Interfitting and removable modular storage units including connectors forming part of a unit as well as sliding support for adjacent units

A connector having the dual functions of (1) holding a pair of panels at right angle to one another so as to form part of a tubular storage unit requiring no bracing parts at its open ends when the panels are rigid and (2) also slideably interconnecting with another and similar connector forming part of a different and similar storage unit, said connector comprising an elongated angle member having first and second arms perpendicular to one another and intersecting in a line extending longitudinally of the connector, the portions of each said arms outwardly of said line of intersection having securing means adapted to fasten to an edge of one of said panels, a longitudinal rib extending from said first arm outwardly thereof, and a longitudinal recess formed in said second arm, said recess being of a size and shape to slideably receive the rib of another adjacent and similar connector.

A connector according to claim (10) 7 wherein openings are provided in said first and second arms to receive and secure the ends of rigid spacer rods that may extend between oppositely positioned pairs of connectors when the panels are flexible.

A modular storage unit, comprising four longitudinal connectors securing the edges of rectangular panels to form a tubular enclosure open at its ends, said connectors and panels being mutually supporting without the need for any other parts such as vertical corner posts or crossbars at the open ends of the said storage unit, each of said connectors being an elongated angle member having a pair of perpendicular flanges intersecting in a longitudinal line, securing means on each flange for fastening an edge of one of said panels, a longitudinal rib extending from one flange and a longitudinal recess extending from the other flange outwardly of each angle member, and said recess being of a size and shape to slideably receive the rib of an adjacent and similar connector of a different storage unit so that a plurality of units may be fitted together with their ribs and recesses in interlocked fashion to form a self sustaining structure having slideable, removable units, and whereby each connector has the dual functions of fastening the unit panels and slideably interconnecting with an adjacent and similar unit.

A self sustaining structure of modular units, comprising a plurality of tubular storage units interfitted with one another, each unit being formed of four longitudinal connectors securing the edges of a plurality of rectangular panels, the connectors and panels of each said units being mutually supporting without the need for other parts such as corner posts or crossbars at the open ends of the unit, each of said connectors being an elongated angle member having a pair of perpendicular flanges intersecting in a longitudinal line, securing means on each flange fastening an edge of one of said panels, a longitudinal rib and a longitudinal recess extending from the flanges outwardly of the angle member, and said recesses of one unit slideably receiving the ribs of adjacent units to hold the storage units in interlocked fashion while permitting the units to be individually slid partially out of the structure or to be removed from the structure without disturbance to and without collapse of the remaining units, and whereby each connector has the dual functions of fastening the unit panels and slideably interconnecting with an adjacent and similar unit.

An integral, one-piece panel and connector member adapted to be secured to similar members to form an open ended, tubular, storage unit with said members forming the sides thereof in perpendicular relation to one another, comprising a rectangular panel having a first longitudinal recess formed along one edge, a second longitudinal recess formed along one face of the panel adjacent said edge, a first longitudinal rib projecting from the opposite face of the panel, and a second longitudinal rib projecting from the opposite edge of the panel, said second rib and recess being complementary to one another and sized so that the second rib of another and similar member will slidably interfit the second recess of said member and hold the two members at right angle to one another, and said first rib and first recess being complementary in shape and sized so that the said first rib of another similar member forming part of another storage unit will slideably interfit with the first recess of said member and enable a plurality of storage units to be fitted together to form a self sustaining structure having slideable, removable units.