U.S. patent application number 13/462018 was filed with the patent office on 2013-05-09 for universal outdoor modular kitchen system.
This patent application is currently assigned to OXBOX UNIVERSAL CABINETS LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is Nick Castillo, Stephen Singlak. Invention is credited to Nick Castillo, Stephen Singlak.
Application Number | 20130113343 13/462018 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 48223231 |
Filed Date | 2013-05-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130113343 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Singlak; Stephen ; et
al. |
May 9, 2013 |
UNIVERSAL OUTDOOR MODULAR KITCHEN SYSTEM
Abstract
The present disclosure provides an outdoor kitchen system that
includes universal cabinet structures that are modular. The
cabinets provided are configured to accommodate a wide range of
kitchen components and are also configured to be arranged to form
kitchens having various layouts. The system allows for quick and
efficient construction of outdoor kitchen systems.
Inventors: |
Singlak; Stephen; (Newtown,
CT) ; Castillo; Nick; (Newtown, CT) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Singlak; Stephen
Castillo; Nick |
Newtown
Newtown |
CT
CT |
US
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
OXBOX UNIVERSAL CABINETS
LLC
Las Vegas
NV
|
Family ID: |
48223231 |
Appl. No.: |
13/462018 |
Filed: |
May 2, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61481480 |
May 2, 2011 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
312/100 ;
29/426.2; 29/428; 29/525.13 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47B 77/00 20130101;
Y10T 29/49826 20150115; Y10T 29/49817 20150115; A47B 47/0091
20130101; Y10T 29/49966 20150115; A47B 77/08 20130101; F16B 12/50
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
312/100 ; 29/428;
29/525.13; 29/426.2 |
International
Class: |
A47B 47/00 20060101
A47B047/00 |
Claims
1. A universal outdoor kitchen cabinet system comprising: a modular
frame assembly configured to support a least a first type of
kitchen accessory therein and an outdoor veneer thereon; wherein
the frame assembly includes a plurality of preassembly, generally
planar sub-structures that are configured to be assembled at job
sites by aligning mating structures that are fixed to the generally
planar sub-structures; wherein the frame assembly defines at least
one opening that is adjustable in size at the job site to
accommodate various different sized kitchen accessories of the
first type.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein the first type of kitchen
accessories is selected from a group consisting of: a grill, a
trash cabinet, and a refrigerator.
3. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one opening includes
a first frame member that is generally perpendicular to a second
frame member, wherein both of the first and second frame members
include outward facing surfaces that are generally in a common
plane.
4. The system of claim 3, wherein a mating structure on the first
and second frame members is configured to interlock with mating
structures on adjacent modular frame assemblies.
5. The system of claim 3, wherein the tubular frame assembly
includes a slide assembly that enables the size of the opening to
be manually adjusted.
6. The system of claim 5, wherein the slide assembly includes a
first frame member that includes a channel along a length of the
first frame member, and a second frame member that includes a
protrusion at an end of the second frame member that fits within
the channel.
7. The system of claim 5, wherein the slide assembly further
includes a third frame member that includes a channel along a
length of the third frame member, and wherein the first frame
member includes a protrusion at an end of the first frame member
that fits within the channel.
8. The system of claim 6, wherein the second frame member includes
a telescoping construction that enables the length of the second
frame member to be adjusted.
9. The system of claim 1, wherein the cladding material includes a
first sheet that is directly attached to the tubular frame via
fasteners and a second sheet that is adhered to the first
sheet.
10. The system of claim 9, wherein the second sheet is a stone
veneer.
11. The system of claim 3, wherein the mating structures include a
first plate fixed to a first, generally planar sub-structure, and a
boss fixed to the first, generally planar sub-structure adjacent
the first plate.
12. The system of claim 11, wherein the mating structures include a
second plate fixed to a second, generally planar sub-structure, and
a boss receiving aperture fixed to the second, generally planar
sub-structure adjacent the second plate.
13. The system of claim 12, wherein the boss receiving aperture is
configured to mate with the boss and the first and second plates
are configured to be secured to each other by at least one
fastener.
14. The system of claim 1, wherein the modular tubular frame
structure includes a maximum length, width, and height dimension
when assembled, and wherein the modular tubular frame structure is
configured to be disassembled and packaged for shipping such that
at least one of the overall maximum length, width, or height of the
package is less than fifty percent of the corresponding assembled
dimension.
15. The system of claim 1, wherein the frame assembly includes
support rods that are configured to be extended into an adjacent
frame assembly for auxiliary support.
16. A method of constructing an outdoor kitchen cabinet system
comprising: interlocking welded together planar tubular
sub-structures to create a frame assembly for a first cabinet that
defines a top plane, bottom plane, front plane, back plane, and
opposed side planes; manually adjusting the size of an opening in
at least one of the top or front planes based on a kitchen
accessory that the opening is configured to receive; and connecting
at least one of the opposed side planes of the frame assembly to an
adjacent frame assembly for a second cabinet.
17. The method of claim 16 further comprising: attaching sheet
material over the frame assembly with fasteners; and attaching an
outdoor veneer over the sheet material with adhesive.
18. The method of claim 16 further comprising: extending support
rods from the frame assembly for the first cabinet to an adjacent
frame assembly for a second cabinet.
19. The method of claim 16, wherein the step of manually adjusting
the size of the opening is accomplished by sliding elongated
tubular members in the same plane in directions perpendicular to
their lengths relative to each other and locking them in place
after the desired relative orientation of the elongated tubular
members is reached.
20. The method of claim 16, wherein the frame assembly is partially
disassembled into planar sub-structures and stacked for shipping.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to provisional application
Ser. No. 61/481,480 filed on May 2, 2011 titled Universal Outdoor
Modular Kitchen System, the entire disclosure of which is hereby
incorporated by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure provides an outdoor kitchen system
with modular units that are configured to universally fit a wide
range of kitchen accessories. Related methods are also
provided.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Outdoor cooking has increased in sophistication from simply
including a charcoal grill to full kitchen systems that include
multiple components (e.g., gas grills, refrigerators, countertops,
bars, storage cabinets, and trash cabinets). The arrangement, size,
and shapes of these components vary. To accommodate these
variables, the cabinet structures that support these components are
often either constructed on site or pre-constructed based on
customer specification and shipped fully assembled for
installation. There is a need in the art to provide outdoor kitchen
systems that are more easily and efficiently constructible.
SUMMARY
[0004] The present disclosure provides an outdoor kitchen system
that includes universal cabinet structures that are modular. The
cabinets provided are configured to accommodate a wide range of
kitchen components and are also configured to be arranged to form
kitchens having various layouts. The system allows for quick and
efficient construction of outdoor kitchen systems.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0005] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a kitchen system according
to the principles of the present disclosure;
[0006] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a grill cabinet frame
assembly of the kitchen system of FIG. 1;
[0007] FIG. 3 is an assembly view of the cabinet frame assembly of
FIG. 2;
[0008] FIG. 4 is an enlarged assembly view of portion A of FIG.
3;
[0009] FIG. 5 is an enlarged assembly view of portion B of FIG.
3;
[0010] FIG. 6 is a portion of the top plane of the cabinet frame
assembly of FIG. 2;
[0011] FIG. 7 is a portion of the top plane of the cabinet frame
assembly of FIG. 2;
[0012] FIG. 8 is a portion of the front plane of the cabinet frame
assembly of FIG. 2;
[0013] FIG. 9 is a portion of the bottom plane of the cabinet frame
assembly of FIG. 2;
[0014] FIG. 10 is a portion of the back plane of the cabinet frame
assembly of FIG. 2;
[0015] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a side burner cabinet frame
assembly according of the kitchen system of FIG. 1;
[0016] FIG. 12 is an assembly view of the cabinet frame assembly of
FIG. 11;
[0017] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a one hundred thirty-five
degrees filler cabinet frame assembly of the kitchen system of FIG.
1;
[0018] FIG. 14 is an assembly view of the cabinet frame assembly of
FIG. 13; and
[0019] FIGS. 15-29 depict other variations of the kitchen system
that are also in accordance with the principles of the present
disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0020] Referring to FIG. 1 an embodiment of an outdoor kitchen
system according to the principles of the present disclosure is
shown. The outdoor kitchen system includes modular units that are
configured to universally fit a wide range of kitchen accessories.
In the depicted embodiment the kitchen system 10 includes a number
of different modular cabinets including a side burner cabinet 12, a
grill cabinet 14, a filler cabinet 16, a trash cabinet 18, a
dishwasher cabinet 20, and a refrigerator cabinet 22.
[0021] Referring generally to FIGS. 2-10, the grill cabinet 14 is
described in further detail. In the depicted embodiment the grill
cabinet includes a modular frame assembly that is configured to
support a kitchen accessory (i.e., a grill unit). It should be
appreciated that other types of cabinets have frames that are
configured to support other types of kitchen accessories (e.g.,
trash units, refrigerators, dishwashing machines, sinks, side
burners, etc.) In the depicted embodiment, the frame assembly 24 is
configured to support a first sheet of backing material attached to
the front, top and back planes. The sheet of backing material can
be of the type that is designed to withstand prolonged exposure to
moisture, for example, cement based boards such as National
Gypsum's PermaBase or HardiBacker Cement Board. The sheet of
backing material can be pre-attached to at least some components of
the frame via fasteners (e.g., screws, rivets, etc.) and/or
attached to the frame at the job site. In the depicted embodiment
an outdoor veneer (stone veneer, tile, etc.) can be attached (e.g.,
glued, cemented) over the backing material.
[0022] Referring more particularly to FIGS. 3, 4, 9, and 10, the
primary components of the frame assembly 24 are described in
further detail. In the depicted embodiment, the frame assembly 24
is constructed of a plurality of preassembled, generally planar
sub-structures (top sub-structure 26, back sub-structure 28, front
sub-structure 30, and bottom sub-structure 32), which are
configured to be assembled at job sites by aligning mating
structures 34 thereon. In the depicted embodiment the mating
structures 34 on the bottom sub-structure 32 include first tabs 40
adjacent to posts 42. The posts 42 are received in post receiving
apertures 44 on the front sub-structure 30 and the back
sub-structure 28. When the posts 42 are received in the post
receiving apertures, the first tabs 40 are configured to abut
second tabs 46, which are fixed to the front sub-structure 30 and
the back sub-structure 28. Each of the first and second tabs 40, 46
include apertures that are configured to align with each other and
receive a fastener 48 therethrough. When the kitchen layout
includes multiple cabinet frame assemblies arranged adjacent each
other, the fasteners 48 can be extended through the first and
second tabs of adjacent frame assemblies, thereby securing the
modular units together. Since in the depicted embodiment many of
the cabinets have generally the same height and depth, the cabinets
are modular in nature in that they can be arranged and connected to
form kitchen systems having multiple layouts.
[0023] It should be appreciated that the above-described
sub-structures can be nested one on top of another to form a
compact package for shipping. In the depicted embodiment the
assembled frame assembly 24 is 36 inches high, 26 inches deep, and
60 inches wide. Each of the four primary components are 3 inches
high including the height of the posts. Therefore, even if the
posts are not nested, the package dimensions would be 12 inches
high, 26 inches deep, and 60 inches wide. This would result in a
shipping size that is 1/360 of the assembled size. In some
applications the posts can be nested or removable, which would
thereby further decrease the package. For example, if the posts are
nested or removable, the shipping size could be 4 inches high, 26
inches deep, and 60 inches wide.
[0024] Referring more particularly to FIGS. 2, 5-8, the
universality of the frame assembly 24 is described in greater
detail. In the depicted embodiment, the frame assembly 24 defines
two openings: a grill receiving opening 36 and a grill storage
compartment opening 38. Both of these openings are adjustable in
shape and size so that they can accommodate many different styles
and brands of grills and grill storage compartments. The
adjustability of the openings of the frame assembly 24 makes the
cabinet universal in that it does not need to be manufactured
specifically to fit a particular grill or grill storage
compartment. In the depicted embodiment the grill receiving opening
36 is in part defined by the top sub-structure 26 and in part
defined by the front sub-structure 30. Four structural members
define the borders of the opening 36: a first adjustable length
member 48, a first member with slide rails 50, a first L-shaped
member 52, and a second L-shaped member 54. The first adjustable
length member 48 includes an external face 56 that is in the top
plane of the frame assembly 24. The first member with slide rails
50 includes an external face 58 that is in the front plane of the
frame assembly 24. Both the first adjustable length member 48 and
the first member with slide rails 50 extend in widthwise direction
of the frame assembly 24. The first L-shaped member 52 and the
second L-shaped member 54 include external faces 60, 62 that are
both in the top plane and front plane of the frame assembly 24. The
first and second L-shaped members 52, 54 are parallel to each other
and perpendicular to the first adjustable length member 48 and the
member with slide rails 50.
[0025] In the depicted embodiment the first adjustable length
member 48 can be adjusted forward and rearward to accommodate grill
units of different depths, and the first and second L-shaped
members 52, 54 can be adjusted in the widthwise direction to
accommodate grill units of different widths.
[0026] In the depicted embodiment the grill storage compartment
opening 38 is defined by the front sub-structure 30. Four
structural members define the borders of the opening 38: a second
adjustable length member 64, a third adjustable length member 66, a
first vertical member 68, and a second vertical member 70. In the
depicted embodiment, each of the four structural members include
external faces 72, 74, 76, 78 in the front plane of the frame
assembly 24. In the depicted embodiment the widthwise distance
between the vertical members can be adjusted to accommodate grill
storage units that have different widths.
[0027] Still referring to FIGS. 2, 5-8, the example mechanisms for
adjusting the size of the openings 36, 38 are further described. In
the depicted embodiment the first, second, and third adjustable
length members 48, 64, 66 include a telescoping construction
including two tubular members each having different cross-sectional
dimensions such that one of the tubular members fits within the
other. The adjustable length members 48, 64, 66 are attached
between members that include tabbed ends 80 that ride in channels
82 in the slide rails 50 (see FIG. 5). In the depicted embodiment
the tabbed ends 80 include a set screw assembly that can be used to
secure the connection between the tabbed end 80 and the channel 82
once the desired adjustments have been made.
[0028] Referring particularly to FIGS. 2 and 7, an interlock
sub-assembly 84 that is configured to engage adjacent frame
assemblies for auxiliary support is described in further detail. In
the depicted embodiment, the interlock sub-assembly includes
auxiliary support rods 86 configured to provide auxiliary support
to cantilevered members 88 of the top sub-structure 26. The support
rods 86 are attached to the cantilevered members 88 at a first end
and include second ends that slide into engagement with the frame
assemblies of an adjacent cabinet. In the depicted embodiment
adjacent cabinets have holes configured to receive the support rods
86. In addition to providing auxiliary support to the cantilevered
members 88, the support rods 86 further connect the modular
cabinets into a single structure, thereby increasing the stability
and structural integrity of the of overall system.
[0029] Referring to FIGS. 11 and 12, the frame assembly 90 of the
side burner cabinet 12 is shown. Referring to FIGS. 13 and 14, the
frame assembly 92 of the filler cabinet 16 is shown. Both the frame
assembly 90 of the side burner cabinet and the frame assembly 92 of
the filler cabinet share features of the frame assembly 24 of the
grill cabinet and therefore will not be described herein in detail.
It should be appreciated that many other alternative frame assembly
configurations, which are in accordance with the principles of the
present disclosure, are possible.
[0030] The above specification, examples and data provide a
complete description of the manufacture and use of the composition
of the invention. Since many embodiments of the invention can be
made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention,
the invention resides in the claims hereinafter appended.
* * * * *