Abstract:
A customizable organizational and internal communications system comprises several interconnected modules, wherein the modules therein can be firmly interlocked and easily interchanged. The organizational system comprises multiple rectangular modules having longitudinal channels at all corners, each module being formed by four rectangular panels having alternating rectangular crenellations and rectangular recesses which are inversely configured on two opposite edges; multiple interlocking pins having a shape which is fitted into hollow space defined by the corner channels of adjacent modules so as to keep them from moving apart; and an optional rectangular box frame surrounding the assembly of multiple rectangular modules. Accessory panels having various functions, such as calendar, key holder, can be inserted in each module to provide for desired functionality customized by the end user.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This is a non-provisional application of U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 62/209,965, filed on Aug. 25, 2015, the entire specification of which is incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates generally to a personal, family, or corporate organizational and communications system displayed as a decorative furnishing, and more specifically relates to a flexible modular organizational system capable of being reconfigured easily and quickly without complete disassembly and with greater efficiency. 
       BACKGROUND ART 
       [0003]    An organizer or organizational system is a common furniture for temporary storage in many residential houses, apartments, condominiums or office. One example is shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,466,057A, which provides a type of modular organizer comprising a plurality of planar panel members and a plurality of edge connectors. Edge connectors are capable of interconnecting the side edges of a plurality of adjacent disposed panel members into a peripherally enclosed structure having at least one storage compartment formed between the panel members. 
         [0004]    In US Published Patent Application No. 20110241505 A1, another type of modular organizer is shown and illustrated. It comprises pre-made modules and cruciform interlockers which attach completed adjacent modules into a whole. However, while actual demand for such organizers varies, the prior-art designs fail to provide for easy reassembling with convenient interchangeability and solid interlocking of modules into a rigid structure. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    The present invention provides a customizable organizational system comprising modules having predetermined dimensions, wherein the modules therein can be firmly interlocked and easily interchanged. More specifically, the organizational system according to the present invention comprises multiple rectangular modules having longitudinal channels at all corners, wherein the cross-section of each channel is substantially circle-shaped and has an outwardly facing opening providing access to the channel. The outwardly facing opening comprises an angular dimension that is less than one-third circular arc of a completed circle. Each module is assembled by using four rectangular panels having alternating rectangular crenellations and rectangular recesses which are inversely configured on two opposite edges, each crenellation having a width essentially identical with the recess of the corresponding location on the opposite edge, the height of the crenellations, that is, the distance from the trough portion to the peak portion being equal to thickness of the panels. Thus, when two panels are vertically assembled by engaging crenellations of one panel into recesses of the adjoining panel they coordinate to form the module corner, and channel segments on all crenellations constitute the longitudinal channel of the module. Multiple interlocking pins having a shape which is fitted into hollow space defined by the corner channels of four adjacent modules so as to keep them from moving apart, wherein the interlocking pin is longitudinal and has a cross-section with four round-shaped corner beads; and a rectangular box frame surrounding the assembly of multiple rectangular modules, wherein the box frame has multiple longitudinal channels on its inner surface, so as to form, with the corner channels of adjacent modules, multiple hollow spaces having the same shape as the interlocking pins for receiving the interlocking pins. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]    The present invention will now be discussed in further detail below with reference to the accompanying figures in which: 
           [0007]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the organizational system according to the present invention, which is mounted within a wall surface between adjoining studs; 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of an organizational system as shown in  FIG. 1  according to the present invention; 
           [0009]      FIGS. 3A to 3D  are perspective views showing several embodiments of the interlocking pins used in the present invention; 
           [0010]      FIGS. 4 and 5A  are perspective views illustrating rectangular panels for forming modules of the present invention; 
           [0011]      FIG. 5B  is a perspective view of the orientation of two adjoining panels as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5A  being connected to each other. 
           [0012]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view showing a second embodiment of the present invention in which the organizational system is mounted on a support and external of the wall surface; 
           [0013]      FIG. 6A  is a perspective view showing how a single module is removed for reconfiguration; 
           [0014]      FIG. 7  is a partial enlarged view showing how adjacent modules are secured to each other by interlocking pins; 
           [0015]      FIG. 8  is a partial enlarged view showing one embodiment of the present invention having an interlocking pin cap; 
           [0016]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view using broken lines illustrating how four rectangular panels and one accessory (key holder) are assembled to form a functional module; 
           [0017]      FIG. 10  is an exploded view of  FIG. 9  showing how interlocking pins are fitted into the channels at the module corners; 
           [0018]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view showing another embodiment of the present invention, wherein the crenellated edges of each rectangular panel are made of metal, and electric wires extend through the space between panel rear edges; 
           [0019]      FIGS. 12 and 13  are perspective views showing how multiple modules may be arranged adjacently; and 
           [0020]      FIG. 14  is a perspective view showing another embodiment of a three-panel-long module. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0021]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the key inventive concept of the present inventive system  10  lies in rectangular modules  12  formed by four identical rectangular panels  16  having alternating rectangular crenellations  23 ,  24  and rectangular recesses which are inversely configured on two opposite edges  22 , height of the crenellations being essentially equal to thickness of the panels. In an exemplary embodiment,  FIGS. 4 and 5A  shows inner and outer surfaces  28 ,  30  respectively of the panel  16 . The term “alternating” here means that on each of the two opposite edges, the crenellations  24 ,  26  and recesses  22  appear alternately, i.e., each crenellation is next to a recess and each recess is next to a crenellation. The term “inversely configured” here means, as compared to the configuration on the first edge (bottom edge), crenellations  24 ,  26  and recesses  22  on a second edge (top edge), which is opposite to the first edge, appear in a totally inverse manner. Namely, if one first crenellation  24  appears on the first edge, its corresponding location on the second edge will be one second recess  22  having the same width as the first crenellation  24 ; while if one first recess appears on the first edge, its corresponding location on the second edge will be one second crenellation having the same width as the first recess. The fold symmetry is such that rotation by 180° provides the identical shape. With these features, two adjacent panels  16  can be well assembled vertically by engaging first crenellations  24 ,  26  of one panel into second recesses  22  of the adjoining panel to form the module corner.  FIGS. 9 and 10  show how crenellations  24 ,  26  and recesses of four panels are assembled in an end-to-end way, so as to form a module. 
         [0022]      FIGS. 4 and 5A  show one preferred embodiment wherein the panel  16  has two crenellations  24 ,  26  and two recesses  22  alternating on each edge. The present invention can further encompass other embodiments with panels having various numbers of crenellations and recesses. For example, in another embodiment (not shown), the panel may have only one crenellation and one recess on each of the opposite edges, which are inversely configured. In another embodiment (not shown), the panel may have three crenellations and three recesses alternating on each of the opposite edges, which are inversely configured. In another embodiment (not shown), the panel may have four crenellations and four recesses alternating on each of the opposite edges, which are inversely configured, and so on. More crenellations and recesses may provide better engagement, but at the sacrifice of structural strength. 
         [0023]    Alternatively, the present invention can further encompass other embodiments with panels having different numbers of crenellations and recesses on each edge. For example, in another embodiment (not shown), the panel may have two first crenellations and one first recess alternating on the first edge, as well as one second crenellation and two second recesses alternating on the second edge opposite to the first edge, which are inversely configured. In this case, there is not the same symmetry and will require different panels  16 . In another embodiment (not shown), the panel may have three first crenellations and two first recesses alternating on the first edge, as well as two second crenellations and three second recesses alternating on the second edge opposite to the first edge, which are inversely configured. In another embodiment (not shown), the panel may have four first crenellations and three first recesses alternating on the first edge, as well as three second crenellations and four second recesses alternating on the second edge opposite to the first edge, which are inversely configured, and so on. 
         [0024]    In the preferred embodiment as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5A , all the crenellations  24 ,  26  and recesses  22  possess the same width. However, a skilled person in the art will readily understand that the crenellations and recesses on one edge do not necessarily possess the same width. As long as each crenellation has a width essentially identical with the recess at the corresponding location on the opposite edge, they can be perfectly engaged (since height of the crenellations is equal to thickness of the panels) when four panels are vertically assembled in an end-to-end way to form a module. In a detailed embodiment (not shown), a crenellation may have a width greater than the recess next thereto; while on its opposite edge, a crenellation may have a width shorter than the recess next thereto. 
         [0025]    The interlocking pin according to the present invention has four round-shaped corner beads for holding the modules by being slid into the circle-shaped corner channels, so its cross-section has four symmetric axes and one symmetric center. When four modules are arranged in a 2×2 grid as shown in  FIG. 8 , the shape of the interlocking pin  40  is always identical to the hollow space defined by the four adjacent corner channels. Depending on the position/size of module corner channels and its outwardly facing opening, the above-mentioned hollow space and corresponding interlocking pin can be variously shaped. 
         [0026]      FIGS. 3A to 3D  show several embodiments of interlocking pins  40  which can match the embodiment as described in  FIGS. 9 and 10  (wherein  FIG. 10  clearly shows how interlocking pins  40  are fitted into the corner channels of an assembled module). The interlocking pins  40  in these figures have four round-shaped corner beads  44  and one central spine  46 . The central spine  46 A in  FIG. 3A  is hollow, for the purpose of such as weight reduction and wire routing. At the front surface (facing the user) of the central spine  46 B, cuboid projection  48 B in  FIG. 3B  and cuboid hole  42 C in  FIG. 3C  are for the purpose of securing an interlocking pin cap or a box frame front cover (which will be discussed below). The central spine  46 D in  FIG. 3D  is solid, providing greater strength. 
         [0027]    The following description of the assembly of panels into a module where the corner channels for the module provide for receiving the interlocking pin bead  44  that connects that module corners of adjacent panels so that the modules retain their rigid configuration when assembled. 
         [0028]      FIG. 9  clearly shows four longitudinal channels  32  at all corners of the module. The cross-section of each channel  32  is substantially circle-shaped and has an outwardly facing opening. It is important that the outwardly facing opening is no more than one-third circle, so that the module can be firmly held by sliding the corner bead  44  of the interlocking pin  40  into the channel  32 . If the opening occupied more than one-third of the whole circle, it can be imagined that the corner bead  44  will easily fall out of the channel  32 . 
         [0029]      FIG. 9  also clearly shows that each corner channel  32  is formed by several channel segments on the first crenellations  24 ,  26  of one panel  16  and the second crenellations  24 ,  26  of its adjacent panel  16 , as they are perfectly engaged. As stated above, no matter which kind of configuration of crenellations and recesses is applied (such as the configuration in the preferred embodiment as shown in  FIG. 4 , the configuration with different numbers of crenellations and recesses, or the configuration with different widths of crenellations and recesses) to achieve a perfect engagement at a corner, all the channel segments on the involved crenellations should be completely aligned to form a longitudinal channel  32  with an outwardly facing opening, and the opening having a center that projects at a 45° angle from the surface  30 . 
         [0030]    Optionally, a box frame is provided to surround the assembly of multiple rectangular modules  12  with interlocking pins  40 , wherein the box frame  60  has multiple longitudinal channels  62  on its inner surface  65 , so as to form, with the corner channels  32  of adjacent modules, multiple hollow spaces having the same shape as the interlocking pins  30  and fitting them in.  FIG. 2  shows one embodiment with a box frame  60 , wherein two adjacent module corner channels in the top row form an w-shaped space to fit in the bottom half (i.e., two beads  44 ) of the interlocking pin  40  (which is enlarged in  FIG. 7 ). Correspondingly, the box frame  60  as shown in  FIG. 2  also has an inverted w-shaped channel  64  to fit in the top half of the interlocking pin  40 , i.e., the hollow space here, having the shape identical to the interlocking pin  40 , is formed by two adjacent module corner channels  32  in the top row as well as the w-shaped channel  64  on the inner surface of the box frame  60 . Similar situations occur at the bottom row and two side columns. At each corner of the box frame, because only one corner channel  32  is provided by the module to contain one bead  44  of the interlocking pin  40 , the inner surface of the box frame corner will have to provide cover channels  62  to contain the remaining three beads  44  of the interlocking pin  40 . That is to say, the hollow space here, having the shape identical to the interlocking pin  40 , is formed by one module corner channel  32  as well as the club-shaped space on the inner surface of the box frame corner. 
         [0031]    The box frame  60  according to the present invention does not necessarily consist of one piece.  FIG. 6  shows another embodiment, wherein the box frame  160  comprises four separate walls  162 ,  164 ,  166 ,  168 . The interlocking pins  40  at four corners of the box frame  160  in this embodiment also serve to hold two adjacent pieces of walls, e.g., walls  166 ,  168 , together, in addition to securing the corner module  12  to the box frame  60 . The securing manner at top and bottom rows as well as two side columns is identical to the previous paragraph. 
         [0032]    Furthermore, the box frame serves to mount the whole assembly of organizational system into or onto the standing wall  11 .  FIG. 1  shows an in-wall mounting manner with two wall studs  13  (dotted lines) for mounting the organizational system.  FIG. 6  shows an on-wall mounting configuration. The mounting may be effected by means of corner brackets  49  attached to the studs  13 , within the wall surface  11 , by an appropriate means such as wood screws  51 , as shown in  FIG. 6 . A skilled person in the art can readily understand that the mounting manner depends on actual demand, regardless of whether the box frame consists of one piece or multiple pieces. 
         [0033]    In addition to the embodiment where a single square module is formed by four regular panels (i.e., one square long) as shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10 , the organizational system according to the present invention can also comprise a multiple-square module comprising end-to-end or vertically connected module sections to form a unitary storage space, as shown in  FIGS. 6A and 13 . For instance,  FIG. 6A  shows three-square modules  84  for use as mailbox and a two-square-width two-square-high module  86  for use as calendar. Such multiple-square module, which is as at least two times long (such as two times, three times, four times, or other integer times) in width and/or height as the single square module as shown in  FIG. 9 , can be formed with longer panels. Alternatively, the panels may be joined end to end to provide a 2× or 3× length of panel as shown in  FIG. 5B , described below. In an exemplary embodiment of mailbox module as shown in  FIG. 6 , the top and bottom panels are both three-square-long, whereas the two side panels are regular ones (i.e., one square long). Here, an important thing lies in that these three-square-long panels have w-shaped channels on the outer surface at their points of trisection, so as to form hollow space with above-defined shape for receiving interlocking pins. In another exemplary embodiment of calendar module as shown in  FIG. 6 , the two-square-long panels also have w-shaped channels at their outer surface at their midpoints, so as to form hollow space with above-defined shape for receiving interlocking pins. Similarly, it is not difficult to imagine that if a four-square module is formed by two four-square-long panels and two regular panels, these four-square-long panels will have w-shaped channels on the outer surface at their points of quadrisection, so as to form hollow space with above-defined shape for receiving interlocking pins. 
         [0034]    Another way to form a multiple-square module is shown in  FIG. 14 . In this embodiment, three panels  16  are disposed lengthwise horizontally end to end to form a top surface and three more panels  16  are disposed to provide for a bottom surface of a three-unit module. Of course, the ends of this module are defined by two vertical panels  20 , all the panels cooperatively interfitting at their crenelated edges as in the other embodiments described above. Certain manipulations or alterations to the interconnecting pin (not shown) may be required to accommodate the dimensions of a specific three-unit module when it takes up the space of three separate one unit modules, but that can be done by judicious use of the interconnecting pin structure. 
         [0035]    In the preferred embodiment, as shown, each assembled module could contain one or more functional accessories which may be mounted on rectangular inserts  80  ( FIG. 9 ). These inserts  80  may include any desirable functional elements, such as an envelope holder, key holder, cell phone or other electronic device charger, writing/display board, calendar, and mirror. However, the discerning user could conceivably provide for additional functional inserts (not shown) and this invention is not to be considered as being limited by the enumerated functional inserts. 
         [0036]    One common element in all of the insert  80  embodiments having functional accessories is the accessory tab slots  34 , preferably being centrally disposed on the crenellated edge  22  of each panel  16 , so as to firmly hold the functional accessories by fitting the accessory tabs into the accessory tab slots.  FIG. 10  shows one exemplary design of such combination of accessory tabs  81  and accessory tab slots  34 , wherein the accessory tab slots  34  are located among the crenellations and recesses at two opposite edges of the panel, while the accessory tabs  81  are located at each corner of the key holder accessory  80 . Accessory tab channels  90  having an outwardly facing opening are present on each accessory tab  81 , so that when the accessory tab  81  is fitted into accessory tab slots  34  during module assembly, these accessory tab channels  90  will be perfectly aligned to other channel segments forming the channel  32  on the adjacent crenellations to form a complete channel  32  for fitting in a corner bead of interlocking pins  40 . This structurally is a more robust configuration in that both the tab slots  34  and the interlocking pins  40  retain the accessary  80 . 
         [0037]    There are other designs to locate the accessory tab slots in different manners. In one embodiment where the accessory tab slots are in the middle of each panel, the accessory tabs are correspondingly located at the middle of each edge of the accessory, so that the machining process can be simplified. In another embodiment where the number of the accessory tab slots is not intendedly limited, each panel can have more than one (such as two, three, four, etc.) slots in the middle; correspondingly, the same number of accessory tabs are located at the middle of each edge of the accessory, so that the strength can be improved. It is not difficult to imagine that, in another embodiment, the accessory tab slots can be located both at two opposite edges and in the middle of the panel, while the accessory tabs are correspondingly located both at each corner (with accessory tab channels as above stated) and at the middle of each edge of the accessory. 
         [0038]      FIGS. 1 and 2  show that a box frame front cover  70 , as an optional element of the organizational system  10 , is in front of the other parts for structural and aesthetical purpose. It can be seen from the exploded view in  FIG. 2  that if the interlocking pins  40 A,  40 C of  FIGS. 3A and 3C  are applied, the back side of the box frame front cover  70  can have cuboid projections at corresponding locations to be inserted into the hollow central spines  46 A or into the cuboid holes  46 C of the central spines  42 C; while if the interlocking pins  40 B of  FIG. 3B  are applied, the back side of the box frame front cover  70  can have cuboid holes to fit in the cuboid projections  48 B of the central spines  42 B. In addition, if the interlocking pins  40 D of  FIG. 3D  are applied, the back side of the box frame front cover may be flat and glued onto the front surface of the central spines  46 D. 
         [0039]    Different from the box frame front cover  70  which is secured to the outermost interlocking pins,  FIG. 8  shows an interlocking pin cap  52  which is secured to a middle interlocking pin  40  among modules. Here, although an interlocking pin  40 A,  40 C of  FIG. 3A or 3C  is shown, a skilled in the art can readily understand that this cap  52  can be secured in similar manners as set forth for box frame front cover  70  if another type of interlocking pin  40  is applied. 
         [0040]    As shown in  FIG. 11 , the modules may optionally have inconsecutive bars at their rear edge  20  (the surface not facing the user), and the gap between the bars of adjacent modules can allow wire routing, so as to provide power supply to the modules (such as, phone charging). The bars and the space therebetween can be at any length and height according to the actual demand, which can be readily selected by an ordinary person in the art. 
         [0041]    The organizational system according to the present invention will have excellent interchangeability and customizability. More specifically, as shown in  FIG. 6A , each module can be removed independently by pulling out the involved interlocking pins  40 , and then, for example, this removed module can be added or substituted with any needed accessory. Alternatively, two or more consecutive modules can be replaced by a multi-unit or multiple square module according to the user&#39;s desire. 
         [0042]    Referring to  FIG. 6A , for instance, the four single square modules in the right column can be removed and replaced by a four-square module for use as umbrella storage, in case the weather becomes rainy; or, the calendar module  86  and the two single square modules adjacent thereto can be removed and replaced by two extra three-square modules  84  for use as mail holder, in the case that two additional residents desire to receive mail at the house. Due to the above-stated structural features, all the removal and replacement work can be easily done without any tooling and within a few minutes without destroying the integrity of the whole organizational system. The detailed re-assembling steps will be described below. 
         [0043]    In order to change the module next to the calendar module as shown in  FIG. 6A , for example, as a key holder module (not shown), four interlocking pins  40  are first pulled out, then the whole module is also removed by sliding it out the four panels comprising the module. Then, the removed module is disassembled into the four constituent panels  16 , and by plugging accessory tabs  81  into accessory tab slots  34 , a key holder accessory  80  is inserted in the middle of and re-assembled with the four panels  16  in the manner as shown in  FIG. 10 . Next, the assembled key holder module can be pushed back into the vacant position next to the calendar module, as shown, and the four interlocking pins  40  are also pushed back to secure the key holder module to adjacent panel corners of adjoining modules. 
         [0044]    For the purpose of weight reduction and cost saving, the panels and interlocking pins in the present invention can be made of wood, bamboo or plastic. For the purpose of providing strength, the panels and interlocking pins in the present invention can be made of metal, such as steel, copper or aluminum. For either purpose, in preferred embodiments as exemplified in  FIGS. 11 to 14 , the center part of the panel is made of wood, bamboo or plastic, whereas the crenellated edges  122  of the panel are made of metal. An appropriate means is necessary to bind the two together. 
         [0045]    The invention herein has been described and illustrated with reference to the specific embodiments, but it should be understood that the features and operation of the invention as described is susceptible to modification or alteration without departing significantly from the spirit of the invention. For example, the dimensions, size and shape of the various elements may be altered to fit specific applications. Accordingly, the specific embodiments illustrated and described herein are for illustrative purposes only and the invention is not limited except by the following claims.