Reconfigurable wall system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016356038-A1
Application number	US-201515023990-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Feb 13, 2015
Priority date	Feb 20, 2014
Publication date	Dec 8, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

A reconfigurable modular wall system having a plurality of different types of interchangeable wall modules with different types of compatible connection components, each connection component being configured to align with another connection component at an interface to form an interface connection for securing the connection components together with one or more universal connection interface members. The interface is configured for on-demand reconfiguration without laborious alteration to aspects of the walls system, modules, and components thereof. Reconfiguration of modules is facilitated by removing the universal connection interface member from the interface connection, thereby releasing the attachment mechanism and allowing rearrangement of the module(s). Replacement of the universal connection interface member secures the reconfigured modules in place in the rearranged wall system.

First claim

1 - 68 . (canceled)

69 . A reconfigurable wall system comprising:
a plurality of modules configured to be arranged into a modular structure, wherein each module comprises at least one connection component configured to be attached to a connection component of another module at an attachment interface; and at least one connection interface component configured to reversibly secure two or more connection components together at the attachment interface.

70 . The reconfigurable wall system of claim 69 , wherein the at least one module further comprises at least one tile connected to the at least one connection component.

71 . The reconfigurable wall system of claim 69 , wherein the at least one connection components of each of the plurality of modules is universally compatible with and attachable to other connection components of the plurality of modules, respectively, at the attachment interface.

72 . The reconfigurable wall system of claim 69 , wherein attached first and second connection components form at least one channel at the attachment interface, the channel comprising an opening extending longitudinally across an outer side edge of the attached first and second connection components or extending through an inner portion of the secured first and second connection components.

73 . The reconfigurable wall system of claim 72 , wherein the first connection component comprises at least one channel member configured to be aligned with at least one channel member of the second connection component to form the channel.

74 . The reconfigurable wall system of claim 73 , wherein the at least one connection interface component is configured to be inserted into the channel to reversibly secure the first and second connection components together at the attachment interface.

75 . The reconfigurable wall system of claim 69 , wherein the at least one connection interface component comprises a body portion and a plurality of elongated securing members extending therefrom.

76 . The reconfigurable wall system of claim 69 , wherein the at least one connection interface component comprises a body having a substantially X-shaped, Y-shaped, V-shaped, U-shaped, T-shaped, or I-shaped cross-section.

77 . The reconfigurable wall system of claim 69 , wherein the at least one connection interface component comprises a body having a substantially X-shaped cross-section.

78 . The reconfigurable wall system of claim 69 , wherein the modules comprise one or more frame elements attached to the opposing first and second connection components.

79 . The reconfigurable wall system of claim 69 , wherein the modules comprise opposing first and second frame elements attached to and extending between the opposing first and second connection components on opposite longitudinal side ends thereof.

80 . The reconfigurable wall system of claim 69 , wherein attached first and second connection components form opposing first and second channels at the connection interface.

81 . The reconfigurable wall system of claim 80 , wherein each of the opposing first and second channels comprises an opening extending longitudinally across an outer side edge of the attached first and second connection components and is adapted for receiving at least one insert selected from the group consisting of a cantilever, a sealing element, and a lighting element.

82 . The reconfigurable wall system of claim 80 , wherein the opposing first and second channels each extend longitudinally through an inner portion of the secured first and second connection components and are configured to receive the at least one connection interface component therein, the at least one connection interface component comprising an elongated member configured to be removably secured within the opposing first and second channels of the attached first and second connection components to reversibly secure the first and second connection components together at the attachment interface.

83 . The reconfigurable wall system of claim 69 , wherein the plurality of modules are reversibly securable in a substantially vertical relationship or a substantially horizontal relationship relative to each other.

84 . The reconfigurable wall system of claim 69 , wherein the at least one connection interface component comprises a rotatable member configured to secure two or more attached connection components together when rotated into an engaged configuration.

85 . The reconfigurable wall system of claim 69 , wherein:
the plurality of modules are arranged into a modular structure; and each module comprises at least one connection component attached to a connection component of another module at the attachment interface via one or more of the at least one connection interface components.

86 . A reconfigurable wall system, comprising:
a plurality of modules configured to be arranged into a modular structure, wherein each module comprises a connection component configured to be attached to a connection component of another module, wherein the connection components of the attached modules cooperate to form a receiving channel; a connection interface component configured to reversibly attach two or more connection components together at an attachment interface; and a functional component disposed at least partially within the receiving channel.

87 . The reconfigurable wall system of claim 86 , wherein the functional component comprises one or more channel inserts selected from the group consisting of:
a cantilever secured within the receiving channel such that one or more items can be supported on the reconfigurable wall system by the cantilever; one or more lighting elements disposed within the receiving channel; or a sealing element configured to seal at least a portion of an opening of the receiving channel, wherein the sealing element is configured to substantially prevent passage of dust or microbes into the receiving channel through the opening.

88 . A reconfigurable wall system, comprising:
a first module comprising a first connection component, the first connection component comprising a first channel member; a second module comprising a second connection component, the second connection component comprising a second channel member, the second channel member configured to be aligned with first channel member to form a channel; and a connection interface component configured to be reversibly inserted into the channel such that a first portion of the connection interface component is disposed in the first channel member and a second portion of the connection interface component is disposed in the second channel member, thereby reversibly attaching the first and second connection components together at an attachment interface.

Assignees

• Dirtt Environmental Solutions

Inventors

• Gosling Geoff
• Smed Mogens F
• Harris John Patrick

Classifications

• E04B2002/7461

  Details of connection of sheet panels to frame or posts · CPC title

• E04C2/46

  specially adapted for making walls (E04C2/52, E04C2/54 take precedence; structure of slab-shaped elements E04B1/02; walls of elements of relatively thin form E04B2/72) · CPC title

• E04B2/72

  {Non-load-bearing} walls of elements of relatively thin form {with respect to the thickness of the wall}(E04B2/56, E04B2/74, E04B2/88 take precedence; with joint fillings acting as framework or pillars E04B2/68; elements E04C2/00) · CPC title

• E04B2/7407 Primary

  assembled using frames with infill panels or coverings only; made-up of panels and a support structure incorporating posts (E04B2/78 and E04B2/80 take precedence) · CPC title

• E04B1/6162

  the connection made by an additional locking key · CPC title