Abstract:
A lightweight, freestanding modular changing room system which can be assembled using few or no tools. The modular freestanding changing room system may consist of as few as four unique components--interchangeable wall panels, door panel assemblies, and two types of panel support columns. Additional components may be added to create more elaborate changing room configurations.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to a modular changing room, and in particular, to a method and apparatus for providing a low cost, lightweight changing room that can be assembled and disassembled by a single individual, using few or no tools. 
     DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART 
     Freestanding changing or fitting rooms, commonly found in retail clothing stores, suffer from a variety of shortcomings. Some freestanding changing rooms are constructed of wall panels attached to extruded members by various hardware, such as fasteners and pins. However, hardware adds to the complexity and cost of the system, as well as increasing the assembly time. Tools are often required for attaching hardware to wall panels or corner members of some freestanding changing rooms. Additionally, hardware has a tendency to come loose over time, which can undermine the stability of the structure. 
     Wall panels of some freestanding changing rooms are constructed of plywood or particle board, which is extremely heavy. The weight of the wall panels adds to the shipping cost, and hence the overall cost of the system. Due to the complexity of assembly and weight of some components, it is common practice to require two or more workers several days to assemble a typical freestanding changing room. 
     The corner members in many freestanding changing rooms support the weight of the wall panels. Consequently, the corner members can permanently deform carpeting and crack floor tiles. Consequently, many freestanding changing rooms which are theoretically mobile, are not moved in practice so as to hide damage to the underlying floor covering. 
     Another shortcoming of many prior changing rooms is that the wall panels are not symmetrical. Consequently, certain wall panels can only be used in certain locations, depending on the configuration of the freestanding changing room. These non-symmetrical panels add to the complexity of assembling the room and the overall cost of the system. 
     In many freestanding changing rooms, the doors for individual changing rooms are hung on the extruded corner members. Consequently, it is extremely important that the door frame is square and remains square over an extended period of time, so that the door closes properly. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to a lightweight, modular, freestanding changing room system which can be assembled with few or no tools. The modular freestanding changing room system may consist of as few as four unique components--interchangeable wall panels, door panel assemblies, and two types of panel support columns. 
     The modular freestanding changing room system of the present invention consists essentially of symmetrical wall panels, panel support columns, and door panels which can be assembled easily and quickly with the use of few or no tools. 
     The extruded panel support columns have at least two pairs of opposing side walls, each defining a channel. Each side wall has a flange protruding into the channel for engagement with a mating slot along an edge portion of wall panels and door panel assemblies. The door panel assemblies and wall panels have a common width so that they are interchangeable at any location along the modular changing room. The door panel assemblies are preferably symmetrical, so that they can be reversed to provide a door opening inward or outward relative to a changing room. 
     The flanges on the panel support columns and elongated slots along the edge portions of the wall panels have a complementary curved surface. However, it will be understood that a variety of shapes may be used for engaging the wall panels with the panel support columns. 
     The height of the wall panels may be less than the desired height of the walls of the modular changing room to reduce transportation costs. The top and bottom edges of the wall panels may be configured to interlock, such as with a tongue and groove arrangement. For example, the top edge of the panels may have a tongue portion and the bottom edge may have a groove portion so that the panels can be stacked in a releasable interlocking configuration. In one embodiment, the panel support columns are one third the desired height of the walls of the modular changing room so that a single panel support column spans the joint between an upper and a lower wall panel. 
     The panel support columns may also include a recess for receiving a merchandise display support member along an external surface of the modular changing room system. The merchandise display support member permits standardized merchandise display racks to be attached to an external surface of the changing room system. 
     Archway connectors may be used for connecting one or more changing rooms so as to provide additional stability to the modular changing room system. Archway connectors are particularly important when merchandise display racks are attached to an external surface of the changing room. 
     The present invention is also directed to a kit for constructing a modular changing room system. 
     The present method for assembling a modular changing room comprises slidably engaging extruded panel support columns with the side edge portions of wall panels and door panel assemblies until the modular changing room assumes the desired configuration. The modular nature of the changing room system permits additional changing rooms to be added to an existing freestanding changing room as needed. 
     The method of assembling the module changing room may also include slidably engaging a merchandise display support member into a recess in the panel support column along an external surface of the changing room system. A merchandise display may be attached to the display support member for providing additional merchandise display space. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of an exemplary modular changing room system; 
     FIG. 2 is an exemplary layout of the present modular changing room; 
     FIG. 3 perspective view of wall panels being engaged with panel support columns for assembling the present modular changing room; 
     FIG. 4 illustrates a side edge portion of an exemplary wall panel; 
     FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a wall panel engaging with exemplary panel support columns; 
     FIGS. 6a-6c illustrate the final assembly of the exemplary modular changing room of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary seat attached to wall panels of a modular changing room; 
     FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an exemplary door panel assembly for a modular changing room; 
     FIG. 9 is a perspective view of archway members connecting two groups of modular changing rooms; 
     FIG. 10 is a sectional view of a 2×90 panel support column; 
     FIG. 11 is a sectional view of a 2×180 panel support column; and 
     FIG. 12 is a sectional view of a 3×90 panel support column. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate an exemplary configuration of a freestanding modular changing room system 20. It will be understood that the present modular changing room system can be arranged in a virtually unlimited number of configurations. A plurality of wall panels 22 and door panel assemblies 24 are connected along edge portions thereof by lower panel support colunms 26. The lower panel support columns 26 extend approximately 1/3 the height of the door panel assemblies 24 and the lower wall panels 22 are approximately 1/2 the height of the door panel assemblies 24. 
     The exemplary freestanding modular changing room system 20 of FIGS. 1 and 2 is configured with an entrance 28 to a hallway 30 along which all of the door panel assemblies 24 are located. Doors 36 on the door panel assemblies 24 are preferably constructed to only open in one direction. The door panel assemblies 24 are symmetrical so that they can be reversed to permit the door 36 to open in either direction. For example, the door 38 on a handicapped access room 34 is arranged to open inward, while the remainder of the doors 36 for the other changing rooms 32 are arranged to open outward. As will be discussed in detail below, the door panel assemblies 24 are constructed of a rigid material which ensures that door frame 40 remains square relative to the doors 36, even if the modular changing room system 20 is assembled on an uneven surface or shifts during use. 
     FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate the engagement of a group of lower wall panels 22 with lower panel support columns 26. The lower wall panels 22 may include various structural recesses 23 to increase the structural integrity of the panels 22. A pair of slots 44, 46 are formed along edge portions 42 of each of the wall panels 22 (see FIG. 5). As will be discussed below, slots 44, 46 engage with complementary flanges 48, 50 (see FIG. 5) on the lower panel support columns 26. Top edge 50 of the lower wall panels 22 has a tongue portion 52 which engages with a mating groove portion 54 on the bottom edge 56 of an upper wall panel 60, as is illustrated in FIGS. 6a-6c. 
     FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the lower wall panels 22 engaged with a 3×90 panel support column 62 and a 2×90 panel support column 64. The 3×90 panel support column 62 permits three lower wall panels 22 to be attached at 90° increments. The 2×90 panel support column 64 permits two lower wall panels 22 to be attached at right angles. Side walls 66a and 66b define a channel 70 along one edge of the 3×90 panel support column 62. Likewise, side walls 66c-66f define additional channels 72, 74 at right angles to the channel 70. First and second flanges 48, 50 protrude into the channels 70, 72, 74 from the side walls 66a-66f. The slots 44, 46 in the lower wall panels 22 engage with the flanges 48, 50 to form a secure structure. 
     Recesses 58 with tabs 59 are formed along outside edges 61 of the panel support columns 62, 64 for receiving a merchandise display support member 63. The merchandise display support member 63 may be any of a variety of standardized extrusions, which typically contain a plurality of slots 65 for receiving merchandise display racks or shelving 67. 
     FIGS. 6a-6c illustrate the step of assembling the upper wall panels 60 to the exemplary modular changing room system configuration 20 of FIGS. 1 and 2. Middle panel support columns 80 illustrated in FIGS. 6b and 6c are inserted along the edge portions 42 (lines A-G) of the modular changing room system 20 illustrated in FIG. 6a. As discussed above, the lower panel support columns 26 only extend approximately 1/3 the height of the door panel assemblies 24. Consequently, approximately half the length of the middle panel support columns 80 extend along the lower wall panels 22. The upper wall panel 60 and the upper panel support columns 82 are likewise engaged with the middle panel support columns 80 along lines A-G of the modular changing room system 20 of FIG. 6a. 
     The lower, middle and upper panel support columns 26, 80, 82 along a particular edge portion 42 are preferably identical. Additionally, the upper and lower wall panels 22, 60 preferably are identical, so as to be completely interchangeable. In particular, the tongue portion 52 (see FIG. 3) of any panel 22, 60 may be interlocked with the groove portion 54 of any other wall panels 22, 60. 
     The panel support columns 26, 80, 82 are preferably constructed of extruded aluminum. However, it will be understood that they may be constructed of a variety of materials, including other metals, plastic, or composite materials. The wall panels 22, 60 and door panel assemblies 24 are preferably constructed of high density polyethylene plastic using a blow molding process which creates a hollow panel which is extremely lightweight and durable. The wall panels 22, 60 and door panel assemblies 24 may alternatively be constructed of low density polyethylene, polypropylene, other thermoplastic materials and thermoset plastics. A roto-molding may be substituted for the blow molding process. Depending on the construction of the various components, it has been found that a rubber mallet may be necessary to slide the wall panels 22, 24, 60 into the panel support columns 26, 80, 82 and to insure that the tongue and groove portions 52, 54 are interlocked. 
     FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a seat 90 attached to a corner formed by two lower wall panels 22. The seat 90 may be attached to the wall panels 22 by a variety of fasteners 95, which are known in the art. If screws are used for fasteners 95, a screw drive will be required. FIG. 7 also illustrates the interlocking engagement 53 of the upper wall panel 60 with the lower wall panel 22. 
     FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an exemplary door panel assembly 24. The door 36 is preferably hinged to the door panel assembly 24 so that it opens only in one direction. A mirror 92 may be attached to a recess 94 on the inside surface of the door 36 by fasteners 95. A similar recess is located on the opposite side of the door 36 (not shown) to permit the mirror 92 to be moved in the event that the door panel 24 is reversed to open in the other direction. As discussed in connection with FIG. 3, the edge portion 42 of the door panel assemblies 24 have the same slot configuration 44, 46 for engagement with the panel support columns 26, 80, 82. Finally, a doorknob or other suitable closure means 96 may be provided with the door 36. 
     FIG. 9 is a schematic illustration of the exemplary modular changing room system 20 of FIG. 1 including archway members 100 for attaching adjacent rows of changing rooms 102, 104 on opposite sides of the hallway 30. The archway members 100 provide additional support to the modular changing room system 20, especially when merchandise display racks 67 are attached to any of the outer surfaces of the modular changing room system assembly. 
     FIG. 10 is a sectional view of an alternate 2×90 panel support column 110 having a structural opening 112. Flanges 114 are formed inward of channels 116 and 118 for engagement with the slots 44, 46 on the wall panels 22, 60 and door panel assemblies 24. An elongated recess 120 is provided on outer surfaces of the panel support column 110 for receiving merchandise display support members 63. 
     FIG. 11 is an alternate 2×180 panel support column 130 having a similar recess 132 defining an elongated slot 122. The panel support column 130 includes a pair of channels 138, 140 spaced 180° apart. Flanges 114 extend into the channels 138, 140 for engagement with the wall panels 22, 60 and door panel assemblies 24. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 11, inner and outer tabs 134, 136 are provided for defining the elongated slot 122. 
     FIG. 12 illustrates an alternate 3×90 panel support column defining the channels 142, 144, 146 at 90° intervals. Flanges 114 extend into the channels 142, 144, 146 for engagement with the wall panels 22, 60 and door panel assemblies 24. The elongated slot 122 is provided on the fourth side of the panel support column 141 for receiving a merchandise display support member 63. 
     In the embodiment discussed above, the lower and upper wall panels 24 and 60 are identical, and therefore fully interchangeable. Consequently, the modular changing room system 20 of FIGS. 1 and 2 may be constructed from five unique components--wall panels, door panel assemblies, and three variations of the panel support columns. If the handicap access room 34 is removed, the 2×180 panel support column 130 is no longer needed, and the entire modular changing room system 20 can be constructed from four unique components. 
     Although the invention has been described with respect to specific preferred embodiments, it should be appreciated that other embodiments utilizing the concept of the present invention are possible without departing from the scope of the invention. The invention, for example, is not intended to be limited to the specific cross section of the panel support columns disclosed in the embodiments; rather the invention is defined by the claims and equivalents thereof.