Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
~ WO95/15704 2 ~ 7 6 711 PCTIGB94/02708
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COMPARTMENT l.)~;~'lNlN~i APPARATUS
This invention relates to apparatus for ~f;n;n~ at least two
separated compartments.
It is commonly required to create separated compartments, for
example 90 that article3 can be ^-;nt~;n~-l separate rom one
another, or so that l,~V. lt of articles can be restricted, or
so that articles can be protected when the compartments are
def ined by resilient material . Such compartments might be
created in a recess, or example, in a case such as a brie_
case or other specialiqed equipment case, in a drawer in a
piece of furniture, or on a qurface such as on a table top, and
can be ~ree-standing.
Apparatus used to form ~ I ~q can also be used as a toy,
f or example or use by children . Such a toy can be used to
make buildings or to divide a space for example or storage of
playthings. It oight also be used as a puzzle.
The present invention provides a technique or creating
~eparated C~,l"~,dL ntq using wall elements and an inter-
connection element, which can be slid onto the wall elements in
a direction other than the direction in which the wall elements
tend to move apart when in uqe.
Accordingly, in one aspect, the invention provides apparatu3
~or dei~ining at least two separated compartments, which
comprises at least two wall elements and an element by which
the wall elements can be interconnected with a mating edge of
one wall element in abutting relationship with the other wall
element, at least one of the interconnecting element and the
wall elements including at least one formation which allows the
interConnecting element to be slid onto the wall elements in a
direction subst;-nti~l ly parallel to the said mating edge and
which regi8t qeparation of the wall elements in a direction
perpendicular to the gaid mating edge.
~ wo 95ll5704 2 1 7 6 7 1 1 r~l, ~., 7708
In another aspect, the invention provides apparatus for
flPf;n;ng two or more geparated compartment9 in a substantially
rigld recess, compriaing two or more subs~nt;;l11y rigid wall
elements arranged subst~nt;~1~y at right angles to one another,
and means for interr~nn~rt; n~ the said rigid wall elements at
their ~unctions with one another.
The apparatus of the invention has the advantage that a rigid
structure comprising a plurality of separated compartments can
be created conveniently,' and that the configuration of the
compartD~ents can be 6elected and then altered by changing the
arrangement of the wall and interconnecting elements. 'The
~:UIII~CLLi t~ can have any of a number of configurations,
available from a suitable selection of P1 ~mPntem The
compali '-R might be, for example, square or rectangular.
They might be defined by wall elements which are not
necessarily perpendicular to one another. A r , _ ' t might
be a portion of a larger area, for example a portion of a
rectangle. When a compartment is a portion of a larger area,
it might be defined by more than one wall element that does not
define the larger area, and such additional wall elements can
be connected to one another, not necessarily perpPn~ ~ly.
The fûrmation which allows the interconnecting element to be
slid onto the wall elements can comprise a rib provided on one
of the interconnecting element and a wall element, which
extends in use subst;~nt;~lly parallel to the said mating edge.
For example, the interconnecting element might have a plurality
of 'ribs formed in it which engage the surface of the wall
element. The interrr)nnprt;n~ element can define a channel in
which an edge of a wall element can be received, and the
channel can have a pair of oppo~ed rib members towards itB open
edge .
The ribg by which the wall and interconnecting element engage
one another can have any of a number of conf igurations . For
example, their configuration can be selected to correspond with
WO 95/15704 ~ 7 67 ~1 PCI/GB94/02708
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that of corresponding rh~nnPl R in which they are to be
received. They can be generally square (which includes
rectangular), or generally rounded, in cro3s-section. It can
be d~L~J~Liate for them to have a generally pointed
configuration when viewed in cross-section. This can be
particularly dy~.,~Liate when the apparatus doe8 not include
grooves into which the ribs are to be received and the ribs are
to engage resilient material since the ribs can establish their
own grooves as the wall element i8 slid into the inter-
connecting element.
Preferably, the apparatus ;nrlllAf~c a groove on one of the
interconnecting element and the wall element to receive a
corresponding rib on the other of the interconnecting element
and the w~ll element. There may be a series of grooves
provided on one of the interconnecting element and the wall
element in an array. Thi3 haF- the advantage that a series of
positions can be provided in which the interconnecting and wall
1'1 ~ ' ~R can engage one another. The elements can engage one
another by means of more than one of the grooves when more than
one are provided. This has the advantage of providing a more
secure connection between the two f~l ~mQn~R .
It can be~preferred for the wall element to have grooves formed
in it on oppo3ite sides thereof, the interconnecting eleme~t
providing a channel and a pair of opposed rib members which fit
into respective grooves in the wall element when the wall
element i8 received in the channel. The rib members can be
located at or towards the edge of the channel at the edge of
the interconnecting element. Preferably, the rib members are
located directly opposite to one another on opposite sides of
the channel. The rib members will then be received in a pair
of rh~nn~lR, one on each side of the wall element. Preferably,
the wall element has a plurality of the said grooves formed in
it, in a gubst;3nt;~lly uniform array, on opposite sides oi' the
element .
~Wo 95115704 2 ~ 7 6 7 11 PCI/GB94/02708
The formations that are provlded ~or engagement o the wall and
connecting elementg can be provided on more than one axis. For
example, formations can be provided to enable connections to be
made to a wall element, along two sub~t~nt;Ally perpendicular
axes, ior OEample to provide a base or lid element, and one or
more perp~n~; relll Ar wall elements .
It can be preferred for the material of the sUrfaces o:E the
wall element to be less rigid than the material of the
interconnecting element where it engages the said suri-aces.
Preferably, the gurface of one of the intercnnnPrt;ng element
and the wall element which engages the other o~ the said
elements is formed from a re3iliently deformable material.
This can facilitate the i~ormation of a secure connection
between the wall and interconnecting Pl, t~ when the
intercnnnPrt;ng element engages the wall element. Furthermore,
and significantly, the use of a resilient material for the
surface oi~ the wall element has the advantage that the
separated compartment can be u6ed to protect articles which are
fragile, regtricting their movement and providing a r11~h;nning
effect to reduce or Pl ;m;n~tP impact damage. Accordingly, it
is pref~erred that the wall element inrl~l-lPq a 3urface layer of
a resiliently de~ormable m~t~ri ~1, e~pecially a de~ormable
foam. Whether or not a deformable material i8 used, the wall
element can have a rigid core. For exampler the wall element
can include a core formed from a polyolefin such as poly-
ethylene or polypropylene, or a polystyrene or a polycarbonate.
The core can be formed by extru~ion. It can be convenient for
the core of the wall element to have a hollow box section, and
such an element can conveniently be formed by extrusion. A
core with a box gection has the adYantage that it is light
weight and ha3 good physical propertie9 in terms o~ tensile
strength and rigidity. Moreover, it can easily be cut to size
when it i8 cut along a line between parallel webs.
WO 9S/15704 21~ ~ 711 ~1 ,. 1!"770~
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In another aspect, the invention provides apparatus f or
~f;n;n~ at least two separated compartment3, which comprises
at least two wall elements which include a surface layer of a
resiliently deEormable r~tP~;~, and an element by which the
wall elements can be intercnnnf~rt ~d with a mating edge o~ one
wall element in abutting rol~t;nnqh;p with the other wall
element, at least one of the interGnnnl~Ct;ng element and the
wall elements ;nrlll~l;n~ at least one formation which allows the
interronn~rt;n~ element to be slid onto the wall elements in a
direction subst~nti~lly parallel to the 8aid mating edge and
which resist s~r~t;nn of the wall elements in a direction
perpendicular to the said mating edge.
The wall thicl~n~s of the wall elements is preferably at least
about 5 mm, more preferably at least about lO mm, for example
at least about 15 mm. When the wall elements comprise a core
and resiliently deformable material, it can be preerred for
the th;nkn~ s of the core to be less than about one half of the
thickneas of the wall element and the , ; n~,-~ of the
thickness to comprise the resiliently deformable material.
The interconnecting element can be used to connect wall
elements in any of a number of configurations. Por example, it
can be used to connect two, three, four or more elements.
Elements that are connected can be connected subst~nt;~q11y
perpendicular to one another, for example in an L-shaped, T-
shaped, or X-shaped configuration. Wall elements can be
connected substi~nt;~lly in-line with one another
An interconnecting element can engage a wall element at the
edge of a wall element where that edge- abuts another wall
element. An interconnecting element can engage a wall element
at a point along its length between it5 two edges, and then
engage another wall element at its edge where that edge abuts
the f irgt element at the 3aid point along its length .
Accordingly, a T-ghaped cnnnoct;nn can be made by ~oining one
wall element to one other element at a point between its ends,
Wo 95/15704 r~ /02708
~ 217671~
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and an X-shaped rrnn~ctir,n can be made by joining two wall
elements to one other element, again at a point between its
ends .
It can be a~Lu~Liate for some appl i ,~t i 'lnR for the height of
the wall element is appr~Y;r~~'lY equal to the height of the
interconnecting element which i8 to engage it- It can be
preferred in this aLLa~ly to include clips to engage
opposite sides of the interconnecting element at its base after
it has been positioned over a wall element to reduce or to
eliminate any tendency of the sides to splay outwardly.
Alternatively, or in addition, the apparatus can include
interconnecting elements to be located at the top and bottom
edges respectively of the edge of a wall element that is to be
connected to another wall element. This has the advantage that
a wall element can be trimmed to a desired height, and the
interconnecting element will still fit the wall element without
al30 needing to be trimmed.
.
The apparatus of the invention can be used to divide a space
into compartments and has particular advantage when articles to
be stored in the compartments are fragile. Bxamples of fragile
articles which can be stored in the compartments include
cameras and related camera equipment, computer and related
computer es~uipment, electronic components and parts thereo~,
and medical supplies and equipment.
The apparatug of the invention can also be used as a toy, for
example as a construction set which might be played with by
children, for example con8truct a fort. It might be incor-
porated into a puzzle such as might be used by adults or
children .
The pre8ent invention will now be described, by way of example
only, with reference to the ~( -nying drawings, in which:
~17671~
0 95/15704 r~"~Jl.. s~o270s
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Figure 1 is an isometric view of a wall element for u3e
in the apparatus of the invention;
Figure 2 is a view from below of two a pair of wall
elements of the type shown in Figure 1 with their end
regions inter- ~nn~cte~ ~y an interconnecting element;
Figure 3 i3 a view from below of an interconnecting
element connecting an end of one wall element to another
wall element in a mid-length region;
Figure 4 is a view from below of an interconnecting
element connecting ends of two wall elements to another
wall element in a mid-length region;
Figure 5 is an isometric view of an interconnecting
element of the type 3hown in FLgure 2;
Figure 6 is an isometric view of a piece of rigid hand
luggage with, " i t~ formed therein in accordance
with the invention; and
Figures 7 and 8 is a set of six sectional elevations
through interconnecting Pl~m~ntq which can be used in the
apparatus of the invention to connect wall elements in
~a) X-shaped, (b) T-shaped, and (c) L-fihaped
conf igurations respectively, with all views being taken
f rom the base and looking towards the top of the
~>nti~; n~n,
Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 shows a wall element 11
which comprises a subst~nt;illly rigid wall element 12, having
a height, ag viewed in Figure 1, substAnt;~lly equal to, or
slightly less than, the depth of the recess compartment (3uch
as suitcase, briefcase, camera or other equipment case, or
drawer) with which the wall element is to engage, The rigid
wall element 12 comprises a layer 13 of resilient material,
` ~ ~176711
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such as a foam material, attached to both of its major faces
and extending over the top of the element 12 as viewed in
Figure 1, and the outwardly facing ~ rn~l major faces of the
layer 13, when unstressed, lie in planes about 19 mm apart.
The layer 13 has grooves or recesses 13a formed therein, 80 as
to lie at right angles to the lenyth direction of the wall 11,
the recesses 13a have a width and a depth in the region of 2
mm, the first recess 13a is spaced about 19 mm from the end of
the wall element 11, and the s~lcce~/l;n~ recesses 13a are
equally spaced apart with a spacing in the region oi about
19 mm.
The wall element 11 includes a core of a material that is more
rigid than the foam material provided in its surface. The core
can be provided by a f ibrous material such as a paper or
cardboard, or wood (especially a plywood) . Preferably, the
core comprises a polymeric material such as polyethylene, and
is formed by extrusion with a hollow box section cross-section.
Figure 2 shows apparatus in which two division walls 11 are
arranged at right angles, and s~cured together by an
interco~necting element 14 which compriaes a rigid member, for
example a moulded plastics member. As shown in Figure 5, the
element 14 defines two slots A and B, the planes of the slots
A and B being at right angles, and the width of the slots A and
B being about 19 mm. The slot A is defined by two parallel
wall elements 15 and 16, and at their free ends the wall
sections 15 and 16 define inwardly directed lugs 15a and 16a.
The lugs 15a and 16a are spaced 19 mm from the base or root of
the slot A and the inwardly directed lugs 15a and 16a each has
a length, in the height direction of the slot A as viewed in
Figure 5, equal to 2 mm and the lugs 15a, 16a are each inwardly
directed towards one another by an amount of 2 mm.
Thus, one end region of a wall element 11, such as that shown
in Figure 1, can be inserted into the slot A, the end of the
wall section 11 engages the base of the recess A, the lugs 15a
and 16a engage in the first recesses 13a spaced from the end of
A~Arl~lr.r~. ,~..~
~1767~ 1 .
, :'''
g
and 16a engage in the ~irst recesses 13a spaced ~rom the end o~
the wall 11 and, thereby, the wall 11 and the interconnecting
element 14 are intimately locked together.
In like manner the slot B is def ined by two parallel wall
sections 17 and 18, which include inwardly directed lugs 17a
and 18a respectively and, a wall element 11, such as o~ the
type shown in Figure 1, can be inserted into the slot B so that
the end o~ the element 11 engages the root or base of the slot
B and the lugs 17a and 18a engage in the recesaes 13a adjacent
the end o~ the wall element 11. Thus, the second wall element
11 is intimately and rigidly connected with the interconnecting
element 14.
The interconnecting element 14 may be simply made as a length
o~ an P~rt~llq~nn, having a cross-section as illu3trated in
Figure 2, but pre~erably that end of the interconnecting
element 14 to ~orm the top o~ the element 14 when the element
14 i9 inserted into a recess to be compartmented may be
bridged, as illustrated by reference 14a in Figure 5, 90 that
the end portion of the wall section 11 inserted into the slot
A will have its upper part, as viewed in Figure 1, housed
within the interconnecting element 14.
Thus, using the intercnnnP- ~;n~ element illustrated in Figures
1 and 5, the adjacent ends of two wall section 11 arranged at
right angles to one another can be rigidly interconnectçd by
the interconnecting element 14 and the wall elements are locked
with the interconnecting element 14 by the engagement of the
lugs 15a, 16a, 17a and 18a in the respective irst recesses 13a
~rom the respective adj acent ends o~ the respective wall
elements .
In the arrangement illustrated in Figure 3 an interconnecting
element 20 is defined by two substantially parallel wall
elements 21 and 22 and the wall elements 21 and 22 present
inwardly directed lugs 21a, 22a respectively, the lugs ~eing
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AMENOEO S~E~
~ Wo 95115704 217 6 7 ~ 1 PCT/GB94/02708
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wall element8 21 and 22, and the lugs 21a and 22b respectively
being spaced apart by about 19 mm and having a width and depth
of about 2 mm.
Thus, with the dLLa~,~ described this far, a mid-length
region of a division wall 11 can be inserted into the slot
defined between the wall elements 21 and 22, with the
respective lugs 21a and 22a engaged in recesses 13a of the wall
section 11. At that end of the interconnecting element 20
intended to be remote from the base of the recess, the wall
elements 21 and 22 are interconnected by a bridge, similar to
the bridge shown in Figure 5, so that the walls 21 and 22 are
rigidly connected to one another.
The wall 21 also presents at its mid-length region two
generally parallel wall sections 23 and 24, the walls 23 and 24
extending subst ~nt~lly at right angles to the plane of the
slot defined by the wall section 21 and 22, the internal
surfaces of the wall sections 23 and 24 are spaced apart some
19 mm and, spaced from the base or root of the slot defined by
the wall sections 23 and 24 the wall section 23 and 2g present
inwardly directed lugs 23a and 24a, located about 19 mm frorn
the base of the slot. The lugs 23a and 24a project inwardly
Some 2 mm and have a width of some 2 mm so that an end region
of a division wall 11 can be inserted between the wall sections
23 and 24, with the end of the wall 11 engaged with the base of
the slot defined by walls 23 and 24 and with the lugs 23a and
24a engaged in the first recess 13a spaced ~rom the end of the
wall 11.
Thus, with this dLLal~ --t of the interconnecting element, the
element can be applied to a first wall element 11 at any
location along its length,, and interconnected with an end
regi0n of a wall element 11 at right angles thereto.
In the arrangement shown in Figure 4, an interconnecting
element 30 includes two parallel wall section~ 31 and 32, whose
~ Wo 95/15704 217 6 7 11 PCI/GB9~/02708
int~nAl ly facing surfaces are spaced apart by about 19 mm.
Along their ;nt~rnAl surfaces the walls 31 and 32 present
inwardly directed lugs 31a and 32a respectively, the lugs being
spaced apart by about 19 mm and having a depth and width of
about 2 mm. Thus, a wall element 11, similar to the element 11
of Figure 1, can be inserted into the slot defined between the
walls 31 and 32 at any location along the length of the wall
element 11, with the lugs 31a and 32a engaging in grooves 13a
in that section of the wall 11 between the walls 31 and 32.
The walls 31 and 32 are interconnected, as for example by a
bridge arrangement which connects the upper end regions o~
walls 31 and 32, similar to the manner 3hown and described with
respect to Figure 5.
The wall 31 presents two wall sections 33 and 34, which extend
~rom the wall section 31 at rights angles to the plane o~ the
slot defined by the wall 3ection 31 and 32, the internal faces
of the wall sections 33 and 34 are spaced apart by some 19 mm
and, 19 mm from the root o the slot défined by the wall
section 33 and 34 the said wall sections 33 and 34 present
inwardly directed lugs 33a and 34a, each lug having a width of
2 mm and a depth of 22, and whereupon an end regicn o~ a wall
11 can be inserted between the walls 33 and 34, with the end of
the wall 11 engaging the root of the slot defined by walls 33
and 34 and with the lugs 33a and 34a engaged in the first
recesseg 13a gpaced from the end o~ the wall 11. Thus, a wall
section 11 inserted into the gap defined by the walls 33 and 34
is rigidly gupported at right angles to the plane of the slot
passing through the element 30.
In like manner the wall 32 presents two walls 35 and 36,
extending at right angles to the slot defined between the walls
31 and 32, and the walls 35 and 36 are spaced apart some 19 mm
and pre8ent inwardly directed lugs 35a and 36a, each having a
width and depth of 2 mm, 80 that an end region o~ a third wall
11 can be in8erted between the walls 35 and 36, with the end of
WO 95/15704 217 6 7 1 1 P~ Jb, 1/02708
--12--
the third wall 8ection 11 abutting the root of the groove or
slot defined by the wall 3ections 35 and 36, and with the lugs
35a and 36a engAged in the first receSs 13a spaced from the end
of the third wall 11.
Thus, with the interconnecting element 30, said element can be
placed at any location along the length of a wall element 11
and can then support two wall sections lying in a common plane
at right angles to the plane of the wall section engaged
between the walls 31 and 32.
Figure 6 shows, in prospective view, a rigid piece o~ hand
luggage comprising a major part 41, including a apparatus in
accordance with the invention, and a lid part 42. The lid part
42 is hingedly connected to the main part 41, the main part 41
includes a handle 43, and the main part 41 and the lid 42
include an interconnecting locking arrangement, generally
defined by reference 44. The subs~n~;Ally rigid recess
defined by the major part 41 has provided therein four side
walls 45, 46, 47 and 48, similar to the wall 11 held at their
corners by interrrnn~ct; n~ devices such as the device shown in
Figures 2 and 5, 80 as to form a rigid rectangular frame
fitting snugly into the rigid recess defined by the part 41.
The cage also includes an internal wall 49, which extends from
side to side of the recess parallel to the face of the case
part 41 including the handle 43, and at its two ends the wall
49 is interr~nn~cted with the wall3 46 and 48 by
interconnecting oll ~q, similar to the elements 20
illugtrated in Figure 3. Two wall elements 50 and 51 extend
between the wall gection 49 and the wall section 47 and are
connected at their ends adjacent the wall section 49 by
interConnecting ~l ~m~ntiq-, sub6tantially identical with the
element 20 illugtrated in Figure 3, and at their ends adj acent
the wall 47 gaid wallg 50 and 51 are interconnected with the
wall 47 by interronnf.rtin~ ~l '.q, again similar to the
element 20 ghown in Figure 3. Thus, the wall elements 49, 50
~' 21~6711 ~
.
--13-- ~
and 51 define three 5eparated compartment6 within the
substantially rigid recess.
A wall section 53 has one of its ends connected to the wall
section 49, again by an interconnecting element similar to the
element 20, a wall 52 has one of its ends interconnected with
the wall 48, again by an element similar to the element 21, and
the free ends of the wall sections 52 and 53 are interconnected
by an interconnecting element, similar to the element 14
illustrated in Figure 2, and thus the walls 52 and 53 define a
third compartment within the substantially rigid recess.
A wall section 54 extends from the wall 53 to the wall 46,
again with its ends interconnected with the walls 53 and 46 by
interconnecting elements subst~nt;~1ly similar to the element
20 illustrated in Figure 3, and thus the wall 54 defines a
fourth compartment within the subs~nt;~11y rigid recess.
A ~urther wall section 55 extends from the wall 45 to the wall
52 and against has it ends connected to the wall 45 and the
wall 52 by interf~nnnPct; n~ elements substantially identical to
the element 20 lllustrated in Figure 2.
It will now be seen that, by selecting the walls, similar to
the wall 11, of the de3ired lengths the substantially rigid
recess in the case part 41 can be arranged to have any number,
and any specific sizes, of compartments defined within the
sub~tantially rigid recess and the wall sections can be rigidly
interconnected using the interconnecting elements, such as the
elements 14, 20 and 31 illustrated in Figures 2, 3 and 4
respectively .
The wall ~1 ,om.~nt~ 11, being covered with a foam material,
afford protection ~or apparatus, such as camera parts, located
individually in the compartments, and the lid part 42 may
include a block 56 of resilient foam material, again to protect
the apparatus ~nn~; n~o~ in the case .
AMENO~D SI~E~T
~ Wo 9S115704 2 1 7 6 ~ "~ 1102708
-14--
Figures 7 (a), (b) and (c) 3how three interconnecting elements,
each of which comprise3 at least one channel 70 in which the
edge of a wall element can be received, and a pair of inwardly
facing rib members 72 at the edge of the channel which can fit
into respective groves 13a in the wall element of the type
shown in Figure l when received in the channel. In tbis way,
it i8 posaible to connect wall elements generally as described
above with reference to Figures 2 to 4. The resulting
connected wall elements have X-shaped, T-shaped, and L-shaped
conf igurations respectively .
Figures 8 (a), (b) and (c) show interconnecting elements which
can be used to connect wall elements generally in the
conf igurations provided by the element3 in the corresponding
Figures 7 (a), (b) and (c). Each of the interconnecting
elements includes a channel 74 in which the edge of a wall
element can be received. Each of the r~h~nnol ~: has a plurality
of ribs 76 formed in it, Each of the ribs i3 generally pointed
when viewed in cross-section. The elements 3hown in Figure 8
can be used to connect wall elements without the ribs having to
engage grooves in the wall elements. Accordingly, the inter-
connecti~g Pl q can be used to connect wall element3
without grooves, or to connect wall element3 with grooves in
which the grooveg are not located appropriately.
