[0001] The present invention relates generally to a modular structure of a mixtilinear shape,
for realizing walls, panels or components for booths and exhibition spaces, display
of advertising, communication and furnishing screens.
[0002] The modular structure in question comprises a frame of substantially rigid material,
comprising straight and curved elements or components, and one or more laminates or
sheets of textile material connected to said frame.
[0003] More particularly, the invention relates to a frame made of at least one substantially
flat lower support, intended to rest on the ground or on a stationary surface, and
at least one upper support substantially identical and parallel to the lower support,
the two supports being mutually spaced apart and rigidly coupled by means of one or
more vertical uprights.
[0004] Both supports comprise modular profiles that can have a linear or curved shape and
have mounting housings with the vertical uprights, which are made of extruded aluminium,
and housings for housing LED lights.
[0005] Vertical uprights can also be connected with horizontal uprights.
[0006] In addition, one or more sheets or laminates (in front of and/or behind the rigid
frame) are attached to the lower and upper supports, so that the frame is completely
covered.
[0007] The sheets are tensioned to create a flat, homogenous surface and can be printed;
thanks to the LED lights inside the frame, they become high-impact displays.
[0008] New and inventive are both the shape of the profiles that make up the lower and upper
support and the system that allows the vertical tensioning of the sheets to be adjusted.
[0009] The profiles comprise rigid horizontal elements made of plastic or composite material
by means of 5-axis numerically controlled machines, which simplifies production and
quality output.
[0010] Inside these profiles there is a 65° lateral recess for the housing of a plastic/silicone
or recycled plastic grommet or 'keder', which clamps the sheets covering the frame,
allowing very effective anchorage, especially in the curved areas of the supports;
in addition, a threaded block is inserted on the vertical uprights, which, by activating
a customised bolt, acts on the extension of the vertical dimension.
[0011] Thus, with a reduced dimension of the uprights, an easy coupling of the sheets is
possible; furthermore, by unscrewing the bolts connected to the upright block, it
is possible to spread the horizontal profiles further apart until an optimal tensioning
of the sheets is achieved, in order to obviate defective undulations of the sheets.
The aim of the present invention is to solve the typical problems of solutions, such
as those mentioned in document
IT102020000032939, where the housing of the sheets is formed with a 90° lateral recess which results
in the possibility of the sheets becoming disengaged in curved areas.
[0012] Another aim of the present invention is to realise modular profiles with an end side
in a circular form, which, combined with a vertical closing element of the frame,
itself circular and not flat, makes it possible to create a more harmonious form of
the entire modular structure, where it is also possible to accommodate other LED lights.
[0013] Another aim is to be able to create modular structures of various shapes according
to customer requirements.
[0014] These and other aims, which will appear more clearly in the following discussion,
are achieved by a modular structure with a mixtilinear shape, to realise walls, panels
or components for stands and trade fair premises, advertising displays, communication
and furnishing screens with new straight and curved modular profiles to compose the
lower and upper supports of the rigid frame to which one or more cover sheets are
associated, according to claim 1 attached.
[0015] Further detailed technical specifications are contained in the following dependent
claims.
[0016] Other features and advantages of the invention will be more apparent from the description
of one or more preferred and exemplary, but not limiting, embodiments and the accompanying
drawing sheets, wherein:
- figure 1 represents a perspective view of the modular structure of mixtilinear shape
in one possible embodiment, in its complete construction form, according to the invention;
- figure 2 represents a perspective view of the inner frame of the modular structure
of mixtilinear shape in another possible embodiment, comprising lower and upper supports
made from the straight and curved modular profiles, connected to the vertical uprights
and with further horizontal uprights, also comprising LEDs, according to the invention;
- figure 3 represents a front view of a section of the modular structure, in this case
with straight modular profiles, and exploded views of the shape of the same profiles
composing the lower and upper supports, according to the invention;
- figure 4 represents a front view of the rigid frame formed by the modular profiles
of the lower and upper supports fixed to the vertical uprights and the components
of the fixing and height adjustment system of the same modular profiles, which are
fixed to the vertical uprights, and an exploded view of the lateral areas of said
profiles wherein the 65° groove for housing the sheet is obtained, according to the
invention;
- figure 5 represents a front view of the inner side of the different types of straight
or curved shapes of said modular profiles, according to the invention;
- figure 6 represents a front view of the outer part of the different types of straight
or curved shapes of the modular profiles, according to the invention.
[0017] With reference to the attached figures, the modular structure (1) of a mixtilinear
shape is realized with two supports, an upper and a lower one, comprising modular
profiles, connected together by means of barrel couplers (12); some modular profiles
have a curved geometry (10) and have an outer part (10A` - 10B') and an inner part
(10A" - 10B"), while other modular profiles are realised in a rectilinear geometry
(11) and also have an outer part (11') and an inner part (11").
[0018] In addition, profiles (10, 11), made of plastic or composite material, can have shaped
ends (9), which themselves have an outer part (9") and an inner part (9').
[0019] On the inner parts (10A", 10B", 11") of the modular profiles housing (30) are made
for LED lights and for the attachment of vertical uprights (15A, 15C), which are made
of extruded aluminium, while other horizontal uprights (15B), of the same material,
can be used to connect the vertical uprights.
[0020] The end modular profiles and any shaped ends (9) of the upper and lower supports
of the modular structure (1) have, laterally and at the front and rear parts of the
structure, one or more recessed seat (14), preferably arranged at 65° with respect
to the vertical uprights (15A, 15C) and realised by CNC machining, in order to be
able to insert a sheet and/or a laminate (25), stabilising them by means of a rubber
grommet (26).
[0021] The recessed seat (14) is designed to ensure optimum anchorage of the grommet (26)
and can have a variable angle to the sheet (25) between 60° and 80°, depending on
the specific requirements and the desired curvature.
[0022] The modular structure (1) is then closed at the two sides by the aforementioned sheets
or laminates (25), while at the two end portions a flat terminal (20), placed in correspondence
with a straight modular profile (11), or a double groove end-piece (arranged at 90°
to the sheet or laminate (25)), placed in correspondence with a curved end profile
(9) and near the vertical end of the sheet (25), can be fixed. The fastening system
of the vertical uprights (15A, 15C) to the modular profiles (9, 10, 11) of the lower
support envisages the use of a coupling seat on the profile of the vertical upright
(15A, 15C) where at least a first bolt (40) with washers (41) acts on a threaded insert
(45), which is locked inside the upright by means of a screw + fastening system (50).
[0023] Analogously, for the fastening system between the vertical upright (15A, 15C) and
the upper support, at least a second bolt (40) with washer (41), operating on a threaded
insert (46), holds the upper modular profile, by means of a siger (44); thus, loosening
the second bolt (40) causes the upper modular profile to move away from the vertical
upright (15A, 15C), achieving the tensioning of the fabric of the sheet (25) to the
optimum result.
[0024] If the frame is suspended, the second bolt (40) can be replaced by an eyebolt for
hanging.
[0025] The assembly methods of the modular structure provide for:
- 1) the assembly of the horizontal modular profiles (9, 10, 11), upper and lower, by
means of barrel couplers (12);
- 2) the cabling of the LED lighting system in the predetermined housings (30);
- 3) the assembly of the vertical uprights (15A, 15C) with various screws and any horizontal
intermediate uprights (15B), which are used to increase structural rigidity
- 4) the fixing in the released position between the modular profiles (9, 10, 11) and
the vertical uprights (15A, 15C) to facilitate the attachment of the sheets or laminates
(25);
- 5) the hooking of the sheets or laminates (25) (positioned at the front and/or rear
of the frame) to the modular profiles (9, 10, 11) of the structure, by means of the
insertion of the perimeter grommet (26), which, in the case of the use of sheet (25),
are sewn to the fabric of the sheet (25) at the recessed seat (14) specially created
in the modular profiles (9, 10, 11);
- 6) the driving of the bolts (40) located in the upper profiles (9, 10, 11), in order
to obtain an optimal elongation in height of the modular structure and, consequently,
an optimal tensioning of the fabric (in the case of the use of sheet (25)).
[0026] The invention thus conceived and illustrated herein is susceptible to numerous modifications
and variations, all within the scope of the inventive concept as defined by the attached
claims.
[0027] Furthermore, all details may be replaced by other technically equivalent elements.
Finally, the components used, provided they are compatible with the specific use,
as well as the dimensions, may be any according to the requirements and state of the
art.
[0028] Where features and techniques mentioned in any of the claims are followed by reference
marks, such reference marks have been included for the sole purpose of increasing
the intelligibility of the claims and, consequently, have no limiting effect on the
interpretation of each element identified, by way of example, by the same.
1. A modular structure (1) for realizing walls, panels, or components for booths and
exhibition spaces, advertising displays, displays for communication, and for furniture,
comprising
- a frame made of substantially rigid material, including at least one lower support,
flat and intended to rest on the ground or on a flat, stationary horizontal surface,
at least one upper support, identical and parallel to said lower support, said lower
and upper supports being placed on mutually spaced horizontal planes and being rigidly
coupled by means of one or more vertical uprights (15A, 15C) placed internally to
the structure and preferably made of extruded aluminum,
- and at least one front and/or rear wall of the frame consisting of at least one
sheet and/or laminate (25), - wherein each of said lower and upper supports comprises
modular profiles, connected to each other by means of barrel couplers (12) and preferably
made of plastic or composite material,
- wherein said modular profiles include modular profiles of rectlinear geometry (11)
and modular profiles of curved geometry (10), and said modular profiles have a first
portion (10A', 10B', 11') outside said frame and a second portion (10A', 10B', 11')
inside said frame,
- and wherein said first portion (10A", 10B", 11") inside the frame of the modular
profiles presents a plurality of housings (30) for LED lights and for the attachment
of said vertical uprights (15A', 15C), characterized by the fact that said modular profiles of the upper and lower supports of said modular
structure (1) have, at the front and rear surfaces of said frame, at least one recessed
seat (14), arranged at an angle varying between 60° and 80°, and preferably arranged
at 65°, with respect to a vertical plane, within which is inserted and fixed a grommet
(26), to which is stably connected said at least one sheet and/or laminate (25).
2. Modular structure (1) asccording to claim 1, characterized by the fact that said recessed seat (14) is made by CNC machining.
3. Modular structure (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said modular profiles are connected to shaped ends (9), which are provided
with first portion (9') outside said frame and second portion (9") inside said frame.
4. Modular structure (1) according to at least one of the previous claims, characterized by the fact that said vertical uprights (15A, 15C) are connected to horizontal uprights
(15B), which are also preferably made of extruded aluminum.
5. Modular structure (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that, in correspondence with end portions of said lower and upper supports
and in the proximity of vertical ends of said sheet and/or laminate (25), flat terminals
(20) or double hollow terminals are fixed, said hollow being arranged at 90° to said
sheet and/or laminate (25).
6. Modular structure (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said vertical uprights (15A, 15C) are fixed to said modular profiles
of the lower support by means of an engagement seat on each vertical upright (15A,
15C), wherein acts at least a first bolt (40) with washers (41), which operates on
a threaded insert (45), which is locked inside said vertical upright (15A, 15C) by
means of a fastening system (50).
7. Modular structure (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said vertical uprights (15A, 15C) are fixed to said modular profiles
of the upper support by at least a second bolt (40) with washer (41), which operates
on a threaded insert (46) suitable for retaining said modular profiles of the upper
support by means of a siger (44), or by means of an eyebolt for hanging.
8. Method for mounting a modular structure (1) as in claims 1-7,
characterized by providing the following steps:
- assembly of said modular profiles of said lower and upper supports by means of said
barrel couplers (12);
- wiring of said LED lights in the predetermined locations (30);
- assembly of said vertical uprights (15A, 15C);
- fixing in released position between said modular profiles of the lower and upper
supports and said vertical uprights (15A, 15C);
- attaching said at least one sheet and/or laminate (25), at at least one front and/or
rear wall of said frame, to said modular profiles of said lower and upper supports,
by inserting said at least one grommet (26);
- stitching of said at least one grommet (26) to the fabric of said sheet (25), at
said recessed seat (14), in the case of positioning a sheet (25) at said at least
one front and/or rear wall of said frame;
- actuation of said first and second bolts (40) placed in the modular profiles of
said lower and sueprior supports, in order to obtain an optimal elongation in height
of the modular structure (1).