초록 ▼

The present invention is a modular construction method for enclosures and counter assemblies. The counter assembly has a series of modules, which can be added or removed at will. The counter assembly comprises an innovative metal framework having modules connected by angled splices to enhance custom

The present invention is a modular construction method for enclosures and counter assemblies. The counter assembly has a series of modules, which can be added or removed at will. The counter assembly comprises an innovative metal framework having modules connected by angled splices to enhance customization into variable shapes and sizes. Cross-supporting framework and perimeter rails may be added to incorporate customized components for drawers, shelving, appliances, storage, access doors, vents, and the like. The framework is capable of supporting countertops formed in a shape corresponding to the shape of the modular assembly. Side panels may be supported on the framework for purposes of enclosing the assembly, said panels being attached by a plurality of metal clips designed to fit into the metal framework with extensions designed to secure the side panels. The framework and components of the counter assembly are moveable, rearrangeable, and replaceable.

대표청구항 ▼

I claim: 1. A modular counter assembly comprising: a shell for supporting and containing customized components, said shell being comprised of a metal framework having a plurality of removably attached lower perimeter rails, upper perimeter rails, vertical risers, cross-supports, diagonal supports,

I claim: 1. A modular counter assembly comprising: a shell for supporting and containing customized components, said shell being comprised of a metal framework having a plurality of removably attached lower perimeter rails, upper perimeter rails, vertical risers, cross-supports, diagonal supports, and side panels that are removably attached at the lower edge to the shell and framework by means of a plurality of metal connecting clips; wherein said shell and framework comprise a plurality of modules removably attached to each other by means of angled splices; wherein said shell and framework additionally are capable of supporting countertops and side panels; and wherein the metal connecting clips are comprised of one piece in the form of a rectangular box with one face open, with open slots at each corner of the open face extending down to the opposite closed side of said box and specifically sized to be inserted onto the lower perimeter rails of said framework, and with one long face extending above the plane of the open face, then curving outward at a 90-degree angle away from said box, and terminating with a small tab portion that curves upward at a 90-degree angle toward the plane of said closed face. 2. A modular counter assembly as in claim 1, wherein the shell and framework are leveled using moveable footings. 3. A modular counter assembly as in claim 1, wherein the splices used for attaching the modules are created in a plurality of angles ranging from 1 degree to 180 degrees, such that the modules can be attached at any angle desired to create a customized shape for the entire assembly. 4. A modular counter assembly as in claim 1, additionally comprising a countertop. 5. A modular counter assembly as in claim 1, wherein the shell and framework are secured to the platform on which the assembly is built. 6. A modular counter assembly as in claim 1, wherein the metal connecting clips are pierced for purposes of securing the clips to the ground, floor, or platform on which the modular counter assembly rests. 7. A modular counter assembly as in claim 1, wherein the custom components comprise a cooking grill having movable grill racks, movable fuel baskets, forced and ambient air supply and vents operable to accelerate and maintain elevation of the temperature of said fuel to a degree suitable for cooking food, gas and electrical outlets and appliance circuitry, fresh and gray water tanks, at least one sink, waste disposal systems, an ignition housing, and charcoal storage units and drawers. 8. A modular counter assembly comprising: a shell for supporting and containing customized components, said shell being comprised of a metal framework having a plurality of removably attached lower perimeter rails, upper perimeter rails, vertical risers, cross-supports, diagonal supports, and side panels that are removably attached at the upper edge to the shell and framework by means of a plurality of metal stabilizing clips, wherein said shell and framework comprise a plurality of modules removably attache to each other by means of angled splices; wherein said shell and framework additionally are capable of supporting countertops and side panels; and wherein the metal stablizing clips are comprised of one piece in the form of an "c" shape, having a thin horizontal strip specially sized to extend across the upper edge of the side panel and the vertical riser, with an extension on one end of the horizontal strip andgled at approximately 55 to 75 degrees to fit against inner side of the vertical riser and a further extension on the opposing end of the horizontal strip angled at 90 degrees, the end of which further extension is bent at an acute angle back toward the side panel such that it comes into contact with the side panel when in place. 9. A modular counter assembly as in claim 8, wherein the shell and framework are leveled using moveable footings. 10. A modular counter assembly as in claim 8, wherein the splices used for attaching the modules are created in a plurality of angles ranging from 1 degree to 180 degrees, such that the modules can be attached at any angle desired to create a customized shape for the entire assembly. 11. A modular counter assembly as in claim 8, additionally comprising a countertop. 12. A modular counter assembly as in claim 8, wherein the shell and framework are secured to the platform on which the assembly is built. 13. The modular counter assembly as in claim 8, wherein the custom components comprise a cooking grill having movable grill racks, movable fuel baskets, forced and ambient air supply and vents operable to accelerate and maintain elevation of the temperature of said fuel to a degree suitable for cooking food, gas and electrical outlets and appliance circuitry, fresh and gray water tanks, at least one sink, waste disposal systems, an ignition housing, and charcoal storage units and drawers. 14. A method of fabricating a modular counter assembly comprising the steps of: providing a plurality of lower perimeter rails, upper perimeter rails, vertical risers, cross-supports, diagonal supports, side panels, angled splices, and metal connecting clips; fabricating a plurality of modules for supporting and containing customized components; each module fabricated by removably attaching a plurality of said lower perimeter rails, upper perimeter rails, vertical risers, cross-supports, and diagonal supports; wherein said modules are capable of supporting countertops and side panels; removably attaching a plurality of said side panels at the lower edge of each module by means of a plurality of said metal connecting clips; fabricating a shell by removably attaching said modules to each other by means of said angled splices; wherein said metal connecting clips are comprised of one piece in the form of a rectangular box with one face open, with open slots at each corner of the open face extending down to the opposite closed side of said box and specifically sized to be inserted onto the lower perimeter rails of said shell, and with one long face extending above the plane of the open face, then curving outward at a 90-degree angle away from said box, and terminating with a small tab portion that curves upward at a 90-degree angle toward the plane of said closed face. 15. A method as claimed in claim 14, further comprising the step of attaching moveable footings to said shell and modules for use in leveling. 16. A method as claimed in claim 14, wherein the splices used for attaching the modules are created in a plurality of angles ranging from 1 degree to 180 degrees, such that the modules can be attached at any angle desired to create a customized shape for said shell. 17. A method as claimed in claim 14, additionally comprising the step of attaching a countertop to said shell and modules. 18. A method as claimed in claim 14, wherein the shell and modules are secured to the platform on which said shell and modules are built. 19. A method as claimed in claim 14, wherein the metal connecting clips are pierced for purposes of securing the clips to the ground, floor, or platform on which the modular counter assembly rests. 20. A method as claimed in claim 14, wherein the custom components comprise a cooking grill having movable grill racks, movable fuel baskets, forced and ambient air supply and vents operable to accelerate and maintain elevation of the temperature of said fuel to a degree suitable for cooking food, gas and electrical outlets and appliance circuitry, fresh and gray water tanks, at least one sink, waste disposal systems, an ignition housing, and charcoal storage units and drawers. 21. A method of fabricating a modular counter assembly comprising the steps of: providing a plurality of lower perimeter rails, upper perimeter rails, vertical risers, cross-supports, diagonal supports, side panels, angled splices, and metal stabilizing clips; fabricating a plurality of modules for supporting and containing customized components; each module fabricated by removably attaching a plurality of said lower perimeter rails, upper perimeter rails, vertical risers, cross-supports, and diagonal supports; wherein said modules are capable of supporting countertops and side panels; removably attaching said plurality of side panels at the upper edge of each module by means of a plurality of metal stabilizing clips; fabricating a shell by removably attaching said modules to each other by means of said angled splices; and wherein the metal stabilizing clips are comprised of one piece in the form of an "c" shape, having a thin horizontal strip specifically sized to extend across the upper edge of the side panel and the vertical riser, with an extension on one end of the horizontal strip angled at approximately 55 to 75 degrees to fit against inner side of the vertical riser and a further extension on the opposing end of the horizontal strip angled at 90 degrees, the end of which further extension is bent at an acute angle back toward the side panel such that it comes into contact with the side panel when in place. 22. A method as claimed in claim 21, further comprising the step of attaching moveable footings to said shell and modules for use in leveling. 23. A method as claimed in claim 21, wherein the splices used for attaching the modules are created in a plurality of angles ranging from 1 degree to 180 degrees, such that the modules can be attached at any angle desired to create a customized shape for said shell. 24. A method as claimed in claim 21, additionally comprising the step of attaching a countertop to said shell and modules. 25. A method as claimed in claim 21, wherein the shell and modules are secured to the platform on which the shell and modules are built. 26. A method as claimed in claim 21, wherein the custom components comprise a cooking grill having movable grill racks, movable fuel baskets, forced and ambient air supply and vents operable to accelerate and maintain elevation of the temperature of said fuel to a degree suitable for cooking food, gas and electrical outlets and appliance circuitry, fresh and gray water tanks, at least one sink, waste disposal systems, an ignition housing, and charcoal storage units and drawers.