U.S. patent number 3,722,971 [Application Number 05/067,779] was granted by the patent office on 1973-03-27 for plastic box furniture.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Hans Friedrich Hefendehl. Invention is credited to Walter Zeischegg.
United States Patent |
3,722,971 |
Zeischegg |
March 27, 1973 |
PLASTIC BOX FURNITURE
Abstract
Plastic box furniture is made up of at least one rectangular box
member open on at least one side. The box member is constructed of
individual side panels fitted together along adjoining edges and
secured together around the periphery of the open side by a frame.
Preferably, the side panels are made of a hollow construction,
formed by a pair of spaced wall members joined together along their
edges to provide ribs or grooves for interconnecting the panels.
Each of the panels can be provided with openings to receive
bolt-like members for securing separate box members together in a
furniture arrangement. The box member can be arranged to receive a
drawer inserted through its open side, or the open side can be
closed by a door or a cover.
Inventors: |
Zeischegg; Walter (7910
Neu-Ulm, DT) |
Assignee: |
Hefendehl; Hans Friedrich
(Kierspe, DT)
|
Family
ID: |
5750344 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/067,779 |
Filed: |
August 28, 1970 |
Foreign Application Priority Data
|
|
|
|
|
Nov 6, 1969 [DT] |
|
|
P 19 55 922.9 |
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
312/107; 312/274;
312/109 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47B
47/042 (20130101); A47B 87/0276 (20130101); A47B
87/008 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A47B
87/02 (20060101); A47B 47/04 (20060101); A47B
47/00 (20060101); A47B 87/00 (20060101); A47b
077/00 (); A47b 087/00 (); A47b 081/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;312/107,108,140,214,257
;220/9R,15 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Gilliam; Paul R.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. Box-type furniture comprising at least one rectangular box
member having at least one open side, said box member comprising
four wall panels each forming a closed side of said rectangular box
member with the adjoining edges of said panels being
interconnected, a frame member having an angular sectional shape
defining the periphery of the open side of said box member and the
edges of said wall panels located along the edges of the open side
of said box member are secured within said frame, a rear member
located at the opposite side of said box member from said open side
and having a frame-like section in which the edges of said wall
panels along the opposite side are fitted, said wall panels, said
frame member and said rear member are formed of plastic, each said
wall panel comprises a pair of parallel thin wall sections in
contacting engagement about the peripheral edges thereof and spaced
apart inwardly of the peripheral edges and forming a closed hollow
space therebetween, said wall sections having aligned openings
therethrough, means located at said openings and extending through
the hollow space therebetween providing bearing between said wall
sections, said wall panels comprising a pair of first panels
disposed in spaced parallel relationship and a pair of second
panels disposed in spaced parallel relationship and extending
between the edges of said first panels, the edges of said first
panels bordering said second panels having laterally extending ribs
formed therealong and the edges of said second panels bordering
said first panels having grooves formed therein and arranged to
receive the ribs on said first panels in interengaged relationship,
the contacting edge portions of said first and second panels
bordering the contacting edge portions of said first and second
panels bordering the open side of said box member forming ribs
which extend laterally outwardly from said first and second members
and fit into said frame, the surfaces of said laterally extending
ribs on said first and second panels bordering the open side of
said box member have the inwardly facing surfaces spaced outwardly
from the corresponding inwardly facing surfaces of said panels and
have the outwardly facing surfaces of said ribs spaced inwardly
from the corresponding outwardly facing surfaces of said panels,
the ends of said ribs extending laterally from said first and
second panels are disposed in contact with the ends of said ribs
extending laterally from the adjoining said wall panels and each
said laterally extending rib is formed by two parallel contacting
flanges and each of said flanges is formed on a different one of
said wall sections.
2. Box-type furniture, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said frame
comprises a U-shaped section formed of a plurality of
interconnected elongated legs with a first one of said legs forming
the bight portion of said U-shaped section being located in the
plane of the open side of said box member, a second one of said
legs secured to the outer longitudinally extending edge of the
first one of said legs and extending therefrom toward the side of
said box member opposite the open side, and a third one of said
legs disposed in substantially parallel relationship with the
second one of said legs and secured to the inner longitudinally
extending edge of the first one of said legs and extending
therefrom toward the side of said box member opposite the open side
thereof so that the first, second and third ones of said legs
combine in providing a longitudinally extending groove into which
the edges of said wall panels located along the edge of the open
side of said box are secured.
3. Box-type furniture, as set forth in claim 2, wherein the outer
surface of the second one of said legs of said frame is located in
the plane of the exterior surface of the one of said first and
second panels along which said frame extends, and the inner surface
of the third one of said legs of said frame is located in a plane
spaced outwardly from the plane of the inner surface of the one of
said first and second panels along which said frame extends, said
rear member comprises a rear panel positioned opposite the open
side of said box member and the peripheral edge of said rear panel
spaced more remotely from said open side of said box member is
recessed inwardly so that its outer surface is approximately in the
same plane as the inwardly facing surface of the third one of said
legs so that said rear panel is insertable within said frame at the
open side of another said box member for stacking said boxes in a
nested arrangement whereby the interior surfaces of said box
members are aligned in the same planes.
4. Box-type furniture, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said rear
member comprises a rear wall section integral with said frame-like
section thereof for forming a closure across the side opposite the
open side of said box member.
5. Box-type furniture, as set forth in claim 1, wherein connecting
means are arranged for securing adjacent said box members together,
said connecting means comprising tie rods extending through the
openings in two juxtaposed wall panels of adjacent box members and
said means located at said openings comprising tubular members
extending between the facing surfaces of said wall sections forming
one said wall panel and said tubular members being secured to at
least one of said wall sections.
6. Box-type furniture, as set forth in claim 5, wherein one of said
tubular members is secured to each of said wall sections forming
one said wall panel and said tubular members on said wall sections
being in axial alignment so that one of said tubular members fits
into the other and each of said tubular members extends across the
hollow space within said wall panel to the facing surface of the
other said wall section.
7. Box-type furniture, as set forth in claim 5, wherein
perpendicularly arranged intersecting ribs are positioned within
and extend between said wall sections defining the hollow space
within said wall panels, and said tubular sections are positioned
between said wall sections at the location of the intersection of
said perpendicularly arranged intersecting ribs.
Description
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention is directed to plastic box furniture and, more
particularly, it concerns such box furniture consisting of at least
one rectangular box member open on at least one side and each of
the closed sides of the box member is formed of panels
interconnected together along adjoining edges. Further, a frame
defines the periphery of the open side of the box member and is
arranged to receive the edges of the panels extending about the
open side of the box member. The open side of the box member can be
closed by a door or a drawer can be inserted into the box member
through its open side. Individual box members can be connected
together to form a furniture arrangement.
Box furniture has become increasingly more popular in recent years
and it is characterized by the many combinations in which its
elements can be assembled together. It is not necessary that each
element of a box furniture arrangement be in the form of a complete
box open at only one side. Individual elements or box members can
be used without a rear wall that is opposite its open side, for
example, it might have the shape of a rectangular hollow prism.
Further, the individual box members which make up box furniture
need not be of the same size, preferably, box furniture may be
constructed by interconnecting different sized box members with
accessory elements such as desk tops and the like.
In forming individual plastic box members a serious problem has
been experienced when the box members are injection molded in one
piece, since this operation can be performed only with extreme
difficulties. As a general rule, individual box members are formed
from individual elements or panels. Additional problems are
encountered in constructing box members if the individual elements
are to be assembled by the purchaser himself in accordance with a
particular arrangement of such furniture.
Therefore, in accordance with the present invention, a box member
construction is provided which is very strong and is characterized
by the securement within a frame of the edges of the individual
elements which form the open side of the box member. By using a
frame an especially stiffened construction is provided for the box
member. Furthermore, with the frame no joints are visible about the
open side of the box, that is the side normally facing a viewer
and, as a result, dirt or other materials cannot collect in such
joints. While the frame may be made of a plastic material, it is
also possible, if increased strength is required, to make the frame
from metal.
Box furniture formed in accordance with the invention may be made
either from thermoplastic or thermosetting materials. The selection
of the material depends upon the specific requirements of the
application to be made of the box member. If a metal frame is used
it may be advantageous to produce it as a die casting. However, the
frame can also be welded in the form of a drawn shape.
Various arrangements can be used for interconnecting the panels
which form the sides of the box member adjacent its open side. In
one arrangement ribs or protrusions from one panel can be fitted
into depressions or grooves formed in the adjacent panel.
The frame defining the periphery of the open side of the box member
can be secured to the side panels by means of a suitable adhesive.
However, it is also possible to form sawtooth-like detents on the
inside of the frame and on the edge portions of the panels which
fit into the frame for securing them together. With this
arrangement the frame and the panels can be pushed into one
another, however, the detents will prevent them from being pulled
apart. Such sawtooth-like connectors are commonly used in the
plastics industry. While gluing the individual parts together is
recommended for mass production, where the box furniture is shipped
in a knocked-down condition, the detent arrangement for assembly is
more suitable since it does not require any great degree of
technical skill on the part of the assembler.
Advantageously, the frame has an angular transverse cross sectional
shape with one angularly disposed surface of the shape located in
the plane of the open side of the box and another angularly
disposed surface extending from the outer edge of the one angular
surface toward the side of the box opposite the open side. As a
general rule, the angular surfaces are disposed perpendicularly to
one another. In such a frame arrangement, not only are the
individual parts of the box member held together but the frame
construction covers the edges of the elements fitted within the
frame.
In a preferred arrangement of the frame a third angular surface is
provided so that two of the angular surfaces are disposed in
parallel relationship and form the opposite sides of a groove into
which the edges of the box member elements fit. This construction
is particularly effective in stiffening the rim of the box member
about its open side and an especially intimate connection is
provided between the frame and the other elements which form the
box member. In the construction of the box member described above
it is possible for the frame to extend laterally outwardly from the
panels or elements forming the sides of the box member. However, it
is preferable, to provide ribs on the edges of the panels extending
about the open side of the box member so that the ribs fit within
the frame. In this arrangement it is possible for the inner and
outer surfaces of the frame to be recessed relative to the
corresponding inner and outer surfaces of the panels forming the
box member.
It is advantageous for the ribs on the panels extending about the
open side of the box member to be continuous so that the ribs
completely fill the groove formed by the frame and improve the
strength of both the frame and the panels.
In a preferred embodiment of he invention, the panels which make up
the side of the box member adjacent its open side are composed of
two spaced wall sections interconnected about their edges to form a
hollow panel. Further, in view of the specific use to be made of
the box member, the panel forming the side of the box opposite its
open side may be formed of a single wall section or of a pair of
wall sections joined to form a hollow panel.
In this preferred embodiment, the rib along the edge of the panel
bordering its open side is formed by the edges of the two wall
sections forming the hollow panel. In such an arrangement, the
frame also secures the two wall sections together in the event they
are not otherwise glued or interconnected.
Accordingly, where the wall sections form a hollow panel it is
advantageous to form the rib which fits into the frame by two
parallel flanges each extending along one edge of the wall
sections.
It is desirable for the rib formed along the edge of the hollow
panel to be spaced both from its inner and outer surfaces so that
considerable leeway is afforded in the selection of the shape of
the frame used about the open side of the box member.
It is preferable for the outer surface of the frame to be flush
with the surface of the panels forming the outer surfaces of the
box member, since this arrangement provides a smooth outside
surface and facilitates the assembly of a multiple number of box
members into a furniture unit. If the box members are to be
assembled with the individual members placed one on top of the
other with their open sides directed upwardly, it is advantageous
for the inner surface of the frame to be recessed outwardly
relative to the inside surface of the box member with the panel of
the box member opposite the open side being similarly recessed
about its edge to provide a nested construction. In such an
arrangement the rear panel, that is the panel opposite the open
side, can be inserted into the opening in the lower box member so
that the exterior surfaces and interior surfaces of the box members
are aligned in the same planes. As can be appreciated, when the box
members are appropriately dimensioned, two or more smaller box
members can be positioned in the top of a larger box member so that
the exterior surfaces formed by the combination of the smaller box
members is flushed with the exterior surface of the lower but
larger box member.
In forming a frame for the edges of the panels opposite the edges
which extend about the open side of the box member, it is
preferable to afford a frame of the same design as the one about
the open side. If the box member is closed by a panel at its side
opposite the open side, then the frame can be formed about the edge
of the panel closing the box member opposite its open side. If the
rear side of the box member, that is the side opposite the open
side, is formed by two wall sections into a hollow panel, the frame
for the rear side is preferably constructed in one of the wall
sections forming the rear wall. However, if the frame portion of
the rear wall has a U-shaped configuration, the inner leg of the
frame can be formed by the other one of the wall sections. There
are a number of different design possibilities for securing the
wall sections forming the rear wall together depending upon the
manner in which the box member is to be used.
In assembling the individual pieces of box furniture together or in
attaching accessory parts, such as a desk top, a problem has
existed in providing a connecting means of adequate strength which
do not interfere with the use or appearance of the box furniture.
Therefore, in accordance with the present invention, the requisite
connections are made by means of tie rods extending between
adjacent panels of a pair of box members. The tie rods may be made
of plastic or, if greater strength is required, of metal. If the
tie rods are made of metal for absorbing and exerting greater
forces, it is necessary to pay more attention to the problem of the
distribution of the forces. This force distribution problem can be
solved by appropriately strengthening the box parts, such as the
wall sections of the panels in which the tie rods are
positioned.
If in connecting several box members together, the panels through
which the tie rods pass are formed of separate wall sections then
it is preferable to employ tubular sections bridging the interior
space between the wall sections, with the tubular sections attached
to at least one of the wall sections. To form the tubular sections
in a very simple matter they are injection molded to the respective
wall sections of the hollow panel.
When a tubular section is attached to each of the wall sections
forming a hollow panel, it is preferable for the tubular sections
to fit one into the other so that they extend to the interior
surface of the oppositely disposed wall section. In order that the
outer end of the inner tubular section is supported against the
opposite wall section, it is advantageous to provide an annular
collar on the interior of the outer tubular piece having an inside
diameter which is the same as the inside diameter of the inner
tubular section.
If the interior of the two-part hollow panels is equipped with
ribs, the ribs may be formed on one or both of the separate wall
sections of the panel with the ribs on one of the wall sections
preferably glued to the other wall section. Where tubular sections
are used with the ribbed wall sections it is advantageous to locate
the tubular sections at the points where the ribs within the hollow
panel intersect. If there are no ribs used in the hollow panels,
the telescopically arranged tubular sections can provide
considerable strength and stiffness to the panel. However, if the
tubular pieces are inadequate and there are no ribs used, the
hollow spaces within the panels can be filled with an appropriate
foam material which combines light-weight with great strength.
The holes through the panels are counterbored cylindrically at the
inside surface of the box member to receive the head of the tie
rod. By proper selection of the dimension of the tie rod, its head
can be positioned flush with the inside surface of the box member
and a nut can be screwed to its other end forming a counterhead.
When plastic frames are used about the open side of the box member
they are preferably formed of a unitary construction. Similarly, it
is preferable if metal frames are of a one piece construction.
However, if for particular reasons the frames are constructed of a
multi-part arrangement, the connecting points or joint between the
frame parts should be spaced as far from the frame corners as
possible, that is they should be located approximately at the
center of a frame side.
The various features of novelty which characterize the invention
are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and
forming a part of this specification. For a better understanding of
the invention, its operating advantages and specific objects
attained by its use, reference should be had to the accompanying
drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated and
described preferred embodiments of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the drawings:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a rectangularly shaped box member
usable as a piece of plastic box furniture in accordance with the
present invention;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view, shown in exploded fashion, of the box
member illustrated in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view, partly in section, of another
embodiment of a box member in accordance with the present
invention, which can be utilized where the box members are stacked
one into another;
FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view, partly in section, of another
box member in accordance with the present invention, in which
certain parts of the box member are shown in a separated
arrangement in position to be assembled together;
FIG. 4a is a partial perspective view, partly in section, of one of
the sides forming the box member in accordance with the present
invention;
FIG. 4b is a partial perspective view, partly in section, of an
element forming a part of a box member;
FIG. 5 is an elevational view, partly in section, of another box
member construction arranged to receive drawers;
FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of a writing desk assembled from
box members constructed in accordance with the present invention;
and
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a shelf unit with a walk-through
passage assembled from box members constructed in accordance with
the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
In FIGS. 1 and 2, a box member 1 is formed of a pair of oppositely
spaced first panels 2,3 and a pair of oppositely spaced second
panels 4 and 5 forming a rectangularly shaped interior of the box
member. As viewed in FIG. 1, the box member 1 is open at its front
side and is closed by a rear panel 6 at the side spaced oppositely
its open front side. A frame 7 extends about the periphery of the
open front side of the box member.
In the side panels 2-5, holes or openings 8 are provided for
interconnecting a plurality of the box members. The arrangement of
the openings 8 will be described later herein. Further, the rear
panel 6 is also provided with the openings, as indicated in FIG. 1,
however, where such openings are used in the rear wall, it is
expedient to utilize a double wall hollow panel as compared to the
panel indicated in FIG. 2.
The side panels 2-5 of the box member are constructed as hollow
wall panels each consisting of a pair of thin wall sections spaced
apart except at their periphery at which the edges of the wall
sections are connected, such as by gluing. The space provided
within the hollow panels can be bridged by ribs extending in
parallel or in perpendicular relationship. Alternatively, the
interior of the hollow panels may be filled with a foam material or
stiffened in another suitable manner. An example for connecting a
pair of wall sections to form a hollow panel, such as represented
by panels 2-5, will be described with regard to FIG. 3.
In FIG. 1 the first and second side panels are shown fitted into
one another and FIG. 2 indicates the manner in which these panels
are constructed to provide such interengagement. One of the side
panels 2 is shown having ribs 2a extending along the edges thereof
which abut the second side panels in the assembled position. These
ribs 2a fit into a corresponding groove 5a in the lower second
panel 5, as shown in FIG. 2, and into a similarly arranged groove
in the upper second panel 4. The other first panel 3 has a similar
construction at its edges which abut the second panels in the
assembled position so that it fits into similar grooves along the
opposite edges of the second panels. As shown in FIG. 2, the edges
of the first and second panels which abut the rear panel 6 in
assembled position have longitudinally extending ribs 2b, 4a, 3b,
and 5c which fit into a peripherally extending groove 6a in the
rear panel 6. The cross sectional profile of the rear panel is
indicated in dotted lines near its upper end in FIG. 2 and, as
compared to the side panels, it can be noted that the panel is not
of a hollow construction but is formed as a single wall member.
Preferably, the ribs of the side panels are glued into the groove
6a in the rear panel.
Along the edges of the first and second side panels which extend
about the open side of the box member 1, ribs 2c, 4b, 3c, and 5d,
are provided in a manner similar to the ribs which fit within the
groove 6a of the rear panel. These ribs which extend about the open
side extend into the groove formed by the U-shaped profile 7a of
the frame. As indicated above, it is advantageous to glue the ribs
into the groove formed in the frame 7. As can be seen in FIG. 2,
the ribs 2c, 4b, 3c, and 5d, form a continuous protrusion about the
open side of the box member and completely fill the continuous
groove formed in the frame, with the result that a very complete
and strong connection is afforded. Accordingly, the completely
assembled box member 1 as shown in FIG. 1 does not have any
protrusion or depressions formed in its exterior or interior
surface due to the manner in which the side panels 2-5 fit within
the groove 6a in the rear panel 6 and within the groove formed in
the frame 7 disposed about the periphery of the open side.
If connecting holes, such as the type indicated by the openings 8,
are undesirable, they may be omitted in certain panels since it may
not be desirable to have such openings in the outer surfaces of the
assembled box furniture units. However, it is also possible to fill
the openings 8 by means of insertable plugs so that the openings
are covered and are not easily discernible. In FIG. 3 a different
arrangement of the box member is illustrated in which each of the
panels forming its side and rear surfaces are constructed of a pair
of wall sections forming a hollow panel. Further, each of the
panels is equipped with connecting openings 8. In this arrangement,
as with the box member shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the first side
panels 10 and 11 are of identical design as are the second side
panels 12, 13. Opposite the open side of the box member a hollow
rear panel 14 is provided with a frame-like construction extending
about its peripheral edge. Extending about the open side of the box
member is a frame 15. As is indicated by the sections of the side
and rear panels in FIG. 3, the hollow panels are each provided with
ribs which are injection molded with the interior surface of the
respective inner wall section when it is being formed. Though it
does not appear in the drawing, the connecting openings 8 are
located at the points of intersection of the ribs located within
the hollow panels.
The following is a description in greater detail of the
construction of the side panel 13. A wall section 13b injection
molded as a unitary element with the ribs 13c forms the inner part
of the panel 13. The wall section 13b and its ribs 13c are formed
either of a thermoplastic or a thermosetting material. The free
ends of the ribs, that is the ends positioned outwardly from the
outer surface of the wall section 13b as it appears in FIG. 3 abut
and may be glued to the inwardly facing surface of a wall section
13a which forms the outer part of the hollow panel 13.
As mentioned above, within the hollow panel 13 additional ribs are
provided which extend transversely of the ribs 13c. Along the edge
of the panel 13 located at the open side of the box member a rib
13d is provided formed by flanges located along the corresponding
edges of the wall sections 13a and 13b which form the hollow panel.
In a similar manner, ribs are formed along the edges of the side
panels 10, 11 and 12 which extend about the open side of the box
member and afford a continuous rib extending about the open side
which fits into a U-shaped groove in frame 15, and the ribs may be
glued within the groove in the frame. The outer surface 15a of the
frame 15 is flush, that is it is in the same plane with the outer
surfaces of the side panels 10-13. However, the inner surface 15b
of the frame 15 is spaced outwardly relative to the inner surfaces
of the panels 10-13 so that an outwardly arranged step is provided,
as is best illustrated by the sectioned edges of panels 11 and 13
in FIG. 3.
Along its edge adjoining the rear panel 14 of the box member, the
inner wall section 13b of the panel 13 has a groove 13g into which
a rib 14a fits, which is formed on the inner wall section 14b of
the rear panel 14. As with the other ribs, this rib may be glued
within the groove 13g. The interengaging construction between the
edges of the rear panel 14 and the adjoining edges of the side
panels 10-13 are similar. The rib 14a extends from a flange 14c on
the inner wall section 14b of the rear panel 14, and in combination
with a flange 13f on the inner wall section 13b and a flange 13e on
the outer wall section 13a provide a multi-part rib enclosed by an
exterior leg or surface 14e formed along the edge of the outer wall
section 14d of the rear panel so that the edges of the side panels
adjoining the rear panel are also contained within a frame-like
arrangement. The outer edge surface provided by the leg 14e is
angularly disposed so that one part of its surface lies in the
plane of the outer surface of the wall section 14d while its other
angularly disposed surface is in a plane parallel with one of the
planes of the exterior surface of the wall sections above the side
panels 10-13 but is spaced inwardly from such plane surface.
In the assembly of the box member illustrated in FIG. 3, the side
panels 10-13 are initially assembled together and then the side
panels are placed in contact with the inner wall section 14b of the
rear panel and then the outer wall section 14d is assembled onto
the inner wall section and the side panels and subsequently the
front frame 15 is placed onto the adjoining edges of the side
panels. Of course, it will be appreciated that this order of
assembly can be reversed. From the illustration of the box member
in FIG. 3 it can be noted that similarly constructed box members
can be stacked one into the other with the stepped construction
provided by the peripheral edge of the rear panel 14 fitted into
the stepped arrangement of the frame 15 which encloses the open
side of the box member. When the box members are stacked one on the
other their outer surfaces are flush, that is they are in the same
plane.
In FIG. 4 another box member is shown which is of a somewhat
different design from the members previously described. In this
arrangement, the side panels 20, 21 and 22 which border the open
side of the box member, that is the left hand side as viewed in
FIG. 4, are interconnected along their abutting edges as indicated
by the sectioned illustration of the interconnection of the side
panel 21 with the side panels 20 and 22. The edges of the panels 20
to 22 extending about the open side of the box member each has a
rib 20a,21a, and 22a formed by the abutting flanges of the inner
and outer wall sections which constitute the hollow side panels and
which may be secured together by gluing. However, the individual
side panels need not be glued to one another. Instead, the side
panels are held together by means of a frame 23 having a U-shaped
cross section into which the ribs 20a, 21a and 22a extend. To
afford the requisite holding action between the frame and the side
panels and to assure that the frame is not displaced from the edge
portions of the side panels, a plurality of saw-tooth sections 20b,
21b and 22b interengage similarly shaped saw-tooth sections 23a
formed on the opposite faces within the groove formed by its
U-shaped configuration. Once the frame and the side panels are
interengaged, the saw-tooth sections interlock so that the
different parts of the box member cannot be separated. On the
opposite side of the box member from its open face a rear panel 24
is provided with a continuous U-shaped frame-like construction
about its peripheral edge in which saw-tooth sections similar to
those in the frame 23 are formed for interlocking with similarly
shaped saw-tooth sections along the adjacent edges of the side
panels.
It can be readily appreciated that the box member construction
illustrated in FIG. 4 is particularly suited for plastic box
furniture which is shipped in the knocked-down condition and is
assembled by the purchaser. A particular advantage of this
arrangement is the reduction in the shipping volume of such plastic
box furniture, since it is transported in the disassembled
condition.
In FIG. 4 the rear wall 24 is constructed as a hollow panel formed
of an inner and outer wall section joined together about their
peripheral edges to form the frame into which the side panels seat.
In FIG. 4a another arrangement of such a rear wall member is
provided constructed as a single wall section with its edge
deformed to provide a U-shaped frame section 25a which can be
interlocked with the walls of the side panels in the same manner as
the frame portion of the rear panel 24. In certain instances it may
be preferable to dispense with the rear wall so that the box member
is open at its front and rear sides, and in such an arrangement a
frame 26, such as shown in FIG. 4b, can be used for interlocking
the rearward edges of the side panels together. When a construction
utilizes both the frames 23 and 26, a box member is provided which
affords an open port through a cabinet wall which is otherwise
closed.
In FIG. 5 a box member is shown having its interior arranged as a
drawer support. The lower half of FIG. 5 shows a section through
the box member parallel to its open side while the upper half of
FIG. 5 affords a front view of the open side of the box member. The
basic difference between the box member in FIG. 5 and that shown in
FIG. 3 is the configuration provided on the inner wall sections of
the oppositely disposed side panels 30, 31 each of which has a
lengthwise ribbed profile 30a, 31a which affords alternating
grooves and lands. Drawer guide bars can be inserted into the
grooves formed by the ribbed profiles 30a, 31a for interserting a
drawer into the box member through its open side.
As shown in dashed lines in FIG. 5, the rear wall 32 has
perpendicularly disposed ribs 32a and similar ribs are shown in the
side panel 34 which appears as the lower wall of the box member in
FIG. 5. Similarly, the side walls or panels 30, 31 of the box
member have ribs within their hollow section. At each intersection
of the ribs, the outer wall sections 30b, 31b is equipped with an
inwardly projecting tubular member 30c, 31c which contacts at its
inner end, an annular flange or collar 30d on the outwardly facing
surface of the inner wall section 30e of the side panel 30.
Similarly, another tubular member 30f extends outwardly from the
outer surface of the inner wall section 30e in concentrically
arranged telescopic fashion over the tubular member 30c. The
connecting openings through side panel 31 and the other panels have
a similar construction. As described previously, the connecting
openings are counterbored on the interior surfaces of the box
member, note opening 32b and the counterbores 34c in the connecting
openings through the lower panel 34. The connecting bolts or
members may consist either of plastic or of metal. The force
distribution between the connecting members and the panels forming
the box member is excellent because of the construction of the
connecting openings.
It can be recognized that box members arranged to contain drawers,
such as illustrated in FIG. 5, can be easily combined with other
boxes, such as the type shown in FIG. 3, to form a plastic box
furniture assembly composed in accordance with specific
requirements. Further, it is not necessary that the box members
have square openings, the length of the opening may be multiple of
its width so that the box members can be assembled together to form
a clothes closet with a hanger compartment on one side and drawer
compartments on the other. To afford an appreciation of the various
possibilities of assembling box members, in accordance with the
present invention, into plastic box furniture units two examples of
such units are shown in FIGS. 6 and 7.
In FIG. 6 a writing desk is displayed composed of a panel 34
supported on one side by a pair of box members 30,31 and on the
other side by a single box member 32. The box members 30,31 are of
equal size and one is mounted on the other. The box member 32 is
twice the size of the single box member 30,31. The desk top panel
34 is connected to the box members 30 and 32 by connecting means
extending through connecting openings and the box members 30,31 are
similarly interconnected. Box member 32 is arranged to receive a
multiple number of drawers, such as the box members shown in FIG.
5, while box member 31 is arranged to receive a plurality of file
folders 35. The drawers 32a in box member 32 can be locked within
the box member if such an arrangement is desired.
It can be readily appreciated that the example set forth in FIG. 6
is by no means exhaustive or limiting, and a wide writing desk
design could be provided with four box members each disposed on the
opposite sides of the knee hole or a single box member could be
provided on each side of the knee hole. A typewriter desk can be
constructed by omitting the box members on one side.
In FIG. 7 a cabinet wall assembly is provided with a walk-through
passage 40. Such a cabinet wall assembly can be used as a room
divider to afford two separate rooms or spaces. If an open divider
is desired all of the boxes forming the cabinet wall 41 can be
constructed with open faces on their front and rear sides. Further,
certain of the boxes can be provided with rear walls while others
of the boxes can have the rear walls eliminated. In another
arrangement the box members can be equipped with drawer inserts or
with doors forming a closure for the open side of the box members.
The sizes of the boxes may be varied in accordance with the desired
arrangement. Therefore, in view of the above description and the
drawing it can be noted that the plastic box furniture, in
accordance with the present invention, has a maximum flexibility in
its application for providing different assembled arrangements,
and, further, it offers particular advantage in its ability to be
shipped in a knocked-down condition and assembled by the
purchaser.
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