Modular panel system, kit, and method

Abstract

A modular panel system includes a first panel and a second panel removably connected to the first panel. Each of the first and second panels includes end edge portions spaced apart from one another to define a panel length, and lateral edge portions spaced apart from one another to define a panel width with each of the lateral edge portions extending from one of the end edge portions to the other of the end edge portions. The panel length and panel width of the second panel are, respectively, the same as the panel length and panel width of the first panel. The first and second panels are configured to be removably coupled to one another by having respective edge portions of each of the first and second panels arranged longitudinally adjacent to one another and removably coupled together. At least the first panel includes a magnetic connector.

1 . A modular panel system, comprising:
 a first panel;   a second panel removably connected to the first panel;   wherein each of the first and second panels includes end edge portions spaced apart from one another to define a panel length, and lateral edge portions spaced apart from one another to define a panel width with each of the lateral edge portions extending from one of the end edge portions to the other of the end edge portions,   wherein the panel length and panel width of the second panel are, respectively, the same as the panel length and panel width of the first panel,   wherein the first and second panels are configured to be removably coupled to one another by having respective edge portions of each of the first and second panels arranged longitudinally adjacent to one another and removably coupled together, and   wherein at least the first panel includes a magnetic connector.   
     
     
         2 . The modular panel system of  claim 1  wherein the magnetic connector disposed at a corner portion of the first panel where one of the end edge portions connects to one of the lateral edge portions. 
     
     
         3 . The modular panel system of  claim 2  wherein the magnetic connector is a first magnetic connector and the corner portion is a first corner portion, and wherein the modular panel system includes a second magnetic connector disposed at a second corner portion of the first panel. 
     
     
         4 . The modular panel system of  claim 3  wherein the first and second magnetic connectors are disposed at the first and second corner portions disposed at opposite ends of one of the lateral edge portions. 
     
     
         5 . The modular panel system of  claim 2  wherein the first and second magnetic connectors are disposed at the first and second corner portions disposed at opposite ends of one of the end edge portions. 
     
     
         6 . The modular panel system of  claim 3  further including a third magnetic connector disposed at a third corner portion of the first panel and a fourth magnetic connector disposed at a fourth corner portion of the first panel. 
     
     
         7 . The modular panel system of  claim 1  further including a removable connector disposed on a first planar side of the first panel. 
     
     
         8 . The modular panel system of  claim 7  wherein the removable connector is one of a hook and loop fastener. 
     
     
         9 . The modular panel system of  claim 7  wherein the removable connector is a non-magnetic removable connector disposed at or near a central area of the first panel. 
     
     
         10 . The modular panel system of  claim 1  wherein the magnetic connector includes a molded plastic corner member with magnetic metal inserts. 
     
     
         11 . The modular panel system of  claim 1  wherein the second panel includes a second panel magnetic connector disposed at a corner portion of the second panel wherein of the end edge portions of the second panel connects to one of the lateral edge portions of the second panel. 
     
     
         12 . The modular panel system of  claim 1  further including an auxiliary panel member having magnetic corner connectors disposed, respectively, at corner portions of the auxiliary panel member to enable the auxiliary panel member to be coupled in a stacked configuration with the first panel. 
     
     
         13 . The modular panel system of  claim 12  wherein the auxiliary panel member has a thickness that is less than that of the first panel member, and the auxiliary panel member is one of a whiteboard, chalkboard, pinboard, fabric panel or decorative panel. 
     
     
         14 . The modular panel system of  claim 1  further including an auxiliary member having a magnetic connector for removably coupling to the first panel and the second panel. 
     
     
         15 . A modular panel system kit, comprising:
 a first panel defined by first panel edge portions including first panel end edge portions spaced apart from one another to define a first panel length, and including first panel lateral edge portions spaced apart from one another to define a first panel width and each extending from one of the first panel end edge portions to the other of the first panel end edge portions; and   a second panel defined by second panel edge portions including second panel end edge portions spaced apart from one another to define a second panel length, and including second panel lateral edge portions spaced apart from one another to define a second panel width and each extending from one of the second panel end edge portions to the other of the second panel end edge portions;   wherein the second panel length is the same as the first panel length and the second panel width is the same as the first panel width,   wherein the first and second panels are configured to be removably coupled to one another by having one of the first panel edge portions disposed longitudinally adjacent one of the second panel edge portions and removably coupled thereto,   wherein the first panel includes at least one first magnetic connector, and   wherein the second panel includes at least one second magnetic connector.   
     
     
         16 . The modular panel system kit of  claim 15  wherein the first magnetic connector is disposed at a corner portion of the first panel where one of the end edge portions connects to one of the lateral edge portions, and
 the second magnetic connector is disposed at a corner portion of the second panel where one of the end edge portions connects to one of the lateral edge portions. 
 
     
     
         17 . The modular panel system kit of  claim 15  further including:
 at least one coupling device for coupling the first and second panels to one another; and 
 at least one leg attachment member including a pair of telescoping legs. 
 
     
     
         18 . The modular panel system kit of  claim 15  further including an auxiliary panel member having at least one magnetic corner connector to enable the auxiliary panel member to be coupled in a stacked configuration with one of the first panel and the second panel. 
     
     
         19 . The modular panel system kit of  claim 15  further including an auxiliary member having a magnetic connector for removably coupling to one of the first panel and the second panel. 
     
     
         20 . A modular panel method, comprising:
 providing a first panel defined by first panel edge portions including first panel end edge portions spaced apart from one another to define a first panel length, and including first panel lateral edge portions spaced apart from one another to define a first panel width and each extending from one of the first panel end edge portions to the other of the first panel end edge portions, wherein the first panel includes at least one first magnetic connector for connection of an associated auxiliary component;   providing a second panel defined by second panel edge portions including second panel end edge portions spaced apart from one another to define a second panel length, and including second panel lateral edge portions spaced apart from one another to define a second panel width, and each extending from one of the second panel end edge portions to the other of the second panel end edge portions, wherein the second panel length is the same as the first panel length and the second panel width is the same as the first panel width, wherein the second panel includes at least one second magnetic connector for connection of the associated auxiliary component or another associated auxiliary component, and   removably coupling the first panel and the second panel together by having one of the first panel edge portions disposed longitudinally adjacent one of the second panel edge portions and removably coupling the first panel edge portion and the second panel edge portion together.