Modular racking system and methods of use and manufacture thereof

Abstract

Some embodiments are directed to a modular assembly for housing at least one object. The modular assembly can include multiple elongated support members each including an elongated body portion and a pair of separated connecting ends, each connecting end defining multiple grooves that are each at least partially non-linear. The assembly can also include multiple brace members that each include a central portion and a pair of spaced non-linear end portions, each non-linear end portion being shaped to occupy one of the grooves of the connecting ends, such that one non-linear brace portion of each brace member is able to at least partially occupy one groove of one connecting end of one support member while the other non-linear end portion of the one brace member is able to at least partially occupy another groove of another connecting end of another support member.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A modular assembly for housing at least one object, the modular assembly comprising:
 multiple elongated support members that each include an elongated body portion and a pair of separated connecting ends, each connecting end defining multiple grooves that are each at least partially non-linear; and   multiple brace members that each include a central portion and a pair of spaced non-linear end portions, each non-linear end portion being shaped to occupy one of the grooves of the connecting ends, such that one non-linear brace portion of one brace member is able to at least partially occupy one groove of one connecting end of one support member while the other non-linear end portion of the one brace member is able to at least partially occupy another groove of another connecting end of another support member, the multiple brace members being configured such that partially occupying the non-linear end portions of the multiple brace members in the grooves of the multiple elongated support members defines a space sufficient for housing the at least one object.   
     
     
         2 . The modular assembly of  claim 1 , wherein each elongated body portion is unitary. 
     
     
         3 . The modular assembly of  claim 1 , wherein each of the connecting ends defines an end face and multiple other faces that are each approximately perpendicular to the end face, each of the grooves being open at the end face and one of the other faces. 
     
     
         4 . The modular assembly of  claim 3 , wherein each non-linear end portion is configured for insertion into each groove via the opening at the end face. 
     
     
         5 . The modular assembly of  claim 1 , wherein each brace member is configured such that the central portion is linear, and the non-linear portions are disposed at opposing ends of the linear central portion to form non-linear end portions. 
     
     
         6 . The modular assembly of  claim 5 , wherein each non-linear end portion includes a curved section that spans approximately 90°. 
     
     
         7 . The modular assembly of  claim 6 , wherein each non-linear end portion includes a linear section disposed at an end of the curved section opposite the central portion, such that an end of the linear section defines a face that is approximately perpendicular to a face of the central portion. 
     
     
         8 . The modular assembly of  claim 5 , wherein each brace member is configured such that the non-linear end portions extend from the central portion in opposite directions such that each brace member is approximately S-shaped. 
     
     
         9 . The modular assembly of  claim 1 , wherein each elongated support member is formed from a polymeric material. 
     
     
         10 . The modular assembly of  claim 1 , wherein each brace member is formed from stainless steel. 
     
     
         11 . The modular assembly of  claim 10 , wherein each brace member is formed from brushed stainless steel. 
     
     
         12 . The modular assembly of  claim 1 , wherein each brace member is configured such that the non-linear end portions have dyadic rotational symmetry. 
     
     
         13 . The modular assembly of  claim 1 , wherein each connecting end defines a pair of grooves such that non-linear end portions of two different brace members are able to at least partially occupy the pair of grooves, such that the central portions of the two different brace members are perpendicular. 
     
     
         14 . The modular assembly of  claim 1 , wherein each connecting end also defines a second pair of grooves such that non-linear end portions of another two different brace members are able to at least partially occupy the second pair of grooves, such that the central portions of the other two brace members are perpendicular. 
     
     
         15 . The modular assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the multiple support members and the multiple brace members can be configured to form a prism-shaped assembly. 
     
     
         16 . The modular assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the object is a 750 millilitre wine bottle, and the elongated support members and the brace members are configured such that the central portions and the body portions are of a sufficient length such that the space is sufficient to house the 750 millilitre wine bottle. 
     
     
         17 . The modular assembly of  claim 16 , wherein each body portion is longer than each central portion. 
     
     
         18 . A method of manufacturing a modular assembly that is configurable to house at least one object, the method comprising:
 forming multiple elongated support members that each include an elongated body portion and a pair of separated connecting ends, each connecting end defining multiple grooves that are each at least partially non-linear; and   forming multiple brace members that each include a central portion and a pair of spaced non-linear end portions, each non-linear end portion being shaped to occupy one of the grooves of the connecting ends, such that one non-linear brace portion of one brace member is able to at least partially occupy one groove of one connecting end of one support member while the other non-linear end portion of the one brace member is able to at least partially occupy another groove of another connecting end of another support member, the multiple brace members being configured such that partially occupying the non-linear end portions of the multiple brace members in the grooves of the multiple elongated support members defines a space sufficient for housing the at least one object.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising forming each brace member unitarily. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising forming each elongated support member from a polymeric material.