Patent Publication Number: US-6209735-B1

Title: Interlocking tube

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to storage and display devices, and more particularly, to interlocking components capable of being mechanically connected to form a storage or display unit. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Currently, there are numerous small objects that people own and collect that are difficult to display and store because of the object having an odd shape or size. Wall-mounted display racks can be used, but are not optimal since they cannot easily conform to the precise size of a collection. For example, if the collection has only a few objects, then the display rack will appear empty due to the unfilled areas. If the collection has more objects than a single rack can hold, then a second display rack will have to be used. In addition, rarely are these wall mounted structures of sufficient depth to allow larger objects to be displayed easily. Thus, a need exists for a display device that can accommodate any number of objects and can accommodate objects of awkward size or shape. The present invention is directed to fulfilling these needs and others as described below. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with the present invention, both a unique interlocking tube and an arrangement of the tubes are provided. By coupling one tube to another, an arrangement of interlocking tubes can be made to hold any number of awkwardly shaped objects. Each tube has a number of alternating rails and channels that are parallel and extend longitudinally along the exterior surface of the tube. Both the rails and channels have side surfaces that are back-cut. All of the tubes have similar rails and channels that are cross-sectionally sized and shaped. This permits one tube to matingly engage with another similar tube. To engage two tubes together, the rails of one tube are slid into the correspondingly-sized channels of another tube. This allows the mutually back-cut side surfaces to maintain an interlocked relationship. In one embodiment, the tubes are interlocked at angles of 90 degrees therebetween. In another embodiment, the tubes are interlocked at angles of 60 degrees therebetween. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The foregoing aspects of many of the attendant advantages of this invention will become more readily appreciated as the same become better understood by reference to the following detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an interlocking tube formed in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is an end view of the tube of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is an end view of one arrangement of tubes joined together to form an object holder formed in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 4 is an end view of another arrangement of tubes joined together to form an object holder in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 5 is an end view of yet another arrangement of tubes joined together to form an object holder in accordance with the present invention; and 
     FIG. 6 illustrates size and angle amounts of the tube of FIG.  1 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The present invention is an interlocking tube  10  and arrangement of multiple tubes to form an object holder  12  to store or display objects O in a collection. Each interlocking tube is substantially identical and can be mechanically connected to similar tubes to form the object holder. 
     Referring to FIG. 1, an interlocking tube  10  formed in accordance with the present invention includes an interior surface  14  and an exterior surface. The interior surface  14  may be smooth or rough and may be sizes to accommodate objects O of various sizes. The exterior surface includes a number of rails  16  and channels  18 . In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-4, the rails and channels are alternatingly formed around the tube&#39;s entire exterior surface. The rails and channel are oriented so that their longitudinal dimension is parallel to one another. In addition, the rails and channels are preferably oriented on the tube&#39;s exterior surface so that they are parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tube as well. 
     In preferred embodiments, a tube  10  is formed by creating a relatively long extruded piece of tubing with the necessary rails and channels, and then cutting the tube into small portions depending on the desired length. The tube may be formed of various known materials, such as known thermoplastic materials. Any type of conventional indicia or coloring may be used to decorate that tubes. 
     Referring to FIG. 2, the rails  16  and channels  18  both include back-cut side surfaces  20 , shown as formed at angle α. Because the embodiment of interlocking tube shown in FIGS. 1-5 uses immediately-adjacent alternating rails and channels, the back-cut side surface of each rail simultaneously forms the back-cut side surface of the adjacent channel. Other arrangements are possible. The important feature is the ability of the rail to be mechanically held within the channel using these back-cut side surfaces. The angle α is preferably about 27.5° degrees. FIG. 6 illustrates further sizes and angles that may be used. 
     Still referring to the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, tube  10  includes an arrangement in which approximately half of the rails (labeled  16 ) are a first width and the other half (labeled  16 ′) are a second, larger width. Likewise, half of the channels (labeled  18 ) are a first width and the other half (labeled  18 ′) are a second, larger width. The smaller channels  18  are interspaced between the larger rails  16 ′, and the larger channels  18 ′ are interspaced between the smaller rails  16 . There are two “end” rails  22 ,  24  that do not include a back-cut side surface on one of their sides. These two end rails  22 ,  24  are provided to engage the arrangement of FIG.  4 . In preferred embodiments, the tube&#39;s length is greater in size than the tube&#39;s outer diameter. 
     To use the interlocking tubes, a first tube is held while a second tube is slid into an interlocking relation therewith. The rails of the second sliding into correspondingly-sized channels of the first tube. As will be appreciated, by using back-cut side surfaces, the rails of one tube can be held securely within a channel of another tube. Additional tubes may be added as necessary. By providing various sizes and placement of the rails and channels about the exterior surface, various formations may be constructed. For example, using the tube shown in FIG. 1, interlocking arrangements may be formed such as those shown in FIGS. 3,  4 , and  5 . The arrangement in FIG. 3 is one in which tubes are interlocked about a tube at angles of 90 degrees apart. The arrangements of FIGS. 4 and 5 are ones in which the tubes are interlocked about a tube at non-90 degree angles, such as the 60 degrees shown. 
     It will be appreciated from viewing FIGS. 4 and 5 that in mating adjoining tubes, the user should be careful to place each tube in the same orientation. For example, in FIG. 4 the end rail  22  is used in mating adjacent tubes. In FIG. 5, the end rail  24  is used in mating adjacent tubes. Either way, all tubes of a single combination are positioned in the same manner. 
     The embodiment of FIG. 1 includes various dimples  26  formed in the channels  18  and various bumps  28  formed in the rails  16 . The dimples  26  and bumps  28  are located and sized so as to engage each other during use to encourage adjoining tubes to maintain their interrelationship. It has been found that these dimples and bumps are not typically necessary, though, depending on the application. 
     While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described, it will be appreciated that various changes can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.