Modular Upright Base for Retail Display Flexibility and Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modular furniture systems for retail displays face limitations in flexibility due to components being soldered or fixed, making them inflexible and requiring a large variety of joints, which increases manufacturing and storage costs.
Innovation Solution
A modular system with a small base that can be removably assembled on uprights, using a fitting system that allows the same uprights to be used for various structures, including shelving and mobile displays, with a small base that can be coupled to a ground-fixing system or wheels, optimizing the number of upright versions needed and allowing for standard base usage.
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 system cannot be disassembled and lacks flexibility
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into modular components (uprights, crosspieces, stringers) that can be independently assembled and disassembled. Each component has standardized coupling features that enable repeated assembly/disassembly while maintaining structural integrity, resolving the contradiction between stability and flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling mechanism transitions from permanent (soldered) to reversible (snap-fit with retention). The hooks engage with slots and can be repeatedly connected and disconnected, providing dynamic adaptability while maintaining stable assembled structures through positive mechanical engagement.
2Adaptability or versatility
If modular systems use various joints (end joints, intermediate joints, angle joints, two-way joints, three-way joints), then assembly flexibility is improved, but the number and variety of components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The upright component is designed with multiple rows of slots that can accommodate different coupling configurations (end couplings, intermediate couplings, angle couplings). This universal slot system eliminates the need for specialized joints for each configuration, reducing component variety while maintaining assembly flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The system achieves different joint configurations by varying the position and orientation of hooks relative to the standardized slot rows, rather than creating different joint types. Parameters such as slot position, hook orientation, and engagement depth are adjusted to create various coupling configurations from a single component type.
Data Source
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AI summary
1. Small base (201) for uprights (1) making part of a modular system (1), - Said upright (1) comprising a tubular transversal section or at least a lower or an upper terminal segment with transversal tubular section; - Said small base having an essentially parallelepiped shape with polygonal transversal section, optionally a square section, and comprising: - an upper portion oriented toward the upright; - a lower portion oriented toward the ground; characterized in being provided with a groove (206) on at least three sides of the small base itself, and with a U-shaped edge wall (205) on three sides of the small base itself, which groove has shape and dimensions substantially corresponding to the shape and dimension of the outer wall of the upright (1) in correspondence of one of its terminal ends, the groove being provided with coupling means, said small base (201) being used alternatively in combination with: - an assembly comprising an upright (1) and a foot (402) for adjusting the height of the upright (1) itself; - an assembly comprising an upright (1) a base element (102), and a height-adjustable foot (403); - an assembly comprising an upright (1), a small metal plate (607) for the anchoring to the floor of said upright (1) through a system (601) on two levels and an anchor (603); - an assembly comprising an upright (1), an anti-release plate (701) for wheel and a wheel (83).