Patent Publication Number: US-2022234833-A1

Title: Modular accessory for panel adherence devices

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/142,484, filed Jan. 27, 2021, entitled “Modular Accessory for Panel Adherence Devices,” the disclosures of which, including all attached documents, are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety for all purposes. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is generally directed to a modular accessory for panel adherence devices of the type that operably attach to individual panel products or sheet goods for fulfilling handling and transfer operations. More particularly, the modular accessory readily attaches to and conjunctively operates alongside the panel adherence device and engages the planar surface of the panel to assistively carry and maneuver moderately-sized, heavily-weighted panels regardless of orientation, while mitigating occurrences of material bending and twisting that may possibly exceed the flexural strength of the panel and result in stress fractures and irreversible damage to the panel. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Panel products or sheet goods of the type typically used for the construction industry, for example, may vary significantly in dimension and comprise a material composition ranging from foam to stone respectively constituting a panel&#39;s weight as light to heavy. During aspects of the manufacturing process, panels are mainly conveyed along an infrastructure of conveyer belts and/or roller platforms, whereupon completing fabrication, the panels may be individually stacked for transport or shipment on pallets, carts or containers using articulating arms configured with an arrangement of vacuum lifting plates that suitably engage with the planar surface of the panel to fulfill lifting and stacking tasks. Although transfer management of the panels during manufacture presents little to no challenge given the adequacy of the process&#39; design, it becomes increasingly more difficult to manage handling and maneuverability of the panel at moments of intermediate transfers after manufacture and installation, particularly if the panel is of sizeable dimension and heavily-weighted. Under most case scenarios, however, the panel is commonly and typically managed by personnel hand carrying the panel a short distance to yield its interim or final placement. 
     In recognition of the issues, a number of devices have been developed over time to fulfill ease by which one can lift, handle, transport, carry, and maneuver the individual panel for specific end uses and installations, while minimizing opportune moments of damage to the panel. In a simple, yet effective approach, a panel carrier of the type comprising an extended arm fitted at one end with an integrated handle and an opposite end configured with a hook-shaped portion that possesses capability to engage with a longitudinal side of the panel enables one or more individuals to load, lift and carry the panel substantially vertically to its intended destination Similar in concept, a panel dolly effects transfer of panels in like manner, whereby a framed receptable accepts and holds the longitudinal side of the panel while wheels attached to the framed receptable further aspects of movability without necessity of carrying the ensemble, with exception of initially loading the panel onto the panel dolly. Despite their simplicity, there remains issues associated with stability and bending of the panel to an extremity of possible breakage, as well as the inability to lift the panel vertically from its planar surface for placement upon a horizontal surface, for example. 
     In resolving the issue, where lifting of the panel from its planar surface is made possible, the art has devised portable panel adherence devices that in form may comprise a body and handle assembly configured with one or more suction cups capable being pressed onto the planar surface for ultimate hold thereon and a portable, hand-held vacuum plate lifter, generally resembling those used in the manufacturing process of panels. Vacuum plate lifters in general include a unified body configured with a bottom perimeter seal with aspects of deformability to form an underside vacuum chamber and operate on the principle of pneumatics, whereby a negative pressure is created and maintained within the vacuum chamber by a hose connecting to a vacuum pump source or alternatively by a compressed air source incorporating use of an adapter that fulfills a venturi effect. Regardless of the negative pressure source, one or more vacuum plate lifters can be placed anywhere relatively about the planar surface of the panel so as to facilitate lifting and carrying of the panel, regardless of the orientation of panel, but with due concern of weight limitations, as slippage may occur with heavier panels. The vacuum plate lifter may include provisions for direct handling thereof while attached to the panel, such as a bar handle attached to and extending from the body. In a more elaborate configuration, the capabilities to generate negative pressure may be embodied and integrated within the construct of the vacuum plate lifter that furthers unhindered management and placement of multiple vacuum plate lifters without due concern of and interference from piping or air supply lines extending from the vacuum pump or air compressor, such as the model manufactured by Nemo Power Tools Limited of Hong Kong, China and sold under the registered trademark Grabo®. 
     Although portable panel adherence devices in general are effective for their intended purpose of readily attaching to the planar surface of the panel and offering capabilities of handling and transporting the panel to its destination, there remains unresolved issues of unwanted bending, flexing, and twisting of the panel that may possibly exceed the flexural strength of the panel and cause breakage. Accordingly, there remains a need for a modular accessory that readily connects to and conjunctively operates with a variety of portable panel adherence devices, particularly offering to establish unified support for increased overall rigidity of the panel while it is being lifted from its planar surface for placement upon horizontal surfaces, such as for stacking and installation purposes. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In order to overcome the numerous drawbacks apparent in the prior art, a modular accessory for panel adherence devices has been devised for readily attaching to and conjunctively operating with panel adherence devices, such as vacuum plate lifters and suction cup plates of the particular type capable of adhering to the planar surface of the panel. 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a modular accessory for panel adherence devices that is modular and forms a structural framework to maintain overall rigidity of a panel such to lessen inadvertent opportunities of bending, flexing and twisting that may possibly exceed the flexural strength of the panel&#39;s material composition. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a modular accessory for panel adherence devices that includes integrated handles so as to sufficiently establish multiple handling locations relatively about the panel for secure and safe transport thereof, irrespective of its orientation. 
     It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a modular accessory for panel adherence devices is relatively simple in terms of design and construction and can be readily assembled for use alongside the panel adherence device. 
     It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a modular accessory for panel adherence devices that consists of modular, functional components capable of being used independently, apart from an assembly that offers to maintain rigidity of the panel. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a modular accessory for panel adherence devices that can be used with and support panels of varying dimension and material compositions, including, for example, thin, fragile sheets of porcelain and ceramic, as well as thick, heavy panels of granite and marble. 
     In accordance with the present invention a modular accessory for panel adherence devices has been devised to advance support and rigidity to a panel to enable safe handling and transport thereof to a desirable location, the modular accessory substantially including one or more bridge rails each being positioned alongside and connecting to the panel adherence device and having recessed portions for engaging top planar surfaces of box rails, the modular accessory further including peripheral devices in the form of an end rail and a spacing bar for connecting together multiple box rails, a bridge rail clamp for unifying connectivity between the bridge rail and box rail, a box rail lock for advancing connectivity between the box rail and panel, a corner support to further a perpendicular orientation and connection of a pair of box rails, and one or more moveable handles each being capable of attachment to an end of the box rail to supplement the existence of handles integrated within the structure of the bridge rail as well as generally associated with the panel adherence device, whereby activation of the adhering functionality of the panel adherence device in association with the panel consequentially interacts with the unified structure offered by the modular accessory to advance overall support and rigidity to the panel that minimizes the effects of bending and twisting thereof during handling operations, regardless of its orientation. 
     Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments thereof when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals depict the same parts in the various views. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a top perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention illustrating box rails connecting to an end rail and bridge and span rails being positioned alongside and connecting to panel adherence devices to hold downwardly the box rails to a planar surface of a panel; 
         FIG. 2  is a top plan view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention illustrating a pair of bridge rails each configured with a panel adherence device in the form of a vacuum plate for holding in place a pair of box rails; 
         FIG. 3  is a cross sectional view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention taken along lines  3 - 3  in  FIG. 2  illustrating a pair of bridge rails each configured with a panel adherence device having a deformable gasket forming an underside chamber; 
         FIG. 4  is a front perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention illustrating a bridge rail of solid form and separable from a panel adherence device and a pair of box rails; 
         FIG. 5  is a front side perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention illustrating a bridge rail having perimeter frame forming integral handles and an extended section configured with open sockets; 
         FIG. 6  is a top plan view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention illustrating a bridge rail; 
         FIG. 7  is a cross sectional view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention taken along lines  7 - 7  in  FIG. 6  illustrating a bridge rail having an extended section configured with open sockets and a perimeter frame forming integral handles; 
         FIG. 8  is a front perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention illustrating a first form of a span rail having an open framed member and a pair of outward arms; 
         FIG. 9  is a front elevational view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention illustrating a first form of a span rail having an open framed member formed by a pair of sides connecting to a top member and a pair of dual extending flanges; 
         FIG. 10  is a front perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention illustrating a second form of a span rail having an open framed member and a pair of extended members residing above a pair of outward arms; 
         FIG. 11  is a front elevational view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention illustrating a second form of a span rail having an open framed member formed by a pair of sides connecting to a top member and a pair of extended members residing above a pair of outward arms; 
         FIG. 12  is a front perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention illustrating a third form of a span rail having an open framed member, a pair of outward members, and an extended member residing above one of the outward arms and connecting to a vertical member forming an integral handle 
         FIG. 13  is a front elevational view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention illustrating a third form of a span rail having an open framed member formed by a pair of sides connecting to a top member, a pair of outward members, and an extended member residing above one of the outward arms and connecting to a vertical member forming an integral handle; 
         FIG. 14  is a front perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention illustrating a fourth form of a span rail having an open framed member and an outward arm; 
         FIG. 15  is a front elevational view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention illustrating a fourth form of a span rail having an open framed member formed by a pair of sides connecting to a top member and an outward arm; 
         FIG. 16  is a front perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention illustrating a fifth form of a span rail having an open framed member and an extended member residing above an outward arm; 
         FIG. 17  is a front elevational view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention illustrating a fifth form of a span rail having an open framed member formed by a pair of sides connecting to a top member and an extended member residing above an outward arm; 
         FIG. 18  is a front perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention illustrating a sixth form of a span rail having an open framed member, an extended member residing above an outward arm, and a pair of extended side members connecting to a horizontal member forming an upper handle; 
         FIG. 19  is a front elevational view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention illustrating a sixth form of a span rail having an open framed member formed by a pair of sides connecting to a top member, an extended member residing above an outward arm, and a pair of extended side members connecting to a horizontal member forming an upper handle; 
         FIG. 20  is a side perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention illustrating a bridge rail configured and attached to a panel adherence device for holding in place a pair of box rails and a bridge rail clamp attached to the box rail and having a hook mechanism engaging a lower support of the bridge rail; 
         FIG. 21  is a front perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention illustrating a bridge rail of extended length and having a pair of extended sections each configured alongside and connected to a panel adherence device; 
         FIG. 22  is a top plan view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention illustrating a bridge rail of extended length and positioned alongside a pair of panel adherence devices; 
         FIG. 23  is a side perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention illustrating a pair of bridge rails each positioned alongside and connected to a panel adherence device in the form of a vacuum plate for holding downwardly a pair of box rails; 
         FIG. 24  is a top plan view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention illustrating a bridge rail positioned alongside a panel adherence device and engaging a pair of box rails held in a spaced relation by a spacing bar attached thereto and a box rail lock simultaneously attaching to one of the box rails and a panel; 
         FIG. 25  is a side elevational view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention illustrating an end rail having adaptive blocks with each being configured with a slot and an aperture; 
         FIG. 26  is a top plan view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention illustrating an end rail having adaptive blocks with each being configured with a slot and an aperture suited for receiving an elongate pin; 
         FIG. 27  is a close-up plan view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention illustrating a spring-loaded pin for use with an adaptive block of an end rail; 
         FIG. 28  is a top plan view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention illustrating a spacing bar having a planar element at each of its ends and configured with a pair of bolts and square nuts; 
         FIG. 29  is a top perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention illustrating a spacing bar having a planar element at each of its ends and configured with a pair of bolts and square nuts; 
         FIG. 30  is a front perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention illustrating a corner support having two sides each configured with a profiled extension; 
         FIG. 31  is a side elevational view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention illustrating a corner support having two sides each configured with a profiled extension; 
         FIG. 32  is a front perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention illustrating a corner support having two sides each configured with a bolt and square nut arrangement; 
         FIG. 33  is a side elevational view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention illustrating a corner support having two sides each configured with a bolt and square nut arrangement; 
         FIG. 34  is a front perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention illustrating a bridge rail clamp having a rail adapter with first and second sideward members integrally connecting to a top plate, a connective member having a mount plate configured with a hook mechanism, and a cam lever attached to a mount post; 
         FIG. 35  is an exploded perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention illustrating a bridge rail clamp having a rail adapter with first and second sideward members, a connective member having a mount plate configured with a hook mechanism, and a cam lever; 
         FIG. 36  is an exploded perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention illustrating a box rail lock having a rail connector with first and second sideward elements, a cam ratching lever and a drop-down support; 
         FIG. 37  is a rear perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention illustrating a box rail lock having a rail connector with a second sideward element connecting to a backing plate forming a space for accommodating a drop-down support; 
         FIG. 38  is a top plan view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention illustrating a box rail lock having a rail connector configured with a pair of cam mount blocks supporting connection of a cam ratching lever; 
         FIG. 39  is a top perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention illustrating a moveable handle having an integral base connecting to an outward member and an adapter mount; and 
         FIG. 40  is a top plan of the preferred embodiment of the present invention illustrating a moveable handle having an integral base connecting to an outward member and an adapter mount configured with an aperture and an integral slot. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     While this invention is susceptible of being embodied in many different forms, the preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described in detail hereinafter with the understanding that the present disclosure purposefully exemplifies the principles of the present invention and is not intended to unduly limit the invention to the embodiments illustrated and presented herein. The present invention has particular utility as a modular accessory that readily connects to and operates conjunctively with panel adherence devices of the type capable of attaching to a planar surface of a panel or a sheet of material to facilitate handling and transfer thereof to a desired location. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , there is shown generally at  10  a modular accessory for panel adherence devices comprising a one or more box rails  12  suited for positioning relatively about a panel  14  and one or more bridge rails  16  that engage with the box rails and adaptively attaches to a panel adherence device  18  of the type commonly known in the art and capable of temporarily adhering to a planar surface  14   a  of the panel. The box rail in particular is shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3  to comprise top and bottom planar surfaces  12   a ,  12   b  generally arranged in a parallel relation to one another and first and second longitudinal sidewalls  12   c ,  12   d  integral with and separable by the planar surfaces with each having a T-slot  20  integrally formed therein to connectively interact with one or more peripheral devices  22 . Each individual box rail  12  may be solidly constructed or alternatively fabricated as an extrusion with a hollowed interior  24  and a center divider  26  forming a pair of longitudinal openings  28  extending the length of the box rail. Comparatively, each bridge rail  16 , generally of rectangular configuration, is shown in  FIG. 4  as comprising a solid, unified structure, or in the alternative, comprises a perimeter frame  30  with internal supports  30   a  forming integral handles  32  within the structure thereof, as in  FIGS. 5-7 . A bottom side  34  of the bridge rail is shown in  FIGS. 5 and 7  to include one or more extended sections  36  extending downwardly therefrom to form recessed portions  38  at the ends of and, in some cases, intermediate about the length of the bridge rail that aptly accommodates and engages with the top planar surface  12   a  of the box rail, whereby the extended section comprises a pair of outward walls  36   a  each of dimensional length set by the difference in heights between the top planar surface  12   a  of the box rail and a top side  18   a  of the panel adherence device  18 . The extended section may incorporate within its structure one or more cutouts  40  to spatially accommodate and bridge across operative components generally affiliated with the panel adherence device, such as a pressure gauge  42  of the type shown in  FIG. 4 . As illustrated in  FIG. 7 , each extended section is associated with one or more pairs of open sockets  44  extending upwardly from a bottom edge  36   b  of the extended section  36  and inwardly within the bridge rail  16  to operably interact with fastening means that assistively secures attachment of the bridge rail to the panel adherence device. Each open socket  44  is further shown in  FIG. 7  to include a pair of support walls  46  with each being configured with an aperture  46   a  extending therethrough with one of the support walls having an exterior surface  46   b  configured with a cylindrical recess  46   c  to spatially accommodate structural aspects of fastening means while operating in a hold capacity. 
     In accommodating confined and spatially restrictive areas relatively about the panel, the modular accessory  10  may incorporate within its assembly alternative, compact forms of the bridge rail that equivalently interact with and adapt to the box rails  12  and panel adherence device  18 , such as typified in  FIGS. 8-19 . In  FIGS. 8 and 9 , a first form of a span rail  48  is shown therein as comprising an open framed member  50  formed by a top member  50   a  integrally connecting to a pair of sides  50   b  with each integrally connecting to outward arms  52  to fulfill engagement with the top planar surface  12   a  of the box rail to extend hold thereof, whereby the open frame member  50  is substantially suited to spatially accommodate physical features that may be inherently associated with select panel adherence devices, such as a handle  54  of the type shown in  FIG. 4 . Other structural features of the span rail include a pair of dual extending flanges  56  each appropriately configured with an aperture  56   a  to accommodate supplemental fastening means. To fulfill operability to the likes of the bridge rail, the dual extending flanges comprise a length equivalent to that of the outward walls  36   a  of the extended section  36  associated with the bridge rail. In a second form  58  of a span rail, substantially similar to the first form, a top member  60   a  of an open framed member  60  integrally extends outward beyond each side  60   b  of the open framed member to form a pair of extended members  62  that substantially resides relatively above a pair of outward arms  64 , such as shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11 . In a third form of a span rail  66 , as generally depicted in  FIGS. 12 and 13 , a top member  68   a  of an open framed member  68  integrally extends outward beyond one side of a pair of sides  70  to form an extended member  72  that substantially resides relatively above one of its outward arms  74 , wherein a vertical member  76  connects at its ends  76   a  to a terminal end  72   a  of the extended member of the top member and an end  74   a  of the outward arm  74  to form an integral handle  78  within the structure of the span rail. Comparatively, as illustrated in  FIGS. 14 and 15 , a fourth form of a span rail  80 , generally similar to the first form, limits its outward arm  82  to extend relatively outward from one side of a pair of sides  84  forming an open framed member  86  with that of a top member  86   a . In a fifth form of a span rail  87 , as shown in  FIGS. 16 and 17 , a top member  88   a  of an open framed member  88  integrally extends outwardly beyond one side of a pair of sides  88   b  to form an extended member  90  that substantially exists over one of its outward arms  91 . In a final, sixth form of a span rail  92 , a top member  93   a  of an open framed member  93  integrally extends outwardly beyond one side of a pair of sides  94  to form an extended member  96  that substantially exists over one of its outward arms  98 , whereas each of the sides integrally extend beyond the position of the top member to form a pair of extended side members  100  that appropriately terminate to connect to ends  102   a  of a horizontal member  102  to form an upper handle  104  above the open framed member, such as generally represented in  FIGS. 18 and 19 . 
     Now in reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , fastening means and supplemental fastening means in each of their operative capacities respectively fulfills connection of the bridge rail  16  or various forms of the span rail to the panel adherence device, which in its simplest form, comprises a set pin  106  having a head portion  106   a  integrally connecting to a shaft  106   b  that possesses capabilities of being slidably positioned within the aligned arrangement of apertures  46   c  of the support walls  46  of the open socket  44 , as in relation to the bridge rail, for example, and an aperture  108   a  integrated within the structure of an upright post  108  connecting to and extending upwardly from the top side  18   a  of a body plate  18   b  associated with the panel adherence device. In most applications, a pair of upright posts  108  positioned on each side of the panel adherence device adequately maintains the orientation and hold of the bridge rail  16  relatively in place alongside the panel adherence device while the recessed portion thereof engages and forcibly holds the box rail against the planar surface  14   a  of the panel. In the alternative case of making use of the span rail of any particular form thereof, as typified in  FIG. 1 , the pair of dual extending flanges  56  are configured to individually interact and engage with the upright posts associated from each side of or crosswise about the panel adherence device, particularly as such where the span rail would reside relatively perpendicular to select utilization of the bridge rail. Connectivity of the span rail to the panel adherence device is fulfilled by supplemental fastening means, generally operating to the likes of fastening means associated with the bridge rail. 
     As further depicted in  FIG. 20 , fastening means and supplemental fastening means may individually incorporate locking capabilities to prevent outward slippage from its hold position, such as a spring-loaded pin  110  with a retractable ball  110   a  integrated within the structure of its shaft  110   b , whereupon the retractable ball is capable of retracting inwardly into the shaft as a button  110   c  located at the head portion  110   d  is depressed and conversely, moves radially outward upon release of the button to fulfill a locking, stationary state of the shaft. Alternatively, fastening means and supplemental fastening means may individually comprise a bolt and nut arrangement  112 , as in  FIG. 4 , or a headed pin  114  having an aperture  114   a  positioned about its shaft  114   b  to accept therewithin a cotter pin  114   c  or equivalent to prevent separation from its hold state, as in  FIGS. 21 and 22 . 
     As understood within the context of this disclosure, a number of panel adherence devices  18  of the type available in the art and as shown in  FIGS. 2, 4 and 22  are appropriately recognized to operate alongside the modular accessory  10  and characteristically possess common features, such as the top side  18   a  of the body plate  18   b  being configured with one or more upright posts  108  with the bottom side  18   c  being configured with structural provisions capable of fulfilling adherence to the planar surface  14   a  of the panel. Structural provisions in this regard may include a perimeter, deformable gasket  116  capable of forming an underside chamber  118  suited to hold a vacuum or negative pressure therewithin, whereupon a drawdown in pressure facilitated by an outside negative pressure source (not shown) yields slight deformation of the gasket to conform to and fulfill a tight bond to the planar surface  14   a  of the panel, as generally illustrated in  FIG. 3 . Other common aspects of the panel adherence device, as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 23 , may include a handle  54  mounted to the top side  18   b  and a hose adapter  120  mounted to the body plate  18   b  that offers communicative air passage through a hose  122  extending from the outside negative pressure source, such as a vacuum pump (not shown), to the underside chamber. In a more elaborate version compatible with the modular accessory  10 , the panel adherence device of the type shown in  FIG. 4  may be self-contained and configured with an internal air extraction component (not shown) to drawdown pressure from within the underside chamber  118  to sufficiently fulfill hold of the panel adherence device  18  to the planar surface of the panel, such as the model manufactured by Nemo Power Tools Limited of Hong Kong, China and sold under the registered trademark Grabo®. 
     In an alternative version suited to operate alongside the modular accessory  10 , the panel adherence device of the type shown in  FIGS. 21 and 22  may include one or more suctions cups  124  attached to and extending downwardly from the bottom side of the body plate with stems  124   a  upwardly passing through the body plate to accept and mount thereon a cam-acting lever  126 . The cam-acting lever in this respect is capable of swivel motion and acts on the top side of the body plate while simultaneously pushing downwardly on the body plate  18   a  to forcibly compress the suction cups against the planar surface  14   a  of the panel to hold the desired position of the panel adherence device  18 . 
     In  FIGS. 1 and 24 , the modular accessory  10  may be supplemented with a number of peripheral devices  22  that cumulatively enhance operability as well as being capable of operating independently to yield useful results particular to certain tasks. In one such exemplary case, an end rail  128  of the type shown in  FIG. 1  may be configured to connect with ends of multiple box rails to fulfill predetermined spacing thereof that aptly forms a skeletal framework suited to directly coincide with the dimensional aspects of the panel, particularly as such to establish overall support of the panel that correlates to limiting the extent by which the panel may experience unwanted bending and twisting or possible breakage. In this regard, the end rail is shown in  FIGS. 25 and 26  as being featured with adaptive blocks  130  mounted to one side thereof and coinciding in number to the number of box rails desirably used in the panel hold application, whereby each of the adaptive blocks includes a slot  130   a  to spatially accommodate the center divider  26  of the box rail  12  as the adaptive block is slidably inserted within the longitudinal openings  28  of the box rail. An elongate pin  132  of the type illustrated in  FIG. 26  or as in  FIG. 27 , a spring-loaded pin  134  of the type generally used for hold of the bridge rail may be selectively placed within an aligned arrangement of apertures  12   e ,  130   b  respectively extending through the box rail and adaptive block to further securement of the end rail  128  relatively to the box rail&#39;s end. Similarly, as shown in  FIGS. 28 and 29 , a spacing bar  136  having ends  136   a  each configured with a planar element  138  that aptly abuts against the longitudinal sidewall of the box rail offers means for setting predetermined spacing of multiple box rails  12  relatively about the panel  14  for establishing a unified supportive, rigid structure. Securement of the spacing bar in this regard may be fulfilled by one or more bolts  140  extending through apertures  138   a  of the planar element and affixed thereat by a square nut  140   a  that suitably fits within the T-slot  20 . 
     In furthering this supportive arrangement, the modular accessory  10  may employ use of a corner support  142  at junctions of a pair of box rails  12  perpendicularly orientated to one another, whereby the corner support includes a profiled extension  144  present about each of its two sides  142   a  that substantially resembles and conforms to the geometric configuration of the T-slot, as typically shown in  FIGS. 30 and 31 . Sliding the outward extensions of the corner support within the T-slots  20  of the box rails yields a perpendicular relation thereof. In lieu of the profiled extension, the corner support may alternatively attach to the box rail by way of an arrangement of a bolt  146  threadably connecting to a square nut  146   a  that proportionally fits within the T-slot, with each arrangement being designated for each of the two sides of the corner support, as depicted in  FIGS. 32 and 33 . Positioning the corner support at the desirable junction and tightening the square nut to the bolt yields a secure, perpendicular relation of the box rails, as generally shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 34 and 35 , the modular accessory  10  may incorporate within its overall assembly a supplemental peripheral device in the form of a bridge rail clamp  148  that advances a secure connection of the bridge rail to the box rail  12  while connectively operating with the panel adherence device  18  to advance overall rigidity of the panel  14  during handling and transport operations. In this regard, a rail adapter  150  is shown in  FIG. 20  as being positioned and attached to the box rail, where in particular a first sideward member  152  configured with an inward lip  152   a  extends downwardly from a top plate  154  to lockingly engage with a wall portion  20   a  of the T-slot integrated within the first longitudinal sidewall  12   c  of the box rail. Comparatively, a second sideward member  156  integrally connecting to and extending downwardly from the top plate, generally in an opposed and parallel relation to the first sideward member  152 , engages the opposing, second longitudinal sidewall  12   d  of the box rail. One or more spring-loaded pins  158  each having a cylindrical barrel  158   a  mounted to the second sideward member and a retractable pin  158   b  capable of passing through and fitting within an aperture  156   a  extending through the second sideward member fulfills to engage an open portion  20   b  of the T-slot for temporary securement of the rail adapter to the box rail. In  FIG. 35 , the rail adapter  150  is further associated with a mount post  160  extending upwardly from and attached to the top plate  154  for fitment within an aperture  162   a  extending through a connective member  162 . The connective member is shown in  FIG. 35  to comprise a mount plate  164  integrally configured with a hook mechanism  166  capable of engaging a lower support  16   a  of the bridge rail. Supplementarily associated with bridge rail clamp  148 , a cam lever  168  configured with an open slot  168   a  is depicted in  FIG. 34  as adaptively engaging and fitting onto the mount post  160  after mountably accepting the connective member, whereby a set pin  170  fitting and passing into an aperture  168   b  extending through a cammed head portion  168   c  of the cam lever  168  and aligned with an elongate slot  160   a  of the mount post yields secure positioning of the cam lever. Accordingly, in assembled form, as the cam lever is depressed downwardly, by and through the camming action, the connective member  162  is downwardly urged against the top plate  154 , while the hook mechanism  166  simultaneously grabs onto and engages the lower support of the bridge rail  16  to establish a tight hold of the box rail  12  relatively to the bridge rail. 
     As an additional peripheral device  22 , the modular accessory  10  may include within its overall assembly a box rail lock  172  that advances hold between the box rail and panel  14  during handling and transport operations. Similar to the construct of the rail adapter  150 , the box rail lock is illustrated in  FIGS. 36-38  as comprising a rail connector  174  with a first sideward element  176  configured with an inward rim  176   a  extending downwardly from an upper plate  178  to lockingly engage with the wall portion  20   a  of the T-slot  20  integrated within the first longitudinal sidewall  12   c  of the box rail, whereas a second sideward element  180  integrally connecting to and extending downwardly from the upper plate, generally in an opposed and parallel relation to the first sideward element, engages the second longitudinal sidewall  12   d  of the box rail. As further shown in  FIGS. 36 and 38 , the rail connector includes a pair of cam mount blocks  182  extending upwardly from the upper plate  178  in a parallel orientation to one another with each having an aperture  182   a  extending therethrough to align with an aperture  184   a  extending through a cam ratching lever  184  for accepting therein a cam pin  185  to hold placement of the cam ratching lever. The cam ratching lever, as specifically depicted in  FIG. 36 , comprises a notch  184   b  configured within the periphery of a cam head  184   c , wherein the notch is capable of interactively meshing with a series of teeth  186   a  integrated within the structure of a drop-down support  186  such to advance upward and downward movement thereof. A backing plate  188  is shown in  FIGS. 37 and 38  as being connected to the second sideward element  180  by screws  190 , pins or equivalent fitted within an optional spacer  190   a  such to form a predetermined amount of space in between the backing plate and second sideward element to spatially accommodate an extendable portion  186   b  of the drop-down support. Individual screws fitted with or without the optional spacer, as depicted in  FIG. 38 , generally exist relatively about each side of the extendable portion to assist in maintaining its vertical orientation within the formed space such to allow the teeth of the drop-down support to properly align and interactively engage with the notch  184   b . A lower support  186   c  associated with the drop-down support  186  and integrally connecting to and extending outwardly from the extendable portion offers to engage with an underside surface  14   b  of the panel, whereupon continued, downward ratching of the cam ratching lever  184  causes the lower support to move upwardly to the extent a top side  14   c  of the panel engages and fulfills firm hold with the bottom planar surface  12   b  of the box rail. 
     Now by way of briefly exemplifying description of the assembly and functionally of the modular accessory  10 , one may appreciably gain further insight into the relatedness and interaction of the operative components discussed thus far that principally fulfill the utilitarian objects of the invention. 
     In typical installations, as generally directed to handling and transporting a panel of rectangular configuration, the box rails  12  are preferably positioned lengthwise alongside each of the panel&#39;s longitudinal sides  14   d , with one or more panel adherence devices  18  being preferably situated midway in between the box rails to provide for even distribution and support relatively about the panel. Optionally, the box rails may be configured together as a combined unit by way of the end rail  128  fitting into and attaching to accessible ends  12   f  of the box rails, as shown in  FIG. 1 , or alternatively, as in  FIG. 24 , through use of the spacing bar  136  with each of its ends  136   a  abutting the longitudinal sidewalls of the box rail and connecting to its associated T-slot  20  integral thereto by the bolt  140  and square nut  140   a  arrangement. 
     After fulfilling the proposed layout of the assembly, one or more bridge rails  16 , each of appropriate length that enables reach to the box rails  12 , is positioned alongside the panel adherence device, with each of the open sockets of the bridge rail being slidably fitted onto the upright posts  108  present about one side of the panel adherence device. Fastening means in the form of a spring-loaded pin  110 , for example, is slidably positioned within the aligned arrangement of apertures extending through the support walls  46  of the open sockets  44  and upright posts for temporary securement of the bridge rail. As the panel adherence device is operably activated to advance attachment to the planar surface  14   a  of the panel, a corresponding force is applied downwardly along the recessed portions of the bridge rail onto the top planar surfaces  12   a  of the box rails to yield overall support and rigidity to the panel. 
     It is contemplated within the scope of the modular accessory that numerous arrangements thereof may be employed or needed to fulfill rigid support of panels of varying geometric shapes and sizes, such as in the case of countertop construction configured as an L-shape, for example. Accordingly, it may be desired to arrange a first pair of box rails  12  along longitudinal sides  14   d  of one panel  14  with a second pair of box rails positioned on a second panel that abuts the first pair of box rails in a perpendicular manner and connects thereto using corner supports  142 . Once arranged, an appropriate number of bridge rails generally connecting to an equal number of panel adherence devices and operably activated of their adhering functionality offers unified support about the entire panel that correspondingly extends overall rigidity thereof to fulfill safe handling and transport operations. In other related cases, it is conceivable that the second panel may comprise a width that is not necessarily conducive to spatially accommodating multiple box rails to the extent noted previously. In this regard, a single box rail  12 , in an abutting and connecting arrangement with one of the box rails from the first pair of box rails, may be used and positioned in proximity to one of the longitudinal sides  14   d  of the second panel, while a span rail connecting to the panel adherence device  18  in a crosswise manner and engaging the box rail functionally extends unified support to the second panel with that of the first panel, typically in the manner shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     In supplementing each of the assemblies, as exemplarily described above, the modular accessory  10  may incorporate use of a bridge rail clamp  148  and/or a box rail lock  172  to respectively unify connectivity of the bridge rail to the box rail and box rail to the panel. In usage of the bridge rail clamp, for example, the rail adapter  150  thereof is positioned about the box rail with the first and sideward members  152 ,  156  respectively engaging the first and second longitudinal sidewalls  12   c ,  12   d  of the box rail  12  while retractable pins  158   b  of the spring-loaded pins  158  are selectively operated to fit within the open portion  20   b  of the T-slot integral to the box rail for securement of the bridge rail clamp, as generally represented in  FIG. 20 . The hook mechanism  166  of the connective member  162  is selectively positioned to align with and engage the lower support of the bridge rail, whereby downward applied force upon the associated cam lever  168  correspondingly allows the connective member to press against the top plate with the hook mechanism tightly engaging hold on the bridge rail  16  to advance unified connectivity thereof with that of the box rail. Comparatively, the rail connector  174  of the box rail lock  172  is positioned relatively about the box rail, with the lower support  186   c  of the drop-down support  186  being positioned to engage with the underside surface  14   b  of the panel, particularly in the manner shown in  FIG. 1 . Downward ratching of the associated cam ratching lever  184  consequentially advances the lower support to move upwardly to the extent that the top side  14   c  of the panel engagingly contacts and fulfills firm hold with the bottom planar surface  12   b  of the box rail. 
     In certain applications that particularly involve handling of overly-sized panels and/or heavily-weighted panels, the modular accessory  10  may incorporate within its overall assembly one or more moveable handles  192 , generally in addition to those that may be available and exist within the structure of the bridge rail  16  and panel adherence devices  18 . As shown in  FIGS. 39 and 40 , each moveable handle includes an integral base plate  194 , an outward member  196  constituting a handle portion  196   a  extending outwardly from a first side  194   a  of the integral base plate, and an adapter mount  198  extending outwardly from a second side  194   b  of the integral base plate, whereby the adapter mount comprises a structure substantially resembling the adapter block associated with the end rail. In this regard, the adapter mount includes an integral slot  198   a  for accommodating the center divider  26  of the box rail as the adapter mount is inserted within the accessible end  12   f  of the box rail. Secure placement of the moveable handle at the accessible end of the box rail is accomplished by a lengthened headed pin, bolt or a spring-loaded pin  200  to the likes associated with fastening means, wherein the pin or bolt is slidably positioned within the aligned arrangement of an aperture  198   b  extending through the adapter mount  198  and the aperture  12   e  extending through the box rail, in proximity to its accessible end  12   f , as generally shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     It is obvious that the components comprising the modular accessory  10  may be fabricated from a variety of materials, providing such selection or use of materials possess the capacity to withstand forces acting thereon throughout its duration of use as well as limiting occurrences of premature failure due to repeated forces acting thereon during panel-supporting operations. Accordingly, it is most desirable, and therefore preferred, to construct the modular accessory  10 , namely, the box rails  12 , bridge rails  16 , end rails  128 , and rail connector  174  and rail adapter  150  respectively associated with the box rail lock  172  and bridge rail clamp  148  from extruded aluminum or an equivalent type of material that meaningfully offers reasonable structural strength for its weight, while limiting the extent by which the components may unacceptably fail due to applied stresses. 
     While there has been shown and described a particular embodiment of the invention, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and alterations can be made therein without departing from the invention and, therefore, it is aimed in the appended claims to cover all such changes and alterations which fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.