Modular framing system and a method of construction thereof

Abstract

The disclosure refers to a modular framing system where single frames ( 1 a, 1 a ′) or stacks of adjacent frames ( 1 a, 1 b ) are interconnected by elongate locks ( 2 ) positioned between said frames ( 1 ). Adjacent frames ( 1 a, 1 a ′) can either be connected together with one elongate lock ( 2 ) or a plurality of elongate locks ( 2 ) joined by lock connectors ( 21 ) to form a continual length of elongate locks ( 2 ). The number and length of the elongate locks ( 2 ) to be used are dependent on the height of the frames ( 1 ) to be used and the distance between the top frame ( 1 a, 1 a ′) and the underside of a room ceiling. Where the height of the adjacent frames ( 1 ) to be connected together is greater than the distance between the top frames ( 1 a, 1 a ′) and the underside of the room ceiling, a continual length made from shorter lengths of elongate locks ( 2 ) is more practical. Each frame ( 1 ) is made up from two horizontally disposed and two vertically disposed frame elements ( 11 ). Each frame element ( 11 ) has a frame slot ( 12 ) that slidably interlocks with elongate locks ( 2 ) to connect the adjacent frames ( 1 ) to form an assembly of frames ( 1 ). Each elongate lock ( 2 ) is designed to slidably fit the frame slots ( 12 ) provided on the frame elements ( 11 ). Each frame element ( 11 ) also carries a screen slot ( 13 ) designed to receive a panel holder ( 5 ) for the purpose of attaching display panels ( 4 ). Panel materials can be high-pressure laminates, fibreboards, plywood or other suitable materials.

1 . A modular framing system comprising single frames ( 1   a ,  1   a ′) or stacks of orthogonal frames ( 1   a ,  1   b ) arranged in adjacent to one another with their corresponding edges positioned in close proximity to one another, each orthogonal frame ( 1 ) being formed from two horizontally disposed and two vertically disposed frame elements ( 11 ); a plurality of elongate locks ( 2 ) interlocked in between the adjacent vertical frame elements ( 11 ), 
 is characterized in which  
 each frame element ( 11 ) is integrally provided with a frame slot ( 12 ) and a screen slot ( 13 );  
 a plurality of elongate locks ( 2 ) slidably interlocked with each of the frame slots ( 12 );  
 a plurality of lock connectors ( 21 ) joining one upper elongate lock ( 2   a ) to another lower elongate lock ( 2   b ) at their common interface,  
 whereas a lock retriever ( 3 ) is employed to engage the top end of the uppermost elongate lock ( 2 ), enabling the length of the joined elongate locks ( 2 ) to dismantle the framing system.  
 
     
     
         2 . A modular framing system of  claim 1  wherein the frame element ( 11 ) is substantially a hollow orthogonal box in shape; a lock guide ( 14 ) with an enlarged head is provided integrally on one side of the box, which forms a wide opening to serve as the frame slot ( 12 ); the lock guide's ( 14 ) enlarged head has a recessed section ( 15 ); and the opposite side of the box is particularly configured to include a T-shaped open channel to serve as the screen slot ( 13 ) with a narrow entrance ( 131 ), for receiving a panel holder ( 5 ).  
     
     
         3 . A modular framing system of  claim 1  wherein each elongate lock ( 2 ) is substantially extruded and each elongate lock ( 2 ) has at least one hole ( 23 ) on both ends of its lengthwise web ( 24 ) or body to receive a lock connector ( 21 ); each lock connector ( 21 ) has a body with a plurality of protruding parts ( 211 ) that are designed to fit the holes ( 23 ) provided on each end of the lengthwise web ( 24 ) or body; and the lock connector ( 21 ) is attached to the common interface between two adjacent elongate locks ( 2 ) when they are stacked up.  
     
     
         4 . A modular framing system of  claim 3  wherein the elongate lock ( 2 ) has at least two lock slots ( 221 ) designed to slidably fit the lock guides' ( 14 ) enlarged heads thereby connecting two adjacent frame elements ( 11 ); and each lock slot ( 221 ) on the elongate lock ( 2 ) has a recessed portion ( 224 ) that will form a cavity ( 25 ) with the recessed section ( 15 ) on the lock guide's ( 14 ) enlarged head when the elongate lock ( 2 ) slidably interlocks with the frame slot ( 12 ) on the extruded frame element ( 11 ).  
     
     
         5 . A modular framing system of  claim 4  wherein each cavity ( 25 ) so formed restrains the lock connector ( 21 ) from detachment after it has been attached to the elongate lock ( 2 ).  
     
     
         6 . A modular framing system of  claim 3  wherein the elongate locks ( 2 ) of shorter lengths are joined into a longer length, with the assistance of the lock connectors ( 21 ).  
     
     
         7 . A modular framing system of  claim 4  wherein two lock slots ( 221 ) are integrally combined to form an I-shaped elongate lock ( 2 ), such that the two lock slots ( 221 ) interlock two adjacent frame elements ( 11 ) disposed in a common plane.  
     
     
         8 . A modular framing system of  claim 4  wherein at least two lock slots ( 221 ) are integrally combined to form an elongate lock ( 2 ), such that these lock slots ( 221 ) interlock corresponding frame elements ( 11 ) disposed in varying inclined angles.  
     
     
         9 . A modular framing system of  claim 2  wherein each panel holder ( 5 ) comprises an I-shaped connecting member ( 51 ), having two lateral flanges ( 511 ,  512 ) connected by a lengthwise flange ( 513 ); and a substantially inverted U-shaped holder bracket ( 52 ), with two parallel arms and a horizontal arm, where the horizontal arm is integrally provided with a U-shaped cavity, defining a narrow entrance ( 521 ) and an enlarged interior section ( 522 ), which is designed to receive the connecting member's ( 51 ) vertical flange ( 513 ) and the lower lateral flange ( 512 ) respectively, whereas the upper lateral flange ( 511 ) can be slid into the T-shaped open channel of the screen slot ( 13 ) and the lower lateral flange ( 512 ) of the connecting member ( 51 ) engages the holder bracket ( 52 ); and two corresponding openings ( 523 ) are provided on the parallel arms of the holder bracket ( 52 ) while a display panel ( 4 ) is held in place by suitable fastening accessories inserted into the openings ( 523 ) on the holder bracket ( 52 ), as well as corresponding openings on the display panel ( 4 ).  
     
     
         10 . A modular framing system of  claim 1  wherein a single frame ( 1   a ) and at least two stacked-up frames ( 1   a ,  1   b ) can be used in combination.  
     
     
         11 . A method of constructing modular framing system, including single frames ( 1   a ,  1   a ′) or stacks of orthogonal frames ( 1   a ,  1   b ) arranged in adjacent to one another with their corresponding edges positioned in close proximity to one another, each orthogonal frame ( 1 ) being formed from two horizontally disposed and two vertically disposed frame elements ( 11 ); and a plurality of elongate locks ( 2 ) are interlocked in between the adjacent vertical frame elements ( 11 ), comprises the steps of: 
 providing integrally each frame element ( 11 ) with a frame slot ( 12 ) and a screen slot ( 13 );  
 interlocking a plurality of elongate locks ( 2 ) slidably with each of the frame slots ( 12 );  
 joining one upper elongate lock ( 2   a ) to another lower elongate lock ( 2   b ) at their common interface with the assistance of a plurality of lock connectors ( 21 ),  
 whereas a lock retriever ( 3 ) is employed to engage the top end of the uppermost elongate lock ( 2 ), enabling the length of the joined elongate locks ( 2 ) to dismantle the framing system.  
 
     
     
         12 . A method of constructing modular framing system further comprises the steps of: 
 designing the frame element ( 11 ) to assume substantially a hollow orthogonal box in shape;    providing integrally a lock guide ( 14 ) with an enlarged head on one side of the box, which forms a wide opening to serve as the frame slot ( 12 );    providing a recessed section ( 15 ) to the lock guide's ( 14 ) enlarged head; and    providing a T-shaped open channel to serve as the screen slot ( 13 ) with a narrow entrance ( 131 ), to receive a panel holder ( 5 ), on the opposite side of the box.    
     
     
         13 . A method of constructing modular framing system further comprises the steps of: 
 providing at least one hole ( 23 ) on both ends of its lengthwise web ( 24 ) or body of the extruded elongate lock ( 2 ) with at least two lock slots ( 221 ), to receive a lock connector ( 21 );    providing each lock connector ( 21 ) with a plurality of protruding parts ( 211 ), and fitting the protruding parts ( 211 ) to the holes ( 23 ) provided on each end of the lengthwise web ( 24 ) or body; and    attaching the lock connector ( 21 ) to the common interface between two adjacent elongate locks ( 2 ) when they are stacked up.