U.S. patent application number 10/773033 was filed with the patent office on 2005-08-04 for drawer cabinet storage kit.
Invention is credited to Anderson, Torrence, Moon, Brian.
Application Number | 20050168115 10/773033 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34808635 |
Filed Date | 2005-08-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050168115 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Moon, Brian ; et
al. |
August 4, 2005 |
Drawer cabinet storage kit
Abstract
The present invention provides an assembly, or kit, of injection
molded panels having integrated connectors which combine to form a
drawer cabinet. The panels are formed of injection molded plastic
to interlock with one another without the need for separate
fasteners or connectors. The interior of the cabinet is constructed
and arranged to accept a plurality of cooperating drawer guides and
drawers which snap into place to fill the cabinets interior.
Inventors: |
Moon, Brian; (De Kalb,
IL) ; Anderson, Torrence; (Overland Park,
KS) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Michael A. Slavin, Esq.
McHale & Slavin, P.A.
2855 PGA Boulevard
Palm Beach Gardens
FL
33410
US
|
Family ID: |
34808635 |
Appl. No.: |
10/773033 |
Filed: |
February 4, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
312/257.1 ;
312/330.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47B 2210/0056 20130101;
A47B 47/042 20130101; A47B 88/437 20170101; A47B 2210/0037
20130101; A47B 88/941 20170101; A47B 2210/0062 20130101; A47B 67/04
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
312/257.1 ;
312/330.1 |
International
Class: |
A47B 043/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A plastic drawer cabinet kit having a base panel, a top panel, a
left side panel, a right side panel and a back panel in combination
with a plurality of drawer guides and drawers comprising: a base
panel for enclosing the bottom of said drawer cabinet, said base
panel having an upper surface, a lower surface, a left end, a right
end, a front portion and a back portion, said left end including a
means for attaching said base panel to a left side panel in a
perpendicular relationship, said right end including a means for
attaching said base panel to a right side panel in a perpendicular
relationship, said rear portion including a means for attaching
said base panel to a back panel in a perpendicular relationship; a
top panel for enclosing the top of said drawer cabinet, said top
panel having an upper surface, a lower surface, a left end, a right
end, a front portion and a back portion, said left end including a
means for attaching said top panel to a left side panel in a
perpendicular relationship, said right end including a means for
attaching said top panel to a right side panel in a perpendicular
relationship, said back portion including a means for attaching
said top panel to a back panel in a perpendicular relationship; a
back panel for enclosing the back of said wall cabinet, said back
panel having a top edge, a bottom edge, a left edge, and a right
edge, said top edge including a means for attaching said back panel
to said top panel in a perpendicular relationship, said bottom edge
including a means for attaching said back panel to said base panel
in a perpendicular relationship; a left side panel for enclosing
the left side of said drawer cabinet, said left side panel
including a top edge, a bottom edge, a front edge, a back edge, an
inner surface and an outer surface, said top edge including a means
for attaching said left side panel to said top panel in a
perpendicular relationship, said bottom edge including a means for
attaching said left side panel to said base panel in a
perpendicular relationship, said inner surface including a means
for removably securing a plurality of drawer guides in a vertically
spaced generally parallel relationship; a right side panel for
enclosing the right side of said drawer cabinet, said right side
panel including a top edge, a bottom edge, a front edge, a back
edge, an inner surface and an outer surface, said top edge
including a means for attaching said right side panel to said top
panel in a perpendicular relationship, said bottom edge including a
means for attaching said right side panel to said base panel in a
perpendicular relationship, said inner surface including a means
for removably securing a plurality of drawer guides in a vertically
spaced generally parallel relationship; a plurality of drawer
guides, said drawer guides including a means of removably securing
said drawer guides to said inner surfaces of said left and said
right side panels, said drawer guides constructed and arranged to
cooperate with at least one drawer to provide support and prevent
tipping and canting of said at least one drawer while said at least
one drawer is moved inwardly and outwardly of said cabinet
assembly; at least one drawer for enclosing the front of said
drawer cabinet and providing a storage area within said drawer
cabinet, said at least one drawer including a front portion, a rear
portion, a left side and a right side, said left side and said
right side each including at least one upper roller and at least
one lower roller rotatably mounted thereto, wherein said upper and
said lower rollers are constructed and arranged to cooperate with
said drawer guides to allow said at least one drawer to be moved
inwardly and outwardly of said drawer cabinet to provide access to
said storage area within said at least one drawer; wherein said
drawer cabinet can be shipped fully assembled or in a disassembled
state and assembled on a desired site without separate
fasteners.
2. The drawer cabinet kit as described in claim 1, wherein said
means for removably securing a plurality of drawer guides includes
a pair of vertical rails integrally molded on each of said inner
surfaces of said left and said right side panels, wherein one of
said vertical rails is positioned generally adjacent to said front
edge of each said panel and one of said vertical rails is
positioned generally adjacent to said rear edge of each said panel,
said vertical rails extending from about said bottom edges of said
panels to about said top edges of said panels, said vertical rails
including a plurality of vertically spaced apertures, wherein said
apertures are constructed and arranged to cooperate with said
drawer guides for removable attachment thereof, wherein said drawer
guides are positionable in a generally parallel relationship to
accommodate a combination of various sized drawers to fill said
cabinet.
3. The drawer cabinet kit as described in claim 1, wherein said
drawer guides are generally L-shaped, said L-shaped drawer guides
including a vertical leg and a horizontal leg, a front portion, and
a back portion, wherein said vertical leg is constructed and
arranged to prevent canting of said drawers while said drawers are
moved inwardly and outwardly of said drawer cabinet, wherein said
horizontal leg is constructed and arranged to cooperate with said
at least one drawer to prevent tipping of said drawer while said
drawer is moved inwardly and outwardly of said drawer cabinet,
wherein said vertical leg includes a means for removably securing
said drawer guides to said inner surfaces of said left and said
right side panels, wherein said means for removably securing said
drawer guides to said inner surfaces of said left and said right
side panels are constructed and arranged to cooperate with said
inner surfaces of said side panels to removably secure said drawer
guide members in a vertically spaced generally parallel
relationship.
4. The drawer cabinet kit as described in claim 3, wherein said
means for removably securing said drawer guides to said inner
surfaces of said left and said right side panels includes a pair of
outwardly extending locking posts, wherein one of said locking
posts is integrally formed into said front portion of said vertical
leg of said drawer guide and one of said locking posts is
integrally formed into said back portion of said vertical leg of
said drawer guide, wherein said locking posts are constructed and
arranged to have a conjugate shape to said left and said right side
panel vertical rail apertures, wherein said locking posts enter
said apertures for coupling engagement between said drawer guides
and said side panels, wherein said drawer guides may be positioned
to accommodate a combination of various sized drawers to fill said
drawer cabinet.
5. The drawer cabinet assembly as described in claim 4, wherein
each said locking post includes at least one integrally formed
spring tab, wherein said spring tab is constructed and arranged to
cooperate with said vertical rail apertures for a mechanically and
releasably secure connection between said drawer guides and said
side panels.
6. The drawer cabinet kit as described in claim 3, wherein said
drawer guides each include at least one roller, wherein said at
least one roller is rotatably mounted in said front portion of said
horizontal leg of said drawer guide for supporting said at least
one drawer, wherein said horizontal leg includes an upper surface
and a lower surface, wherein said roller is sized and positioned
between said upper surface and said lower surface so that a portion
of said roller protrudes above said top surface.
7. The drawer cabinet kit as described in claim 6, wherein said
upper surface of said horizontal leg of said drawer guide includes
an outwardly protruding detent, wherein said detent is integrally
formed into said rear portion of said drawer guide, wherein said
rollers rotatably mounted on said left and said right lower
portions of said at least one drawer cooperate with said detent for
releasably securing said drawer member within said drawer cabinet,
wherein pulling outward on said at least one drawer allows said
rollers to release from said detent.
8. The drawer cabinet kit as described in claim 6, wherein said
lower surface of said horizontal leg of said drawer guides include
an integrally formed and outwardly protruding stop tab, wherein
said stop tab is constructed and arranged to cooperate with said
rear portion of at least one drawer to prevent said drawer from
being extended completely out of said drawer cabinet.
9. The drawer cabinet kit as described in claim 6, wherein said
left and said right sides of said at least one drawer each include
an integrally formed upper roller pocket and an integrally formed
lower roller pocket, wherein said upper roller pockets are
positioned generally at an upper rear portion of said left side and
said right side of said drawer, wherein said lower roller pockets
are positioned generally at a lower rear portion of said left side
and said right side of said drawer, wherein said upper rollers are
rotatably mounted within said upper roller pockets to extend
partially outward therefrom to cooperate with said lower surface of
an adjacent drawer guide, and wherein said lower rollers are
rotatably mounted within said lower roller pockets to extend
partially outward therefrom to cooperate with said upper surface of
an adjacent drawer guide, wherein said rollers and said drawer
guides prevent said drawer from tipping as said drawer is extended
outwardly from said drawer cabinet.
10. The drawer cabinet kit as described in claim 6, wherein said at
least one drawer member includes a lower surface, said lower
surface including a pair of detents integrally formed therein,
wherein said pair of detents are constructed and arranged to
cooperate with said rollers rotatably mounted in said front portion
of said drawer guides for releasably securing said at least one
drawer within said drawer cabinet.
11. The drawer cabinet kit as described in claim 1, wherein said
means of attaching said base panel to said left side panel, said
right side panel, and said back panel includes a plurality of
outwardly extending locking posts, wherein said locking posts are
constructed and arranged to cooperate with a plurality of locking
sockets, wherein said locking posts are brought into an coupling
engagement with corresponding locking sockets in said left side
panel, said right side panel and said back panel resulting in a
mechanically secure connection between said base panel and said
left, right, and back panels.
12. The drawer cabinet kit as described in claim 11 wherein said
base panel locking posts include at least one integrally formed
spring-tab, wherein said at least one spring-tab is constructed and
arranged to cooperate with said locking sockets for positively
maintaining secure coupling engagement between said base panel and
said left, right and back panels.
13. The drawer cabinet kit as described in claim 1, wherein said
means of attaching said top panel to said left side panel, said
right side panel, and said back panel includes a plurality of
outwardly extending locking posts, wherein said locking posts are
constructed and arranged to cooperate with a plurality of locking
sockets, wherein said locking posts are brought into an coupling
engagement with corresponding locking sockets in said left side
panel, said right side panel and said back panel resulting in a
mechanically secure connection between said base, left, right, and
back panels.
14. The drawer cabinet kit as described in claim 13 wherein said
top panel locking posts include at least one integrally formed
spring-tab, wherein said at least one spring-tab is constructed and
arranged to cooperate with said locking sockets for positively
maintaining secure coupling engagement between said top panel and
said left, right and back panels.
15. The drawer cabinet kit as described in claim 1 wherein said
left side panel, said right side panel, and said back panel include
a plurality of locking sockets arranged in a linear fashion along
said top and said bottom edges, said locking sockets extending
inwardly between said outer surface and said inner surface, wherein
said locking cavities are constructed and arranged to cooperate
with said top and said base panels, wherein said top and said base
panels are secured to said left, right and back panels via said
locking sockets.
16. The drawer cabinet kit as described in claim 15, wherein at
least one of said locking sockets include an aperture therethrough,
wherein said aperture is constructed and arranged for mating
engagement with at least one spring-tab integrally formed into
locking posts in said top and said base panels.
17. The drawer cabinet kit as described in claim 1, wherein said
bottom surface of said base panel includes integrally formed
cross-bracing, wherein said cross-bracing provides increased weight
capacity and stability to said drawer cabinet kit.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates generally to a drawer cabinet kit
constructed of plastic structural panels. More specifically, the
present invention relates to a cabinet constructed of injection
molded plastic panels to contain a plurality of drawers with
modular snap-in guides and which is capable of being packaged and
shipped assembled or in a knocked-down state and constructed into a
secure drawer cabinet at a desired site.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
[0002] Throughout the home, a need exists to store a large variety
of different items. This is particularly true of garage and utility
areas where a vast array of products have been developed to
increase the comfort level of living. The accumulation of these
various objects and products gives rise to a need for adequate
storage of those items when not in use.
[0003] Various cabinets for storing household items such as
gardening tools, automotive supplies, barbeque accessories and the
like are well known. One of the more popular type of cabinets for
storing household items is a cabinet with a plurality of pull-out
drawers. Cabinets of this type are generally shipped to a consumer
or a supplier fully assembled. Shipping fully assembled cabinetry
requires a considerable amount of space available within a shipping
medium. Because space is limited, the cost associated with shipping
assembled cabinets is comparatively high.
[0004] Alternatively, drawer cabinet assemblies are customized for
the consumer based on the consumer's needs. With customized
cabinets, the consumer selects the cabinet material, the size of
the associated drawers and the drawer guides needed to guide the
drawers in and out of the cabinet. Numerous devices have been
utilized throughout history to guide drawers in and out of drawer
cabinets. The simplest mechanism is a box in which the drawer
slides. Other methods of control include runners on either side of
the drawer or a single runner under the bottom of the drawer with
notches to hold the drawer in alignment with the cabinet. All of
these basic guide systems have high levels of friction between the
drawer and the cabinet and, consequently, rapidly wear out.
Numerous low friction devices have been designed to facilitate
movement of drawers in and out of cabinets including ball bearings,
wheels, and sliders. Most of these low friction devices require
unsightly tracks along the side of the drawers and wide spaces
between the sides of the drawers and the drawer face to allow
passage of the low friction devices from the inside of the drawer
cabinet to the outside when the drawer is extended.
[0005] Side play of the drawer when extended is another difficult
problem, particularly in the basic forms of drawer guides. Often
the drawer must be moved from side to side and up and down in order
to get it to return to the drawer cabinet. As the guides become
worn, the problem becomes even more severe. Even drawer slides
utilizing rollers, ball bearings and sliders have binding problems,
especially when the drawers are heavily loaded or the slide parts
have become slightly worn.
[0006] The ball bearing type of drawer slide creates a different
problem. Because there is virtually no side play in a ball bearing
slide the drawer cabinet must be perfectly aligned with the drawer
slide in order to eliminate binding as the drawer is moved in and
out. Skilled labor and time are required to properly position a
ball bearing slide.
[0007] Fabrication costs of low friction slide arrangements are
another problem. The slide arrangements must be specially made for
each different length of drawer. A long drawer requires a long
slide arrangement and a short drawer requires a short slide
arrangement. Manufacturers are required to maintain supplies of
many different lengths of drawer slides or modify slides for each
customer.
[0008] Full extension drawer slides are a variation of the typical
drawer slide and are used to permit full extension of drawers such
that the back of the drawer is fully accessible. Such drawer guides
usually use three or more rails with one rail (cabinet rail) being
attached to the cabinet, one rail (drawer rail) being attached to
the drawer and one rail (floating rail) gliding between the drawer
and cabinet rails. Examples of such drawer guides are disclosed in
Card, U.S. Pat. No. 1,537,067, Tobey, U.S. Pat. No. 2,099,148,
Schaffert, U.S. Pat. No. 1,129,831, Bullock et al, U.S. Pat. No.
3,203,749, Vander Ley, U.S. Pat. No. 4,004,841, Lautenschalager
U.S. Pat. No. 5,733,027, Fleisch, U.S. Pat. No. 5,895,102,
Fraccaro, U.S. Pat. No. 6,390,574. In these systems, rollers or
ball bearings are provided on racks between the floating rail and
the cabinet and drawer rails to provide free gliding movement
between each of the rails.
[0009] One of the problems associated with such systems is that
they tend to be rather large and bulky which limits their use on
smaller drawers. Further, such systems are relatively complicated
and difficult to fabricate, resulting in high costs to
consumers.
[0010] Such prior art systems have not met all of the needs of
manufacturers to provide a product that can be easily manufactured,
packaged and shipped, or the needs of consumers requiring
economical and versatile do-it-yourself storage kits. Moreover,
because the prior art devices do not break down they are difficult
and expensive to ship from the manufacturer to the consumer.
[0011] Paramount among such needs is an easy to assemble kit which
can be easily assembled by an average homeowner. Structure is a
further consideration, the cabinet formed by the panels must create
cabinet walls which resist panel separation, buckling and racking
in such a way as to unify the entire enclosure.
[0012] Also, from a versatility standpoint, a cooperating drawer
and guide should be present which can be easily assembled or
modified after assembly of the side, top, bottom and back panels,
and which provides security and dependable access to the contents
of the drawers without the complex and difficult to assemble
mechanisms associated with the prior art.
[0013] There are also commercial considerations that must be
satisfied by any viable drawer cabinet system or kit;
considerations which are not entirely satisfied by state of the art
products. The drawer cabinet must be formed of relatively few
component parts that are inexpensive to manufacture by conventional
techniques. The drawer cabinet must also be capable of being
packaged and shipped in a knocked-down state.
[0014] In addition, there are ergonomic needs that a drawer cabinet
system must satisfy in order to achieve acceptance by the end user.
The system must be easily and quickly assembled using minimal
hardware and requiring a minimal number of tools. Further, the
system must not require excessive strength to assemble or include
heavy component parts. Moreover, the system must assemble together
in such a way so as not to detract from the internal storage volume
of the resulting wall cabinet or otherwise negatively affect the
utility of the drawer cabinet.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0015] The present invention provides an assembly, or kit, of
injection molded panels having integrated connectors which combine
to form a drawer cabinet with a plurality of snap-in drawer guide
members and cooperating pull out drawers. The cabinet panels are
formed of injection molded plastic and include integrally formed
connectors to interlock with one another without the need for
separate fasteners. The integrated connection of the side walls and
top and bottom panels simplifies the drawer cabinet construction
and minimizes the number of components required to assemble the
drawer cabinet. Injection molding allows the panels to be formed
with integral cross-bracing, ribs and gussets for increased
rigidity. When supplied as a kit, assembly of the drawer cabinet
requires minimal hardware and a minimum number of hand tools.
[0016] The drawer cabinet assembly includes a base panel, a back
panel, left and right side panels and a top panel. The base panel
is constructed with integrally formed outwardly extending contoured
locking posts for interlocking cooperative engagement with sockets
formed into the ends of the left, right and back panels. The
engagement between the locking posts and the sockets serve to
rigidly connect the components together, preventing the panels from
bowing inwardly or outwardly under loads to provide a structurally
sound cabinet with a pleasing aesthetic appearance.
[0017] The interior portion of the cabinet includes integrally
molded vertical rails extending along each side. The rails extend
from the base panel to the top panel. Each rail is constructed to
accept a plurality of snap-in drawer guide members in a vertically
spaced and generally parallel arrangement to cooperate with a
combination of drawers to fill the cabinet. This construction
allows the consumer to customize the drawer cabinet for a
particular storage requirement. Cooperating with the vertical rails
are snap-in drawer guide members having a rotatably mounted roller
secured within the front portion thereof. The snap in guide members
minimize complexity of completing the assembly while increasing
versatility by allowing the consumer to customize the assembly for
specific needs. The snap-in construction of the drawer guides
eliminate the need for skilled tradesmen to line-up and mount
complicated hardware within the cabinet. In this manner the
consumer can select a plurality of drawers having various heights,
snap in the drawer guides, and thereafter slide in the drawers to
complete the assembly.
[0018] The drawers are pre-constructed of polymeric material
including a first roller rotatably mounted on each lower rear
corner and a second roller rotatably mounted on each upper rear
corner. The first rollers are adapted to cooperate with an adjacent
lower drawer guide to support the rear portion of the drawer and
the second rollers are adapted to cooperate with an adjacent upper
guide to prevent the drawer from tipping as it is pulled
outwardly.
[0019] In operation, as a loaded drawer is pulled outward it rolls
freely on the fixed position guide roller and the rollers at the
bottom rear of the drawer. As the guide roller and the drawer
rollers get closer together the weight in the drawer causes a
cantilever action across the guide roller and the rollers
positioned at the upper rear of the drawer roll along the lower
portion of the adjacent guide above. This construction allows the
drawers to be easily opened with heavy loads without requiring
complex sliding track mechanisms to prevent tipping of the
drawer.
[0020] Accordingly, it is an objective of the present invention to
provide a polymeric drawer cabinet assembly having a plurality of
modular cooperating drawer and guide assemblies.
[0021] It is a further objective of the present invention to
provide a modular snap-in drawer guide device, by which a
cooperating drawer can be smoothly guided inwardly and outwardly of
a cabinet body without the need for complex metal guiding
mechanisms.
[0022] Yet a further objective of the present invention is to
provide a modular polymeric drawer guide device which allows the
drawer to be guided a sufficient distance out of the cabinet body
to provide access to the interior of the drawer.
[0023] Still yet a further objective of the present invention is to
provide a drawer cabinet assembly constructed from panels having
integrated connectors which accommodate injection molding plastic
formation of the panel components for increased structural
integrity.
[0024] Another objective of the present invention is to provide a
drawer cabinet storage kit in which the side walls, top panel, and
bottom panel are interlocked without the need for separate
fasteners.
[0025] Yet another objective of the present invention is to provide
a kit for a drawer cabinet that is capable of being packaged and
shipped in a knocked-down state and constructed into a secure
drawer cabinet.
[0026] Still yet another objective of the present invention is to
provide a drawer and guide assembly which allows an end user to
customize a drawer cabinet to suit an individual application.
[0027] Other objectives and advantages of the present invention
will become apparent from the following description taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein are set forth,
by way of illustration and example, certain embodiments of this
invention. The drawings constitute a part of this specification and
include exemplary embodiments of the present invention and
illustrate various objects and features thereof.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0028] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the instant invention;
[0029] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the instant invention,
illustrated with the drawers and drawer guides omitted for
clarity;
[0030] FIG. 3 is a partial exploded view of the instant invention,
illustrating a drawer guide and the inner surface of a side
panel;
[0031] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a drawer utilized in the
instant invention;
[0032] FIG. 5 is a section view taken along line 1-1 of FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0033] While the present invention is susceptible of embodiment in
various forms, there is shown in the drawings and will hereinafter
be described a presently preferred embodiment with the
understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered an
exemplification of the invention and is not intended to limit the
invention to the specific embodiments illustrated.
[0034] FIGS. 1 and 2 which are now referenced illustrate
perspective and exploded views of the drawer cabinet assembly,
generally referenced as 10, according to a preferred embodiment of
the present invention. The drawer cabinet is made up of a base
panel 100 and top panel 200, left side panel 300, right side panel
400, rear panel 500 (FIG. 2), drawer guides 600 (FIG. 3) and
drawers 700. In the preferred embodiment, the panels comprising the
assembly are formed of but not limited to a suitable polymeric
material, through the process of injection molding. The result is
that the panels comprising the drawer cabinet assembly 10 are
formed as unitary panels with integral connectors, and cross
bracing. Strengthening ribs 120, 220 (FIG. 5) are integrally formed
within the lower surfaces of the top and base panels 100, 200 in
order to enhance rigidity of the panels while leaving the external
surface in a generally smooth condition for aesthetic purposes, as
shown in FIG. 1. Injection molding offers significant strength and
stability advantages over wood or metal construction as utilized in
the prior art. In this manner the enclosure of the instant
invention is capable of handling a significant amount of weight as
compared to wooden or sheet metal cabinets.
[0035] The base panel 100 has an upper surface 102, lower surface
(not shown), front edge 104, rear edge 106, left edge 108 and right
edge 110. Adjacent to each of the rear, left, and right edges 106,
108, 110 is a means of attaching the base panel to the left side
panel 300, right side panel 400, and back panel 500 illustrated
herein as a plurality of formed locking posts 112 extending
outwardly from the upper surface. The integrally formed locking
posts 112 are constructed and arranged to cooperate with sockets
310 extending inwardly in a linear fashion along the upper and
lower edges of the left 300, right 400, and back 500 panels. The
locking posts 112 and sockets 310 are constructed and arranged so
that the locking posts 112 enter and mateably engage the sockets
310 securing the panels together in an inter-fitting perpendicular
engagement. In a most preferred embodiment, the base panel locking
posts 112 each include at least one integrally formed spring-tab
114. The spring-tabs are constructed and arranged to cooperate with
apertures 314 provided in the locking sockets 310 for positively
maintaining secure coupling engagement between the base panel 100
and the left, right and back panels 300, 400 and 500.
[0036] The top panel 200 has an upper surface 202, lower surface
204, front edge 206, rear edge 208, left edge 210 and right edge
212. Adjacent to each of the rear, left and right edges 208, 210,
and 212 respectively is a means of attaching the top panel to the
left side panel 300, right side panel 400, and back panel 500. The
means of attaching the panels is illustrated herein as a plurality
of formed locking posts 112 extending outwardly from the lower
surface 204. The formed locking posts 112 are constructed and
arranged to cooperate with sockets 310 extending inwardly in a
linear fashion along the upper and lower edges of the left 300,
right 400, and back 500 panels. The locking posts 112 and sockets
310 are constructed and arranged so that the locking posts 112
enter and mateably engage the sockets 310 securing the panels
together in an inter-fitting perpendicular engagement. In a most
preferred embodiment, the top panel locking posts 112 each include
at least one integrally formed spring-tab 114. The spring-tabs are
constructed and arranged to cooperate with apertures 314 provided
in the locking sockets 310 for positively maintaining secure
coupling engagement between the base panel 100 and the left, right
and back panels 300, 400 and 500.
[0037] The back panel 500 is constructed and arranged for enclosing
the back of the drawer cabinet 10. The back panel 500 includes a
top edge 502, a bottom edge 504, a left edge 506, and a right edge
508. The top edge 502 and bottom edge 504 include a means for
attaching the back panel to the base panel 100 and the top panel
200 in a perpendicular relationship. The attachment means is
illustrated herein as a plurality of locking sockets 310 arranged
in a linear fashion extending inwardly along the top and bottom
edges. The locking sockets preferably include at least one aperture
314. The apertures 314 are constructed and arranged to cooperate
with the locking post spring tabs 114 for positively maintaining
secure coupling engagement between the back panel 300 and the base
and top panels 100, 200.
[0038] The left side panel 300 is constructed and arranged for
enclosing the left side of the drawer cabinet. The left side panel
300 includes a top edge 302, a bottom edge 304, a front edge 306, a
back edge 308, an inner surface 312 and an outer surface (not
shown). The top edge 302 and the bottom edge 304 include a means
for attaching the left side panel to the base panel 100 and the top
panel 200 in a perpendicular relationship. The attachment means is
illustrated herein as a plurality of locking sockets 310 arranged
in a linear fashion extending inwardly along the top and bottom
edges 302, 304. The locking sockets 310 preferably include at least
one aperture 314. The apertures 314 are constructed and arranged to
cooperate with the locking post spring tabs 114 for positively
maintaining secure coupling engagement between the left side panel
300 and the base and top panels 100, 200. The inner surface 312
includes an integrally formed means for mounting a plurality of
drawer guides in a vertically spaced and generally parallel
relationship. The drawer guide mounting means is illustrated herein
as a pair of like-constructed vertical rails 316 integrally molded
on the inner surface 312 of the left side panel 300. One of the
vertical rails 316 is positioned generally adjacent to the front
edge 306 and one of the vertical rails 316 is positioned generally
adjacent to the rear edge 308 of the left panel 300. The vertical
rails 316 extend from about the bottom edge 304 of the panel to
about the top edge 302 of the panel. The vertical rails 316 each
include a plurality of vertically spaced apertures 318 which are
constructed and arranged to cooperate with a plurality of drawer
guides 600 for removable attachment thereof.
[0039] The right side panel 400 is constructed and arranged for
enclosing the right side of the drawer cabinet 10. The right side
panel 400 includes a top edge 402, a bottom edge 404, a front edge
406, a back edge 408, an inner surface (not shown) and an outer
surface 414. The top edge 402 and the bottom edge 404 include a
means for attaching the right side panel 400 to the base panel 100
and the top panel 200 in a perpendicular relationship. The
attachment means is illustrated herein as a plurality of locking
sockets 310 arranged in a linear fashion extending inwardly along
the top and bottom edges 402, 404. The locking sockets 310
preferably include at least one aperture 314. The apertures 314 are
constructed and arranged to cooperate with the locking post spring
tabs 114 for positively maintaining secure coupling engagement
between the right side panel 400 and the base and top panels 100,
200. The inner surface includes an integrally formed means for
mounting a plurality of drawer guides in a vertically spaced and
generally parallel relationship. The drawer guide mounting means is
illustrated herein as a pair of like-constructed vertical rails 316
integrally molded on the inner surface of the left side panel 400.
One of the vertical rails 316 is positioned generally adjacent to
the front edge 406 and one of the vertical rails 316 is positioned
generally adjacent to the rear edge 408 of the left panel 400. The
vertical rails 316 extend from about the bottom edge 404 of the
panel to about the top edge 402 of the panel. The vertical rails
316 each include a plurality of vertically spaced apertures 318
which are constructed and arranged to cooperate with a plurality of
drawer guides 600 for removable attachment thereof.
[0040] The left, right and back panels 300, 400 and 500 are
attached to the top and bottom panels 100 and 200 by inserting the
locking posts 112 into locking sockets 310 until the spring tabs
114 integrally formed into the locking posts 112 engage the
apertures 314 in the sockets 310 of the left, right and back panels
300, 400 and 500. It will be appreciated that the purpose of the
locking posts 112 are to align two panels in a perpendicular
relationship and to facilitate their mechanical connection. The
perpendicular panels are brought into a coupled relationship
wherein the locking posts 112 enter the corresponding sockets 310
in the left, right and back panels 300, 400 and 500. The result is
a mechanically secure engagement between the panels. The coupling
engagement between the panels as described above provides a secure
connection and offers several advantages. First, the design allows
the panels to be connected without the need for separate fasteners.
Second, the design creates a positive lock that prevents separation
of the panels. Third, the design maintains alignment of the panels
and prevents bowing or bending of either panel relative to one
another. The resultant drawer cabinet created by the combination of
the interlocking panels benefits from high structural integrity and
reliable operation.
[0041] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, to accommodate a combination of
various sized drawers 700 to fill the drawer cabinet, a plurality
of drawer guides 600 are provided. The drawer guides 600 are
constructed and arranged to cooperate with the mounting means
provided on the inner surfaces of the left and right side panels
300, 400 and the drawers 700 to provide support and prevent tipping
and canting of the drawers 700, while the drawers are moved
inwardly and outwardly of the cabinet assembly.
[0042] The drawer guides 600 are constructed and arranged to
securely support the drawers while evenly distributing the weight
thereof within the cabinet assembly. The drawer guides are
generally L-shaped and include a vertical leg 602, a horizontal leg
604, a front portion 606, and a back portion 608, and means for
removable securement within the cabinet assembly. In a preferred,
albeit non-limiting embodiment, the vertical leg 602 includes a
means for removably securing the drawer guides 600 to the inner
surfaces of the left and right side panels 300, 400 in a vertically
spaced generally parallel relationship, illustrated herein as a
pair of outwardly extending locking posts 610. One of the locking
posts 610 is integrally formed into the front portion 606 of the
vertical leg 602 and one of the locking posts is integrally formed
into the back portion 608 of the vertical leg of the drawer guide
600. The locking posts are preferably constructed and arranged to
have a conjugate shape to the apertures 318 provided in the left
and right side panel vertical rails 316. In a most preferred
embodiment, the drawer guide locking posts 610 each include at
least one integrally formed spring-tab 114. The spring-tabs 114 are
constructed and arranged to cooperate with apertures 318 provided
in the vertical rails 316 for positively maintaining secure
coupling engagement between the drawer guides 600 and the left and
right side panels 300, 400. For supporting and facilitating easy
movement of a loaded drawer 700, the drawer guides 600 include at
least one roller 616 rotatably mounted in the front portion 606 of
the horizontal leg 604. The roller 616 is sized and positioned
between an upper surface 612 and a lower surface 614 of the
horizontal leg 604 of the drawer guide 600 so that a portion of the
roller protrudes above the top surface. The upper surface of the
horizontal leg 604 of the drawer guide 600 also includes an
outwardly protruding detent 618. The detent 618 is integrally
formed into the rear portion 608 of the drawer guide and is
constructed and arranged to cooperate with rollers 720 (FIG. 4)
rotatably mounted on the lower rear portion of the drawers for
releasably securing a drawer 700 within the drawer cabinet 10.
Pulling outward on the drawer 700 allows the rollers to release
from the guide detents 618. The lower surface 614 of the horizontal
leg 604 of each drawer guide also includes an integrally formed and
outwardly protruding stop tab 620 (FIG. 5). The stop tab 620 is
constructed and arranged to cooperate with a stop 722 (FIG. 4)
formed into the upper rear portion of the drawers 700 to prevent
the drawers from being extended completely out of the drawer
cabinet.
[0043] In operation, the drawer guides 600 may be positioned on the
inner surface of the left and right side panels to accommodate a
combination of various sized drawers to fill the drawer cabinet by
sliding the locking posts 600 into the apertures 318 until the
spring-tab 114 engages the left or right side panel. The result is
a mechanically secure inter-fitting engagement between the guides
and the panels. The design allows the drawer guides to be connected
to the panels without the need for separate fasteners.
[0044] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, a plurality of drawers 700 are
provided for enclosing the front of the wall cabinet 10 and
providing storage within the cabinet. The drawers 700 include a
front portion 702, a rear portion 704, a left side 706, a right
side 708 and a bottom surface 714. The left side 706 and the right
side 708 each include at least one upper roller 710 and at least
one lower roller 720 rotatably mounted thereto. In the preferred
embodiment the rollers 710 and 720 are mounted within integrally
formed roller pockets 712. The upper rollers 710 are rotatably
mounted within the upper roller pockets to extend partially outward
therefrom to cooperate with the lower surface 614 of an adjacent
drawer guide, and wherein the lower rollers 720 are rotatably
mounted within the lower roller pockets to extend partially outward
therefrom to cooperate with the upper surface 612 of an adjacent
drawer guide 600. In this manner, the cooperating rollers and said
drawer guides prevent the drawer from tipping as the drawer is
extended outwardly from the drawer cabinet. The lower surface 714
of the drawers 700 include a pair of integrally formed detents 716.
The pair of detents 716 are constructed and arranged to cooperate
with the rollers 616 rotatably mounted in the front portion 606 of
the drawer guides 600 for releasably securing a drawer 700 within
the drawer cabinet.
[0045] Thus, a drawer cabinet kit with a plurality of drawer guides
and cooperating drawers has been shown and described. The kit is
comprised of injection molded components having integrated
connectors which may be assembled on a desired site without
requiring separate fasteners or tools.
[0046] All patents and publications mentioned in this specification
are indicative of the levels of those skilled in the art to which
the invention pertains. All patents and publications are herein
incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual
publication was specifically and individually indicated to be
incorporated by reference.
[0047] It is to be understood that while a certain form of the
invention is illustrated, it is not to be limited to the specific
form or arrangement herein described and shown. It will be apparent
to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made
without departing from the scope of the invention and the invention
is not to be considered limited to what is shown and described in
the specification.
[0048] One skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the
present invention is well adapted to carry out the objectives and
obtain the ends and advantages mentioned, as well as those inherent
therein. The embodiments, methods, procedures and techniques
described herein are presently representative of the preferred
embodiments, are intended to be exemplary and are not intended as
limitations on the scope. Changes therein and other uses will occur
to those skilled in the art which are encompassed within the spirit
of the invention and are defined by the scope of the appended
claims. Although the invention has been described in connection
with specific preferred embodiments, it should be understood that
the invention as claimed should not be unduly limited to such
specific embodiments. Indeed, various modifications of the
described modes for carrying out the invention which are obvious to
those skilled in the art are intended to be within the scope of the
following claims.
* * * * *