Patent Application
20190292778
The present disclosure relates to a modular room, and more specifically to a wall system for the modular room.
Typically buildings such as, homes, hospitals, office spaces may be constructed with a predefined number of rooms. However, in some cases, the predefined number of rooms may not be sufficient for a user. In order to extend the number of rooms or convert a single room into multiple rooms, conventional methods include breaking of one or more structures, for example, walls of the room, adjusting the furniture and other components of the buildings. Such process may be tedious, time consuming and may result in loss of material due to breaking of existing walls or other parts of the buildings.
Moreover, such modifications in the room structure are permanent and it may not be possible to dynamically change the configuration of the room into multiple rooms or revert back to a single room. Other known methods include providing a movable partition that is used to partition the rooms into two pre-defined spaces. However, such a configuration may not provide a closed room. Therefore, there exists a need for a solution that addresses the problems discussed above.
For reference, U.S. patent application no. 2005/0257437 is generally directed to a modular space in a building construction with a method and system for making the modular space, and more particularly to a modular room comprising custom designed and prefabricated components.
In one aspect of the present disclosure, a movable drywall is provided. The movable drywall includes a supporting member and a pair of wings operatively coupled to the supporting member. The pair of wings is configured to move relative to the supporting member.
In another aspect of the present disclosure, a modular wall system for a room having a ceiling and a plurality of sidewalls is provided. The modular wall system includes a support structure configured to be coupled to the ceiling of the room. The modular wall system also includes a modular wall movably coupled to the support structure. The modular wall includes a supporting member and a pair of wings operatively coupled to the supporting member. Each of the wings is configured to move towards an open position and a closed position. The wings are configured to move towards the corresponding sidewall in the open position. The modular wall with the pair of wings in the open position is configured to divide the room into at least two rooms.
In yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a modular room is provided. The modular room includes a plurality of sidewalls and at least one drywall. The at least one drywall defines a vertical axis along a height thereof, a first axis along a length thereof, and a second axis perpendicular to each of the vertical axis and the first axis. The at least one drywall is configured to move parallel to the second axis to a moved position. The at least one drywall includes a supporting member and a pair of wings operatively coupled to the supporting member. Each of the wings is configured to move towards an open position and a closed position. Each of the wings is configured to move towards the corresponding sidewall of the plurality of sidewalls in the open position. The plurality of sidewalls, the at least one drywall in the moved position and the pair of wings in the open position are configured to form at least two rooms within the modular room.
In another aspect of the present disclosure, a modular wall for a room having a plurality of sidewalls is provided. The modular wall includes a supporting member and a pair of wings operatively coupled to the supporting member. Each of the wings is configured to move to an open position and a closed position. The pair of wings is configured to move to the open position, towards a corresponding sidewall of the plurality of sidewalls.
Other features and aspects of this disclosure will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings.
Embodiments are illustrated by way of example and are not limited in the accompanying figures.
Skilled artisans appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of embodiments of the invention.
Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or the like parts. Embodiments disclosed herein are related to modular rooms and wall systems that may be used to render the feature of modularity to the rooms.
In the illustrated embodiment, the modular room 108 includes four sidewalls 110, 112, 114 and 116. Further, each of the sidewalls 114 and 116 may define an opening. In an example, a movable door (not shown) may be disposed in at least one of the opening defined in the respective sidewalls 114 and 116. In other embodiments, any of the sidewalls 110, 112, 114 and 116 may define the opening. Although, the modular room 108 is illustrated and described to include the four sidewalls 110, 112, 114 and 116, it may be recognized that the modular room 108 may include any number of sidewalls so as to form the modular room 108 there between. In an example, the modular room 108 may have more than four sidewalls and have a polygonal shape. In another example, the modular room 108 may have three sidewalls and have a triangular shape.
The modular room 108 further includes a ceiling 118 disposed on the sidewalls 110, 112, 114 and 116. In the illustrated embodiment, the ceiling 118 (shown in
Referring to
The drywall 202 may also include at least one insulation element 210. In the illustrated embodiment, the insulation element 210 is disposed between the frame 204 and the gypsum panels 208. In an example, the insulation element 210 may include a foam material. In other embodiments, the insulation element 210 may be disposed at other locations in the drywall 202 based on a specific type of application. Alternatively, the drywall 202 may be configured without the insulation element 210.
It may be preferable for one or more components of the modular wall 202 to be reinforced. In an example, the supporting member 220 and the wings 228 and 230 may be reinforced. Such an embodiment of the invention may be preferable to improve the racking resistance of the gypsum panel 208. Preferably, the gypsum panel 208 may comprise a polymeric binder and plurality of fibres. Such a feature may be preferable as it may provide reinforcement to the gypsum panel 208. Preferably, said plurality of fibres may comprise glass fibres, synthetic polymer fibres or natural fibres, either separately or in combination.
Preferably, said polymeric binder and said plurality of fibres, in combination, comprise greater than 1% by weight of the gypsum panel 208. Such an embodiment of the invention may be preferable as it may increase the strength of the modular wall 202. Preferably, the polymeric binder may comprise greater than 1% by weight of the gypsum panel 208. Preferably, the fibres may comprise greater than 1% by weight of the gypsum panel 208.
It may be preferable for the polymeric binder to comprise starch. It may also be preferable for the polymeric binder to comprise a synthetic material. More preferably, the synthetic polymeric binder may comprise polyvinyl acetate.
Preferably, the gypsum panel 208 may be a Habito (registered trade mark) board.
However, in various other embodiments, various components of the modular wall 202 may be made of any other materials such as, but not limited to, MDF, plywood, glass, metal sheet, cement, fiber cement and plastic sheet.
The modular wall 202 and the modular wall system 200 will be explained hereinafter with reference to
The modular wall 202 includes a supporting member 220 having a first side 222 and a second side 224. In the illustrated embodiment, the supporting member 220 may include multiple shelves 226 that are disposed on the first side 222 of the supporting member 220. Further, the first side 222 of the supporting member 220 may face the sidewall 112. In another embodiment, the shelves 226 may be disposed on the second side 224 of the supporting member 220. Alternatively, the supporting member 220 may further include shelves 226 that are disposed on both the first side 222 and second side 224 of the supporting member 220.
A person of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that a design and/or configurations of the shelves 226 are merely exemplary in nature and hence non-limiting of this disclosure. Moreover, the supporting member 220 may or may not include other types of shelves 226 or components.
The modular wall 202 also includes a pair of wings 228 and 230 slidably attached to the supporting member 220. In the illustrated embodiment of
In the illustrated embodiment of
In another embodiment, the modular wall 202 may include a receiving member (not shown) attached to the supporting member 220 adjacent to a top end 234 and a bottom end 236 of the modular wall 202 thereof. Further, each of the wings 228 and 230 may include a track member 238 corresponding to each of the receiving member. As such, the receiving member may slide inside the track member 238 to enable the wings 228 and 230 to slide parallel to the first axis 216.
In yet another embodiment, the supporting member 220 may define a recess in each of the sides of the supporting member 220, as illustrated in
In another embodiment, the wings 228 and 230 may be rotatably coupled to the supporting member 220 so as to fold out from the supporting member 220. In an example, the wings 228 and 230 may be coupled to the supporting member 220 by hinges. In another embodiment, the wings 228 and 230 may have a concertina arrangement. It may also be contemplated to use other mechanisms to accomplish the coupling between the wings 228, 230 and the supporting member 220.
In another embodiment, one of the wings 228 or 230 may be attached to the first side 222 and the other of the wing 228 or 230 may be attached to the second side 224, as illustrated in
Each of the wings 228, 230 is configured to move towards an open position and a closed position. Further a combined length ‘L1’ of the modular wall 202 having the wings 228, 230 in the open position may be substantially equal to the distance between the sidewalls 110, 114 between which the modular wall 202 is disposed. As such, the wings 228, 230 may move towards the sidewalls 110, 114 respectively while moving towards the open position. In the illustrated embodiment, the wings 228, 230 may contact the sidewalls 110, 114 respectively in the open position.
In another embodiment, the modular wall 202 may include one or more secondary wings (not shown) coupled to each of the wings 228 and 230. The secondary wings may either be slidably or rotatably coupled to the corresponding wings 228 and 230. As such, to obtain the open position, each of the secondary wings and the wings 228, 230 may have to be unfolded.
In the illustrated embodiment, the modular wall 202 is disposed parallel to the first axis 216. In other embodiments, the modular wall 202 may be suitably disposed at an angle with the first axis 216. In an example, the modular wall 202 may be disposed at an angle of 90 degrees to the first axis 216 based on the shape of the modular room 108.
In other examples, as discussed above, the modular wall 202 may be disposed in various other configurations and shapes of the rooms. In such cases, a size, a shape and a configuration of the supporting member 220 and/or the wings 228, 230 may vary to suit the requirements of the application. Accordingly, the wings 228, 230 in the open position may substantially contact the corresponding sidewalls 110, 112, 114, 116.
In yet another example, each of the wings 228, 230 may further include an additional wing slidably coupled thereto. As such, in the open position of both the additional wings and the wings 228, 230, the additional wings may contact the corresponding sidewalls 110, 112, 114, 116.
Further, the modular wall 202 is configured to move parallel to the second axis 218. In an embodiment, the modular wall 202 may also be configured to rotate about the vertical axis 214. In yet another embodiment, the modular wall 202 may be configured to rotate about the first axis 216. As such, the modular wall 202 may be flipped against the ceiling 118.
Referring to
In one embodiment, the support structure 300 may include a rail member 302 disposed parallel to the second axis 218 and coupled to the ceiling 118. As shown, the rail member 302 may be coupled to the ceiling 118 via an overhanging structure 304. The overhanging structure 304 may be coupled to the ceiling 118. Further, the overhanging structure 304 may include multiple bars coupled to each other via fasteners. Alternatively, at least some of the bars of the overhanging structure 304 may be welded to each other.
The support structure 300 may also include an elongate member 306 having a first end 308 and a second end 310. As shown, the elongate member 306 may have an I-shape. The first end 308 may be slidably received in the rail member 302. The support structure 300 may also include a first flange member 312 that is coupled to the first end 308 of the elongate member 306. The support structure 300 further includes a second flange member 314 coupled to the first flange member 312. Each of the first and second flange members 312 and 314 may have a plate configuration. Further, the second flange member 314 may be coupled to the top end 234 of the modular wall 202. With such an implementation, the modular wall 202 may be moved parallel to the rail member 302.
The coupling between the first and second flange members 312 and 314 may be accomplished by using any suitable methods such as, but not limited to fasteners, welding and the like. Further, the first flange member 312 and the second flange member 314 may be coupled to the second end 310 of the elongate member 306 and the top end 234 of the modular wall 202 respectively, by any suitable methods such as, but not limited to fasteners such as, threaded screws or bolts, studs, welding and the like.
In other embodiments, the support structure 300 may include multiple rail members 302 disposed parallel to each other. The support structure 300 may also include multiple elongate members 306 that may be slidably received in the corresponding rail members 302. Further, the elongate members 306 may be coupled to the top end 234 of the modular wall 202 at different locations.
In another embodiment, the elongate member 306 may include a rotatable member (not shown) disposed between the first end 308 and the second end 310. The rotatable member (not shown) may be a circular member rotatably coupled to the elongate member 306 adjacent to the second end 310. As such, the modular wall 202 may rotate about the vertical axis 214.
Although, the elongate member 306 is illustrated to have an I-shape, it may be envisioned to use the elongate member 306 of any other shape. Accordingly, the first end 308 of the elongate member 306 may be slidably received in the rail member 302. Further, the second end 310 of the elongate member 306 may be directly or indirectly coupled to the top end 234 of the modular wall 202.
Additionally or optionally, the support structure may also include floor tracks (not shown) attached to the bottom end 236 of the modular wall 202. The floor tracks may include any of the rails, wheels and the like that can enable the modular wall 202 to translate and/or rotate about the vertical axis 214.
A person of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the configuration of the support structure 300 as described herein is merely exemplary in nature and hence non-limiting of this disclosure. Moreover, the modular wall system 200 may include any type and/or configuration of the support structure 300 that may enable the movement of the modular wall 202 along the second axis 218. Further, the modular wall system 200 may alternatively include one or more structures to enable the modular wall 202 to rotate about at least one of the first axis 216 and the vertical axis 214.
Referring back to
Referring to
In various other embodiments, the modular room 108 may include more than one modular wall 202. Accordingly, the modular room 108 may be divided into more than two rooms. For example, the modular room 108 may include an additional wall disposed against one of the sidewalls 110 or 114. Referring to
With use and implementation of the movable drywall 202 and the modular wall system 200 of the present disclosure, any of the rooms may be converted into at least two rooms. In one configuration, the second side 224 of the supporting member 220 may be disposed against one of the sidewalls 110, 112, 114, 116 and the wings 228, 230 may be disposed in the closed position. Further, various components such as, a television, decorative items or the like may be disposed on the first side 222 of the supporting member 220. In such a configuration, the modular wall 202 may form part of the modular room 108 without interfering with other components of the modular room 108. In other configuration, the modular wall 202 may be moved parallel to the second axis 218 to a certain position and the wings 228, 230 may be moved to the open position to obtain two rooms. Moreover, furniture in the modular room 108 may be arranged such that the movement of the modular 202 may be achieved without moving the furniture.
Further, the wings 228, 230 of the modular wall 202 in the open position are configured to contact the corresponding sidewalls 110, 114 of the modular room 108. As such, at least one closed room may be obtained. Moreover, the use of drywall 202 in dividing the modular room 108 into multiple rooms may render various properties to the divided room such as acoustic properties, insulation, aesthetics and the like.
Note that not all of the activities described above in the general description or the examples are required, that a portion of a specific activity may not be required, and that one or more further activities may be performed in addition to those described. Still further, the order in which activities are listed is not necessarily the order in which they are performed.
Benefits, other advantages and solutions to problems have been described above with regard to specific embodiments. However, the benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any feature(s) that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as a critical, required, or essential feature of any or all the claims.
The specification and illustrations of the embodiments described herein are intended to provide a general understanding of the structure of the various embodiments. The specification and illustrations are not intended to serve as an exhaustive and comprehensive description of all of the elements and features of apparatus and systems that use the structures or methods described herein. Certain features, that are for clarity, described herein in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features that are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in a sub combination. Further, reference to values stated in ranges includes each and every value within that range. Many other embodiments may be apparent to skilled artisans only after reading this specification. Other embodiments may be used and derived from the disclosure, such that a structural substitution, logical substitution, or another change may be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, the disclosure is to be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive.
The description in combination with the figures is provided to assist in understanding the teachings disclosed herein, is provided to assist in describing the teachings, and should not be interpreted as a limitation on the scope or applicability of the teachings. However, other teachings can certainly be used in this application.
As used herein, the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,” “including,” “has,” “having” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of features is not necessarily limited only to those features but may include other features not expressly listed or inherent to such method, article, or apparatus. Further, unless expressly stated to the contrary, “or” refers to an inclusive-or and not to an exclusive-or. For example, a condition A or B is satisfied by any one of the following: A is true (or present) and B is false (or not present), A is false (or not present) and B is true (or present), and both A and B are true (or present).
Also, the use of “a” or “an” is employed to describe elements and components described herein. This is done merely for convenience and to give a general sense of the scope of the invention. This description should be read to include one or at least one and the singular also includes the plural, or vice versa, unless it is clear that it is meant otherwise. For example, when a single item is described herein, more than one item may be used in place of a single item. Similarly, where more than one item is described herein, a single item may be substituted for that more than one item.
Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. The materials, methods, and examples are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting. To the extent that certain details regarding specific materials and processing acts are not described, such details may include conventional approaches, which may be found in reference books and other sources within the manufacturing arts.
While aspects of the present disclosure have been particularly shown and described with reference to the embodiments above, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various additional embodiments may be contemplated by the modification of the disclosed machines, systems and methods without departing from the spirit and scope of what is disclosed. Such embodiments should be understood to fall within the scope of the present disclosure as determined based upon the claims and any equivalents thereof.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 201641023767 | Jul 2016 | IN | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/IN2017/050272 | 7/5/2017 | WO | 00 |
