Modular electronic production equipment support structures, module connectors and modules therefor, and related installations and methods

• US 9,924,613 B2
• Filed: 05/06/2016
• Issued: 03/20/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 05/07/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Production Resource Group LLC
• Original Assignee: Revolution Display, LLC (Production Resource Group LLC)
• Inventors: Pace, Vincent M., Campbell, Patrick
• Primary Examiner(s): Krycinski, Stanton L
• Application Number:
  US15/148,829
• Publication Number:
  US 20160330862A1
• Time in Patent Office: 683 Days
• Field of Search: 206512
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2097/005 Monitor mounted supports or stands
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2200/0078 Control consoles or desks
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 47/0091 Modular arrangements of similar assemblies of elements for elements or assemblies mainly made of wood or plastic A47B47/047, sectional furniture A47B87/00, stackable furniture A47B87/02
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 97/00 Furniture or accessories for furniture, not provided for in other groups of this subclass
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/42 with arrangement for propelling the support stands on wheels
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 13/00 Other supports for positioning apparatus or articles heads thereof F16M11/02 ; undercarriages thereof F16M11/20 ; adapted to be stuck in the ground A45F3/44 ; sockets or holders for poles or posts E04H12/22; Means for steadying hand-held apparatus or articles supports for measuring instruments G01D11/30; supports for casings of remote control switching devices H01H9/025
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 9/3026 Video wall, i.e. stackable semiconductor matrix display modules video wall control systems G06F3/1446, G09G2300/026
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0021 Side-by-side or stacked arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0217 Mechanical details of casings covers, lids, hoods or members for covering apertures H05K5/03
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/18 Construction of rack or frame

Abstract

Stackable modules and systems of stackable modules for making electronic production equipment furniture for use in mobile and/or non-mobile production facilities. Each stackable module includes one or more types of connection members that allow the module to be securely connected to another stackable module when the modules are stacked with one another for deployment and/or shipping. In some embodiments, quick-connect pins are used to secure the modules together via corresponding sets of the connection members on adjacent ones of the modules. The stackable modules are provided in differing shapes and configurations, some of which are for specific pieces of electronic equipment and others of which can accommodate any of a variety of pieces of electronic equipment. Stackable modules and production furniture made therewith can have numerous benefits, including, relative ease of shipping, ease of set up and tear down, and reconfigurability to suit differing needs.

Claims

1. A modular equipment support system designed and configured to support electronic equipment, the modular equipment support system comprising:

a plurality of stackable modules designed and configured to be contactingly stacked on, and secured to, one another to create at least one piece of production equipment furniture, each of the stackable modules including;

a stackable frame having an upper end and a lower end, each designed and configured to contactingly engage, respectively, the lower end or the upper end of another of the stackable modules when the modules are stacked with one another;

at least one upper module-connecting member secured to the stackable frame on the upper end, the at least one upper module-connecting member including a first connector-pin receiver designed and configured to receive a first portion of a connector pin; and

at least one lower module-connecting member secured to the stackable frame on the lower end, the at least one lower module-connecting member including a second connector-pin receiver designed and configured to receive a second portion of the connector pin;

wherein the stackable modules are designed and configured so that, when a first stackable module of the plurality of stackable modules is properly stacked and contactingly resting on a second stackable module of the plurality of stackable modules, the second connector-pin receiver of the first stackable module and the first connector-pin receiver of the second stackable module are in registration with one another so that a user can install, while the first stackable module is stacked and contactingly resting on the second stackable module, the connector pin so that the first and second portions of the connector pin are located, respectively, in the first and second receivers; and

wherein the plurality of stackable modules includes a base module, a dolly module upon which at least one base module contactingly rests, a tabletop module that includes a tabletop, an equipment-support riser module, and a monitor-support module that includes a flat-panel support member designed and configured so that a flat-panel display can be mounted to the monitor-support module.

13. A modular equipment support system according to claim 1, wherein, for at least one of the plurality of stackable modules, a pair of frame members at the upper end of the stackable frame form a first reentrant corner, the at least one upper module-connecting member being an intermediate-type module-connecting member secured to one or the other of the pair of frame members.

14. A modular equipment support system according to claim 1, wherein, for at least one of the plurality of stackable modules, a set of frame members at the upper end of the stackable frame form a pair of adjacent reentrant corners, the at least one upper-module connecting member being a double-pin-receiver module-connecting member.

15. The module equipment support system according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of stackable modules defines an interior space bounded by the stackable frame, and each of the at least one upper module-connecting member and each of the at least one lower-module-connecting member is located in the interior space.

16. The module equipment support system according to claim 1, wherein, when the first stackable module is contactingly resting on the second stackable module and the connector pin is located in the first and second receivers, the at least one lower module-connecting member of the first stackable module is spaced from the at least one upper module-connecting member of the second stackable module.

2. A modular equipment support system according to claim wherein:

the dolly module includes a first set of module-connecting members;

the base module includes;

a lower end having a second set of module-connecting members designed, configured, and located for securing the base module to the dolly module using a first set of connector pins engaged between ones of the second and first sets of module-connecting members; and

an upper end having a third set of module-connecting members;

the tabletop module includes;

a fourth set of module-connecting members designed, configured, and located for securing the tabletop module to the base module using a second set of connector pins engaged between ones of the fourth and corresponding ones of third sets of module-connecting members;

the equipment-support riser module includes;

a lower end having a fifth set of module-connecting members designed, configured, and located for securing the equipment-support riser module to the tabletop module and/or the base module using either a scenario 1 in which the second set of connector pins engaged between ones of the fifth set of module-connecting members and corresponding ones of the fourth and/or third sets of module-connecting members or a scenario 2 in which a third set of connector pins engaged between ones of the fifth set of module-connecting members and corresponding ones of the fourth and/or third sets of module-connecting members, or a combination of scenario 1 and scenario 2; and

an upper end having a sixth set of module-connecting members; and

the monitor-support module includes;

a lower end having a seventh set of module-connecting members designed, configured, and located for securing the monitor support module to the equipment-support riser module using a fourth set of connector pins engaged between ones of the seventh set of module-connecting members and corresponding ones of the sixth set of module-connecting members; and

an upper end having an eighth set of module-connecting members;

wherein each of the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth sets of module-connecting members includes the at least one upper module-connecting member and the at least one lower module-connecting member of the corresponding stackable module of the plurality of stackable modules.

3. A modular equipment support system according to claim 2, wherein each of the first set of connector pins is an integral part of a caster used to secure the caster to at least the dolly module.

4. A modular equipment support system according to claim 2, wherein at least the tabletop module, the monitor-support module, and the equipment-support riser module are each designed and configured so that when the equipment-support riser module is deployed for use atop the tabletop module, the monitor-support module can be secured to the equipment-support riser module in an in-use position atop the equipment-support riser module and secured to the tabletop module in a stowed position laterally adjacent to the equipment-support riser module.

5. A modular equipment support system according to claim 4, wherein the monitor-support module and the equipment-support riser module are each designed and configured so that electronic equipment installed therein can remain installed in both the in-use position and the stowed position.

6. A modular equipment support system designed and configured to support electronic equipment, the modular equipment support system comprising:

a plurality of stackable modules designed and configured to be contactingly stacked on, and secured to, one another to create at least one piece of production equipment furniture, each of the stackable modules including;

a stackable frame having an upper end and lower end, each designed and configured to contactingly engage, respectively, the lower end or the upper end of another of the stackable modules when the modules are stacked with one another;

at least one upper module-connecting member secured to the stackable frame on the upper end, the at least one upper module-connecting member including a first connector-pin receiver designed and configured to receive a first portion of a connector pin; and

at least one lower module-connecting member secured to the stackable frame on the lower end, the at least one lower module-connecting member including a second connector-pin receiver designed and configured to receive a second portion of the connector pin;

wherein the stackable modules are designed and configured so that, when a first stackable module of the plurality of stackable modules is properly stacked and contactingly resting on a second stackable module of the plurality of stackable modules, the second connector-pin receiver of the first stackable module and the first connector-pin receiver of the second stackable module are in registration with one another so that a user can install, while the first stackable module is stacked and contactingly resting on the second stackable module, the connector pin so that the first and second portions of the connector pin are located, respectively, in the first and second receivers; and

wherein the plurality of stackable modules includes a base module and an equipment-support riser module designed and configured to be stacked on and coupled to the base module, the base module having a first depth and the equipment support module having a second depth less than the first depth, wherein each of the first and second depths are in a horizontal direction when the base module and the equipment support module are deployed for use.

7. A modular equipment support system according to claim 6, further comprising a monitor-support module designed and configured to be contactingly stacked on and secured to the equipment-support riser module using at least one connector pin after the monitor-support module has been contactingly stacked on the equipment-support riser.

8. A modular equipment support system according to claim 7, wherein the monitor-support module has a third depth that is less than a difference between the first and second depths so that the monitor-support module and the equipment-support riser module can be simultaneously secured to the base module in positions laterally adjacent to one another using a set of connector pins after each of the monitor-support and equipment-support riser modules have been contactingly stacked on the base module.

9. A modular equipment support system designed and configured to support electronic equipment, the modular equipment support system comprising:

a plurality of stackable modules designed and configured to be contactingly stacked on, and secured to, one another to create at least one piece of production equipment furniture, each of the stackable modules including;

a stackable frame having an upper end and lower end, each designed and configured to contactingly engage, respectively, the lower end or the upper end of another of the stackable modules when the modules are stacked with one another;

at least one upper module-connecting member secured to the stackable frame on the upper end, the at least one upper module-connecting member including a first connector-pin receiver designed and configured to receive a first portion of a connector pin; and

at least one lower module-connecting member secured to the stackable frame on the lower end, the at least one lower module-connecting member including a second connector-pin receiver designed and configured to receive a second portion of the connector pin;

wherein the stackable modules are designed and configured so that, when a first stackable module of the plurality of stackable modules is properly stacked and contactingly resting on a second stackable module of the plurality of stackable modules, the second connector-pin receiver of the first stackable module and the first connector-pin receiver of the second stackable module are in registration with one another so that a user can install, while the first stackable module is stacked and contactingly resting on the second stackable module, the connector pin so that the first and second portions of the connector pin are located, respectively, in the first and second receivers;

further comprising a plurality of connector pins each designed and configured for snugly engaging the first and second connector-pin receivers when in registration with one another; and

wherein each of the upper and lower module-connecting members includes at least one threaded locking-screw aperture designed and configured to receive a locking screw for securing a connector pin in the corresponding one of the first and second connector-pin receivers.

10. A modular equipment support system according to claim 9, wherein each threaded locking-screw aperture is tapped for an electronic equipment rack screw.

11. A modular equipment support system designed and configured to support electronic equipment, the modular equipment support system comprising:

a plurality of stackable modules designed and configured to be contactingly stacked on, and secured to, one another to create at least one piece of production equipment furniture, each of the stackable modules including;

a stackable frame having an upper end and lower end, each designed and configured to contactingly engage, respectively, the lower end or the upper end of another of the stackable modules when the modules are stacked with one another;

at least one upper module-connecting member secured to the stackable frame on the upper end, the at least one upper module-connecting member including a first connector-pin receiver designed and configured to receive a first portion of a connector pin; and

at least one lower module-connecting member secured to the stackable frame on the lower end, the at least one lower module-connecting member including a second connector-pin receiver designed and configured to receive a second portion of the connector pin;

wherein the stackable modules are designed and configured so that, when a first stackable module of the plurality of stackable modules is properly stacked and contactingly resting on a second stackable module of the plurality of stackable modules, the second connector-pin receiver of the first stackable module and the first connector-pin receiver of the second stackable module are in registration with one another so that a user can install, while the first stackable module is stacked and contactingly resting on the second stackable module, the connector pin so that the first and second portions of the connector pin are located, respectively, in the first and second receivers; and

wherein, for at least one of the plurality of stackable modules, a pair of frame members at the upper end of the stackable frame form a first reentrant corner, the at least one upper module-connecting member secured in the first reentrant corner directly to each of frame members in the pair so that opposite ends of the at least one upper module-connecting member are directly connected to corresponding respective ones of the frame members in the pair; and

wherein the reentrant corner forms an interior angle, and the at least one upper module-connecting member is a symmetrical corner-type module-connecting member that is symmetrical about a plane of symmetry that bisects the interior angle.

12. A modular equipment support system designed and configured to support electronic equipment, the modular equipment support system comprising:

a plurality of stackable modules designed and configured to be contactingly stacked on, and secured to, one another to create at least one piece of production equipment furniture, each of the stackable modules including;

a stackable frame having an upper end and lower end, each designed and configured to contactingly engage, respectively, the lower end or the upper end of another of the stackable modules when the modules are stacked with one another;

at least one upper module-connecting member secured to the stackable frame on the upper end, the at least one upper module-connecting member including a first connector-pin receiver designed and configured to receive a first portion of a connector pin; and

at least one lower module-connecting member secured to the stackable frame on the lower end, the at least one lower module-connecting member including a second connector-pin receiver designed and configured to receive a second portion of the connector pin;

wherein the stackable modules are designed and configured so that, when a first stackable module of the plurality of stackable modules is properly stacked and contactingly resting on a second stackable module of the plurality of stackable modules, the second connector-pin receiver of the first stackable module and the first connector-pin receiver of the second stackable module are in registration with one another so that a user can install, while the first stackable module is stacked and contactingly resting on the second stackable module, the connector pin so that the first and second portions of the connector pin are located, respectively, in the first and second receivers;

wherein, for at least one of the plurality of stackable modules, a pair of frame members at the upper end of the stackable frame form a first reentrant corner, the at least one upper module-connecting member secured in the first reentrant corner directly to each of frame members in the pair so that opposite ends of the at least one upper module-connecting member are directly connected to corresponding respective ones of the frame members in the pair; and

wherein the reentrant corner forms an interior angle, and the at least one upper module-connecting member is an asymmetrical corner-type module-connecting member that is symmetrical about a plane of symmetry that bisects the interior angle.