U.S. patent application number 11/800528 was filed with the patent office on 2008-11-06 for boltless cabinet assembly.
Invention is credited to Dan Aurel David, Brian Eustace, Harry Randall Taylor.
Application Number | 20080272676 11/800528 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39939073 |
Filed Date | 2008-11-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080272676 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Eustace; Brian ; et
al. |
November 6, 2008 |
Boltless cabinet assembly
Abstract
A boltless panel assembly for use in constructing a boltless
cabinet comprises a panel having exterior and interior faces and
side edge portions. At least one slot engaging member is attached
to and extends interiorly from each side edge portion of the panel
for insertion into slots of boltless support post. A releasable
retaining member prevents disengagement of the slot engaging member
from a slot once it has been inserted into and seated in a slot of
a boltless support post.
Inventors: |
Eustace; Brian; (Sierra
Madre, CA) ; David; Dan Aurel; (La Canada, CA)
; Taylor; Harry Randall; (Whittier, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CHRISTIE, PARKER & HALE, LLP
PO BOX 7068
PASADENA
CA
91109-7068
US
|
Family ID: |
39939073 |
Appl. No.: |
11/800528 |
Filed: |
May 4, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
312/243 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47B 47/0083
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
312/243 |
International
Class: |
A47B 96/00 20060101
A47B096/00 |
Claims
1. A boltless panel assembly comprising: a panel having exterior
and interior faces and side edge portions; at least one slot
engaging member attached to and extending interiorly from each side
edge portion for insertion into slots of boltless support posts; a
releasable retaining member for preventing disengagement of at
least one slot engaging member from a slot once the slot engaging
member has been inserted into a slot of a boltless support
post.
2. A boltless panel assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein the at
least one slot engaging member comprises a rivet.
3. A boltless panel assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein the at
least one slot engaging member comprises a metal lance.
4. A boltless panel assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein the
panel comprises at least one screw hole at a location that, when
the slot engaging members are inserted and seated in slots of a
boltless support post, is adjacent the uppermost portion of a slot,
and wherein the releasable retaining member comprises a screw that
can be threaded into the screw hole in the panel so that the screw
extends into the uppermost portion of a slot.
5. A boltless panel assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein he
releasable retaining member comprises a pin or clip for engaging
the end of at least one slot engaging member once the slot engaging
member has been inserted and seated in a slot of a boltless support
post to prevent disengagement of the slot engaging member from the
slot.
6. A boltless panel assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein the side
edge portions of the panel are bent to form side walls and the
panel assembly further comprises at least one bracket attached to
each side wall, the slot engaging members being attached to the
bracket.
7. A boltless panel assembly as recited in claim 6 wherein the at
least one bracket are hingedly attached to each side wall.
8. A boltless panel assembly as recited in claim 7, wherein the at
least one bracket comprises a screw hole at a location that, when
the slot engaging members are inserted and seated in slots of a
boltless support post, is adjacent the uppermost portion of a slot,
and wherein the releasable retaining member comprises a screw that
can be threaded into the screw hole in the bracket so that at the
screw extends into the uppermost portion of a slot.
9. A boltless panel assembly as recited in claim 8, wherein the
screws are not accessible from the exterior of the panel assembly
when the panel assembly is mounted on support posts.
10. A boltless panel assembly comprising: a panel having exterior
and interior faces and side edge portions; a side frame member
along at least the side edges of the panel, the side frame members
comprising a channel for receiving the side edges of the panel; at
least one slot engaging member attached to and extending interiorly
from each side frame member for insertion into slots of boltless
support posts; a releasable retaining member for preventing
disengagement of at least one slot engaging member from a slot once
the slot engaging member has been inserted into a slot of a
boltless support post.
11. A boltless panel assembly as recited in claim 10 wherein the at
least one slot engaging member comprises a rivet.
12. A boltless panel assembly as recited in claim 10 wherein the at
least one slot engaging member comprises a metal lance.
13. A boltless panel assembly as recited in claim 10 wherein the
side frame member comprises at least one screw hole at a location
that, when the slot engaging members are inserted and seated in
slots of a boltless support post, is adjacent the uppermost portion
of a slot, and wherein the releasable retaining member comprises a
screw that can be threaded into the screw hole in the side frame
member so that the screw extends into the uppermost portion of a
slot.
14. A boltless panel assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein he
releasable retaining member comprises a pin or clip for engaging
the end of at least one slot engaging member once the slot engaging
member has been inserted and seated in a slot of a boltless support
post to prevent disengagement of the slot engaging member from the
slot.
15. A boltless panel assembly as recited in claim 10 further
comprising at least one bracket attached to each side frame member,
and wherein the slot engaging members is attached to the
bracket.
16. A boltless panel assembly as recited in claim 15 wherein the at
least one bracket is hingedly attached to a side wall.
17. A boltless panel assembly as recited in claim 15 wherein at
least one bracket comprises at least one screw hole at a location
that, when the slot engaging members are inserted and seated in
slots of a boltless support post, is adjacent the uppermost portion
of a slot, and wherein the releasable retaining member comprises a
screw that can be threaded into the screw hole in the bracket
member so that the screw extends into the uppermost portion of a
slot.
18. A boltless front panel assembly comprising: a pair of door
panels having exterior and interior faces and outer side edge
portions; at least one hinge attached to the outer side edge
portion of each door panel; at least one slot engaging member
attached to and extending interiorly from at least one hinge
associated with each door panel for insertion into and seating in
slots of boltless support posts such that, when inserted into and
seated in slots of boltless support posts, the door panels are
afforded swinging movement between an open position and a closed
position; and a releasable retaining member for preventing
disengagement of at least one slot engaging member from a slot once
the slot engaging member has been inserted into a slot of a
boltless support post.
19. A boltless front panel assembly as recited in claim 18 further
comprising frame members extending along at least a portion of the
side edges of the door panels, said side frame members carrying at
least one slot engaging members and wherein the door panels are
hingedly attached to the side frame members.
20. A boltless front panel assembly as recited in claim 18 wherein
the side frame member comprises at least one screw hole at a
location that, when the slot engaging members are inserted and
seated in slots of a boltless support post, is adjacent the
uppermost portion of a slot, and wherein the releasable retaining
member comprises a screw that can be threaded into the screw hole
in the side frame member so that the screw extends into the
uppermost portion of a slot.
21. A boltless front panel assembly as recited in claim 20, wherein
the screws are not accessible from the exterior of the front panel
assembly when the front panel assembly is mounted on support posts
and the door panels are in their closed positions.
22. A boltless panel assembly as recited in claim 18 wherein he
releasable retaining member comprises a pin or clip for engaging
the end of at least one slot engaging member once the slot engaging
member has been inserted and seated in a slot of a boltless support
post to prevent disengagement of the slot engaging member from the
slot.
23. A boltless front panel assembly comprising: a generally
rectangular frame comprising a top frame member, bottom frame
member and a pair of side frame members; at least one slot engaging
member attached to and extending interiorly from each side frame
member for insertion into slots of boltless support posts; at least
one door panel hingedly mounted on a frame member; and a releasable
retaining member for preventing disengagement of at least one slot
engaging member from a slot once the slot engaging member has been
inserted into a slot of a boltless support post.
24. A boltless cabinet comprising: a pair of spaced-apart front
boltless support posts; a pair of spaced-apart rear boltless
support posts; a plurality of generally horizontal front
cross-beams extending between the front boltless support posts; a
plurality of generally horizontal rear cross-beams extending
between the rear boltless support posts; a shelf panel supported by
a front cross beam at a first elevation and a rear cross beam at
the same first elevation as the front cross beam for forming the
floor of the cabinet; a shelf panel supported by a front cross beam
at a second elevation higher than the first elevation and a rear
cross beam at the same second elevation as the front cross beam for
forming the ceiling of the cabinet; and at least one panel assembly
comprising: a panel having exterior and interior faces and side
edge portions; at least one slot engaging member attached to and
extending interiorly from each side edge portion for insertion into
slots of boltless support posts; a releasable retaining member for
preventing disengagement of at least one slot engaging member from
a slot once the slot engaging member has been inserted into a slot
of a boltless support post.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to a boltless panel assembly
mountable on a pair of boltless support posts and releasably
secured thereto and more particularly to a cabinet constructed with
one or more boltless panel assemblies.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] A variety of boltless storage racks have been designed to
store tools, equipment, merchandise, and other items. Such boltless
racks are popular for their ease of assembly. Panels have been
designed to be mounted on the support posts of a boltless rack to
create an enclosed cabinet. However, such cabinets are not
typically of a boltless design that provide adequate security for
the contents of the cabinet. It would be desirable to have cabinets
that had the ease of assembly of a boltless design and the security
provided by a conventional bolted cabinet.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The present invention provides a boltless panel assembly
mountable on boltless support posts for use in construction of a
cabinet for garage storage systems. The boltless panel assembly
comprises at least one generally rectangular panel having top,
bottom and side edge portions and exterior and interior faces. At
least one, and preferably at least two (upper and lower) slot
engaging member extends inwardly from each side edge portion for
insertion into and seating in a slot of a boltless support post.
Preferred engaging members include rivets and inwardly extending
lances or tabs for engaging corresponding slots in the support
posts.
[0004] In one exemplary embodiment, the panel is generally flat and
the side edge portions, casing at least one and preferably at least
two rearwardly extending slot-engaging members.
[0005] In another preferred embodiment, the side edges of the panel
bend rearwardly for wrapping around the corner of a corner post and
casing at least one and preferably at least two slot engaging
members for engaging slots in a support post.
[0006] In another exemplary embodiment, the side edge portions of
the panel bend rearwardly, then inwardly to form an inner lip
portion which carries the slot engaging members.
[0007] In another exemplary embodiment, the side edge portions bend
rearwardly to form a generally flat side wall and at least one, and
preferably at least two L-shaped brackets are secured, e.g., by
welding or the like, to the sidewall. The free legs of the brackets
extend rearwardly and inwardly behind the panel and carry a
slot-engaging member. In yet another exemplary embodiment of the
invention, the L-shaped bracket is hingedly attached to the side
wall of the panel.
[0008] In an exemplary embodiment, each side panel assembly
comprises frame members along at least the panel side edges and
preferably also along the top and bottom panel edges. In one
embodiment, the frame members have inwardly facing channels for
receiving and capturing the edges of a flat, generally rectangular
panel, made of wood, plastic, metal or any other suitable material.
In another embodiment, the panel is hingedly attached to the frame
so that the panel may swing open and will function as a door. As
desired the panel may be divided into two pieces to provide two
doors, e.g., in a side-by-side arrangement.
[0009] In an exemplary embodiment, the side members of the frame
carry one or more hinges. One leaf of each hinge is fixedly
attached to the frame, e.g., by spot welding and a second leaf is
generally L-Shaped and carries one or more slot engaging members.
Such an embodiment allows the frame and panel to swing from an open
position for ease of assembly to a closed position, mounted on
boltless support posts, concealing the slot engaging members.
[0010] The panel assembly of the present invention further
comprises at least one releasable retaining member associated with
at least one slot engaging member that extends inwardly from each
side edge portion. The releasable retaining member prevents a slot
engaging member that has been inserted into and seated in a slot in
a support post from disengaging from the slot. The releasable
retaining member is preferably not accessible from the exterior of
the cabinet.
[0011] An exemplary releasable retaining member comprises a screw
that extends from inside the cabinet through a slot in the support
post at a location adjacent the top of a slot and is threaded into
a hole in the panel, panel frame (if present) bracket (if present),
or hinge (if present) of the panel assembly. Another exemplary
releasable retaining member useful with rivet-style slot engaging
members is a spring clip that can be fitted between the head of the
rivet and the inner surface of the support post. Another exemplary
releasable retaining member useful with a tab or lance-type slot
engaging member is a pin, clip or ring-type retainer that can be
passed through a hole in the lance or tab and is sufficiently large
to prevent passage of the lance out of the slot.
[0012] The present invention further comprises a front panel
assembly comprising at least one door panel, at least one hinge
assembly along an outer peripheral portion of the door panel and at
least one slot engaging member associated with the hinge assembly.
In one exemplary embodiment, the hinge assembly comprises a frame
extending along at least one of the top, bottom or side edge
portions of the door panel which carries at least one and
preferably at least a pair of slot engaging members.
[0013] In another exemplary embodiment, there is provided a
generally rectangular frame and the door panel or panels are
hingedly mounted on the frame. The side members of the frame
comprise at least one slot-engaging member and preferably at least
upper and lower slot engaging members for engaging slots in support
posts. The door panel assembly may comprise a single door panel
that is hingedly connected to the frame along its bottom edge
portion, top edge portion or a side edge portion. Alternatively,
the front panel assembly may comprise a pair of door panels that
are hingedly attached along their side edge portions.
[0014] The front panel assembly also comprises at least one
retaining member for prevention of disengagement of the slot
engaging member(s) from a support post once the front panel
assembly has been mounted on the support posts.
[0015] The front panel assembly further comprises a closure
mechanism to keep the door panel(s) in a closed position. The
closure mechanism may comprise any suitable releasable latch
mechanism, lock mechanism, clips, magnets or the like. Each door
panel may, if desired, comprise a handle for ease of opening and
closing.
[0016] The boltless panel assembly according to the present
invention is particularly useful in the construction of a boltless
cabinet system. An exemplary boltless cabinet comprises four corner
support posts boltlessly connected together by front, rear and side
cross beams at two or more elevations. At two elevations, the cross
beams support shelf panels which form the floor and ceiling of the
cabinet. The ceiling shelf panel is preferably releasably fixed in
place by brackets or screws secured to the shelf and to a
cross-beam or panel assembly by brackets. The cabinet further
comprises side, rear and front panel assemblies as described
herein.
[0017] Boltless cabinets comprising at least one panel assembly
according to the present invention are particularly useful in the
construction of garage storage systems. Such systems comprise at
least one cabinet comprising one or more panel assemblies, and at
least one open storage rack shelves. In one exemplary embodiment
the garage storage system further comprises at least one work
bench, at least one open storage shelf and at least one cabinet
having at least one panel assembly, all supported by boltless
support posts.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] The figures attached hereto show the following:
[0019] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of
the invention.
[0020] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the exemplary embodiment of
FIG. 1 showing an open door panel.
[0021] FIG. 3a is a perspective view of a boltless rack on which
panel assemblies are mounted.
[0022] FIG. 3b is a an enlarged, exploded perspective view of an
exemplary mounting arrangement of the panel assemblies shown in
FIG. 1 to boltless support posts.
[0023] FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of the exemplary
embodiment of FIG. 1
[0024] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary cross
beam.
[0025] FIG. 6a-6c are enlarged perspective views of another
exemplary boltless support post and cross-beam connection.
[0026] FIG. 7 is an interior view of another exemplary rivet and
retaining clip arrangement.
[0027] FIG. 8 is a interior view of another exemplary lance and
retaining ring arrangement.
[0028] FIG. 9 is another is a perspective view of an exemplary
embodiment of the invention.
[0029] FIG. 10 is a is a perspective view of the exemplary
embodiment of FIG. 9 showing an open door panel.
[0030] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of another exemplary panel
assembly.
[0031] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the panel frame of the
exemplary panel assembly of FIG. 11.
[0032] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an exemplary garage storage
system.
[0033] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of another exemplary garage
storage system.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0034] An exemplary boltless cabinet 10 is shown in FIGS. 1-4. The
cabinet 10 comprises the upper portion of a boltless rack which
acts as a support frame 11 for the cabinet 10. In addition to the
support frame 11, the cabinet 10 comprises shelf panels 12, and
front, side and rear panel assemblies 13, 14 and 15 respectively.
The support frame includes left and right front support posts 17
and 18, and left and right rear support posts 19 and 20. Front
cross-beams 21 extend generally horizontally from left front
support post 17 to the right front support post 18. Rear
cross-beams 22 extend generally horizontally from the left rear
support post 19 to the right rear support post 20 at about the same
elevation as the front cross-beams 21. Side cross beams 24 extend
between the left front and rear support posts 17 and 19 and the
right front and rear support posts 18 and 20, again at the same
elevation as the front and rear cross-beams 21 and 22. The cross
beams are configured to support the peripheral edges of shelf
panels 12.
[0035] The cross-beams are vertically spaced according to the
desired space between the floor, any shelves within this cabinet
and the ceiling of the cabinet. The dimensions of the cabinet as
well as the number and spacing of the shelves are not critical and
are a matter of choice.
[0036] With reference to FIG. 3b, the support posts include keyhole
slots 30 having a large, generally circular upper portion 32 and
lower, narrower slot portion 34. The keyhole slots 30 receive and
seat rivets 36 at the ends of cross-beams 20, 22, and 24 More
specifically, the cross-beams 21, 22, and 24 are anchored to the
support posts 17-20 by passing the heads of the rivets 36 through
the large upper portion 32 of keyhole slots 30 and lowering the
cross-beam and rivets 36 until the shafts of the rivets 36 seat in
the lower portions 34 of the keyhole slots 30.
[0037] The front, rear, and side cross-beams 21, 22, and 24
preferably have the same construction. With reference to FIG. 5,
the cross-beams of this embodiment comprise a generally vertical
outer wall 38, a generally horizontal top wall 40 extending
inwardly from the top edge of the outer wall 38, an inner generally
vertical wall 42 descending downwardly from the inner edge of the
top wall and a generally horizontal shelf support wall 44 extending
inwardly from the bottom edge of the inner vertical wall. There is
also a stabilizing lower wall 46 that extends inwardly from the
bottom edge of the outer wall. The outer wall 38 carries a pair of
outwardly extending rivets 36 at each end. The rivets 36 are
vertically spaced apart for insertion into and seating in an
adjacent pair of slots 30 in the support posts.
[0038] Another preferred cross-beam construction is a Z-beam
construction disclosed in U.S. Provisional Patent application Ser.
No. 60826037, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by
reference.
[0039] The shelf panels 12 form the floor and ceiling of the
cabinet. For security, the ceiling shelf panel may be fixed in
place by brackets 28 or the like, may be made of any suitable
material, including wood, metal, e.g., sheet metal, plastic, wire,
and the like. A preferred shelving material is particle board,
particularly medium density fiberboard ("MDF").
[0040] It is understood that the size, shape and spacing of the
slots and the size, shapes and number of the slot engaging members
may be varied as desired. For example, FIGS. 6a-6c show another
preferred slot engaging member and slot arrangement. In this
arrangement, the slots 50 are wedge-shaped and the slot engaging
members are metal lances 52 formed in L-shaped brackets 54 at the
end of each cross-beam.
[0041] It is understood that the cross-beams may comprise only a
single slot engaging member at their ends. It is also understood
that the front, rear and side cross-beams need not have the same
cross-sectional configuration. Further, the invention may be
performed with only a pair of opposing cross-beams for supporting
each shelf-panel.
[0042] In the embodiment of FIGS. 1-4, the cabinet 10 comprises a
front door panel assembly 13, a pair of side panel assemblies 14,
and a rear panel assembly and 15. Each of the side and rear panel
assemblies comprises a generally rectangular sheet metal panel 55
having a generally vertical and rectangular exterior face and an
interior face, a top wall 60, bottom wall 62, and side walls 64
extending rearwardly along the periphery of the exterior face 56,
and generally normal to the exterior face. A lip 60 extends
inwardly from the inner edges of the top wall 60, bottom wall 62,
and side walls 64.
[0043] The front panel assembly comprises a pair of door panels 79
having the same design as the side and rear panels 55.
[0044] Upper and lower hinges 68 and 70 are fixedly attached, e.g.,
by welding, to the outer side walls 64 of the door panels 79 and to
both side walls of side and rear panels 55. As shown in FIG. 3b,
the hinges 68 and 70 comprise first and second leaves 71 and 72.
The first leaf 71 is fixed to the side wall 64 of the panel so that
the pivot pin 73 is adjacent the outer edge of the side wall 64.
The second leaf 72 is L-shaped and pivots from an open position as
shown in FIG. 2 to a closed position, doubling back across the
first leaf 71 and then extending behind the lip 66 as shown in FIG.
1. The second leaf 72 carries a rivet 36 as shown in FIG. 3b that
can be inserted into and seated in a slot 30 in a support post.
[0045] Each hinge 68 and 70 further comprises a threaded screw hole
75 for receiving a screw 76. The screw hole 75 is located such that
when the panel assembly is mounted on support posts with the rivets
36 seated in the lower slot portions 34 of the keyhole slots 30,
the screw hole 75 will be just below the top of a slot 30.
[0046] The door panel assembly 13 is mounted on a pair of support
posts by inserting the rivets 36 on the hinges 68 and 70 attached
to the outer side wall 64 portion into keyhole slots 30 of the
support posts and then seating the rivets in the lower slot 34
portions of the keyhole slots 30. Screws 76 are then threaded into
the screw holes 75. The screws 76 are not accessible from the
exterior of the cabinet when the door panel is in its closed
position. The screws 76 prevent the rivets 36 from moving upwardly
into the circular portions 32 of the keyhole slots 36 where they
may become disengaged.
[0047] The side and rear panel assemblies 14 and 15 are mounted in
the same way as the front door panel assembly 13 except the rivets
carried by both side walls must be seated into the slots. For at
least one side of the side and rear panel assemblies, the retaining
screws 76 must be threaded into the screw holes 75 from the
interior of the cabinet.
[0048] It is understood that any mechanism for mounting rivets on
the panel may be used. For example, rather than a hinge, an fixed
L-shaped bracket may be attached to the side wall 64 of the panel.
If desired, a portion of the panel lip 66 could carry the rivets
36.
[0049] It is understood that any retainer retaining clip, pin, or
other retaining mechanism for preventing the slot-engaging members
from disengaging the slots may be used. For example, the length of
the shaft of the rivet 36 may be selected to provide a gap between
the head of the rivet and the inside face of the support post. In
such an embodiment, a spring clip 37 that snaps around the shaft of
the rivet 36 between the head of the rivet and the inside face of
the support post, e.g., support post 17, could releasably retain
the rivet 36 in place as shown in FIG. 7.
[0050] If a lance 52 is used as the slot engaging member, a small
hole 51 could be provided in the lance 52 through which a retaining
pin or ring 53 could be inserted as shown in FIG. 8.
[0051] In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-4, the cabinet comprises
a pair of rear panel assemblies 15, each constructed and mounted on
the support posts in the same manner as the side panel assemblies
14. It is understood that a single large rear panel assembly could
be used rather than two rear panels as shown in FIG. 4.
[0052] As shown in FIGS. 1-4, the front door assembly comprises a
latching mechanism 81 for latching the door panels 79 in their
closed position. It is understood that any latching mechanism 81
may be used, including latching mechanisms that lock or that
incorporate locks. Door handles 83 are also provided.
[0053] In FIGS. 9 and 10, there is shown a full length cabinet. As
shown, there are upper and lower front door panel assemblies 13a
and 13b, each comprising right and left door panels, and upper and
lower side panel assemblies 14a and 14b. the right upper and lower
door panels are connected by a door handle 83 and the left upper
and lower door panels are connected by another door handle 83. It
is understood that a single door panel assembly 13 and side
assemblies 14, having panels extending the full height of the frame
could be used if desired.
[0054] In another exemplary embodiment of the invention as shown in
FIGS. 11 and 12, the panel assemblies comprise a generally
rectangular frame 80 including horizontal upper and lower frame
members 82 and 84 and generally vertical side frame members 86. The
frame members 82, 84 and 86 comprise an outer wall 87, side wall 88
and inner wall 89, an inwardly facing channel for receiving the
edge of a panel 91.
[0055] The panel 91 can be made of any suitable material, including
wood, plastic, metal, or wire. Preferred panels are made of
particle board, particularly MDF, and pegboard. Pegboard is
particularly useful if the cabinet is located adjacent a work bench
or the like because it allows the mounting of hooks and other
pegboard accessories for holding tools and the like.
[0056] Attached to the side wall 88 of each side frame member 86,
are hinges 92, which carry rivets 36 as disclosed above with
respect to the embodiment. of FIG. 1. Rather than hinges 92,
brackets could be used. Alternatively, rivets can be fixed directly
to the inner wall 89 of the side frame member 86. The rivets are
releasably retained in the slots by the screw or screw hole
arrangement described above by an suitable retaining mechanism.
[0057] The boltless panel assemblies of the present invention are
particularly useful in the assembly of garage storage systems. FIG.
13 shows an exemplary garage storage system comparing a pair of
boltless storage racks, the left storage rack 100 comprising three
shelves and a cabinet 101 having a front door panel assembly 102
constructed in accordance with the present invention, and the right
storage rack 103 comprising three shelves and a drawer mounted
below the middle shelf. Between the left and right storage racks is
a boltless work bench 104 having a bench top 105 supported by front
and rear cross-beams which are, in turn, supported by boltless
front and rear support posts 106 and 107. The rear support posts
107 extend above the bench top. A drawer is provided beneath the
bench top. A peg board panel 108 extends vertically at the back
edge of the bench top 105. Extending between the left and right
rear support posts 107 are braces 109 to stabilize the work bench
assembly. Storage bins 110, e.g., as described in U.S. application
Ser. No. 11/369262, the disclosure of which is incorporated by
reference, or other articles, e.g., hooks, shelf brackets and the
like, may be hung from the brace.
[0058] FIG. 14 shows another exemplary garage storage system
comprising a single integral unit. The support posts are of the
wedge-shaped slot design shown in FIGS. 6a-6c. The system comprises
right and left storage racks 112 and 113 each with two shelves 114
and an upper cabinet 115 The cabinets 115 are formed by side
assemblies 116 comprising sheet metal panels that wrap around the
corners of the support posts 117 and comprise lances that seat
within the slots of the support posts.
[0059] The front door panel assemblies 118 of the cabinets 115
comprise a generally rectangular frame 119 having top, bottom and
side frame members. The side frame walls carry lances that seat in
the slots of the support posts. The lances of the side panel
assembly 116 and the front door assembly 118 are releasably
retained in the slots by retaining screws or other releasable
retaining pins, clips or the like as described above. The door
panel assemblies 118 comprise a pair of door panels attached by
hinges to the side members of the frame 119. A work bench top 120
extends between the right and left storage racks 112 and 113
supported by front and rear cross-beams. One or more cross-beams or
braces 121 extend between the rear support posts above the bench
top for stability and to support bins, hooks, shelves, etc.
[0060] While the invention has been described in terms of exemplary
embodiments, it is to be understood that the words which have been
used are words of description and not of limitation. As is
understood by persons of ordinary skill in the art, a variety of
modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the
invention defined by the following claims, which should be given
their fullest, fair scope.
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