MODULAR RACKING SYSTEM AND METHODS OF USE AND MANUFACTURE THEREOF

Abstract

Some embodiments are directed to a modular assembly for housing at least one object. The modular assembly can include multiple elongated support members each including an elongated body portion and a pair of separated connecting ends, each connecting end defining multiple grooves that are each at least partially non-linear. The assembly can also include multiple brace members that each include a central portion and a pair of spaced non-linear end portions, each non-linear end portion being shaped to occupy one of the grooves of the connecting ends, such that one non-linear brace portion of each brace member is able to at least partially occupy one groove of one connecting end of one support member while the other non-linear end portion of the one brace member is able to at least partially occupy another groove of another connecting end of another support member.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to Australian Patent Application No.: 2017903798, filed on Sep. 18, 2017, the content of which is hereby incorporated in its entirety by reference.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Some embodiments relate to modular racking assemblies, methods of using such assemblies, and methods of manufacturing modular racking assemblies. Some of these embodiments are directed to repeating bottle rack units for providing a reconfigurable modular racking system that is usable for storage and for providing an aesthetically pleasing display of bottles.

[0003] Wine has been a popular beverage for thousands of years and still remains a particularly popular beverage among adult drinkers of many ages and cultural backgrounds. Many social drinkers prefer the non-carbonated and robust taste of wine over beer and other tonic beverages. Many people enjoy wine as a vital compliment to a meal as it offers a vast number of options in choice of style, variety and origin. Indeed, in recent years medical research has provided evidence showing that the moderate consumption of wine may result in improved health benefits; including a lower risk of heart disease, lower mortality rates, a reduced risk of Type 2 Diabetes, a lower risk of stroke, cataracts and colon cancer. This further attracts many wine lovers and other health conscientious social drinkers toward selecting wine over other options.

[0004] Most wine lovers store wine at home primarily for consumption in their homes. This avoids the inflated cost of wine at restaurants or bars, and it allows drinkers to enjoy wine with meals or at social gatherings.

[0005] Wine is normally distributed and stored in glass bottles with a cork stopper, as the seepage of oxygen into a bottle of wine will eventually oxidise the wine turning it to vinegar. Over time, cork stoppers shrink and allow external air to enter the wine bottle; therefore, it is recommended that wine bottles be stored or placed on their side to keep the cork stopper wet and thereby avoid the penetration of oxygen in the bottle.

[0006] The storage of many bottles of wine can have significant space requirements and can ruin the home's decor. In addition, it may cause difficulty in locating and retrieving a desired variety or type of wine. Therefore, many wine drinkers prefer to use wine racks to store and display their wine in their homes.

[0007] Similar challenges exist for collectors of specialist beers, ciders and spirits. Oxidation of these beverages may also be minimised by storing bottles on their sides. Furthermore, bottles stored in this way contribute a pleasant aesthetic to the home or the retail store.

[0008] A wine or bottle rack is an assembled structure that is used to store, display or organise wine or other bottled products. Wine racks may be built out of many different materials. The size of the rack and the number of bottles it holds can vary widely. Wine racks may be used in wine cellars, in retail stores or in homes for personal collections.

[0009] Ideally, wine racks may also add ambience to a room and add atmosphere while providing an attractive and space-efficient display to store many wine bottles. Often home owners seek out stylish wine racks that are both functional as well as aesthetically pleasing. Traditionally, consumers have been hesitant to display their wine in racks in their home fearing that they may be an eyesore.

[0010] Numerous types of bottle racks are available in the marketplace for the storage and display of bottled products. Racks are made in various sizes and may be free standing structures, wall mounted structures, or even small structures for counters. They are usually made up of wood, wire, or metal.

SUMMARY

[0011] Related art wine racks can be large and bulky. The prescribed dimensions of such wine racks are not necessarily suitable for all consumers and are difficult to transport from one place to another. The lack of mobility of wine racks is a big issue; particularly where large wine bottle consignments are intermittently transported to wine stores or restaurants where large-scale wine storage is anticipated within a confined space for the gradual consumption of wine over time.

[0012] Related art wine racks are normally available in very confined square or circular compartments, to maximize the number of bottles that may be stored. They are often configured to stand against a wall or as a room divider. The compartments typically extend orthogonally from a wall and the wine bottles are inserted first at the bottom shelf, with the neck and cork of the bottle visible from the outside. Many conventional wine racks are also built in fixed unit sizes that either do not fill an entire wall space and waste the available space; or are of a much greater capacity than the consumer needs leading to much wasted space for consumers who only wish to store a few bottles of wine in the rack.

[0013] Limited modularity in certain wine racking systems has been achieved by using several small wine racks and stacking them next to and on top of each other. However, these systems are structurally unstable and can lead to much wasted space. Such systems may also be problematic because each racking unit is composed of a complete, smaller rack where the individual parts may not be interchangeable or replaceable. The entire rack may become useless if part of one unit is misplaced or damaged. If the individual components are not available for sale, then users may be required to buy a complete new kit.

[0014] Other related art modular racking systems include shelves that contain a circular bottle holder to fit the wine bottle therein at an angle sufficient enough for the cork to stay wet.

[0015] Related art wine racks are limited in their reconfigurability and are generally not designed or engineered to withstand larger formats of construction adequate to support the weight of wine or other contents stored therein. For instance, a typical timber and iron constructed modular racking system is currently marketed with only up to one hundred and twenty bottle spaces due to a lack of stability of the rack once constructed. Such wine racks can only hold narrower or standard sized wine bottles.

[0016] Custom racking systems provide consumers with modular design options where the shape of the rack and the number of bottles to be stored can be varied by adding or removing various components. These modular racking systems may be built by assembling structural components to a desired size at the time of installation by either the retailer or the consumer. However, such constructions are often complicated, and their assembly is often outside of the competency of many consumers, particularly if numerous parts are required to build the custom rack. Furthermore, they cannot be reconfigured, or they may lack aesthetic appeal.

[0017] Therefore, it may be advantageous to provide modular racking systems that are expandable in both a horizontal and vertical direction by using of a small number of components that are simple to assemble, may be transported in a compact container, and/or that may be configured into aesthetically pleasing designs.

[0018] Some embodiments relate to a modular assembly for housing at least one object. The modular assembly can include multiple elongated support members that each include an elongated body portion and a pair of separated connecting ends, each connecting end defining multiple grooves that are each at least partially non-linear. The assembly can also include multiple brace members that each include a central portion and a pair of spaced non-linear end portions, each non-linear end portion being shaped to occupy one of the grooves of the connecting ends, such that one non-linear brace portion of each brace member is able to at least partially occupy one groove of one connecting end of one support member while the other non-linear end portion of the one brace member is able to at least partially occupy another groove of another connecting end of another support member. The multiple brace members can be configured such that partially occupying the non-linear end portions of the multiple brace members in the grooves of the multiple elongated support members defines a space sufficient for housing the at least one object.

[0019] Some embodiments are directed to such a modular assembly wherein each elongated support member is unitary.

[0020] Some embodiments are directed to such a modular assembly wherein each non-linear end portion is configured for insertion into each groove via the opening at the end face.

[0021] Some embodiments are directed to such a modular assembly wherein each brace member is configured such that the non-linear central portion is linear, and the non-linear portions are disposed at opposing ends of the linear central portion.

[0022] Some embodiments are directed to such a modular assembly wherein each non-linear end portion includes a curved section that spans approximately 90.degree..

[0023] Some embodiments are directed to such a modular assembly wherein each non-linear end portion includes a linear section disposed at an end of the curved section opposite the central portion, such that an end of the linear section defines a face that is approximately perpendicular to a face of the central portion.

[0024] Some embodiments are directed to such a modular assembly wherein each brace member is configured such that the non-linear end portions extend from the central portion in opposite directions such that each brace member is approximately S-shaped.

[0025] Some embodiments are directed to such a modular assembly wherein each elongated support member is formed of acetonitrile butadiene styrene.

[0026] Some embodiments are directed to such a modular assembly wherein each brace member is formed of a metal or metal alloy.

[0027] Some embodiments are directed to such a modular assembly wherein each brace member is formed of coated steel.

[0028] Some embodiments are directed to such a modular assembly wherein each brace member is configured such that the non-linear end portions have dyadic rotational symmetry.

[0029] Some embodiments are directed to such a modular assembly wherein each connecting end defines a pair of grooves such that non-linear end portions of two different brace members are able to at least partially occupy the pair of grooves, such that the central portions of the two different brace members are perpendicular.

[0030] Some embodiments are directed to such a modular assembly wherein each connecting end also defines a second pair of grooves such that non-linear end portions of another two different brace members are able to at least partially occupy the second pair of grooves, such that the central portions of the other two brace members are perpendicular.

[0031] Some embodiments are directed to such a modular assembly wherein the multiple support members and the multiple brace members can be configured to form a prism-shaped assembly.

[0032] Some embodiments are directed to such a modular assembly wherein the object is a 1-liter wine bottle, and the elongated support members and the brace members are configured such that the central portions and the body portions are of a sufficient length such that the space is sufficient to house the 1-liter wine bottle.

[0033] Some embodiments are directed to such a modular assembly wherein each body portion is longer than each central portion.

[0034] Some embodiments are directed to method of manufacturing a modular assembly that is configurable to house at least one object. The method comprising forming multiple elongated support members that each include an elongated body portion and a pair of separated connecting ends, each connecting end defining multiple grooves that are each at least partially non-linear. The method can also include forming multiple brace members that each include a central portion and a pair of spaced non-linear end portions, each non-linear end portion being shaped to occupy one of the grooves of the connecting ends, such that one non-linear brace portion of each brace member is able to at least partially occupy one groove of one connecting end of one support member while the other non-linear end portion of the one brace member is able to at least partially occupy another groove of another connecting end of another support member. The multiple brace members can be configured such that partially occupying the non-linear end portions of the multiple brace members in the grooves of the multiple elongated support members defines a space sufficient for housing the at least one object.

[0035] Some embodiments are directed to such a method that also includes forming each brace member unitarily.

[0036] Some embodiments are directed to such a method that also includes forming each elongated support member of acetonitrile butadiene styrene.

[0037] As used herein, the term "modular" and any pluralisations or derivatives thereof are to be understood as defining structures that include at least one module with one or more units that may repeat or may be extended upon to form many structures of various design or scale.

[0038] As used herein, the term "reconfigurable" and any pluralisations or derivatives thereof such as "reconfigurability" and the like, are to be understood to include structures that may be constructed in one form, configuration, shape or embodiment and may further be deconstructed into one or more parts and may be reassembled to form at least one other form, configuration, shape or embodiment.

[0039] A modular bottle racking assembly according to some embodiments may be formed as a fixed storage unit for maintaining and storing individual bottles therein. A modular bottle racking assembly may be formed from multiple bottle rack units, where each unit is repeated within the rack and, optionally, each unit holds one bottle therein. A series of bottle rack units or portions thereof may provide a reconfigurable bottle racking system, wherein a system may provide more than one configuration of bottle rack. Bottle racking assemblies according to some embodiments may be configured as any one of a number of bottle racking systems of various shapes or configurations. Each system may include any one of a number of combinations of bottle rack units.

[0040] A first bottle rack unit may include four elongated support members and eight brace members for storing one bottle therein. The unit may be extended upon by incorporating additional elongated support members and brace members. For instance, a second additional unit may be formed by adding two additional elongated support members and six additional brace members.

[0041] The bottles that may be stored in the bottle rack may include, but are not limited to bottles of wine, spirits, beer, ciders or the like.

[0042] The elongated support members according to some embodiments may include a elongated body portion terminating at each end with a connecting end. The elongated body portion may be formed as a star-shaped rod further including four arms extending to a connecting end wherein each end may be 1-5 mm wider than the width of each arm and may be fixed to the connecting end.

[0043] The arms on the elongated body portion may be formed for supporting different sized or shaped bottles including narrower bottles, such as rieslings, standard sized bottles or large bottles such as magnums, therein. The arms may also provide a guide for the bottle to slide in smoothly as it is being inserted.

[0044] The shape of the elongated body portion may be designed to impede or prevent bottles from touching one another, thereby preventing breakage of any bottle stored within the bottle rack unit.

[0045] The elongated body portion and the connecting ends of a elongated support member may be shaped in a box, star, moon or any other shape; wherein the selection of shape may be made on the basis of the process of manufacture, the material used for forming the elongated support member, or the structural integrity of the shape which may further provide improved packaging efficiency and cost savings for scaled production.

[0046] The elongated body portion may be oriented substantially perpendicularly to each connecting end and each brace member, and substantially parallel to each elongated body portion in both the horizontal or vertical orientation.

[0047] The length of the elongated body portion may be shorter than the length of the bottles. Typically, the length may be determined in such a way that when a bottle racking system is constructed, the neck and base of a bottle may rest on the brace member(s).

[0048] The elongated support member may be manufactured by injection moulding suitable materials. Persons of ordinary skill in the art may select suitable materials on the basis of cost, ease of processing, strength, durability, flexibility, aesthetic appearance or other qualities desirable for constructing a bottle rack.

[0049] In some embodiments, the elongated support member is formed from polymeric material, such as a plastic material. Suitable materials may be selected on the basis of the untinted pigmentation of the material and whether this pigmentation is desirable as the finished colour of the product component. Alternatively, the elongated support or the connecting ends may be formed from polymeric material, such as a plastic material.

[0050] The connecting ends according to some embodiments may be formed in a star shape. They may include at least two or more curved grooves wherein each groove includes an opening for receiving a curved end portion of the brace member. The connecting ends may include four curved grooves and each curved end portion of a flat brace member is formed in substantially the same shape as one of the curved grooves.

[0051] The internal surface of the curved grooves includes a series of small protrusions that assist in gripping the brace member. The curved grooves may be formed using a custom built jig fabricated during the manufacturing tooling process.

[0052] The connecting ends of the elongated support may be moulded, or they may be available separately.

[0053] In one form, a elongated support member includes a elongated body portion and the connecting ends wherein the elongated body portion and the connecting ends are formed integrally.

[0054] In another form, the elongated support member is formed from multiple individual pieces. The elongated body portion and the connecting ends may be formed as separate pieces. The connecting ends may include a central threaded screw portion for threading into the elongated body portion, which in turn, includes a threaded cavity end for maintaining the connecting end therein. Alternatively, the elongated body portion may include a wedge at each terminal end of the portion that fits within a cavity formed within the connecting ends.

[0055] The elongated body portion of several embodiments may be formed as a star shaped rod including four arms. The connecting ends may be formed as star shaped connectors including two or more curved grooves.

[0056] The elongated body portion may be formed as box, star, or in any other form wherein the selection may be made on the basis of the process of manufacture, or the material used for forming the elongated support member. This may further provide improved packaging efficiency and cost-savings in the mass production of the elongated body portion.

[0057] The connecting ends may be formed as box, star, or in any other form wherein the selection may be made on the basis of the process of manufacture, or the material used for forming the elongated support member. The selection of a shape or form of the elongated body portion may be based on providing better packaging efficiency or cost savings in the scaled production of the connecting ends.

[0058] The brace members according to some embodiments may include a bottle bracing central portion which may be formed as a flat metallic section terminating with a curved end portion at each end wherein, each curved end portion faces in opposing directions.

[0059] The brace member may be formed from a metal or a metal alloy strip. The brace member may also terminate in curved end portions having dyadic rotational symmetry. In addition, each curved end portion may be fixed within a curved groove of a connecting end. Advantageously or preferably, each curved end portion of eight brace members are fixed within a curved groove within a connecting end of four elongated support members to form a prism shaped bottle racking unit.

[0060] The curved brace may be made from steel or aluminium. However, brushed stainless steel may be the most advantageous or preferred option. Brushed stainless steel may be particularly suitable for constructing bottle racks for providing rigidity and a pleasing aesthetic appearance. A metal coating may be formed or applied either before or after cutting and shaping the curved brace.

[0061] The brace member may be used to form the modular racking system in both a horizontal and vertical direction.

[0062] Preferably, the brace members each extend substantially perpendicularly between a pair of the elongated support members and are positioned between a pair of the connecting ends.

[0063] The dyadic rotational symmetry of the brace member according to some embodiments is to be determined with respect to the centre of the bottle bracing portion of the brace member wherein one side of the brace member from the point of centre is rotationally symmetrical to the other side of the brace member. Whereas, the dyadic rotational symmetry of the curved end portions are determined with respect to one another rather than the centre of bottle bracing portion.

[0064] The bottle bracing central portion may be shaped in a flat, curved portion or the like for cradling the bottles. The central portion may vary in length. Preferably the central portion is approximately 68.8 mm. The central portion may have a fold. For instance, the fold may enable the structure to form an angled connection with an adjacent support member. This may enable a complete rack to be construed around corners, or to provide for a top display row wherein bottles are maintained at an angle.

[0065] The fold may be located centrally on the bottle bracing central portion, or it may be located closer to one of the two curved end portions of the brace member.

[0066] A fold within the bottle bracing central portion may be formed across a vertical plane.

[0067] The bottle bracing central portion may be formed in a U-shape, a sinusoidal shape and angled shape or any other aesthetically pleasing shape. A U-shape may be preferred for maintaining a bottle thereon.

[0068] The length of the bottle bracing central portion may be slightly longer than the approximate diameter of the intended bottles to be stored in the bottle rack for supporting bottles of various sizes or shapes within a bottle rack unit. One standard bottle rack unit may be formed such that the front face of the unit is approximately 135 mm.times.approximately 135 mm.

[0069] The brace member may be altered in design and still maintain much the same functionality For certain embodiment, the radial bend at either end of the brace members forming the curved end portions is provided for aesthetic reasons. However, a design may also be provided with a larger or a smaller radius to provide a bottle rack unit with additional functionality.

[0070] The shape of a brace member is critical for stabilising the bottle rack and providing strength and rigidity to large racking systems. The curved end portions provide support and strength to the bottle rack units thereby supporting the bottle racking system. The curvature in the curved end portions provide greater strength at the points of connection of components, which would otherwise be a point of weakness in larger wine rack structures. The curved end portions also preventing breakage of bottles; which may otherwise occur if the curved end portions are not fixed properly into the corresponding curved grooves.

[0071] The curved end portion of a brace member is fixed within a curved groove of a connecting end of the elongated support member wherein each curved groove includes an opening for receiving a curved end portion of the brace member. The internal surface of curved grooves includes a series of small protrusions that assist in gripping the curve end portion of a brace member. The engagement between the connecting end and the curved end portion reduces the risk of components disengaging, which may otherwise occur if the curved end portions of the brace member were not curved and were simply slotted into the elongated support member. The curved end portions may form an arc of between 45 degrees and 270 degrees, preferably an arc is formed at about 90 degrees.

[0072] Thus, a first bottle rack unit may include four elongated support members and eight brace members for storing one bottle therein. A bottle rack unit may be prism-shaped, a rectangular cuboid, or the like thereby providing sufficient support to a bottle maintained within the structure. The unit may be extended upon by adding additional elongated support members and brace members. For instance, a second additional unit may be formed by adding two additional elongated support members and six additional brace members.

[0073] One or more bottle rack units may be used to configure or reconfigure a bottle racking system into different shapes and sizes for storing and displaying the bottle racking system in any required space. For instance, a bottle racking system may be configured or reconfigured into a 90-degree angle, an L-shape or any other more complex shape including these shapes and conformations. This degree of configurability and reconfigurability enables the bottle racking system to be used at a corner space, or beneath or above a staircase, wherein bottles may be displayed around a corner space or under a staircase.

[0074] A bottle racking system may be configured or reconfigured as a smaller sized bottle racking system, for instance including three or nine bottle rack units, a medium sized bottled racking system, for instance including more than fifteen bottle rack units, or a larger sized bottle racking system, for instance including fifty or more bottle rack units.

[0075] In one form, a modular bottle racking assembly further includes at least one pair of extended brace members wherein each extended brace member is longer than the flat brace members.

[0076] The extended brace member may be formed from coated steel, thereby providing sufficient rigidity or sufficient strength to support the weight of the bottle rack. By transferring the weight of the rack and product stored therein through the extended brace member, there extended brace member may be used in larger assemblies of the bottle racking system.

[0077] Preferably, the curved brace member or the extended brace member may be made from steel or aluminium. However, coated steel may be the most preferred option, particularly brushed stainless steel. Brushed stainless steel steel may be particularly suitable for racks to provide greater durability of the structural component or to provide a pleasant aesthetic appearance.

[0078] Extended brace members according to some embodiments may be formed from a metal or metal alloy strip including a bottle bracing central portion having an angled fold, and terminating in curved end portions wherein each end portion has dyadic rotational symmetry with respect to the other.

[0079] The extended brace member according to some embodiments includes a bottle bracing central portion having an angled fold and, optionally, terminating in curved end portions. Each curved end portion may, further, have dyadic rotational symmetry with respect to the other.

[0080] Dyadic rotational symmetry of the extended brace member is preferably formed with respect to the centre of the extended brace member.

[0081] The bottle bracing central portion of the extended brace members may be positioned between a pair of connecting ends of two elongated support members for supporting one bottle thereon, or for displaying the bottle racking system in a corner space.

[0082] In one form, each curved end portion of the extended brace members is fixed within a curved groove of a connecting end of the elongated support. Furthermore, each curved groove may include an opening for receiving a curved end portion of the brace member. The secured or fixed engagement of the connecting end and the curved end portion within the curved groove reduces the risk of any structural components of the assembly disengaging. This may be the case if the curved end portions of the brace member are not curved and simply slotted into a elongated support member.

[0083] The angled fold of a bottle bracing central portion may be positioned at a centre or at an off-centre position of a bottle bracing central portion. The angled fold is particularly useful for displaying the bottle racking system in an angled corner space wherein at least a pair of extended brace members is required to combine one or more bottle racking systems to form an angled bottle racking system.

[0084] An angled bottle racking system may be formed using the extended curved brace along with a brace curved at approximately 45 degrees. An angled bottle racking system may be displayed in a corner space at approximately a 90 degree angle which may be able to fill a void corner space in homes, restaurants, pubs, bars, hotel rooms, kitchen or the like.

[0085] An extended curved brace may be used along with a U-shaped curved brace for forming an angled top bottle racking system for displaying bottles at about a 45 degree angle or about a 90 degree angle. The angled top modular racking system may be placed in any space suitable for fitting an angled top unit. It may also be used in spaces such as mini-bars where the ceilings are formed at an angle suitable to fit the angled top modular racking system.

[0086] In one form, a method of constructing a modular bottle racking assembly according to some embodiments includes the steps of obtaining the modular bottle racking assembly and positioning each curved end portion of a brace member within a corresponding curved groove of a connecting end.

[0087] In another form, a method of constructing a modular bottle racking assembly includes the steps of obtaining the modular bottle racking assembly wherein each curved end portion of an extended brace member is positioned within a corresponding curved groove of a connecting end.

[0088] Furthermore, a method of constructing a modular bottle racking assembly includes the further steps of obtaining two additional elongated supports and six additional flat brace members, and positioning each additional curved end portion of each additional flat brace member within a corresponding curved groove of the two additional elongated supports or two elongated supports.

[0089] The method allows for easy construction and reconfiguration of the bottle racking system.

[0090] Modular racking systems greater than 1.2 meters in height may include an optional wall saddle for fixing assembled rack to a wall by anchoring the saddle to a solid wall or other structure using typical tethering anchors suitable for anchoring to the desired structure.

[0091] The design of a wall saddle may be modified to hook the saddle onto the elongated support member.

[0092] Wall saddles may be used for mounting the modular racking systems horizontally; that is, with the label facing outwards, wherein the modular racking system is anchored by the wall saddle at the top and at the base. In one form, horizontal mounting may be used in such a way that the bottles are displayed back to back. In another form, the conformation of the wall saddle may be adapted to mount the modular racking system at about 90 degrees to the wall such that the bottles are displayed in a forward facing orientation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0093] The disclosed subject matter of the present application will now be described in more detail with reference to exemplary embodiments of the apparatus and method, given by way of example, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0094] FIG. 1A shows a elongated support.

[0095] FIG. 1B shows the star-shaped end with four grooves.

[0096] FIG. 1C illustrates the star-shaped end with four curved braces within four grooves.

[0097] FIG. 2 shows a curved brace.

[0098] FIG. 3A illustrates the interconnection between two elongated supports and a curved brace.

[0099] FIG. 3B illustrates the interconnection between four elongated supports and eight curved braces.

[0100] FIG. 3C shows one bottle rack unit.

[0101] FIG. 4 illustrates a elongated support including three parts.

[0102] FIG. 5A shows a modular racking system with three bottle rack units.

[0103] FIG. 5B shows a modular racking system with nine bottle rack units.

[0104] FIG. 5C shows a modular racking system with twenty five bottle rack units.

[0105] FIG. 5D shows a modular racking system with fifty bottle rack units.

[0106] FIG. 5E shows an L-shaped modular racking system.

[0107] FIG. 5F shows an H-shaped modular racking system.

[0108] FIG. 5G shows an under stair modular racking system.

[0109] FIG. 6A shows an extended curved brace.

[0110] FIG. 6B shows a 45-degree brace.

[0111] FIG. 6C shows a U-shaped brace.

[0112] FIG. 7A illustrates an angled-corner modular racking system.

[0113] FIG. 7B illustrates an angled-top modular racking system.

[0114] FIG. 8A shows a wall saddle.

[0115] FIG. 8B illustrates a wall saddle fixed to a three-unit rack.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

[0116] A few inventive aspects of the disclosed embodiments are explained in detail below with reference to the various figures. Exemplary embodiments are described to illustrate the disclosed subject matter, not to limit its scope, which is defined by the claims. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize a number of equivalent variations of the various features provided in the description that follows.

[0117] The following provides a detailed description of several embodiments each including a bottle rack unit wherein each unit is repeated to provide a reconfigurable, modular racking system. Additional components are also described for reconfiguring the units into various shapes and sizes for storage and display in confined spaces and for corner displays.

Bottle Rack Unit

Two Part Unit

[0118] The present embodiment is formed from a two part bottle racking unit which is constructed from only two different parts; an elongated support and a curved brace. Four elongated supports and eight curved braces form each unit which may be repeated to provide a reconfigurable, modular racking system assembly suitable for the storage or display of bottles therein.

Elongated Support

[0119] FIG. 1A illustrates a moulded plastic elongated support 100 formed from a polymeric material by injection moulding processes well known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Elongated support 100 includes a star-shaped rod 102 terminating in two star-shaped opposite ends 150. The star-shaped rod includes four arms 110, 120, 130, 140 extending towards its terminating ends 110a, 120a, 130a, 140a wherein each end is 1-5 mm wider than the width of each arm and is fixed to the two star-shaped opposite ends 150. The arms on the star-shaped rod provide support and are spaced to maintain different sized or shaped bottles thereon which may include narrower bottles like riesling bottles, standard-sized bottles, or large bottles such as magnums.

[0120] FIG. 1B and 1C show the star-shaped opposite ends 150 of the elongated support 100 including four grooves 150a, 150b, 150c and 150d wherein each groove is shaped to maintain a curved brace therein. FIG. 1B shows the internal surface of grooves 150a, 150b, 150c and 150d which include a series of small protrusions 152 that assist in gripping the curved brace 158. FIG. 1C illustrates the fit of curved braces 160 within the curved grooves such that they are fixed in place.

Curved Brace

[0121] FIG. 2 provides a simple representation of a curved brace 158 formed of a metal or metal alloy using a custom jig. Curved brace 158 includes a flat metallic section 160 having two opposite ends 160a and 160b that are symmetrically curved in opposing directions.

[0122] The shape of curved brace 158 is critical for stabilising the bottle rack and providing strength and rigidity to large racking systems that are capable of supporting a large number of bottles, and which may be configured in varying sizes and shapes.

Connecting the Elongated Support and Curved Brace

[0123] FIG. 3A illustrates an interconnecting arrangement between two elongated supports 100 and curved brace 158; which are the only two parts of a two part bottle rack unit. The end of a first curved brace 160a is threaded into the curved groove 150a of the star-shaped end of a first elongated support, and the other end of the first curved brace 160b is threaded to another groove 170c of the star-shaped end of a second elongated support such that the entire first curved brace 160 is maintained in a fixed position between the first and second elongated supports.

[0124] A complete bottle rack unit is constructed in accordance with the above approach of interconnecting the elongated supports 100 and curved braces 158 to form a cube shaped structure. FIG. 3B provides an illustration of a bottle rack unit wherein four elongated supports are interconnected with the eight curved braces to form a bottle rack unit to support one bottle. As illustrated in FIG. 3B, one end of a first curved brace 160a is threaded into the curved groove 150a of the star-shaped end of first elongated support, the other end of the first curved brace 160b is threaded into another curved groove 170c of the star-shaped end of a second elongated support wherein the entire first curved brace 158 is maintained in a fixed position between the two elongated supports.

[0125] A second curved brace 200 is provided wherein one end of a second curved brace 200a is threaded within the groove 170b of the star-shaped end of the second elongated support and the other end of second curved brace 200b threads within the curved groove 180d of the star-shaped end of third elongated support such that the entire second curved brace 200 is maintained in a fixed position between the second and third elongated supports.

[0126] A third curved brace 210 is provided wherein one end of third curved brace 210b is threaded within the groove 180c of the star-shaped end of third elongated support and the other end of third curved brace 210a is threaded within the curved groove 190a of the star-shaped end of a fourth elongated support such that the entire third curved brace 210 is maintained in a fixed position between the third and fourth elongated supports.

[0127] Similarly, a fourth curved brace 220 is provided wherein one end of fourth curved brace 220b is threaded within the groove 190d of a star-shaped end of a fourth elongated support and the other end of a fourth curved brace 220a is threaded within the groove 150b of a star-shaped end of the first elongated support such that the entire fourth curved brace 220 is maintained therein between the fourth and first elongated supports.

[0128] The other ends of the four elongated supports are interconnected in a similar fashion using another four curved braces to form one complete bottle rack unit 222 shown in FIG. 3C. A mallet may be used to fit the curved braces within the corresponding grooves of the star-shaped ends of the elongated supports, particularly where the components are provided to consumers for assembling one or more bottle rack units.

[0129] Several elongated supports and curved braces are provided to form a modular racking system.

Three Part Unit

[0130] A second embodiment relates to a three part bottle rack unit including three main connecting components including a support beam 230 and a cross connector 240 as illustrated in FIG. 4, and a curved brace 160, wherein the combination of a cross connector 240 and support beam 230 functions in a similar manner to a elongated support 100 described earlier.

[0131] The cross connector 240 functions as the star-shaped end 150 of the elongated support 100 and the support beam 230 as the star-shaped rod 102 with four arms as described with respect to the two-part unit above. Once a cross connector 240 is fitted onto the opposite terminal ends of the support beam 230, it functions in a similar manner to the elongated support discussed above. Several sets of the three part elongated support components are provided together with several curved braces to form a repeating three part bottle rack unit.

[0132] The interconnection between eight cross connectors 240, four support beams 230 and eight curved braces 158 is made in a similar fashion to that described with respect to a two part unit to form a repeating three part bottle rack unit for forming a reconfigurable modular racking system.

Size and Shape

[0133] The modular racking system may be built with any desired number of repeating bottle rack units to form almost any desired shape, of almost any width or length. For example, a small sized modular racking system may include only three units (FIG. 5A) or nine units (FIG. 5B) whereas a medium sized modular racking system may include 25 units (FIG. 5C) and a large modular racking system may include 50 units (FIG. 5D) and so on.

[0134] FIG. 5E illustrates a modular racking system may be built for forming a single L-shaped modular racking system for the display and storage of bottles to suit a 90-degree corner. An L-shaped corner unit may be used to make use of otherwise lost or void corner spaces of homes, restaurants, pubs, bars, hotel rooms, kitchen and the like Similarly, a modular racking system may be built into different shapes such as an H-shaped modular racking system (FIG. 5F), an under stair modular racking system (FIG. 5G) and the like.

Accessories

Extended Curved Brace

[0135] FIG. 6A illustrates an extended curved brace 248 including a combination of two flat metallic sections 250 having two opposite ends 250a, 250b that are curved in opposing directions. The two opposite ends of the extended curved braces are threaded into a curved groove of a star-shaped ends in a similar fashion to that of a two or three part bottle rack unit.

[0136] An extended curved brace 248 may be provided to build a modular racking system in particular, to fit spaces with an angled corner. This allow the modular racking system to conform to any desired available corner space, thereby providing a pleasant aesthetic appearance.

45 Degree Curved Brace

[0137] FIG. 6B illustrates a 45-degree curved brace 252 including one flat metallic section 254 having two opposite ends 254a, 254b that are curved in opposing directions wherein one end 254c of the flat metallic section is bent at a 45-degree angle. The 45-degree curved brace may be suitable for a 45-degree corner space. It may be used in the modular racking systems using an extended curve brace.

U-Shaped Curved Brace

[0138] FIG. 6C illustrates a U-shaped curved brace 258 including a U-shaped metallic section 256 having two opposite ends 256a, 256b that are curved in opposing directions. A U-shaped curved brace is particularly useful for modular racking systems having an angled-top display unit. It may be used in the modular racking systems using an extended curve brace.

[0139] Several shapes may be built using extended curved braces 248, 45-degree curved braces 252 or U-shaped curved braces 258 including but not limiting to angled corner units, angled top units, and the like.

Angled-Corner Modular Racking System

[0140] An angled-corner modular racking system may be provided with at least one pair of extended curved braces 248 and at least one pair of 45-degree curved brace 252. FIG. 7A illustrates an angled corner modular racking system including three pairs of extended curved braces 248 positioned at the top-back, middle-back and bottom-back, three pairs of 45-degree curved braces 252 position at top-front, middle-front and bottom-front, and nine elongated supports 100.

[0141] An angled-corner modular racking system may be further interconnected between two modular racking systems to form a large angled modular racking system. In an angled-corner modular racking system, the bottles are displayed at a 90-degree angle. An angled-corner modular racking system may be used to make use of otherwise lost or void corner space of homes, restaurants, pubs, bars, hotel rooms, kitchen or the like.

Angled-Top Modular Racking System

[0142] An angled-top modular racking system may be provided with at least one pair of extended curved brace 248 positioned at the angled top of a modular racking system wherein the top elongated support members are supported by at least one U-shaped curved brace 258.

[0143] FIG. 7B illustrates an angled top modular racking system for displaying bottles at a 45-degree or 90-degree angle including a nine-unit modular racking system, two pairs of extended curved brace 248 positioned at the top-back and three U-shaped curved braces 258 positioned at the top-front, and four additional elongated supports 100 positioned at an angled-top wherein each elongated support is interconnected between one of the ends of extended curved brace and two ends of U-shaped curved brace.

[0144] The angled-top modular racking system may be placed in any space suitable for fitting an angled-top unit. They may also be used in spaces such as mini-bars where the ceilings may be angled, and which may otherwise be suitable to fit the angled-top modular racking system therein.

Wall Saddle

[0145] For the modular racking systems greater than 1.2 meters in height, optional wall saddle 242 are provided (FIG. 8A) for fixing assembled rack to a wall by anchoring the saddle 242 to a solid wall or other structure using typical tethering anchors (not shown) suitable for anchoring to the desired structure. Tethering anchors are threaded through wall saddle apertures 244 to fix the modular racking system in place (FIG. 8B). Wall saddles allow for stability and anchorage of the modular racking system to a fixed point, as the weight of the unit is stabilised but remains on the footprint of the modular racking system.

[0146] Throughout this specification the word "include", or variations such as "includes" or "including", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps.

[0147] All publications mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated by reference. Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles or the like which has been included in the present specification is solely for the purpose of providing a context for the presently disclosed subject matter. It is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form part of the related art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the presently disclosed subject matter as it existed in Australia or elsewhere before the priority date of each claim of this application.

[0148] While the presently disclosed subject matter has been described above in terms of specific embodiments, it is to be understood that the presently disclosed subject matter is not limited to these disclosed embodiments. Upon reading the teachings of this disclosure many modifications and other embodiments will come to the mind of those of ordinary skill in the art to which this presently disclosed subject matter pertains, and which are intended to be and are covered by both this disclosure and the appended claims.

[0149] It is indeed intended that the scope of some embodiments should be determined by proper interpretation and construction of the appended claims and their legal equivalents, as understood by those of ordinary skill in the art relying upon the disclosure in this specification and the attached drawings.

Claims

1. A modular assembly for housing at least one object, the modular assembly comprising: multiple elongated support members that each include an elongated body portion and a pair of separated connecting ends, each connecting end defining multiple grooves that are each at least partially non-linear; and multiple brace members that each include a central portion and a pair of spaced non-linear end portions, each non-linear end portion being shaped to occupy one of the grooves of the connecting ends, such that one non-linear brace portion of one brace member is able to at least partially occupy one groove of one connecting end of one support member while the other non-linear end portion of the one brace member is able to at least partially occupy another groove of another connecting end of another support member, the multiple brace members being configured such that partially occupying the non-linear end portions of the multiple brace members in the grooves of the multiple elongated support members defines a space sufficient for housing the at least one object.

2. The modular assembly of claim 1, wherein each elongated body portion is unitary.

3. The modular assembly of claim 1, wherein each of the connecting ends defines an end face and multiple other faces that are each approximately perpendicular to the end face, each of the grooves being open at the end face and one of the other faces.

4. The modular assembly of claim 3, wherein each non-linear end portion is configured for insertion into each groove via the opening at the end face.

5. The modular assembly of claim 1, wherein each brace member is configured such that the central portion is linear, and the non-linear portions are disposed at opposing ends of the linear central portion to form non-linear end portions.

6. The modular assembly of claim 5, wherein each non-linear end portion includes a curved section that spans approximately 90.degree..

7. The modular assembly of claim 6, wherein each non-linear end portion includes a linear section disposed at an end of the curved section opposite the central portion, such that an end of the linear section defines a face that is approximately perpendicular to a face of the central portion.

8. The modular assembly of claim 5, wherein each brace member is configured such that the non-linear end portions extend from the central portion in opposite directions such that each brace member is approximately S-shaped.

9. The modular assembly of claim 1, wherein each elongated support member is formed from a polymeric material.

10. The modular assembly of claim 1, wherein each brace member is formed from stainless steel.

11. The modular assembly of claim 10, wherein each brace member is formed from brushed stainless steel.

12. The modular assembly of claim 1, wherein each brace member is configured such that the non-linear end portions have dyadic rotational symmetry.

13. The modular assembly of claim 1, wherein each connecting end defines a pair of grooves such that non-linear end portions of two different brace members are able to at least partially occupy the pair of grooves, such that the central portions of the two different brace members are perpendicular.

14. The modular assembly of claim 1, wherein each connecting end also defines a second pair of grooves such that non-linear end portions of another two different brace members are able to at least partially occupy the second pair of grooves, such that the central portions of the other two brace members are perpendicular.

15. The modular assembly of claim 1, wherein the multiple support members and the multiple brace members can be configured to form a prism-shaped assembly.

16. The modular assembly of claim 1, wherein the object is a 750 millilitre wine bottle, and the elongated support members and the brace members are configured such that the central portions and the body portions are of a sufficient length such that the space is sufficient to house the 750 millilitre wine bottle.

17. The modular assembly of claim 16, wherein each body portion is longer than each central portion.

18. A method of manufacturing a modular assembly that is configurable to house at least one object, the method comprising: forming multiple elongated support members that each include an elongated body portion and a pair of separated connecting ends, each connecting end defining multiple grooves that are each at least partially non-linear; and forming multiple brace members that each include a central portion and a pair of spaced non-linear end portions, each non-linear end portion being shaped to occupy one of the grooves of the connecting ends, such that one non-linear brace portion of one brace member is able to at least partially occupy one groove of one connecting end of one support member while the other non-linear end portion of the one brace member is able to at least partially occupy another groove of another connecting end of another support member, the multiple brace members being configured such that partially occupying the non-linear end portions of the multiple brace members in the grooves of the multiple elongated support members defines a space sufficient for housing the at least one object.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising forming each brace member unitarily.

20. The method of claim 18, further comprising forming each elongated support member from a polymeric material.