U.S. patent application number 12/774161 was filed with the patent office on 2010-11-11 for ready to assemble modular furniture.
This patent application is currently assigned to Bell'O International Corp.. Invention is credited to Steve Connor, Robert Weitz.
Application Number | 20100283363 12/774161 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43061933 |
Filed Date | 2010-11-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100283363 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Weitz; Robert ; et
al. |
November 11, 2010 |
READY TO ASSEMBLE MODULAR FURNITURE
Abstract
A ready to assemble modular article of furniture includes a
plurality of panels adapted to be assembled without the use of
tools. A plurality of fittings are adapted for securing the
plurality of panels in assembled relationship, each of the fittings
including a first component and a second component. At least a
first one of the panels having a surface supporting at least one of
the first components. At least a second one of the panels having a
surface supporting at least one of the second components. The first
and second panels are arrangeable in transverse relationship with
the first and second components in alignment with each other,
whereby manipulation of the first component without the use of
tools causes the first component to engage the second component
thereby securing the first and second panels together in transverse
relationship.
Inventors: |
Weitz; Robert; (Toms River,
NJ) ; Connor; Steve; (Dongguan City, CN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LERNER, DAVID, LITTENBERG,;KRUMHOLZ & MENTLIK
600 SOUTH AVENUE WEST
WESTFIELD
NJ
07090
US
|
Assignee: |
Bell'O International Corp.
Morganville
NJ
|
Family ID: |
43061933 |
Appl. No.: |
12/774161 |
Filed: |
May 5, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61175560 |
May 5, 2009 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
312/265.5 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E05C 3/045 20130101;
F16B 12/2009 20130101; A47B 43/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
312/265.5 |
International
Class: |
A47B 47/00 20060101
A47B047/00 |
Claims
1. A ready to assemble modular article of furniture comprising: a
plurality of panels adapted to be assembled; at least one first
fitting adapted for securing said plurality of panels in assembled
relationship, said first fitting comprising a first component
including a rotatable catch and a second component, said first
component fixedly secured to an exposed surface of a first one of
said panels and said second component fixedly secured to an exposed
surface of a second one of said panels; wherein said first and
second panels are arrangeable in transverse relationship with said
first and second components in adjacent relationship, whereby
rotation of said catch of said first component without the use of
tools causes said catch to engage said second component thereby
securing said first and second panels together in transverse
relationship.
2. The article of furniture of claim 1, wherein said catch includes
a hook shaped end and said second component includes a hook shaped
end, whereby rotation of said catch causes said hook shaped ends of
said catch and said second component to engage each other thereby
securing said first and second panels together.
3. The article of furniture of claim 2, wherein said hook shaped
ends each have a cam profile.
4. The article of furniture of claim 2, wherein said catch includes
a handle for manipulation without the use of a tool to cause
rotation of said catch.
5. The article of furniture of claim 2, wherein each of said hook
shaped ends provide a U-shaped opening.
6. The article of furniture of claim 1, further including a third
panel arrangeable adjacent to a fourth panel.
7. The article of furniture of claim 6, further including at least
one second fitting adapted for securing said third panel to said
fourth panel, said second fitting comprising a third component
including a rotatable catch and a fourth component, said third
component fixedly secured to an exposed surface of said third panel
and said fourth component fixedly secured to an exposed surface of
said fourth panel.
8. The article of furniture of claim 7, wherein said third and
fourth panels are arrangeable in transverse relationship with said
third and fourth components in adjacent relationship, whereby
rotation of said catch of said third component without the use of
tools causes said catch to engage said fourth component thereby
securing said third and fourth panels together in transverse
relationship.
9. The article of furniture of claim 8, wherein said catch of said
third component includes a hook shaped end and said fourth
component includes a hook shaped end, whereby rotation of said
catch causes said hook shaped ends of said catch and said fourth
component to engage each other thereby securing said third and
fourth panels together.
10. The article of furniture of claim 9, wherein said hook shaped
ends each have a cam profile.
11. The article of furniture of claim 9, wherein said catch of said
third component includes a handle for manipulation without the use
of a tool to cause rotation of said catch.
12. The article of furniture of claim 7, further including a
plurality of second fittings adapted for securing said third and
fourth panels together.
13. The article of claim 1, further including a plurality of first
fittings adapted for securing said first and second panels
together.
14. A ready to assemble modular article of furniture comprising: a
plurality of panels adapted to be assembled, said plurality of
panels including at least a first panel arrangeable transverse to a
second panel; at least one fitting having a first component secured
to a surface of said first panel and a second component secured to
a surface of said second panel; said first component adapted to be
manipulated without the use of a tool for engaging said second
component for securing said first and second panels together in
transverse arrangement.
15. The article of furniture of claim 14, wherein said first
component includes a rotatable catch.
16. The article of furniture of claim 15, wherein said first and
second components each include a hook shaped end engageable with
each other upon rotation of said catch for securing said first and
second panels together in transverse arrangement.
17. The article of furniture of claim 14, further including a
plurality of said fittings adapted for securing said first and
second panels together in transverse arrangement.
18. The article of furniture of claim 14, further including a third
panel and a fourth panel arrangeable in transverse arrangement, and
at least another fitting adapted for securing said third and fourth
panels together in transverse arrangement.
19. A ready to assemble modular article of furniture comprising: a
plurality of planar panels adapted to be assembled; a plurality of
fittings adapted for securing said plurality of panels in assembled
relationship, each of said fittings comprising a first component
including a rotatable catch having a handle and a second component;
at least a first one of said panels having a planar surface fixedly
supporting at least one of said first components; at least a second
one of said panels having a planar surface fixedly supporting at
least one of said second components; wherein said first and second
panels are arrangeable in transverse relationship with said first
and second components in alignment with each other, whereby
manipulation of said first component without the use of tools
causes said first component to engage said second component thereby
securing said first and second panels together in transverse
relationship, wherein said first component includes a hook shaped
end and said second component includes a hook shaped end, whereby
rotation of said catch of said first component by said handle
causes the hook shaped ends of the first and second components to
engage each other thereby securing the first and second panels
together, and a plurality of dowels interconnecting at least a pair
of said plurality of panels together without the use of said
fittings.
20. The article of furniture of claim 19, wherein said hook shaped
ends have a cam profile.
21. The article of claim 19, wherein said planar surface of said
first and second panels are exposed.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of the filing date of
U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/175,560, filed May 5,
2009, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by
reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Ready to assemble furniture has been known in the furniture
industry for many years. This type of furniture construction
provides a number of advantages to the manufacturer, to the
retailer, and to the consumer. For example, as to the manufacturer,
there are significant cost savings in manufacturing unassembled
furniture over conventional fully assembled furniture. These cost
savings promote the design of high quality products, which can be
passed on to the retailer and ultimately to the consumer.
[0003] Ready to assemble furniture also requires less inventory
storage space for both the manufacturer and the retailer. The
retailer can thus increase his inventory of ready to assemble
furniture without significantly increasing the amount of storage
space available for the retailer's products. The consumer
ultimately benefits from high quality furniture which is often more
available as in stock products at the retailer. One will appreciate
that there are many advantages to ready to assemble furniture.
[0004] Unlike conventional fully assembled furniture, ready to
assemble furniture, as the name implies, requires assembly by the
consumer. This furniture often requires the use of tools by the
consumer to enable the manipulation of specialized fittings which
lock the various components of the furniture together in assembled
relationship. Not all consumers have the required tools or the
necessary mechanical skill level to manipulate the locking elements
into their proper locked position. The failure to do so often
results in the furniture being unstable, and potentially collapsing
during use. It would therefore be desirable to provide ready to
assemble furniture which can be assembled without the need for
tools in a simple and efficient manner, while ensuring the
integrity of the resulting assembled furniture.
[0005] There is known from U.S. Pat. No. 7,390,069 and U.S. Patent
Application Publication Nos. 2008/0084143 and 2009/0015122 ready to
assemble furniture using fittings that do not require tools. The
disclosed fittings have a number of drawbacks both at the
manufacturing stage and at the consumer stage. For example, these
fittings require that the furniture panels be bored with various
sized aligned holes to accommodate the fittings. The fittings are
typically supplied to the consumer who must properly insert the
fittings into their respective bores. In addition, these fittings
require precision manipulation of the furniture components for
inserting the fitting components into each other during the
assembly process.
[0006] Despite the existence of the aforementioned prior art, there
exists the need for further improvements in ready to assemble
furniture which can be assembled by the consumer without the need
for tools with a limited skill level.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF TEE INVENTION
[0007] In accordance with present invention, there is described a
ready to assemble modular article of furniture comprising a
plurality of panels adapted to be assembled; a plurality of
fittings adapted for securing the plurality of panels in assembled
relationship, each of the fittings comprising a first component and
a second component; at least a first one of the panels having a
surface supporting at least one of the first components; at least a
second one of the panels having a surface supporting at least one
of the second components; wherein the first and second panels are
arrangeable in transverse relationship with the first and second
components in alignment with each other, whereby manipulation of
the first component without the use of tools causes the first
component to engage the second component thereby securing the first
and second panels together in transverse relationship.
[0008] In accordance with the present invention, there is further
described a ready to assemble modular article of furniture
comprising a plurality of planar panels adapted to be assembled; a
plurality of fittings adapted for securing the plurality of panels
in assembled relationship, each of the fittings comprising a first
component including a rotatable catch having a handle and a second
component; at least a first one of the panels having a planar
surface fixedly supporting at least one of the first components; at
least a second one of the panels having a planar surface fixedly
supporting at least one of the second components; wherein the first
and second panels are arrangeable in transverse relationship with
the first and second components in alignment with each other,
whereby manipulation of the first component without the use of
tools causes the first component to engage the second component
thereby securing the first and second panels together in transverse
relationship, wherein the first component includes a hook shaped
end and the second component includes a hook shaped end, whereby
rotation of the catch of the first component by the handle causes
the hook shaped ends of the first and second components to engage
each other thereby securing the first and second panels together,
and a plurality of dowels interconnecting at least a pair of the
plurality of panels together without the use of the fittings.
[0009] In accordance with the present invention, there is further
described a ready to assemble modular article of furniture
comprising a plurality of panels adapted to be assembled; at least
one first fitting adapted for securing the plurality of panels in
assembled relationship, the first fitting comprising a first
component including a rotatable catch and a second component, the
first component fixedly secured to an exposed surface of a first
one of the panels and the second component fixedly secured to an
exposed surface of a second one of the panels; wherein the first
and second panels are arrangeable in transverse relationship with
the first and second components in adjacent relationship, whereby
rotation of the catch of the first component without the use of
tools causes the catch to engage the second component thereby
securing the first and second panels together in transverse
relationship.
[0010] In accordance with the present invention, there is further
described a ready to assemble modular article of furniture
comprising a plurality of panels adapted to be assembled, the
plurality of panels including at least a first panel arrangeable
transverse to a second panel; at least one fitting having a first
component secured to a surface of the first panel and a second
component secured to a surface of the second panel; the first
component adapted to be manipulated without the use of a tool for
engaging the second component for securing the first and second
panels together in transverse arrangement.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF TEE DRAWINGS
[0011] The subject matter regarded as the invention is particularly
pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the
specification. The invention, however, both as to organization and
method of operation, together with features, objects, and
advantages thereof may best be understood by reference to the
following detailed description when read with the accompanying
drawings in which:
[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a fully assembled article of
furniture in accordance with one embodiment of the present
invention;
[0013] FIGS. 2A and 2B are a diagrammatic illustration of the parts
and hardware list and assembly instructions typically included with
the ready to assemble furniture of the present invention;
[0014] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a fitting arranged in
accordance with one embodiment of the present invention between a
locked and unlocked position;
[0015] FIG. 4 is perspective view showing a fitting arranged in
accordance with another embodiment of the present invention between
a locked and unlocked position; and
[0016] FIGS. 5A-C, 6A-C, 7, 8, 9A-B, and 10-13 are perspective
views of the assembly of an article of furniture in accordance with
one embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0017] In describing the preferred embodiments of the invention
illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology will be used for
the sake of clarity. However, the invention is not intended to be
limited to the specific terms so selected, and it is to be
understood that each specific term includes all technical
equivalents that operate in a similar manner to accomplish a
similar purpose
[0018] Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference
numerals represent like elements, there is shown in FIG. 1 an
article of furniture generally designated by reference numeral 100
which is constructed as a ready to assemble modular article of
furniture. The article illustrated is in the nature of an
entertainment unit adapted for supporting a monitor such as flat
screen television while having storage space for electronic-related
equipment. However, it is to be understood that the present
invention is applicable to other types of furniture, for example,
cabinets, book cases, computer desks, storage units, dressers, end
tables, and other furniture types that are suitable for ready to
assemble construction.
[0019] By way of illustration only, the article as shown is
constructed from a plurality of panels which are assembled to each
other by the consumer without the need of tools. In the
illustrative example, the article includes a top panel 102, a pair
of side panels 104, 106, a bottom panel 108, a back panel 110, a
lower vertical panel 112, an upper vertical panel 114 (see FIG. 8),
a fixed middle shelf 118 (see FIG. 7), a speaker grill 120, one or
more adjustable shelves 122 (see FIG. 11), and a plurality of foot
supports 124.
[0020] As is typical of ready to assemble furniture, as shown in
FIGS. 2A and 2B, included are a parts and hardware list 126, and
diagrammatic instructions 128 for assembly of the article of
furniture. The instructions 128 enable the consumer to assemble the
panels without the need of tools by following the illustrated
pictures.
[0021] The assembly of the article of furniture will now be
described with reference to FIGS. 5-13. Initially, the article of
furniture is contained in a shipping carton which is first opened
to remove its contents as shown in the parts and hardware list 126.
The consumer would first confirm that all of the parts are
contained within the carton, and then would identify each of the
parts to enable proper assembly.
[0022] As shown in FIGS. 5A-5C, the back panel 110 is preassembled
to the side panels 104, 106 by means of a plurality of conventional
hinges 129 factory installed interiorly to their adjacent inner
surfaces. When stored in its shipping carton, the side panels 104,
106 are arranged folded overlying the back panel 110 as shown in
FIG. 5B. The assembly process is started by rotating the side
panels 104, 106 as shown by the arrows in FIG. 5A until they are
arranged transverse to the back panel 110. This allows the side
panels 104, 106 and back panel 110 to be oriented in a
self-standing upright position. However, it is to be understood
that the back panel 110 may be positioned on the floor as shown in
FIG. 5B. The factory installation of the hinges facilitates
assembly by the user, as well as avoiding the need for tools during
the assembly process.
[0023] The remaining panels of the article 100 are assembled using
fittings which can be manipulated by the consumer without the need
for tools for securely locking the panels together in stable
configuration. The fittings are pre-installed to the various panels
at the factory thereby avoiding the need for the consumer to attach
the fittings to the components as typically required in prior ready
to assemble furniture. The fittings are designed to enable
connecting panels together in either coplanar or transverse
relationship to one another. The fittings are positioned at the
appropriate locations within the article as dictated by its
construction and function.
[0024] With reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, the fittings generally
identified by reference numeral 130 are composed of two releasably
interlocking components, a rotatable latch 132, and a clasp 134. As
shown in FIG. 3, the latch 132 and clasp 134 are arranged for
joining panels which have contiguous coplanar surfaces. On the
other hand, as shown in FIG. 4, the latch 132 and clasp 134 are
arranged for connecting panels having contiguous transversely
arranged surfaces. The latch 132 and clasp 134 are surface mounted
at the factory at predetermined locations dictated by the design of
the article of furniture 100 using suitable fasteners such as
screws and the like. By virtue of being surface mounted, this
avoids the necessity of having to drill appropriate holes or
provide other recessed areas for mounting of the fittings 130.
Furthermore, the factory mounting of the fittings 130 facilitates
assembly by the consumer, again, without the need for tools.
[0025] The latch 132 is constructed from a housing 136 having a
pair of side tabs 138 each provided with a through hole to enable
mounting to the surface of a furniture panel. The housing 136
includes a central bore which rotatably receives a catch 140. The
catch 140 includes a longitudinally projecting extension 142 which
terminates at a hook shaped end 144. The hook shaped end 144
defines a generally elongated u-shaped opening underlying the
extension 142 and facing rearwardly towards the housing 136. The
catch 140 includes a handle 146 which facilitates its rotation
within the bore by the consumer during assembly of the article
100.
[0026] The clasp 134 includes a flat plate 148 having a pair of
side tabs 150 each provided with a through hole for enabling
attachment of the clasp to the surface of the panel for assembly
using any suitable means, such as screws and the like. The plate
148 terminates at a hook shaped end 152 having an elongated
u-shaped opening arranged above the plate and facing rearwardly
relative to the plate. The hook shaped end 144 of the latch 132 is
of complimentary construction to the hook shaped end 152 of the
clasp 134. This arrangement enables the latch 132 to releasably
engage the clasp 134 for securing adjacent panels together.
[0027] As shown again in FIG. 3, the coplanar surfaces of two
furniture panels to be assembled are arranged contiguous to each
other. The latch 132 is arranged adjacent the edge of one panel,
while the clasp 134 is arranged adjacent the other panel with its
hook shaped end 152 extending towards the catch. With the two
panels abutted against each other with their surfaces in coplanar
relationship, the catch 140 is rotated by the consumer until its
hook shaped end 144 engages the hook shaped end 152 of the clasp
134. This engagement securely joins the panels together. The catch
140 can be rotated by the consumer using the handle 146, thereby
eliminating the need for tools during the assembly process.
[0028] Referring to FIG. 4, the fittings 130 are adapted for
securing panels together in transverse relationship. In a similar
manner as previously described, the latch 132 and clasp 134 are
arranged adjacent the edges of the panels to be assembled. In this
arrangement, however, the surfaces of the panels are not coplanar.
In general, the inner surface one of the panels is positioned into
contiguous relationship with the end of another panel. In this
arrangement, the clasp 134 is displaced rearwardly of the edge of
the panel to allow for positioning of the other panel in transverse
relationship. The two panels are secured to each other by rotation
of the catch 140 as previously described. In this regard, rotation
of the catch 140 causes its hook shaped end 144 to engage the hook
shaped end 152 of the clasp 134. The hook shaped ends 144, 152 may
have a cam profile which will result in drawing of the ends
together while rotating the catch 140, thereby enhancing the
mechanical connection between adjacent panels. It will be
appreciated that the fittings 130 are adaptable for operation by
the consumer, without the need for tools, so as to securely fasten
panels of the article of furniture together during the assembly
process.
[0029] Referring to FIGS. 5A-5C, a latch 132 is secured at the
factory to the inner surface of each of the side panels 104, 106
centrally positioned along their top edge 154. A pair of clasps 134
is secured at the factory along the bottom edge 156 of the side
panels 104, 106 at spaced apart locations. The clasps 134 are shown
more clearly in secured relationship to the bottom edge 156 of the
side panels 104, 106 in FIGS. 5B and 5C.
[0030] Referring to FIG. 6A, the bottom panel 108 is provided with
one or more dowels 158 projecting outwardly from opposite side
edges 160. Any number of dowels may be incorporated for the purpose
of aligning the bottom panel 108 into proper position between the
side panels 104, 106. In this regard, the inner surface of the side
panels 104, 106 adjacent their bottom edge will include bores (not
shown) to receive the dowels 158 projecting from the bottom panel
108.
[0031] As more clearly shown in FIGS. 6B and 6C, a pair of spaced
apart latches 132 is secured to the bottom surface of the bottom
panel 108 adjacent its opposite side edges 160 in alignment with
the clasps 134 attached to the side panels 104, 106 as shown in
FIG. 6A. The bottom panel 108 is securely fastened in position by
rotating the catch 140 until its hook shaped end 144 fully engages
the hook shaped end 152 of the clasp 134 in the manner as
previously described.
[0032] Referring to FIG. 7, there will now be described the
assembly of the middle shelf 118 and the lower vertical panel 112
within the interior of the article 100. The vertical panel 112 is
provided with spaced apart dowels 158 projecting outwardly from its
upper and lower edges 162, 164. The vertical panel 112 is secured
to the bottom panel 108 by inserting the dowels 158 into aligned
bores within the bottom panel. The vertical panels 112 are secured
to the middle shelf 118 by inserting the dowels 158 into aligned
bores within the bottom surface of the middle shelf. The middle
shelf 118 itself is provided with pairs of projecting dowels 158
from its opposite side edges 166, 168. These dowels 158 are
received within bores formed in the inner surface of the side
panels 104, 106. The dowels 108 are typically provided to the
consumer who merely inserts the dowels into pre-drilled bores, no
tools being required. Optionally, the dowels can be pre-installed
into the bores at the factory. The assembled middle shelf 118 and
the vertical panel 112 is shown in FIG. 8.
[0033] Turning to FIG. 8, the upper vertical panel 114 is secured
to the upper surface of the middle shelf 118 using suitable dowels
158 projecting downwardly from its lower edge 170. The dowels 158
may be inserted into pre-drilled bores within the upper surface of
the middle shelf 118 in a manner a previously described with
respect to the assembly of the lower vertical panel 112.
[0034] Referring now to FIGS. 9A and 9B, there will be described
the assembly of the top panel 102. A plurality of dowels 158 are
inserted into bores within the upper edge 172 of the vertical panel
114 and the upper edges 174, 176 of the side panels 104, 106. The
dowels 158 are adapted to be received within aligned bores within
the lower surface of the top panel 102. The top panel is positioned
overlying the side panels 104, 106, back panel 110 and vertical
panel 114 whereby the dowels 158 are received within their
corresponding bores.
[0035] As more clearly shown in FIG. 9B, a clasp 134 is secured to
the lower surface of the top panel 104 inwardly of its opposite
ends 178, 180. The clasps 134 are aligned with a corresponding
latch 132 provided adjacent the top edge of the side panels 104,
106. The top panel 102 is arranged transverse to the side panels
104, 106 with the respective latches 132 and clasps 134 in
alignment with each other as shown in FIGS. 4 and 9B. Upon rotation
of the catch 140 of the respective latches 132, its hook shaped end
144 will engage the hook shaped end 152 of the opposing clasp 134.
As thus far described, the fittings 130 are adapted for rigidly
securing together panels in either coplanar or transverse
relationship, without the need for tools or a special consumer
skill level.
[0036] Referring to FIG. 10, foot supports 124 are secured at the
corners of the bottom panel 108 by any suitable means. By way of
example, the foot supports 114 may be aligned using dowels 158
inserted into respective bores provided in the foot supports 124
and bottom surface of the bottom panel 108. A screw and washer
assembly 178 may be used for fixedly attaching the foot supports
124 to the bottom panel 108. A provided allen wrench may be used by
the consumer for tightening the screw. Alternatively, the screw may
be provided with an enlarged head which may be grasped by the
consumers' fingers to affect tightening. Any other means suitable
for securing the foot supports 124 to the bottom panel 108 may be
employed, for example, gluing and the like. It is to be understood
that the use of the screw and washer assembly 178, as well as the
previously described dowels 158 for interconnecting the various
components in aligned relationship forms no part of the present
invention.
[0037] Adjustable shelves 122, as shown in FIG. 11, may now be
installed. As is conventional, a plurality of shelf support pins
180 are inserted into bores provided in the inner surfaces of the
side panels 104, 106 and opposite sides of the lower vertical panel
112. The shelves 122 are tilted so they will fit into the width of
the cavity defined within the interior of the article of furniture
100. Once in position, the shelves 122 are oriented into a
horizontal position so as to be supported by the shelf supports 180
as more clearly shown in FIG. 12. Although two shelves 122 have
been illustrated, any number of shelves may be utilized in the
article of furniture 100.
[0038] Referring to FIG. 12, a pair of spaced apart longitudinally
extending guide tracks 182 are provided forwardly in the top
surface of the bottom panel 108 and bottom surface of the middle
shelf 118 (see FIG. 10). The guide tracks 118 are in the nature of
longitudinally extending grooves which may be cut into the bottom
panel 108 and middle shelf 118, or can be formed from a separate
pre-constructed assembly secured thereto.
[0039] A guide pin assembly 184 is provided inwardly of the four
corners of each of the doors 116. Each of the guide pin assemblies
184 is provided with a spring biased guide pin 186. The guide pin
186 is normally biased outwardly of the doors 186 in normal
operative position. For installation, the guide pins 186 are
retracted into the interior of the guide pin assembly 184 by
downward manipulation of a pin retractor 188. Once the guide pins
186 have been retracted, the doors 116 may be positioned into the
opening formed between the bottom panel 108 and middle shelf 118.
The doors 116 are positioned such that their guide pins 186 are
aligned with one of the corresponding guide tracks 182. Upon
releasing the pin retractors 188, the guide pins 186 will be biased
outwardly so as to engage their respective guide tracks 182. This
arrangement allows the doors 116 to slide longitudinally across the
face of the article of furniture. It is to be understood that the
doors 116 can also be prehung thereby avoiding their installation
by the consumer.
[0040] Referring to FIG. 13, the article is completed by installing
the speaker grill 120 within the opening formed between the side
panels 104, 106, top panel 102 and middle shelf 118. The speaker
grill is secured into position by any suitable means, for example,
clips, friction fit, magnets, dowels, adhesives, and the like.
[0041] Although the present invention has been described with
respect to the particular construction of fittings 130, it is to be
understood that other constructions of fittings which accomplish
the same purpose of those described pursuant to this application
may be incorporated within the scope of the present invention.
Further, although the invention herein has been described with
reference to particular embodiments, it is to be understood that
these embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles and
applications of the present invention. It is therefore to be
understood that numerous modifications may be made to the
illustrative embodiments and that other arrangements may be devised
without departing from the spirit and scope of the present
invention as defined by the appended claims.
* * * * *