Abstract:
A modular furniture system, in which one or more triangular frames are assembled with a leg support system in any of numerous configurations. Cushions or flat surfaces can be supported by the triangular frames to form chairs, beds, sofas, tables, and many other pieces of furniture. Triangle frames are assembled with the leg support system using frame hinges, which can include ring portions that slide over the tops of the leg support system and flanges that attach to the triangular frames.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of provisional application Ser. No. 61/363,603, filed on Jul. 12, 2010. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The disclosed subject matter relates generally to the field of furniture. More particularly, the disclosed subject matter is in the technical field of modular transportable and customizable furniture. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Pre-assembled furniture tends to be clunky and difficult to transport, while disassembled component furniture often requires tools to assemble and rarely allows a user to customize and re-customize furniture configurations into different types of furniture such as: beds, tables, seating, shelving, and even simple structural shelters. In the wake of an environmental or economic disaster, it becomes necessary to provide large populations with basic customizable furniture that may be easily assembled. Therefore, there is a need for a modular, transportable and customizable furniture system that is easy to configure and reconfigure. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    In general, this document discusses a modular furniture system that includes one or more triangular frames supported by a leg support system. The triangular frames can be connected in numerous configurations and support cushions or boards to create a wide variety of pieces of furniture including, but not limited to, chairs, tables, sofas and end tables. The modular nature of the furniture system allows the system to be customized to the needs of the individual and may also facilitate transport and storage of the system. 
         [0005]    The details of one or more embodiments are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features and advantages will be apparent from the description, drawings and from the claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]    The present invention is described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, like reference numbers indicate identical or functionally similar elements. Additionally, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the drawings in which the reference number first appears. 
           [0007]      FIG. 1  illustrates an exemplary hexagonal seating design with upper support cushions and an attached table using the furniture system described herein; 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is an exploded view showing certain components of a chair and table formed using the furniture system described herein; 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  is a partial cutaway of a cross-sectional side view of a chair formed using the furniture system described herein; 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  illustrates an exemplary hexagonal seating design using the furniture system described herein; 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  illustrates an exemplary C-shaped seating design with two end tables and a center seating area using the furniture system described herein; 
           [0012]      FIG. 6  illustrates an exemplary center table with two bench seating arrangements using the furniture system described herein; 
           [0013]      FIG. 7  illustrates an exemplary large seating design or lounge with upper support cushions and an attached table using the furniture system described herein; 
           [0014]      FIG. 8  illustrates an exemplary stacked shelving design using the furniture system described herein; 
           [0015]      FIG. 9  illustrates a second exemplary stacking shelving design using the furniture system described herein; 
           [0016]      FIG. 10  illustrates an embodiment of a disassembled triangular frame of the furniture system described herein; 
           [0017]      FIG. 11  illustrates an exemplary three triangular frame of the furniture system described herein; 
           [0018]      FIG. 12  illustrates an embodiment of a frame rail of the furniture system described herein; 
           [0019]      FIG. 13  illustrates three exemplary frame hinges of the furniture system described herein; 
           [0020]      FIG. 13A  illustrates an alternative embodiment of a frame hinge of the furniture system described herein. 
           [0021]      FIG. 14  illustrates an exemplary frame hinge with a twin ring for the furniture system described herein. 
           [0022]      FIG. 15  illustrates an exemplary frame hinge with two flanges for the furniture system described herein. 
           [0023]      FIG. 16  illustrates an exemplary frame hinge with two flanges and a twin ring for the furniture system described herein. 
           [0024]      FIG. 17  illustrates an exemplary frame hinge with three flanges for the furniture system described herein. 
           [0025]      FIG. 18  illustrates an exemplary frame hinge with three flanges and a twin ring for the furniture system described herein. 
           [0026]      FIG. 19  illustrates an exemplary o-rail for the furniture system described herein. 
           [0027]      FIG. 20  illustrates an exemplary diagonal support rail for the furniture system described herein. 
           [0028]      FIG. 21  illustrates six exemplary o-rail hinges for the furniture system described herein. 
           [0029]      FIG. 22  illustrates exemplary vertical supports, bottom caps, spacer rings, spacer bars, and top caps for the furniture system described herein. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0030]    The following description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made for the purpose of describing the general principles of the present disclosure. The scope of the present disclosure should be determined with reference to any claims filed in the future, and with the understanding that other changes and modifications to the invention can be made. 
         [0031]    The disclosed subject matter is a modular furniture system  100 , see  FIGS. 1 and 2 , and, as shown in one embodiment, is comprised of basic components that may be multiplied, configured, and reconfigured to create different types of furniture, including but not limited to beds, tables, seating, shelving, and even simple structural shelters—all without requiring the use of tools. In an exemplary embodiment, the furniture system  100  comprises triangular frames  102 , a leg support system  104 , soft or hard surfaces (e.g., cushions  106  or table surfaces  118 ), frame hinges  108 , and o-rails  116 , as well as other hardware useful to interlock the furniture components together. A basic module of the furniture system  100  is a triangular frame  102  which can be used singularly, such as for a table or shelf  112 , or in combination, such that multiple triangular frames are hinged together for seating (e.g., hexagonal seating) or larger tables or shelving. 
         [0032]    The disclosed furniture system  100  is a modular construction such that pieces of furniture can be made as small or large, or as simple or complex as needed by assembling selected components in various configurations. The disassembled components can be light-weight, easily packaged and transported. Also, the flexibility of the modular design of the present furniture system gives it a universal appeal for residential use, e.g., homes, apartments, and dorm rooms, as well as for commercial use, e.g., hotels, schools, businesses, and public areas. 
         [0033]    Further, the disclosed furniture system  100  is a solution to a chronic and pervasive problem: supplying large populations with basic human comforts in the wake of environmental or economic devastation. It is designed for easy assembly to provide furniture in disaster housing, a forest hut, or even the interior of a cave. It can be adapted to give comfort to people of different global cultures and styles. Disassembled, the components of the furniture system  100  can be carried easily through narrow spaces, elevators, or stairwells, hence solving a surprisingly common problem—that furniture and furniture components may be too large to transport to certain rooms and locations. 
         [0034]    In embodiments, the furniture system  100  easily hinges together and due to its triangular design, distributes considerable weight, where each of the basic triangular frames  102 , is supported by three leg support systems  104  to provide a stable platform. Further, the furniture system  100  can grow and evolve (with its users as demand grows) through the addition of components. There are dozens of additional modules which seamlessly add-on to the base components. 
         [0035]    The frame components of the furniture system  100 , such as the leg supports or portions of the triangular frames  102 , can be made out of a variety of materials, including wood or metal. In an embodiment, such components are molded out of lightweight, inexpensive, renewable, and recyclable materials such as plastic or composite material. The use of lightweight, durable materials, combined with economical packaging could save enormous energy and resources during storage and transport. 
         [0036]    In embodiments, the furniture system  100  is designed to use readily available materials. For example, the sizes of all hard and soft surface materials (cushion foam, plywood, recycled plastics, and composite resins) are generally available in 24-48″ widths. Accordingly, in an embodiment, the interior of the standard triangular frame  102  may be scaled to conform to such standard sizes to conserve materials and reduce waste. The triangular frame  102  also may have either a hard surface (e.g., for a table or shelf  112 ) or a soft surface (e.g., cushion  106  used for seating). In another embodiment, an inflatable cushion can be used with a triangular frame  102  of the furniture system  100 , providing multi-functionality with even fewer components and easier transport and storage. 
         [0037]    The furniture system  100  may be produced as a high-end product or a low-end product, as well as an indoor or outdoor product. The target use of a particular furniture design dictates what types of materials are used. For example, a high-end, indoor furniture design may use chrome and leather, whereas a low-end, outdoor furniture design may use plastic and all-weather cushions. Further, the furniture system  100  allows for many different aesthetically pleasing and functional designs, which can conform to both residential and commercial settings. Cushions  106 , shelves  112 , and leg support systems  104  can be produced in a variety of colors, finishes and patterns. 
         [0038]    The figures illustrate exemplary components of the furniture system  100  and certain possible designs and configurations that may be created using the furniture system  100 . It should be understood that the illustrated furniture designs are for convenience only and should not be construed as the only possible designs that may be created using the components of the furniture system  100 . For example, the height of the leg support system  104  can be increased by stacking multiple vertical supports  204 . Leg support systems  104  that are only one vertical support  204  in height may be used for a coffee table. If a cushion  106  or soft surface is added the furniture can be a sofa or bed to which an upper support cushion  114  or a headboard could optionally be added. The upper support cushions  114  may be used to provide back support or optionally placed on the side of the configuration and used as a side cushion or arm rest. Leg support systems  104  that stack additional vertical supports  204  can increase the height of furniture to standard tabletop height. In another embodiment, stacking yet another vertical support  204  results in a leg support system  104  for bar height furniture. In other embodiments, the stacking of vertical supports  204  and triangular frames  102  creates modular shelving units as shown in  FIG. 8 . 
         [0039]      FIG. 2  is an exploded view showing certain components of a chair  218  and table  220  of the furniture system  100 . A principal component of the furniture system  100  is a triangular frame  102  having three frame rails  222 , three vertices  224 , and a frame surface being either a soft surface, e.g., a cushion  106 , or a hard surface, e.g., a board  216 . A hinge system including a plurality of frame hinges  108  interconnects the frame rails  222 . A second principal component of the furniture system  100  is a leg support system  104  for supporting the furniture, such as the chair  218  and table  220  of  FIG. 2 . The leg support system  104  can include a plurality of vertical supports  204 , bottom caps  202 , spacer rings  206 , spacer bars  210 , and top caps  214 , all of which can be slidably and removably interconnected, and which support the triangular frame  204  at its vertices  224 . In an embodiment, a leg support system  104  is assembled to support a vertex  224  of a triangular frame  102 , by inserting a bottom cap  202  into a bottom end of a vertical support  204 . One or more spacer rings  206  can be inserted on the top end of the vertical support  204 . A frame hinge  108  can be removably slid onto the top end of the vertical support  204 , after which another spacer ring  206  may be slid onto the vertical support  204  as well as a top cap  214 . Once the triangular frame  102  is assembled with its leg support system  104 , the design can easily become a chair  218  by adding a cushion  106  to the triangular frame  102  or a table  220  by adding a board  216  to the triangular frame  102 . 
         [0040]    As also shown in  FIG. 2 , an upper support cushion  114  can be attached to the chair  218  to provide back support by adding a second level of vertical supports  204  to the top of spacer bars  210  (which were placed onto the top of the first level of vertical support  204 ). As depicted in the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 2 , vertical supports  204  are stacked on top of two of the vertices  224  of the triangular frame  102  in place of top caps  214 . This creates the second level of vertical supports  204 . An o-rail  116  can be connected to the top of each vertical support  204  in the second level of vertical supports  204  to provide support to the upper support cushion  114 . In another embodiment, the upper support cushion  114  is attached to the o-rail. For example, the upper support cushion  114  can be attached by simple loops in the fabric, Velcro or any other suitable means. The o-rail  116  is slidably removable onto the second level of vertical support  204 , after which additional spacer rings  206  and top caps  214  can be added. A partial cutaway of a cross-sectional side view of the embodiment of an assembled chair  218  is shown in  FIG. 3 . Thus, because the frame hinges  108  of the furniture system  100  are uniform and hidden, they can be used in such a way that allows for endless customization of furniture designs. 
         [0041]      FIGS. 4-9  illustrates various examples of furniture designs using the furniture system  100  of the present invention. The triangular frames  102 , leg support system  104 , frame hinges  108 , and other components of the furniture system  100  are used in different configurations to achieve the desired piece of furniture. Also, because of the modular, easy-to-use component design, these pieces of furniture can be easily disassembled and reconfigured into a new design.  FIG. 4  shows an exemplary hexagonal seating design  400 ;  FIG. 5  shows an exemplary design  500  having a C-shaped seating design  502  with two end tables  504   a ,  504   b  and a center seating area  506 .  FIG. 6  shows an exemplary design  600  having a center table  602  with two bench seating arrangements  604   a  and  604   b .  FIG. 7  shows an exemplary design  700  having a large seating area  702  with upper support cushions and an attached table  704 .  FIG. 8  shows an exemplary stacked shelving design  800  having three tiers or levels of shelving  802   a ,  802   b , and  802   c , each level created using a set of triangular frames  102 .  FIG. 9  shows a second exemplary stacking shelving design  900  having four tiers or levels of shelving  902   a ,  902   b ,  902   c , and  902   d.    
         [0042]      FIG. 10  shows a disassembled triangular frame  102  having three frame rails  222  and three frame hinges  108 . Each frame rail  222  has an exterior side  1112  and an interior side  1114 , with a receiving mechanism within said interior side  1114 . Each frame hinge  108  has a ring portion  1002  and a connecting mechanism for interconnecting the frame hinge  108  to the receiving mechanism of a frame rail  222 . In one embodiment, the connecting mechanism is a flange portion  1004  and the receiving mechanism is an interior channel  1110  such that the flange portion  1004  of a frame hinge  108  slides into and is disposed within the interior channel  1110  of a frame rail  222 , thereby interconnecting the frame rail  222  with the frame hinge  108 . Also, in certain embodiments a hinge pin  1008  is used to further secure a frame rail  222  to the flange portion  1004  of a frame hinge  108 . The flange portion  1004  may have two holes  1006   a  and  1006   b  such that a first hinge pin  1008  passes through a first hole  1006   a  in the flange portion  1004  and a hole in the interior side  1114  of a first frame rail  222 , and a second hinge pin  1008  passes through a second hole  1006   b  in the flange portion  1004  and a hole in the interior side  1114  of a second frame rail  222 . The use of hinge pins  1008  to secure a frame rail  222  to a flange portion  1004  of a frame hinge  108  is for convenience. It is understood to those of ordinary skill in the art that other means for securing two component parts of a frame work equally as well. Accordingly,  FIG. 11  shows an exemplary design whereby three triangular frames  102  are joined together using the frame hinges  108  and hinge pins  1008  as described above. 
         [0043]      FIG. 12  shows an exemplary embodiment of a frame rail  222  wherein the external side  1112  of the frame rail  222  has three channels  1202   a ,  1202   b , and  1202   c . These channels  1202   a ,  1202   b ,  1202   c  are useful to removably attach a decorative panel to the exterior side  1112  of the frame rail  222 . Additionally,  FIG. 12  shows an exemplary frame rail  222  wherein the internal side  1114  of the frame rail  222  has an interior channel  1204 . Interior channel  1204  is useful to secure cushion  106 , table surface  118 , or other similar surfaces to the frame rails  222  that comprise the triangular frames  102 . In one embodiment, interior side  1114  may have two holes  1206   a  and  1206   b  to further secure a frame rail  222  to the flange portions  1004  of a first frame hinge  108  and second frame hinge  108 . The flange portion  1004  of the first frame hinge  108  may have a first hole  1006   a  such that a first hinge pin  1008  passes through a first hole  1006   a  in the flange portion  1004  and a hole  1206   a  in the interior side  1114  of a frame rail  222 , and a second hinge pin  1008  passes through a second hole  1006   b  in the flange portion  1004  of the second frame hinge  108  and a hole  1026   b  in the interior side  1114  of the frame rail  222 . As discussed above, the use of hinge pins  1008  to secure a frame rail  222  to a flange portion  1004  of a frame hinge  108  is for convenience. It is understood to those of ordinary skill in the art that other means for securing two component parts of a frame work equally as well. 
         [0044]    In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 12 , the ends of the internal side  1114  of the frame rail  222  are tapered. In embodiments, each end of the of the internal side  1114  is cut or formed at a diagonal from the end of the frame rail  222 , such that if two frame rails  222  meet at a vertex, they form a mitered joint, as can be seen in  FIG. 10 . In another embodiment, not shown, the ends of the internal side  1114  of the frame rail  222  may be notched, set back or removed from the ends of the frame rail  222  to facilitate manufacture and potentially to reduce material costs. 
         [0045]      FIG. 13  shows three exemplary frame hinges  108 . In certain embodiments the position of the flange portion  1004  varies relative to the ring portion  1002 . For example, in an embodiment, the furniture system  100  includes three or more types of frame hinges  108  based upon the position of the flange portion  1004  relative to the ring portion  1002 : a high flange frame hinge  1304 , a mid-flange frame hinge  1302  and a lower flange frame hinge  1306 . In the high flange frame hinge  1304 , the flange portion  1004  is approximately aligned with the center of the ring portion  1002 . In the mid-flange frame hinge  1302 , the top surface of flange portion  1004  is approximately aligned with the lower edge of the ring portion  1002 , and in the lower flange frame hinge  1306 , the flange portion  1004  is located below the ring portion  1002 . The high flange frame hinge  1304 , mid-flange frame hinge  1302  and lower flange frame hinge  1306  are exemplary configurations and the flange portion  1004  can be positioned at numerous locations relative to the ring portion  1002 . 
         [0046]    As previously described, frame hinge  108  may have its flange portion  1004  located at various positions relative to the ring portion  1002 . In an embodiment, the various flange portion positions allow the connection of frame hinges  108 , to the same vertical support  204  while maintaining a level surface between connected triangular frames  102 . In an embodiment, the various flange portion positions allow users to maintain a level surface between connecting triangular frames  102  when a corresponding vertical support  104  is also needed to connect a diagonal support rail  120 , as depicted in  FIG. 11   n  an embodiment, spacer rings  206  are used in combination with frame hinges  108  to achieve the desired level surface. Additionally, in an embodiment, spacer rings  206  may be used with spacer bars  210  and o-rails  116  to achieve the desired elevation to support an upper support cushion  114 . 
         [0047]      FIG. 13A  depicts an alternative embodiment of a frame hinge  108   a , formed from individual pieces. As depicted, this embodiment of the frame hinge  108   a  can be assembled from a ring portion  1002   a , a hinge base  1308   a , and one or more flange portions  1004   a . Here, the ring portion  1002   a , hinge base  1308   a  and flange portions  1004   a  are each machined separate and assembled to form a completed frame hinge. Separate machining and assembly may reduce manufacture costs. In other embodiments, the ring portion  1002   a  may be produced as a separate component, while the hinge base  1302   a  and flange portions  1004   a  are formed as a single component. Alternatively, the flange portions  1004   a  may be formed as separate components and the ring portion  1002   a  and hinge base  1308   a  may be formed as a single component. 
         [0048]    When assembled, the ring portion  1002   a  can be formed with a tab  1310   a  that can be fitted into a ring channel  1312   a  of the hinge base  1308   a . The ring portion  1002   a  can be secured to the hinge base  1308   a  using a bolt, cotter pin or any other suitable mechanism. The flange portion  1004   a  is fitted between hinge base projections  1314   a . The flange portion or portions  1004   a  can be secured to the hinge base  1308   a  using a bolt, cotter pin or any other suitable mechanism.  FIG. 13A  depicts a frame hinge  108   a  with a flange portion  1004   a  and a ring portion  1002   a  associated with a single hinge base  1308   a . However, in other embodiments, the ring portion  1002   a  can include one or more additional tabs  1310   a , such that the ring portion  1002   a  can be assembled with two or more hinge bases  1308   a . Each hinge base  1308   a , can support a separate flange portion  1004   a , such that the frame hinge  108   a  is capable of connecting multiple triangular frames  102  with a single ring portion  1002   a.    
         [0049]      FIG. 14  shows an exemplary twin ring frame hinge  1402  from various angles. In certain embodiments a twin ring frame hinge  1402  may be used to connect frame rails  222 . The twin ring frame hinge  1402  is comprised of a twin ring portion  1404  having an upper ring portion  1406  and a lower ring portion  1408 , and a connecting mechanism for interconnecting the twin ring frame hinge  1402  to the receiving mechanism of a frame rail  222 . The twin ring portion  1404  is useful in configurations where additional stability is desired when connecting items to the vertical supports  204 . In one embodiment, the connecting mechanism is a flange portion  1004 . 
         [0050]      FIG. 15  shows an exemplary double flange frame hinge  1502  from various angles. In certain embodiments a double flange frame hinge  1502  may be used to connect frame rails  222 . The double flange frame hinge  1502  is capable of supporting two triangular frames  102 , allowing two triangular frames  102  to be connected using a single frame hinge of this type, rather than requiring a separate frame hinge  108  to connect each of the triangular frames  102  at the vertex  224 . The double flange frame hinge  1502  is comprised of ring portion  1002  and a double flange portion  1504  having a first flange portion  1506  and a second flange portion  1508 . In an embodiment, the first flange portion  1506  and the second flange portion  1508  each may function separately as a flange portion  1004  when connecting frame rails  222  as depicted in  FIGS. 10-12 . 
         [0051]      FIG. 16  shows an exemplary double flange twin ring frame hinge  1602  from various angles. Similar to the embodiment of the double flange frame hinge  1502  shown in  FIG. 15 , the double flange twin ring frame hinge  1602  allows a single frame hinge of this type to connect two triangular frames  102 . In certain embodiments a double flange twin ring frame hinge  1602  may be used to connect frame rails  222 . The double flange twin ring frame hinge  1602  is comprised of a double flange  1504  having a first flange portion  1506  and a second flange portion  1508 , and a twin ring portion  1404  having an upper ring portion  1406  and a lower ring portion  1408 . 
         [0052]      FIG. 17  shows an exemplary triple flange frame hinge  1702  from various angles. The triple flange frame hinge  1702  is capable of supporting three triangular frames  102 , allowing three triangular frames  102  to be connected using a single frame hinge of this type, rather than requiring a separate single flange frame hinge  108  to connect each of the triangular frames  102  at the vertex  224 . Two triple flange frame hinges  1702  can be combined to support six triangular frames  102  in a triangular configuration as shown in  FIG. 4 . In certain embodiments, a triple flange frame hinge  1702  may be used to connect frame rails  222 . The triple flange frame hinge  1702  is comprised of a ring portion  1002  and a triple flange portion  1704  having a first flange portion  1706 , a second flange portion  1708 , and a third flange portion  1710 . In an embodiment, the first flange portion  1706 , the second flange portion  1708 , and the third flange portion  1710  each may function separately as a flange portion  1004  when connecting frame rails  222  as depicted in  FIGS. 10-12 . 
         [0053]      FIG. 18  shows an exemplary triple flange twin ring frame hinge  1802  from various angles. Similar to the embodiment of the triple flange frame hinge  1702  shown in  FIG. 17 , the triple flange twin ring frame hinge  1602  allows a single frame hinge of this type to connect three triangular frames  102 . In certain embodiments a triple flange twin ring frame hinge  1802  may be used to connect frame rails  222 . The triple flange twin ring frame hinge  1802  is comprised of a triple flange portion  1704  having a first flange portion  1706 , a second flange portion  1708 , and a third flange portion  1710 , and a twin ring portion  1404  having an upper ring portion  1406  and a lower ring portion  1408 . 
         [0054]    The vertical positioning of the flange portions relative to each other and to the ring portions as depicted in  FIGS. 13-18  are examples. It is understood to those of ordinary skill in the art that the flange portions and the ring portions may be located in any number of vertical positions relative to each other, including having a means to adjust the vertical position of the flange portions relative to each other and to the ring portions. Furthermore, the distribution of the flange portions relative to each other depicted in  FIGS. 15-18  are examples. It is understood to those of ordinary skill in the art that the flange portions may be distributed about the ring portions in any number of degrees relative to each other, including but not limited to adjacent and touching to each other to equally distributed around the ring portions. 
         [0055]      FIG. 19  shows a disassembled exemplary o-rail  116 . In an embodiment, each o-rail  116  is comprised of an o-rail member  1902  having a first end  1910  and a second end  1912 , with a receiving mechanism within said first end  1910  and said second end  1912 , and two o-rail frame hinges  1904 . Each o-rail hinge  1904  has a ring portion  1002  and a connecting mechanism for interconnecting the o-rail hinge  1904  to the receiving mechanism of an o-rail member  1902 . In one embodiment, the connecting mechanism is a vertical flange portion  1916  and the receiving mechanism is an interior channel  1914  such that the vertical flange portion  1916  of an o-rail hinge  1904  slides into and is disposed within the interior channel  1914  of an o-rail member  1902 , thereby interconnecting the o-rail member  1902  with the o-rail hinge  1904 . Also, in certain embodiments nuts  1908  and bolts  1906  are used to further secure an o-rail member  1902  to the vertical flange portion  1916  of an o-rail hinge  1904 . The use of nuts  1908  and bolts  1906  to secure an o-rail member  1902  to the vertical flange portion  1916  of an o-rail hinge  1904  is for convenience. It is understood to those of ordinary skill in the art that other means for securing two component parts of a frame work equally as well. In embodiments, the relative position of the ring portion  1002  on the o-rail hinge  1904  may vary, similar to the manner in which the flange portion  1004  can vary in position relative to the ring portion  1002  of the frame hinge, as described with respect to  FIG. 13 . This potential to vary position of the ring portion  1002  allows the o-rail  116  to be connected to other o-rails  116 , such that the o-rails are of even height. 
         [0056]      FIG. 20  shows a disassembled diagonal support rail  120 . In embodiments, each diagonal support rail  120  is comprised of a diagonal rail member  2004  having a first angled end  2006  and a second angled end  2008 , with a receiving mechanism within said first angled end  2006  and said second angled end  2008 , and two o-rail frame hinges  1904 . Each o-rail hinge  1904  has a ring portion  1002  and a connecting mechanism for interconnecting the o-rail hinge  1904  to the receiving mechanism of an diagonal rail member  2004 . In one embodiment, the connecting mechanism is a vertical flange portion  1916  and the receiving mechanism is an interior channel  2010  such that the vertical flange portion  1916  of an o-rail hinge  1904  slides into and is disposed within the interior channel  2010  of an diagonal rail member  2004 , thereby interconnecting the diagonal rail member  2004  with the o-rail hinge  1904 . Also, in certain embodiments nuts  1908  and bolts  1906  are used to further secure an diagonal rail member  2004  to the vertical flange portion  1916  of an o-rail hinge  1904 . The use of nuts  1908  and bolts  1906  to secure an diagonal rail member  2004  to the vertical flange portion  1916  of an o-rail hinge  1904  is for convenience. It is understood to those of ordinary skill in the art that other means for securing two component parts of a frame work equally as well. 
         [0057]      FIG. 21  shows six exemplary o-rail hinges  1904 . The exemplary o-rail hinges depicted in  FIG. 21  show various configurations of the ring portions  1002  and the vertical flange portion  1916 . The configurations depicted in  FIG. 21  are only examples. It is understood to those of ordinary skill in the art that other configurations are possible. 
         [0058]      FIG. 22  shows exemplary vertical supports  204 , bottom caps  202 , spacer rings  206 , spacer bars  210 , and top caps  214 . The vertical support  204  is comprised of top portion  2202  and a bottom portion  2204 , with a receiving mechanism within said top portion  2202  and said bottom portion  2204 . In an embodiment, the vertical support  204  is cylindrical in shape with the diameter of the top portion  2202  being smaller than the diameter of the bottom portion  2204 . In an embodiment, the receiving mechanism in the bottom portion  2204  is a countersunk bore hole  2206 , and the receiving mechanism in the top portion  2202  is an aperture  2208 . In an embodiment, the countersunk bore hole  2206  is adapted to receive a bottom cap  202 . The bottom cap  202  is comprised of a base portion  2210  and a vertical support portion  2212 , with a receiving mechanism within said vertical support portion  2212 . In an embodiment, the receiving mechanism in the vertical support portion  2212  is an aperture  2214 . The spacer ring  206  is comprised of an open-ended hollow cylinder which is adapted to be slidably removable onto a vertical support  204 . The top cap  214  is comprised of a cap portion  2216  and a tube portion  2218 , which is adapted to be slidably removable onto a spacer bar  210 . The spacer bar  210  is comprised of a top portion  2220  and a bottom portion  2222 , with a receiving mechanism within said top portion  2220  and said bottom portion  2222 . In an embodiment, the spacer bar  210  is cylindrical in shape with the diameter of the top portion  2220  being smaller than the diameter of the bottom portion  2222 . In an embodiment, the receiving mechanism in the bottom portion  2222  is an aperture  2226 , and the receiving mechanism in the top portion  2220  is an aperture  2224 . In an embodiment the spacer bar  210  is adapted to be slidably removable onto a vertical support  204 . 
       CONCLUSION 
       [0059]    While various embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by the way of example only, and not limitation. 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 as defined. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments.