Abstract:
The invention relates to a storage assembly of a type that comprises at least two modules which can be solidly connected to one another, each of said modules being equipped with means for accessing at least one storage space, closure means and means for solidly connecting the modules to one another. The inventive assembly is characterized in that at least one module comprises means for locking the means for solidly connecting the modules to one another and closure means for closing off access to at least one module.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/572,271 filed Jan. 18, 2007 and published as US 2008/0042534 A1. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/572,271 is scheduled to issue as U.S. Pat. No. 7,866,768 on Jan. 11, 2011. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/572,271 is the national phase application under 35 U.S.C. §371 of PCT application PCT/FR2005/001902, filed Jul. 22, 2005. PCT application PCT/FR2005/001902 claims priority to France patent application 0408105, filed Jul. 22, 2004. Priority is claimed to all of the above-referenced patent applications. In addition, the disclosures of the above-referenced patent applications, as originally filed, as translated, as published, and as amended during prosecution, is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention covers a modular assembly intended for the arrangement and storage of items of different dimensions, in particular tools, where their number and dimensions are likely to change in the course of time. 
         [0003]    Whatever the application, be it for leisure or for use by tradespersons or handymen, numerous types of storage boxes or casings are available which allow the satisfactory arrangement and storage of objects with greatly varying dimensions. 
         [0004]    Some of these casings are provided with the means to allow their user to combine them in such a way as to suit a specific task and thus to transport only the modules containing the items which are strictly necessary for this task, given that the user will have the possibility to assemble the modules in a more appropriate manner for a different task. 
         [0005]    In these types of storage systems, the components are typically provided with various types of storage compartments whose actual layouts and storage space are defined “at manufacture” such that they are not capable of adaptation over the course of time to meet the changing needs of the user. When, for example, these modular components are used in the mechanical field, the use of containers and/or drawers of various capacities allow a user to arrange any small items quite well, such as nuts and bolts, hand and electrical tools. If, for a specific task, the user needs to store a tool in his modular storage system and the dimensions of this tool do not fit the largest container in the user&#39;s system, he is obliged to use a supplementary storage system. 
         [0006]    But when, for example, on a work site, the user wishes to ensure the security of the materials in the storage containers, he will not only have to successively lock each of the modules comprising the assembly but also have to solidly connect these modules together. 
         [0007]    The aim of this invention is to rectify these drawbacks by proposing a modular storage arrangement in which the user will be able not only to solidly connect the various modules together but also be able to lock each of the means of access to each module by using the appropriate locking command provided for in each module. 
         [0008]    It is therefore a purpose of this invention to provide a storage arrangement comprising at least two modules which can be solidly connected to each other, each of these modules including a means of access to at one least storage compartment which includes a means of closure, together with the means to solidly connect the modules to each other, and characterized in that each module includes locking mechanisms for both the mechanism for solidly connecting the modules together and for the closure of the access to them. 
         [0009]    The locking system, both for the mechanisms which solidly connect the modules together and the system for closure of the access to the modules, can be accessed from a single, centralized command which will be able to be initiated by any one of the module locking commands. 
         [0010]    This centralized command for the locking system is located on the front face of each module and, in particular, on the upper section of it. 
         [0011]    Each module will include at least one locking bolt mounted for vertical movement and activated by the centralized locking command such that it may take up one of two positions. One is the locking position in which, on the one hand, blocking the means of access to the interior of at least one part of the module is ensured and, on the other hand, locking the means of solidly connecting the modules together is also ensured. The other position is the unlocked position in which these components will be accessible. These locking bolts will be provided with a coupling mechanism which can be activated by the mechanism for solidly connecting the modules together. 
         [0012]    It is an advantage that the modules will be able to include a means for centering. The purpose is to ensure the correct positioning of each module relative to the others. For example, these means of centering will comprise a rebate made in the upper and lower sections on their lateral sides, this rebate being such that one is “recessed” and the other is “protruding”. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]    The various ways of configuring this invention are not limited to the examples given below which will now be described with reference to the attached drawings in which: 
           [0014]      FIG. 1  is a front view of an assembly of several modules intended to form an assembly as per the invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 1   a  is a detailed view of a part of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  is a view, in perspective, of an example of a module to be assembled. 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  is a partially sectioned schematic view from above of an example of the mechanisms for solidly connecting modules together. 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  is a partially exploded view of an example of the mechanisms for solidly connecting and locking modules together as per the invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  is a partial schematic view showing an example of the centralized locking system for drawers for several modules. 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  is a view, in perspective, of a drawer viewed from the rear. 
           [0021]      FIG. 7  is a partial view, in section, following section line VII-VII in  FIG. 8   a  of the system which ensures the locking of the mechanisms for solidly connecting modules together. 
           [0022]      FIGS. 8   a  and  8   b  are partially enlarged sectional views which follow section line VIII-VIII in  FIG. 7 . These views show the systems which ensure both the locking for the mechanisms for solidly connecting the modules together as well as for the coupling of the locking bolts for two adjacent modules. 
           [0023]      FIG. 9  is a partial view showing a variant in the implementation of a locking system for the drawers in a module. 
           [0024]      FIG. 10  is a partial and perspective view showing modular assembly and means of fixing  70 ,  72 , to the mounting surface  73   
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0025]    Using the invention,  FIG. 1  shows one variant of a modular assembly arrangement comprising four modules  2   a,    2   b,    2   c  and  2   d  intended to be combined by placing one on top of the other. Each of these modules is provided with a means of closure, allowing access to its interior storage space to be controlled. As an example, in  FIG. 1 , each module has been selected as being different from the others. Hence, the topmost module  2   a  includes a horizontal top cover  3  which is installed for pivoting around hinge  4 . 
         [0026]    Access to module  2   b  interior storage space is achieved using a front curtain  6  comprising a horizontal series of flat plates of the type commonly used, for example, in roller shutters. Access to module  2   c  interior storage space is via a front door  8  which is mounted and pivots around two hinges  9 . Finally, the bottom module  2   d  comprises a set of four, equal size, horizontal drawers  12  which divide the interior storage space of the module into four secondary interior storage compartments. 
         [0027]    To ensure that each of these modules is correctly positioned with respect to the adjacent module below it and on which it is installed, the upper and lower sections of the lateral sides of the modules each have a machined groove  5 - 5 ′. These grooves are complementary in design and shown schematically in  FIGS. 1 and 1   a.    
         [0028]      FIG. 2  shows a variant of module  2   d  in more detail. This module comprises  3  drawers, one above the other. The lowest drawer  12   a  has the greatest height. Gripping handles  7  can be provided on the two opposite sides of the module. 
         [0029]    When the modules are stacked, they are solidly connected together in such a way that they form a single block only. Using this invention, the means for solidly connecting them together can be very diverse. By way of examples, several specific systems are described below with reference to the schematic diagrams. 
         [0030]    To solidly connect the modules together, control command knob  10  is used. As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , this is located at the base of each of the modules. It comprises a small plate  13 , roller mounted in the transverse direction, using mechanisms not shown in the diagram. This small plate  13  is parallel to the base of the module and includes slot  14  inclined at an angle .alpha. to the front, inside wall and is displaced using command knob  10 . Slot  14  is joined to lug  16  located at the end of lever  18  which is roller mounted on roller guide mechanism  19 . A series of six connecting links  20  are located along the length of lever  18  (of which only the first and last of the six links are shown in the diagram). These are articulated on the lever and extended by shafts  21  which are roller-mounted between guides  22  and which act as locks. For this purpose, the ends of the first five series of shafts  21  are designed to engage with holes  24  provided in module  1 . The upper section of each module also includes holes  24 ′ which are located opposite holes  24  of the lower module. 
         [0031]    In these situations, with the four modules in place, and if it is required to ensure they are solidly connected together, knob  10  is displaced from left to right. The resultant effect of this is that shafts  21 , associated with connecting links  20 , are displaced from the left towards the right, in such a way that their end traverses hole  24  then hole  24 ′ on the lower, adjacent module. This ensures that these modules are solidly connected together. This procedure is repeated for each other module to ensure that all modules in the assembly are solidly connected together. Naturally, to free the modules from each other, the inverse operation is carried out. 
         [0032]    Referring to drawers  12  and  12   a  in this arrangement, the methods of access to the interior of the modules include the mechanisms to ensure that they are solidly connected together and that they are locked on the module. As a consequence, and as shown in the diagrams, each side of the rear section of each module is provided with a vertical sliding locking bolt  30  which moves on guides not shown in the diagram. This locking bolt comprises a flat shaft with rectangular, slotted holes  32  evenly separated along its length. Various means can be used to vertically displace locking bolts  30 . One such method is shown in  FIG. 4  and comprises a locking control  34  which is built into the upper section of the module face and extends towards the rear of the module using cylindrical shaft  36  terminating on boss  37 . This boss is provided with two longitudinal fingers  38  which engage with holes  39  made in two transverse plates  40  which are provided with guides. The guides are not shown in the diagram but allow horizontal displacement of their external extremities when shaft  36  is turned using locking control  34 . Each of these displacements is limited by lug  42  which engages with an inclined slot  43  on mounting plate  44 , in turn solidly connected to each of locking bolts  30  such that the rotational movement of command shaft  36  ensures the upward or downward displacement of the locking bolts, dependant on the direction of rotation of locking control  34 . 
         [0033]    The front sections of drawers  12  are provided with a control device. By way of example, this comprises two push buttons  46  which slide transversely. Each of these, using a strap not shown in the diagram, are tied down to a corresponding sprung bolt  48  located in the rear section of drawer  12  ( FIG. 6 ). A compression spring  50  is located between the two sprung bolts  48  and sets the latter in the open position. Thus any movement by which the two push buttons  46  come together has the effect of bringing one or the other of the two sprung bolts  48  up against the force of spring  50 . Moreover, the upper section of each sprung bolt  48  has a vertical slot  49  which is open towards the top. 
         [0034]    In normal operation, sprung bolts  48  engage in slots  32  of locking bolt  30  such that, to open drawer  12 , the user has to retract the bolts by bringing the two push buttons on control knob  46  together. When the latter are released, the bolts revert to their open position. This ensures that the drawers are held in position if they are in the closed position. 
         [0035]    It should be noted that the elongated slots  32  made in locking bolts  30  allow them to be displaced towards the base while ensuring that the drawers are held in position without having to lock them. This remains the situation until the upper section of slots  32  engage notches  49  in sprung bolts  48  when locking bolt  30  is displaced towards the base. Bolts  48  are then locked and the user is not able to open the drawers  12  by operating the push buttons on knob  46 . This is because the bolts can no longer slide to be retracted as they are prevented from doing so by locking bolt  30 . 
         [0036]    The device covered by this invention also ensures that locking all the means of access to the respective interior storage spaces in the various modules is possible. This is because any one of the locking mechanisms included in this particular installation uses any one of locks  34 . 
         [0037]    For this reason it includes the means to ensure coupling between the various relevant locking bolts. By way of example, one such method of establishing these capabilities has been shown here. 
         [0038]    As shown schematically in  FIG. 5 , and in more detail in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , use is made of the last two series of connecting links  20  and shafts  21 . The free extremity of each of these shafts is here terminated on a vertical section which is perpendicular to it and which forms a slide runner  50  on the interior of which is mounted sliding block  51  and provided with two perpendicular lugs  52 . It should be appreciated that, in these conditions, when the user ensures that the modules are solidly connected together by displacing knob  10  from left to right, this has the effect of displacing the extremities of shafts  21  to form a lock in corresponding receptor holes  32  of locking bolt  30 . Additionally, it also displaces the two lugs  52  with respect to lower hole  53  in the module locking bolt. This, in turn, ensures that the command is correctly executed and the lug is in the upper hole  54  of locking bolt  30  of the lower, adjacent module. Locking bolts  30  of this module and the lower module are thus coupled together. By proceeding in this manner from one module to the next, all locking bolts  30  from the various modules are coupled. 
         [0039]    Once locking bolt coupling is completed, it is then possible to lock the drawer assembly using any one of locks  34 . 
         [0040]    The invention also ensures the locking of the mechanism for solidly connecting the modules together. In this way, as shown in  FIGS. 8   a  and  8   b , a stop  55  is located behind sliding block  51  so that, once locking bolt  30  has been lowered to ensure drawer locking, it is no longer possible to separate the modules by displacing knob  10  towards the left as stop  55  prevents sliding block  51  from moving backwards. 
         [0041]    Of course, using the invention, the displacement of the locking bolts could be done using methods other than those described above. As shown schematically in  FIG. 5 , racks  56 , together with a pinion  57  solidly joined to control device  34 , could also be used. These racks are respectively extended in the direction of locking bolts  30  using a spiral spring covered by sleeve  58  and terminated by push button  59 . This ensures locking bolt  30  displacement as a function of the direction of rotation of control device  34 . 
         [0042]    Similarly, as shown in  FIG. 9 , the locking of drawers  12  will be able to be ensured by lock  60  which comprises a plate which is installed to pivot around pin  61 . This pin is provided with finger  62 . In the locked position this finger can penetrate slot  63  of drawer  12 . The pivoting movement is applied to lock  60  by the vertical displacement of locking bolt  30 . For this purpose, the last mentioned is provided with a transverse slot  64  as receptor for lug  65  of lock  60 . It should be noted that, when the locking bolt is displaced vertically, the lock is forced to rotate in one direction or the other depending on whether the displacement is towards the top or the bottom of the locking bolt. 
         [0043]    In a variant to implementing this invention, the assembly arrangement can be provided with a mounting base where the upper section will be such that it allows it to accept the base of the lower module, which will be able to be locked on to it. To allow this, it would be advantageous if the upper section of the mounting base were identical with the upper section of the modules. 
         [0044]      FIG. 10  shows a variant of the invention comprising an arrangement of n modules in which only the lower module  2   n  is shown. It is intended to be positioned and fixed into mounting base  70 . In this way, the upper section of mounting base  70  will be a replica of the upper sections of the modules. 
         [0045]    Such an arrangement is interesting in that it ensures controlled stabilization of the assembly arrangement with respect to the mounting surface, whether this mounting surface is a building or a vehicle. In this way, mounting base  70  is provided with the means to ensure it can be fixed to mounting surface  73 . Providing a particularly simple solution, these means can comprise screws  72  or an adhesive system or any other suitable means of fixing. Once the mounting base is fixed to the mounting surface and lower module  2   n  is in place and locked to it, the fixing means then becoming inaccessible, the assembly arrangement cannot be moved, and is secure. 
         [0046]    Of course, it is equally possible to ensure the fixing of an assembly arrangement as per the invention onto a cover which itself is fixed to the underside of a horizontal, internal surface such as a ceiling or the underside of a workbench. In this type of implementation, the lower face of the cover will have the form of the base of a module. In this way the upper section of the upper module can be attached to the cover and locked to it. This was the situation in the preceding example with base  70 . 
         [0047]    Moreover, the means for locking and solidly connecting an assembly arrangement together as per the invention could be of the electromechanical and/or electrical and/or electronic type.