Modular construction member

A first construction unit, said first construction unit comprising:

• a. a first base having an engaging element side;
• and
• b. extending from said engaging element side along a first meshing dimension, a first set of at least three engaging elements that are spaced apart along a first discrete dimension that is perpendicular to said first meshing dimension, and that extend along a first sliding dimension that is perpendicular to both said first discrete and said first meshing dimensions;
• i. each of said engaging elements having a cross-section as cut by a cutting plane in which lie both of said first discrete and first meshing dimensions, which cross-section has a relatively narrow width along said first discrete dimension at a first narrow end registering plane that is relatively close to said first base, and a relatively wide width along said first discrete dimension at a first wide end registering plane that is relatively distant from said base;
• ii. each engaging element having a reference point, said engaging elements being spaced with said reference point on each engaging element being spaced an integral number of pitches (P) from said reference point of any adjacent engaging element;
• and
• iii. each pair of adjacent engaging elements defining therebetween, a receiving space, at least two of which have a cross-sectional shape and area cut by said cutting plane that is substantially congruent with so much of said cross-sectional shape of said engaging elements as lies between said first wide end registering plane and said first narrow end registering plane, and large enough so that an engaging element of a second construction unit that is substantially identical with one of said engaging elements of said first construction unit is slidably engageable with said receiving space, and also small enough so that said second construction unit, slideably engaged, is substantially restrained against motion along said first meshing and first discrete dimensions relative to said first construction unit;
• c. connected to said first base, a second base having an engaging element side;
• d. extending from said second base engaging element side along a second meshing dimension, a second set of at least three engaging elements that are spaced apart along a second discrete dimension that is perpendicular to said second meshing dimension, that is inclined at an angle (.alpha.) relative to said first discrete dimension, and that extend along said first sliding dimension that is perpendicular to both said second discrete and said second meshing dimensions;
• i. each of said second set of engaging elements having a cross-section as cut by said cutting plane in which lie both of said second discrete and second meshing dimensions, which cross-section has a relatively narrow width along said second discrete dimension at a second narrow end registering plane that is relatively close to said second base, and a relatively wide width along said second discrete dimension at a second wide end registering plane that is relatively distant from said second base;
• ii. each engaging element of said second set having a reference point, said engaging elements of said second set being spaced with said reference point on each engaging element being spaced an integral number of pitches (P) from said reference point of any adjacent engaging element;
• and
• iii. each pair of adjacent engaging elements of said second set defining therebetween, a receiving space, at least two of which have a cross-sectional shape and area cut by said cutting plane that is substantially congruent with so much of said cross-sectional shape of said engaging elements of said second set as lies between said second wide end registering plane and said second narrow end registering plane, and large enough so that an engaging element of said second construction unit is slidably engageable with said receiving space, and also small enough so that said second construction unit, slideably engaged, is substantially restrained against motion along said second meshing and second discrete dimensions relative to said first construction unit;
• and
• e. said reference point of each of said engaging elements of both said first and second sets of engaging elements further being located an integral number of pitches away from a first virtual corner line that:
• i. is spaced away from a flush end of said first base along said first discrete dimension;
• ii. is spaced away from a butt end of said second base along said second discrete dimension;
• iii. is parallel to said sliding dimension;
• and
• iv. lies at the intersection of a first boundary plane that includes said reference point for each of said first set of engaging elements and a second boundary plane that includes said reference point for each of said second set of engaging elements.

First and second construction members, comprising:

• a. a first construction member comprising:
• i. a base;
• and
• ii. extending from one side along a meshing dimension, at least three engaging elements that are spaced apart along a discrete dimension that is perpendicular to said meshing dimension, and that extend along a sliding dimension that is perpendicular to both said discrete and said meshing dimensions;
• A. each of said engaging elements being sized and shaped such that it is slideably engageable along said sliding dimension with a receiving space between engaging elements of a substantially identical second construction member, and such that so engaged, said second construction member is restrained against motion along said discrete and meshing dimensions relative to said first construction member;
• and
• B. said engaging elements being spaced apart from each other, with a reference point on each engaging element being spaced an integral number of pitches (P) from the reference point on any adjacent engaging element;
• b. a second of said construction members, connected to said first construction member with said meshing dimensions of each construction member being inclined relative to each other, and said sliding dimensions of each construction member being parallel;
• and
• c. said reference point of each of said engaging elements of both said first and second construction members further being located an integral number of pitches away from a first virtual corner line that:
• i. is spaced away from a flush end of said first construction member along said discrete dimension of said first construction member;
• ii. is spaced away from a butt end of said second construction member along said discrete dimension of said second construction member;
• iii. is parallel to said sliding dimensions of both said first and second construction members;
• and
• iv. lies at the intersection of a first boundary plane that includes said reference point for each of said engaging elements of said first construction member and a second boundary plane that includes said reference point for each of said engaging elements of said second construction member.

An office equipment case carrying on a surface thereof, first and second construction members, comprising:

• a. a first construction member for detachable engagement with another, substantially identical construction member, said first construction member comprising:
• i. a base that is connected to said equipment case;
• and
• ii. extending from said base away from said equipment case along a meshing dimension, at least three engaging elements that are spaced apart along a discrete dimension that is perpendicular to said meshing dimension, said engaging elements extending along a sliding dimension that is perpendicular to both said discrete and said meshing dimensions;
• A. each of said engaging elements being sized and shaped such that it is slideably engageable along said sliding dimension with a receiving space between engaging elements of a substantially identical second construction member, and such that so engaged, said second construction member is restrained against motion along said discrete and meshing dimensions relative to said case;
• and
• B. said engaging elements being spaced apart from each other with a reference point on each engaging element being spaced an integral number of pitches (P) from the reference point on any adjacent engaging element;
• b. a second of said construction members, connected to said first construction member with said meshing dimensions of each construction member being inclined relative to each other and said sliding dimensions of each construction member being parallel;
• and
• c. said reference point of each of said engaging elements of both said first and second construction members further being located an integral number of pitches away from a first virtual corner line that:
• i. is spaced away from a flush end of said first construction member along said discrete dimension of said first construction member;
• ii. is spaced away from a butt end of said second construction member along said discrete dimension of said second construction member;
• iii. is parallel to said sliding dimensions of both said first and second construction members;
• and
• iv. lies at the intersection of a first boundary plane that includes said reference point for each of said engaging elements of said first construction member and a second boundary plane that includes said reference point for each of said engaging elements of said second construction member.

A construction member for forming an L-shaped unit that is detachably engageable with a first construction member, said L-shaped unit of construction members comprising second and third planar construction members that are substantially identical to said first construction member;

• wherein
• a. said first planar construction member is oriented with respect to a boundary plane that extends between a flush and a parallel butt virtual corner line, said first construction member comprising:
• i. a base:
• A. having a narrow end registering plane that is spaced from and substantially parallel to said boundary plane;
• B. having a second surface, obverse of said narrow end registering plane;
• C. having a discrete dimension that is perpendicular to said flush and butt virtual corner lines;
• D. having a sliding dimension, perpendicular to said discrete dimension, such that a plane including said discrete and sliding dimensions is parallel with said narrow end registering plane;
• and
• E. having a butt edge and a flush edge, spaced apart along said discrete dimension, with both said flush and butt edges being spaced from and between said flush and butt virtual corner lines, with said flush edge between said flush virtual corner and said butt edge;
• and
• ii. extending from said narrow end registering plane away from said base, along a meshing dimension that is perpendicular to both said sliding and discrete dimensions, a plurality of engaging elements, spaced apart along said discrete dimension:
• A. each of said engaging elements having:
• I. a reference point that is identically located along said discrete dimension;
• II. a butt edge and a flush edge, said butt edge of said engaging element lying between said butt edge of said construction member and said flush edge of said engaging element;
• and
• III. along said discrete dimension, a substantially identical cross-section as cut by a cutting plane that includes said meshing dimension and said discrete dimension;
• B. said spacing between corresponding reference points on each of a successive pair of engaging elements, being equal, said spacing being defined as the "pitch," (p), of said engaging elements;
• C. a space formed between any pair of said engaging elements, designated a "receiving space," having a cross-section, as cut by said cutting plane, that is substantially identical to the cross-section of any other receiving space between any other pair of said engaging elements;
• and
• D. said cross-sectional size and shapes of each said engaging element and each said receiving space being configured such that said second construction member:
• I. is slideably engageable along said sliding dimension of said first construction member, with said engaging elements of said second construction member slidable into and occupying said receiving spaces of said first construction member;
• II. if joined to said first construction member by said engaging elements of said second construction member occupying said receiving spaces of said first construction member, is secured against relative motion along said discrete dimension of said first construction member and along said meshing dimension of said first construction member;
• and
• III. any engaging element of said second construction member is engageable in any receiving space of said first construction member;
• b. said second and third construction members, having engaging elements and receiving spaces with substantially the same size and shape cross-section as said first construction member and substantially the same spatial relationships among said reference point, butt end and flush end of said construction member and said engaging elements, said third construction member being joined to said second construction member, with said butt end of said third construction member butt up against the obverse surface of said second construction member, with said flush end of said second construction member being flush with said narrow end registering plane of said third construction member and said boundary planes of said second and third construction members being inclined relative to each other and intersecting at said flush virtual corner line of said second construction member and said butt virtual corner line of said third construction member, which are coincident, said joined second and third construction members designated an "L-shaped unit";
• and
• c. said reference point of each of said second and third construction member engaging elements being spaced from said respective flush and butt virtual corner lines an integral number of pitches.

A first L-shaped construction unit, said L-shaped construction unit being oriented relative to a pair of first and second perpendicular boundary planes, that intersect and terminate at a "virtual corner line", said boundary planes defining a region therebetween, said L-shaped construction unit comprising:

• a. a first arm portion that:
• i. has a first narrow end registering plane, that is parallel to and spaced from said first boundary plane;
• ii. extends along a first discrete dimension that extends perpendicular to said second boundary plane;
• iii. extends along a sliding dimension, that is perpendicular to said first discrete dimension, and parallel to said virtual corner line;
• iv. has a butt edge and a flush edge, spaced apart along said first discrete dimension, said flush edge being between said butt edge and said virtual corner line;
• v. carried on said first arm portion, a plurality of first arm engaging elements, extending generally perpendicular to said narrow end registering plane;
• A. each of said first arm engaging elements having:
• I. a reference point that is identically located along said discrete dimension;
• II. a butt edge and a flush edge, said butt edge of said engaging element lying between said butt edge of said first arm portion and said flush edge of said engaging element;
• III. along said first discrete dimension, a substantially identical cross-section as cut by a cutting plane that is perpendicular to said base plane and parallel to said first discrete dimension, said cross section having:
• (.alpha.). attached directly to said arm portion, a central root portion that is attached across its entire width extent along said first discrete dimension;
• (.beta.). a butt ear portion that is directly attached to said root portion and is free from direct attachment to said arm portion;
• (.gamma.). a flush ear portion that is directly attached to said root portion and is free from direct attachment to said arm portion;
• and
• (.delta.). a meshing height, as measured from and perpendicular to said first narrow end registering plane, to a first wide end registering plane, extending such that said first boundary plane bisects said engaging element along its meshing height;
• B. said engaging elements, being spaced equally, as measured between corresponding reference points on each of a successive pair of engaging elements, said spacing being defined as the "pitch," "p," of said engaging elements;
• C. a receiving space formed between any pair of said engaging elements, having a crosssection, as cut by said cutting plane, that is substantially identical to the crosssection of any other receiving space between any other pair of said engaging elements;
• D. said reference point of each of said engaging elements being spaced from said virtual corner line an integral number of pitches;
• E. a "flush edge engaging region" lying between said flush edge of said first arm portion and said flush edge of a closest engaging element having a full representation of said cross-section, said flush edge engaging region having:
• I. a non-zero length of said first arm portion;
• and
• II. carried thereon, no greater than said root portion and said butt ear portion of an engaging element;
• and
• b. a second arm portion that:
• i. has a second narrow end registering plane, that is parallel to and spaced from said second boundary plane;
• ii. extends along a second discrete dimension that extends perpendicular to said first boundary plane;
• iii. extends along said sliding dimension;
• iv. has a butt edge and a flush edge spaced apart along said second discrete dimension, said butt edge being between said flush edge and said virtual corner line;
• v. carried on said second arm portion, a plurality of second engaging elements, extending generally perpendicular to said second narrow end registering plane;
• A. each of said second engaging elements having:
• I. a reference point that is identically located along said second discrete dimension;
• II. a butt edge and a flush edge, said butt edge of said second engaging element lying between said butt edge of said second arm portion and said flush edge of said second engaging element;
• III. along said second discrete dimension, a substantially identical cross-section as cut by said cutting plane, said cross-section being substantially identical in size and shape to said cross-section of said engaging elements of said first arm portion;
• and
• IV. a meshing height, as measured from and perpendicular to said second narrow end registering plane to a second wide end registering plane, extending such that said second boundary plane bisects said second engaging element along its meshing height;
• B. said pitch of said second arm engaging elements being equal to said pitch p of said first arm engaging elements;
• C. a receiving space formed between any pair of said second engaging elements having a cross-section, as cut by said cutting plane, that is substantially identical to the cross-section of any other receiving space between any other pair of said first engaging elements and between any pair of said second engaging elements;
• D. said reference point of each of said second engaging elements being spaced from said virtual corner line an integral number of pitches;
• and
• c. said cross-sectional size and shapes of each said engaging element and each said receiving space of both said first arm and said second arm being configured such that, a mating construction member, having an arm that is configured substantially identically to said first arm and carrying engaging elements that are shaped and sized and spaced substantially identically to those of said first arm engaging elements;
• i. is slideably engageable along said sliding dimension, with said engaging elements of said first arm, being slidable into and occupying said receiving spaces of said first arm;
• ii. is, if joined to said first arm portion by said engaging elements of said mating construction member occupying said receiving spaces of said first arm portion, secured against relative motion along said first discrete dimension of said first arm portion and along a first meshing dimension that is perpendicular to said first boundary plane;
• iii. is engageable with said first arm portion by any engaging element of said mating construction member occupying any receiving space of said first arm portion;
• iv. is also slideably engageable along said continuous dimension, with said engaging elements of said second arm, being slidable into and occupying said receiving spaces of said second arm;
• v. is, if joined to said second arm portion by said engaging elements of said mating construction member occupying said receiving spaces of said second arm portion, also secured against relative motion along said discrete dimension of said second arm portion and along a second mating dimension that is perpendicular to said second boundary plane;
• and
• vi. is engageable with said second arm portion by any engaging element of said mating construction member occupying any receiving space of said second arm portion.