Patent Publication Number: US-8113605-B2

Title: Foldable display module

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to the techniques employed in the manufacture and design of furniture, displays and counters used in public locations referred to as “points of sale” where goods and services are offered to the public, more particularly, it relates to a foldable display module. 
     BACKGROUND 
     In different places where public converge for the acquisition and promotion of products and services, such as exhibitions, conventions, information centers and so on, the use of furniture and displays is necessary so that people can make contact with suppliers and get to know their products. In this regard, a great variety of these pieces of furniture is available, and built in wood, metal, with shelves, partitions, however, in general terms, they are bulky, difficult to handle, and their transportation entails hardships as they occupy important footprint. 
     A known solution in the prior art for these problems, has been the creation of cardboard foldable furniture and displays. Nevertheless, their poor structural rigidity is a drawback, as items of considerable weight cannot be placed thereon, and furthermore, it is impossible for the vendor to lean on such furniture. One example of a cardboard display is described in the European patent EP 0 575 275 A1, incorporated herein by reference. In addition, this type of cardboard furniture lacks a remarkable aesthetic appearance, an important factor in order to achieve a commercial impact for the product or service being offered. 
     Furthermore, there exists furniture with a countless panels, rods and posts joined to each other, however, assembly thereof results in a time-consuming activity because the pieces to be assembled together are numerous. 
     Nevertheless, furniture is available that has been widely accepted and practical for the above purposes, such displays are comprised of a base, a cover on top of the base and a board placed over the cover. In this type of displays, the board serves to identify the name of the supplier or the product being offered, whereas the supplier stands behind the module to deal with the customers approaching the same. 
     One of these displays is described in the Mexican patent No. 212, 227, on which, its most important feature being that the elements of the module are taken apart and stored in the shape of a portfolio. In the module of this patent, is included a hinged shelf inside the base. However, an issue with this module is that the shelf and the post sections holding the board move inside the base when they are stored therein. In addition, when the module is assembled, the posts and the board lack sufficient stability, furthermore, the pins employed to close the cover are external and, therefore, become an aspect prone to flaws. 
     The module of the above patent was restructured in the Mexican patent No. 225,710, in which, the most outstanding changes are the inclusion of 45° cutouts between the post sections and a second shelf that runs over a rail, as well, a support was included to maintain the post sections fixed inside the second shelf. Despite this change, the board continues being unstable, as it sways over the cover, furthermore, the shelves frequently fall off their horizontal position, because they snap in place between the lateral panels of the base at their free lateral ends only. Furthermore, the cover (portfolio body) has strength issues when the module is stored therein, particularly, the cover is prone to break apart while being handled and transported. More specifically, it is perceived that when the cover is hit at its bottom, the impact travels through the lateral faces and reaches the cover which in turn breaks apart. 
     Another issue, is the occurrence of scratches on the panels of the base every time it is taken in or out of the cover. Likewise, it is noticed that when the base is inside the cover, the former moves upwards and downwards, and therefore wears out. 
     In order to solve the module issues from Mexican patents No. 212,227, and No. 225,710, the former was improved as shown in the international patent application No. PCT/IB2005/002083; in this application means for supporting and firmly holding the shelves in place are proposed when the module is collapsed, i.e. the shelves do not move when the module is carried around as a portfolio. In addition, one of the shelves is slidable in order to readily place in a horizontal position when the module is assembled. Modifications are also incorporated thereto that enhance the strength of the cover, which is the part that acts as a case to store the base along with the board and the posts inside the same. It is worth mentioning that this type of modules that folds in the shape of a portfolio can be purchased in Mexico under the Quick Counter® brand. 
     Now, this module satisfies the needs for the services and products offered at “points of sale” because of its ruggedness. However, one of its drawbacks is that the cover is independent from the base and, therefore, it continuously attaches and detaches thereof, which in turn delays the assembly process of the entire module to a certain extent. Likewise, since the cover includes a handle to carry the module, pins to close the same, cushioning pads and reinforcing corner pieces, the cover needs a detailed manufacturing process. Furthermore, aluminum hinges are employed to hingedly attach the module&#39;s base panels, which therefore increase the weight that is in the range of around 13 Kg. 
     In the market the needs of certain customers to foldable displays could be met in a different manner, i.e., if such consumers do not require such a rugged and resistant module as those stored away in the shape of a portfolio, there exists the need to provide display modules with a reduced number of elements to be assembled, that is, lighter versions of a display module, yet with the stability, resistance and, over all, long durability that is, of course, unavailable in foldable cardboard modules. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Pursuant to the above, the purpose is to eliminate the drawbacks of either prior-art cardboard or portfolio-shaped display modules through the development of a foldable display module, with a reduced number of pieces to be assembled, less weight, yet with enhanced strength and durability. 
     The foldable display module of the present invention comprises one base, posts that are assembled at the base and a board to be assembled over the posts, from these elements, the base has a “collapsed” and an “upright” position; the base comprising: i) one lower left lower panel; ii) one upper left panel hingedly attached to the lower left panel; iii) one lower front panel hingedly attached to the lower left panel; iv) one upper front panel hingedly attached to the upper left panel; v) one lower right panel hingedly attached to the lower front panel; vi) one upper right panel hingedly attached to the lower right panel and hingedly attached to the upper front panel. 
     Furthermore, the base has as another of its element: vii) one cover hingedly attached to the upper front panel that, in the base&#39;s “upright” position runs horizontally between the upper left and upper right panels on top thereof. In this regard, it is important to highlight that in the inventions by the same inventor of the current invention, the cover was independent from the base, therefore, in the foldable display module of the present invention, one element separated that has to be assembled can be dispensed with. 
     The final component of the base is viii) one shelf hingedly attached to the upper front panel&#39;s back face; in the base&#39;s “upright” position, the shelf runs horizontally between the upper left and upper right panels. 
     Each one of panels i) through vi) and the shelf consist of a frame and a plate that attaches over the corresponding frame. In order to allow the base to reach its “collapsed” position, the shelf frame is sized such that it can be housed inside the upper front panel frame; the upper left panel frame and the upper right panel frame are sized such that both can be housed inside the upper front panel frame by pressing the shelf. Similarly, the lower left panel frame and the lower right panel frame are sized such that both can be housed inside the lower front panel frame. 
     Other essential elements of the display module, are a pair of posts, one of which is detachably joined, by its lower end, to the upper left panel frame and the other post is detachably installed to the upper right panel frame. Each post goes through said cover when the base is in its “upright” position, wherein, each post is further formed by post sections that assemble between each other and that can be housed in the shelf frame. 
     The final element of the display module is a board detachably joined to the upper end of said posts; the board is sized such that it can be housed in the lower front panel frame. 
     In order to fold the module, the board is detached from the posts and housed inside the lower front panel frame; the shelf is moved upwardly to be housed inside the upper front panel frame; the post sections are disengaged and are housed inside the shelf frame; the upper left and upper right panels move towards each other by the back face of the upper front panel, leaving the frame of each one of the panels housed inside the upper front panel frame by pressing the shelf. 
     To continue with the folding of the module, the lower left and lower right panels move towards each other by the back face of the lower front panel, and so the frame of each one of these panels is housed inside the lower front panel frame and pressing the board already housed. Afterwards, the cover is rotated backwards of the upper front panel in order to cover the upper left and upper right panels; and, the lower front panel with the lower left and lower right panels housed therein, moves upwardly to be positioned over the cover, thereby achieving the base&#39;s “collapsed” position where the board and posts are stored therein, and therefore folding of the display module comes to an end. 
     In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the module further comprises a flange hingedly attached to the lower face of the cover and extending downwards thereof, the flange being attached both to the upper left panel frame and the upper right panel frame; this feature improves the module stability as a whole, particularly at the base&#39;s upper part. 
     In an additional aspect of the invention, means are provided to grasp the module when is in the folded position, these means preferably comprise a curve-shaped opening provided on the cover close to its front edge. 
     Likewise, in order to hold the post sections in the shelf frame, and according to another embodiment of the invention, the module is provided with fastening means in such shelf frame for said post sections, thereby the posts are restrained from movement inside the display module when its is carried around. 
     Now then, in the present invention, second fixing means are provided as well to fix the shelf on the upper left and upper right panel frames, this fixation further enhances the stability of the base and of the entire module when the latter is fully assembled. 
     From the above, an object of the present invention is to provide a foldable display module of low weight, yet rugged and durable. 
     Another object of the present invention, is to provide a foldable display module wherein the cover thereof is an element hingedly attached to the base for easy assembly of the entire module. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The novelty aspects deemed as unique to the present invention, shall be specifically set forth in the appended claims. Nevertheless, the invention, both in terms of its structure and manufacturing procedure thereof, along with other objects and advantages thereof, shall be better understood with the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a front left perspective view of a foldable display module built in accordance with one preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a back left perspective view of the foldable display module shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a back left and exploded perspective view of the foldable display module shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a back fragmented view of the lower part of the foldable display module of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIGS. 5-12  show the sequence for the folding of the display module of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 13  is a front perspective view of the display module already folded. 
         FIG. 14  is a left side view of the display module shown folded in  FIG. 13 . 
         FIG. 15  is a top plan view of the folded display module of  FIG. 13 . 
         FIG. 16  is a lower plan view of the display module already in the folded position of  FIG. 13 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     By reference to the accompanying drawings, and more specifically, to  FIG. 1 through 4  thereof, they show a foldable display module  100 , which is built according to one preferred embodiment of the present invention, which is to be considered as illustrative rather that limitative to the present invention. In the present detailed description, the module&#39;s left, right, front and back orientations of the module are those perceived by a user thereof if he/she would stand behind the module to wait on a customer. The foldable display module  100  comprises one base  200  consisting of the following panels: 
     i) one lower left panel identified with the number reference  201 ; this panel is formed by the frame  201   a  on top of which the plate  201   b  is attached; 
     ii) one upper left panel  202  hingedly attached to the lower left panel  201  by means of a first hinge  211 ; the upper left panel  202  comprises the frame  202   a  and the plate  202   b  that covers such frame  202   a ; 
     iii) one lower front panel  203  hingedly attached to the lower left panel  201  by means of a second hinge  212  that is shown in  FIG. 4 ; the lower front panel  203  is formed by the frame  203   a  and the plate  203   b  that covers the frame  203   a;    
     iv) one upper front panel  204  hingedly attached to the upper left panel  202  by means of a third hinge  213  (see  FIG. 4 ); the upper front panel  204  comprises the frame  204   a  and the plate  204   b  covering the same, the front panels  203  and  204  provide as a whole a wide surface that allows displaying of graphic material of different types by the front part of the module  100 ; 
     v) one lower right panel  205  hingedly attached to the lower front panel  203  by means of a fourth hinge  214 ; the lower right panel  205  is formed by the frame  205   a  on top of which the plate  205   b  is located; and, 
     vi) one upper right panel  206  hingedly attached to the lower right panel  205  by means of a fifth hinge  215  and hingedly attached to the upper front panel  204  by means of a sixth hinge  216 ; the upper right panel  206  comprises the frame  206   a  and the plate  206   b  covered by said frame  206   a.    
     From a different perspective, the right side, the left side and the front face of the base are divided into an upper part and a lower part, which differs from the base structure of the display module from the international patent application No. PCT/IB2005/002083, wherein the right and left sides thereof are not divided in that way, and further wherein the front panel is divided into one left and right front panel. In the present invention, the hinged relationship of panels  201  through  206  will allow for the collapsing of the base in a simple manner, thereby achieving a compact structure that, in the end, will simplify transportation of the entire module as will be further described below. 
     The base  200  has as an additional element one cover  207  hingedly attached to the upper front panel  204  by means of a seventh hinge, not shown in  FIGS. 1 through 4 , but displayed afterwards: As shown, the cover  207  runs horizontally between the upper left  202  and upper right  206  panels over the same. In this regard, in is convenient to point out that in prior art inventions by the same author, the cover is independent from the base, therefore, the foldable display module  100  has one less separate element that has to be assembled. The cover  207  is shaped as a single piece and the edges thereof are rounded to improve the aspect of the module. 
     The remaining component of the base  200  is a shelf  208  hingedly attached by the back face of the upper front panel  204  by means of an eighth hinge  218 . The shelf comprises the frame  208   a  and the plate  208   b  that covers such frame  208   a . The frame is facing downwards, i.e. the plate  208   b  has a wide working surface to place several items thereon. In the “upright” position of the base  200 , the shelf  208  runs horizontally between the upper left  202  and upper right  204  panels, and furthermore, the shelf  208  lies on the frame  202   a  from the upper left panel  202  and the frame  206   a  from the upper right panel  206 . 
     In the preferred embodiment described, there exists one flange  209  hingedly attached to the lower face of the cover  207 , this flange  209  attaches both to the frame  202   a  from the upper left panel  202  and to the frame  206   a  from the upper right panel  206  by first fixing means, which in the embodiment described are circular portions  230  of Velcro® (hook and fiber fixing portions) that are adhered to the contact surfaces between the flange  209 , the frame  202   a  from the upper left panel  202  and the frame  206   a  from the upper right panel  206 . This feature is clearly visible in detail “D” of  FIG. 4 , wherein the flange  209  portion attached to the frame  202   a  has been removed, being it understood that said removed portion also includes one hook and fiber fixing portion (Velcro®) to fix the flange  209 . 
     The foldable display module  100  has one pair of posts  300 , one of which can be detachably joined, by its lower end, to the frame  202   a  from the upper left panel  202  and the other post is detachably joined to the frame  206   a  from the upper right panel  206 . Each post  300  goes through said cover  207  past one hole  210  shaped on the base  200  when the latter is in an “upright” position. Assembling of each post  300  with either the frame  202   a  or the frame  206   a  can be seen particularly in detail “A” of  FIG. 3  and in detail “D” of  FIG. 4 . The fact that the posts  300  are attached to the frames of the upper left  202  and upper right  206  panels allows the construction of a framework or framing for the entire module and prevent the post from moving. 
     With preferred emphasis on  FIG. 3 , it can be mentioned that each post  300  is formed by post sections that assemble between each other, in the preferred embodiment illustrated and described, the posts  300  are hollow, preferably with a squared cross section, although they may have a circular cross section as well. The posts  300  comprise a lower section  301  and an upper section  302  that engage between each other; out of those sections, the upper section  302  includes in its lower end one engaging portion  303  with tubular profile that has a reduced diameter than that of the upper section  302  to form a projection; wherein, in order to assemble each post  300 , the engaging portion  303  from the upper section  302  is fully housed inside the upper end of the lower section  301  until the upper section  302  contacts the lower section  301 . Preferably, the upper end of the lower section  301  and the lower end of the upper section  302  include diagonal cuts  304  at 45° to provide stability to each one of the posts already assembled (see detail “B” from  FIG. 3  for further reference to this engagement). The lower and upper post sections  301  and  302  will be housed inside the frame  208   a  of the shelf  208  when the base  200  is in its “collapsed” position, as will be described later. 
     From  FIGS. 1 through 3 , it can be observed as well that the display module  100  has one board  400  detachably joined to the upper end of each one of these posts  300 . Graphic materials such as signs and posters can be placed on top of the board  400  surface, in order to identify the supplier&#39;s products and services at the point of sale. Particularly referring to  FIG. 3 , it can be see that the board  400  comprises one sheet  401  and one pair of mounting bases  402  attached to the back part of the board  400 , each of the mounting bases  402  includes in its lower end one engaging segment  403  of tubular profile that is housed and joined inside the lower end of the base  402 , thereby forming one projection. Through this engaging segment  403 , the board  400  is engaged to the upper end of the upper section  302  of each post  300 , in particular, detail “C” from  FIG. 4  shows this engagement of the board  400  with the upper section  302 . The board  400  will be housed inside the lower front panel frame to fold the module  100 . 
     The display module of the present invention comprises means to grasp the same when in the folded state, in  FIGS. 1  trough  3 , it can be seen that such means are provided on the cover  207  in the shape of an opening  220  through which a user can introduce the hand in order to carry the module when in the folded state, which will be evident throughout the text and drawings. The opening  220  has a curved shape and is provided on cover  207  close to its front edge. In addition to said opening  220 , the means to grasp the module can be selected too from the group consisting of a handle, a strap or holder adhered to the cover  207 . 
     Another feature of the module is that the lower left  201 , upper left  202 , lower right  205 , upper right  206  panels and the shelf  208  have perforations  221  ( FIGS. 1 through 3 ) through which it is possible to pass cables or connections of electric or electronic devices that users employ at the module  100  to serve customers, e.g., trough the perforations  221 , a keyboard cable or a electronic point of sale terminal etc. can be connected. 
     Reference is now made to  FIGS. 5 through 12  with the purpose of describing the manner in which the elements of the module are disengaged and stored inside the base  200  to fold the module  100 . In the first place and as shown in  FIG. 5 , the board  400  already disassembled from the posts will be housed inside the frame  203   a  of the lower front panel  203 ; in particular the sheet  401  from the board  400  contacts the plate surface  203   b  from the lower front panel  203  leaving the board  400  duly housed as shown in  FIG. 6 . 
     Still referring to  FIG. 6 , once the board  400  is housed inside the frame  203   a  of the lower front panel  203 , the shelf  208  moves upwardly towards the upper front panel  204 . However, it is convenient to point out that, when the base  200  is upright, the shelf  208  is fixed to the frame  202   a  from the upper left panel  202  and to the frame  206   a  from the upper right panel  206 , for such purpose second fixing means are used, that can be selected from male-female couplings, hook and fiber fixing portions (Velcro®) or pins. 
     Preferably, and as shown in details “E” and “F” from  FIG. 6 , the second fixing means employed in the embodiment being described, are male-female couplings  231 A and  231 B provided on the frame  206   a  of the upper right panel  206  and on the frame  208   a  of the shelf  208 , where it is observed as well that the male component  231 A is provided at the frame  206   a  from the upper right panel  206 , and the female component  231 B is provided at the lower face of the right side of the frame  208   a  from the shelf  208 . Although not perceivable in  FIG. 6 , this same feature is also included at the left side of the module  100 , i.e., the frame  202   a  from the upper left panel  202  includes the male component and, at the lower face of the left side of the frame  208   a  from the shelf  208 , the female component is incorporated. 
     To continue with the folding of the module  100 , the posts are detached from the base  200  and their post sections  301  and  302  are disengaged from each other to be housed inside the frame  208   a  of the shelf  208  ( FIG. 7 ). In this regard, in the module  100 , are included means to hold the post sections  301  and  302  to the shelf frame  208 , specifically said means comprise one pair of cartridges  222  spaced from each other a distance corresponding to the length of the post sections. One of the cartridges  222 , is attached in the right side of the frame  208   a  from the shelf  208  and the remaining cartridge in the left side of the same frame  208   a . Each cartridge  222  receives and covers one end portion of the post sections  301  and  302  in order to retain the same. One of these cartridges  222 , particularly the one located at the right side of the shelf  208 , has an inlet  223  by means of which the sections  301  and  302  can be introduced and taken out of both cartridges, as shown in detail “G” from  FIG. 7 . 
     Reference is now made to  FIG. 8 , to point out that once the post sections  301  and  302  are stored inside the shelf frame  208 , the upper left  202  and upper right  206  panels move one towards the other by the back face of upper front panel  204 , staying the frame  202   a  and  206   a  from said upper left and upper right panels  202  and  206  housed inside the frame  204   a  from the upper front panel  204  by pressing the shelf  208 . In a similar fashion, the lower left  201  and lower right  205  panels move similarly, i.e., one towards the other by the back face of the lower front panel  203 , staying the frame  201   a  and  205   a  thereof housed, respectively, inside the frame  203   a  from the lower front panel  203  and pressing the board  400 . 
     One important feature to be pointed out and that can be explained from  FIGS. 8 and 9  is that, the frame  208   a  of the shelf  208  and the frames from each one of the panels  201  through  206  of the base  200 , are preferably open rectangular frames, i.e., frames that can be devoid of one side at least so as to not interfere with the frames where they are being housed. For instance, the frame  201   a  from the lower left panel  201  and the frame  205   a  from the lower right panel  205  are identical, and have three sides, its missing side being the front one; the latter is with the purpose of preventing that such frames  201   a  and  205   a  crash against the mounting bases  402  of the board  400 , when such board is housed inside the frame  203   a  of the lower front panel  203 . 
     In a similar fashion and still referring to  FIGS. 8 and 9 , the frame  202   a  from the upper left panel  202  and the frame  206   a  from the upper right panel  206  are identical, their missing side being the front one to prevent it from crashing against the lateral sides of the frame  208   a  from the shelf  208  already housed; and, additionally, the frames  202   a  and  206   a  have their back side with a partial length, i.e., with a missing portion so that when the shelf  208  is housed and pressed the frames do not crash against the post sections  301  and  302  already housed in the shelf  208 . In  FIGS. 8 and 9  some portions of the frames  201   a ,  202   a ,  205   a  and  206   a ,  208   a  and the mounting bases  402  are shown in broken lines for the sake of clarity. 
     Reference is now made to  FIG. 10 , to mention that once the board  400 , the shelf  208 , the post sections  301  and  302 , as well as the lower left  201 , upper left  202 , lower right  205  and upper right  206  panels are already housed; the flange  209  moves towards the cover  207 , and the latter rotates in the direction of the upper left  202  and upper right  206  panels housed in the frame  204   a  from the upper front panel  204 . 
     Now and with reference to  FIGS. 11 and 12 , the lower front panel  203  along with the lower left panels  201  and lower right panels  205  housed in the frame  203   a  moves upwardly to stay on top of the cover  207  to reach the collapsed position of the base  200  wherein the board  400  the post sections are housed therein. It is convenient to point out that the lower front panel  203  remains fixed to the cover with the help of third fixing means, thereby avoiding that the module  100  opens and loses its folded state, these third fixing means preferably comprise hook and fiber fixing portions (Velcro®)  232  provided in the frame  203   a  from the lower front panel  203  and at the cover surface  207 , the location of these Velcro® portions  232  on the frame  203   a  and on the surface of the cover is such that when the base  200  is collapsed, said portions  232  match. 
       FIGS. 13 through 15  show the manner in which a user sees the module  100  in the folded state. From the folded module  100  one portion of the cover  207  sticks out with the opening  220  for a user to introduce his hand and carry the module. The cover section  207  where the opening  220  is located would correspond to the front part of the cover  207  when the module is in the assembled state (see  FIGS. 1 through 4  for further reference). In the folded module  100 , the lower front panel  203  and the upper front panel  204  can be seen, with their corresponding frames  203   a  and  204   a  and corresponding plates  203   b  and  204   b . As previously mentioned, the cover  207  is hingedly attached to the upper front panel  204 , by means of the seventh hinge  217 . 
     In particular,  FIG. 15  which is an upper plan view of the display module  100  already folded, the plates  201   b  and  205   b  from the lower left and lower right panels can be slightly seen, in addition the hook and fiber fixing portions (Velcro®)  232  can also be observed, by means of which the module  100  is prevented from opening and losing its folded position. 
     Now, particularly referring to  FIG. 16 , which shows a lower plan view of the folded module  100 , this figure let show the manner in which the frames  202   a  and  206   a  from the upper left and upper right panels respectively are housed inside the frame  204   a  from the upper front panel, it also shows how the shelf  208  is housed inside the frame  204   a  from the upper front panel  204 . In addition, inside the shelf frame  208  the post sections are housed therein, from which one of the upper sections  301  can be seen. 
     In a similar fashion  FIG. 16  shows the manner in which the frames  201   a  and  205   a  from the lower left and lower right panels are housed inside the frame  203   a  of the lower front panel  203 . It should not be forgotten that the board  400  is housed inside the frame  203   a . In  FIG. 16 , the hook and fiber fixing portions (Velcro®)  232  can be seen, by means of which the cover  207  and the frame  203   a  of the lower front panel become attached so that the module  100  does not open and loses its folded state. This same  FIG. 16  also clearly shows the first hinge  211  that hingedly joins the lower left and upper left panels, the first hinge  211  is attached to the frames  201   a  and  202   a  of such panels of the left side of the module. The fourth hinge  214  is also observed that joins the lower right and upper right panels; the fourth hinge  214  is fixed to the frames  205   a  and  206   a  from such panels of the right side of the module  100 . 
     As Can be seen, the structural relationship among the elements of the display module allows an easy folding thereof, however, it allows to form a resistant module. The commercial version of the module of the present invention is very light in weight with a maximum weight of around 6.5 Kg, which accounts for almost half the weight of prior art modules, since the frames, panels and hinges are preferably manufactured in PVC. More specifically, the post sections, the panel frames and the shelf frame are manufactured of extruded PVC profiles; the hinges employed are plastic hinges that adhere to the plates or to the frames without the need to make perforations as would be required for metal hinges, however, any type of hinges can be used. On the other hand, the panel plates and the cover itself are manufactured in foamed PVC. 
     Although one preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described and exemplified, it should be stressed that numerous modifications thereto can be made, such as the type of hinges employed, the manufacturing materials, the shape of the posts or the separation thereof from the cover. Therefore, the present invention shall not be deemed as limiting except for the teachings of the prior art and by the scope of the appended claims.