Abstract:
A modular system for assembling a storage unit is provided which includes a plurality of panels and different connectors. The system allows for subdividing spaces which may feature walls, floors, ceilings, etc. at varying angles or in areas having irregular contours. Additionally, the connectors are simple recesses and protrusions which allow for easy assembly and disassembly of the storage unit.

Description:
This application includes material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office files or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever. 
   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates in general to storage units, and in particular to a modular storage system having a series of panels connected at varying angles for subdividing irregular storage spaces. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Modular systems for building storage units and shelves come in a variety of shapes and sizes. These systems are often built or assembled with a series of panels forming the sides, top and bottom, the panels being attached using connectors. Typically, these panels and connectors are designed specifically to enable connection between adjacent panels at right angles which form the walls of the storage units. While these systems are well designed for conventional spaces, they often fail to efficiently use space where walls may be non-parallel or have irregular contours. Moreover, these conventional units are limited to certain established configurations which may not suit an area&#39;s particular needs. Thus conventional storage units often do not adequately make use of all of the space available to them. 
   Another drawback of conventional storage units is that the connectors are often rigid and typically have complex structure. These complex connectors may be difficult to assemble and also do not allow for flexible connections between panels or for easy assembly and disassembly of the storage units. Conventional connectors also often require attachment through the supporting walls which can affect the storage unit&#39;s structural integrity. Moreover, these complex connectors can also result in increased manufacturing cost of the storage system. 
   Thus it would be desirable to provide a modular wall system which will allow for connections of panels at varying angles to maximize storage efficiency. Additionally, it would be desirable to provide a system which allows for flexible connections which are easily assembled and disassembled. Ideally, with this improved storage system, panels may be connected with a variety of different connectors and assembled in many different configurations for use in more than one area. 
   OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   In accordance with the general object of the present invention, a modular system for assembling a storage unit is provided which allows for positioning of storage units which fit in spaces which may have irregular contours or in corners which may not form a right angle. 
   It is another object of the present invention to provide a modular wall system which has flexible, easy to use connectors. 
   It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a modular storage system which can be connected with a variety of different types of connectors. 
   The modular storage system of the present invention includes a plurality of panels each of which has a top surface, a bottom surface and side edges. The top surfaces of the panels have a plurality of panel recesses. The system further includes connectors which include two elongated end portions each having a recess along the length thereof and joined together by a flexible linkage. Preferably, each of the panels includes at least one side recess along one of the side edges. Advantageously, the panel recesses extend parallel to one another between two opposite side edges. In a preferred embodiment, each panel has a first set of panel recesses which run parallel to each other and a second set of panel recesses which extend parallel to one another and at an angle, preferably 90 degrees, with respect to the first set of recesses. The system also includes connecting links which connect the panels to the connectors. These connecting links have a first end which is received in the panel recesses and a second end which is received in the connector recesses. Preferably, the ends of the connecting links are joined by a shaft which allows rotation and flexion of the connector relative to the panel. The shaft may, for example, include a ball and socket joint. 
   In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a modular system for assembling a storage unit is provided. The unit includes a plurality of panels each having a top surface, a bottom surface and side edges. The top surfaces include a plurality of panel recesses. The plurality of panels are joined to each other by connecting links. The links have a first end receivable in the recesses of a first panel, a second end receivable in the recesses of a second panel and a flexible shaft connecting the two ends. In an advantageous embodiment, the flexible shaft may be in the form of a ball and socket joint. 
   In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention, a modular system for building a storage unit is provided. The unit includes a plurality of panels, each of the panels having a top surface, a bottom surface and side edges. The panels include a plurality of parallel spaced cylindrical shaped recesses which open in the top surface and in the side edges. Additionally, the unit includes connectors for connecting the panels. The connectors include at least two parallel elongated portions connected by a flexible linkage along their lengths, each of the portions having a cylindrical-shaped recess therein extending along its length. The unit also includes connecting links for connecting the panels to the connectors. The connecting links include first and second cylindrical shaped portions connected by a flexible shaft. The first portion o: the connecting link is receivable in one of the panel recesses and the second portion is receivable in one of the connector recesses. 
   Further features and advantages of the present invention will be set forth in or apparent from, the detailed description of preferred embodiments thereof which follows. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following more particular description of preferred embodiments as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which reference characters refer to the same parts throughout the various views. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating principles of the invention. 
       FIG. 1  is a front perspective view illustrating a modular storage unit constructed in accordance with the invention in use in a location having non-perpendicular walls; 
       FIG. 1A  is a perspective view showing the detail of the interconnection of the panel members by stop links. 
       FIG. 2A  is a top view of a panel member; 
       FIG. 2B  is a side view of the panel member in  FIG. 2A ; 
       FIG. 3A  is a side view of a connecting link; 
       FIG. 3B  is a top view of the connecting link in  FIG. 3A ; 
       FIG. 3C  is a side view of a stop link which further includes a ball and socket joint; 
       FIG. 4A  is a planar view of a flat connector; 
       FIG. 4B  is an edge view of the connector in  FIG. 4A ; 
       FIG. 4C  is a planar view of an angled connector; 
       FIG. 4D  is an edge view of the connector in  FIG. 4C ; 
       FIG. 4E  is a planar view of a connector for direct connection of panels at right angles; 
       FIG. 4F  is an edge view of the connector in  FIG. 4E ; 
       FIG. 5A  is a planar view of a top link; and 
       FIG. 5B  is an edge view of the top link in FIG.  5 A. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. 
     FIG. 1  shows the modular system of the invention assembled as a storage unit  10  in the interior of a structure, such as a sailboat, wherein the walls are curved and are not at 90 degrees with respect to one another. The storage unit  10  includes a first panel  12  which includes a series of recesses  16 . A second panel  22  is joined to the first panel  12  by two connecting links  24 ,  24 ′ and a connector  26 . Specifically, the first panel  12  is joined to connecting link  24  at recess  16 ′ and is joined to one elongated portion  27  of connector  26 . The connector  26  is joined to the second panel  22  via connecting link  24 ′ at recess  16 ′ and joined to the second elongated portion  27 ′ of connector  26 . The advantage of using two connecting links  24 ,  24 ′ and a connector  26  to join adjacent panels  12 ,  22  is that it allows the storage unit  10  to be assembled in a variety of configurations including those in which the panels are connected at non-right angles as shown in FIG.  1 . For purposes of clarity in illustrating the invention, only two connecting links  24 ,  24 ′ are shown in FIG.  1 . However, it will be understood that in a typical application more than two connecting links will be required to secure the panels  12  and  22 . A third panel  23  forms the base of the storage unit and is connected to panels  12 ,  22  via connectors  29 ,  31 , respectively. A number of different connections and units may be formed using the panels, connectors and connecting links. The connecting links  24 ,  24 ′ may have one or more edges which have ridges or other means for providing friction to prevent slippage of the panels once they are assembled together. If one surface of the links are provided with ridges and other surfaces are not, the panels may thereby be made to slide together in one direction easily during assembly of the panels, but not to slide in a reverse direction so as to prevent slippage of the assembled panels. 
     FIG. 1A  is a perspective view showing the detail of the interconnection of the panel members by connectors  26  and connecting links  32 . In the embodiment shown, stop links are used as connecting links  32 . Such stop links may be used, e.g., where sliding of the panels is not desired. While  FIG. 1A  shows stop links connecting the panels only at portions of the panels where the recesses cross, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that connecting links may be used at any point along the recesses without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 
   The panels may be of any shape or size, and may be constructed from any suitable material. Standard shapes and sizes may be provided and may be cut and combined to provide a storage system that fits any particular irregularly-shaped space. Typically, the panels are rectangular such as panels  12 ,  22 , but may be triangular or have one or more curved edges. The panels may be constructed from any material which is pliable enough to fit into a space between walls which are not positioned at 90 degrees with respect to each other, but rigid enough to hold the objects for which the storage unit is being used. 
   Turning now to  FIGS. 2A-B , the structure of the panels is described in greater detail with reference to panel  12 . Panel  12  includes a top surface  14  and a bottom surface  18 . The panel  12  includes a first set of recesses  16 . A second set of recesses  20 , on the opposite side of panel  12  from recesses  16 , intersect and are positioned at an angle with respect to the first set of recesses  16 . The recesses  16 ,  20  may be positioned at various intervals along the top surface  14  and/or bottom surface  18 . Preferably, however, the first set of recesses  16  run parallel to one another and extend from one edge  19  to an opposite edge  21  and the second set of recesses  20  run parallel to each other from another panel edge  23  to an opposite edge  25  such that they are at an angle of 90 degrees with respect to the first set of recesses  16 . This configuration of the recesses  16 ,  20  allows for multiple choices in deciding how to connect adjoining panels. Additionally, the configuration of the recesses  16 ,  20  allows for connection of multiple panels at varying angles. Preferably, panel  12  includes at least one recess  17  in one or more of the side edges  19 ,  21 ,  23 ,  25 . The recesses  16 ,  17 ,  20  may have any shape suitable for receiving the connecting links, although they are typically cylindrical with an opening for receiving the connecting links as discussed in connection with  FIGS. 3A-C  below. 
     FIGS. 3A-C  show a connecting link  24  which allows for connection of adjacent panels. Each connecting link  24  includes two end portions  42 . The end portions  42  are preferably of a shape which corresponds to the shape of the recesses and are sized to fit snugly within the recesses. In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 3A-B , the end portions  42  are connected by a shaft  44  which is preferably flexible to allow for connection of adjacent panels at varying angles. Alternatively, as shown in  FIG. 3C , end portions  42  may be connected by a ball and socket joint  46  providing for rotation and flexion. Connecting links  24  may further include a protrusion  54 , also shown in  FIG. 3C , extending outwardly from one or both end portions  42 . The protrusion  54  is designed to fit within the recesses at points  15  where the recesses intersect to prevent slippage in any direction within the recesses  16 ,  20 . Recesses  16  and  20  are preferably of equal dimension and positioned within the mid portion of panel  12  such that, at their point of intersection, a through aperture is created. A protrusion  54  is positioned within the recesses to prevent slippage. This allows for the assembly of heavier load bearing storage units. 
   The connectors  26 ,  60  shown in  FIGS. 4A-F  include two elongated end portions  29 ,  39 ,  61  connected by a hinge  34 ,  40 ,  64  along the lengths thereof to allow flexion. In the embodiments, shown in  FIGS. 4A-D , the connectors  26  include recesses  28 ,  38  and are of a shape suitable for allowing end portions  42  of the connecting links  24  to snap firmly into them, thus providing a tight bond between panels. If the connectors are fabricated of a flexible material, a single connector type may be used and may be flexed to form either the connector shown at  26  or the connector shown at  26 . In an alternative embodiment, shown in  FIGS. 4E-F , wherein adjacent panels are connected at right angles or any angle that the connectors can flex to, connectors  60  may be formed with protrusions  62  which snap directly into parallel, appropriately spaced panel recesses, thereby eliminating the need for connecting links  24  and increasing the rigidity of the connection between panels. While  FIGS. 4   a  and  4   b  show an embodiment wherein adjacent panels are connected in a planar configuration, and  FIGS. 4   c  and  4   d  show an embodiment wherein adjacent panels are connected at right angles to one another, it will be understood that adjacent panels may be connected at various angles without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 
   The hinge  34 ,  40 ,  64  can be constructed to allow for varying degrees of flexion. In the  FIGS. 4A-B  and  4 E-F embodiments, hinges  34 ,  64  are constructed so that adjacent panels may be rotated such that they assume an angle with respect to one another ranging from 60 to 240.  FIGS. 4C-D  illustrates connector  26  in the 90-degree orientation. This allows for connection of adjacent panels at a number of different angles. 
   The storage unit  10  preferably further includes top links  30 . The top links  30  finish the exposed edges and also provide rigidity to the unit  10 . Top links  30 , shown in  FIGS. 5A-B  may be included to finish the panels by closing the recesses, most typically the side edge recesses  17 . Top links  30  also provide added rigidity to the storage unit. The top links  30  are designed to snap into the recesses. The top links  30  include one connection portion  56  and one finished side  58 . Thus, the top link  30  is connected by snapping the connection portion  56  firmly into a recess, thus providing added rigidity. The finished side  58  then provides a smooth edge to the finished unit  10  and may also be decorative. 
   While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to a preferred embodiment thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.