hole whereby a roller is rotationally engaged by a screw threadably engaged with one of the threaded holes; and one or more threaded holes on an out-facing side of the body component opposite a rail-facing side where by one or more screws threadably engaged with the one or more threaded holes is demountably engaged one or more of a connector component having a male element configured for demountable engagement with a female end of another component and/or one or more of a brace component configured for demountable engagement of another component and/or one or more of a bracket component configured for demountable engagement of another component and/or a mount component configured for demountable engagement of another component.
2. The kit of claim 1, wherein a clamping mechanism is provided on the rail-facing side of the body component, the clamping mechanism comprising: a concave friction pad configured for pressed engagement against the circumferential surface of the cylindrical rail assembly; and a threaded rod passed through the body component and a threaded hole through a threaded carrier which when moved, by turning the threaded rod, advances or retracts the friction pad toward or away from the cylindrical rail assembly.
3. The kit of claim 2, wherein the concave friction pad comprises a protrusion configured for sliding engagement within a channel along one or a series of cylindrical structural component(s) of the rail assembly to maintain the alignment of the carriage assembly on the cylindrical structural component(s).
4. A kit of parts for a carriage assembly configurable for rolling engagement along a cylindrical rail assembly, the carriage assembly comprising: two body components demountably engaged by screws through a side edge of one of the body components threadably engaged with threaded holes in a cooperating side edge of the other body component; and wherein one of the body components has two inclined axle ends at both ends wherein each inclined axle end has a threaded hole whereby a roller is rotationally engaged by a screw threadably engaged with one of the threaded holes; and one or more threaded holes on an out-facing side of the body components opposite a rail-facing side where by one or more screws threadably engaged with the one or more threaded holes is demountably engaged one or more of a connector component having a male element configured for demountable engagement with a female end of another component and/or one or more of a brace component configured for demountable engagement of another component and/or one or more of a bracket component configured for demountable engagement of another component and/or a mount component configured for demountable engagement of another component.
5. The kit of claim 4, wherein a clamping mechanism is provided on the rail-facing side of one or both of the body components, the clamping mechanism comprising: a concave friction pad configured for pressed engagement against the circumferential surface of the cylindrical rail assembly; and a threaded rod passed through the body component and a threaded hole through a threaded carrier which when moved, by turning the threaded rod, advances or retracts the friction pad toward or away from the cylindrical rail assembly.
6. The kit of claim 5, wherein the concave friction pad comprises a protrusion configured for sliding engagement within a channel along one or a series of cylindrical structural component(s) of the rail assembly to maintain the alignment of the carriage assembly on the cylindrical structural component(s).
7. A kit of parts for a carriage assembly configurable for rolling engagement along a cylindrical rail assembly, the carriage assembly comprising: three body components demountably engaged by screws through a side edge of two of the body components threadably engaged with threaded holes in a cooperating side edge of the adjacent body components; and wherein one or two of the body components has two inclined axle ends at both ends wherein each inclined axle end has a threaded hole whereby a roller is rotationally engaged by a screw threadably engaged with one of the threaded holes; and one or more threaded holes on an out-facing side of the body components opposite a rail-facing side where by one or more screws threadably engaged with the one or more threaded holes is demountably engaged one or more of a connector component having a male element configured for demountable engagement with a female end of another component and/or one or more of a brace component configured for demountable engagement of another component and/or one or more of a bracket component configured for demountable engagement of another component and/or a mount component configured for demountable engagement of another component.
8. The kit of claim 7, wherein a clamping mechanism is provided on the rail-facing side of one or more of the body components, the clamping mechanism comprising: a concave friction pad configured for pressed engagement against the circumferential surface of the cylindrical rail assembly; and a threaded rod passed through the body component and a threaded hole through a threaded carrier which when moved, by turning the threaded rod, advances or retracts the friction pad toward or away from the cylindrical rail assembly.
9. The kit of claim 8, wherein the concave friction pad comprises a protrusion configured for sliding engagement within a channel along one or a series of cylindrical structural component(s) of the rail assembly to maintain the alignment of the carriage assembly on the cylindrical structural component(s).
10. A kit of parts for a carriage assembly configurable for rolling engagement along a cylindrical rail assembly, the carriage assembly comprising: four body components demountably engaged by screws through a side edge of each of the body components threadably engaged with threaded holes in a cooperating side edge of the adjacent body components; and wherein one or two of the body components has two inclined axle ends at both ends wherein each inclined axle end has a threaded hole whereby a roller is rotationally engaged by a screw threadably engaged with one of the threaded holes; and one or more threaded holes on an out-facing side of the body components opposite a rail-facing side where by one or more screws threadably engaged with the one or more threaded holes is demountably engaged one or more of a connector component having a male element configured for demountable engagement with a female end of another component and/or one or more of a brace component configured for demountable engagement of another component and/or one or more of a bracket component configured for demountable engagement of another component and/or a mount component configured for demountable engagement of another component.
11. The kit of claim 10, wherein a clamping mechanism is provided on the rail-facing side of one or more of the body components, the clamping mechanism comprising: a concave friction pad configured for pressed engagement against the circumferential surface of the cylindrical rail assembly; and a threaded rod passed through the body component and a threaded hole through a threaded carrier which when moved, by turning the threaded rod, advances or retracts the friction pad toward or away from the cylindrical rail assembly.
12. The kit of claim 11, wherein the concave friction pad comprises a protrusion configured for sliding engagement within a channel along one or a series of cylindrical structural component(s) of the rail assembly to maintain the alignment of the carriage assembly on the cylindrical structural component(s).
13. A kit of parts for a carriage assembly configurable for sliding engagement along a cylindrical rail assembly, the carriage assembly comprising: a body component wherein a clamping mechanism is provided on a rail-facing side of the body component, the clamping mechanism comprising a concave friction pad configured for pressed engagement against the circumferential surface of one or a series of cylindrical structural component(s) of the rail assembly; and a threaded rod passed through the body component and a threaded hole through a threaded carrier which when moved, by turning the threaded rod, advances or retracts the friction pad toward or away from the cylindrical structural component(s); and wherein a protrusion on the concave friction pad is slidingly engaged within a channel along the cylindrical structural component(s) to maintain the alignment of the carriage assembly on the cylindrical structural component(s); and wherein one or more threaded holes on an out-facing side of the body component opposite the rail-facing side are provided where by one or more screws threadably engaged with the one or more threaded holes is demountably engaged one or more of a connector component having a male element configured for demountable engagement with a female end of another component and/or one or more of a brace component configured for demountable engagement of another component and/or one or more of a bracket component configured for demountable engagement of another component and/or a mount component configured for demountable engagement of another component.
14. A kit of parts for a carriage assembly configurable for sliding engagement along a cylindrical rail assembly, the carriage assembly comprising: between two and four body components demountably engaged by screws through a side edge of the body components threadably engaged with threaded holes in a cooperating side edge of the adjacent body component(s); and wherein a clamping mechanism is provided on a rail-facing side of one or more of the body components, the clamping mechanism comprising a concave friction pad configured for pressed engagement against the circumferential surface of one or a series of cylindrical structural component(s) of the rail assembly; and a threaded rod passed through the body component and a threaded hole through a threaded carrier which when moved, by turning the threaded rod, advances or retracts the friction pad toward or away from the cylindrical structural component(s); and wherein a protrusion on the concave friction pad is slidingly engaged within a channel along the cylindrical structural component(s) to maintain the alignment of the carriage assembly on the cylindrical structural component(s); and wherein one or more threaded holes on an out-facing side of the body component opposite the rail-facing side are provided where by one or more screws threadably engaged with the one or more threaded holes is demountably engaged one or more of a connector component having a male element configured for demountable engagement with a female end of another component and/or one or more of a brace component configured for demountable engagement of another component and/or one or more of a bracket component configured for demountable engagement of another component and/or a mount component configured for demountable engagement of another component.
15. A kit of parts for a carriage assembly configurable for rolling engagement along a square rail assembly, the carriage assembly comprising: a body component having a sideward threaded hole at both ends of the body component whereby two rollers are rotationally engaged by one or two screws threadably engaged with the threaded hole; and one or more threaded holes on an out-facing side of the body component opposite a rail-facing side where by one or more screws threadably engaged with the one or more threaded holes is demountably engaged one or more of a connector component having a male element configured for demountable engagement with a female end of another component and/or one or more of a brace component configured for demountable engagement of another component and/or one or more of a bracket component configured for demountable engagement of another component and/or a mount component configured for demountable engagement of another component.
16. The kit of claim 15, wherein a clamping mechanism is provided on the rail-facing side of the body component, the clamping mechanism comprising: a flat friction pad configured for pressed engagement against a flat side of the square rail assembly; and a threaded rod passed through the body component and a threaded hole through a threaded carrier which when moved, by turning the threaded rod, advances or retracts the friction pad toward or away from the square rail assembly.
17. The kit of claim 16, wherein the flat friction pad comprises a protrusion configured for sliding engagement within a channel along one or a series of square structural component(s) of the rail assembly to maintain the alignment of the carriage assembly on the square structural component(s).
18. A kit of parts for a carriage assembly configurable for rolling engagement along a square rail assembly, the carriage assembly comprising: between two and four body components demountably engaged by screws through a side edge of the body components threadably engaged with threaded holes in a cooperating side edge of the adjacent body component(s); and wherein one or two of the body components has two rollers rotationally engaged at both ends by one or two screws threadably engaged with a sideward threaded hole; and one or more threaded holes on an out-facing side of the body components opposite a rail-facing side where by one or more screws threadably engaged with the one or more threaded holes is demountably engaged one or more of a connector component having a male element configured for demountable engagement with a female end of another component and/or one or more of a brace component configured for demountable engagement of another component and/or one or more of a bracket component configured for demountable engagement of another component and/or a mount component configured for demountable engagement of another component.
19. The kit of claim 18, wherein a clamping mechanism is provided on the rail-facing side of one or more of the body components, the clamping mechanism comprising: a flat friction pad configured for pressed engagement against a flat side of the square rail assembly; and a threaded rod passed through the body component and a threaded hole through a threaded carrier which when moved, by turning the threaded rod, advances or retracts the friction pad toward or away from the square rail assembly.
20. The kit of claim 19, wherein the flat friction pad comprises a protrusion configured for sliding engagement within a channel along one or a series of cylindrical structural component(s) of the rail assembly to maintain the alignment of the carriage assembly on the cylindrical structural component(s).
21. A kit of parts for a carriage assembly configurable for sliding engagement along a square rail assembly, the carriage assembly comprising: a body component wherein a clamping mechanism is provided on a rail-facing side of the body component, the clamping mechanism comprising a flat friction pad configured for pressed engagement against a side of one or a series of square structural component(s) of the rail assembly; and a threaded rod passed through the body component and a threaded hole through a threaded carrier which when moved, by turning the threaded rod, advances or retracts the friction pad toward or away from the square structural component(s); and wherein a protrusion on the flat friction pad is slidingly engaged within a channel along the square structural component(s) to maintain the alignment of the carriage assembly on the square structural component(s); and wherein one or more threaded holes on an out-facing side of the body component opposite the rail-facing side are provided where by one or more screws threadably engaged with the one or more threaded holes is demountably engaged one or more of a connector component having a male element configured for demountable engagement with a female end of another component and/or one or more of a brace component configured for demountable engagement of another component and/or one or more of a bracket component configured for demountable engagement of another component and/or a mount component configured for demountable engagement of another component.
22. A kit of parts for a carriage assembly configurable for sliding engagement along a square rail assembly, the carriage assembly comprising: between two and four body components demountably engaged by screws through a side edge of the body components threadably engaged with threaded holes in a cooperating side edge of the adjacent body component(s); and wherein a clamping mechanism is provided on a rail-facing side of one or more of the body components, the clamping mechanism comprising a flat friction pad configured for pressed engagement against a flat side of one or a series of square structural component(s) of the rail assembly; and a threaded rod passed through the body component and a threaded hole through a threaded carrier which when moved, by turning the threaded rod, advances or retracts the friction pad toward or away from the square structural component(s); and wherein a protrusion on the flat friction pad is slidingly engaged within a channel along the square structural component(s) to maintain the alignment of the carriage assembly on the square structural component(s); and wherein one or more threaded holes on an out-facing side of the body component opposite the rail-facing side are provided where by one or more screws threadably engaged with the one or more threaded holes is demountably engaged one or more of a connector component having a male element configured for demountable engagement with a female end of another component and/or one or more of a brace component configured for demountable engagement of another component and/or one or more of a bracket component configured for demountable engagement of another component and/or a mount component configured for demountable engagement of another component.
23. A kit of parts for a carriage assembly configurable for rolling engagement along an octagonal rail assembly, the carriage assembly comprising: a body component having two inclined axle ends at both ends wherein each inclined axle end has a threaded hole whereby a roller is rotationally engaged by a screw threadably engaged with one of the threaded holes; and one or more threaded holes on an out-facing side of the body component opposite a rail-facing side where by one or more screws threadably engaged with the one or more threaded holes is demountably engaged one or more of a connector component having a male element configured for demountable engagement with a female end of another component and/or one or more of a brace component configured for demountable engagement of another component and/or one or more of a bracket component configured for demountable engagement of another component and/or a mount component configured for demountable engagement of another component.
24. The kit of claim 23, wherein a clamping mechanism is provided on the rail-facing side of the body component, the clamping mechanism comprising: a friction pad configured for pressed engagement against three flat sides of the octagonal rail assembly; and a threaded rod passed through the body component and a threaded hole through a threaded carrier which when moved, by turning the threaded rod, advances or retracts the friction pad toward or away from the octagonal rail assembly.
25. A kit of parts for a carriage assembly configurable for rolling engagement along an octagonal rail assembly, the carriage assembly comprising: between two and four body components demountably engaged by screws through a side edge of the body components threadably engaged with threaded holes in a cooperating side edge of the adjacent body component(s); and wherein one or two of the body components has two rollers rotationally engaged at both ends by screws threadably engaged with a threaded hole in two axle ends at the ends of the body component; and one or more threaded holes on an out-facing side of the body components opposite a rail-facing side where by one or more screws threadably engaged with the one or more threaded holes is demountably engaged one or more of a connector component having a male element configured for demountable engagement with a female end of another component and/or one or more of a brace component configured for demountable engagement of another component and/or one or more of a bracket component configured for demountable engagement of another component and/or a mount component configured for demountable engagement of another component.
26. The kit of claim 25, wherein a clamping mechanism is provided on the rail-facing side of one or more of the body components, the clamping mechanism comprising: a friction pad configured for pressed engagement against three flat sides of the octagonal rail assembly; and a threaded rod passed through the body component and a threaded hole through a threaded carrier which when moved, by turning the threaded rod, advances or retracts the friction pad toward or away from the octagonal rail assembly.
27. A kit of parts for a carriage assembly configurable for rolling engagement along a curvilinear or circular track assembly, the carriage assembly comprising: a body component having a pivoting roller mount at both ends comprising two inclined axle ends each with a threaded hole whereby a roller is rotationally engaged by a screw threadably engaged with one of the threaded holes, and a pivot pin whereby the roller mount may be pivoted to cooperate with the curvilinear or circular track assembly; and one or more threaded holes on an out-facing side of the body component opposite a rail-facing side where by one or more screws threadably engaged with the one or more threaded holes is demountably engaged one or more of a connector component having a male element configured for demountable engagement with a female end of another component and/or one or more of a brace component configured for demountable engagement of another component and/or one or more of a bracket component configured for demountable engagement of another component and/or a mount component configured for demountable engagement of another component.
28. The kit of claim 27, wherein a clamping mechanism is provided on the track-facing side of the body component, the clamping mechanism comprising: a flat friction pad configured for pressed engagement against the surface of the track assembly; and a threaded rod passed through the body component and a threaded hole through a threaded carrier which when moved, by turning the threaded rod, advances or retracts the friction pad toward or away from the track assembly.
29. A kit of parts for a carriage assembly configurable for rolling engagement along a curvilinear or circular track assembly, the carriage assembly comprising: between two and four body components demountably engaged by screws through a side edge of the body components threadably engaged with threaded holes in a cooperating side edge of the adjacent body component(s); and wherein one or two of the body components has a pivoting roller mount at both ends comprising two inclined axle ends each with a threaded hole whereby a roller is rotationally engaged by a screw threadably engaged with one of the threaded holes, and a pivot pin whereby the roller mount may be pivoted to cooperate with the curvilinear or circular track assembly; and one or more threaded holes on an out-facing side of the body components opposite a rail-facing side where by one or more screws threadably engaged with the one or more threaded holes is demountably engaged one or more of a connector component having a male element configured for demountable engagement with a female end of another component and/or one or more of a brace component configured for demountable engagement of another component and/or one or more of a bracket component configured for demountable engagement of another component and/or a mount component configured for demountable engagement of another component.
30. The kit of claim 29, wherein a clamping mechanism is provided on the track-facing side of one or more of the body components, the clamping mechanism comprising: a flat friction pad configured for pressed engagement against the surface of the track assembly; and a threaded rod passed through the body component and a threaded hole through a threaded carrier which when moved, by turning the threaded rod, advances or retracts the friction pad toward or away from the track assembly.
31. A kit of parts for demountably configuring a structural assembly, the kit comprising: two or more of a cylindrical structural component comprising one or more nut channels and/or one or more threaded holes therealong; and one or more of a concave connector component comprising a concave side opposite a flat side wherefrom the center a male element extends, said male element having a plurality of threaded holes or a plurality of through-holes perpendicular to the flat side of the connector component; and wherein a through-hole passes longitudinally through said connector component provided therefor the passage of a threaded portion of a first screw or bolt whereby the connector component may be demountably engaged with one of the cylindrical structural component by a threaded nut or threaded hole, or demountably engaged with another component comprising a round surface wherein is provided a threaded nut, a threaded insert, and/or a threaded hole with which the screw or bolt may be threadably engaged to thereby demountably engage the connector component with the cooperating component, said connector component provided therefor the demountable engagement of a female end at an end of one of the cylindrical structural component; wherein said female end comprises a receptacle within which the male element is inserted and two of the threaded holes or through-holes on opposite sides of the male element are aligned with a hole through the side of the female end through which a threaded portion of a second screw or bolt is passed into the female end to be threadably engaged with one or the aligned pair of threaded holes, or through the aligned pair of through-holes and threadably engaged with a threaded nut or threaded insert in the opposite side of the female end, thereby demountably engaging the female end with said connector component.
32. The kit of claim 31, wherein the male element of the connector component is a square shape configured for demountable engagement with a female end comprising a square-shaped receptacle.
33. The kit of claim 31, wherein the male element of the connector component is a generally square shape with tapered sides configured for ease of insertion into a female end comprising a square-shaped receptacle provided for demountable engagement of the connector component.
34. The kit of claim 31, wherein the male element of the connector component is an octagonal shape configured for demountable engagement with a female end comprising a square-shaped receptacle.
35. The kit of claim 31, wherein the male element of the connector component is a cylindrical shape configured for demountable engagement with a female end comprising a cylindrical-shaped receptacle.
36. The kit of claim 31, wherein the male element of the connector component is a generally square shape with rounded corners configured for demountable engagement with a female end comprising a cylindrical-shaped receptacle.
37. The kit of claim 31, wherein one or more of a flat connector component comprising a first flat side which is fastened to an end of one of the cylindrical structural component, and a second flat side opposite the first flat side wherefrom the center the male element extends, provided therefor the demountable engagement of one of the female end at the end of another cylindrical structural component.
38. A kit of parts for demountably configuring a structural assembly, the kit comprising: two or more of a cylindrical structural component comprising one or more nut channels and/or one or more threaded holes therealong; and one or more of a concave connector component comprising a concave side opposite a flat side wherefrom the center a male element extends, said male element having a cylindrical shape or a generally square shape with rounded corners, and a sloped neck or a neck wherein is a plurality of indentations or a neck wherein is a plurality of threaded holes; and wherein a through-hole passes longitudinally through said connector component provided therefor the passage of a threaded portion of a first screw or bolt whereby the connector component may be demountably engaged with one of the cylindrical structural component by a threaded nut or threaded hole, or demountably engaged with another component comprising a round surface wherein is provided a threaded nut, a threaded insert, and/or a threaded hole with which the screw or bolt may be threadably engaged to thereby demountably engage the connector component with the cooperating component, said connector component provided therefor the demountable engagement of a female end at an end of one of the cylindrical structural component; wherein said female end comprises a cylindrical receptacle and a threaded hole into the receptacle through which a set screw is threadably engaged to protrude into the neck of the inserted male element of the connector component to where retaining the connector component within the receptacle while allowing continuous rotation, or advanced further to where applying pressure into the sloped neck or one of the indentations or threadably engaged with one or an aligned pair of the threaded holes to thereby fixedly engage the connector component within the female end.
39. The kit of claim 38, wherein one or more of a flat connector component comprising a first flat side which is fastened to an end of one of the cylindrical structural component, and a second flat side opposite the first flat side wherefrom the center the male element extends, provided therefor the demountable engagement of one of the female end at the end of another cylindrical structural component.
40. A kit of parts for demountably configuring a structural assembly, the kit comprising: two or more of a cylindrical structural component comprising one or more nut channels and/or one or more threaded holes therealong; and one or more of a concave connector component comprising a concave side opposite a flat side wherefrom the center a male element extends, said male element having a cylindrical shape or a generally square shape with rounded corners, and a neck wherein is a plurality of indentations; and wherein a through-hole passes longitudinally through said connector component provided therefor the passage of a threaded portion of a first screw or bolt whereby the connector component may be demountably engaged with one of the cylindrical structural component by a threaded nut or threaded hole, or demountably engaged with another component comprising a round surface wherein is provided a threaded nut, a threaded insert, and/or a threaded hole with which the screw or bolt may be threadably engaged to thereby demountably engage the connector component with the cooperating component, said connector component provided therefor the demountable engagement of a female end at an end of one of the cylindrical structural component; wherein said female end comprises a clamp component with a plurality of teeth configured for engagement with the indentations of the male element of the connector component, whereby a set screw threadably engaged with a threaded hole in the side of the female end applies pressure against the clamp component with the teeth aligned and applying pressure into the indentations thereby demountably engaging the connector component within the female end at one of a plurality of relative angular orientations.
41. The kit of claim 40, wherein one or more of a flat connector component comprising a first flat side which is fastened to an end of one of the cylindrical structural component, and a second flat side opposite the first flat side wherefrom the center the male element extends, provided therefor the demountable engagement of one of the female end at the end of another cylindrical structural component.
42. A kit of parts for demountably configuring a structural assembly, the kit comprising: two or more of a cylindrical structural component comprising one or more nut channels and/or one or more threaded holes therealong; and one or more of a concave connector component comprising a concave side opposite a flat side having a circular arrangement of teeth around wherefrom the center a male element extends, said male element having a cylindrical shape or a generally square shape with rounded corners, and a sloped neck; and wherein a through-hole passes longitudinally through said connector component provided therefor the passage of a threaded portion of a first screw or bolt whereby the connector component may be demountably engaged with one of the cylindrical structural component by a threaded nut or threaded hole, or demountably engaged with another component comprising a round surface wherein is provided a threaded nut, a threaded insert, and/or a threaded hole with which the screw or bolt may be threadably engaged to thereby demountably engage the connector component with the cooperating component, said connector component provided therefor the demountable engagement of a female end at an end of one of the cylindrical structural component; wherein said female end comprises a receptacle and a circular arrangement of grooves on the front face of the female end configured for mating engagement with the circular arrangement of teeth around the male element of the connector component which is demountably engaged within the receptacle; wherein a clamp component with a sloped midsection configured for engagement with the sloped neck of the male element applies pressure against the sloped neck whereby a set screw threadably engaged with a threaded hole in the side of the female end and into the receptacle applies pressure against the clamp component thereby holding the male element in place at a set alignment and mating engagement of the teeth and grooves at one of a plurality of relative angular orientations.
43. The kit of claim 42, wherein one or more of a flat connector component comprising a first flat side which is fastened to an end of one of the cylindrical structural component, and opposite the first flat side is a second flat side having a circular arrangement of teeth wherefrom the center a male element extends, provided therefor the demountable engagement of one of the female end at the end of another cylindrical structural component.
44. A kit of parts for demountably configuring a rail assembly, the kit comprising: one or more of a cylindrical structural component comprising one or more nut channels and/or one or more threaded holes therealong; wherein one or more of the cylindrical structural component(s) is/are configured as a rail component provided for rolling engagement of a roller device; and wherein one or more of the cylindrical structural component(s) are supported by three or more of a threaded foot component or three or more of a threaded caster component demountably engaged to the underside of the cylindrical structural component(s) by screws threadably engaged with a threaded nut in the nut channel(s) or a threaded hole along the cylindrical structural component(s); whereon threaded posts of said threaded foot components or threaded caster components, the rail assembly is adjustably levelled.
45. The kit of claim 44, wherein two or more of the cylindrical structural components are conjoined end to end by one or more of a channel brace component, the channel brace component comprising a plate element configured for sliding and fitted engagement within adjacently positioned nut channels of two of the cylindrical structural components, whereby two or more screws threadably engaged with two or more threaded holes in the channel brace component and through to press against the center of the nut channel secures the channel brace within the nut channel and demountably engages the two cylindrical structural components.
46. The kit of parts for demountably configuring a device mount assembly for supporting a camera or other device, the kit comprising: a mount plate with a plurality of threaded holes around its center and a plurality of through-holes near its outer edges; and an assembly of a bowl mount and a ball adapter with a threaded post component which is threadably engaged with a locking handle to demountably engage the ball adapter within the bowl mount, said bowl mount demountably engaged with the mount plate by screws threadably engaged with the threaded holes in the mount plate; and four of a cylindrical mount component comprising a central threaded hole wherein a threaded caster or a threaded foot is threadably engaged, said cylindrical mount components demountably engaged with the underside of the mount plate by a threaded portion of a plurality of screws passed through the through-holes in the mount plate and threadably engaged with a same number of threaded holes in the top face of the cylindrical mount component.
47. The kit of claim 46, wherein one or an assembled series of sets of threaded rods are interposed the bowl mount and the mount plate, the threaded rods comprising a threaded screw end configured for threaded engagement with the threaded holes in the mount plate, and a threaded hole end wherein are threadably engaged the threaded screw ends of a next set of threaded rods, or screws demountably engaging the bowl mount with the ends of the threaded rods.
48. The kit of claim 46, wherein one or more weight components are demountably engaged by screws of which the threaded portions are passed through holes in the weight component(s) to be threadably engaged with threaded holes in the circumferential surface of the cooperating cylindrical mount component.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] These and other features of the disclosure will become more apparent in the following detailed description in which reference is made to the appended drawings, wherein:
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Definitions
[0152] Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure relates.
[0153] As used herein, the term “about” refers to an approximately +/−10% variation from a given value. It is to be understood that such a variation is always included in any given value provided herein, whether or not it is specifically referred to.
[0154] As used herein, the term “perspective view” refers to a three-dimensional view of a component or a module or an assembly disclosed herein that portrays height, width, and depth of the component or module or assembly for a more realistic image and representation.
[0155] As used herein, the term “top view” refers to an illustration of a component or a module or an assembly that looks directly down on the top surface of the component or module or assembly.
[0156] As used herein, the term “back view” refers to an illustration of a component or a module or an assembly that looks horizontally and directly at the rear of the component or module or assembly.
[0157] As used herein, the term “front view” refers to an illustration of a component or a module or an assembly that looks horizontally and directly at the front of the component or module or assembly.
[0158] As used herein, the term “side view” refers to an illustration of a component or a module or an assembly that looks horizontally and directly at a side of the component or module or assembly.
[0159] As used herein, the term “bottom view” refers to an illustration of a component or a module or an assembly that looks directly up on the bottom surface of the component or module or assembly.
[0160] As used herein, the terms “rotator module” or “rotator assembly” mean a component or assembly that is configured for demountable engagement with another module or assembly with a controlled rotational functionality whereby a structurally secure and stable connection is provided between the two modules or assemblies. A rotator module may comprise: (i) one rotator receptacle and an opposed male end; (ii) two opposed rotator receptacles; or (iii) one rotator receptacle and an opposed joiner receptacle, separated by a cylindrical tube or rod, or a square tube or rod, or a rectangular tube or rod, or a trapezoidal tube or rod, or a triangular tube or rod, or a hexagonal tube or rod, or an octagonal tube or rod, or a decagonal tube or rod, or an I-shaped tube or rod wherein the tube or rod may be of varying lengths to provide varying lengths of extension between the receptacles, or between the receptacles and male ends. Certain rotator modules defined as “hub module” or “hub assembly”, may be configured to provide pivotable and lockable angular interconnection points for a plurality of modules within an assembly system.
[0161] As used herein, the terms “joiner module” or “joiner assembly” mean a component that is configured to provide a demountable structural connection and extension between selected modules. A joiner module may comprise: (i) one joiner receptacle and an opposed male end; (ii) two opposed joiner receptacles; or (iii) two male ends, which are separated by a cylindrical tube or rod, or a square tube or rod, or a rectangular tube or rod, or a trapezoidal tube or rod, or a triangular tube or rod, or a hexagonal tube or rod, or an octagonal tube or rod, or a decagonal tube or rod, or an I-shaped tube or rod wherein the tube or rod may be of varying lengths to provide varying lengths of extension between the joiner receptacles, or between the joiner receptacles and male ends, or between the male ends. Certain joiner modules defined as “hub module” or “hub assembly” may be configured to provide pivotable and lockable angular interconnection points for a plurality of modules within an assembly system.
[0162] As used herein, the terms “hub module” or “hub assembly” mean a component or assembly that is configured to provide a structural angular interconnection point between selected modules. A hub module or assembly may comprise multiple male members and/or receptacles in various numbers and orientations to provide a variety of structural configuration options. Hub modules and hub assemblies may be defined, according to some embodiments, to be of a group of modular components wherein each module or assembly is configured for a different structural requirement having a different number and orientations of male members and/or receptacles. According to some embodiments, hub modules and hub assemblies may be defined as a modular configuration comprising a demountable assembly of one or more male members with other modules such as, for example, a joiner module or a rotator module, to thereby provide a particular function to the hub modules or hub assemblies and whereby direct structural demountable connections can be made by the added male members.
[0163] As used herein, the term “male member mount modules” means a category of modules, which include male member side-mount bracket modules and male member mounting block modules, having a demountable engagement mechanism for fixed or pivotable incorporation into an assembly, allowing for special-function hub assemblies.
[0164] As used herein, the terms “tool support module” and “load support module” mean a category of modules having a demountable engagement mechanism for fixed or pivotable incorporation into an assembly wherein the tool support module or load support module directly interface with a selected tool or load. A tool support assembly and load support assembly may be configured by a user for pivotable or fixed attachment of a selected tool or load to the assembly.
[0165] As used herein, the terms “baseplate module” and “baseplate assembly” mean a module or assembly configured for stable and secure demountable engagement with a camera, a microphone, or other tool or supported load.
[0166] As used herein, the terms “tray module” or “tray assembly” refer to a component that is configured to provide a pivotable or fixed box-support function or tray-support function for transporting equipment, properties, materials, supplies, and the like around a worksite or other location. Alternatively, a tray module or tray assembly may be used as a shelving system, or a table, or a staging platform.
[0167] As used herein, the terms “table module” or “table assembly” or “desk module” or “desk assembly” or “shelf module” or “shelf assembly” refer to a component or modular assembly that provides a table or workstation or shelving configuration, or alternatively may be used as a staging platform.
[0168] As used herein, the term “lighting mount module” refers to a component or modular assembly that may be incorporated into an assembly to provide a lighting mount spigot or other attachment means for demountable engagement with standard lighting equipment or other similar loads.
[0169] As used herein, the term “base modules” means a category of modules having a demountable engagement mechanism for fixed or pivotable attachment into an assembly to provide roller modules, or wheel modules, or counterbalance/base weight modules, or foot modules, or extendable support modules for an assembly.
[0170] As used herein, the terms “rail-rolling module” means a modular assembly configured with two pairs of inline wheel assemblies to provide a rolling or sliding function on a rail track assembly.
[0171] As used herein, the terms “rail-surround rolling module” means a modular assembly configured with two opposed sets of two pairs of inline wheel assemblies configured to provide a rolling or sliding function on a rail track assembly.
[0172] As used herein, the term “rail track assembly” refers to a modular assembly configured to receive and support thereon a rail-rolling module or alternatively, a rail-surround rolling module to provide a desired pathway for transport therealong of a support assembly. Rail track assemblies may be straight or curved, and may optionally have flexible lengths to enable assembly of desired curves and curvilinear configurations.
[0173] As used herein, the term “wheel module” means a modular assembly having a fixed or alternatively a pivotable wheel, for demountable engagement into a support assembly to provide the support assembly with a rolling functionality. The wheels may be pneumatic, solid rubber, plastic, or foam.
[0174] As used herein, the terms “weight module” and “weight assembly” refer to a component or modular assembly that provides an operational counterweight, base weight, or weighted foot module functionality within a support assembly. Weight modules and weight assemblies can be configured in a variety of sizes, weights, and modules to provide a diverse range of support options.
[0175] As used herein, the term “telescoping extension module” means a component providing a two-way structural extension having a length-adjustment mechanism to enable extension and retraction of the linear length of the module.
[0176] As used herein, the term “leveling foot module” means a component for assemblies requiring a foot component with a height-adjustment mechanism to facilitate configurations of assemblies to be positioned on uneven surfaces or terrain.
[0177] As used herein, the term “end-cap modules” means a category of modules having a demountable engagement mechanism to provide a terminus and a grip function or a handle function or a foot function or a pad function or a bumper function or a cap function, that may be incorporated into a structural support assembly.
[0178] As used herein, the term “seat module” means a modular assembly with a seat component for incorporation into a structural support assembly where there is a requirement for an onboard operator such as in a ride-along dolly assembly, or alternatively, as a component of a stool, bench, or workstation assembly.
[0179] As used herein, the term “unit scale” refers to the scalable units of measure within which the relative proportions of the configurable modular components of a system may be universally constructed to allow cross-compatibility of the modules, and in any stated values used to inform cross-compatibility and not to be intended to limit the sizes or relative proportions of a system of the present disclosure. The units of measure may be in system format units-of-scale, metric format, or imperial format.
[0180] As used herein, the term “system format” means shared-design characteristics of scale and demountable engagement features of a group of modules disclosed herein, wherein each of the modules comprises similar or compatible mechanisms to facilitate demountable engagement with each of the other modules, and which may optionally share a system-wide unit scale.
[0181] The modular utility and support assemblies disclosed herein comprise a plurality of modules that may be demountably engaged into a wide assortment of combinations to thereby form assemblies that can be used in various stationary and mobile load-bearing equipment and materials support capacities. The modularity of the systems allows them to be disassembled into individual modular assemblies and/or components to facilitate ease of transport and storage. As well, the modularity of the systems disclosed herein enables multi-functionality in that the individual modules can be easily configured into one type of assembly, and then quickly and easily broken down for transport and/or storage, and then demountably engaged into new configurations of different types of assemblies with different types of functionalities.
[0182] The modular components disclosed herein generally comprise a demountable engagement mechanism that enable the modules to be quickly, easily, stably, and securely interconnected and locked into place. In this way, modules can be quickly and securely interconnected into a wide variety of useful utility assemblies for demountably engaging, supporting, and manipulating various types of tools, equipment, instruments, and the like. Alternatively, modules can be quickly and securely interconnected into a wide variety of useful utility assemblies for containing and transporting loads about a site, for example a work site or recreational site, and once a utility assembly has been completed on a site, it can then be quickly and easily dismantled by disengagement and disassembly of the individual modules for removal and transport to a storage facility or alternatively, to another site for use to configure other types of utility assemblies.
[0183] There is no limit on the types of utility systems that can be configured and assembled by demountable engagement of the modular components disclosed herein. Most utility assembly configurations will generally comprise a plurality of rotator modules, a plurality of joiner modules, a plurality of hub modules and/or hub assemblies, a plurality of male member mount modules, a plurality of tool/load support modules, a plurality of base modules, and a plurality of end-cap modules wherein the plurality of modules interconnect together in varying arrangements to form various utility or support systems.
[0184] One embodiment of the present disclosure relates to three types of portable modular components that can be used for demountable engagement with each other to configure a wide variety of structural assemblies. The first type of portable modular components comprises an elongate structural support component having a pair of opposed male ends. The second type of portable modular components comprises an elongate structural support component having a pair of opposed ends wherein a first end is a male end and a second end is a female end. The third type of portable modular components comprises an elongate structural support component having a pair of opposed female ends. The male ends of the first and second types of portable modular components are configured for demountable engagement with the female ends of the second and third types of portable modular components.
[0185] According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, the first type of elongate structural support component and/or the second type of elongate structural support component and/or the third type of elongate structural support component may have an elongate structural element interposed the pair of opposed ends. According to one aspect, the elongate structural element may be a tube. According to another aspect, the elongate structural element may be a rod.
[0186] According to one aspect, each of the male ends may comprise a cylindrical body with at least one linear set of prongs, or more than one set spaced apart, on the circumferential surface of the cylindrical body wherein each set of prongs has two or more spaced-apart prongs. According to some aspects, some of the male ends may have two linear sets of prongs spaced apart around the circumference of the cylindrical body, or alternatively, between three and twelve sets of prongs spaced apart around the circumference of the cylindrical body. According to some aspects, each set of prongs may have between one and eight spaced-apart prongs. According to some aspects, some of the male ends may have no prongs.
[0187] According to another aspect, each of the female ends may have a cylindrical receptacle for receiving therein a male cylindrical body disclosed herein. The female receptacle may have at least one linear channel for slidingly receiving therein the prongs of the male ends. According to some aspects, some of the female ends may have receptacles with two linear channels spaced apart around the circumference of the receptacle for receiving therein a male cylindrical body having two linear sets of prongs spaced apart around the circumference of the cylindrical body. Alternatively, some of the female ends may have receptacles with between three and twelve spaced-apart linear channels for slidingly receiving therein a male cylindrical body having between three and twelve linear sets of prongs spaced apart around the circumference of the cylindrical body. According to another aspect, each linear channel in the receptacle(s) of the female ends of the second type or third type of elongate structural support components or elements may have one or more side channels extending therefrom fully or partially around the cylindrical receptacle for rotational and demountable engagement with the spaced-apart prongs on a male cylindrical body. According to another aspect, a female end may have no linear channels where demountably engaging a male cylindrical body of a male end having no prongs. According to another aspect, some of the female ends may be provided with a locking assembly for releasable engagement therewith one of the male ends.
[0188] According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, one or more male ends of the first type or second type of elongate structural support components or elements may be rotatable around a longitudinal axis of the second type or third type of elongate structural support components or elements.
[0189] According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, one or more female ends of the second type or third type of elongate structural support components or elements may be rotatable around a longitudinal axis of the first type or second type of elongate structural support components or elements.
[0190] According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, one or more of the first type of elongate structural support components or elements, and/or the second type of elongate structural support components or elements, and/or the third type of elongate structural support components or elements may have one male end extending radially outward therefrom, wherein the male end comprises a cylindrical body with at least one linear set of prongs, or more than one set spaced apart, on the circumferential surface of the cylindrical body, wherein the male end is configured for rotational and demountable engagement with a female end. According to one aspect, there may be two or more male ends extending radially outward, in the same plane or a different plane, from the first type of elongate structural support components or elements, and/or the second type of elongate structural support components or elements, and/or the third type of elongate structural support components or elements, wherein each of said male ends comprises a cylindrical body with at least one linear set of prongs, or more than one set spaced apart, on the circumferential surface of the cylindrical body, wherein the male ends are configured for rotational and demountable engagement with female ends.
[0191] Another embodiment of the present disclosure pertains to end-cap modules having a male end component for demountable engagement with a female end of the second type of elongate structural support components or elements, or of the third type of elongate structural support components or elements. Another embodiment of the present disclosure pertains to end-cap modules having a female end component for demountable engagement with a male end of the first type of elongate structural support components or elements, or of the second type of elongate structural support components or elements.
[0192] The modularity of the components and assemblies disclosed herein enables and facilitates the customization of utility assemblies. According to some embodiments disclosed herein, there is provided a customizable kit comprising pluralities of various modular components that may be assembled into selected or certain types of desired utility assemblies and/or support assemblies. In this way, the modular components, assemblies, and systems of the present disclosure provide on-site versatility and ease-of-use. For the purposes of illustrating the versatility and ease-of-use and configuration of the present modules, the following non-limiting description will refer to examples of utility assemblies that are useful for demountable engagement with cameras, sound equipment, lighting equipment, props, and other types of equipment used in filmmaking, videography, and photography applications, as well as some general utility-cart applications, and as well as some general workstation applications.
[0193] Some examples of embodiments of the modular components and modular assemblies of the present disclosure described in reference to
[0194] The modules can be used to assemble a variety of utility systems and support structures, for example, dollies, carts, tracks, stands, tables, workstations, seating, shelving, bed-frames, railings, staging, partitions, and the like.
[0195] It should be noted that all the modules disclosed herein provide universal interconnectivity into a variety of utility system assemblies to provide a wide range of functional capabilities, or alternatively, a specialized functionality. After the need for the assemblies is concluded, they are easily dismantled into the individual modular components for transport and/or storage. For example, baseplate modules and assemblies such as those exemplified in
Demountable Engagement Mechanisms
[0196] A key feature of the embodiments of the present disclosure pertains to mechanisms enabling and facilitating quick, stable and secure demountable engagement of one module with another module so that the modules are securely and stably locked together. Some of the modules disclosed herein have one end or both ends configured to provide a functional pivot point that allows rotational movement in 360° at the one end or both ends.
[0197]
[0198] The male component 70 generally comprises a cylindrical body having a first collar 87a (i.e., the distal collar) with a chamfered leading edge 86 that functions as a retaining-lock chamfer, and a neck 88 separating the first collar 87a from a second collar 87b (i.e., the proximal collar). Four prongs 82 extend radially outward from each of the collars 87a, 87b. The prongs 82 are configured for sliding engagement, for example, with prong-retaining slots 223 provided therefor in a joiner receptacle 211 (
[0199] Some of the modules disclosed herein may have a receptacle 11 in a housing 15 provided with reversible joining mechanism that comprises a pivot lock 60 for releasable engagement with a male end of another module. According to an aspect, a module housing may have two or more spaced-apart pivot locks 60 situated around the circumference of the module housing. As shown in
Rotator Modules
[0200] The exemplary rotator modules shown in
[0201] According to some embodiments, a tool support assembly or a load support assembly may comprise one or more of a group of closed-tube rotator modules having different lengths, which may be sized in reference to a system format-wide unit scale to help facilitate cross-compatibility of the modules of a system. For example, a closed-tube rotator module may have a 2-unit length and a 2-unit diameter, where a unit is 30 mm
[0202] An example of a 2-unit length/2-unit diameter closed-tube rotator module 10 is shown in
[0203] In these examples, a square-nut slot 34 is provided for receiving therein a square nut 36 that can threadably secure a retaining-lock set screw 40 coming in through the retaining-lock set screw bore 42 in the closed-tube housing 15 and passing through the nut 36 in to the rotator receptacle assembly 20 where, depending on the set screw's position, the retaining-lock set screw 40 engages a retaining lock 50. The retaining lock 50 comprises a retaining half-lock with spring receptacles 52 and a retaining half-lock with release button 54. Springs 56 are engaged within the half-lock with spring receptacles 52 and against the inside of the lock-spring rotator half-socket 21, thereby pressing the retaining half-lock with spring receptacles 52 towards the center of the receptacle and against the retaining half-lock with release button 54. Using a tension-adjustment screw knob 58 or other screw driver, the retaining-lock set screw 40 can be securely advanced against the retaining half-lock 52 thereby limiting how far it can move outward from the center of the receptacle against the springs 56. The retaining lock 50 can be moved by an operator by manually pressing the retaining lock-release button 55 on the retaining half-lock with release button 54 through a release button hole 44 in the closed-tube housing 15. When the set screw 40 is fully engaged, the retaining lock 50 can no longer be disengaged, therefor preventing the removal of a co-operating male component 70 until the retaining-lock set screw 40 is loosened, as described in further detail below.
[0204] Any one of a group of male components 70 situated on a co-operating module of the system may be demountably secured and pivotably engaged within a rotator receptacle 11 of the rotator modules 10, 151, 605, 640. Referring to
[0205] The proximal end of the male component 70 has an octagonal recess 81 whereby it can be fixed to the larger assembly with an octagonal boss 79 (first seen in
[0206] As shown in
[0207] When demountably engaged with a rotator receptacle 11, the outer cylindrical section of the male component 70, i.e. the narrow pivot segment 84 (shown in
[0208] A retaining-lock set screw 40 may be used to adjust the tension applied by the half-lock 52 with the springs 56 against a neck 88 of a male component 70. The position of the set screw 40 against the half-lock 52 can be adjusted and secured within a square nut 36 housed within a square nut slot 34 provided therefor in the lock-spring rotator half-socket 21, using a tension-adjustment screw knob 58 (shown in
[0209] The neck 88 of the male component 70 may optionally comprise one or more spaced-apart threaded bores 89 to enable engagement of, for example, a side-connector screw 265 with a male/receptacle side-opening joiner module 251 as illustrated in
[0210] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a male component 70 may be engaged with a closed-tube housing 15 by a connector screw 90 threadably engaged with a threaded bore at the center of a wide pivot segment 78 as shown in
[0211] According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, the narrow pivot segment 84 of the male component 70 may rotationally cooperate with the inner bushing 30 of a receiving rotator receptacle 11 (
[0212] According to other embodiments of the present disclosure, for example as shown in
[0213] By engaging the pivot lock 60 in this manner, the indexing peg 62 may extend into, on another module with which its module is being engaged, a pivot-lock sprocket which has around its outer edge sixteen open-sided pivot-lock slots providing sixteen locking positions at 22.5° increments around the male components 70, wherein the indexing peg 62 reversibly locks the pivotable movement of a male component 70 of the other module within the receptacle 11 of the rotator module. The exemplary male member closed-tube end assembly 71 (
[0214] According to some embodiments, the rotator modules disclosed herein may comprise seven side-mount bores 38 positioned at 45° increments around the circumference of the modules except for locations wherein a pivot lock 60 is situated. The positioning of the side-mount bores 38 make it possible to configure assemblies, generically referred to herein as closed-tube rotator hub assemblies 100 with different varying angular orientations and degrees of separation for one or two or three or four attached male member side-mount assemblies 110 as illustrated in
[0215] Some examples of double-receptacle extension-tube rotator modules 151, 152, 605 are illustrated in
[0216] The double-receptacle extension-tube rotator modules, according to the embodiments of the present disclosure, comprise a rotator receptacle 11 formed by a rotator receptacle assembly 20 having the same components and functionalities as previously described, securely fixed within each end of an extension-tube housing 155 by four screws 23 inserted into four threaded tube-end screw slots 168 within the inner wall of the extension-tube housing 155 (
[0217] According to other embodiments disclosed herein, male member side-mount assemblies 110 can also be attached at middle points along an extension-tube housing through a plurality of side-mount bores corresponding with the same number of square nuts 36 securely held within the tube housing by a middle square-nut holder having a matching plurality of square-nut slots positioning each square nut in alignment with a side-mount bore. Referring to
[0218] In addition to providing engagement with tube rail channels 182, the square-nut channels 170 at their two positions around the circumference of the extension-tube housing 155 provide an opening within which one or more square nuts 36 can be inserted and are slidable within and along the channels 170, and thus, may be used for demountable engagement of an additional male member side-mount assembly 110 with a bolt 120 at various positions along the extension-tube housing 155 thereby allowing for a range of unique hub assemblies.
[0219] It is to be noted that the closed-tube housings of the closed-tube rotator modules disclosed herein may comprise elongate structural elements be selected from the range of 2 cm to 240 cm, for example 2 cm, 4 cm, 5 cm, 6 cm, 8 cm, 10 cm, 15 cm, 20 cm, 25 cm, 30 cm, 35 cm, 40 cm, 45 cm, 50 cm, 55 cm, 60 cm, 65 cm, 70 cm, 75 cm, 80 cm, 85 cm, 90 cm, 95 cm, 100 cm, 110 cm, 120 cm, 130 cm, 140 cm, 150 cm, 160 cm, 170 cm, 180 cm, 190 cm, 200 cm, 210 cm, 220 cm, 230 cm, 240 cm, and therebetween. An example of a suitable elongate structural element of the closed-tube housings disclosed herein may be a tube having a circular cross-section or an elliptical cross-section or a square cross-section or a rectangular cross-section or a trapezoidal cross-section or a triangular cross-section or a hexagonal cross-section or an octagonal cross-section or a decagonal cross-section or an I-shaped cross-section.
[0220] It is to be noted that the extension-tube housings of the double-receptacle rotator modules disclosed herein can be selected from the range of 2 cm to 240 cm, for example 2 cm to 240 cm, for example 2 cm, 4 cm, 5 cm, 6 cm, 8 cm, 10 cm, 15 cm, 20 cm, 25 cm, 30 cm, 35 cm, 40 cm, 45 cm, 50 cm, 55 cm, 60 cm, 65 cm, 70 cm, 75 cm, 80 cm, 85 cm, 90 cm, 95 cm, 100 cm, 110 cm, 120 cm, 130 cm, 140 cm, 150 cm, 160 cm, 170 cm, 180 cm, 190 cm, 200 cm, 210 cm, 220 cm, 230 cm, 240 cm, and therebetween. An example of a suitable elongate structural element of the extension-tube housings disclosed herein may be a tube having a circular cross-section or an elliptical cross-section or a square cross-section or a rectangular cross-section or a trapezoidal cross-section or a triangular cross-section or a hexagonal cross-section or an octagonal cross-section or a decagonal cross-section or an I-shaped cross-section.
[0221] It is optional to provide closed-tube housings with lengths from the range of 4 cm to 240 cm with a plurality of equidistantly spaced-apart middle square-nut holders 180 aligned with additional side-mount holes 160 to enable additional options for configuring a variety of demountable engagement options with a plurality of pivot male member side-mount assemblies.
[0222] It is optional to provide extension-tube housings with lengths from the range of 4 cm to 240 cm with a plurality of equidistantly spaced-apart middle square-nut holders 180 aligned with additional side-mount holes 160 to enable additional options for configuring a variety of demountable engagement options with a plurality of pivot male member side-mount assemblies.
[0223] Joiner Modules
[0224] Joiner modules, as disclosed herein, are the components or the modular assemblies of a structural system, configured for demountable assembly with rotator modules or other modules, to assemble a variety of tool-bearing or load-bearing structures and the like, that may be fixed-in-place and stationary, or alternatively, that may be mobile through co-operation with rollers or wheels or castors. Joiner modules may demountably interconnect with one or more of a rotator module, and/or one or more of a tool support module, and/or one or more of a load-bearing module, and/or one or more of a base module, and/or one or more of an end-cap module, as disclosed herein.
[0225] Examples of some embodiments of the joiner modules of the present disclosure are shown in
[0226] It is to be noted that the elongate structural element of the joiner modules may be a tube or a rod having a circular cross-section or an elliptical cross-section or a square cross-section or a rectangular cross-section or a trapezoidal cross-section or a triangular cross-section or a hexagonal cross-section or an octagonal cross-section or a decagonal cross-section or an I-shaped cross-section. The length of a joiner module elongate structural element may be selected from the range of 2 cm to 240 cm, for example 2 cm, 4 cm, 5 cm, 6 cm, 8 cm, 10 cm, 15 cm, 20 cm, 25 cm, 30 cm, 35 cm, 40 cm, 45 cm, 50 cm, 55 cm, 60 cm, 65 cm, 70 cm, 75 cm, 80 cm, 85 cm, 90 cm, 95 cm, 100 cm, 110 cm, 120 cm, 130 cm, 140 cm, 150 cm, 160 cm, 170 cm, 180 cm, 190 cm, 200 cm, 210 cm, 220 cm, 230 cm, 240 cm, and therebetween.
[0227] Some embodiments pertain to joiner modules that additionally comprise one or more male member assemblies demountably engaged with an elongate structural support component or element and extending radially therefrom. Such joiner modules may be referred to as a joiner hub module or a joiner hub assembly.
[0228] One example of a closed-tube joiner module, which as shown in
[0229] An example of a 5-way closed-tube joiner hub assembly 210 is shown in
[0230] It should be noted that the 5-way closed-tube joiner hub assembly 210 shown in
[0231] As disclosed herein, a male component 70 of another module of a system assembly may be demountably engaged with a joiner receptacle 211 of the present joiner modules by way of operating the retaining lock-halves 52, 54 contained within the joiner receptacle assembly 220. When the male component 70 of another module (in this case, the second module) is inserted into the joiner receptacle 211 of a joiner module, the retaining-lock chamfer 86 on the distal collar 87a of the male component 70 presses back the retaining half-lock with spring receptacles 52 thereby allowing entry of the male component 70 into the joiner receptacle 211. The half-lock 52 remains pressed back until the distal collar 87a and outer four prongs 82 on the male component 70 is passed through to where the half-lock 52 is aligned with the neck 88 of the male component 70 and the tension of the springs 56 engages the half-lock 52 within the neck 88 and against the half-lock with release button 54. An operator may disengage the second module from the joiner module by pressing the release button 55 through the release button hole 244 in the joiner closed-tube housing 215 thereby moving the retaining half-lock with release button 54 inward resulting in an outward movement of the retaining half-lock with spring receptacles 52 against the springs 56 to where it is disengaged from the neck 88 of the second module allowing demounting of the second module from the joiner module.
[0232] A retaining-lock set screw 40 may be used to adjust the tension applied by the half-lock 52 with the springs 56 against a neck 88 of a male component 70. The position of the set screw 40 against the half-lock 52 can be adjusted and secured within a square nut 36 housed within a square nut slot 234 provided therefor in the lock-spring joiner half-socket 221, using a tension-adjustment screw knob 58 (shown in
[0233] Unlike the rotator receptacle 11 shown in
[0234] Providing five points of demountable engagement with up to five other modular components, the 5-way closed-tube joiner hub assembly 210 includes a joiner receptacle 211 within a joiner closed-tube housing 215, a male component 70 in linear alignment with the joiner receptacle 211, and three male member side-mount assemblies 110 extending radially outward from the joiner closed-tube housing 215. The male component 70 in linear alignment with the receptacle is attached at its octagonal recess 81 to the joiner closed-tube housing 215 at the octagonal boss of the housing's wide pivot segment by a connector screw 90 (the octagonal boss and wide pivot segment are not visible in
[0235] The joiner closed-tube housing 215 may comprise eight side-mount bores 238 positioned at 45° intervals around the circumference of the housing. These bores 238 make available varying angular orientations and degrees of separation for mounting thereon up to four male member side-mount assemblies 110 in various closed-tube joiner hub assemblies. Six of the eight side-mount bores 238 correspond with six square nuts 36 contained within square-nut slots 234. The remaining two side-mount bores 238 are located adjacent to the seam of the two joiner half-sockets 221, 222 where threaded inserts are required within the wall of the joiner closed-tube housing 215, due to the recesses here in the half-sockets for where in alignment with the square-nut channels of an extension-tube housing in the configuration of an extension-tube joiner module, for example, a double-receptacle extension-tube joiner module 460 or a male/receptacle extension-tube joiner module 465, shown in
[0236] Some embodiments disclosed herein relate to one or more of a group of side-opening joiner modules for use in configuring a utility or structural support system assembly that may require an open-faced or closed side-ways connection from where a male member assembly of a second module can be demountably engaged from the side of the joiner module. An example of a male/receptacle side-opening joiner module 251 is illustrated in
[0237] Male/receptacle side-opening joiner module 251 comprises an extension-tube housing 255 with a side-opening receptacle component 260 secured to one end with two screws 23 threadably engaged with tube-end screw slots 257, and a male member extension-tube end assembly 270 secured to the other end by four screws 23 passed through screw holes 278, provided therefor in a male member tube-end plate 271, and threadably engaged with four tube-end screw slots 257 in the extension-tube housing 255. Tube rail channels in both the side-opening receptacle component 260 and the inserted portion of the male member tube-end plate 271 allow each component to be secured in between the inward-facing edges of the opposing square-nut channels 256 of the extension-tube housing 255.
[0238] A male member side-mount assembly 110 for a second module is shown in
[0239] The male member extension-tube end assembly 270 provided at the opposite end of the male/receptacle side-opening joiner module 251 in this example illustrated in
[0240] The outward end-face of the male member tube-end plate 271 may comprise slots which align with the square-nut channels 256 of the extension-tube housing 255 whereby, in a completed module, square nuts 36 may be inserted through the end-face of the tube-end plate 271 into a square-nut channel for demountable engagement to a male member side-mount assembly 110.
[0241] In this example, up to four male member side-mount assemblies 110 may be attached radially from the extension-tube housing 255 by a bolt threadably engaged through one of the six side-mount bores 258 with a square nut 36 securely held within the tube housing by a middle square-nut holder 180 that has six square-nut slots that position each square nut 36 in alignment with a side-mount bore 258. The middle square-nut holder 180 is positioned during construction of the module inside extension-tube housing 255 upon the inward-facing rails of the housing's square-nut channels 256 within the tube rail channels 182 as shown in
[0242] According to some aspects, the length of the extension-tube housing 255 may be selected from the range of 2 cm to 240 cm, for example 2 cm, 4 cm, 5 cm, 6 cm, 8 cm, 10 cm, 15 cm, 20 cm, 25 cm, 30 cm, 35 cm, 40 cm, 45 cm, 50 cm, 55 cm, 60 cm, 65 cm, 70 cm, 75 cm, 80 cm, 85 cm, 90 cm, 95 cm, 100 cm, 110 cm, 120 cm, 130 cm, 140 cm, 150 cm, 160 cm, 170 cm, 180 cm, 190 cm, 200 cm, 210 cm, 220 cm, 230 cm, 240 cm, and therebetween. In constructions of side-opening joiner modules that have extension-tube housings with lengths of 4 cm or longer, it may be desirable to insert one or more middle square-nut holders 180 within the length of the extension-tube housing 255. It is optional, during construction of longer side-opening joiner modules, to temporarily engage a middle square-nut holder 180 with a threaded positioning-rod at threaded bore 184 to move and hold in place the middle square-nut holder 180 while it is aligned with and secured at a selected set of side-mount bores 258. In order to prevent unwanted movement of the middle square-nut holder 180 once it is in position, a short positioning set screw 186 may be inserted into an available side-mount bore 258, when not engaged by a side-mount assembly 110. A middle square-nut holder may also include crush ribs on its outer edges to prevent unwanted movement within an extension-tube housing.
[0243] Another embodiment of the present disclosure relates to double-male joiner modules having two male ends for demountable engagement with receptacles of the other modules of a utility or structural support system.
[0244] One example of a double-male joiner module 281 is shown in
[0245] Another embodiment relates to a double-male joiner module having an extension-tube housing interposed two male end assemblies. An example of a double-male extension-tube joiner module 291 is shown in
[0246] The extension-tube housing 295 has a pair of opposing longitudinal square-nut channels 296 and four equidistantly spaced-apart longitudinal screw slots 297 extending between the ends of the extension-tube housing 295. One or more middle square-nut holders 180 may be inserted into the interior of the extension-tube housing 295 wherein the tube rail channels 182 of a middle square-nut holder 180 may slide along the inward-facing surfaces of the pair of longitudinal square-nut channels 296 of the extension-tube housing 295. In this example, up to six square nuts 36 may be inserted into the same number of slots in the middle square-nut holder 180 for demountable engagement with up to four male member side-mount assemblies 110 through the side-mount bores 298. A positioning set screw 186 can be used to maintain the positioning of the middle square-nut holder 180 when not engaged by a male member side-mount assembly 110. Also for this purpose, the middle square-nut holder 180 may comprise crush ribs around its outer edges to grip the inside surface of the extension-tube housing 295. Male member side-mount assemblies 110 may also be mounted at various positions along the extension-tube housing 295 within the square-nut channels 296, thereby allowing for a range of unique hub assemblies.
[0247] The double-male extension-tube joiner module has a male member extension-tube end assembly 270 secured to each end of the extension-tube housing 295 with screws 23 extending through screw holes 278 in the male member tube-end plate 271 and threadably engaged with tube-end screw slots 297 within the inner wall of the extension-tube housing 295. The octagonal bosses 275 are slidably engaged with an octagonal recess at the proximal end of each male component 70 after which a connector screw 90 is inserted through the distal ends of the male components 70 and threadably engaged with a threaded bore provided therefor in the octagonal bosses 275.
[0248] Another example of a multi-engagement point joiner hub assembly of the present disclosure is shown in
[0249] Another embodiment of the present disclosure relates to cross-format double-male adapter joiner modules that facilitate engagement of modules with male assemblies and receptacles with different dimensions, and optionally, system format characteristics such as the number of prongs on the male ends, into a single utility or structural support assembly. An example of a double-male adapter joiner module 311 is shown in
[0250] Double-male adapter joiner module 311 comprises: (i) a male member tube-end plate 271 to which a male component 70 is mounted by a connector screw 90 inserted through the distal end of the male component 70 and threadably engaged with a threaded bore provided therefor in the octagonal boss 275 of the male member tube-end plate 271, (ii) an adapter joiner component 312, having a (iii) alternative male member component 314, which has a different diameter and length and number of prongs than male component 70, for demountable engagement into a receptacle of a different system format. The male member tube-end plate 271 is secured to the adapter joiner component 312 by insertion of screws 23 through screw holes 278 to be threadably engaged with screw slots 316 in the adapter joiner component 312.
[0251] Male Member Mount Modules
[0252] Further embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a variety of male member mount modules, which may include male member side-mount bracket modules and male member mounting block modules. Particularly, the male member side-mount bracket modules provide, among other functions, unique hub assemblies which may be included in a system assembly for demountably fixed or rotatable/slidable engagement of mounted male member assemblies, on an elongate tubular support element at special angular orientations, which can be rapidly repositioned without requiring removal of modules mounted thereon. Male member mounting block modules, for their part, provide for a variety of all-male hub assemblies.
[0253] An example of a 2-way 30° side-mount bracket module 320 is shown in
[0254] An example of a 4-way multi-angle side-mount bracket module 330 is shown in
[0255] A single multi-angle male member mount bracket 335 may be used in isolation, if mounted to an extension-tube housing using one or more mount screws 332, or when used as a stand-alone special-angle hub.
[0256] An example of a 2-way 90° offset side-mount bracket module 340 is shown in
[0257] An example of a 1-way 45° offset side-mount bracket module is shown in
[0258] There is a flat surface provided at one end of the cylindrical mount bracket 351 that has four peg holes 354 for positioning of and engagement with pivot-lock sprocket 362 by its four pegs 365. The wide pivot component 367 having four connector teeth 368 extending from one end, is inserted into slots 366 provided therefor in the pivot-lock sprocket 362 (best seen in
[0259] An example of an elbow male member mounting block module 355 is shown in
[0260] An example of a cube male member mounting block module 356 is shown in
[0261] An example of a triangular male member mounting block module 357 is shown in
[0262] An example of a pyramidal male member mounting block module 358 is shown in
[0263] An example of a hexagonal male member mounting block module 359 is shown in
[0264] An example of an octagonal male member mounting block module 360 is shown in
[0265] An example of a 5° increment adjustable male member mount module 380 is shown in
[0266] As shown in
[0267] According to embodiments, male member side-mount assembly 395 comprises the previously described male component 70 mounted to the wide pivot component 367 mounted to another example of a pivot-lock sprocket 396 having wide pivot component slots 399 whereby component 367 may be engaged, at which time assembly 395 may be demountably engaged with a side-mount bore 382, or of another module, by a bolt 120 passing through the outer components 70, 367, and through central bore 397 in pivot-lock sprocket 396 to be threadably engaged with a side-mount bore. As mounted in
Tool Support Modules and Load Support Modules:
Baseplate Modules
[0268] Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to baseplate assemblies for incorporation into a utility support system to enable demountable engagement with a tool such as a camera or microphone or sound equipment and other types of tools into a utility support system. For example, the baseplate assemblies disclosed herein can be for mounting thereon camera-mount plates and camera accessories such as matte-box holders, focus-pull devices, and the like. The baseplate assemblies may comprise a screw mount or a clip or a dovetail plate or a box or a tray or a basket and the like for demountably engaging a variety of tools and loads.
[0269] An example of a baseplate assembly 400 suitable for demountable engagement with a film camera, high-definition video camera, DSLR, other device, or additional interfacing mount-plate or dovetail plate, is shown in
[0270] In this example, the baseplate top plate 402a and bottom plate 402b together define three mounting bracket slots 408 which allow for one to three offset cooperating mounting brackets 410 to be secured to the body assembly 402 in selected positions to engage and support therein varying sizes of cameras or other suitable load. Each mounting bracket 410 comprises: (i) a bracket arm 412 that is configured for sliding engagement with a mounting bracket slot 408 in the baseplate body assembly 402, (ii) a bracket side plate 415 engaged with the bracket arm 412 and extending upward therefrom, and (iii) a male member plate assembly 420 that is demountably engaged with the outward-facing surface of the bracket side plate 415.
[0271] The male member plate assembly 420 comprises a male component 70 engaged with a mounting plate 422 having an outward-facing wide pivot segment 424, octagonal boss 425, pivot lock sprocket 423, and a flat inward-facing plate surface that can be demountably engaged with the outward-facing surface of the bracket side plate 415 at selected positions with screws 428 inserted through screw holes 426 in the mounting plate 422 and threadably engaged with threaded bores 416 provided therefor in the bracket side plate 415.
[0272] An inward-facing support plate 417 with a support pad 418 secured thereon is mounted to the inward-facing surface of the bracket side plate 415 with screws 419. The support pads 418 may be positioned directly against a camera or other load, positionable as described in further detail below, to secure the camera or other load in supplementation of, or instead of, the mounting screws 404.
[0273] The bracket arm 412 has a plurality of equidistantly spaced-apart threaded bores 413 therethrough along the longitudinal axis of the arm 412. A selection of threaded bores 413 are aligned by the operator to correspond with bores 405 in the baseplate bottom plate 402b for threadable engagement with baseplate screws 406 inserted through the bores 405. The distance of the secure outward extension of the bracket arm 412 can be adjusted by selection of the spaced-apart threaded bores 413 for threadable engagement with baseplate screws 406 inserted through the bores 405, in this example to produce varying sized system format unit scale widths across the total width of the modular assembly 400 between opposed male member plate assemblies 420.
[0274] It should be noted that the male member plate assemblies 420 shown in this example are demountably engageable with a receptacle component of a rotator module or a rotator assembly disclosed herein, or with a receptacle component of a joiner module or a joiner assembly disclosed herein, or with other assemblies as disclosed herein having a receptacle component. It should be noted that, in this example, the offset of the centers of the bracket side plates 415 from the centers of the bracket arms 412 may align, when using adjacent mounting bracket slots 408, the two opposed side plates 415 and mounted male member plate assemblies 420 to provide a single axis between opposed male member plate assemblies 420. As shown, a baseplate assembly may also include a male member plate assembly 420 demountably engaged with the underside of the baseplate body assembly 402 to provide an additional axis for pivotable or fixed engagement of the baseplate assembly 400 within a system assembly.
[0275] Another example of a baseplate module suitable for demountable engagement with, for example, a camera is shown in
[0276] The tool mount plate 435 is secured to the plate wedges 445 with screws 442 inserted through plate screw holes 440 and threadably engaged with threaded bores 446 in the plate wedges 445. A tool or other device, for example, a camera, or camera mount plate for supplementary interfacing with a camera or camera accessories, may be secured to the tool mount plate 435 with mounting screws 436 inserted into tool-mounting slot 437 and then threadably engaged with one or more mounting bores provided therefor in the base of the tool or device.
[0277] A male member flat-mount assembly 361 is engaged with a male mount slider component 450 which is then clamped to a male/receptacle extension-tube joiner module 465 by a multi-angle bracket 335 with bracket screws 338 inserted through bores 336 provided therefor in the multi-angle bracket 335 and then threadably engaged with bracket screw bores 456 in the male mount slider component 450, and through opposing bores 456 in the slider component 450 threadably engaged with a second pair of opposed bores 336 in the multi-angle bracket 335. The clamped-together slider component 450 and multi-angle bracket 335 may be repositioned on the joiner module 465 by loosening the bracket screws 338, selecting a new position, and then re-tightening the bracket screws 338.
[0278] The position of the clamped-together male mount slider component 450 and multi-angle bracket 335 along the male/receptacle extension-tube joiner module 465 may be additionally secured and adjusted as follows. A pair of square nuts 36 is inserted into each of the opposed longitudinal channels 466. Two mount screws 332 are inserted through mounting holes 331 provided therefor in the multi-angle bracket 335 and are threadably engaged with one of the pairs of square nuts 36 (a pair of washers 339 is interposed the inner face of the multi-angle bracket 335 and the extension-tube joiner module 465). Two mount screws 453 are inserted through mounting holes 452 provided therefor in the male mount slider component 450 and are threadably engaged with the other pair of square nuts 36 (a pair of washers 339 is interposed the inner face of the male mount slider component 450 and the extension-tube joiner module 465). The mount screws 453 and the mount screws 332 are loosened after which, the clamped-together male mount slider component 450 and multi-angle bracket 335 may be slid along the male/receptacle extension-tube joiner modules 465 to a selected position, after which, the screws 453 and 332 are re-tightened. Optionally, only one pair of screws 453, 332 may be used in conjunction with only one square-nut channel 466.
[0279] It should be noted that a baseplate assembly or other modular assembly may use a male mount slider component 450 in isolation, or clamped together in a pair in the same manner as described above in combination with a multi-angle bracket 335. It should also be noted that a male mount slider component 450 may by its width provide a unit scale extension, of for example 30 mm, of its central male member mounting bore 454 out from the circumference of the module to which it is mounted. In the example of baseplate assembly 430, this feature provides a unit scale width across the module.
[0280] Positioned with peg holes 455 and secured with a bolt threadably engaged with central bores 454, the male member flat-mount assemblies 361 extending toward the center of the baseplate assembly 430 from the male mount slider components 450, are demountably engaged with receptacles at the opposite ends of the double-receptacle extension-tube joiner module 460. In assemblies wherein screws 332 and square nuts 36 are not engaged with the longitudinal channel in the underside of joiner module 460, the supported tool mount plate 435 may be rotated about the double-receptacle extension-tube joiner module 460 to a desired position by slightly disengaging the bracket screws 338 with a tool inserted through access bores 441 provided therefor in the tool mount plate 435, and through bracket screw bores 336 provided therefor in the multi-angle brackets 335, and then rotating the tool mount plate 435 to a desired position and then reengaging the bracket screws 338. Alternatively, for an open and intermittently lockable 360° pivotable connection of the tool mount plate 435 to the outer assemblies, the joiner module 460 may be replaced with a double-receptacle rotator module such as the previously cited example rotator module 151 shown in
[0281] The baseplate assembly 430 may be securely engaged within a larger utility or structural support assembly by one or both of the two joiner modules' 465 receptacles, or by one or both of the two joiner modules' 465 male member extension-tube end assemblies 270, or by the addition of male member side-mount assemblies 110, 395 (not shown) to one of the joiner modules 465 or multi-angle brackets 335.
Tray Modules
[0282] Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to tray modules that can be incorporated into utility system assemblies. An example of a tray module assembly 470 is shown in
[0283] In this example of a tray module 470, there is provided four of a second example of a double-receptacle extension-tube joiner module 475 (here longer than joiner module 460 shown previously in
[0284] Such tray modules can be incorporated into utility system assemblies for use to hold and transport equipment, tools, materials, supplies, and the like around a worksite or other location, or alternatively, for use in shelving systems or staging platforms. The tray modules may be pivotably engaged into a utility system assembly where mounted on rotator modules, thereby providing a load-dumping function, if so desired. The tray modules can also be incorporated into platform assemblies or table assemblies or workstation assemblies.
Table Modules
[0285] Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to table and desk and shelf module assemblies that can be assembled using some of the modules disclosed herein, and may also be used to assemble staging platforms. An example of a desk assembly 480 is shown in
[0286] A male member flat-mount assembly 361 is mounted to the plate 484 with a mounting bolt threadably engaged with the threaded bore 485. Then, the male member flat-mount assembly 361 is inserted into the receptacle in the end of a double-receptacle side-opening joiner module 488 and secured in place as described for side-opening joiner module 251 in reference to
Lighting Mount Modules
[0287] Some embodiments of lighting mount modules that provide attachment means for demountable engagement of lighting equipment or other similar types of equipment into some utility system assemblies, are shown in
[0288] Another example of a lighting mount module 500 is shown in
Base Modules:
Rail-Rolling Modules
[0289] Some embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to rail-rolling modules and assemblies that are configured for demountable engagement of, for example, a motion-picture camera that can be conveyed along a rail track system in filmmaking or videography. Similar assemblies may be used to convey along a rail track system other devices, tools, equipment, materials, properties, and the like around a worksite or other location. Some examples of rail-rolling modules and assemblies are shown in
[0290] An example of a rail-rolling module 510 (
[0291] A rail-rolling module may alternatively comprise, in place of the two spring-suspension roller assemblies 514, two fixed roller assemblies 535 (described in further detail below), when spring-loaded suspension of the module upon a rail is not desired.
[0292] An example of a rail-surround rolling module assembly 537 (
[0293] Additional rail-surround rolling modules may alternatively comprise assemblies with four spring-suspension roller assemblies 514 or four fixed roller assemblies 535. Also, additional rail-surround rolling modules may alternatively comprise assemblies with one, two, or no friction pad plates 540 and friction pads 542. Additionally, a rail-surround rolling module may be assembled in a configuration of the inverse of assembly 537 wherein the carriage plates 512 and roller assemblies 514 or 535 are faced outward, connected centrally by one of a double-receptacle module demountably engaged with the now inward-facing male member plate assemblies 420, and engaged upon two opposed rails.
Wheel Modules
[0294] Other embodiments of the present disclosure relate to wheel modules which may provide a transporting or mobility feature within a utility system assembly. The various wheel modules and wheel module assemblies include steerable assemblies or open 360° pivotable caster assemblies or caster-style assemblies.
[0295] One example of a wheel module assembly 550 is shown in
[0296] Another example of a wheel module according to the present disclosure is a caster wheel module assembly 560 illustrated in
Foot Modules
[0297] An example of a leveling foot module 580 is illustrated in
[0298] An example of a foot plate module 585 is shown in
Pivotable Support Modules
[0299] An example of a pivotable support module 590 is shown in
Weight Modules
[0300] An example of a weight module assembly 600 is shown in
Telescoping Extension Modules
[0301] An exemplary telescoping extension module 610 is illustrated in
[0302] An operator may extend the male member plate assembly 420 away from the extension-tube housing 612 by rotating clockwise the adjustment collar component 618, which advances outwardly the threaded rod 620 and mounted male member plate assembly 420 until a desired outward extension of the male member plate assembly 420 is achieved. An operator may reversely retract the male member plate assembly 420 by rotating the adjustment collar component 618 in a counter-clockwise direction. When an approximate desired length of the rod extension is achieved, the male member plate assembly 420 and threaded rod 620 may be rotated a small amount in either direction to properly orient the mounted male component 70 and corresponding receptacle module (not shown) where required.
End-Cap Modules:
[0303] The following examples of end-cap modules, shown in
[0304] An example of a grip end-cap module 625 that may be optionally used as a hand grip or a foot or a bumper is illustrated in
[0305] Another example of an end-cap module is a shell end-cap module 635 illustrated in
[0306] An example of a female dome pad end-cap module 641 is illustrated in
[0307] An example of a male dome pad end-cap module 650 is shown in
[0308] Some embodiments of the modules disclosed herein include seat end-cap modules that can be incorporated into a utility system apparatus configured for a ride-along dolly setup, or alternatively, in stool or bench assemblies. An example of a seat module 660 is shown in
[0309] An example of a bumper end-cap module 670 is shown in
[0310] A variety of additional end-cap components according to some embodiments of the present disclosure are illustrated in
[0311] An example of a hard end-cap component 690 useful for covering and protecting any unused receptacle in a rotator module or joiner module incorporated into any utility system assembly according to the present disclosure, is shown in
[0312] A simple flat end-cap component 695 shown in
Unit Scale
[0313] The exemplary modules disclosed herein may be configured with various materials over a range of sizes to facilitate assembly of the utility systems and support structures for use in a variety of applications. For ease-of-use and system-wide modular interconnectivity and cross-compatibility, a modular unit scale can be used across all modules of a system format. In the construction of various embodiments, the unit scale can have varying sizes depending on the intended use of the modular system. The sizing and proportions as stated and illustrated is for descriptive purposes only, informing the relative function and compatibility of the interconnecting modules between one another, and not to be intended to limit any modules of the present disclosure to these values or proportions.
[0314] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, a suitable system format has tube modules with a unit scale standard of a 2-unit diameter, where a unit may equal, for example, 30 millimeters. Although receptacles 11, 211 and a complimentary male member assembly 71, 110, 270, 361, 395, 420 may be longer than 2 units, closed-tube modules 10/201 comprise the closed-tube housings 15/215 which provide for a 2-unit modular unit scale length facilitating hub assemblies having a 2 unit by 2 unit cubed modular unit scale, wherein the receptacle assemblies 20, 220 overlap within the hollow center of the wide pivot segments of the closed-tube housings 15/215. According to some embodiments, exemplary rail-rolling modules 510 and rail-surround rolling module assemblies 537 can provide up to a 2-way or a 4-way unit scale configuration, respectively, wherein male member plate assemblies 420 attached to co-operatively sized spacer plates 532 combine to give, for example, a 6-unit modular width between the male member plate assemblies 420 across the rail-rolling modules 510, 537 allowing for their parallel configurability with other modules of the same system format.
[0315] By use of a unit scale across the modules of a system format, calculating and configuring the parts needed to reach an end-use assembly is facilitated. Also in the instance of a series of extension-tube modules, for example, providing the length upon which a rail-rolling module 510, 537 may travel, the unit scale lengths may provide to the operator a visual guide of distance travelled, whether by the points of connection, or the modules' side-mount bores that may be included along the length of their extension-tubes, and which may also provide connection points for an end-cap module, for example, to be positioned as a stopper, for example, at a desired position along an extension-tube module rail track assembly.
[0316] Kits
[0317] According to some embodiments disclosed herein, a group of one or more of the various types of modules disclosed herein may be provided together in a kit for assembly into specified types of modular utility system assemblies or support structures for various functional requirements. Irrespective of the end-use system assembly or the type or number of modules, kits of the present disclosure may additionally comprise, or be packaged with, instruments or tools for assisting with the assembly of the system, and/or hard copy or software based instructions for assembling the same.
Customizable Assemblies
[0318] The modular units of the present disclosure can be interconnected into a wide variety of utility system assemblies and support structure assemblies that can be designed for a wide variety of applications. In this way, a utility system or support structure can be customized for a particular application using a selected combination of interconnected modules of a given system format, or, using an adapter joiner module 311 or other fastener, modules of multiple system formats. The broad range of configurability allows systems to be assembled in a wide range of sizes and functional design for a broad range of end-user requirements. For example, it is contemplated that the modules of the present disclosure can be interconnected to form utility systems or support structures that include, without limitation, carts, dollies, tracks, cranes, lifts, stands, racks, tables, workstations, seating, bed-frames, shelving, storage, staging, railings, partitions, toy systems, and the like. Optionally, a system assembly may be combined with third party tools, mechanisms, and systems for varying end-use requirements.
[0319] According to embodiments, the modules disclosed herein can be selected and interconnected to assemble a plurality of customized tool/load support assemblies which can be configured for use in, for example, filmmaking and/or videography and/or still photography applications, including but not limited to, camera, microphone, and lighting positioning and mobility support systems, and in other embodiments, as carts and stands for other equipment and properties, in variety of industries or household applications.
[0320] To gain a better understanding of the embodiments disclosed herein, the following examples of utility system assemblies and support structure assemblies are described.
EXAMPLES
[0321] To further illustrate the versatility of the modules in assembling a variety of utility system assemblies and support assemblies such as carts, dollies, tracks, cranes, lifts, stands, racks, tables, workstations, seating, bed-frames, shelving, storage, staging, railings, partitions, toy systems, and the like, examples of assemblies are provided to demonstrate the various multifunctional aspects of the modular components described herein. Examples 1 through 10 as illustrated in
Example 1: Crab-Steering Dolly System
[0322]
[0323] The device support sub-assembly comprises a baseplate assembly 400 to which a camera or other screw-mounted device can be mounted. To the right side of the baseplate assembly 400 is engaged a pan/tilt/jib operating handlebar assembly comprising a 6-unit length double-receptacle extension-tube rotator module 151 and a closed-tube rotator hub assembly 100 capped with a hard end-cap component 690 and with a downwardly extending grip end-cap module 625 to enable an operator's hand control of the baseplate's direction and position. Extending from the left side of the baseplate module 400 is a 4-unit length male/receptacle side-opening joiner module 251 which attaches to a closed-tube rotator hub assembly 100 to provide an intermittently lockable adjustable-tension 360° device-tilt pivot point controllable with the handlebar assembly to the right of the baseplate. A grip end-cap module 625 is engaged with the hub assembly's 100 left-facing male member for an additional handgrip. Downwardly extending from the rotator hub assembly 100 is a 10-unit double-receptacle extension-tube rotator module 710, which can be locked or provide an off-center 360° device-pan pivot point where met by another rotator hub assembly 100, to which is mounted a 6-unit length double-receptacle extension-tube joiner module 460 followed by another closed-tube rotator hub assembly 100, having a bumper component 672 engaged with its upward-facing wide pivot segment, and where met below by a 3-unit male/receptacle extension-tube joiner module 720, provides an intermittently lockable adjustable-tension 360° device-pan pivot point centered below the camera or other pointed device, with the ability to adjust the pivot tension using a tension-adjustment screw knob 58.
[0324] Under joiner module 720, a closed-tube rotator hub assembly 100 has engaged on both sides two additional of the same (each having mounted a grip end-cap module 625) where from two 12-unit length double-receptacle extension-tube joiner modules 475 extend down to each a rotator hub assembly 100 (there inwardly providing a jib-tilt pivot point for the assembly above) engaged centrally to a stack of two additional rotator hubs 100 (there providing a jib-pan pivot point for the assembly above). The jib-tilt and jib-pan may be controlled using the grip end-cap module 625 mounted to the end of an 18-unit double-receptacle extension-tube joiner module 730 by a zero-unit length double-male joiner module 281 (not visible). The joiner module 730 also has mounted a counterbalancing weight module assembly 600.
[0325] Below the two above cited stacked rotator hubs 100, the device support structure is mounted to the rail-surround rolling module assemblies 537 via a 6-unit length double-receptacle extension-tube joiner module where from each side a closed-tube rotator hub assembly is each mounted atop a rail-surround rolling module assembly 537, thereby allowing for small tracking movements relative to the lower dolly assembly, in this example, running along two parallel 36-unit double-receptacle extension-tube joiner modules 740 which are engaged centrally at each end via closed-tube rotator hub assemblies and a 6-unit double-receptacle extension-tube joiner module 460, where from downwardly a side-mounted 4-unit male/receptacle extension-tube joiner module 750 followed by a closed-tube rotator hub assembly engage the above device support structure and rail assembly to the steerable dolly sub-assembly.
[0326] The steerable dolly sub-assembly provides a chassis structure upon which the device support sub-assembly is supported and engaged by the rail-surround rolling module assemblies 537 with the rail assembly. The chassis assembly has at its center a 4-way closed-tube joiner hub assembly 201 from where extends in all four directions four extension-tube joiner modules, the longest being an 18-unit double-receptacle extension-tube joiner module 730 at the center to the back of the assembly, where here a 4-way closed-tube rotator hub assembly 100 attaches upwardly to the rail assembly and to each side a 12-unit double-receptacle extension-tube joiner module 475, leading to the two back corners of the chassis. Extending from the central 4-way closed-tube joiner hub assembly 201 toward the front is a 12-unit joiner module followed by a 4-unit joiner module which engages the rail assembly at the front. Extending from each of the sideward faces of the central joiner hub assembly 201 are two 12-unit joiner modules leading to the front two corners of the chassis assembly.
[0327] At each corner of the chassis assembly is engaged a closed-tube rotator hub assembly 100, where on each downwardly is engaged a 6-unit male/receptacle extension-tube rotator module 640 providing the corresponding wheel module assemblies 550 with a directional pivot point. Engaged below each of these rotators 640 is a 4-way closed-tube rotator hub assembly 100 at the center of the pairs of wheel modules 550. Extending off the back of each of these hub assemblies is a 6-unit double-receptacle extension-tube joiner module 460, met by another rotator hub assembly 100, wherefrom extends upwardly a 6-unit double-receptacle extension-tube rotator module 151, which provide pivot points of the steering assembly.
[0328] To each of the upward-extending back rotator modules 640 are attached in series, a rotator hub assembly 100, a 2-unit double-male joiner module 291, and another rotator hub assembly 100. To each of the upward-extending front rotator modules 640 are attached a 4-unit double-male extension-tube joiner module 756 and a rotator hub assembly 100. On the left and right side of the dolly, an 18-unit double-receptacle extension-tube joiner module 730 interconnects the steering assembly's top rotator hub assemblies for the forward and the rear rotator modules that are interconnected to the wheel modules 550. A pair of 12-unit double-receptacle extension-tube joiner modules 475 extend inward from the lower rotator hub assemblies 100 atop the rear upward-extending rotator modules 640 and are engaged with a another configuration of a 4-way closed-tube joiner hub assembly. Extending back from the joiner hub assembly is a weight module assembly 600 on a 6-unit double-receptacle joiner module. Extending upward from the joiner hub assembly is a 12-unit male/receptacle extension-tube joiner module 754 that is engaged with a 4-unit double-male extension-tube joiner module 756 that has three grip end-cap modules 625. The sub-assembly described in this paragraph comprises the steering assembly by which an operator can steer the crab-steering dolly 700 while pushing or pulling by the grip end-cap modules 625. In this example, there is enabled an approximate 140° turning radius of the wheels, by the force applied by an operator to the steering assembly, where pushing the assembly forward and to the left will point the wheel modules 550 toward the right, and vice versa, forward and to the right redirecting them to point towards the left.
Example 2: Vertical Rail-Tracking Dolly System
[0329] An example of a vertical rail-tracking dolly system 760 is shown in
[0330] The vertical rail-tracking dolly system 760 comprises two sub-assemblies wherein the first sub-assembly is a dolly framework provided with a pair of wheel modules 550 at each corner and a vertical elongate rail structure on which rail-surround rolling module assemblies 537 may travel, and the second sub-assembly is a pivotable and rotatable camera support structure with a pair of rail-surround rolling module assemblies 537 for travelling up and down along the vertical elongate rail structure provided therefor on the dolly framework.
[0331] The dolly framework sub-assembly is configured with a first pair of spaced-apart 18-unit double-receptacle extension-tube joiner modules 730 that are side-mounted at their ends to a second pair of spaced-apart 18-unit double-receptacle extension-tube joiner modules 730 that are engaged at their ends with a closed-tube rotator hub assembly 100 fitted with a hard socket-cap component 690. Extending downward from each rotator hub assembly 100 is a 6-unit male/receptacle extension-tube rotator module 640, providing the directional pivot point of the dolly system's wheel modules 550 that are side-mounted on two sides of a rotator hub assembly 100 at the base of each extension-tube rotator module 640. In this example, the wheels 552 are bolted to the wheel module's 550 wheel-axle/receptacle side-opening joiner module 555 at corresponding axle offset threaded bores 551b (not visible), so that these wheel module assemblies will act as large casters and rotate naturally into directional alignment with the directional force exerted by the operator to the dolly assembly. As shown in
[0332] The vertical elongate rail structure comprises two rails wherein each rail consists of, at the lower end, an 18-unit double-receptacle extension-tube joiner module 730 engaged with an upper 18-unit male/receptacle extension-tube joiner module 765. The lower ends of the rail structure are side-mounted at the longitudinal square-nut channels of the first pair of joiner modules 730 provided horizontally. The upper ends of the rail structure have inserted hard socket-cap components 690 for protective enclosure of there the two receptacles.
[0333] The second sub-assembly, i.e., the pivotable and rotatable camera support structure, comprises a baseplate assembly 400 to which a camera or other screw-mounted device can be mounted. To the left side of the baseplate assembly 400 (in the view shown in
[0334] The rail-surround rolling module assemblies 537 are slipped around the vertical elongate rail structure configured on the dolly framework sub-assembly, and can be moved upward and downward therealong by an operator using the grip end-cap modules 625 provided therefor mounted to the sides of the pair of rotator hub assemblies 100 engaged with the third rotator module 151, and mounted to the sides of the rolling module assemblies 537. A pair of female dome pad end-cap modules 641 may be side-mounted to the middle horizontal double-receptacle extension-tube joiner module 460 of the second sub-assembly and to the corresponding 18-unit extension-tube joiner module 730 of the first sub-assembly to cushion camera movement as the rail-surround rolling module assemblies 537 travel to the bottom of the vertical elongate rail structure.
Example 3: Lateral Mounted Rail-Tracking Dolly System
[0335] An example of a lateral mounted rail-tracking dolly system 770 is shown in
[0336] In this example, the horizontal rail system comprises a 36-unit double-receptacle extension-tube joiner module 740 demountably engaged at one end with a pivotable support module 590 having mounted therein a pad component 594. The other end of the joiner module 740 is engaged with a telescoping extension module 610 that is mounted to a pivotable support module 590 having mounted therein a pad component 594. The horizontal rail system can be securely mounted in place between two vertical support surfaces with the extendable or retractable engagement by the telescoping extension module 610 with the two surfaces. A similar alternative assembly, not shown, may be engaged vertically between two horizontal support surfaces, where may be required.
[0337] In this example, the baseplate assembly 430 illustrated in
Example 4: Rolling Jib System
[0338] An example of a rolling jib system 780 is illustrated in
[0339] In this example, each of a pair of 10-unit wheel-axle/receptacle side-opening joiner modules 800 are side-mounted at one end to opposite sides of a first closed-tube rotator hub assembly 100. At the other end, a wheel 552 is rotationally engaged with the center bore of each wheel-axle tube-end component 551. One end of an 18-unit double-receptacle extension-tube joiner module 730 is engaged with the male member assembly extending outward from the first rotator hub assembly 100. The other end of the joiner module 730 is mounted with the male member assembly of a second closed-tube rotator hub assembly 100. The outward-extending receptacle of the second rotator hub assembly 100 is engaged with a weight module assembly 600 on a male joiner fitted with a flat end-cap component 695. A downward-extending grip end-cap module 625 is side-mounted to the second rotator hub assembly 100. A third rotator hub assembly 100 is side-mounted at a 90° spacing from the grip end-cap module 625. An upward-extending 36-unit double-receptacle extension-tube joiner module 740 is side-mounted to the third rotator hub assembly 100.
[0340] In this example, a baseplate assembly 400 is engaged with a first double-receptacle extension-tube joiner module 460 extending to the right (in the view shown in
[0341] A female dome pad end-cap module 641 is side-mounted to the joiner module 730 to cushion the above jib-arm assembly in the event that it is desired to lower it to a position adjacent to the joiner module 730. The three grip end-cap modules 625 attached to the fourth rotator hub assembly 100 are provided for an operator's hand-control of the tilt and pan rotation of the support assembly. By holding this handgrip assembly, and optionally by also gripping the jib-arm (i.e., the joiner module 740), the rolling jib assembly 780 can be rolled by the operator by lifting the jib-arm to raise the downward-extending grip end-cap module 625 and then pushing or pulling the rolling jib assembly 780.
Example 5: Low-Angle Baseplate Support System
[0342] An example of a low-angle baseplate support system 810 is shown in
[0343] Below two rear corner rotator hub assemblies 100, the length of extension of the grip end-cap modules 625 is combined with at each a 1-unit double-male extension-tube joiner module 840, which align approximately the chassis assembly to rest horizontally relative to the radius of the two wheel modules 550. Extending forward from each of the two rear corner rotator hub assemblies 100 is a 6-unit double-receptacle extension-tube joiner module 460 met by two front rotator hub assemblies 100 where on each is attached outwardly a wheel module assembly 550. Extending upward from the front two rotator hub assemblies 100 are two 4-unit male/receptacle extension-tube rotator modules 820 with engaged atop two rotator hub assemblies 100 each with their rotator receptacles 11 facing inward thereby providing a baseplate assembly 400 its tilt-axis where engaged between two male/receptacle extension-tube joiner modules 465 which are rotationally engaged within the rotator hub assemblies on each side. Side-mounted from the left-side joiner module 465 is a tilt-axis steering bar assembly comprising the same modules as the lower chassis steering bar assembly, with the direction of the horizontal grip end-cap module 625 reversed, and here configured for the operation of the baseplate assembly's 400 tilt-motion as well as to grip for steering and rolling advancement of the system.
Example 6: Lateral Ground Rail-Tracking Dolly System
[0344] An example of a lateral ground rail-tracking dolly system 850 is shown in
[0345] This example comprises three sub-assemblies wherein the first sub-assembly is a stationary rail track system, the second sub-assembly is a pivotable and rotatable camera support structure, and the third sub-assembly is a support framework for the second sub-assembly, comprising two pairs of rail-rolling modules 510.
[0346] The first sub-assembly comprises a pair of rail tracks wherein each rail track is configured with two 36-unit double-receptacle extension-tube joiner modules 740 interconnected with a rotator hub assembly 100 and having a rotator hub assembly 100 engaged with the outward-facing ends of the joiner modules 740. An 18-unit extension-tube joiner module 730 is side-mounted to the rotator hub assemblies 100 at each end of the rail tracks. Each of the six rotator hub assemblies in the first sub-assembly is side-mounted to one end of a downward-extending double-receptacle extension-tube joiner module 460 which is engaged at its other end with a leveling foot module 580. A joiner module 730 is side-mounted to the two middle downward-extending joiner modules 460 to provide structural support to the rail track sub-assembly.
[0347] The second sub-assembly comprises a baseplate assembly 400 to which a camera or other screw-mounted device can be mounted. To the right side of the baseplate assembly 400 is engaged a pan/tilt/jib operating handlebar assembly comprising a 6-unit length double-receptacle extension-tube rotator module 151 and a closed-tube rotator hub assembly 100 capped with a hard end-cap component 690 and with a downwardly extending grip end-cap module 625 to enable an operator's hand control of the baseplate's direction and position. Extending from the left side of the baseplate module 400 is a 4-unit length male/receptacle side-opening joiner module 251 which attaches to a closed-tube rotator hub assembly 100 to provide an intermittently lockable adjustable-tension 360° device-tilt pivot point controllable with the handlebar assembly to the right of the baseplate. A grip end-cap module 625 is engaged with the hub assembly's 100 left-facing male member for an additional handgrip. Downwardly extending from the rotator hub assembly 100 is a 10-unit double-receptacle extension-tube rotator module 710, which can be locked or provide an off-center 360° device-pan pivot point where met by another rotator hub assembly 100, to which is mounted a 6-unit length double-receptacle extension-tube joiner module 460 followed by another closed-tube rotator hub assembly 100, having a bumper component 672 engaged with its upward-facing wide pivot segment, and where met below by a 3-unit male/receptacle extension-tube joiner module 720, provides an intermittently lockable adjustable-tension 360° device-pan pivot point centered below the camera or other pointed device's center, with the ability to adjust the pivot tension using a tension-adjustment screw knob 58.
[0348] Under joiner module 720, a closed-tube rotator hub assembly 100 has engaged on both sides two additional of the same (each having mounted a grip end-cap module 625) where from two 12-unit length double-receptacle extension-tube joiner modules 475 extend down to each a rotator hub assembly 100 (there inwardly providing a jib-tilt pivot point for the assembly above) engaged centrally to a closed-tube joiner hub assembly 201 from which is side-mounted downwardly a double-receptacle rotator module 151 providing a jib-pan pivot point for the assembly above where it is rotationally engaged with the third sub-assembly. The jib-tilt and jib-pan may be controlled using the grip end-cap module 625 mounted to the end of an 18-unit double-receptacle extension-tube joiner module 730 by a zero-unit length double-male joiner module 281 (not visible). The joiner module 730 also has mounted a counterbalancing weight module assembly 600.
[0349] The third sub-assembly comprises a rolling framework that is configured with a joiner module 730 engaged with a closed-tube joiner hub assembly 201 at each end. Extending laterally from each joiner module 201 is a double-receptacle joiner module 460. To the outward-facing end of each joiner module 460 is engaged another closed-tube joiner hub assembly 201. The upward-facing male member plate assembly 420 of a rail-rolling module 510 is engaged with the receptacle of the closed-tube joiner hub assembly 201. The upward-facing male end of the closed-tube joiner hub assembly 201 is provided with a grip end-cap module 625. As mentioned in the paragraph above, one end of a double-receptacle extension-tube rotator module 151 is side mounted to the joiner module 730, and the other end is rotationally engaged with the closed-tube joiner hub assembly 201 that interconnects the lower pair of rotator hub assemblies 100 in the second sub-assembly.
Example 7: Double-Baseplate A-Frame Dolly System
[0350] An example of a double-baseplate A-frame dolly system 860 is shown in
[0351] The first sub-assembly has an A-framework configured with two A-frames each configured by interconnecting three 36-unit double-receptacle extension-tube joiner modules 740 with two 2-way 30° side-mount bracket modules 320 (refer to
[0352] The second sub-assembly has two spaced-apart baseplate modules 400, each having an individual 360° pan-axis pivot point, and which also may be rotated 360° together at the central pan-axis pivot point. Each baseplate module 400 has a pair of grip end-cap modules 625 mounted to the male member plate assembly 420 on the left side and the right side of the module 400. One end of a double-receptacle extension-tube rotator module 151 is mounted to the downward extending male member plate assembly 420 of the module 400, and the other end of the rotator module 151 is interconnected with the male end of a closed-tube joiner hub assembly 201. A downward-extending grip end-cap module 625 is engaged with each joiner receptacle 211 by a zero-unit double-male joiner module 281 (not visible, refer to
Example 8: Four-Caster Baseplate Dolly System
[0353] An example of a four-caster baseplate dolly system 870 is shown in
[0354] This example is configured with two pairs of castor wheel module assemblies 560, as described in reference to
Example 9: Hand-Held Camera Stabilizer Assembly
[0355] An example of a hand-held stabilizer assembly 880 for camera support is shown in
[0356] An operator will be able to stably maneuver a camera mounted to the baseplate module 400 by resting the laterally extending joiner module 765 or female dome pad end-cap module 641 on their shoulder, or by holding the joiner module 765 in their left hand so that the female dome pad end-cap module 641 is pressed against their chest, and concurrently holding the downward-extending grip end-cap module 625 in their right hand, whereby they may tilt the camera angle up or down at the tilt-axis point provided by the double-receptacle rotator module 151.
Example 10: Vertical Rail-Tracking Stand Assembly
[0357] An example of a vertical rail-tracking stand assembly 900 is shown in
[0358] The first sub-assembly is a vertical rail comprising an 18-unit male/receptacle extension-tube joiner module 765 interconnected with a 36-unit double-receptacle extension-tube joiner module 740 wherein the joiner module 740 is mounted to a male member plate assembly 420 atop a weighted foot plate 586 of a foot plate module 585.
[0359] The second sub-assembly comprises a pivotable and rotatable camera support structure mounted with a rail-surround rolling module assembly 537. One end of a double-receptacle rotator module 151 is engaged with a male member plate assembly 420 on the left side of a baseplate assembly 400 (as shown in
[0360] The rail-surround rolling module assembly 537 of the second sub-assembly is slipped over the vertical rail of the first sub-assembly and may be moved upward and downward along the vertical rail as required by an operator. The male dome pad end-cap module 650 is provided to cushion a tool or device that may be mounted into the baseplate module 400 if the second sub-assembly reaches the bottom of the vertical rail of the first sub-assembly.
Example 11: Lighting Support Rack System
[0361] An example of a lighting support rack system 910 is shown in
[0362] In this example, extending vertically from a weighted four-caster base assembly is a three-shaft lighting support rack assembly. The base assembly comprises four matching weighted caster-leg assemblies having each an 18-unit double-receptacle extension-tube joiner module 730 extending from the sides of the lighting support rack assembly's bottom horizontal 36-unit double-receptacle extension-tube joiner module 740 in pairs on two multi-angle male member mount brackets 335 where mounted to the 60° angled bores to form a 120° angle of separation between the two leg extensions. Connected to the outer ends of each of these is another mount bracket 335 connected at their 60° angled bores which aligns the second 60° angled bores to perpendicular to the ground whereon a vertically aligned 6-unit double-receptacle extension-tube joiner module 460 and caster module assembly 560 complete each leg assembly. Where counterbalancing of the upward lighting support rack assembly's load is required, a series of weight components 602 can be secured to the sides of the 18-unit double-receptacle extension-tube joiner modules 730, as shown in
[0363] Extending upwardly from the lighting support rack assembly's bottom horizontal 36-unit double-receptacle extension-tube joiner module 740 are the three mounting shafts comprising each two 36-unit double-receptacle extension-tube rotator modules 920 connected by a zero-unit double-male joiner module 281. On each of the rotator modules 920 is a repositionable 90° offset side-mount bracket module 340 whereon each is an L-shaped mount arm assembly comprising a closed-tube joiner module hub assembly 201 followed by a 6-unit double-receptacle extension-tube joiner module 460 and additional closed-tube joiner module hub assembly 201 whereon are connected the vertically aligned ⅝″ spigot lighting mount modules 490, having the spigots 498 on which a range of industrial lighting equipment may be supported. The vertical position of the mounted equipment can be adjusted by repositioning the 90° offset side-mount bracket module 340 on the corresponding square nuts within the square-nut channels along the 36-unit double-receptacle extension-tube rotator modules 920. If equipment size or spacing allows, the mounted equipment may also be pivoted 360° on the horizontal plane by rotating the 36-unit double-receptacle extension-tube rotator modules 920 where three of them are connected to the top of the horizontal 36-unit double-receptacle extension-tube joiner module 740, and three connected to the top of the first three. For the structural integrity of these types of lighting support rack assemblies, an additional horizontal 36-unit double-receptacle extension-tube joiner module 740 is connected to the ends of the upper three 36-unit double-receptacle extension-tube rotator modules 920, completing the rectangular frame of the lighting mount assembly.
Example 12: A-Frame Spooling Cart System
[0364] An example of an A-frame spooling cart system 930 is shown in
[0365] In this example, across the width of the cart at the top of the A-frame is a spool bar assembly which can be rotated 360° by the operator on its 6-unit double-receptacle extension-tube rotator modules 151, by holding the assembly 930 at its grip end-cap modules 625 which extend outward from each side from a joiner-box sub-assembly. Each of the joiner-box sub-assemblies comprises three 6-unit double-receptacle extension-tube joiner modules 460, a 6-unit male/receptacle side-opening joiner module 940, and three closed-tube joiner hub assemblies 201 at three corners. The fourth corner of the joiner-box sub-assemblies are mounted to the spool assembly's cross bar by two male member side-mount assemblies 110.
[0366] The A-frame rolling chassis comprises two A-frames configured by interconnecting three 36-unit double-receptacle extension-tube joiner modules 740 with two 2-way 30° side-mount bracket modules 320 (refer to
Example 13: Pull Cart Assembly
[0367] An example of a pull cart assembly 950 suitable for a golf-bag is shown in
[0368] The vertical shaft sub-assembly comprises an 18-unit double-receptacle extension-tube joiner module 730 interconnected with a 10-unit double-receptacle extension-tube joiner module 790 with a zero-unit double-male joiner module 281 linking the two receptacles. The open end of the joiner module 790 is engaged with one side of a first rotator hub assembly 100 while the other side of the first rotator hub assembly 100 is engaged with a 3-unit male/receptacle extension-tube joiner module 720. A second rotator hub assembly 100 is engaged with the other end of the joiner module 720. A bumper end-cap module 670 is mounted to the wide pivot segments of both of the rotator hub assemblies 100, and three grip end-cap modules 625 are side-mounted to the second rotator hub assembly 100 at 90° intervals.
[0369] The horizontal wheel sub-assembly comprises a third rotator hub assembly 100 to which a pair of 10-unit wheel-axle/receptacle side-opening joiner modules 800 are engaged at opposite sides of the hub assembly 100. A wheel 552 is bolted to the center bore of each wheel-axle module 800.
[0370] The leg support sub-assembly comprises a downward-extending 3-unit double-male extension-tube joiner module 955 to the bottom of which is engaged a grip end-cap module 625. A fourth rotator hub assembly 100 is engaged with the top of the joiner module 955. A laterally extending 10-unit double-receptacle extension-tube rotator module 710 is side-mounted to the fourth rotator hub assembly 100. A fifth rotator hub assembly 100 is side-mounted to the open end of the rotator module 710, while a 4-unit male/receptacle extension-tube joiner module 750 is side-mounted to the other side of the fifth rotator hub assembly 100. A second baseplate assembly 400 is mounted to the fifth rotator hub assembly 100. The open end of the joiner module 750 is mounted to the third rotator hub assembly 100 of the horizontal wheel sub-assembly.
[0371] A first baseplate module 400 mounted to the first rotator hub assembly 100 can be adjusted to firmly grip therein and then re-adjusted to release the side of a golf bag, for example. A second baseplate module 400 mounted to the fifth rotator hub assembly 100 can be adjusted to firmly grip therein and then re-adjusted to release the bottom of the golf bag.
Example 14: Utility Cart and Shelf Assemblies
[0372]
[0373] In this example, the utility cart system 960 comprises four pairs of 360° pivotable caster-style wheel module assemblies 550 which are of a similar configuration as those described in Example 2, Example 7, and Example 12, using the off-center bores of their wheel-axle/receptacle side-opening joiner modules 555. Attached upwardly from each of these wheel assembly's corresponding rotator modules 640, there engaged by a zero-unit double-male joiner module 281, is a 36-unit double-receptacle extension-tube joiner module 740 providing the basis of the cart's frame. Secured from these corner post joiner modules 740 via tray collars 474 are the cart's three tray module assemblies having each the tray bottom 471 and three or four side panels 478 for containment of the load (see description in reference to
Example 15: Modular Workstation Assembly
[0374] An example of a modular workstation assembly 980 is shown in
[0375] This example comprises a rectangular table top 990, a shelf 482 situated above the table top 990, and a rotatable under-shelf 995 mounted underneath the table top 990 adjacent the right side of the assembly.
[0376] The bottom surface of the table top 990 is provided with four circular recesses close to each of the corners of the table top 990 (refer to
[0377] In this example, a fifth recess is provided on the bottom surface of the table top 990 to receive and engage therein a fifth mounting plate 484 mounted to a male member flat-mount assembly 361. The top surface of the under-shelf 995 shown in this example is provided with a recess near the rear edge of the shelf 995 for receiving and mounting therein a sixth mounting plate 484 mounted to a male member flat-mount assembly 361. One end of a 6-unit double-receptacle extension-tube rotator module 151 is engaged with the downward-extending male member flat-mount assembly 361 from the fifth mounting plate 484, while the other end is engaged with the upward-extending male member flat-mount assembly 361 from the sixth mounting plate 484. It is to be noted that the right edge of the under-shelf 995 has been contoured to matingly engage the side of the corresponding module 488 when rotated out from under the table top 990 toward the front right. One or more additional shelves 995 may be similarly engaged to the bottom of the table top 990.
[0378] This example also shows a shelf 482 provided at the rear of the table top 990 adjacent to the left edge. Two appropriately spaced-apart recesses 483 are provided along the rear edge of the table top 990 into which are inserted and mounted with screws 487, mounting plates 484 mounted to male member flat-mount assemblies 361 (as illustrated in
[0379] It is to be noted that the table tops may be square, rectangular, trapezoidal, triangular, pentagonal, hexagonal, heptagonal, octagonal, decagonal, circular, kidney-bean shaped, wave-shaped, and may have other forms of symmetrical and asymmetrical curvilinear shapes. Although it will be most common that the modular table assemblies disclosed herein are provided with four legs, it is optional to provide three legs for triangular table tops, and alternatively, to provide two legs at the front edge of a table top that may have been configured to fold down against a wall when not in use, and to fold out when use is desired. In such two-leg configurations, the legs may fold up against the bottom surface of the table top when the table top is folded down, and to fold down when the table top is unfolded for use. Additionally, it is optional to provide table configurations with one or two legs on broad foot assemblies such as an A-frame configuration or the foot plate module 585, described in reference to
Additional Embodiments
[0380] Further embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to additional modular components which may be configured and sized to remain compatible with the modular system components as previously described in the present application as well as disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/824,319 incorporated herein by reference, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/678,951 incorporated herein by reference, or may be used without inclusion of these earlier components, to configure modular support apparatuses of various types and utility.
[0381] Certain embodiments of the present disclosure relate to cylindrical structural components and to modules for demountable engagement of other elements thereto.
[0382] According to some embodiments, the modular components may be sized to make them suitable for handling and use by juveniles during play and learning activities.
[0383] Some embodiments as described in more detail below include various forms of cylindrical structural components, male connector and female socket components, dolly assemblies, cart assemblies, roller carriage assemblies and clamping roller carriage assemblies, track assemblies, and device mounting assemblies.
[0384] According to certain embodiments, described herein reference to
[0385] As illustrated in
[0386] The concave base male assembly 1001 and the flat base male assembly 1005 both comprise a pronged connector component 1030 with multiple prongs 1035 disposed around the circumferential surface of the connector component, and an indented portion 1040 at its base. As illustrated in
[0387] Similarly, as illustrated in
[0388] According to a preferred embodiment, a concave base component 1041 and/or a flat base component 1044 may comprise eight locator holes 1042/1045 wherein four locator posts 1043 disposed at the base of a pronged connector component 1030 may be secured at any one of eight angular orientations. This provides optionally two regular, two perpendicular, and four 45-degree orientations of the angle at which the cooperating modules may be engaged by the connector component and its prongs 1035 within the receptacle 1025 of the socket component 1020. A side-opening receptacle 1025 may include cooperatively-shaped male connector channels 1046 and prong-retaining slots 1050 (both illustrated in
[0389] Once inserted, the male assembly 1001/1005 is demountably engaged within the receptacle by a screw or bolt 1055 of which the threaded portion is passed through a hole 1060 in the side of a cylindrical structural component 1015, a through-hole 1070 in the socket component 1020, and a through-hole 1075 in the pronged connector component 1030, to be threadably engaged with a side-opening receptacle cover 1080 at a threaded hole or threaded insert 1085 located centrally in its proximal side, which locks together the cooperating modules until the screw/bolt 1055 is removed. The side-opening receptacle cover 1080 may also comprise prong-retaining slots 1090 (as illustrated in
[0390] As illustrated in
[0391] Once assembled, channel openings 1104 (as illustrated in
[0392] According to a preferred embodiment, the outer contours of the side-opening socket component 1020, as illustrated in
[0393] As previously noted, a side-opening socket component 1020 may optionally receive a flat base male assembly 1005 for demountable engagement of the socket component's module with another module of the system having a flat surface whereon the flat base male assembly 1005 is demountably engaged. As illustrated in
[0394] Channel openings 1185 in the sides of the flat end cap component 1155 enable passage of nuts 1110 into the nut channels 1190 of the cylindrical structural component 1127, provided for secure attachment of additional concave base male assemblies 1001 or other components having a concave face and configured to receive a screw. For this same purpose, as previously described, a threaded core component 1125 may be installed within a cylindrical structural component 1127, comprising a plurality of threaded holes, nuts, or threaded inserts 1130 whereby one or more concave base male assemblies 1001 or other modular component may be demountably engaged by a screw or bolt passed through side mount holes 1135 and threadably engaged with the threaded core component 1125.
[0395] A range of lengths of cylindrical structural component may be configured with varying combinations of one or two female ends 1008 and/or one or two male ends 1183 and/or one or two flat end cap components 1155 at the ends of the cylindrical structural component to form a variety of cylindrical structural component modules 1200, such as the side-opening socket/end cap module 1201 as illustrated in
[0396] A first embodiment of a track assembly 1203 and first embodiment of a roller carriage assembly 1205 are illustrated in
[0397] As illustrated in
[0398] Optionally, a roller mount 1235 or a corner brace mount 1237 is demountably engaged with an end of a carriage body component 1230 by one or more screws 1246 at one or more threaded holes 1247 in the end face of the body component 1230. Where a roller mount 1235 is provided, two rollers 1250 may be demountably engaged by shoulder screws 1251 threadably engaged with threaded holes 1252. The inclined axle ends provided by the roller mounts 1235 align the mounted rollers at an angle and separation for fitted contact and rolling engagement with the circumference of a cylindrical track component 1226. According to a further embodiment, the carriage body component and the roller mounts and/or the corner brace mounts may be combined into a single component comprising the same functional elements.
[0399] A corner brace 1255 may be secured by a screw 1228 threadably engaged with a threaded hole 1257 in the out-facing surface of the roller mount 1235. A corner brace 1255 is optionally provided therefor structural reinforcement of a cylindrical structural component module provided with a female end 1008 whereby it is mounted to a male connector 1000 which is demountably engaged by a screw or bolt 1260 threadably engaged with a threaded hole 1261 in the out-facing surface of the body component 1230. In place of a roller mount 1235, a corner brace mount 1237 may be provided in positions where a corner brace 1255 is required but rollers are not, and a corner brace may be demountably engaged by a screw 1228 at a threaded hole 1262 in the corner brace mount.
[0400] Whether used in conjunction with a roller mount 1235 or a corner brace mount 1237, according to some embodiments, an end cap/end cap module 1225 comprising a flat end cap component 1155 at the proximal end of the module may be demountably engaged with a roller carriage assembly by one or two corner braces 1255 only. Corner braces 1255 are demountably engaged with the sides of the cylindrical structural component modules by a screw 1265 threadably engaged with a threaded core component 1125 positioned within the cylindrical structural component at a side mount hole 1266, or a nut 1110 secured within a nut channel 1268 in a side of the cylindrical structural component. Optionally included in an assembly by either of the same means of attachment, a stud mount component 1270 or a dovetail plate mount assembly 1275 are shown demountably engaged with three of the cylindrical structural component modules, whereby a camera, a light, a screen, a monitor, a microphone, a sensor, a tool, a power tool, or other device may be securely engaged.
[0401] According to some embodiments, a roller carriage assembly 1205 may comprise a channel-guide component 1280, as illustrated in
[0402] According to certain embodiments, a roller carriage assembly may comprise one or more of an adjustable clamping mechanism which can be adjusted to apply varying degrees of clamping force on a track component for intermittent stoppage of the assembly's movement, or limitation of its speed with partial pressure of the mechanism applied. An adjustable clamping mechanism may also be adjusted to be fully disengaged so that the roller carriage assembly may travel along a track component optionally without resistance.
[0403] According to one embodiment, as illustrated in
[0404] The concave friction pad 1305 is mounted at its threaded holes or threaded inserts 1307 by screws 1308 to a friction pad mount plate 1310 to which on the opposite side is mounted, by screws 1311, two guide blocks 1314 comprising each an angled slot 1315 configured for sliding engagement each with an angled protrusion 1316 on the cooperating two sides of the threaded carrier 1302. The friction pad mount plate 1310 and supported components are secured to the inside of the carriage body component 1230 at threaded holes 1318 (as illustrated in
[0405] As the threaded carrier moves axially along the threaded rod 1298, the angled protrusions 1316 slide within the angled slots 1315. As a result of the angle of the protrusions and the slots and that the guide blocks 1314 are attached to the friction pad mount plate 1310 which is captive inside the carriage body component 1230 in such a way as to constrain it against movement parallel to the movement of the threaded carrier 1302, the resulting movement of the guide blocks 1314 and cooperating friction pad mount plate 1310 is perpendicular to the axial translation of the threaded carrier. This perpendicular motion moves the concave friction pad 1305 towards a cylindrical track component 1226 to engage it and apply resistance to the movement of a roller carriage assembly 1205 or pulls the concave friction pad away from the cylindrical track component to reduce or remove resistance to the movement of the roller carriage assembly.
[0406] According to some embodiments, as illustrated in
[0407] According to further embodiments where an operation of a carriage assembly on a track assembly requires both intermittent stoppage of the carriage assembly's movement or limitation of its speed on a track component as well as maintaining the vertical or horizontal orientation of the carriage assembly relative to the track component, a carriage assembly may comprise a channel-guide adjustable clamping mechanism, as illustrated in
[0408] According to further embodiments, a modular apparatus of the system may comprise a sliding carriage assembly wherein roller mounts and rollers are excluded from the carriage assembly and the alignment and moveable position of the carriage assembly is maintained by two opposing channel-guide adjustable clamping mechanisms slidably engaged against the circumference of a cylindrical structural component and within its side channels.
[0409] As illustrated in
[0410] According to further embodiments, a track dolly assembly may comprise one or two pairs of roller carriage assemblies for rolling movement along a track assembly. According to one embodiment, the roller carriage assemblies may be attached via multidirectional component mounts to one or two cylindrical structural components which form the structure of a track dolly assembly configured for rolling movement along a standard steel-pipe track assembly or an adjustable-level track assembly.
[0411] According to one embodiment, as illustrated in
[0412] Optionally where resistance against the track assembly is not desired, the single-sided roller carriage assemblies 1375 may exclude adjustable clamping mechanisms 1295. A single-sided roller carriage assembly 1375 may comprise a carriage body component 1230 having two roller mounts 1405 demountably engaged with both ends of the body component by one or more screws 1410 at one or more threaded holes 1247 in the end face of the carriage body component 1230. Two rollers 1420 may be fastened to each roller mount 1405 by shoulder screws 1425 threadably engaged at threaded holes 1430. The inclined axle ends provided on the roller mounts 1405 align the mounted rollers at an angle and separation for fitted contact and rolling engagement with the circumference of the rails of the standard steel pipe track assembly 1400. According to a further embodiment, the carriage body component and the roller mounts may be combined into a single component comprising the same functional elements.
[0413] Each pair of single-sided roller carriage assemblies 1375 may be demountably engaged with a cylindrical structural component module 1385 by two multidirectional component mounts 1380 fastened by screws 1435 threadably engaged at threaded holes 1440 in the out-facing surface of each carriage body component 1230. Each cylindrical structural component module 1385 is demountably engaged with the opposite end of the two multidirectional component mounts 1380 by screws 1450 threadably engaged with nuts 1110 secured within nut channels 1455 along the side of the cylindrical structural component module, or according to further embodiments where threadably engaged directly with threaded side mount holes 1460 provided along the length of a cylindrical structural component module.
[0414] According to some embodiments, as illustrated in
[0415] The male segment 1485 is optionally demountably engaged within the female receptacle 1475 at four alignments wherein each of the four pairs of sides of the octagonal shape and the through-holes 1500 and threaded holes 1505 may be aligned with the octagonal shaped receptacle's interlocking profile and through-holes 1495. This allows for four alignments of the two mating components 1465, 1480 and of the any two components mounted to the out-faces of the mating components by screws 1435/1450 of which the threaded portions are passed through holes 1508 in the female mating component 1465 and holes 1510 in the male mating component 1480 to be threadably engaged with threaded holes or nuts 1110 in the side of the cooperating components. The four settings of the multidirectional component mounts 1380 provide a perpendicular alignment, as illustrated in
[0416] According to certain embodiments, as illustrated in
[0417] For interfacing with one or more of a camera or other device, a device mount plate 1390 may have a bowl/ball mount assembly 1395, as illustrated in
[0418] According to additional embodiments, roller carriage assemblies and/or sliding carriage assemblies may be configured for secure engagement with and rolling movement along square track components. As illustrated in
[0419] According to a preferred embodiment, a washer 1605 may be inserted between the roller mounts 1560 and the bearings of the rollers 1590 to separate the rollers from the roller mounts to better align the rails away from the roller mount and cooperating with the surfaces of the square track component(s) 1555. Alternatively, a roller mount may be provided with a protruding segment on both sides wherein the threaded holes are provided for threadable engagement of the shoulder screws. According to a further embodiment, the carriage body component and the square roller mounts may be combined into a single component comprising the same functional elements.
[0420] Additionally, a corner brace 1255 may be secured by a screw threadably engaged with a threaded hole 1610 in the out-facing surface of a roller mount 1560. A corner brace 1255 may be optionally provided there for structural reinforcement of a cylindrical structural component module 1200 (not shown) provided with a female end 1008 whereby it is mounted to a male connector 1000 which may be demountably engaged by a screw threadably engaged with a threaded hole 1261 in the out-facing surface of a carriage body component 1230.
[0421] According to some embodiments, a square track roller carriage assembly may comprise one or more of an adjustable clamping mechanism which can be adjusted to apply varying degrees of resistance on one or an assembled series of square track components for intermittent stoppage of the assembly's movement, or limitation of its speed with partial pressure of the mechanism applied. As illustrated in
[0422] According to one embodiment, as illustrated in
[0423] The flat friction pad 1655 is mounted at its threaded holes or threaded inserts 1660 by screws 1665 to a friction pad mount plate 1670 to which on the opposite side is mounted, by screws 1675, two guide blocks 1680 comprising each an angled slot 1685 configured for sliding engagement each with an angled protrusion 1690 on the cooperating two sides of the threaded carrier 1645. The friction pad mount plate 1670 and supported components are secured to the inside of the carriage body component 1230 at threaded holes 1318, by shoulder screws 1319 in through-holes 1695 which allow the friction pad mount plate to slide toward and away from the carriage body component where the shoulder screws are free to slide within the through-holes in the friction pad mount plate.
[0424] As the threaded carrier 1645 moves axially along the threaded rod 1630, the angled protrusions 1690 slide within the angled slots 1685. As a result of the angle of the protrusions and the slots and that the guide blocks 1680 are attached to the friction pad mount plate 1670 which is captive inside the carriage body component 1230 in such a way as to constrain it against movement parallel to the movement of the threaded carrier 1645, the resulting movement of the guide blocks 1680 and cooperating friction pad mount plate 1670 is perpendicular to the axial translation of the threaded carrier. This perpendicular motion moves the flat friction pad 1655 towards a square track component 1555 to engage it and apply resistance to the movement of the square track roller carriage assembly or pulls the flat friction pad away from the square track component to reduce or remove resistance to the movement of the roller carriage assembly.
[0425] According to further embodiments where an operation of a carriage assembly on a square track assembly requires both intermittent stoppage of the carriage assembly's movement or limitation of its speed on a square track component as well as maintaining the vertical or horizontal alignment of the carriage assembly relative to the track component, a square track carriage assembly may comprise a square track channel-guide adjustable clamping mechanism.
[0426] According to one embodiment, as illustrated in
[0427] A sub-assembly of two threaded knobs 1625, a threaded rod 1630, threaded carrier 1645, guide blocks 1680, and a friction pad mount plate 1670 is configured as in the adjustable clamping mechanism 1620 and is likewise moveably engaged on shoulder screws 1319, but where here on the friction pad mount plate 1670 in place of a flat friction pad 1655 is mounted a square track channel-guide friction pad 1710 by screws 1665 at its threaded holes or threaded inserts 1715 (as illustrated in
[0428] According to further embodiments as illustrated in
[0429] When the adjustable clamping mechanisms 1705 are engaged against the two sides of the one or an assembled series of square track components 1730 and the two pad protrusions 1720 slidably engaged within the side channels 1725 along the cooperating two sides of the square track components, one or an assembly of roller carriage assemblies 1735 will maintain directional alignment and be slidably retained or stopped on the square track component(s) 1730 both in a horizontal or vertical orientation. Similarly, one or an assembly of roller carriage assemblies 1735, as illustrated in
[0430] According to further embodiments, a modular apparatus of the system may comprise a sliding carriage assembly wherein roller mounts and rollers are excluded from a carriage assembly and the alignment and moveable position of the carriage assembly is maintained by two opposing channel-guide adjustable clamping mechanisms slidably engaged against the sides of a square or rectangular track component and within its side channels.
[0431] As illustrated in
[0432] According to further embodiments, where varying profile or size of a square track component may be a factor, a square track roller carriage assembly may comprise a second embodiment of square roller mount in place of the square roller mounts 1560 as previously described. As illustrated in
[0433] Two rollers 1775 fit within two openings between three sections of the roller mount comprising one shoulder screw head retaining section 1780, one central through-hole section 1785, and one threaded hole section 1790. Each roller 1775 is sandwiched between two washers 1795 and the threaded and shoulder portion of a shoulder screw 1800 is passed through section 1780 and section 1785 and the threaded portion threadably engaged with the threaded hole section 1790.
[0434] Additionally, a corner brace 1255 may be secured by a screw threadably engaged with a threaded hole 1810 in the out-facing surface of a roller mount 1760 optionally provided there for structural reinforcement of a cylindrical structural component module 1200 provided with a female end 1008 whereby it is mounted to a male connector 1000 which may be demountably engaged by a screw threadably engaged with a threaded hole 1261 in the out-facing surface of a carriage body component 1230. According to a further embodiment, the carriage body component(s) and the features and functional elements of square roller mounts 1760 may be combined into a single component. A four-sided square track roller carriage assembly 1750 may optionally comprise one or more adjustable clamping mechanisms 1620 with a flat friction pad 1655 provided for slowing movement or stopping the carriage assembly along one or an assembled series of square track components 1755.
[0435] According to further embodiments, a roller carriage assembly may be configured for rolling engagement on one or an assembled series of octagonal track components. As illustrated in
[0436] Two rollers 1840 are secured by shoulder screws 1845 threadably engaged with threaded holes 1850 in the inclined axle ends of the roller mounts.
[0437] As illustrated in
[0438] Additionally, a corner brace 1255 may be secured by a screw threadably engaged with a threaded hole 1875 in the outward-facing surface of an octagonal roller mount 1830 optionally provided there for structural reinforcement of a cylindrical structural component module 1200 provided with a female end 1008 whereby it is mounted to a male connector 1000 which may be demountably engaged by a screw threadably engaged with a threaded hole 1261 in the out-facing surface of the cooperating carriage body component 1230. According to a further embodiment, a carriage body component and the pair of octagonal roller mounts may be combined into a single component providing the same functional elements.
[0439] According to further embodiments, a roller carriage assembly may be configured for rolling engagement on one or on an assembled series of circular or curvilinear track components. As illustrated in
[0440] A pair of rollers 1910 are rotationally engaged by shoulder screws 1915 threadably engaged with a threaded hole 1920 in the inclined ends of a pivoting axle component 1925 which is pivotably engaged with an axle mount 1928 by a pivot pin 1930 which is retained within an axle pin hole 1935 in the pivoting axle component 1925 and extends through into a mount pin hole 1936 in the roller mount 1900 where it is locked in place by the central screw 1904 of which the threaded portion is passed through a central through-hole 1940 and a pin through-hole 1945 in the pivot pin 1930 to be threadably engaged with the central threaded hole 1908 in the end of the carriage body component 1230. According to a preferred embodiment, a bushing 1950 is fitted within the axle pin hole 1935 to stably retain the pivot pin 1930 in the pivoting axle component 1925 and reduce friction at the interface of the axle component and the axle mount 1928 to allow for smooth pivoting movement of the pivoting roller mounts 1900 and passage of the pivoting roller carriage assembly 1890 along a curvilinear track 1895. According to some embodiments, a pivoting roller carriage assembly 1890 may comprise an adjustable clamping mechanism 1620 with a flat friction pad 1655 which may be adjusted to apply pressure against the curvilinear track to slow or stop the movement of the carriage assembly.
[0441] According to further embodiments, as illustrated in
[0442] According to further embodiments, as illustrated in
[0443] According to one embodiment, an adjustable-level track assembly 2020 comprises a series of cylindrical structural components 2030 assembled by rail joiner components 2035 to form two horizontal rails on which the track dolly assembly 2015 traverses. The rail joiner components 2035 may comprise a midsection 2040 which is the same diameter as the cylindrical structural components 2030 where between the cylindrical structural components the track dolly assembly 2015 passes smoothly over. The midsection may comprise a threaded hole 2042 whereby a concave base male assembly 1001 or other structural or functional component of the system may be demountably engaged. Each end of the joiner component comprises a fitted section 2045 for fitting within and matingly engaging the open ends of two cylindrical structural components 2030. Screws 2050 through holes 2052 are threadably engaged with a threaded hole 2055 in the outer side of each of the inserted fitted sections 2045 to secure the rail joiner component within the two cooperating cylindrical structural components. For greater stability, the outer contours of the rail joiner components may comprise crush ribs to provide a more secure interference fit.
[0444] The two rail assemblies may be attached via a plurality of a further embodiment of a double side-opening socket module 2060 demountably engaged with the inner sides of the cylindrical structural components 2030 by gooseneck assemblies 2065 secured by screws 2070 threadably engaged through side mount holes 2075 with threaded core components 1125 within the cylindrical structural components 2030, or the cooperating inward-facing threaded holes 2055 in the side of each of the inserted fitted sections 2045 of the rail joiner components, or according to a further embodiment, nuts 1110 within the side-nut channels of a cylindrical structural component. A gooseneck assembly 2065 comprises a gooseneck mount component 2080 with a narrow concave section 2082 whereby the screws 2070 hold the component against the cylindrical rails and a narrow neck section 2085 whereby the connections remain passable by the roller carriage assemblies 2025. Beyond the narrow neck section is a plate mount face 2090 by which a gooseneck mount plate 2095 is secured by screws and whereon is demountably engaged a flat base male assembly 1005 which is demountably engaged with a female end 1008 of the cooperating double side-opening socket module 2060.
[0445] The frame of the adjustable-level track assembly 2020 as described may be supported and leveled on threaded foot components 2100 comprising a threaded foot 2102 which is threadably engaged with a concave mount 2105 which is demountably engaged by screws 2108 and nuts 1110 with the side-nut channels of the cooperating cylindrical structural component 2030, or according to a further embodiment, with a threaded core component 1125 fitted within a cylindrical structural component.
[0446] According to further embodiments, a low-angle track dolly assembly 2110 is illustrated in
[0447] The two sets of roller carriage assemblies 2120 and double side-opening socket modules 2060 are attached by a device mount plate 1390 demountably engaged at its four corners on concave base components 1041, as previously described in reference to
[0448] According to further embodiments, a track dolly assembly may be configured as a dual rail track dolly assembly whereon two or more devices may be supported on two or more roller carriage assemblies for rolling movement along two parallel rails supported by one or more dolly base assemblies. According to one embodiment, as illustrated in
[0449] According to one embodiment, a channel-guide component 1280, as described previously in reference to
[0450] Each of the roller carriage assemblies 2170 may additionally comprise a device mount plate 1390 provided for mounting of one or more of a camera, a light, a screen, a monitor, a microphone, a sensor, a tool, a power tool, or other device on a bowl/ball mount assembly 1395/2125, or other means of attachment such as a stud mount component 1270 demountably engaged directly or via a cylindrical structural component module 1200 with the threaded holes in the carriage body components 1230, roller mounts 1235, and/or corner brace mounts 1237 of one or both of the roller carriage assemblies 2170, as described in further detail below in reference to
[0451] According to one embodiment, a dual rail assembly 2162 is demountably engaged at both ends with a rail support vertical post module 2220 by concave base male assemblies 1001 and concave corner braces 1255 demountably engaged with a side-nut channel 2230 of the cylindrical structural component 2235 of the vertical post modules. The nut channels 2230 on the opposite sides of the vertical post modules may be demountably engaged with one or two multidirectional component mounts 1380 which on their opposite side are demountably engaged with nut channels 2240 along the cylindrical structural component 2245 of a vertical center post module 2250 in the center of dolly base assemblies 2255 (indicated in
[0452] According to one embodiment, the length of the two rails 2165 of a dual rail assembly 2162 may be reinforced by one or more vertical cross-support assemblies which may be demountably engaged with nuts 1110 in the inward-facing side channels 2175 of the rails 2165, or according to a further embodiment with threaded core components 1125 through side mount holes, as previously described. For a wider separation of the two rails, a vertical cross-support assembly may comprise two gooseneck assemblies 2065, as described previously in reference to
[0453] As described, the dual rail assembly 2162 is supported by the vertical center post modules 2250 in the center of the dolly base assemblies. According to one embodiment, a dolly base assembly 2255 may further comprise a base frame assembled of five of a further embodiment of double side-opening socket module 2280 where four outer modules 2280 are demountably engaged at each end by their female ends 1008 to concave base male assemblies 1001 demountably engaged by screws 2285 threadably engaged with threaded holes 2290 on the circumferential surface of four cylindrical mount components 2265 at each corner of the base frame whereon are mounted a caster 2295 with a threaded post 2300 threadably engaged to a central threaded hole 2305 in the cylindrical mount components, to allow for rolling movement of the dolly assembly 2160 on the ground and to be adjustably levelled on the threaded posts 2300 within the threaded mount components 2265. Alternatively, four of a second type of caster 2310 may be mounted to the underside of the outer modules 2280 by a caster mount plate 2315 and concave base components 1041, as illustrated in
[0454] A fifth double side-opening socket module 2280 is demountably engaged by concave base male assemblies 1001 and corner braces 1255 across the center of the dolly base assembly 2255 whereon is demountably engaged the vertical center post module 2250 which may be reinforced on one or both sides by additional cylindrical structural component modules 1200 and corner braces 1255 including a short double side-opening socket module 2320 which at one end is demountably engaged with a flat base male assembly 1005 on a 45-degree mount component 2322 fastened to the outer nut channel 2240 of the vertical center post module 2250, and at the opposite end demountably engaged with a concave base male assembly 1001 on a nut in the nut channel 2325 of the cooperating outer module 2280 which is demountably engaged at a 45-degree orientation on its concave base male assemblies 1001 wherein the pronged connector components 1030 are aligned on the concave base components 1041 at the 45-degree locator holes 1042, as described previously in reference to
[0455] According to further embodiments, a track dolly assembly may be configured as a dual rail track dolly assembly whereon two or more devices may be supported on two roller carriage assemblies joined together by plate components for rolling movement of the two roller carriage assemblies in tandem along two parallel rails. According to one embodiment, as illustrated in
[0456] According to one embodiment, a dual rail assembly 2340 comprises two rail modules 2350 reinforced by the one or more parallel braces 2345 and demountably engaged at both ends with the rail support vertical post modules 2220 by concave base male assemblies 1001 and concave corner braces 1255 demountably engaged with the side-nut channels 2230 of the cylindrical structural components 2235 of the vertical post modules. The parallel brace 2345 is demountably engaged by screws 2355 through holes 2360 threadably engaged with nuts 1110 in the inward-facing side-nut channels 2365 of the rail modules 2350, or according to a further embodiment with threaded core components 1125 through side mount holes, as previously described. The narrow shape of the parallel braces allow passage of two three-sided roller carriage assemblies 2370 along the rail modules 2350.
[0457] According to one embodiment, the three-sided roller carriage assemblies 2370 comprise the same components as a three-sided roller carriage assembly 2170, as described in reference to
[0458] According to further embodiments, any suitable configuration of a roller carriage assembly 1205 may additionally be used for support of a light, a microphone, a speaker, a monitor, a sensor, a power tool, or other device comprising a receiver for demountable engagement with a stud mount component 1270 which may be demountably engaged with the roller carriage assembly directly or via a cylindrical structural component module 1200 at the threaded holes in the carriage body components, roller mounts, and/or corner brace mounts.
[0459] According to one embodiment, as illustrated in
[0460] According to further embodiments, a track dolly assembly may comprise a dual rail assembly oriented vertically whereon two roller carriage assemblies and one or more supported devices may be raised and lowered on the rail assembly which may be rolled along the ground on a dolly base assembly. As illustrated in
[0461] The dual rail assembly 2462 may be demountably engaged at its lower end to two double side-opening socket modules 2280 across the dolly base assembly 2465 additionally comprising four outer double side-opening socket modules 2280 connected to one another by cylindrical mount components 2265 at each corner, as previously described regarding the dolly base assembly 2255. For structural reinforcement, narrow corner braces 2475 may be demountably engaged with the rails 2470 and the intersecting base modules 2280 by screws 2480 through holes 2482 threadably engaged with nuts 1110 and threaded core components 1125. The narrow shape of the narrow corner braces 2475 allows, according to further embodiments, an appropriately configured roller carriage assembly 1205 to roll to the end of a rail when supported by a narrow corner brace. To provide additional stabilization of the base, weight components 1335 may be demountably engaged by screws 1337 at threaded holes 2330 in the circumferential surface of the cylindrical mount components 2265. The dolly base assembly 2465 may be rolled on four casters 2310 mounted to the caster mount plate 2315 by screws 2485 and to the underside of the base frame modules 2280 by screws 2488 through holes 2490 in the caster mount plate 2315 and through concave base components 1041 where threadably engaged with nuts 1110 in the nut channels of the base modules 2280.
[0462] A dual vertical cylindrical rail dolly assembly 2455 may comprise two three-sided clamping roller carriage assemblies 2460 retained to one another and on the rails 2470 by one or two bridge plates 2375 secured against the sides of the two roller carriage assemblies by screws 2491 through holes 2385 and the cooperating concave base components 1041 against the sides of the roller carriage assemblies to be threadably engaged with threaded holes 1257. The bridge plate(s) 2375 additionally comprise through-holes 2390 whereby an end cap/end cap module 2493 is engaged by screws 2494 on concave base components 1041 and whereon a side-opening socket/end cap module 2495 is demountably engaged outwardly and supporting a device mount plate 1390 for positioning of one or more devices on the rail dolly assembly 2455 through a bowl/ball mount assembly 1395/2125 or other means of attachment. To counterbalance the extended device mount plate and supported device, one or more weight components 1335 mounted to a side-opening socket/end cap module 2497 may be demountably engaged opposite the device mount plate on the cooperating roller carriage assembly.
[0463] One or both roller carriage assemblies 2460 may comprise adjustable clamping mechanisms 1295 or channel-guide adjustable clamping mechanisms 1345 for slowing descent or stopping the assemblies along the rails 2470. According to a further embodiment, by exclusion of the one or two bridge plates 2375, the roller carriage assemblies may remain separate and roll independently where one or more devices may be supported on each rail, and each assembly may include a channel-guide component 1280 or a channel-guide adjustable clamping mechanism 1345 to maintain the assemblies' alignment along the rails.
[0464] According to further embodiments, a track dolly assembly may comprise a dual square rail assembly oriented vertically whereon two square track roller carriage assemblies and one or more supported devices may be raised and lowered on the rail assembly which can be rolled along the ground on a dolly base assembly, or as illustrated in
[0465] The dual square rail assembly 2510 may be demountably engaged at its lower end to two double side-opening socket modules 2280 across the dolly base assembly 2520 additionally comprising four outer double side-opening socket modules 2280 connected to one another by cylindrical mount components 2265 at each corner, as previously described in dolly base assembly 2255 and 2465. For structural reinforcement, square-to-round corner braces 2550 may be demountably engaged by screws 2555 with nuts 2558 in the nut channels of the square rails 2530 and screws 2560 with nuts 1110 in the intersecting base cylindrical modules 2280. To provide additional stabilization of the base, weight components 1335 may be demountably engaged by screws at threaded holes in the circumferential surface of the cylindrical mount components 2265, as previously described. According to an embodiment wherein the assembly is not required to travel on the ground, for example as illustrated in
[0466] A dual vertical cylindrical rail dolly assembly 2500 may comprise two three-sided square track roller carriage assemblies 1735 retained to one another and on the rails 2530 by one or two bridge plates 2375 secured against the sides of the two roller carriage assemblies by screws 2491 through holes 2385 and the cooperating concave base components 1041 against the sides of the roller carriage assemblies to be threadably engaged with threaded holes 1610 in the out-facing surface of the square roller mounts 1560. The bridge plate(s) 2375 additionally comprise through-holes whereby an end cap/end cap module 2493 is engaged on concave base components and whereon a side-opening socket/end cap module 2495 is demountably engaged outwardly and supporting a device mount plate 1390 for positioning of one or more devices on the dolly assembly 2500 through a bowl/ball mount assembly 1395/2125 or other means of attachment. To counterbalance the extended device mount plate and supported device, one or more weight components 1335 mounted to a side-opening socket/end cap module 2497, may be demountably engaged opposite the device mount plate on the cooperating roller carriage assembly 1735.
[0467] One or both roller carriage assemblies 1735 may comprise adjustable clamping mechanisms 1620 or square track channel-guide adjustable clamping mechanisms 1705, as previously described, for slowing descent or stopping the assemblies along the rails 2530. According to a further embodiment, by exclusion of the one or two bridge plates 2375, the roller carriage assemblies may remain separate and roll independently whereby one or more devices may be supported on each, and each assembly may optionally include a square track channel-guide adjustable clamping mechanism 1705 to maintain the assemblies' alignment along the rails.
[0468] According to further embodiments, a dual plate track dolly assembly 2565 is illustrated in
[0469] According to one embodiment, an adjustable-level track assembly 2570 may comprise two elongate rail end cap/end cap modules 2580 demountably engaged at their ends by two corner braces 1255 to two perpendicular terminal end cap/end cap modules 2585. An adjustable-level track assembly 2570 may be supported and levelled on threaded foot components 2100, as previously described in reference to
[0470] According to one embodiment of the track dolly assembly 2565, three double side-opening socket modules 2618, demountably engaged by concave base male assemblies 1001 and corner braces 1255, may extend upwardly from the two horizontal socket modules 2575 of the dolly base assembly 2572 whereby a first component mount plate assembly 2621 is demountably engaged by flat base male assemblies 1005 in the upward female ends 1008. According to one embodiment, a first component mount plate assembly 2621 may comprise a bowl/ball mount assembly 2125 or alternatively, bowl/ball mount assembly 1395 engaged by screws 2137 with threaded holes 2624 in a component mount plate 2625 which may additionally comprise threaded holes 2630 and locator holes 2635 wherein a flat base male assembly 1005 may be demountably engaged by a screw or bolt. A component mount plate 2625 may additionally comprise a row of holes 2638 whereby screws 2640 are threadably engaged with a plate corner brace 2645 comprising threaded holes 2648 along a flat edge for demountable engagement with the component plate and a concave edge whereby screws 2650 may be demountably engaged with a cooperating cylindrical structural component 2655 by nuts 1110 or a threaded core component 1125, or as described in further detail below in reference to
[0471] According to further embodiments, a component mount plate assembly comprising a component mount plate 2625 which forms the structural body on which additional components such as casters 2600, foot components 2000, weight components 1335, stud mount components 1270, bowl/ball mount assemblies 2125/1395, threaded extension rods 2130 and the like, may be configured as a dolly or stand on which one or more devices may supported. A component mount plate dolly assembly 2680 is illustrated in
[0472] According to one embodiment, the dolly assembly 2680 may comprise a bowl/ball mount assembly 2125 demountably engaged directly with the component mount plate 2625 by screws 2137 threadably engaged with threaded holes 2624. According to further embodiments, a custom device mount component may be demountably engaged directly with the component mount plate 2625 or via a bowl/ball mount assembly 2125/1395 whereby a particular device or equipment may be secured to an assembly. As illustrated in
[0473] According to further embodiments, for added stability, a second example of a component mount plate dolly 2720 additionally comprises weight components 1335 demountably engaged by screws 1337 passed through holes 1338 in the weight components and threadably engaged with one of eight sets of threaded holes 2725 on the circumferential surface of each of the four cylindrical mount components 2685 (
[0474] According to further embodiments, optionally a modular assembly may additionally comprise one or more of a cylindrical structural component with four nut channels around its circumference wherein one or more components may be demountably engaged by screws or bolts threadably engaged with nuts securely retained within the nut channels. A four-channel cylindrical structural component 2730 is illustrated in
[0475] A four-channel cylindrical structural component may additionally comprise one or more screw channels 2740 along the inner contours of the component whereby another component may be fastened, such as illustrated in
[0476] In modules additionally comprising further embodiments of male end, female end, and end cap elements as described below, a range of lengths of four-channel cylindrical structural component 2730 may be configured with varying combinations of one or two female ends and/or one or two male ends and/or one or two end cap components at the ends of the cylindrical structural component to form a variety of four-channel cylindrical structural component modules 2765, such as an end cap/end cap module 2770 as illustrated in
[0477] According to further embodiments, a four-channel cylindrical structural component module 2765 may comprise a male end 1183 at one or both ends of a cylindrical structural component provided for demountable engagement with a female end 1008 of another modular component. According to one embodiment, two of another length of four-channel cylindrical structural component 2777 are shown in
[0478] According to the embodiment shown in
[0479] According to one embodiment, a male mount end cap component 2800 may comprise four through-holes 2820 whereby it is retained against the end of a four-channel cylindrical structural component by four screws 2750 of which the threaded portions are passed through holes 2820 for threadably engagement with four screw channels 2825 in the cylindrical structural component. A male mount end cap component 2800 may additionally comprise channel openings 2830 around its circumference to allow for passage of nuts 1110 into the nut channels 2782 of a four-channel cylindrical structural component, or according to a further embodiment without channel openings wherein nuts may be pre-installed into the nut channels, for demountable engagement of another component.
[0480] According to some embodiments, a straight square through-hole male end 2780 may comprise the locator plate 2795 of which the outer profile fits within a cooperatively shaped recess 2838 in the male mount end cap component 2800, and wherein together a straight square through-hole connector component 2790 may be demountably engaged with the male mount end cap component 2800 by a screw 2840 of which the threaded portion is passed through a hole 2845 in the connector component 2790 and threadably engaged with a threaded hole or insert 2850 in the center of the male mount end cap component 2800. According to one embodiment, a locator plate 2795 comprises a locator slot 2855 wherein a locator boss 2860 at the mating end of a straight square through-hole connector component 2790 aligns the connector component against the locator plate and male mount end cap component 2800 where it may therefore be stably engaged by the screw. As illustrated in
[0481] According to further embodiments, up to four of a male side mount 2865 configured for demountable engagement with a fixed square socket female end 2805 and comprising a concave base may be demountably engaged radially at any one alignment around the circumference of a cylindrical structural component retained there by a screw threadably engaged with a nut secured within the nut channels or with a threaded core component through side mount holes, as described in further detail below. A male side mount 2865 may also be demountably engaged with other components of the system comprising a round surface and threaded hole, such as a carriage body component 1230. As illustrated in
[0482] Any of a four-channel cylindrical structural component module 2765 may additionally comprise a threaded core component secured within its cylindrical structural component whereby up to four of a concave base male assembly 1001 or male side mount 2865, or one or more of another component comprising a concave base, may be demountably engaged by a screw or bolt. As illustrated in
[0483] As noted above, both the straight square through-hole male ends 2780 and the straight square through-hole male side mounts 2870 are configured for demountable engagement with any four-channel cylindrical structural component module comprising a fixed square socket female end 2805. The fixed square socket female ends 2805 are additionally compatible with demountable engagement of a straight square threaded-hole male end 2925 and a straight square threaded-hole male side mount 2930 as illustrated in
[0484] According to one embodiment, as illustrated in
[0485] The male end 2780 of the socket/male end module 3005 is illustrated in
[0486] As previously noted, a four-channel cylindrical structural component module comprising one or two fixed square socket female ends 2805 are additionally compatible with demountable engagement of a straight square threaded-hole male end 2925 and a straight square threaded-hole male side mount 2930, as illustrated in
[0487] A modular assembly may additionally comprise one or more of a male side mount 2865 comprising the straight square threaded-hole connector component 3070. A straight square threaded-hole male side mount 2930 is illustrated in
[0488] As previously noted, a four-channel cylindrical structural component module comprising one or two fixed square socket female ends 2805 is additionally compatible for demountable engagement of a tapered square through-hole male end 2935 and a tapered square through-hole male side mount 2940, as illustrated in
[0489] wherein a tapered square through-hole connector component 3095 may be demountably engaged against the male mount end cap component 2800 and locator plate 2795 wherein a square boss 3100 or octagonal boss at the end of the connector component 3095 is securely retained within the locator slot 2855 and where a screw 2840, of which the threaded portion is passed through a hole 3105 in the connector component 3095, is threadably engaged with the threaded hole or insert 2850 in the center of the male mount end cap component 2800 which is secured by screws 2750 to a cylindrical structural component of another module, as previously shown. The connector component 3095 further comprises four through-holes 3110 in the sides of the component wherein a screw or bolt 3030 of which the threaded portion is passed through a screw-head hole 3035 in one side of the cooperating socket component 3020, and through two of four of the through-holes 3110 in the connector component 3095, and through a nut-insert through-hole 3040 in the opposite side of the socket component where secured within a nut-insert recess is a threaded nut 3050 or threaded insert with which the screw or bolt 3030 is threadably engaged and therefore the male end 2935 demountably engaged. According to further embodiments, a tapered square through-hole male end 2935 may comprise, instead of the assembly of the connector component 3095, locator plate 2795, and male mount end cap component 2800, a single component equally configured for demountable engagement with a fixed square socket female end 2805, where retained at the end of a cylindrical structural component by screws 2750.
[0490] A modular assembly may additionally comprise one or more of a male side mount 2865 comprising the tapered square through-hole connector component 3095. A tapered square through-hole male side mount 2940 is illustrated in
[0491] As previously noted, a four-channel cylindrical structural component module comprising one or two fixed square socket female ends 2805 are additionally compatible with demountable engagement of a tapered square threaded-hole male end 2945 and a tapered square threaded-hole male side mount 2950 as illustrated in
[0492] A modular assembly may additionally comprise one or more of a male side mount 2865 comprising the tapered square threaded-hole connector component 3115. A tapered square threaded-hole male side mount 2950 is illustrated in
[0493] The tapered sides of the tapered square through-hole connector component 3095 and the tapered square threaded-hole connector component 3115 are configured for usage of the male ends 2935, 2945 and the male side mounts 2940, 2950 where easy engagement of the components is desired, whereby the tapered sides allow for a less precise alignment of the connector components 3095, 3115 to be received into the opening of the fixed square socket female ends 2805. One such example is demonstrated in a stackable tray assembly 3135 as illustrated in
[0494] According to embodiments of a modular assembly wherein a sideway engagement of one or two male ends with one or two female ends of a four-channel cylindrical structural component module is preferred, a four-channel cylindrical structural component may have at each end a four-channel square side-opening socket component wherein various of the male ends 2780, 2925, 2935, 2945, 2955, 2965, 2975, 2985 and male side mounts 2870, 2930, 2940, 2950, 2960, 2970, 2980, 2990, as previously described and described in further detail below, may be demountably engaged. As illustrated in
[0495] An octagonal through-hole male end 2955 may comprise the locator plate 2795 which fits within the recess 2838 in the male mount end cap component 2800, and wherein an octagonal through-hole connector component 3160 may be demountably engaged against the male mount end cap component 2800 and locator plate 2795 wherein a square boss 3165 or octagonal boss at the end of the connector component 3160 is securely retained within the locator slot 2855 and where a screw 2840, of which the threaded portion is passed through a hole 3170 in the connector component 3160, is threadably engaged with the threaded hole or insert in the center of the male mount end cap component 2800 which is secured by screws 2750 to a cylindrical structural component of another module, as previously shown. According to further embodiments, an octagonal through-hole male end 2955 may comprise, instead of the assembly of the connector component 3160, locator plate 2795, and male mount end cap component 2800, a single component equally configured for demountable engagement with a fixed square socket female end 2805 or a square side-opening socket component 3140.
[0496] An octagonal through-hole male side mount 2960 may comprise the octagonal through-hole connector component 3160 wherein a screw 2875 inserted through hole 3170 in the connector component 3160 is passed through a locator plate 2795 and the through-hole 2880 in the center of a concave base side mount component 2885 where it may be threadably engaged with a nut 1110 in a nut channel along a cylindrical structural component or with a threaded core component through a side mount hole, or with another component comprising a round surface and threaded hole such as a carriage body component 1230. According to further embodiments, an octagonal through-hole male side mount 2960 may comprise, instead of the assembly of the connector component 3160, locator plate 2795, and concave base side mount component 2885, a single component equally configured for demountable engagement with a fixed square socket female end 2805 or a square side-opening socket component 3140.
[0497] Where in use allowing for eight angles of interconnection between two demountably engaged modules, the octagonal through-hole connector component 3160 further may comprise eight through-holes 3175 whereby the male end 2955 or male side mount 2960 may be retained within a fixed square socket female end 2805 as previously described in reference to the square connector components 2790, 3070, or within the four-channel square side-opening socket component 3140 by a screw or bolt 3180. The threaded portion of the screw or bolt 3180 is passed through a screw-head hole 3185 into one side of the socket component 3140, and through two of eight of the through-holes 3175 in the connector component 3160, and threadably engaged with a threaded nut or insert 3190 retained within a nut-insert recess 3195 in a square side-opening socket cap 3200, and the male end 2955 or male side mount 2960 thereby retained. By the same means, male ends 2780, 2935, 2975 and male side mounts 2870, 2940, 2980 may be demountably engaged by a screw or bolt inserted through the through-holes in their respective connector components.
[0498] As previously noted, a four-channel cylindrical structural component module comprising one or two fixed square socket female ends 2805 or one or two square side-opening socket components 3140 are additionally compatible with demountable engagement of an octagonal threaded-hole male end 2965 and an octagonal threaded-hole male side mount 2970 which are configured the same as the through-hole male end 2955 and the through-hole male side mount 2960 but wherein the through-hole connector component 3160 is replaced by an octagonal threaded-hole connector component 3205 comprising once again, a square boss 3208 or octagonal boss for fitted engagement with a locator plate 2795 but comprising eight threaded holes 3210. As illustrated in
[0499] According to further embodiments, an octagonal threaded-hole male end 2965 may comprise, instead of the assembly of the connector component 3205, locator plate 2795, and male mount end cap component 2800, a single component equally configured for demountable engagement with a fixed square socket female end 2805 or a square side-opening socket component 3140. According to further embodiments, an octagonal threaded-hole male side mount 2970 may comprise, instead of the assembly of the connector component 3205, locator plate 2795, and concave base side mount component 2885, a single component equally configured for demountable engagement with a fixed square socket female end 2805 or a square side-opening socket component 3140.
[0500] According to further embodiments, a modular assembly may additionally comprise one or more of a four-channel cylindrical structural component module 2765 comprising one or two of a rotatable female end 3220 wherein a generally cylindrical receptacle allows for one of various cylindrical or rounded male ends to be rotationally or fixedly demountably engaged with one or both ends of the module. As illustrated in
[0501] According to some embodiments, as illustrated in
[0502] A cylindrical through-hole male end 3250 may comprise the locator plate 2795 which fits within the recess 2838 in the male mount end cap component 2800, and wherein a cylindrical through-hole connector component 3280 may be demountably engaged against the male mount end cap component 2800 and locator plate 2795 wherein a square boss 3285 or octagonal boss at the end of the connector component 3280 is securely retained within the locator slot 2855 and where a screw 2840, of which the threaded portion is passed through a hole 3290 in the connector component 3280, is threadably engaged with the threaded hole or insert in the center of the male mount end cap component 2800 which is secured by screws 2750 to a cylindrical structural component of another module, as previously shown. According to further embodiments, a cylindrical through-hole male end 3250 may comprise, instead of the assembly of the connector component 3280, locator plate 2795, and male mount end cap component 2800, a single component equally configured for demountable engagement with a rotatable cylindrical socket component 3230.
[0503] A cylindrical through-hole male side mount 3255 may comprise the cylindrical through-hole connector component 3280 where a screw 2875 through hole 3290 in the connector component 3280, is passed through a locator plate 2795 and the through-hole 2880 in the center of a concave base side mount component 2885 where it may be threadably engaged with a nut 1110 in a nut channel along a cylindrical structural component or with a threaded core component through a side mount hole, or with another component comprising a round surface and threaded hole such as a carriage body component 1230. According to further embodiments, a cylindrical through-hole male side mount 3255 may comprise, instead of the assembly of the connector component 3280, locator plate 2795, and concave base side mount component 2885, a single component equally configured for demountable engagement with a rotatable cylindrical socket component 3230.
[0504] According to some embodiments, where in use for fixed demountable engagement, eight through-holes 3295 through a cylindrical retainment neck 3300 in the connector component 3280 allow for eight angles of interconnection between the two cooperating modules, as illustrated with the cylindrical through-hole male end 3250, whereby the threaded portion of a screw or bolt 3305 is passed through a screw-head hole 3310 in one side of the socket component 3230, and through two of eight of the through-holes 3295 in the connector component 3280, and threadably engaged with a threaded insert 3315 retained in a recess in the opposite side of the socket component 3230, and the male end 3250 or alternatively the male side mount 3255 thereby retained. By the same means, the rounded square through-hole male end 2975 and the rounded square through-hole male side mount 2980 may be demountably engaged by a screw or bolt through the through-holes in their respective connector component, as described below in reference to
[0505] Alternatively, where rotational engagement of the two cooperating modules is required as illustrated with the cylindrical through-hole male side mount 3255 or alternatively may be done with the male end 3250, a set screw 3320 may be threadably engaged with the threaded insert 3315 to where protruding into the cylindrical retainment neck 3300 in the connector component 3280 and thereby retaining the connector component within the socket component while still allowing continuous rotation until the set screw 3320 may be further advanced into one of the eight through-holes therefore stopping rotation until the screw is retracted.
[0506] As previously noted and illustrated in
[0507] According to further embodiments, a cylindrical threaded-hole male end 3260 may comprise instead of the assembly of the connector component 3330, locator plate 2795, and male mount end cap component 2800, a single component equally configured for demountable engagement with a rotatable cylindrical socket component 3230. According to further embodiments, a cylindrical threaded-hole male side mount 3265 may comprise instead of the assembly of the connector component 3330, locator plate 2795, and concave base side mount component 2885, a single component similarly configured for demountable engagement with a rotatable cylindrical socket component 3230.
[0508] According to embodiments of a modular assembly wherein a fixed sideway engagement of one or two cylindrical or rounded male ends with one or two cylindrical socket female ends of a four-channel cylindrical structural component module is preferred, a four-channel cylindrical structural component may have at each end a rounded side-opening socket component that may be demountably engaged at any one of eight angular orientations, a cylindrical through-hole male end 3250 or a cylindrical through-hole male side mount 3255 or a cylindrical threaded-hole male end 3260 or a cylindrical threaded-hole male side mount 3265, as well as a rounded square through-hole male end 2975 or a rounded square through-hole male side mount 2980 or a rounded square threaded-hole male end 2985 or a rounded square threaded-hole male side mount 2990 as described in further detail below.
[0509] As illustrated in
[0510] As previously noted, a four-channel cylindrical structural component module comprising one or two rotatable cylindrical socket components 3230 such as the double rotatable cylindrical socket module 3225, are additionally compatible with demountable engagement of a rounded square through-hole male end 2975 and a rounded square through-hole male side mount 2980, as illustrated in
[0511] A rounded square through-hole male side mount 2980 may comprise the rounded square through-hole connector component 3400 wherein a screw 2875 inserted through hole 3410 in the connector component 3400 is passed through a locator plate 2795 and the through-hole 2880 in the center of a concave base side mount component 2885 where it may be threadably engaged with a nut 1110 in a nut channel along a cylindrical structural component or with a threaded core component through a side mount hole, or with another component comprising a round surface and threaded hole such as a carriage body component 1230. According to further embodiments, a rounded square through-hole male side mount 2980 may comprise, instead of the assembly of the connector component 3400, locator plate 2795, and concave base side mount component 2885, a single component equally configured for demountable engagement with a rotatable cylindrical socket component 3230.
[0512] According to some embodiments, where in use for fixed demountable engagement within a cylindrical socket component 3230, eight through-holes 3415 through a cylindrical retainment neck 3420 in the rounded square through-hole connector component 3400 allow for eight angles of interconnection between the two cooperating modules, whereby the threaded portion of a screw or bolt 3305 is passed through the screw-head hole 3310 in the socket component 3230, and through two of eight of the through-holes 3415 in the connector component 3400, and threadably engaged with a threaded insert 3315 retained in a recess in the opposite side of the socket component 3230, and the male end 2975 or male side mount 2980 thereby retained.
[0513] Alternatively where rotational engagement of the two cooperating modules is required, a set screw 3320 may be threadably engaged with the threaded insert 3315 to where protruding into the cylindrical retainment neck 3420 in the rounded square through-hole connector component 3400 and thereby retaining the connector component within the rotatable cylindrical socket component 3230 while still allowing continuous rotation until the set screw 3320 may be further advanced into one of the eight through-holes therefore stopping rotation until the screw is retracted.
[0514] According to further embodiments, as previously noted, the rounded square through-hole male end 2975 and the rounded square through-hole male side mount 2980 are additionally compatible with demountable engagement within the fixed square socket component 3020. The rounded square through-hole connector component 3400 may additionally comprise four square sides 3422 which are sized and shaped for fitted engagement within the square socket component 3020. The connector component 3400 may additionally comprise a tapered end 3423 which allows for a less precise alignment of the connector components to be received into the opening of a cooperating socket component 3020, 3230 where easy engagement may be desired. As previously described in reference to
[0515] As previously noted, the rotatable cylindrical socket component 3230 is additionally compatible with a rounded square threaded-hole male end 2985 and a rounded square threaded-hole male side mount 2990 which are configured the same as the through-hole male end 2975 and the through-hole male side mount 2980 but where, as illustrated in
[0516] According to further embodiments, as previously noted, the rounded square threaded-hole male end 2985 and the rounded square threaded-hole male side mount 2990 are additionally compatible with demountable engagement within the fixed square socket component 3020. The rounded square threaded-hole connector component 3425 may additionally comprise four square sides 3445 which are sized and shaped for fitted engagement within the square socket component 3020. The connector component 3425 may additionally comprise a tapered end 3450 which allows for a less precise alignment of the connector components to be received into the opening of a cooperating socket component 3020, 3230 where easy engagement may be desired. As previously described in reference to
[0517] According to further embodiments, a rounded square threaded-hole male end 2985 may comprise, instead of the assembly of the connector component 3425, locator plate 2795, and male mount end cap component 2800, a single component equally configured for demountable engagement with a rotatable cylindrical socket component 3230.
[0518] According to further embodiments, a cylindrical threaded-hole male side mount 2990 may comprise, instead of the assembly of the connector component 3425, locator plate 2795, and concave base side mount component 2885, a single component equally configured for demountable engagement with a rotatable cylindrical socket component 3230.
[0519] As previously noted, a four-channel cylindrical structural component module comprising one or two rotatable cylindrical socket components 3230, such as the double rotatable cylindrical socket module 3225, are additionally compatible with demountable engagement of a rounded square indexing male end 2995 and a rounded square indexing male side mount 3000, as are illustrated in
[0520] A rounded square indexing male side mount 3000 may comprise the rounded square indexing connector component 3455 where a screw 2875 through hole 3465 in the connector component is passed through a locator plate 2795 and the through-hole 2880 in the center of a concave base side mount component 2885 where it may be threadably engaged with a nut 1110 in a nut channel along a cylindrical structural component or with a threaded core component through a side mount hole, or with another component comprising a round surface and threaded hole such as a carriage body component 1230. According to further embodiments, a rounded square indexing male side mount 3000 may comprise, instead of the assembly of the connector component 3455, locator plate 2795, and concave base side mount component 2885, a single component equally configured for demountable engagement with a rotatable cylindrical socket component 3230.
[0521] According to some embodiments, where in use for fixed demountable engagement within a cylindrical socket component 3230, twelve indentations 3475 within an indented retainment neck 3480 in the rounded square indexing connector component 3455 allow for twelve angles of interconnection between two cooperating modules at thirty degree increments, whereby a set screw 3485 with a pointed tip, as shown with the rounded square indexing male side mount 3000, may be threadably engaged with the threaded insert 3315 of the socket component and into one of the twelve indentations 3475 where its pressure applied against the connector component 3455 securely retains the rounded square indexing male side mount 3000 or alternatively the male end 2995. According to further embodiments, an indexing connector component 3455 may comprise anywhere between eight and thirty-two indentations 3475. According to further embodiments, an indexing connector component may comprise a cylindrical shape with an indented retainment neck 3480 and indentations 3475.
[0522] Alternatively, where rotational engagement of the two cooperating modules is required, a set screw 3320 with a flat tip, as shown with the rounded square indexing male end 2995, may be threadably engaged with the threaded insert 3315 to where protruding within the rotatable cylindrical socket component 3230 toward the indexing connector component 3455 remaining clear of the indentations 3475 but into the indented retainment neck 3480 thereby retaining the connector component within the socket component while still allowing continuous rotation.
[0523] According to further embodiments, as previously noted, the rounded square indexing male end 2995 and the rounded square indexing male side mount 3000 are additionally compatible with demountable engagement within a fixed square socket component. The rounded square indexing connector component 3455 may additionally comprise four square sides 3490 which are sized and shaped for fitted engagement within a square socket component. The rounded square indexing connector component 3455 may additionally comprise a tapered end 3495 which allows for a less precise alignment of the connector components to be received into the opening of a cooperating socket component 3020, 3230 where easy engagement may be desired. As illustrated in
[0524] According to further embodiments, optionally a modular assembly may additionally comprise one or more four-channel cylindrical structural component modules 2765 wherein one or two female ends 1008 are configured as an indexing clamp socket component wherein a male end or male side mount comprising an indexing connector component may be demountably engaged. As illustrated in
[0525] According to one embodiment, an indexing clamp 3540 within the receptacle of the indexing clamp socket component 3515, where sliding on clamp guides 3545 on the inner walls of the socket component, may be advanced or retracted by a set screw 3550 threadably engaged with a threaded insert 3555 in one side of the socket component and therein pressing at varying positions against a shallow recess 3558 in the cooperating side of the indexing clamp. An indexing clamp socket cap 3560, which is secured by screws 3565 of which the threaded portion is passed through holes 3570 and threadably engaged with threaded holes 3575 in the main body of the socket component, retains the ends of two springs 3580 in two spring holes 3585. The opposite ends of the springs 3580 press within two recesses 3590 in the indexing clamp 3540, whereby when the set screw 3550 is disengaged from the indexing clamp the pressure of the springs pushes the indexing clamp away from the center of the receptacle. The indexing clamp 3540 may additionally comprise clamping teeth 3595, as illustrated in
[0526] According to one embodiment, the indexing clamp 3540 comprises three clamping teeth 3595 which align with three out of twelve indentations 3475 at thirty-degree increments. According to further embodiments, for varying increments of angular orientation between the two cooperating components, an indexing clamp 3540 may comprise anywhere between two and sixteen clamping teeth 3595, and an indexing connector component 3455 may comprise anywhere between eight and thirty-two indentations 3475. According to further embodiments, an indexing connector component 3455 may comprise a cylindrical shape with an indented retainment neck 3480 and indentations 3475 of a cooperating shape and number configured for demountable engagement with an indexing clamp socket component 3515.
[0527] According to further embodiments, optionally a modular assembly may additionally comprise one or more four-channel cylindrical structural component modules 2765 wherein one or two female ends 1008 are configured as a sloped clamp socket female end wherein a cylindrical sloped neck indexing male side mount 3600 or a cylindrical sloped neck indexing male end 3602 may be demountably engaged. As illustrated in
[0528] As illustrated in
[0529] As illustrated in
[0530] As illustrated in
[0531] According to one embodiment, the sloped clamp socket component 3610 comprises 72 indexing grooves 3640 and the concave base indexing side mount component 3625 comprises 72 indexing teeth 3635 whereby the cooperative engagement of the components allows for 72 locking positions at 5-degree increments. According to a further embodiment, the sloped clamp socket component 3610 comprises 144 indexing grooves 3640 and the concave base indexing side mount component 3625 comprises 144 indexing teeth 3635 whereby the cooperative engagement of the components allows for 144 locking positions at 2.5-degree increments. According to a further embodiment, the sloped clamp socket component 3610 comprises 360 indexing grooves 3640 and the concave base indexing side mount component 3625 comprises 360 indexing teeth 3635 whereby the cooperative engagement of the components allows for 360 locking positions at 1-degree increments. According to further embodiments, the sloped clamp socket component 3610 may comprise anywhere between 8 and 360 indexing grooves 3640 and the concave base indexing side mount component 3625 comprise the same number of indexing teeth 3635 whereby the cooperative engagement of the components allows for the same number of locking positions. For all the said embodiments, a compatible indexing male mount end cap component 3650 comprises indexing teeth 3672 of the same size and alignment as the side mount component 3625 but which may be of a lesser number due to the areas occupied by the screw through-holes and the channel openings 3674.
[0532] According to further embodiments, a male end and a male side mount may be configured as a cylindrical sloped neck rotating male end 3270 and a cylindrical sloped neck rotating male side mount 3275 secured to another module of the system to be fixedly or rotationally demountably engaged at one or both ends of a cylindrical structural module 2765 wherein one or two female ends are configured as the rotatable cylindrical socket component 3230, such as the double rotatable cylindrical socket module 3225 as previously described in reference to
[0533] A cylindrical sloped neck rotating male end 3270 may comprise the locator plate 2795 which fits within the recess 2838 in the male mount end cap component 2800, and wherein the cylindrical sloped neck connector component 3605 may be demountably engaged against the male mount end cap component 2800 and locator plate 2795 wherein the square boss 3630 or octagonal boss at the end of the connector component 3605 is securely retained within the locator slot 2855 and where a screw 2840, of which the threaded portion is passed through a hole 3627 in the connector component 3605, is threadably engaged with the threaded hole 2850 or threaded insert in the center of the male mount end cap component 2800 which is secured by screws 2750 to a cylindrical structural component of another module, as previously shown. According to further embodiments, a cylindrical sloped neck rotating male end 3270 may comprise, instead of the assembly of the connector component 3605, locator plate 2795, and male mount end cap component 2800, a single component equally configured for demountable engagement with a rotatable cylindrical socket component 3230.
[0534] A cylindrical sloped neck rotating male side mount 3275 may comprise the cylindrical sloped neck connector component 3605 where a screw 2875 through the hole 3627 in the connector component is passed through a locator plate 2795 and the through-hole 2880 in the center of a concave base side mount component 2885 where it may be threadably engaged with a nut 1110 in a nut channel along a cylindrical structural component or with a threaded core component through a side mount hole, or with another component comprising a round surface and threaded hole such as a carriage body component 1230. According to further embodiments, the cylindrical sloped neck rotating male side mount 3275 may comprise, instead of the assembly of the connector component 3605, locator plate 2795, and concave base side mount component 2885, a single component equally configured for demountable engagement with a rotatable cylindrical socket component 3230.
[0535] The male end 3270 or the male side mount 3275 may be rotationally engaged with a rotatable cylindrical socket component 3230 whereby a set screw 3760 with a pointed tip may be threadably engaged with the threaded insert 3315 in the socket component to where protruding into the sloped retainment neck 3632 in the sloped neck connector component 3605 and thereby retaining the connector component within the socket component while still allowing continuous rotation until the set screw 3760 is advanced to press into the sloped retainment neck 3632 to provide a locking resistance against rotation or it may be retracted to allow for disengagement of the male end 3270 or male side mount 3275 from the socket component 3230.
[0536] According to further embodiments, a sloped neck connector component 3605 may comprise the shape and features of the rounded square connector components 3400, 3425, 3455 except wherein the retainment neck is configured as a sloped retainment neck 3632 with which, when together with the square sides and rounded corners as previously described, a male end or male side mount comprising the rounded square sloped neck connector component is compatible with adjustable demountable engagement with the sloped clamp socket component 3610 or fixed or rotational demountable engagement with the cylindrical socket component 3230 or fixed demountable engagement with the fixed square socket component 3500 where configured with the threaded insert 3505 and the pointed-tip set screw 3485 as previously described in reference to
[0537] According to further embodiments, optionally a modular assembly may additionally comprise one or more no-channel cylindrical structural components 3765 which may be configured similarly to a two-channel cylindrical structural component 1015 or a four-channel cylindrical structural component 2730 but wherein no nut channels are provided along the circumferential surface of the component. Any of the four-channel end cap components, male ends, or female ends as previously described may be secured at one or both ends of a no-channel cylindrical structural component 3765 by screws 2750 threadably engaged with screw channels 3770 in the inner contours of the no-channel cylindrical structural component to be configured as a no-channel cylindrical structural component module 3775. As illustrated in
[0538] Any of a no-channel cylindrical structural component module 3775 may additionally comprise the six-way threaded core component 1125 or the four-way threaded core component 2905 as previously described or an eight-way threaded core component 3780 secured within its cylindrical structural component whereby up to four of a concave base male assembly or male side mount or one or more of another component comprising a concave base as previously described may be demountably engaged by a screw or bolt. As illustrated in
[0539] According to further embodiments, optionally a modular assembly may additionally comprise one or more eight-channel cylindrical structural components 3790, as illustrated in
[0540] Without the presence of screw channels in an eight-channel cylindrical structural component 3790, the further embodiments of end cap components, male ends, and female ends may comprise a plurality of threaded holes in the inserted segment of the components whereby screws may be threadably engaged through holes located in the middle of the cooperating nut channels. As illustrated in
[0541] An example of an eight-channel male end is shown secured to the opposite end of an eight-channel cylindrical structural component. An eight-channel rounded square threaded-hole male end 3810 may be retained at one or both ends of an eight-channel cylindrical structural component 3790 by four screws 3798 of which the threaded portion is passed through holes 3800 in the center of four of the nut channels 3792 to be threadably engaged with four threaded holes 3812 in the inserted segment 3815 of an eight-channel male mount end cap component 3818 of the male end. An eight-channel male end 3810 may additionally comprise the locator plate 2795 which fits within the recess 3820 in the male mount end cap component 3818, and wherein a connector component 3070 may be demountably engaged against the male mount end cap component and locator plate 2795 wherein the square boss 3075 or octagonal boss at the end of the connector component 3070 is securely retained within the locator slot 2855 and where a screw 2840, of which the threaded portion is passed through a hole 3080 in the connector component 3070, is threadably engaged with a threaded hole 3821 or threaded insert in the center of the male mount end cap component 3818 which is secured by the screws 3798 to the end of the cylindrical structural component 3790. The eight-channel male mount end cap component 3818 may additionally comprise channel openings 3823 around its circumference to allow for passage of nuts 1110 into the nut channels of the cylindrical structural component, or according to a further embodiment without channel openings where nuts may be pre-installed into the nut channels, for demountable engagement of another component. According to further embodiments, an eight-channel male end may comprise, instead of the straight square threaded-hole connector component 3070, a straight square through-hole connector component 2790 or a tapered square through-hole connector component 3095 or a tapered square threaded-hole connector component 3115 or an octagonal through-hole connector component 3160 or an octagonal threaded-hole connector component 3205 or a cylindrical through-hole connector component 3280 or a cylindrical threaded-hole connector component 3330 or a rounded square through-hole connector component 3400 or a rounded square threaded-hole connector component 3425 or a rounded square indexing connector component 3455 or a cylindrical sloped neck connector component 3605. According to further embodiments, an eight-channel male end may comprise, instead of the assembly of a connector component, locator plate 2795, and male mount end cap component 3818, a single component equally configured for engagement with an eight-channel cylindrical structural component 3790.
[0542] According to further embodiments, optionally a modular assembly may additionally comprise one or more male side mount collars which may be demountably engaged with the various types of cylindrical structural component as previously described by screws threadably engaged with nuts 1110 in the nut channels or with a threaded core component in a cylindrical structural component. As illustrated in
[0543] According to further embodiments, optionally a modular assembly may additionally comprise one or more male four-way male side mount collars which may be demountable engaged with the various types of cylindrical structural component as previously described by screws threadably engaged with nuts 1110 in the nut channels or with a threaded core component in a cylindrical structural component. As illustrated in
[0544] According to further embodiments, optionally a modular assembly may additionally comprise one or more of a male mount junction module whereby two or more of a locator plate 2795 each in combination with one of the various compatible male connector components may be demountably engaged where provided for conjoining two or more cylindrical structural component modules each comprising at least one female end for demountable engagement with a male connector component of a male mount junction module. An example of a two-way male mount junction module 3915 is shown in
[0545] An example of a three-way male mount corner-junction module 3970 is shown in
[0546] An example of a four-way male mount pyramidal-junction module 4020 is shown in
[0547] According to further embodiments, optionally a modular assembly may additionally comprise one or more of a handle module which may assist the operator in controlling movement of the modular assembly. As illustrated in
[0548] As illustrated in
[0549] According to further embodiments, a range of lengths of the various two-channel cylindrical structural component modules 1200, and/or four-channel cylindrical structural component modules 2765, and/or eight-channel cylindrical structural component modules 3794, and/or no-channel cylindrical structural component modules 3775, as well as square track components 1555 and/or octagonal track components 1825, may be optionally assembled with one another and the other structural and functional components of the system, such as device mount components, shelf and/or tray and/or table components, weight components, wheel and/or caster and/or foot components, rail-rolling modules and/or roller carriage assemblies, and/or track assemblies, to form the embodiments of structural support and utility apparatuses as have been described and further examples described below.
[0550] A second example of a dual vertical cylindrical rail dolly assembly 4130 is illustrated in
[0551] According to one embodiment, two vertical rails may comprise two or more cylindrical structural components 4135 conjoined end to end by channel braces 2775 as previously described in reference to
[0552] One or more devices may be supported on the bowl/ball mount assembly 2125, or alternatively bowl/ball mount assembly 1395, engaged by screws 2137 directly with threaded holes 2624 in the component mount plate 2625, or as illustrated in
[0553] According to a preferred embodiment of the dual vertical cylindrical rail dolly assembly 4130, the dolly base of the assembly comprises a second component mount plate 2625 whereon the lower two cylindrical structural components 4135 of the vertical rails are demountably engaged by four plate corner braces 2645 of which the concave edges are secured by screws 2650 threadably engaged with nuts 1110 retained within the cooperating nut channels 4138. The flat edge of each plate corner brace is demountably engaged to the top of the component mount plate 2625 by two screws 2640 threadably engaged with two of the three threaded holes 2648. The third of the threaded holes which are aligned over the corners of the component mount plate 2625 are in this instance unavailable due to the holes 2638 in the corners of the plate being in use by a screw 4170 oriented in the opposite direction downward to be threadably engaged, through a concave base component 1041 as previously described, with a nut 1110 retained within the upward nut channel of a further embodiment of a fixed square socket/end cap module 4175 extending out from each corner of the component mount plate 2625. The flat edge of the plate corner braces 2645 may additionally comprise recesses 4180 within which the threaded holes 2648 are located and whereby the protruding head of an overlapping screw 4170 as described used in the opposite direction from the corner brace may be located without interfering with the flat edge of the corner brace mounted there. The component mount plate 2625 may additionally comprise the inset cylindrical structural component mount holes 2675 whereby each outward fixed square socket/end cap module 4175 is engaged for structural reinforcement by a second screw 4170 inserted through a second concave base component 1041 threadably engaged with a nut 1110 in the upward nut channel
[0554] The outer socket ends of the modules 4175 are demountably engaged each with a cylindrical mount component 2685 by a tapered square male side mount 2940 and wherein a caster 2600 with a threaded post 2595 is threadably engaged to the central threaded hole 2700 in the cylindrical mount components to allow for rolling movement of the dolly assembly 4130 on the ground and to be adjustably levelled on the threaded posts 2595 within the threaded cylindrical mount components 2685. According to further embodiments where rolling movement is not required, threaded foot components 2000 as previously described may be demountably engaged with the cylindrical mount components allowing a stand assembly to be levelled on the threaded feet. A stiffener plate 4185 may optionally be demountably engaged by screws 4190 threadably engaged with nuts 1110 in the sideward nut channels of the modules 4175, and a screw 4190 threadably engaged with a threaded hole 4195 in the circumferential surface of each cylindrical mount component 2685, there providing reinforcement of the connection between the components. For added stability of the dolly base, weight components 1335 may be demountably engaged by screws 1337 passed through holes in the weight components and threadably engaged with the threaded holes 2725 on the circumferential surface of the four cylindrical mount components 2685.
[0555] According to further embodiments, as illustrated in
[0556] In this example of a tray assembly 3135, four of a fixed square socket/tapered square through-hole male end module 4235 are provided where passed through a combined eight collars 4220 and tray bottom 4200. The modules 4235 may be demountably secured within the center of each collar by screws 4225 through sideward holes 4238 in the collar, and threadably engaged with nuts 1110 retained within the nut channels 4240, or according to further embodiments, with a threaded core component 1125, 2905, 3780 within the cooperating cylindrical structural component. One or more side panels 4245 may be demountably engaged with the tray bottom 4200 by screws 4225 through holes 4248 in the side panels to be threadably engaged with threaded holes 4250 in the side edges of the tray bottom. The side panels 4245 may be further secured near the top by screws 4225 through holes 4252 threadably engaged with sideward threaded holes 4255 in the collars 4220. Optionally, when side panels are not included in an alternative shelf assembly, the upper collars 4220 may also be excluded. In an assembly such as the example shown in
[0557] The fixed square socket components 3020 and the tapered square through-hole male ends 2935 provided at the opposite ends of the corner post modules 4235 allow for two or more tray assemblies to be easily stacked and unstacked and demountably engaged to one another. A second example of a utility cart assembly 4260 is shown in
[0558] According to further embodiments, as illustrated in
[0559] According to one embodiment, the table assembly 4290 comprises the four square frame double fixed square socket modules 4300 demountably engaged at each corner with the adjacent same modules via a three-way male mount corner-junction module 3970, as previously described in reference to
TABLE-US-00001 NUMBERING KEY 10 closed-tube rotator module (FIG. 1, 2) 11 rotator receptacle 15 closed-tube housing 18 tube-end screw slot 20 rotator receptacle assembly (FIG. 5) 21 lock-spring rotator half-socket 22 lock-release rotator half-socket 23 screw 24 outer bushing channel 26 outer bushing 28 inner bushing channel 30 inner bushing 32 pivot-lock channel 34 square-nut slot 36 square nut 38 side-mount bore 40 retaining-lock set screw 42 retaining-lock screw bore 44 release button hole 50 retaining lock 52 retaining half-lock with spring receptacles 54 retaining half-lock with release button 55 retaining lock-release button 56 biasing spring 58 tension-adjustment screw knob 60 pivot lock 62 pivot-lock indexing peg 64 pivot-lock button 65 lock-hold tab 70 male component 71 male member closed-tube end assembly 74 pivot-lock sprocket 78 wide pivot segment 79 octagonal boss 81 octagonal recess 82 prongs 84 narrow pivot segment 86 retaining-lock chamfer 87a first collar (with leading chamfer 86) 87b second collar 88 neck 89 threaded bore 90 connector screw 100 closed-tube rotator hub assembly (FIG. 3A) 101 6-way closed-tube rotator hub assembly (FIG. 3B) 110 male member side-mount assembly (FIG. 3A, B) 112 pivot-lock sprocket 116 wide pivot component 118 octagonal boss 120 bolt 151 double-receptacle extension-tube rotator module (FIG. 4) 152 4-way double-receptacle extension-tube rotator hub assembly (FIG. 5) 155 extension-tube housing 160 side-mount bore 162 retaining-lock screw bore 164 release button hole 168 tube-end screw slot 170 longitudinal square-nut channel 180 middle square-nut holder 182 tube rail channels 184 positioning-rod threaded bore 186 positioning set screw 201 closed-tube joiner hub assembly (FIG. 6A) 210 5-way closed-tube joiner hub assembly (FIG. 6B, 7) 211 joiner receptacle 215 joiner closed-tube housing 216 pivot-lock sprocket 218 tube-end screw slots 220 joiner receptacle assembly 221 lock-spring joiner half-socket 222 lock-release joiner half-socket 223 prong-retaining slot (FIG. 6, 7) 224 outer bushing channel 228 inner bushing channel 234 square-nut slot 238 side-mount bore 244 release button hole 251 male/receptacle side-opening joiner module (FIG. 8) 252 side-opening receptacle 255 extension-tube housing 256 longitudinal square-nut channel 257 tube-end screw slots 258 side-mount bore 260 side-opening receptacle component 262 prong-retaining slot 265 side connector screw 268 side-opening receptacle cover 270 male member extension-tube end assembly 271 male member tube-end plate 272 pivot-lock sprocket (FIG. 8B, 10) 274 wide pivot segment 275 octagonal boss 278 screw hole 281 double-male joiner module (FIG. 9) 282 double-male component 284 pivot-lock sprocket (FIG. 9) 286 wide pivot segment 288 octagonal boss 291 double-male extension-tube joiner module (FIG. 10) 295 extension-tube housing 296 square-nut channel 297 tube-end screw slot 298 side-mount bore 301 6-way extension-tube joiner hub assembly (FIG. 11) 311 double-male adapter joiner module (FIG. 12) 312 adapter joiner component 314 alternative male member component 316 threaded screw slot 320 2-way 30° side-mount bracket module (FIG. 13A) 322 30° angle male member mount bracket 323 mount screw hole 325 mount screw 326 60° angle between the 110s 328 clamp bracket 329 clamp bracket screw 330 4-way multi-angle side-mount bracket module (FIG. 13B) 331 mount screw hole 332 mount screw 334 30°/45°/60° angled bores 335 multi-angle male member mount bracket 336 bracket screw bore 338 bracket screw 339 washer 340 2-way 90° offset side-mount bracket module (FIG. 13C) 341 90° angle offset male member mount bracket 342 mount screw hole 346 screw-access opening 350 1-way 45° offset side-mount bracket module (FIG. 13D) 351 cylindrical 45° offset male member mount bracket 352 mount screw hole 353 central bore 354 peg hole 355 elbow male member mounting block module 356 cube male member mounting block module 357 triangular male member mounting block module 358 pyramidal male member mounting block module 359 hexagonal male member mounting block module 360 octagonal male member mounting block module 361 male member flat-mount assembly 362 pivot-lock sprocket (FIG. 13) 363 central bore 365 peg 366 wide pivot component slot 367 wide pivot component 368 connector teeth 369 octagonal boss 370 2-way elbow male member mounting block 371 central bore 372 peg holes 373 6-way cube male member mounting block 374 central bore 375 peg hole 376 5-way triangular mounting block 377 4-way pyramidal mounting block 378 8-way hexagonal mounting block 379 10-way octagonal mounting block 380 5° increment adjustable male member mount module (FIG. 15) 381 male-mount half housing 382 side-mount bore 383 adjustment screw through-hole 384 peg hole 385 adjustment screw 386 rotation-adjustment half housing 387 threaded bore 388 5° increment teeth 389 bracket screw bore 390a bracket 1 390b bracket 2 391 bracket screw 392 bracket screw bore 393 central bore 394 peg hole 395 alternative male member side-mount assembly 396 pivot-lock sprocket 397 central bore 399 wide pivot component slot 400 baseplate assembly (FIG. 16) 402 baseplate body assembly 402a baseplate top plate 402b baseplate bottom plate 404 mounting screw 405 baseplate bore 406 baseplate screw 408 mounting bracket slot 410 mounting bracket 412 bracket arm 413 threaded bore 415 bracket side plate 416 side plate threaded bore 417 support plate 418 support pad 419 side plate screw 420 male member plate assembly 422 mounting plate 423 pivot-lock sprocket 424 wide pivot segment 425 octagonal boss 426 screw hole 428 screws 430 baseplate assembly (FIG. 17) 435 tool mount plate 436 mounting screw 437 tool-mounting slot 440 plate screw holes 441 access bores 442 screws 445 plate wedges 446 plate screw bores 447 bracket screw holes 450 male mount slider component 452 mounting holes 453 mount screws 454 central bore 455 peg holes 456 bracket screw bores 460 double-receptacle extension-tube joiner module (FIG. 17) 465 male/receptacle extension-tube joiner module (FIG. 17) 466 longitudinal channel 470 tray module assembly (FIG. 18) 471 tray bottom 472 orifice 473 collar bores 474 collar 475 double-receptacle extension-tube joiner module 476 collar screw 477 longitudinal square-nut channel 478 side panel 479 side panel screw 480 desk assembly (FIG. 19) 481 desk top 482 shelf 483 plate recess 484 mounting plate 485 threaded bore 486 screw bores (x5 per side) 487 plate screws (x5 per side) 488 double-receptacle side-opening joiner module 489 double-receptacle side-opening joiner module 490 lighting mount module (FIG. 20A, B) 492 extension-tube housing 494 spigot mount plate 495 tube-end screw bores 496 threaded bore 497 screw 498 demountable ⅝″ spigot 500 lighting mount module (FIG. 20C, D) 501 spigot-adapter male member component 502 spigot 503 spigot receptacle 504 set screw 505 screw bore 506 pivot-lock sprocket 507 wide pivot segment 510 rail-rolling module (FIG. 21A, 22) 512 carriage plate 514 spring-suspension roller assembly 516 axle block 518 roller 520 axle bolt 522 spring block 524 suspension bolt 526 spring tension set-screw 528 spring tension plate 530 spring 532 spacer plate 535 fixed roller assembly 536 axle block 537 rail-surround rolling module assembly (FIG. 21B, 22) 538 side plate 540 friction-pad plate 542 friction pad 544 tension adjustment knob 546 pad plate spring 548 retaining ring 550 wheel module assembly (Fig. 23A, B) 551 wheel-axle tube-end component 551a central threaded bore 551b offset threaded bores 552 wheel 554 axle bolt 555 wheel-axle/receptacle side-opening joiner module 560 caster wheel module assembly (Fig. 23C, D) 562 mount component 564 threaded bore 566 peg hole 568 caster wheel 580 leveling foot module (FIG. 24A, B) 581 adjustable foot component 582 threaded leveling rod 583 foot end 584 nut 585 foot plate module (FIG. 24C) 586 foot plate 587 threaded bores 590 pivotable support module (FIG. 25) 592 pivot bracket 593 lock nut 594 pad component 595 threaded bores 596 suction-cup component 598 knob 599 washer 600 weight module assembly (FIG. 26) 602 weight component 603a outer bores 603b center bore 604 bolt 605 double-receptacle extension-tube rotator module (similar to FIG. 4) 606 extension-tube housing 608 longitudinal square-nut channel 610 telescoping extension module (Fig. 27) 612 extension-tube housing 614 rod-retaining component 616 rod-retaining plate 618 adjustment collar component 619 screws 620 threaded rod 621 second threaded portion 622 spacer plate 624 lock nut 625 grip end-cap module (FIG. 28) 626 handle grip component 627 semi-circular end-cap portion 628 hand grip portion 629 inner sleeve 630 prong-retaining slot 631 outer sleeve 632 retainer tab 635 shell end-cap module (FIG. 29) 636 half-shell cap 637 screw 638 bore 640 male/receptacle extension-tube rotator module (FIG. 29) 641 female dome pad end-cap module (FIG. 30A, B) 642 female dome pad 643 collapsible framework 645 central orifice 646 female dome mounting plate 647 bores 648 screw 649 mounting plate orifice 650 male dome pad end-cap module (FIG. 30C, D) 652 male dome pad 653 dome collapsible framework 654 male dome mounting plate 656 bore 657 peg holes 658 bores 660 seat module (FIG. 31) 662 seat pad 670 bumper end-cap module (FIG. 32) 672 bumper component 674 screw 680 soft end-cap component (Fig. 33A, B, C) 681 elongate leg component 682 mount plate 683 bores 685 screws 686 inserts 688 soft dome component 689 threaded bore 690 hard end-cap component 691 leg component 692 retaining-lock chamfer 693 flat surface 695 flat end-cap component 696 bore 697 extension-tube housing 698 threaded screw slot 700 crab-steering dolly system 710 10-unit double-receptacle extension-tube rotator module 720 3-unit male/receptacle extension-tube joiner module 730 18-unit double-receptacle extension-tube joiner module 740 36-unit double-receptacle extension-tube joiner module 750 4-unit male/receptacle extension-tube joiner module 754 12-unit male/receptacle extension-tube joiner module 756 4-unit double-male extension-tube joiner module 760 vertical rail-tracking dolly system 765 18-unit male/receptacle extension-tube joiner module 770 lateral mounted rail-tracking dolly system 780 rolling jib system 790 10-unit double-receptacle extension-tube joiner module 800 10-unit wheel-axle/receptacle side-opening joiner module 810 low-angle baseplate support system 820 4-unit male/receptacle extension-tube rotator module 830 18-unit double-receptacle extension-tube rotator module 840 1-unit double-male extension-tube joiner module 850 lateral ground rail-backing dolly system 860 double-baseplate A-frame dolly system 870 four-caster baseplate dolly system 880 hand-held camera stabilizer assembly 900 vertical rail-tracking stand assembly 910 lighting support rack system 920 36-unit double-receptacle extension-tube rotator module 930 A-frame spooling cart system 940 6-unit male/receptacle side-opening joiner module 950 pull cart assembly 955 3-unit double-male extension-tube joiner module 960 utility cart assembly 980 modular workstation assembly 990 table top 995 under-shelf 1000 male connector 1001 concave base male assembly 1005 flat base male assembly 1008 female end 1010 double side-opening socket module 1015 cylindrical structural component 1020 side-opening socket component 1025 receptacle 1027 screws 1028 holes 1029 screw channels 1030 pronged connector component 1035 prongs 1040 indented portion 1041 concave base component 1042 locator holes 1043 locator posts 1044 flat base component 1045 locator holes 1046 male connector channels 1050 prong-retaining slots 1055 screw/bolt 1060 hole 1070 socket through-hole 1075 connector through-hole 1080 side-opening receptacle cover 1085 threaded hole/insert 1090 prong-retaining slots 1095 narrow end 1100 connector indentations 1102 receptacle cover indentations 1104 channel openings 1110 nut 1111 nut channel 1120 screw/bolt 1125 threaded core component 1127 cylindrical structural component 1130 threaded insert 1135 side mount hole 1140 nut 1142 threaded insert 1145 side mount hole 1150 flat base locator posts 1155 flat end cap component 1156 locator holes 1160 screw/bolt 1165 threaded hole 1170 screws 1175 holes 1180 screw channels 1183 male end 1185 channel openings 1190 nut channel 1200 cylindrical structural component module 1201 side-opening socket/end cap module 1203 track assembly 1205 roller carriage assembly 1215 four-sided clamping roller carriage assembly 1220 vertical single track assembly 1225 end cap/end cap module 1226 cylindrical track component 1227 bumper component 1228 screw 1230 carriage body component 1235 roller mount 1237 corner brace mount 1242 screw 1244 threaded hole 1246 screw 1247 threaded hole 1250 roller 1251 shoulder screw 1252 threaded hole 1255 corner brace 1257 threaded hole 1260 screw/bolt 1261 threaded hole 1262 threaded hole 1265 screw 1266 side mount hole 1268 nut channel 1270 stud mount component 1275 dovetail plate mount assembly 1280 channel-guide component 1282 side channel 1285 slidable guide element 1286 screw 1287 guide mount element 1288 screw 1289 threaded hole 1290 double side-opening socket module 1295 adjustable clamping mechanism 1297 threaded knob 1298 threaded rod 1299 hole 1300 lock nut 1302 threaded carrier 1303 threaded hole 1305 concave friction pad 1307 threaded hole 1308 screws 1310 friction pad mount plate 1311 screws 1314 guide block 1315 angled slot 1316 angled protrusions 1318 threaded hole 1319 shoulder screws 1320 through-holes 1325 track base assembly 1326 vertical single track base assembly 1330 four-sided pyramidal male connector mount 1335 weight component 1337 screw 1338 weight through-holes 1339 nut channel 1340 single-sided roller carriage assembly 1345 channel-guide adjustable clamping mechanism 1346 threaded holes 1347 cylindrical track channel-guide friction pad 1348 pad protrusion 1350 sliding carriage assembly 1355 side channels 1360 cylindrical structural component 1370 track dolly assembly 1375 single-sided roller carriage assembly 1380 multidirectional component mount 1385 cylindrical structural component module 1390 device mount plate 1395 bowl/ball mount assembly 1400 steel-pipe track assembly 1405 roller mounts 1410 screw 1420 roller 1425 shoulder screw 1430 threaded hole 1435 screw 1440 threaded hole 1450 screw 1455 nut channel 1460 threaded side mount hole 1465 female mating component 1470 female segment 1475 octagonal shaped receptacle 1480 male mating component 1485 male segment 1490 screw/bolt 1495 female segment through-holes 1500 male segment through-holes 1505 male segment threaded holes 1508 through-holes 1510 through-holes 1515 screw 1520 plate through-hole 1525 concave base through-hole 1530 bowl screw 1532 bowl mount 1535 threaded holes 1540 ball adapter 1544 screw/bolt 1548 locking handle 1550 four-sided clamping square track roller carriage assembly 1555 square track component 1560 square roller mount 1570 screw 1580 threaded hole 1590 roller 1595 shoulder screw 1600 threaded hole 1605 washer 1610 threaded hole 1620 square track adjustable clamping mechanism 1625 threaded knob 1630 threaded rod 1635 hole 1640 lock nut 1645 threaded carrier 1650 threaded hole 1655 flat friction pad 1660 threaded hole 1665 screws 1670 friction pad mount plate 1675 screws 1680 guide block 1685 angled slot 1690 angled protrusions 1695 through-holes 1700 single-sided square track roller carriage assembly 1705 square track channel-guide adjustable clamping mechanism 1710 square track channel-guide friction pad 1715 threaded holes 1720 pad protrusion 1725 side channel 1730 square track component 1735 three-sided square track roller carriage assembly 1740 rectangular track component 1742 side channels 1745 four-sided square track sliding carriage assembly 1750 four-sided square track roller carriage assembly 1755 square track component 1760 square roller mount 1765 screws 1770 holes 1775 rollers 1780 shoulder screw head retaining section 1785 central through-hole section 1790 threaded hole section 1795 washers 1800 shoulder screw 1810 threaded hole 1820 four-sided octagonal track clamping roller carriage assembly 1825 octagonal track component 1830 octagonal roller mount 1835 screw 1840 roller 1845 shoulder screw 1850 threaded hole 1855 octagonal track adjustable clamping mechanism 1860 screw 1865 threaded hole 1870 octagonal track friction pad 1872 octagon contact faces 1875 threaded hole 1890 four-sided pivoting roller carriage assembly 1895 curvilinear track 1900 pivoting roller mount 1902 outer screws 1904 central screw 1906 outer threaded holes 1908 central threaded hole 1910 roller 1915 shoulder screw 1920 threaded hole 1925 pivoting axle component 1928 axle mount 1930 pivot pin 1935 axle pin hole 1936 mount pin hole 1940 central through-hole 1945 pin through-hole 1950 bushing 1960 360-degree panning dolly assembly 1970 circular track assembly 1980 single-sided pivoting roller carriage assembly 1985 threaded hole 1990 screw/bolt 1995 ring component 2000 foot component 2005 curved foot mounts 2010 screw 2015 track dolly assembly 2020 adjustable-level track assembly 2025 single-sided roller carriage assembly 2030 cylindrical structural component 2035 rail joiner component 2040 midsection 2042 threaded hole 2045 fitted section 2050 screw 2052 holes 2055 threaded hole 2060 double side-opening socket module 2065 gooseneck assembly 2070 screw 2075 side mount hole 2080 gooseneck mount component 2082 narrow concave section 2085 narrow neck section 2090 plate mount face 2095 gooseneck mount plate 2100 threaded foot component 2102 threaded foot 2105 concave mount 2108 screw 2110 low-angle track dolly assembly 2115 adjustable-level closed track assembly 2120 two-sided roller carriage assembly 2125 bowl/ball mount assembly 2130 threaded extension rod 2135 threaded screw end 2137 screw 2138 bowl mount component 2139 threaded hole end 2140 ball adapter 2142 half-ball component 2144 threaded post component 2146 screw 2150 locking handle 2155 device mount screw 2157 rod plate 2158 rod plate hole 2160 height-adjustable dual rail track dolly assembly 2162 dual rail assembly 2165 rail 2170 three-sided roller carriage assembly 2175 side channel 2180 cylindrical structural component 2185 side mount bracket 2190 screw 2195 hole 2200 screw 2205 threaded hole 2210 perpendicular face 2215 hole 2220 rail support vertical post module 2230 nut channel 2235 cylindrical structural component 2240 nut channel 2245 cylindrical structural component 2250 vertical center post module 2255 dolly base assembly 2260 vertical cross-support assembly 2265 cylindrical mount component 2270 screw 2275 threaded hole 2280 double side-opening socket module 2285 screw 2290 threaded hole 2295 caster 2300 threaded post 2305 central threaded hole 2310 second caster 2315 caster mount plate 2320 double side-opening socket module 2322 45-degree mount component 2325 nut channel 2330 threaded hole 2335 second height-adjustable dual rail track dolly assembly 2340 dual rail assembly 2345 parallel brace 2350 rail module 2355 screw 2360 through-hole 2365 nut channel 2370 three-sided roller carriage assembly 2375 bridge plate 2380 screw 2385 through-hole 2390 through-hole 2395 threaded hole 2400 three-sided clamping roller carriage assembly 2405 cylindrical structural component 2410 side-opening socket/end cap module 2420 stud 2425 stud brace 2430 screw 2435 screw 2440 through-hole 2442 nut channel 2445 light 2450 receiver 2455 dual vertical cylindrical rail dolly assembly 2460 three-sided clamping roller carriage assembly 2462 dual rail assembly 2465 dolly base assembly 2470 rail module 2472 end cap/end cap module 2475 narrow corner brace 2480 screw 2482 through-hole 2485 screw 2488 screw 2490 through-hole 2491 screw 2493 end cap/end cap module 2494 screw 2495 side-opening socket/end cap module 2497 side-opening socket/ end cap module 2500 dual vertical square rail dolly assembly 2510 dual square rail assembly 2520 dolly base assembly 2530 square rail component 2540 square structural component 2545 bracket 2550 square-to-round corner brace 2555 screw 2558 nut 2560 screw 2565 dual plate track dolly assembly 2570 adjustable-level hack assembly 2572 dolly base assembly 2575 double side-opening socket module 2580 rail end cap/end cap module 2585 terminal end cap/end cap module 2590 threaded caster component 2595 caster threaded post 2600 caster 2605 screw 2610 bumper component 2615 screw 2618 double side-opening socket module 2621 first component mount plate assembly 2624 threaded hole 2625 component mount plate 2630 threaded hole 2635 locator holes 2638 hole 2640 screw 2645 plate corner brace 2648 threaded hole 2650 screw 2655 cylindrical structural component 2660 second component mount plate assembly 2665 end cap/end cap module 2670 cylindrical mount component hole 2675 cylindrical structural component mount hole 2680 component mount plate dolly assembly 2685 second cylindrical mount component 2690 screw 2695 threaded hole 2700 central threaded hole 2705 custom device mount component 2710 screw 2715 threaded hole 2720 component mount plate dolly assembly 2725 threaded hole 2730 four-channel cylindrical structural component 2735 nut channel 2740 screw channel 2745 terminal end cap 2755 through-hole 2760 channel opening 2765 four-channel cylindrical structural component module 2770 four-channel end cap/end cap module 2775 channel brace 2777 four-channel cylindrical structural component 2780 straight square through-hole male end 2782 nut channel 2785 set screw 2788 threaded hole 2790 straight square through-hole connector component 2795 locator plate 2800 male mount end cap component 2805 fixed square socket female end 2810 screw/bolt 2815 through-hole 2820 through-hole 2825 screw channel 2830 channel opening 2838 recess 2840 screw 2845 through-hole 2850 threaded hole 2855 locator slot 2860 locator boss 2865 male side mount 2870 straight square through-hole male side mount 2872 straight square through-hole male end/male end module 2875 screw 2880 through-hole 2885 concave base side mount component 2890 nut channel 2750 screw 2895 four-channel cylindrical structural component 2900 recess 2905 threaded core component 2910 side mount hole 2915 screw 2920 threaded hole 2925 straight square threaded-hole male end 2930 straight square threaded-hole male side mount 2935 tapered square through-hole male end 2940 tapered square through-hole male side mount 2945 tapered square threaded-hole male end 2950 tapered square threaded-hole male side mount 2955 octagonal through-hole male end 2960 octagonal through-hole male side mount 2965 octagonal threaded-hole male end 2970 octagonal threaded-hole male side mount 2975 rounded square through-hole male end 2980 rounded square through-hole male side mount 2985 rounded square threaded-hole male end 2990 rounded square threaded-hole male side mount 2995 rounded square indexing male end 3000 rounded square indexing male side mount 3005 fixed square socket/straight square through-hole male end module 3010 cylindrical structural component 3015 screw channel 3020 fixed square socket component 3025 through-hole 3030 screw/bolt 3035 screw-head hole 3040 nut-insert through-hole 3045 nut-insert recess 3050 threaded nut 3055 channel openings 3060 fixed square socket/end cap module 3062 side mount hole 3065 double fixed square socket modules 3068 nut channel 3070 straight square threaded-hole connector component 3075 square boss 3080 through-hole 3085 threaded holes 3090 screw 3095 tapered square through-hole connector component 3100 square boss 3105 through-hole 3110 through-holes 3115 tapered square threaded-hole connector component 3120 square boss 3125 through-hole 3130 threaded holes 3135 stackable tray assembly 3138 double square side-opening socket module 3140 square side-opening socket component 3145 cylindrical structural component 3150 through-hole 3155 screw channel 3158 channel opening 3160 octagonal through-hole connector component 3165 square boss 3170 through-hole 3175 through-holes 3180 screw/bolt 3185 screw-head hole 3190 threaded nut/insert 3195 nut/insert recess 3200 square side-opening socket cap 3205 octagonal threaded-hole connector component 3208 square boss 3210 threaded holes 3215 screw/bolt 3220 rotatable female end 3225 double rotatable cylindrical socket module 3230 rotatable cylindrical socket component 3235 cylindrical structural component 3240 through-holes 3245 channel opening 3250 cylindrical through-hole male end 3255 cylindrical through-hole male side mount 3260 cylindrical threaded-hole male end 3265 cylindrical threaded-hole male side mount 3270 cylindrical sloped neck rotating male end 3275 cylindrical sloped neck rotating male side mount 3280 cylindrical through-hole connector component 3285 square boss 3290 through-hole 3295 through-holes 3300 cylindrical retainment neck 3305 screw/bolt 3310 screw-head hole 3315 threaded insert 3320 set screw 3330 cylindrical threaded-hole connector component 3332 square boss 3333 cylindrical retainment neck 3335 threaded holes 3340 screw 3345 double rounded side-opening socket module 3350 rounded side-opening socket component 3355 cylindrical structural component 3360 through-hole 3365 screw channel 3370 channel opening 3375 screw/bolt 3380 screw-head hole 3385 threaded nut 3388 nut/insert recess 3390 rounded side-opening socket cap 3395 screw 3400 rounded square through-hole connector component 3405 square boss 3410 through-hole 3413 rounded corner 3415 through-holes 3420 cylindrical retainment neck 3422 square side 3423 tapered end 3425 rounded square threaded-hole connector component 3428 square boss 3430 cylindrical retainment neck 3435 threaded holes 3440 rounded corner 3445 square side 3450 tapered end 3455 rounded square indexing connector component 3460 square boss 3465 through-hole 3470 rounded corner 3475 indentation 3480 indented retainment neck 3485 pointed-tip set screw 3490 square side 3495 tapered end 3500 second double fixed square socket module 3503 second fixed square socket component 3505 threaded insert 3510 threaded insert recess 3515 indexing clamp socket component 3520 cylindrical structural component 3525 through-hole 3530 screw channel 3535 channel opening 3540 indexing clamp 3545 clamp guide 3550 set screw 3555 threaded insert 3558 recess 3560 indexing clamp socket cap 3565 screw 3570 through-hole 3575 threaded hole 3580 springs 3585 spring holes 3590 recesses 3595 clamping teeth 3600 cylindrical sloped neck indexing male side mount 3602 cylindrical sloped neck indexing male end 3605 cylindrical sloped neck connector component 3610 sloped clamp socket component 3620 recess 3625 concave base indexing side mount component 3627 through-hole 3628 through-hole 3630 square boss 3632 sloped retainment neck 3635 indexing teeth 3640 indexing grooves 3645 recess 3650 indexing male mount end cap component 3660 threaded hole 3665 screw channel 3670 cylindrical structural component 3672 indexing teeth 3674 channel opening 3675 cylindrical structural component 3680 through-hole 3685 screw channel 3690 channel opening 3695 sloped clamp 3700 clamp guides 3705 set screw 3710 threaded insert 3715 recess 3720 sloped clamp socket cap 3725 screw 3730 through-hole 3735 threaded hole 3740 springs 3745 spring holes 3750 spring recesses 3755 sloped wedge midsection 3760 pointed-tip set screw 3765 no-channel cylindrical structural component 3770 screw channel 3775 no-channel cylindrical structural component module 3777 second sloped clamp socket component 3778 through-hole 3780 threaded core component 3785 threaded hole 3788 side mount hole 3790 eight-channel cylindrical structural component 3792 nut channel 3794 eight-channel cylindrical structural component module 3795 eight-channel rotatable cylindrical socket component 3798 screw 3800 through-hole 3802 threaded holes 3805 inserted segment 3808 channel opening 3810 eight-channel rounded square threaded-hole male end 3812 threaded holes 3815 inserted segment 3818 eight-channel male mount end cap component 3820 recess 3821 threaded hole 3823 channel opening 3825 one-way male side mount collar 3830 cylindrical structural component 3835 fixed square socket/straight square through-hole male end module 3840 one-way collar component 3845 hollow center 3850 nut channel 3855 raised through-hole 3860 screw 3865 male side mount segment 3870 recess 3875 screw 3880 through-hole 3885 four-way male side mount collar 3890 four-way collar component 3895 hollow center 3900 male side mount segment 3905 recess 3910 through-hole 3915 two-way male mount junction module 3920 two-way junction component 3925 male side mount face 3930 recess 3935 screw 3940 threaded hole 3945 three-way male mount indexing T-junction module 3950 three-way indexing T-junction component 3955 male side mount face 3960 recess 3965 threaded hole 3966 indexing teeth 3968 three-way male mount T-junction module 3970 three-way male mount corner-junction module 3975 three-way corner-junction component 3980 male side mount face 3985 recess 3990 threaded hole 3995 three-way male mount Y-junction module 4000 three-way Y-junction component 4005 male side mount face 4010 recess 4015 threaded hole 4020 four-way male mount pyramidal-junction module 4025 four-way pyramidal-junction component 4030 male side mount face 4035 recess 4040 threaded hole 4045 six-way male mount cubic-junction module 4050 six-way cubic-junction component 4055 male side mount face 4060 recess 4065 threaded hole 4070 handle module 4075 socket module 4080 three-way T-junction component 4085 side mount faces 4090 recess 4095 threaded hole 4100 handle mount component 4105 threaded handle 4110 cylindrical end 4115 cylindrical cavity 4120 threaded post 4125 through-hole 4127 nut channel 4128 socket module 4130 dual vertical cylindrical rail dolly assembly 4135 cylindrical structural component 4138 nut channel 4140 no-channel end cap/end cap module 4145 side mount hole 4150 no-channel cylindrical structural component 4155 no-channel terminal end cap 4160 screw channel 4165 threaded hole 4170 screw 4175 fixed square socket/end cap module 4180 recess 4185 stiffener plate 4190 screw 4195 threaded hole 4200 tray bottom 4205 cut-out 4210 collar hole 4220 collar 4225 screw 4230 threaded hole 4235 fixed square socket/tapered square through-hole male end module 4238 through-hole 4240 nut channel 4245 side panel 4248 through-hole 4250 threaded hole 4252 through-hole 4255 threaded hole 4260 utility cart assembly 4265 second stackable bay assembly 4270 third stackable tray assembly 4275 fixed square socket/threaded-post end cap modules 4280 threaded-post end cap component 4285 central threaded hole 4290 table assembly 4295 platform component 4300 double fixed square socket module 4305 double fixed square socket module 4310 hole