Abstract:
A modular rack for storing wine bottles comprising a plurality of base frames, said base frames being rectangular and provided in a center thereof with a circular hole and in a periphery thereof with a plurality of slots, a plurality of support rods provided in a periphery thereof with a plurality of slots; and said plurality of slots capable of coupling with any other of said plurality of slots when mated perpendicularly thus forming a friction-lock.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
     The present invention generally relates to a wine rack assembly and building kit and associated methods. More particularly, the present invention relates to a kit formed of interchangeable parts which are capable of locking together to form wine racks and other storage containers enabling a customer to customize their storage space for both efficiency and aesthetics. 
     Discussion of the Prior Art 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,558,980 (&#39;980 Patent), which issued to Sturdican, discloses a Multi-Leaved Tablet and Method of Forming Same. The &#39;980 Patent describes a multi-leaved tablet of this invention consists of leaves with corresponding surface portions adhesively interconnected and with corresponding surface portions free to fold relative to adjacent leaves. The leaves are of predetermined configuration and are die cut from a plurality of panels arranged so that they overlap. An area of adhesive interconnects portions of the surfaces of adjoining panels. This area has a rectilinear peripheral segment, and each die-cut leaf includes at least a portion of the rectilinear peripheral segment of the adhesive area. The rectilinear peripheral segment of the adhesive area is coincident with the folding axes of the leaves. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,715,503 (&#39;503 Patent), which issued to Johnson discloses an Interlocking Joint Wine Rack. The &#39;503 Patent essentially describes a wine rack which has no fasteners or adhesives at the three-dimensional joints, but rather the joints are all formed so that the three intersecting cross pieces interlock in such a way that a tight joint construction occurs strictly by virtue of the way the members are cut in the joint region, and the way in which the members are interlocked. The interlocking and connecting of cubic cells provides a rigid structure capable of accepting loads in any direction and allowing the rack to be mounted in any orientation, with single point wall mounting possible wherein the rack can withstand full loading with no distortion. The modular cell configuration is adapted to the construction of lattice beams and other arrangements besides wine racks. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,947,305 (&#39;305 Patent), which issued to Lin, discloses a Modular Rack for Wine Bottles. The &#39;433 Patent describes a modular rack for holding wine bottles is formed of a plurality of base frames and support rods. The base frames are provided in the center thereof with a bottle-holding space and in the periphery thereof with a plurality of tenons, mortises, and slots. The base frames are arranged together in various ways such that the tenons of one of the base frames are retained in the mortises of another one of the base frames, and that the support rods are engaged with the slots of the base frames. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 7,168,580 (&#39;580 Patent), which issued to Larimer et al., describes a Rack. The &#39;580 Patent describes a rack which includes a first lower wire bend, a second lower wire bend, a first upper wire bend, and a second upper wire bend. The first section also includes a first pivot coupling into which is received a first end of each of the first and second lower wire bends and into which is received a first end of each of the first and second upper wire bends. The first section also includes a second pivot coupling into which is received a second end of each of the first and second lower wire bends and into which is received a second end of each of the first and second upper wire bends. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 7,946,544 (&#39;544 Patent), which issued to Benshetrit, describes a Folding Support or Frame Structure. The &#39;544 Patent discloses a structure that has an open and closed configuration. In the open configuration, the structure is free standing and is able to support weight. In the closed configuration, the structure is flat. The structure is formed of two elements that are interlocked at their corners in a manner that allows them to pivot with respect to each other. Chamfered surfaces on the sides of the elements provide stops limiting the motion between the elements. Several structures may be combined to form composite products. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 9,038,834 (&#39;834 Patent), which issued to Liu, describes a simple shelving structure that can be readily and rapidly installed. The &#39;834 Patent describes a shelving structure which may include a predetermined number of shelf boards, rear plates, connecting members, and frame members. The shelf board is a rectangular board with two expanded side edges. The rear plate is a hexagonal plate with corners modified into arc-shaped inward recesses and with U-shaped slots extending inwards in the middle of the recesses. The U-shaped slot has continuous undulating bounding edges on both of its sides. The connecting member has two clamping planes linked by a base. The frame member has three equally distributed holding slots extending through both ends. Each outer surface between two neighboring holding slots of the connecting member has a recessed strip with regularly spaced extension plates for installing additional components. The shelving structure can be readily installed or uninstalled and can be modified or rearranged according to space restraint or other requirements. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Storage racks and storage compartments are routinely needed in the house, or in commercial and industrial applications. They provide an area to suspend and/or protect an object for later use and simple access. Not all spaces, however are capable of accommodating a large, prefabricated storage compartment, thus there is a need for a modular rack which is capable of being adapted to fit into limited or unorthodox spaces to maximize the user&#39;s storage space, given the limitations of the environment. Specifically, pertaining to wine bottles, storage racks of standardized size and design cannot be arranged or fitted together in a variety of ways in to accommodate the varying numbers of bottles a user would wish to store, nor are they capable of being placed in small or unorthodox spaces while accommodating the desired number of bottles of wine a user may wish to store. Additionally, pre-fabricated storage racks are often expensive and cumbersome limiting much of their utility to a consumer. Therefore the present invention contemplates a modular rack which is intended to hold wine bottles and is composed of units of can be arranged or fitted together in a variety of ways in a do-it-yourself (DIY) manner. 
     Furthermore, a limitation of a storage rack or storage compartment is that, by design, it creates a space that is unoccupied, i.e. for holding a bottle of wine. However, this is an impediment when storing or shipping the storage rack itself as it occupies a much greater space than is desired. Oftentimes, as a result, storage racks are expensive to ship whether for sale over the internet, or during a household move. Thus, it is desirable for a storage rack to be capable of being broken down in a way to minimize the amount of so-called “dead space” between the components and re-assembled by hand at a subsequent location. Therefore the present invention further contemplates a storage rack which is composed of interchangeable units that can disassembled and stored in a way that minimizes the dead space between the parts, thus facilitating simple storage and shipping of the storage rack and its components. 
     In one embodiment the invention considers a modular storage rack having at least two interconnecting pieces wherein a first interconnecting piece comprises a linear interconnecting piece comprising at least one matable connection slit, wherein a second interconnecting piece comprises a rectangular interconnecting piece with a circular interior, the exterior comprising at least one matable connection slit, and wherein the first and second interconnecting pieces are joined at the matable connection slits to form the modular storage rack. 
     In another embodiment the invention considers a modular rack, said modular rack having a plurality of base frames, said base frames being rectangular and provided in a center thereof with a circular hole and in a periphery thereof with a plurality of slots, a plurality of support rods provided in a periphery thereof with a plurality of slots, and said plurality of slots capable of coupling with any other of said plurality of slots when mated perpendicularly thus forming a friction-lock. 
     In another embodiment the invention considers a method of assembling a modular storage rack, the method having at least the steps of providing a plurality of base frames and a plurality of support rods, said base frames being rectangular and provided in a center thereof with a circular hole and in a periphery thereof with a plurality of slots, said support rods provided in a periphery thereof with a plurality of slots, orienting said plurality of base frames and plurality of support rods to a desired configuration, mating said plurality of base frames and plurality of support rods at said plurality of slots, and thereby assembling said modular storage rack into said desired configuration. 
     In another embodiment the invention considers a method of assembling a modular storage rack having at least the steps of providing a packaging wherein all components of a modular rack are stored in parallel, said components comprising a plurality of base frames and a plurality of support rods, said base frames being rectangular and provided in a center thereof with a circular hole and in a periphery thereof with a plurality of slots, said support rods provided in a periphery thereof with a plurality of slots, shipping said packaging to a desired location, removing said components from said packaging, orienting said plurality of base frames and plurality of support rods to a desired configuration, mating said plurality of base frames and plurality of support rods at said plurality of slots, and thereby assembling said modular storage rack into said desired configuration. 
     Such embodiments do not represent the full scope of the invention. Reference is made therefore to the claims herein for interpreting the full scope of the invention. Other objects of the present invention, as well as particular features, elements, and advantages thereof, will be elucidated or become apparent from, the following description and the accompanying drawing figures. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Other features of my invention will become more evident from a consideration of the following brief descriptions of drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a preferred storage rack assembly occupied by wine bottles. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the preferred storage rack assembly of  FIG. 1  without accompanying wine bottles and with close up view of the mating mechanism of the interconnecting components. 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded view of the preferred storage rack assembly of  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
         FIG. 4  is a side elevation view of a preferred configuration of a storage rack assembly. 
         FIG. 5  is a side a side elevation view of the preferred configuration of  FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 . 
         FIG. 6  is a side elevation view of a preferred configuration of a storage rack assembly having one face rotated perpendicular to the side on view. 
         FIG. 7  is a side elevation view of a preferred linear configuration of a storage rack assembly. 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a component piece to certain preferred embodiments of a storage rack assembly. 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a component piece to certain preferred embodiments of a storage rack assembly. 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a component piece to certain preferred embodiments of a storage rack assembly. 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view of a component piece to certain preferred embodiments of a storage rack assembly. 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view of a component piece to certain preferred embodiments of a storage rack assembly. 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective view of a component piece to certain preferred embodiments of a storage rack assembly. 
         FIG. 14  is a perspective view of a component piece to certain preferred embodiments of a storage rack assembly. 
         FIG. 15  is a perspective view of a component piece to certain preferred embodiments of a storage rack assembly. 
         FIG. 16  is an exploded view of a preferred embodiment of the storage rack assembly for shipping and accompanying packing materials. 
         FIG. 17  is a side elevation view of the embodiment of  FIG. 16  displayed fully packed. 
         FIG. 18  is an exploded view of a preferred embodiment of the storage rack assembly for display and retail, and accompanying packing materials. 
         FIG. 19  is a perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 18  with all materials within the display box. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring now the drawings with more specificity, the present invention essentially provides a storage rack or wine rack assembly as at  10  in the form of a modular storage rack assembly that can be easily constructed and deconstructed by hand or other similar means. The storage rack  10  according to the present invention preferably comprises a three-dimensional construction comprised of two or more differing types of interlocking pieces the first  11  having a space for holding an item such as a bottle of wine  15 ; and a second being a supporting and connecting structure  12 ; each type of interlocking piece having at least one matable connection slit  13 . 
     The storage rack assembly  10  is preferably constructed from any number of moldable polymeric or plastic materials. Preferably the material may be polycarbonate plastic to enhance the rack&#39;s strength while maintaining its lightweight and economical features. Such moldable materials may be provided with select coloration such as transparent, clear, white, black, red, green, and other colorings are contemplated in various embodiments. Alternatively, it is further contemplated that the translucent form may be outfitted (i.e. colored materials or media may be added to surfacing of the form  11 ) with select coloration to effect the desired coloration. Alternatively, it is contemplated that the rack may be constructed from aluminum, nickel, brushed nickel, or other metals or alloys to suit the user&#39;s aesthetic and/or durability needs. 
     The storage rack assembly  10  preferably comprises a three-dimensional construction comprised of two or more differing types of interlocking pieces; the first  11  preferably having a space for holding an item; and a second preferably being a supporting and connecting structure  12 ; each type of interlocking piece having at least one matable connection slit  13 . A storage space  16 , occupied in  FIG. 1  by wine bottle  15  is preferably defined by two or more base frames  11  connected by two or more support rods  12  thereby defining a space where an item can be stored. Looking now, to  FIGS. 2 and 3  connection slits on adjacent parts of the storage rack assembly can be mated by positioning one slit perpendicular to the slit on an adjacent part and applying pressure creating a friction lock  14  between the adjacent pieces of the rack assembly. 
       FIGS. 2, 3, and 5  illustrate a preferred step pyramid type embodiment  20  of the invention. Preferably the step pyramid is composed of at least six of base frames  11  and at least ten support rods  12 . In such an embodiment, a side elevation view demonstrates that the front and back faces  21  are formed by three base frames arranged in a triangular or step pyramid configuration. In such a configuration two base modules  11  form a base and are straddled by a third base module  11 . The front and back faces  21  are connected by linking support rods  12 . The links  29  between pieces in this particular embodiment are further illustrated by way of example in  FIG. 3 . 
     While the figures relating to this embodiment show the faces of the pyramid  21  oriented at the outermost mating slit  13  on the support rods  22 ,  23 , it is contemplated (for this and other embodiments) that one or more base modules  11  may be moved to an inner mating slit  24 ,  25  to narrow the space between the base modules to accommodate smaller bottles or other articles to be stored on the rack. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a preferred L-shaped or bent embodiment  30  of the invention. Preferably the L-shape embodiment is composed of at least six of base frames  11  and at least four support rods  12 . In such an embodiment, a side elevation view demonstrates that the front and back faces  31  are formed by three base frames arranged in a L-shape as seen in  FIG. 4 . In such a configuration two base modules  11  form a line and are connected to a third base module  11  perpendicular or at a 90 degree angle from the direction of such a line. The front and back faces  31  are connected by linking support rods  12 . In addition to the support rods  12  show, it may be desirable to place additional support rods  12  at the matable slits  32  at the bottom of the construction to increase the stability in this embodiment. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates a preferred offset pyramid type embodiment  40  of the invention. Preferably the offset step pyramid is composed of at least six of base frames  11  and at least ten support rods  12 . In such an embodiment, a side elevation view demonstrates that the front and back faces  41  are formed by two base frames  11  arranged in a linear configuration and two additional base frames  11  rotated perpendicular to the faces  41  forming a second set of faces  42 . The front and back faces  41  are connected by linking support rods  12 . The second set of faces  42  straddle connecting support rods  12  that connect the top portions of the first set of faces  41 . Noticeably, in such an embodiment, the rotated base frames are elevated comparatively to the face  41  compared to in previous embodiments where all the base frames form a unified face. 
       FIG. 7  illustrates a preferred linear embodiment  50  of the invention. Preferably the linear embodiment is composed of at least six of base frames  11  and at least six support rods  12 . In such an embodiment, a side elevation view demonstrates that the front and back faces  51  are formed by three base frames arranged in a linear or I-shape as seen in  FIG. 7 . In such a configuration three base modules  11  form a line. The front and back faces  51  are connected by linking support rods  12 . In addition to the support rods  12  show, it may be desirable to place additional support rods  12  at any of the matable slits  13  at the periphery of the construction to increase the stability in this embodiment, or to connect to another construction. 
       FIGS. 8-15  illustrate preferred embodiments of various constituent, interchangeable parts that may preferably be used to form a modular storage rack or wine rack  10 . 
     Referring specifically now to  FIG. 8 ,  FIG. 8  illustrates a rectangular backing piece  60  for use in wine rack constructions. In a preferred embodiment, backing piece  60  utilizes twelves matable slits  13  around the periphery. Preferably, two longer sides  61  contain four matable slits  13  and the two shorter sides  62  contain two matable slits  13 . Referring with specificity, backing piece  60  preferably has a thickness of ⅛ inches (⅛″). Matable slits  13  are preferably ⅛″ wide and ¼″ deep, preferably matable slits  13  are preferably spaced, with 2⅛″ spacing between edges of each slit. 
       FIG. 9  illustrates a perspective view of support rod  12 . In a preferred embodiment support rod  12  has eight matable slits  13  on its periphery with four on each of its longer sides. Support rod  13  also has rounded edges  71 . Referring with specificity, support rod  12  preferably has a length of 7.85″, a width of 1″, and a thickness of ⅛″. Matable slits  13  are preferably ⅛″ wide and ¼″ deep, matable slits  13  are preferably spaced, with 2⅛″ spacing between edges of each slit. The distance from the edge of the outermost matable slit  72  to the top of the rounded edge  71  preferably is 31/64″, and the radius of rounded edge  71  is 8/16″. 
       FIG. 10  illustrates a perspective view of elongated support rod  80 . In a preferred embodiment support rod  80  has ten matable slits  13  on its periphery with four on each of its longer sides and one occupying the center of each rounded edge  81 . Referring with specificity, support rod  80  preferably has a width of 1″ and a thickness of ⅛″. Matable slits  13  are preferably ⅛″ wide and ¼″ deep, matable slits  13  are preferably spaced, with 2⅛″ spacing between edges of each slit. 
       FIG. 11  illustrates a perspective view of shortened support rod  90 . In a preferred embodiment support rod  90  has eight matable slits  13  on its periphery with three on each of its longer sides and one occupying the center of each rounded edge  91 . Referring with specificity, support rod  90  preferably has a width of 1″ and a thickness of ⅛″. Matable slits  13  are preferably ⅛″ wide and ¼″ deep, matable slits  13  are preferably spaced, with 2⅛″ spacing between edges of each slit. 
       FIG. 12  illustrates a perspective view of pivoting support rod  100 . In a preferred embodiment pivoting support rod  100  has two matable slits  13  on its periphery with one on each of its longer sides near rounded edge  101 . A hole  102  is located at the radial center of opposing curved edge  103  where a user may connect a pin, nail, or other circular connecting device to allow parts of the construction to be attached to other constructions such as a wall, desktop, bookcase, etc. Such a connection may be fixed or pivotable depending on the user&#39;s choice of connecting means. Referring with specificity, pivoting support rod  100  preferably has a width of 1″ and a thickness of ⅛″. Matable slits  13  are preferably ⅛″ wide and ¼″ deep. 
       FIG. 13  illustrates a perspective view of base frame  11  In a preferred embodiment base frame  11  has eight matable slits  13  on its periphery with two on each of its sides. Base frame  11  also has rounded edges  111 , and an inner circular cutout  112 . Referring with specificity, base frame  11  preferably has a length of 4½″, a width of 4½″, and a thickness of ⅛″. Matable slits  13  are preferably ⅛″ wide and ¼″ deep, matable slits  13  are preferably spaced, with 2⅛″ spacing between edges of each slit. The distance from the edge of a matable slit  12  to the top of the rounded edge  111  preferably is 1 1/16″, and the radius of rounded edges  111  is 6/16″. Inner circle  112  preferably has a diameter of 3 12/16″. 
       FIG. 14  illustrates a perspective view of connecting piece  121 . In a preferred embodiment connecting piece  121  has four matable slits  13  on its periphery spaced 90 degrees from each other around the edge of the circular piece. Referring with specificity, connecting piece  121  preferably has a thickness of ⅛″. Matable slits  13  are preferably ⅛″ wide and ¼″ deep. 
       FIG. 15  illustrates a perspective view of connecting piece  122 . In a preferred embodiment connecting piece  122  has two matable slits  13  on its periphery spaced 180 degrees from each other around the edge of the circular piece. Referring with specificity, connecting piece  121  preferably has a thickness of ⅛″. Matable slits  13  are preferably ⅛″ wide and ¼″ deep. 
       FIGS. 16-19  illustrate preferred embodiments of various packaging styles, materials, and means that may preferably be used to transport or display modular storage rack or wine rack  10 . 
       FIGS. 16 and 17  specifically illustrate a preferred, compact, shipping embodiment of the storage and wine rack  10 . This embodiment can transport at least six base modules  11  and at least ten connecting rods  12 . Base modules  11  are preferably stacked into two columns and connecting rods  12  are preferably stacked into five columns. After the base modules  11  and connecting rods  12  are stacked together they are placed into containment means  201 , which is preferably stock or cardboard. This is covered by decorative covering  202  which is preferably composed of some paper or stock. The shipping apparatus is wrapped in plastic wrapping  203  to form a final product for shipping. 
       FIGS. 18 and 19  specifically illustrate a preferred decorative packaging box  210  for display, shipping, and sale of the product. The packaging box preferably has a transparent display  211  for viewing the contents of the box during display in a retail environment. This embodiment can transport at least six base modules  11  and at least ten connecting rods  12 . Packaging material  212  holds base modules  11  and connecting rods  12  in a visually pleasing spine-and-ribs alignment for viewing through transparent display  211 . The spine-and-ribs alignment essentially secures the connecting rods  12  grouped in the center of the box visible through the transparent display and secures the base modules  11  perpendicular to the first interconnecting pieces such that connecting rods  12  pass through the center hole of the second interconnecting pieces and the base modules  11  are spaced vertically from each other within the box such that they are individually recognizable to the eye. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3  an exemplary method of assembling a modular storage rack  10  is illustrated. Demonstrated herein, a user provides a plurality of base frames  11  and a plurality of support rods  12 . Those frames and rods can be oriented in approximately the way pictured in  FIG. 3  to achieve a final configuration  20  (shown assembled in  FIG. 2 ). After arranging the frames and rods as seen in  FIG. 3  the use can mate the frames rods at matable slits  13  to form friction locks  14  thereby assembling the storage rack into a final configuration  20 . Additional, analogous, methods are contemplated for assembling the preferred embodiments pictured in  FIGS. 4-7  as well as various other embodiments not shown. 
     Accordingly, although the invention has been described by reference to certain preferred and alternative embodiments, it is not intended that the novel arrangements be limited thereby, but that modifications thereof are intended to be included as falling within the broad scope and spirit of the foregoing disclosures and the appended drawings.