FORM - 2
THE PATENTS ACT 1970
(39 of l 970)
&
The Patent Rules, 2003 PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION
(S. 10 and rule 13)
1. TITLE OF THE INVENTION: "Freestanding Modular System"
2 APPLICANTS
NAME: Giri Trading Agency Pvt. Limited
NATIONALITY: Indian Company registered under the Companies Act,
1956
ADDRESS. Modi Nivas, Bhandarkar Road, Matunga,
Mumbai 400 019., Maharashtra, India
3. PREAMBLE TO THE DESCRIPTION: The following specification describes the invention.


FIELD OF INVENTION:
The invention relates to an assembly for constructing a fully dismantable free standing modular system for making a wide array of temporary or permanent modular units, furniture, storage systems and shelters.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION:
Modular construction units of various kinds are currently available in the market. Many of these units are designed in such a way that modular units of a particular or limited configuration may be assembled and disassembled as and when necessary. Others require a mounted wall frame on which these modular units can be assembled. The do-it-yourself nature of these units make such units quite popular, since they allow for savings on labour costs. Most of these require some basic tools like hammer or spanner for assembling them together. The construction units currently available do not provide the desired versatility since the type of modular units that can be constructed are limited to one or two types of configurations. Yet others, do not have the strength and stability that is required from these assembly units, which is essential, depending on the purpose for which it is to be used.. Many of them have io be reinforced with nails and bolts in addition, for the additional strength. Yet another frequently experienced problem has been that with repeated use of the construction units to form various modular configurations, the locking systems become loose and the units constructed do not have desired strength and stability. Many of these modular systems are heavy, which adds to the cost of transporting.
The present invention describes an assembly of construction units which can be used for constructing a range of modular units , in a combination of horizontal and vertical arrays, which have the much desired qualities of strength, durability and versatility, as well as the ease of assembling. The modular units so constructed do not require any additional reinforcement or the use of any tools for assembling. This invention is ideal for use in dwellings units with limited space. With a minimum range of construction units a wide variety of modular units can be constructed, ranging from simple modular units, display units, storage spaces, furniture, outdoor furniture and shelters, depending on the imagination and creativity of the person assembling the construction units. The low cost of the raw material used, and the minimal weight as a result of using hollow construction units, make it possible to keep the costs low.


DESCRIPTION
In its preferred embodiment the invention relates to an assembly for constructing a fully
dismantable free standing modular system. The modular system consists of:
i. connectors
ii. support members
iii. planar members
The connectors (2) are multiway connectors which connect to other connectors by a support member Fig( 1), 1 (a) and 1 (b) . The connectors may be bi-way connectors , 3 way connector. Fig (2) 4 way connectors ,(Fig 3, 3(a)), 5 way connector( Fig 4), six way connectors ( Fig 5) and terminal connectors. The type of modular unit being assembled, would determine the type of connector to be used. The connectors have hollow arms(4 ) , which emerge from a junction (6) and have an oppositely located free end.(8).. The type of connector would determine the number of arms the connector has. The arms are internally reinforced, preferably with ribs (10). The ribs run along the length of the hollow side of the arm and if necessary through the junction. The ribs add strength to the connectors, which constantly bear load , and as a result, torsional and longitudinal stress, when built in to modular units and carry load. The free end of the arm has a lip (12), with clefts (14) on either side of the lip. The cross section of the arm can be square, rectangular, circular. However square or rectangle is preferred. In case the arms are circular, the lips are arcuate. The clefts on either side of lip give the desired flexibility, to ease the assembly of the modular units. The end opposite to the free end of the arm may extend till the outer wall of the junction or till it meets the side of another arm or it meets the inner junction of a perpendicularly located arm of the connector. This would depend on the additional finish or evenness sought to be obtained on the junction surface of the connector.
The support members (16) are hollow (18) and elongate, and the cross section shape of the support member matches the configuration of the arm of the connector. Thus if the cross section of the arm is essentially a square, the cross section of the support member would also be a square. Close to the free ends of the support members, are one or more windows (20). In case there is more than one window, the windows are oppositely located. The windows located on the support members, are in a predetermined positional relationship with the arms


of the connectors, and would depend on the length of the arm, and the size and shape of the lip.
In another embodiment of this invention, the lips at the end of the arms taper towards the free end. In yet another embodiment of this invention, the lip at the end opposite the free end has a flattened bridge.(22) This facilitates in the support member receiving the arm of the connector, while assembling.
The arms are receivable within the hollow of the support members, and the lip of the connector gets engaged within the window of the support member , in a tight fit, which is not easily dismantable. To ease the release of the connector from the support member, a clip may be used to depress the lip and release the connector from the support member.
The arms of the connector are at predetermined angles to each other. The arms of the connector are at angles of 90° to each other, when a conventional modular unit is to be assembled as seen at Fig 6, 7, 8 and 9.
In yet another embodiment of this invention, the junction and the emerging arm are separated by a spacer (24), which is preferably molded to the arm. The junction outer surface is contiguous and in level with the spacer surface and the surface of the support arm, making the grids so formed to have an even surface to receive the planar members.
With the connectors and support members various types of grids for modular units can be prepared. The choice of the connector would depend on the type of modular unit. For e.g. a biway connector would be used to extend the length of the support members, a triway connector (fig 2) would be used in a comer, (Fig 7, Fig 8) a four way (fig 3a)) connector would be used to assemble a two dimensional planar surface, or an intermediate comer (Fig 7,8 ), a 5 way connector (Fig 4) for extending , or a 6 way (Fig 5) connector would be used on a 3 dimensional unit to build vertical and horizontal arrays, (fig 8)
The planar members (26) are designed to releasably fit in to the grids formed by the connectors and support members. [Fig 6, Fig 7, Fig.8, Fig.9


The planar members may have a securing mechanism, to hold to the support member, especially in a vertical position. The planar members could be fitted to the grid by two way adhesive taps, or with studs on its under surface which could fit into receptacles or notches along the support member. Additionally the planar members may have L shaped cuts to provide an even surface, around the connectors, when the planar members are placed over the grids.
The connectors arc made from any moldable elastic material preferably poly-propelene. The support member may be made of metallic or non-metallic material. In case it is non-metallic, it may be made from a polymer like PVC or synthetic resin or may even be an extruded product. The ultimate cost of the modular system would be determined by the raw material used.
The planar members may be made of any rigid material like PVC, ABS, acrylic, injection molded plastic, extruded polymeric material, reinforced corrugated sheeting, thermocol etc.
In an improved embodiment of the invention, the reinforcing ribs run parallel, alongside the clefts, throughout the length of the arm and the junction. This adds strength to the connectors, which are able to bear considerable load when assembled in to modular units.
This invention has been designed with a primary objective of making the modular units easy to assemble, and the units to be able to bear substantial load.