Modular system for retail
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modular systems for retail displays often require a large number of different joints, leading to increased manufacturing and storage complexity, and once assembled, components cannot be disassembled, lacking flexibility and reusability.
Innovation Solution
A modular system using uprights with slots and crosspieces with L-shaped teeth and stringers with isosceles trapezium hooks, allowing for assembly without joints, providing mechanical stability and enabling disassembly with a limited number of components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If soldered connections are used to assemble basic components, then mechanical stability is maximized, but the system loses flexibility and cannot be disassembled
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system is segmented into discrete insertable elements (teeth and hooks) that can be individually engaged and disengaged, allowing the structure to be assembled and disassembled while maintaining stability through precise geometric fitting
2Adaptability or versatility
If a large number of different joints are used to achieve disassemblability, then flexibility is improved, but manufacturing and storage complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tooth and hook components serve multiple functions: they provide mechanical connection, enable disassembly, ensure stability through geometric fitting, and allow for various configurations. This universal design eliminates the need for multiple specialized joints
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the functions of connection, disassembly, and stabilization into a single integrated tooth-hook mechanism, reducing the number of separate components needed while achieving all desired functions
3Stability of the object's composition
If traditional joints are used for assembly, then mechanical stability is maintained, but the number of components to be manufactured and stored increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tooth and hook are combined into a single integrated connection mechanism that replaces multiple separate joints, reducing component quantity while maintaining structural stability through their interlocking geometry
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~4A
AI summary
Modular system for building retail display structures (60, 70 80, 85, 90) comprising three basic components: - an upright (1A, 1B); - a crosspiece (2); - a stringer (3) a plurality of said component being assembled to generate a supporting structure, wherein said three components (1, 2, 3) are assembled in a disassemblable way, in correspondence of each angle area, so as to form a top plane, so that no component protrudes with respect to the other two, characterized in that the three said components (1, 2, 3) are provided in combination with reciprocal hooking means and in a coupled condition, each of the three said component being aligned parallel to a direction of three directions perpendicular to each other, while - The upright element (1) is provided at least on one of its sides with a row of slots (10) pairs equidistant to each other, said side being parallel to the longitudinal axis of said stringer; - Said stringer (3) is provided at each end with a wing (35), with the longitudinal axis of said wing oriented perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the stringer itself, which wing extends parallel to the axis of said upright (1), in the coupled condition, and is provided with at least two hooks (36, 37, 38) aligned to each other in a direction parallel to the slot rows (10) on said upright and engaging at least two slots of at least one row of slots; - Said hooks (36, 37, 38) and said slots (10) are distanced respectively from the top side of said upright and from the top side of said stringer so that the top side of the stringer is co-planar with the top side of said upright or to a plan parallel to said top side of said upright in the assembled condition; and - When assembled to said upright (1), said crosspiece (2) extends with its longitudinal axis perpendicular to the upright side provided with slot rows; - Said crosspiece (2) is provided at its ends with two extensions (25, 25A) which extend parallel to said slot rows or to the longitudinal axis of said upright; - Each extension (25, 25A) bears at least two pair of coupling teeth (26, 27, 28; 26A, 27A, 28A) aligned in the direction of a row of slots (10) and coinciding at least with two slots of one slot rows; - Said teeth (26, 27, 28; 26A, 27A, 28A) being distanced from the top side of said crosspiece (2, 2A) so that the top side of said crosspiece is co-planar with the top side of the upright (1) in the coupled condition and co-planar to the top side of the stringer (3) and of the upright (1), or coplanar only to the top plane of the stringer (3).