Abstract:
The present invention relates to a structural connection system for modular constructions such as shelving, workstation surfaces, partition panels and supporting panels in a modular office environment. Specifically, the invention comprises a connection system characterized by a set of three interconnecting members, whose primary function is to fasten, support and/or hold up different surfaces for modular office construction. The purpose of the invention is to provide a simple and efficient system of connecting members for the construction of modular offices having constructive features which are adequate in providing ease in assembly and disassembly as well as a structural efficiency sufficiently adequate in supporting loads.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention generally relates to a structural connection system for the construction of shelves, work stations, partition panels and supporting panels in a modular office environment. Specifically, the field of the present invention relates to a connection system which features a set of three interconnecting members whose primary role is to fasten, support and/or hold up different surfaces for modular construction.  
       BACKGROUND ART  
       [0002]     Numerous modular structural elements are available to fasten or support modular surfaces.  
         [0003]     Prior art illustrates devices known to hold up such surfaces or modular structural elements disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,137,899 by Troutner, U.S. Pat. No. 3,268,251 Troutner, U.S. Pat. No. 3,330,087 Troutner, and U.S. Pat. No. 3,570,204 Birkemier.  
         [0004]     Each one of these references illustrates connection systems in modular constructions for joining structural surfaces or elements. Some connectors comprise coupling elements with two L-shaped members, which when joined together by bolts or the like, house and support the modular elements used to build a workstation. These connection systems couple and reinforce the modular elements forming knots of force distribution increasing resistance but in most cases, a different type of connection is necessary for each structural element to be joined, thereby making the construction considerably complex. Therefore, experts are needed with the knowledge and the ability to recognize each type of connection for each form of coupling.  
         [0005]     Likewise, these connection systems, even though they offer sufficient rigidity, do not comprise an aesthetic attractive design after they have been built making necessary the use of aesthetic shells in order not to show its bolts or other internal assembly elements.  
       OBJECT OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     Therefore, a first object of the present invention is to avoid the disadvantages posed by the background art. More particularly, an object of the present invention is to provide a coupling connecting system for universal layouts in such a manner that using the same connecting element it is possible to build the entire structure having functional and attractive features.  
         [0007]     A second object of the present invention is to provide an easy to assemble connection system having efficient results concerning rigidity and load resistance, to fasten and/or support beams and/or workstation surfaces, as the case may be.  
         [0008]     A third object of the present invention in no way of lesser importance, is the need to provide a mechanically fit connection system for building modular structures as well as it being sufficiently attractive from an aesthetic perspective.  
         [0009]     Pursuant to these objectives, as well as any other that could arise, one feature of the present invention is an arrangement characterized by a set of three interconnecting members whose primary function is to fasten, support and/or hold up different surfaces for modular construction in such a manner that by using the same connection means, it is possible to erect the entire modular structure.  
         [0010]     Therefore, the connection system comprises a first off-centered support member whose primary function is to firmly be fastened to a square section beam, at several locations along said beam, with the purpose of supporting and fastening the modular workstations and inversely, for fastening in a hanging position the drawers or storage units.  
         [0011]     Likewise, it also comprises a second vertical support member, whose primary function is to be firmly fastened to a square section beam along several locations thereof, with the primary purpose of serving as a connecting point with the legs or supporting points with the floor of the modular system in general.  
         [0012]     Together with the previous members, the invention comprises a third closing support member characterized for having a cylindrical piece with a U-shaped diametric channel as a complement of the first and second supports with fastening means providing firmness and sound adjustment along a square section beam.  
         [0013]     The second vertical support member has the characteristic of changing its functionality in order to serve as support for several line accessories such as: flap supports, computer supports, auxiliary surface support, etc.  
         [0014]     The third closing support member having a U-shaped diametric channel serves as a complement for the operation of the two previous pieces through the use of attachment or fastening means. Its function within the set is to serve as structural fastening means for joining the first and second member.  
         [0015]     The novel features considered the grounds for the invention are particularly disclosed in the attached claims, and the additional advantages thereof will be better understood through the detailed description below with preferred embodiments and numbered drawings referred to. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATIONS  
       [0016]     In order to make the invention and its advantages compared with prior art more readily clear and concise, the possible illustrative embodiment forms which are non-limiting of the application of said principles, are described below with the help of the attached drawings.  
         [0017]      FIG. 1  shows an isometric view of the first off-centered support member.  
         [0018]      FIG. 2  illustrates in detail an isometric view of the second vertical support member.  
         [0019]      FIG. 3  shows an isometric view of the third closing support member.  
         [0020]      FIG. 4  illustrates an isometric view of a member coupling embodiment.  
         [0021]      FIG. 5  illustrates an isometric view of another member coupling embodiment. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0022]     The present invention comprises according to  FIG. 1 , a first off-centered support member  1  whose primary role is to firmly be fastened to a conventional square section beam, at several location along thereof, with the purpose of supporting and holding the modular workstation surfaces and inversely for holding in a hanging manner the drawers or storage units. This first off-centered support member  1  comprises a central cylinder having a top and bottom surface from which left  3  and right  4  side sections detach, wherein the right side section  4  is substantially shorter longitudinally in comparison to the left side section  3  pursuant to  FIG. 1 . The right side section  4  extends in opposite direction of left side section  3 .  
         [0023]     In a preferred embodiment pursuant to figure, the right side section  4  elevates above the projected surface of the central cylinder  2  as it longitudinally extends outward.  
         [0024]     In an alternate non-illustrated embodiment, both the left side section  3  as well the right side section  4  may extend outwards parallel to the projected surface of cylinder  2  or beneath or above the top surface thereof.  
         [0025]     Adjacent the axial end of left side section  3 , a first cylindrical platen  5  is extended and adjacent to the axial end of the right side section  4  a second cylindrical platen  6  is extended in such a manner that the axis of said first and second cylindrical platens  5  and  6  are parallel to the central cylinder&#39;s  2  axis. Piercing through the thickness of the first and second cylindrical platens  5  and  6 , an orifice is present for fastening means  7  and  8  in each of said first and second cylindrical platens  5  and  6 .  
         [0026]     Additionally, the central cylinder  2  possesses a diametric channel housing  9  which extends over the bottom surface, arranged in order to house a conventional square section beam, at several locations along thereof together and with the aid of the other connecting members according to construction needs.  
         [0027]      FIG. 2  illustrates a second vertical support member  10  whose primary function is to be firmly fastened to a square section beam along several locations thereof, together and with the aid of the other connecting members according to construction needs, with the primary purpose of serving as a connecting point with the legs or supporting points with the floor of the modular system in general.  
         [0028]     The second vertical support member  10  comprises a vertical support cylinder  11  having a top and bottom surface, having a diametric channel housing  12  which extends over the top surface, arranged in order to house a conventional square section beam, at several locations along thereof together and with the aid of the other connecting members according to construction needs.  
         [0029]     From the bottom surface of cylinder  11  of the vertical support  10 , a male (pin) type element  13  is axially extended.  
         [0030]     In a preferred embodiment, said male or pin type element  13  has a grooved perimeter semi conic arrangement.  
         [0031]     In an alternate embodiment said male type element  13  may have a grooved perimeter cylindrical arrangement or a combination of cylindrical arrangement finishing off in semi conic.  
         [0032]     The male or pin type element  13  has a diametric arrangement that does not go beyond the diameter of cylinder  11  of vertical support  10 . In a preferred embodiment, said diameter of said male or pin type element  13  is less than the diameter of cylinder  11  of vertical support  10  and its central axis always coincide among them.  
         [0033]     Cylinder  11  of vertical support  10  presents two pass-by openings  14  which join the bottom surface with the top surface, located adjacent to the edges of the diametric channel housing  12 . Said cylinder  11  openings of vertical support  10 , are arranged as pass-by elements for the fastening means.  
         [0034]     The second element of the vertical support has the feature of changing its functionality in order to serve as support for several different line accessories such as: flap supports, computer supports, auxiliary surface support, etc.  
         [0035]      FIG. 3  illustrates a third closing support member  15  characterized for having a cylindrical piece  16  with a U shaped diametric channel housing  17  as complement of the first and second supports  1  and  10  having pass-by fastening means  18  providing rigidity and sound adjustment along a conventional square section beam.  
         [0036]     Said third closing support member  15  comprises said closing support cylindrical piece  16  having a top and bottom surface, wherein said diametric channel housing  17  extends over the top surface, arranged to house a conventional square section beam, at several locations along thereof together and with the aid of the other connecting members according to construction needs.  
         [0037]     The closing support cylindrical piece  15  has two pass-by openings  18  which join the bottom surface with the top surface, located adjacent to the edges of the diametric channel housing  17 . Said openings of the closing support cylindrical piece  16  are arranged as pass-by elements of the fastening means.  
         [0038]     The third closing support member having a U-shaped diametric channel is the complement for the operation of the two connection pieces  1  and  10  through the use of fastening means. Its function within the set is to serve as the structural fastening for the connection of the first and second member  1  and  10 .  
         [0039]     The central cylinder  2  having a top and bottom surface of the first off-centered support member  1  comprises two non pass-by openings located adjacent to the edges of the diametric channel housing  9  in order to receive the attachment means of the second and third connection members.  
         [0040]     During use, the connection system comprises within an assembly embodiment, the step of locating a conventional square section  19  of modular construction within the first off-centered support member&#39;s channel housing  1  in order to firmly fasten it with the help of the second vertical support member&#39;s  10  channel housing  12 , wherein in between both members said conventional channel is firmly positioned and is fastened using conventional attachment means such as bolts which surpass openings  14  and attach support member  1  on its bottom surface. This type of coupling is observed on  FIG. 4 . This coupling strengthens the conventional channel and at the same time supports the leg which supports the structure. The leg supporting the structure on the floor may comprise a conventional round tube  20  which connects to the fastening piece  13  of the vertical support by one of its ends as illustrated in  FIG. 4 .  
         [0041]      FIG. 5  illustrates a second connection system alternative comprising the step of locating a conventional square section  19  of modular construction within the first off-centered support member&#39;s channel housing  1  in order to firmly fasten it with the help of the third closing support member&#39;s  15  channel housing  17 , wherein in between both members said conventional square section  19  is firmly positioned and is fastened using conventional attachment means such as bolts which surpass openings  18  and attach support member  1  on its bottom surface. The connection of first member  1  and second member of vertical support  10  has the characteristic of changing functionality in order to serve as support for several different line accessories such as: flap supports, computer supports, auxiliary surface support, etc.  
         [0042]     It is possible to locate on the cylindrical platens  5  and  6  of the off-centered support member  1 , workstation surfaces fastened by attachment means which pierce openings  7  and  8  of the cylindrical platens.  
         [0043]     In a third embodiment (not illustrated), the third closing member  15  grasps the conventional square section  19  with the help of the second vertical support member  10  and, through the use of conventional attachment means (not illustrated), which pierce openings  14  and  18 , it is possible to fasten said conventional square section  19 .  
         [0044]     Together, erecting an office modular structure is possible with the use of conventional surfaces, square sections and round tubes or pipes.  
         [0045]     Only some preferred embodiments of the invention have been illustrated as examples. To this regard, it is understood that the construction of the connection system, as well as construction arrangements may be chosen from a plurality of alternatives without departing from the scope of the invention according to the following claims.