초록 ▼

The invention is an interlocking structure. It can be shipped in a low volume disassembled state. It is easily interlocked together, without tools or special skills, by the eventual user. The interlocked structure has uncommon rigidity and strength. Containers like dresser drawers, laundry baskets o

The invention is an interlocking structure. It can be shipped in a low volume disassembled state. It is easily interlocked together, without tools or special skills, by the eventual user. The interlocked structure has uncommon rigidity and strength. Containers like dresser drawers, laundry baskets or waste paper baskets, shelters like dog houses and human shelters, or furniture like a portable fireplace can be interlocked together using a plurality of interconnecting rods and hooks. The abstract is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. 37 CFR 1.72(b).

대표청구항 ▼

The invention is an interlocking structure. It can be shipped in a low volume disassembled state. It is easily interlocked together, without tools or special skills, by the eventual user. The interlocked structure has uncommon rigidity and strength. Containers like dresser drawers, laundry baskets o

The invention is an interlocking structure. It can be shipped in a low volume disassembled state. It is easily interlocked together, without tools or special skills, by the eventual user. The interlocked structure has uncommon rigidity and strength. Containers like dresser drawers, laundry baskets or waste paper baskets, shelters like dog houses and human shelters, or furniture like a portable fireplace can be interlocked together using a plurality of interconnecting rods and hooks. The abstract is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. 37 CFR 1.72(b). at is less than the width of a second portion adjacent the deck, the bottom surface of the link ends being tapered between the first end and second end from a narrower portion at the first end to a wider portion at the second end.9. A modular belt, comprising: a plurality of belt modules having a planar deck having opposed end walls, opposed side walls, a top surface and a bottom surface, the planar deck having a substantially rectangular shape; a first plurality of link ends extending from the planar deck in a direction of belt travel; and, a second plurality of link ends extending from the planar deck in a direction opposite to the first link ends, the second link ends being offset from the first link ends such that adjacently positioned belt modules are capable of intercalating so that the first link ends of one belt module fit into spaces defined between the second link ends of an adjacent module; wherein the first and second link ends have a top surface that is substantially coplanar with the top surface of the planar deck, the top surface of the first and second link ends having a first width, the first and second link ends having a first end and a second end connected by a planar bottom surface that is disposed substantially parallel to the deck, the first end of the bottom surface having a width that is less than the width of the second end of the bottom surface, the top surface of the first and second link ends having a larger width than the bottom surface of the first and second link ends, the first and second link ends having openings defined therein, the openings disposed substantially perpendicular to the direction of belt travel; and, a plurality of pivot rods disposed through the first and second pivot rod openings such that the belt modules are intercalated and the adjacent belt modules are interlinked into adjacent hinged rows.10. The belt module of claim 9, wherein the bottom surface of the link ends is tapered between the first end and the second end.11. The belt module of claim 9, wherein the first end of the link end has a side wall disposed substantially perpendicular to the deck, the side wall extending to the deck, the side wall having a first portion with a width that is less than the width of a second portion adjacent the deck, the bottom surface of the link ends being tapered between the first end and second end from a narrower portion at the first end to a wider portion at the second end.12. The belt module of claim 9, wherein the top surface of the deck forms into a distal curved portion beginning at a position in substantial vertical alignment with an outer longitudinal extent of the pivot rod opening.13. The belt module of claim 9, wherein the distal portion of the link ends has a planar outer surface extending substantially downward from a curved top surface portion to a position horizontally coplanar with a lower extent of the pivot rod openings.14. The belt module of claim 13, wherein the planar outer surface is substantially perpendicular to the deck.15. The belt module of claim 13, wherein the planar outer surface is angled inward toward the deck.16. The belt module of claim 9, wherein the deck has a concave surface disposed between the link ends.17. A method of configuring a modular belt, comprising: providing a plurality of belt modules having a planar deck having opposed end walls, opposed side walls, a top surface and a bottom surface, the planar deck having a substantially rectangular shape; a first plurality of link ends extending from the planar deck in a direction of belt travel; and, a second plurality of link ends extending from the planar deck in a direction opposite to the first link ends, the second link ends being offset from the first link ends such that adjacently positioned belt modules are capable of intercalating so that the first link ends of one belt module fit into spaces defined between the second link ends of an adjacent module; wherein the f irst and second link ends have a top surface that is substantially coplanar with the top surface of the planar deck, the top surface of the first and second link ends having a first width, the first and second link ends having a first end and a second end connected by a planar bottom surface that is disposed substantially parallel to the deck, the first end of the bottom surface having a width that is less than the width of the second end of the bottom surface, the top surface of the first and second link ends having a larger width than the bottom surface of the first and second link ends, the first and second link ends having openings defined therein, the openings disposed substantially perpendicular to the direction of belt travel, and a plurality of pivot rods disposed through the first and second pivot rod openings such that the belt modules are intercalated and the adjacent belt modules are interlinked into adjacent hinged rows; and,placing pivot rods through the first and second pivot rod openings in adjacent belt modules such that the first and second link ends of the adjacent belt modules are intercalated and the adjacent belt modules are interlinked into adjacent hinged rows to form an endless belt capable of articulating about a drive sprocket.18. The method of claim 17, wherein the bottom surface of the link ends is tapered between the first end and the second end.19. The method of claim 17, wherein the first end of the link end has a side wall disposed substantially perpendicular to the deck, the side wall extending to the deck, the side wall having a top portion with a width that is less than the width of a bottom portion adjacent the deck, the bottom surface of the link ends being tapered between the first end and second end from a narrower top portion at the first end to a wider top portion at the second end.20. The method of claim 17, wherein the top surface of the deck forms into a distal curved portion beginning at a position in substantial vertical alignment with an outer longitudinal extent of the pivot rod opening.21. The method of claim 17, wherein the distal portion of the link ends has a planar outer surface extending substantially downward from a curved top surface portion to a position horizontally coplanar with a lower extent of the pivot rod openings.22. The method of claim 21, wherein the planar outer surface is substantially perpendicular to the deck.23. The method of claim 21, wherein the planar outer surface is angled inward toward the deck.24. The method of claim 17, wherein the deck has a concave surface disposed between the link ends. rein at least one of the two arms of the clip includes a shoulder adapted to rest against internal lips of the first grooved surface so that the clip can slide within the first grooved surface of the rail.5. The furniture system of claim 1, wherein the surface mount assembly comprises a mounting flange secured to the support surface, a stand-off positioned between the mounting flange and the rail, and a bolt for securing the stand-off to the grooved surface of the rail.6. The furniture system of claim 1 further comprising at least one leg assembly for supporting a work surface mounted to the rail and the leg assembly.7. The furniture system of claim 1 wherein the fixture is a storage box.8. The furniture system of claim 1 wherein the fixture is a drawer.9. The furniture system of claim 1 wherein the fixture is a hanging rod.10. The furniture system of claim 1 wherein the fixture is a white board.11. The furniture system of claim 1 wherein the fixture is a pin board.12. The furniture system of claim 1 wherein the fixture is a gusset.13. The furniture system of claim 1 further comprising a gusset and means for securing the gusset to the rail.14. A modular and configurable furniture system comprising: at least one rail having a grooved surface;at least one clip adapted to cooperatively engage the grooved surface of the rail, the clip comprising:a distal end and a proximal end opposite the distal end;the distal end having two arms situated opposite each other and forming a channel therebetween;the proximal end comprising a fixture holding rod having an internal passage extending into the channel;a fastener dimensioned to pass through the internal passage and into the channel to secure the clip to the rail; anda fixture mounted over the fixture holding rod of the clip.15. The furniture system of claim 14 wherein the channel is configured so that the arms expand against internal lips of the rail as the fastener extends into the channel.16. The furniture system of claim 14, wherein the two arms of the clip comprise a first portion and second portion, the first portion having a tapered surface for inserting the arms into the grooved surface and the second portion having a shoulder for slidably engaging internal lips of the grooved surface.17. The furniture system of claim 14, wherein at least one of the two arms of the clip includes a shoulder adapted to rest against internal lips of the grooved surface so that the clip can slide within the grooved surface of the rail.18. The furniture system of claim 14, wherein the rail has a second grooved surface positioned on a different exterior surface of the rail that cooperatively engages a surface mount assembly for securing the rail to a support surface.19. The furniture system of claim 18, wherein the surface mount assembly comprises a mounting flange secured to the support surface, a stand-off positioned between the mounting flange and the rail, and a bolt for securing the stand-off to the grooved surface of the rail.20. The furniture system of claim 14 further comprising at least one leg assembly for supporting a work surface mounted to the rail and the leg assembly.21. The furniture system of claim 14 wherein the fixture is a storage box.22. The furniture system of claim 14 wherein the fixture is a drawer.23. The furniture system of claim 14 wherein the fixture is a hanging rod.24. The furniture system of claim 14 wherein the fixture is a white board.25. The furniture system of claim 14 wherein the fixture is a pin board.26. The furniture system of claim 14 wherein the fixture is a gusset.27. The furniture system of claim 26 wherein the supports a shelf.28. A furniture system comprising: a plurality of rails;means for securing a fixture to the rails; andat least one connector for adjoining two rails at end surfaces of the two rails, wherein the connector comprises two identical half pieces which combine to f