Patent Publication Number: US-11391033-B2

Title: Structural component for modular walls

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a 371 US nationalization of PCT Patent Application No. PCT/US2020/015852, filed Jan. 30, 2020, which claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application No. 62/800,223, filed Feb. 1, 2019. The entire content of the aforementioned patent applications is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Technical Field 
     The present invention relates generally to systems, methods, and apparatus for forming, assembling, and installing modular wall systems. More specifically, the present invention relates to structural frame components for modular walls. 
     Background and Relevant Art 
     Office space can be relatively expensive, not only due to the basic costs of the location and size of the office space, but also due to any construction needed to configure the office space in a particular way. Furthermore, as an organization&#39;s needs change, the organization may need to have a convenient and efficient means to reconfigure the existing office space rather than having to move to a new office space. Many organizations address their configuration and reconfiguration issues by dividing large, open office spaces into individual work areas using modular wall systems. 
     Modular wall systems are relatively easy to configure and/or reconfigure and can be less expensive to set up than more permanently constructed office dividers. Manufacturers or designers typically design such modular walls and partitions to include a series of individual wall panels (sometimes referred to as “tiles”) that can be assembled together to form a range of different configurations. These wall panels are usually connected to one or more structural components that form a frame-type structure of the modular wall. 
     Modular wall systems used to divide larger or complex spaces tend to utilize a large number of panels and structural components. Due to variations in the geometry and size of different office spaces, designers or installers may need to employ a large number of differently sized structural components suited for specific locations within the wall system. Often, one structural component designed to be placed in one part of a structural frame may not be configured to be placed in another part of the frame. For example, a modular wall system may require different vertical structural components for connecting to various horizontal structural components and/or wall tiles at various orientations/positions. Vertical structural components may thus include numerous different complementary components to facilitate connection to various other structures of a modular wall system, which must be separately manufactured. For instance, a modular wall system may include one type of fastener for fastening a vertical structure to another vertical structure and may include a different type of fastener for fastening a vertical structure to a horizontal structure (e.g., for receiving wall tiles). 
     The need for a large number of unique structural components within a modular wall system increases costs for the manufacturer, and thus the end user. This is at least in part because separate molds and extrusions must be created to form the wide variety of unique structural components that may be needed in any one modular wall system. 
     Accordingly, there are a number of problems in the field of modular wall systems that can be addressed. 
     The subject matter claimed herein is not limited to embodiments that solve any disadvantages or that operate only in environments such as those described above. Rather, this background is only provided to illustrate one exemplary technology area where some embodiments described herein may be practiced. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     The present disclosure relates to systems, methods, and apparatus associated with structural components of modular wall systems. For example, the present invention can include reversible structural components that may combine together when rotated 180-degrees relative to one another to form at least a portion of a vertical frame in a modular wall system. The present invention can also include a vertical frame for use in a modular wall system that has first and second structural components that each include through-hole pairs with countersunk and threaded through-holes. The threaded through-holes of the first structural component can align with the countersunk through-holes of the second structural component, and the threaded through-holes of the second structural component can align with the countersunk through-holes of the first structural component to form the vertical frame for use in a modular wall system. Accordingly, implementations of the present invention can provide structural components formed from the same molds/extrusions and that are combinable with one another to form frame components of modular wall systems, thereby at least partially simplifying the manufacturing process for creating frame components for modular wall systems. 
     In at least one of the presently disclosed embodiments, a reversible structural component for use as a portion of a vertical frame in a modular wall system includes an elongate body extending between a first end and a second end thereof, a plurality of countersunk through-holes extending through the structural component, and a plurality of threaded through-holes extending through the structural component. The countersunk through-holes and the threaded through-holes are disposed on the elongate body between the first end and the second end so that the countersunk through-holes of the structural component are aligned with the threaded through-holes of a separate identical structural component when back sides of the structural component and the separate identical structural component are brought together 180-degrees relative to one another during use. 
     In another aspect of the presently disclosed embodiments, a vertical frame for use in a modular wall system includes a first structural component and a second structural component. Each of the first and second structural components includes an elongated body (which includes a front side and a back side) and a through-hole pair. The through-hole pair includes a countersunk through-hole and a threaded through-hole that are offset from one another. When the back side of the first structural component abuts the back side of the second structural component, the countersunk through-hole of the through-hole pair of the first structural component becomes aligned with the threaded through-hole of the through-hole pair of the second structural component, and the threaded through-hole of the through-hole pair of the first structural component becomes aligned with the countersunk through-hole of the through-hole pair of the second structural component. 
     In yet another aspect of the presently disclosed embodiments, a modular wall includes at least a first and a second elongate structural component joined together 180-degrees relative to one another at respective back sides thereof. Each elongate structural component can include a plurality of countersunk through-holes extending therethrough and a plurality of threaded through-holes extending therethrough. The positions of each of the plurality of countersunk through-holes and the positions of each of the plurality of threaded through-holes are the same along a length of each of the first and second elongate structural components, respectively, so that the countersunk through-holes of each of the first and second elongate structural components are aligned with the threaded through-holes of the other elongate structural component to which it is joined. The threaded through-holes of each of the first and second elongate structural components can also be aligned with the countersunk through-holes of the other elongate structural components to which it is joined. The modular wall can also include a horizontal connection component affixed to the first elongate structural component. The horizontal connection component can further include an attachment feature for receiving a modular wall tile. Still further, the modular wall can include a modular wall tile attached to the attachment feature. 
     This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an indication of the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
     Additional features and advantages of the disclosure will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by the practice of the disclosure. The features and advantages of the disclosure may be realized and obtained by means of the instruments and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. These and other features of the present disclosure will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of the disclosure as set forth hereinafter. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In order to describe the manner in which the above recited and other advantages and features of the disclosure can be obtained, a more particular description of the disclosure briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the disclosure and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope. The disclosure will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIGS. 1A and 1B  illustrate examples of modular wall systems including a number of modular wall panels in accordance with implementations of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a front perspective view of a structural component of a modular wall system, in accordance with implementations of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3A  illustrates a front perspective view of two structural components of a modular wall system, in accordance with implementations of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3B  illustrates a front perspective view of the two structural components shown in  FIG. 3A  joined together at respective back sides, in accordance with implementations of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a top view of a structural component of a modular wall system, in accordance with implementations of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 5A and 5B  illustrate, respectively, front and rear views of an example of a structural component of a modular wall system, in accordance with implementations of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6A  illustrates two structural components joined to a horizontal connection component, in accordance with implementations of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6B  illustrates the two structural components of  FIG. 6A  joined to additional structural components, in accordance with implementations of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 7A and 7B  illustrate, respectively, front and rear views of another example of a structural component of a modular wall system, in accordance with implementations of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 8  illustrates an example of a plurality of structural components joined to a plurality of horizontal connection components, in accordance with implementations of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Implementations of the present invention extend to systems, methods, and apparatus for forming, assembling, and/or installing modular wall systems. More specifically, the present invention relates to structural frame components for modular walls. For example, in one implementation of the present disclosure, a reversible structural component for use as a portion of a vertical frame in a modular wall system includes an elongate body extending between a first end and a second end thereof, a plurality of countersunk through-holes extending through the structural component, and a plurality of threaded through-holes extending through the structural component. The countersunk through-holes and the threaded through-holes are disposed on the elongate body between the first end and the second end so that the countersunk through-holes of the structural component are aligned with the threaded through-holes of a separate identical structural component when back sides of the structural component and the separate identical structural component are brought together 180-degrees relative to one another during use. 
     In some embodiments, the reversible structural component includes a second plurality of countersunk through-holes. At least one of the second plurality of countersunk through-holes is configured to align with a threaded hole of a horizontal connection component. At least one of the second plurality of countersunk through-holes is configured to receive a first type of screw to secure the structural component to the horizontal connection component, and the plurality of countersunk through holes and the plurality of threaded through-holes are configured to receive the first type of screw to secure the structural component to the separate identical separate structural component. 
     The implementations of structural components for modular wall systems described herein may solve a number of problems in the art noted above. For example, in one or more implementations of the structural components described herein, identical structural components can be formed from the same molds or extrusions and applied in different orientations as part of a modular wall system. According to the present disclosure, differently sized molds and/or extrusions may be easily formed to accommodate different modular wall installation sites, based on the simplified form factor of the structural components disclosed herein. Additionally, in some implementations, manufacturers or designers may easily configure structural components for affixation to different arrangements of other modular wall components (e.g., other structural components and/or horizontal connection components) simply by selective placement of countersunk and/or threaded holes. In this regard, molds or extrusions may be configured to fit into different portions of a modular wall system, even when the molds or extrusions are initially the same after extrusion/molding. Furthermore, structural components of the present disclosure may, in some implementations, be affixed to other structural components and/or horizontal connection components with a single type of fastener, ameliorating the need for diverse types of fasteners for affixing different types of structural components to one another in a modular wall system. 
     Having just described some of the various high-level features and benefits of the disclosed embodiments, attention will now be directed to  FIGS. 1A through 8 . These Figures illustrate various conceptual representations, architectures, methods, examples, and supporting illustrations related to structural components for modular wall systems. 
     For example,  FIGS. 1A and 1B  illustrate examples of modular wall systems including a number of modular wall panels. In particular,  FIG. 1A  illustrates modular wall system  100   a , and  FIG. 1B  illustrates modular wall system  100   b . Each of modular wall system  100   a  and  100   b  include a number of wall tiles  105  secured to vertical structural components  110  and/or horizontal connection components  120 . The vertical structural components  110  and/or horizontal connection components  120  may be disposed between adjacent wall tiles  105  or along an edge of the modular wall systems  100   a ,  100   b.    
     The various components of the modular wall systems  100   a  and  100   b  may be selectively attachable to one another to form a partitioning structure. For example,  FIG. 2  shows that the horizontal connection components  120  and/or the vertical structural components  110  may include one or more fastening features for attaching to one another, and the horizontal connection components  120  (and/or the vertical structural components  110 , in some instances) may include one or more attachment features for removably securing to one or more wall tiles  105  (e.g., clips, snaps, hooks, channels, etc.). In this regard, the modular wall systems  100   a  and  100   b  may provide a wall system that can be easily assembled, disassembled, rearranged, and/or reconfigured for non-permanent portioning of spaces, such as office spaces. Accordingly, manufacturers, builders, and/or designers may move and/or rearrange entire walls and/or remove, replace, and/or rearrange individual wall tiles  105  to create various customized spaces or aesthetic appearances. 
     One will appreciate that the modular wall systems of  FIGS. 1A and 1B  may take on various forms and/or configurations. For instance, modular wall systems may include wall tiles, horizontal components, and/or vertical components that are implemented with different sizes and/or orientations. As noted above, many modular wall systems suffer from a number of shortcomings, such as, for example, requiring different fastening features for facilitating attachment between vertical structural components and/or horizontal connection components, which may give rise to manufacturing and/or design complexities. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a front perspective view of an example of a structural component  200 . As described herein, builders, manufacturers, and/or designers may implement a structural component of the present disclosure (e.g., structural component  200 ) into a modular wall system to solve one or more problems associated with modular wall systems described herein. 
     For example,  FIG. 2 , shows that the structural component  200  includes an elongated body  205  extending between a first end  210  and a second end  215  of the structural component  200 .  FIG. 2  further illustrates that the termination of the second end  215  of the structural component  200  is indeterminant, indicating that the elongated body  205  may extend for any distance between the first end  210  and the second end  215  (e.g., along a longitudinal axis of the structural component, the longitudinal axis extending from the first end  210  to the second end  215 ), within the scope of the present disclosure. 
       FIG. 2  also illustrates that the structural component  200  includes a number of countersunk through-holes  220  as well as a number of threaded through-holes  225 . Both the countersunk through-holes  220  and the threaded through-holes  225  extend through the structural component  200  between a front face  230  and a back face  235  of the structural component. As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the countersunk through-holes  220  of the structural component  200  are countersunk from the front face  230  (e.g., front side) of the structural component  200 . As will be described in more detail hereinbelow, providing countersunk through-holes  220  that are countersunk from the front face  230  of the structural component  200  can allow the structural component  200  to receive a screw to secure to another structural component  200 . 
     In addition,  FIG. 2  illustrates that each countersunk through-hole  220  can be offset from each threaded through-hole  225  in a transverse direction (e.g., offset from one another along a transverse axis that is orthogonal to the longitudinal axis). In this regard, one may consider a through-hole pair  240  to include a countersunk through-hole  220  that is aligned with a threaded through-hole  225  along the transverse axis. The structural component  200  shown in  FIG. 2  includes four through-hole pairs  240 . Nevertheless, one will appreciate in view of the present specification and claims that a structural component may include any number of through-hole pairs  240  positioned at any location along the longitudinal axis of the structural component  200 . 
       FIG. 2  further illustrates that, in some embodiments, a structural component  200  can include a channel  245  extending longitudinally along the elongated body  205  of the structural component  200 . As shown, structural component  200  comprises channel  245  formed on the back face  235  (opposite the front face) thereof, and two opposing flanges, a first flange  250  and a second flange  255 , extend outward laterally from opposite sides of the channel  245 . In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 2 , two of the countersunk through-holes  220  of the structural component  200  are positioned on the first flange  250 , and two of the countersunk through-holes  220  are positioned on the second flange  255 . Similarly,  FIG. 2  shows that two of the threaded through-holes  225  of the structural component  200  are positioned on the first flange  250 , and two of the threaded through-holes  225  are positioned on the second flange  255 . 
     In view of the arrangement shown in  FIG. 2 , one will appreciate that both the first flange  250  and the second flange  255  can include any number countersunk through-holes  220  and/or threaded through-holes  225 . Furthermore, one will appreciate in view of the present specification and claims that in at least some other embodiments, all countersunk through-holes  220  of the structural component  200  are positioned on either the first flange  250  or the second flange  255 , while all of the threaded through-holes  225  of the structural component are positioned on the other of either the first flange  250  or the second flange  255  (see  FIGS. 5A and 5B ). Positioning all of the countersunk through-holes  220  on one flange may advantageously enable a simplified installation process and allow an installer to avoid alternating between flanges when inserting screws from the front face of the structural component, as will be described in more detail hereinafter. 
     As will be described in more detail with reference to  FIGS. 4, 6A, and 6B , in some instances, the channel  245  of the structural component  200  may allow the structural component  200  to provide support against lateral forces when an assembler implements the structural component into a modular wall system (e.g., when the structural component is secured to one or more horizontal connection components). 
     For example, the channel in the back face  235  of the structural component  200  may cause the front face  230  to include a protruding portion  260 . A user (e.g., a builder, manufacturer, designer, proprietor, etc.) may affix a horizontal connection component about the protruding portion  260 , such that connection surfaces of the horizontal connection component interface with more than one side of the protruding portion  260  of the structural component  200 , thereby providing additional support against lateral forces applied to the horizontal connection component (or other portions of a modular wall system). 
       FIG. 3A  illustrates a front perspective view of two structural components, a first structural component  200   a  and a second structural component  200   b , which a manufacturer or assembler can implement into a modular wall system. The structural components  200 ,  300  shown in  FIG. 3A  correspond to the structural component  200  illustrated in and described with reference to  FIG. 2 . As such, those skilled in the art will recognize that both of the structural components  200   a  and  200   b  shown in  FIG. 3A  may be identical (e.g., substantially identical, accounting for manufacturing tolerances and variance), such that a manufacturer/designer may advantageously form the elongated bodies  205   a ,  205   b  of both structural components  200   a ,  200   b  utilizing the same extrusion or molding process. 
       FIG. 3A  shows that the countersunk through-holes  220   a  and the threaded through-holes  225   a  of the first structural component  200   a  and the countersunk through-holes  220   b  and the threaded through-holes  225   b  of the second structural component  200   b  are identically positioned along the respective lengths of the elongated bodies  205   a ,  205   b  of the structural components  200   a ,  200   b  (e.g., in arrangements of through-hole pairs  240   a ,  240   b ).  FIG. 3A  also illustrates an arrangement of the first and second structural components  200   a ,  200   b  wherein the back face  235   a  of the first structural component  200   a  faces toward the back face  235   b  of the second structural component  200   b , such that the second structural component  200   b  is in a rotated or reversed orientation with respect to the orientation of the first structural component  200   a.    
     Those skilled in the art will recognize that users may achieve the rotated/reversed orientation of the first and second structural components  200   a ,  200   b  depicted in  FIG. 3A  in a variety of ways. For example, as shown in  FIG. 3A , the first end  210   a  of the first structural component  200   a  is arranged to align with the second end  215   b  of the second structural component  200   b  when the back faces  235   a ,  235   b  of the first and second structural components  200   a ,  200   b  advance into abutment with one another (see  FIG. 3B ). Similarly, the second end  215   a  of the first structural component  200   a  is arranged to align with the first end  210   b  of the second structural component  200   b  when the back faces  235   a ,  235   b  of the first and second structural components  200   a ,  200   b  advance into abutment with one another (see  FIG. 3B ). 
     In this regard, beginning with both structural components in a common orientation (e.g., the front faces  230   a ,  230   b  face a common direction), a user may rotate the second structural component  200   b  (or the first structural component  200   a ) about a transverse axis (e.g., an axis orthogonal to a longitudinal axis of a structural component and extending between the first and second flanges or between two through-holes of a through-hole pair) of the second structural component  200   b  (or first structural component  200   a ) by 180 degrees such that the back faces  235   a ,  235   b  of the first and second structural components  200   a ,  200   b  face opposing directions and such that the first end  210   a  of the first structural component  200   a  is aligned with the second end  215   b  of the second structural component  200   b  (and the second end  215   a  of the first structural component  200   a  is aligned with the first end  210   b  of the second structural component  200   b ). 
     In another example, a user may rotate the second structural component  200   b  (or the first structural component  200   a ) about a longitudinal axis (e.g., an axis extending between the first and second ends of a structural component) of the second structural component  200   b  (or first structural component  200   a ) by 180 degrees such that the back faces  235   a ,  235   b  of the first and second structural components  200   a ,  200   b  face opposing directions. Those skilled in the art will recognize that in such examples, the first end  210   a  of the first structural component  200   a  becomes aligned with the first end  210   b  of the second structural component  200   b , and the second end  215   a  of the first structural component  200   a  becomes aligned with the second end  215   b  of the second structural component  200   b , however the first flange  250   a  of the first structural component  200   a  becomes aligned with the second flange  255   b  of the second structural component  200   b , and the second flange  255   a  of the first structural component  200   a  becomes aligned with the first flange  250   b  of the second structural component  200   b  (rather than the arrangement shown in  FIG. 3A , wherein the first flange  250   a  of the first structural component  200   a  is aligned with the first flange  250   b  of the second structural component  200   b , and the second flange  255   a  of the first structural component  200   a  becomes aligned with the second flange  255   b  of the second structural component  200   b ). 
       FIG. 3B  illustrates a front perspective view of the first and second structural components  200   a ,  200   b  shown in  FIG. 3A  joined together, such that the back faces  235   a ,  235   b  of the first and second structural components  200   a ,  200   b  abut one another. In particular, as shown in  FIG. 3B , the first and second flanges  250   a ,  255   a  of the first structural component  200   a  abut, respectively, the first and second flanges  250   b ,  255   b  of the second structural component  200   b . As noted above with reference to  FIG. 3A , the first and second structural components  200   a ,  200   b  are substantially identical, such that the positions of the countersunk through-holes  220   a  and the threaded through-holes  225   a  of the first structural component  200   a  along the longitudinal length of the first structural component  200   a  are substantially identical to the positions of the countersunk through-holes  220   b  and the threaded through-holes  225   b  of the second structural component  200   b  along the longitudinal length of the second structural component  200   b . Furthermore, as mentioned above, the countersunk through-holes  220   a ,  220   b  and the threaded through-holes  225   a ,  225   b  of the first and second structural components  200   a ,  200   b  are arranged in through-hole pairs  240   a ,  240   b  of the first and second structural components  200   a ,  200   b.    
     Accordingly, based at least in part on the arrangement of the countersunk through-holes  220   a ,  220   b  and the threaded through-holes  225   a ,  225   b  on the first and second structural components  200   a ,  200   b  described above, when the back faces  235   a ,  235   b  of the first and second structural components  200   a ,  200   b  abut one another in the manner shown in  FIG. 3B , each countersunk through-hole  220   a  (e.g., each countersunk through-hole  220   a  of a through-hole pair  240   a ) of the first structural component  200   a  aligns with a threaded through-hole  225   b  (e.g., a threaded through-hole  225   b  of a through-hole pair  240   b ) of the second structural component  200   b . Similarly, when the back faces  235   a ,  235   b  of the first and second structural components  200   a ,  200   b  abut one another, each countersunk through-hole  220   b  (e.g., each countersunk through-hole  220   b  of a through-hole pair  240   b ) of the second structural component  200   b  aligns with a threaded through-hole  225   a  (e.g., a threaded through-hole  225   a  of a through-hole pair  240   a ) of the first structural component  200   a.    
     Thus, when back faces  235   a ,  235   b  of the first and second structural components  200   a ,  200   b  abut one another in the manner shown in  FIG. 3B , each of the countersunk through-holes  220   a ,  220   b  are configured to receive a screw (e.g., screws with a tapered head). A manufacturer or assembler can pass each of the screws through a countersunk through-hole  220   a ,  220   b  toward the threaded through-hole  225   a ,  225   b  to which the countersunk through-hole  220   a ,  220   b  is aligned to thread into the threaded through-hole  225   a ,  225   b , thereby securing the first structural component  200   a  to the second structural component  200   b . When secured together (e.g., in the manner described herein), the first and second structural components  200   a ,  200   b  may form a single vertical structure (e.g., referred to sometimes herein as a joined pair of structural components  370 ) for implementation into a modular wall system (e.g., for connecting to one or more horizontal connection components and/or wall tiles, as indicated in  FIGS. 1A and 1B ). 
     Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the countersinking features of the countersunk through-holes  220   a ,  220   b  may be designed such that a tapered screw inserted through a countersunk through-hole  220   a ,  220   b  may be flush with the front face  230   a ,  230   b  of the flange  250   a ,  255   a ,  250   b ,  255   b  upon which the countersunk through-hole  220   a ,  220   b  is disposed when the tapered screw is threaded into the threaded through-hole  225   a ,  225   b  aligned with the countersunk-through-holes. 
     By way of further explanation,  FIG. 3B  also shows that when first structural components  200   a  joins with the second structural component  200   b  (e.g., by threading screws through the countersunk through-holes  220   a ,  220   b  into threaded through-holes  225   a ,  225   b  aligned with the countersunk through-holes  220   a ,  220   b ), the channel  245   a  of the first structural component  200   a  faces the channel  245   b  of the second structural component  200   b  to form an elongated cavity  365  between the first structural component  200   a  and the second structural component  200   b . Accordingly, when in a joined configuration, as shown in  FIG. 3B , the protruding portion  260   a  of the first structural component  200   a  and the protruding portion  260   b  of the second structural component  200   b  extend away from one another (e.g., in opposite directions). As such, the joined pair of structural components  370  may securely attach to horizontal connection components on at least two sides of the joined pair of structural components, as will be described in more detail hereinbelow. 
     In view of the foregoing, the structural component  200  shown in  FIG. 2  is a reversible structural component, wherein separate but identical structural components may be reversely oriented and joined to one another such that back sides of each identical structural component abut one another to align threaded through-holes of one structural component with countersunk through-holes of the other, and vice versa. The countersunk through-holes of the joined structural components may receive screws (e.g., screws with tapered heads) that extend through the countersunk through-holes into the threaded through-hole of the opposing structural component to which the countersunk through-hole is aligned. In this regard, separate portions of a composite structural component (e.g., a vertical component) of a modular wall system may be constructed, advantageously, with separate but identical constituent structural components. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a top view of a structural component  200  that is implementable into modular wall system (e.g., to form one or more vertical structures composed of joined pairs of structural components for attachment to other components of modular wall systems). For clarity,  FIG. 4  omits at least some reference labels for features and/or elements of the structural component  200  shown and/or described in other Figures. As mentioned hereinabove, in some embodiments, the structural component  200  includes a channel  245  on the back face  235  thereof extending along the elongated body  205  of the structural component  200 . The presence of the channel  245  creates a protruding portion  260  with multiple faces  460 , and one or more of the multiple faces  460  of the protruding portion  260  may, in some implementations, interface with one or more surfaces of a horizontal connection component (see  FIGS. 6A-6B, 8 ). Advantageously, in some implementations, the interfacing between the surface(s) of the horizontal connection component and the multiple faces  460  of the protruding portion  260  may provide support against lateral forces in a modular wall structure. 
     As is evident from the top view of the structural component  200  shown in  FIG. 4 , the channel  245  causes the structural component  200  to have a generally U-shaped profile, but those skilled in the art will recognize that other designs, profiles and/or configurations of the structural component  200  are within the scope of this disclosure. For example, a structural component  200  may include a substantially X-shaped, Y-shaped, V-shaped, T-shaped, I-shaped, H-shaped, and/or other form, provided that the structural component  200  includes flanges and/or other surfaces upon which through-holes (e.g., countersunk through-holes and threaded through-holes) may be disposed such that through-holes of a second structural component may reversibly align with the through-holes of the structural component  200 . Furthermore, in some implementations, a structural component  200  includes a plurality of adjacently arranged channels (e.g., adjacently arranged U-shaped channels). 
     One will appreciate that various shapes of a structural component  200  may provide a protruding portion (e.g., protruding portion  260 ). As such, when the structural component  200  is combined with a separate identical structural component to form a joined pair of structural components, a pair of protruding portions extends from opposing sides of the joined pair of structural components for engagement with surfaces of one or more horizontal connection components. However, it should be noted that in some implementations, a structural component  200  includes no channel and/or protrusions. Accordingly, the structural component  200  can be composed of a substantially flat elongated body of material that is configured to reversibly engage with a separate but identical structural component. 
     Furthermore, those skilled in the art will recognize in view of the present specification and claims that, although  FIG. 4  depicts the channel  245  as extending along the entire longitudinal length of the structural component  200  (e.g., along the full length of the elongated body  205  between the first end  210  and the second end  215 ), a channel  245  of a structural component  200  may, in some embodiments, extend only along a portion of the longitudinal length of the structural component. One will further appreciate, however, that a manufacturer, builder, and/or designer may achieve a simplified molding/extrusion process by causing the channel  245  to extend along the entire longitudinal length of the structural component  200 . 
     Accordingly, one will appreciate in view of the present specification and claims that different shapes of reversible structural components for use in a modular wall structure (e.g., to form a composite vertical structure comprising a joined pair of structural components), as well as configurations/arrangements of countersunk and threaded through-hole pairs can facilitate attachment of pairs of reversible structural components. However, a structural component of the present disclosure may include one or more additional through-holes not explicitly shown in  FIGS. 1A-4 , such as to facilitate attachment between a structural component as described hereinabove and a horizontal connection component. 
       FIGS. 5A and 5B  illustrate, respectively, front and rear views of an example of a structural component  500  that is implementable into a modular wall system. As is evident in  FIG. 5A , the structural component  500  includes a plurality of through-hole pairs  240  that each include a threaded through-hole  225  and a countersunk through-hole  220  that is countersunk from the front face  230  of the structural component  500  (e.g., the side of the structural component that is opposite to the channel  245 , shown in  FIG. 5B ). 
     As shown in  FIG. 5B , the structural component  500  includes a plurality of additional countersunk through-holes  520 . For example,  FIG. 5B  shows that the additional countersunk through-holes  520  are countersunk from the back face  235  of the structural component  500  (e.g., opposite to the front face  230 ).  FIG. 5B  also depicts that the additional countersunk through-holes  520  are disposed on and extending through both the first flange  250  and the second flange  255  of the structural component  500 . In some implementations, the countersunk through-holes  220  and the additional countersunk through-holes  520  have common countersinking features (e.g., diameter, angle), which may provide a simplified manufacturing process for users. 
     Those skilled in the art will recognize that the particular number and arrangement of through-holes of the structural component  500  shown in  FIGS. 5A and 5B  is illustrative only and non-limiting. For instance, the present Figures illustrate the structural component  500  with a number of break lines, indicating that the total longitudinal length of a structural component the number of through-holes (e.g., through-hole pairs including a countersunk through-hole and a threaded through-hole as well as additional through-hole pairs including pairs of countersunk through-holes) may vary in different embodiments and/or implementations. 
     One will recognize that because the additional countersunk through-holes  520  are countersunk from the back face  235  of the structural component  500 , the additional countersunk through-holes  520  do not become aligned, in the particular manner described hereinabove related to the through-hole pairs  240 , with through-holes of another separate identical structural component  500  when both structural components are arranged 180 degrees with respect to one another and with their respective back faces  235  brought into abutment. In particular, when one structural component  500  combines with another to form a joined pair of structural components, the additional countersunk through-holes  520  become directed outward from the joined pair of structural components. Thus, in this case, screws inserted through the additional countersunk through-holes  520  extend outward from the joined pair of structural components in opposite directions. In some instances, outward-facing screws extending from the additional countersunk through-holes  520  act as fasteners for securing a structural component  500  to one or more horizontal connection components (e.g., by threading into a threaded hole of a horizontal connection component). 
       FIGS. 6A and 6B  describe further details related to the functionality of securing to horizontal connection components. For example,  FIG. 6A  illustrates two structural components  600  joined to horizontal connection components  610 . One will appreciate that the structural components  600  correspond to the structural component  500  illustrated in and described with reference to  FIGS. 5A and 5B . This is, in particular, because the structural components  600  include a plurality of through-hole pairs (including threaded through-holes  225  and countersunk through-holes  220  that are countersunk from the front faces  230  of the structural components  600 ) and a plurality of additional countersunk through-holes  520  that are countersunk from the back faces  235  of the structural components  600 .  FIG. 6A  further shows that the structural components  600  are vertically disposed and arranged such that the front faces  230  of the structural components  600  face one another. 
     Additionally,  FIG. 6A  shows that the horizontal connection components  610  extend between the front faces  230  of the structural components  600 . As depicted in  FIG. 6A , the horizontal connection components  610  include a plurality of threaded holes  615 . The threaded holes  615  of the horizontal connection components  610  are configured to align with the additional countersunk through-holes  520  of the structural components  600 . As such, in the configuration depicted in  FIG. 6A , the additional countersunk through-holes  520  may receive screws that advance through the additional countersunk through-holes  520  and thread into the threaded holes  615  of the horizontal connection components  610  to which the additional countersunk through-holes  520  are aligned (the screws are omitted from the Figures to clearly depict the character of the various through-holes illustrated in the Figures). 
     Accordingly, in at least some implementations, one or more structural components  600  affix to one or more horizontal connection components  610  to form a structural frame of a modular wall system (e.g., corresponding to the combinations of vertical structural components  110  and horizontal connection components  120  illustrated in  FIGS. 1A and 1B ). One will recognize that the horizontal connection components  610  may include one or more attachment features for removably securing a modular wall tile (e.g.,  FIG. 1 ) to one or more sides of the horizontal connection component (these features are not depicted in  FIG. 6A, 6B , or  8  to focus on the aspects and features of the presently disclosed structural components). 
     Although the threaded holes  615  of the horizontal connection components are illustrated in  FIGS. 5A-6B  as through-holes, it will be appreciated that the additional countersunk through-holes  520  of the structural components  600  may align with any threaded hole of a horizontal connection component  610  to facilitate connection thereto when the additional countersunk through-hole  520  receives a screw that threads into the threaded hole of the horizontal connection component  610 . 
     As noted earlier regarding the countersunk through-holes  220 , the countersinking features of the countersunk through-holes  220  (e.g., the angle and the diameter of the countersunk through-holes  220 ) may allow a tapered screw inserted through a countersunk through-hole  220  to be flush with the front face  230  upon which the countersunk through-hole is disposed. Similarly, the countersinking features of the additional countersunk through-holes  520  may allow a tapered screw inserted through an additional countersunk through-hole to be flush with the back face  235  upon which the additional countersunk through-hole  520  is disposed. 
       FIG. 6B  illustrates the two structural components  600  of  FIG. 6A  joined to additional structural components  620 . The additional structural components  620  are identical to the structural components  600 , and each additional structural component  620  is arranged 180-degrees relative to a corresponding structural component  600  to which the additional structural component  620  is joined to form joined pairs of structural components  630 . As described above (see  FIG. 3B ), the back faces  235  of the structural components  600 ,  620  of a joined pair of structural components  630  abut one another. In some embodiments, the screws used to affix the structural components  600  to the horizontal connection components  610  become flush with the back face  235  of the structural components  600  when the screws are threaded into the threaded holes  615  of the horizontal connection components  610 . Accordingly, one will appreciate that the back faces of the structural components  600 ,  620  may abut one another without being obstructed by the screws utilized to affix the structural components  600  to the horizontal connection components  610 . In some implementations, a user affixes one or more of the additional structural components  620  to one or more additional horizontal connection components  640  before joining the one or more additional structural components  620  to structural components  600 , as shown in  FIG. 6B . 
     In this manner, a user may connect parallel, spaced apart structural components  600  to opposing ends of one or more horizontal connection components  610 . The user may then join the structural components  600  to additional structural components  620  to form joined pairs of structural components  630 , and the additional structural components  620  are, in some instances, already affixed to other horizontal connection components  640  before being joined with the structural components  600 . As indicated above, in some embodiments, the screws utilized to affix the various horizontal connection components to the various structural components and the screws utilized to form joined pairs of structural components may be of the same type. This can advantageously reduce the number of different types of fastening elements used in modular wall systems to affix various components to one another. 
     Although  FIGS. 6A and 6B  illustrate each of the structural components  600 ,  620  as being identically sized, those skilled in the art will appreciate that, in some implementations, the structural components have different longitudinal lengths. As such, some structural components can stand taller than others when vertically disposed (while still allowing the through-hole pairs of the structural components to align  600 ,  620 ). For example, manufacturers and/or designers may utilize structural components of different lengths to accommodate different interior structures (e.g., to partition a space that includes a mezzanine structure). Furthermore,  FIG. 6B  illustrates break lines on the additional horizontal connection components  640 , indicating that the horizontal connection components may have any length and that different horizontal connection components may have differing lengths. For instance, one horizontal connection component may extend from an initial structural component to an adjacent structural component that is shorter in longitudinal length than the initial structural component, and a second horizontal connection component may extend from the initial structural component to a subsequent structural component (over the top of the adjacent structural component) that is further from the initial structural component than the adjacent structural component. and different lengths. 
     Additionally, one will appreciate that  FIG. 6B  shows that a joined pair of structural components  630  forms an end of a structural frame, however, in some instances, a single vertically disposed structural component forms an end of the structural frame (e.g., as illustrated in  FIG. 6A ), rather than a joined pair of structural components  630 . Accordingly, the presently disclosed structural components are versatilely implementable into modular wall structures to form structural frames as joined pairs of structural components or as single structural components (e.g., to provide a slimmer aesthetic for ends of structural frames). 
     Furthermore, one will appreciate that the exemplary arrangement of additional countersunk through-holes shown in  FIGS. 5A-6B  are illustrative and non-limiting. In  FIGS. 5A-6B , the additional countersunk through-holes are disposed on the various structural members in transversely aligned pairs, similar to the arrangement of the through-hole pairs comprising a countersunk through-hole and a threaded through-hole described hereinabove. 
       FIGS. 7A-7B  show front and rear views, respectively, of an alternative embodiment of a structural component  700 . For example,  FIGS. 7A-7B  show that at least some of the additional countersunk through-holes  720  can be disposed on the back face  235  of the first and second flanges  250 ,  255  along the longitudinal length of the structural component  700 , such that the additional countersunk through-holes  720  do not form transversely aligned pairs. Rather, each of the additional countersunk through-holes  720  can be positioned on the structural component  700  without a corresponding transversely aligned additional countersunk through-hole  720  on an opposing flange. 
       FIG. 8  illustrates structural components  800  with unaligned additional countersunk through-holes  720  (as shown in  FIGS. 7A-7B ) implemented into a modular wall structure as joined pairs of structural components  830 . As shown, because at least some of the additional countersunk through-holes  720  on the first flange  250  are unaligned with at least some of the additional countersunk through-holes  720  on the second flange  255  of the various structural components  800 , the various structural components  800  may affix at their first flange  250  to horizontal connection components  810  at one height and may affix at their second flange  255  to horizontal connection components  810  at a different height. Accordingly, in some embodiments, the structural components  800  are implemented into a modular wall structure to secure horizontal connection components  810  at different heights on opposing sides of the modular wall structure. The horizontal connection components  810  on the different sides of the modular wall structure may then removably secure wall tiles of different sizes and/or at different heights to advantageously provide for different aesthetics on different sides of the modular wall structure. 
     Those skilled in the art will recognize that a structural component may include any combination of additional countersunk through-hole (e.g., countersunk from the back side of the structural component) for facilitating affixation to horizontal connection components. For example, a structural component may include at least two additional countersunk through-holes that are transversely aligned on the structural component and at least one additional countersunk through-hole that is not transversely aligned with another additional countersunk through-hole. 
     Additionally, the foregoing description has described various through-holes for receiving screws to affix structural components to one another and/or to horizontal connection components. One will appreciate, however, that a structural component may include other through-holes not shown in  FIGS. 1A-8  for affixing structural components to horizontal connection components. For instance, referring again to  FIG. 4 , in some embodiments, a structural component  200  includes one or more additional countersunk and/or threaded through-holes in one or more of the multiple faces  460  of the protruding portion  260  of the structural component  200 . By way of non-limiting example, a structural component can include another countersunk or threaded through-hole one or more of the multiple faces  460  of the protruding portion  260  to receive a screw that aligns with a corresponding threaded or countersunk hole of a horizontal connection component to provide additional support to secure the horizontal connection component to the structural component  200 . 
     Although the Figures focus on implementations in which the structural components are vertically disposed when implemented into a modular wall structure, those skilled in the art will recognize that other configurations are within the scope of this disclosure. For instance, in some implementations, the presently disclosed structural components are horizontally disposed when arranged in a modular wall structure, and the components referred to herein as “horizontal connection components” are vertically disposed when connected to the structural components. 
     The various components of modular wall systems described herein, including the various implementations of structural components, may be made of any suitable material that provides enough strength for structural support within a wall structure. Such materials may include metals, polymers, and/or other materials generally known and used in the art. In one exemplary implementation, the structural components described herein comprise cold-rolled steel. Cold-rolled steel may provide advantages because of its ability to provide a fire-rated modular wall system, as opposed to a material such as aluminum, which may not be fire-rated. However, in other instances, aluminum, or other non-fire rated materials, are used to form the structural components described herein. For instance, a manufacturer or designer may desire to take advantage of other advantageous properties of aluminum or other materials, such as reduced weight and/or improved extrudability. 
     Additionally, those skilled in the art will recognize that the particular, sizes, ratios, and/or shapes depicted in the Figures are illustrative only and non-limiting, and those skilled in the art may practice principles described herein under various implementation circumstances and/or configurations. For example, in one implementation, the various countersunk through-holes of the presently disclosed structural components have a diameter of 4.76 mm and are countersunk at an angle of 41 degrees (e.g., sized to fit #10 flat head mechanical screws) and the threaded through-holes have a tap size of #10-24 and a diameter of 3.73 mm, but other hole and/or screw sizes are within the scope of this disclosure. In another example implementation, the presently disclosed structural components are extruded from a material with a thickness of 2.67 mm, but any particular thickness, length, width, depth, height, and/or size of any aspect of a presently disclosed structural component is within the scope of this disclosure. 
     The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope. 
     Various alterations and/or modifications of the inventive features illustrated herein, and additional applications of the principles illustrated herein, which would occur to one skilled in the relevant art and having possession of this disclosure, can be made to the illustrated embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the claims, and are to be considered within the scope of this disclosure. Thus, while various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments are contemplated. While a number of methods and components similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used to practice embodiments of the present disclosure, only certain components and methods are described herein. 
     It will also be appreciated that systems, devices, products, kits, methods, and/or processes, according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure may include, incorporate, or otherwise comprise properties, features (e.g., components, members, elements, parts, and/or portions) described in other embodiments disclosed and/or described herein. Accordingly, the various features of certain embodiments can be compatible with, combined with, included in, and/or incorporated into other embodiments of the present disclosure. Thus, disclosure of certain features relative to a specific embodiment of the present disclosure should not be construed as limiting application or inclusion of said features to the specific embodiment. Rather, it will be appreciated that other embodiments can also include said features, members, elements, parts, and/or portions without necessarily departing from the scope of the present disclosure. 
     Moreover, unless a feature is described as requiring another feature in combination therewith, any feature herein may be combined with any other feature of a same or different embodiment disclosed herein. Furthermore, various well-known aspects of illustrative systems, methods, apparatus, and the like are not described herein in particular detail in order to avoid obscuring aspects of the example embodiments. Such aspects are, however, also contemplated herein. 
     The present disclosure may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. While certain embodiments and details have been included herein and in the attached disclosure for purposes of illustrating embodiments of the present disclosure, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes in the methods, products, devices, and apparatus disclosed herein may be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure or of the invention, which is defined in the appended claims. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.