Modular system for retail display comprising foot/adapter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modular furniture systems for retail stores, such as shelving and gondola displays, face limitations in flexibility due to components being soldered or jointed, making them inflexible and requiring multiple component variations for different configurations, increasing manufacturing and storage complexities.
Innovation Solution
A modular system featuring a foot/adapter accessory that allows the same upright components to be used across various structures by distributing weight to a base, reducing the need for multiple upright versions and enabling easy assembly and disassembly with a hammer, using a combination of slots, hooks, and teeth on the upright, crosspiece, and stringer elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If components are soldered to build gondola shelving, then stability is maximized, but the finished structure cannot be disassembled and lacks flexibility
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the shelving structure into separable modular components (uprights, crosspieces, shelves) that can be independently handled. Each component has standardized connection features that enable repeated assembly and disassembly while maintaining structural integrity, resolving the contradiction between stability and flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection mechanism transitions from static permanent joints (soldering) to dynamic reversible joints (screw connections). The uprights and crosspieces can be connected or disconnected as needed, allowing the structure to adapt between stable assembled state and flexible disassembled state, simultaneously satisfying both requirements.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple component variations are used to build different configurations, then adaptability is improved, but manufacturing and storage complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The uprights are designed with universal features: standardized hollow square sections that accept various crosspieces, integrated feet with multiple mounting positions, and consistent connection interfaces. This multi-functionality allows the same upright component to serve in different configurations (shelving, displays, partitions) without requiring component-specific variations, reducing manufacturing and storage complexity while maintaining high adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system achieves different configurations by changing the arrangement and combination of standardized components rather than creating component variations. The upright height, crosspiece positions, and shelf placements can be adjusted by changing assembly parameters (which slots to use, how components are oriented) while keeping the components themselves standardized, thus reducing complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If joints are used to connect modular components, then assembly and disassembly become possible, but the number and variety of components that must be manufactured and stored increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system uses universal screw joints that work across all upright and crosspiece combinations. The same joint mechanism (screw connecting hollow section to solid section with slots) serves all connection needs, eliminating the need for specialized joints for different component types or positions, thus enabling assembly/disassembly while keeping component variety low.
Solution Approach 2:
The foot is integrated directly into the upright as a single molded piece rather than a separate component. This merging eliminates the need for additional connection hardware at the base, reducing the total number of components while maintaining assembly flexibility. The integrated foot provides both support and connection functionality in one element.
Data Source
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AI summary
Modular system comprising at least an upright (1), a foot/adapter (101) for said upright (1) and a base (102), wherein: - said base comprises a section bar with a pre-set length and pre-set width, and a longitudinal strap (112), protruding from the top side of said section bar in a central position with respect to the width of said section bar, said strap being provided with slits (114) engaging the delimiting walls of an axial recess of the lower portion of said foot/adapter or of the internal lumen of the tubular section of said foot/adapter; - said foot/adapter (101) being provided with a polygonal transversal section, preferably a square section, comprising: - an upper portion (110); - a lower portion (111); said upper portion (110) being an engaging end to be inserted in a hollow end of an upright (1) for coupling to said base (102), while the lower portion (111) forms the foot leaning on said base (102), said foot/adapter (101) being provided with at least one central groove (107) for engaging said strap (112), and for leaning on said base (102) across said strap (112); characterized in that the height of the grooves (107) of said foot/adapter (101) allows to house the strap (112) of said base (102), the height of the lower portion (111) being the same of the straps (112) of said base, while the vertical dimension of said slits (114) allows to close the gap in height between said grooves (107) and the height of the lower portion (111).