Modular Wine Rack With Magnetic Cross Members for Label Display
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional wine racks fail to display wine bottles effectively by hiding the label and are not modular, leading to wasted space and inability to store other elongated items like wine glasses and decanters.
Innovation Solution
A modular system featuring elongated support brackets with magnetic protrusions and cross members that position articles in a horizontal plane, allowing for adjustable storage and display of wine bottles and similar items, with features like cavities and end stops for secure positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If wine bottles are stored orthogonal to the wall with only the mouth and cork visible, then the number of bottles that can be stored is maximized, but the label which distinguishes one wine bottle from another becomes hidden and not visible to the viewer
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from traditional orthogonal storage (bottles perpendicular to wall) to a new dimension where bottles are stored horizontally with labels facing outward. The cross members extend perpendicular to the wall plane, creating a third dimensional arrangement that allows label visibility while maintaining storage capacity. This dimensional change resolves the contradiction by repositioning bottles in space so that both storage density and label accessibility are achieved simultaneously.
2Quantity of substance
If traditional wine racks are built in large units covering entire walls, then storage capacity is maximized, but wasted space occurs for users who do not have enough wine to fill the rack
Solution Approach 1:
The wine rack is divided into modular components: individual support brackets that attach to the wall, and separate cross members that can be independently positioned and removed. This segmentation allows users to assemble only the number of storage units they need, creating a customizable rack size that matches their wine collection. The modular design maintains structural integrity while eliminating wasted space for users with smaller collections.
Solution Approach 2:
The rack incorporates adjustable and reconfigurable elements where cross members can be positioned at different heights and angles, and support brackets can be installed at varying intervals along the wall. This dynamic adaptability allows the same rack system to accommodate different wine quantities and bottle configurations, transforming a static fixed-size rack into a flexible system that grows or shrinks with the user's needs.
3Adaptability or versatility
If modular wooden racks using dowels are used to create adjustable storage, then the rack can be customized to available space, but the assembly method does not enable display of wine bottles with labels visible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces cross members that extend perpendicular to the wall plane, creating a horizontal display surface that protrudes from the wall. This third-dimensional arrangement allows bottles to be positioned with their labels facing the viewer while maintaining the modular, customizable structure. The cross members act as display ledges that bring bottles forward into the viewer's line of sight, resolving the label visibility issue while preserving modular adaptability.
4Device complexity
If traditional wine racks are designed to store only wine bottles orthogonal to the viewer, then storage is simplified, but the ability to display and store wine glasses, decanters and other wine paraphernalia is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The modular cross member design creates universal storage surfaces that can accommodate different object types and orientations. The horizontal ledges formed by cross members can hold wine bottles, wine glasses, decanters, or other paraphernalia depending on user needs. The same basic structural unit serves multiple functions: vertical storage for bottles, horizontal display for glasses, and adjustable positioning for various items, thereby achieving multi-functionality without significantly increasing complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables visible display of wine bottle labels while storing, maximizes space usage, and accommodates various elongated items, overcoming the limitations of traditional wine racks.
Implementation Method 1
at least one magnetic protrusion extending from a top edge of the bracket. The magnetic protrusion magnetically adheres with an outer edge of the elongated cross member such that the at least one elongated cross member is restrained from movement along the longitudinal axis of the bracket
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a modular system for at least one of displaying and storing at least one article. The modular system includes at least a pair of elongated support brackets having magnetic protrusions; at least one elongated cross member having downwardly facing end stops and means for positioning each of the at least one elongated cross member and the at least said pair of elongated support brackets in a generally horizontal plane during use of the modular system. The at least a pair of elongated support brackets are disposed in a spaced apart parallel relationship with each other. The at least one elongated cross member is sized to at least span a distance between the at least pair of elongated support brackets. Additionally, the at least one elongated cross member may at least rest on a top edge of each of the at least the pair of elongated support brackets during use of said modular system.