WO2008091605A1

WO2008091605A1 - Interlocking cabinet system

Info

Publication number: WO2008091605A1
Application number: PCT/US2008/000827
Authority: WO
Inventors: Francisco Irace
Original assignee: International Kitchens, Inc.
Priority date: 2007-01-22
Filing date: 2008-01-22
Publication date: 2008-07-31
Also published as: AR059143A1

Abstract

A cabinet system 10 that requires no special tools for assembly has a rail assembly 20 that is horizontally mounted to a vertical flat structure W The rail assembly 20 supports a rear panel assembly 50 with parallel spaced apart skirts 58 and 58' that include a cutout 54 that removable and lockingly receives the rail assembly 20 A bottom panel assembly 60 is mounted to two lateral panel assemblie 40 and 40' that are mounted in turn to the rear panel assembly 50 by using J-shaped fins 46 and 46' that are received through cooperating through openings 56 and 56' and then slid a relatively short distance to the J-shaped tins to snuggly engage the metal wa adjacent the through openings Then, the combination of the bottom assembly 60 and the two lateral panel assemblies 40 and 40' are mounted to the rear panel assembly 50.

Description

I. TITLE: "INTERLOCKING CABINET SYSTEM"

II. TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a cabinet system, and more particularly, to the type that does not require special tools for its assembly.

2. Other Related Applications.

The closest reference to this invention, to the best of the inventor's knowledge, corresponds to his own system described in U.S. patent No. 6,099,095 issued on August 8, 2000, for an interlocking cabinet system. However, it differs from the present invention because the present invention does not require the bending of metallic tabs in order to interlock panels into a preset frame. The frame is no longer necessary because the panels are individual solid pieces that interlock using J-shaped fin members that cooperatively co-act with cooperative through openings. By eliminating the frame, the number of necessary parts is decreased. Thus, decreasing the necessary time to construct and install the system. Furthermore, the present interlocking system includes a rail assembly for conveniently mounting the interlocking cabinet system to a vertical surface without special tools or machinery.

Other patents describing the closest subject matter provide for a number of more or less complicated features that fail to solve the problem in an efficient and economical way. None of these patents suggest the novel features of the present invention. III. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is one of the main objects of this present invention to provide a cabinet system that can be readily modified to adapt to the physical conditions of the space where it is installed.

It is another object of this present invention to provide such a system that is inexpensive to manufacture and maintain while retaining its effectiveness.

Further objects of the invention will be brought out in the following part of the specification, wherein detailed description is for the purpose of fully disclosing the invention without placing limitations thereon.

IV. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

With the above and other related objects in view, the invention consists of the details of construction and combination of parts as will be more fully understood from the following description, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 represents an exploded isometric view of the cabinet system subject of the present application.

Figure IA is an enlarged isometric view of a portion of the transversal spacer member being mounted to a corner of the lateral panel assembly of the cabinet system. Figure IB is an enlarged isometric view of a portion of the bottom panel mounted to a corner of the lateral panel assembly of the cabinet system showing the J-shaped fin members in solid and broken lines.

Figure 1C is an enlarged top detailed view of the J-shaped fin member.

Figure 2 is an enlarged side elevational view of a portion of the cabinet system with the rear panel assembly about to be mounted to the rail assembly.

Figure 2 A is an enlarged side elevational view of a portion of the cabinet system with the rear panel assembly being mounted to the rail assembly before being set in place.

Figure 2B is an enlarged side elevational view of a portion of the cabinet system with the rear panel mounted to the rail assembly.

Figure 3 represents an exploded isometric view of a cabinet drawer that can optionally be used with the cabinet system.

V. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to the drawings, where the present invention is generally referred to with numeral 10, it can be observed that it basically includes rail assembly 20, lateral panel assemblies 40; 40', rear panel assembly 50, bottom panel assembly 60, and transversal spacer 70. One or more drawer assemblies 80, as shown in figure 3, can be installed within the space defined by cabinet system 10. Cabinet system 10, and particularly through lateral panel assemblies 40 and 40', rests on a platform one legs, or equivalent structure, that are not shown, and these load bearing structures are preferably adjustable. Rail assembly 20 extends longitudinally, as seen in figure I₅ and provides leveling support to rear panel 50. Most of the load is transmitted through assemblies 40 and 40', but rail assembly 20 is leveled and provides a firm guide for system 10. Rail assembly 20 has a cross-section, as shown in figure 2, that mates and cooperates with cut-out 54 of side skirt 58 on panel 50. The cross- section of rail assembly 20 has a longitudinally extending channel 23 with upper portion 24 and lower portion 26. Upper portion 24 has an inverted L- shape with upper end 22. Stepped reverse J-shaped lower portion 26 includes longitudinal lower end 28 extending and defining longitudinal and outwardly extending flange 29. Inner wall 27 is part of lower portion 26 and extends perpendicularly from lower end 28. Outer wall 27' is also part of lower portion

26 and extends parallel at a spaced apart relationship with respect to inner wall

27 leaving a longitudinal space between them. Portion 26 ends with tip 26'. Fastening member 25 penetrates through channel 25' in flat portion 24 creating a through opening into the structure of wall W, in one of the preferred embodiments. Rail assembly 20 is typically leveled and mounted on wall W providing a firm reference for the leveled installation of cabinet system 10.

Rear panel assembly 50 has side skirts 58; 58' that extend perpendicularly from panel member 51 and longitudinally along the periphery of panel 50, as seen in figure 1. Cut outs 54, at side skirts 58 and 58', are cut with precise laser cutting tools, in one of the preferred embodiments. Fin 52 includes bay 53 with cooperative dimensions to snuggly receive tip 26', as seen in figures 2; 2 A and 2B. As best seen in figure 2B, fin 52 snuggly fits between walls 27 and 27' of lower stepped portion 26. Part of the load of cabinet system 10 is transmitted through bay 53 and tip 26' to flange 29 in contact with wall W and also through portion 26 to fastening member 25. During installation the load corresponds to the weight of cabinet system 10 when it is empty. When loaded, most of the load is transmitted through lateral panel assemblies 40 and 40'.

Figures 2; 2A and 2B show how rear panel 50 is mounted to assembly 20. Elbow 59, and the area above, is brought in abutting contact with wall W.

Bottom panel assembly 60 has panel member 65, rear skirt 61 and front skirt 63, as best seen in figure 1. Bottom panel assembly 60 has a rectangular shape. Skirt 63 includes lip 63' t hat extends inwardly and perpendicularly with respect to skirt 63. The other two sides 67 and 67' are straight. Lip 63' has two ends and a fin member 64, one located on each end. Panel assembly 60 has at least two fin members 64 on side 67 and at least two fin members 64 on side 67'.

Fin members 64 have a J-shape with a separation 68 between the fin member 64 and the edge 69 from where it extends that cooperates with the thickness of the panel members to which they engage for a snug fit or bite, as best seen in figure 1C.

Lateral panels 40 and 40' have rectangular shapes and include, in one of the preferred embodiments, side 48 (48') with fin members 46 (46') and three sides 47 (47') without fin members. Bottom panel 60 is mounted to lateral panels 40 and 40' by means of fin members 64 that cooperatively act with through openings 44 to keep members 40 and 40' in an upright spaced apart position. Sides 48 and 48' end in the same plane as side 61 when ready to be mounted to rear panel assembly 50. Lateral panels 40 and 40' are mounted to rear panel 50 by means of fin members 46; 46' that snuggly pass through openings 56; 56' and lock in place immobilizing lateral panels 40 and 40'. Fin members 46; 46', located on the rear edge of panels 40 and 40', extend downwardly and engage to the wall of panel 50.

Transverse spacer 70 can be optionally used to enhance the structural integrity of cabinet system 10. If spacer 70 is not used, the structural integrity is obtained with a cabinet top member (not shown). These top members are typically made out of granite, marble, mica or equivalent materials. Spacer 70 is an elongated member that, in the preferred embodiment, is shown to have an L-shaped cross-section. The ends include J-shaped fins 74 (74') that engage with through openings 49 and 49' in lateral panels 40 and 40', respectively. Transversal spacer 70 can then be slidably mounted to panels 40; 40' to keep the upper ends at an equivalent spaced apart position of predetermined length to provide additional support to system 10.

A drawer assembly 80 is shown in the present application as an example of one of the accessories that can be added. As seen in figure 3, drawer assembly 80 includes drawer back panel 81, drawer lateral panels 82 and 84, drawer bottom panel 83 and drawer front panel 85. Optionally, decorative panel 85' can be mounted to panel 85. Drawer bottom panel 83 includes fin members 83' on the lateral sides. Drawer lateral panels 82 and 84 include through openings 82'" and 84'", respectively, having a rectangular shape with cooperative dimensions to receive fin members 83'. Drawer rear panel 81 includes through openings 81' having a rectangular shape with cooperating width dimensions to snuggly receive fin member 82' and 84' of drawer lateral panels 82 and 84, respectively. Drawer front panel 85 includes through openings 85" having a rectangular shape with cooperative dimensions to snuggly receive fin members 82" and 84" of drawer lateral panels 82 and 84, respectively. In figure 3, drawer assembly 80 is represented in an isometric exploded view. One or more drawer assemblies or doors can be installed within cabinet system 10.

VI. INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

It is apparent from the previous paragraphs that an improvement of the type for such a cabinet system is quite desirable for the construction industry since it cuts the time required to install a cabinet to a fraction of what is required with other systems.

Claims

VII. CLAIMS

What is claimed is:

1) A cabinet system, comprising:

A) a substantially flat vertically extending support structure;

B) a rail assembly extending substantially horizontally and longitudinally a predetermined distance, said rail assembly is mounted against said structure, and said rail assembly having a cross-section that defines a longitudinal channel with a longitudinally extending L-shaped upper portion that abuts said structure, and a longitudinally extending reversed J-shaped lower portion adjacent to said upper portion, said lower portion having a longitudinally extending stepped outer wall and a spaced apart and parallel longitudinally extending inner wall terminating with a tip, and further including a longitudinally extending flange that cooperatively abuts to said structure;

C) a rear panel assembly having equal and opposite parallel first and second sides and equal and opposite parallel third and fourth sides defining a first rectangle, said first and second sides having longitudinally extending first and second skirts, respectively, with a cutout for each of said first and second skirts to receive said rail assembly, and said cutout including an inverted J-shaped fin member defining a bay, and said inverted J-shaped fin member having cooperatively dimensions to be received between said longitudinally extending inner and outer walls and said bay kept in abutting and load transmission disposition with respect to said tip thereby immobilizing said rear panel assembly; D) a bottom panel assembly having equal opposite and parallel fifth and sixth sides, and equal and opposite parallel seventh and eighth sides defining a second rectangle; and

E) first and second lateral panel assemblies, each having equal and opposite parallel ninth and tenth sides, and equal and opposite parallel eleventh and twelfth sides, defining a third rectangle, said first and second lateral panel assemblies being removably mounted to said bottom panel assembly and mounted to said rear panel assembly so that said fifth and ninth sides are co-planarly disposed in abutting relationship against said rear panel assembly thereby defining a space therein.

2) The system set forth in claim 1 wherein said seventh and eighth sides include, each, at least two J-shaped first fins and said first and second lateral panels include, each, at least two corresponding first through openings for cooperatively and snuggly receiving said first fins through to removably engage the latter to the former upon exerting a relatively small sliding movement of said first fins in one direction.

3) The system set forth in claim 2 wherein said ninth sides from each of said first and second lateral panel assemblies include, each, at least two J-shaped second fins and said rear panel assembly includes a corresponding second through openings for cooperatively and snuggly receiving said second fins through to removably engage the latter to the former upon exerting a relatively small sliding movement of said second fins in one direction. 4) The system set forth in claim 3 further including:

F) at least one elongated transversal spacer assembly for reinforcing the structural integrity of spaced apart and parallel separation of said first and second lateral panel assemblies, each of said at least one transversal assembly having first and second ends.

5) The system set forth in claim 4 wherein said first and second ends includes J-shaped third fins and first and second lateral panel assemblies each include corresponding third through openings for cooperatively and snuggly receiving said third fins through to removably engage the latter to the former upon exerting a relatively small sliding movement of said second fins in one direction.

6) The system set forth in claim 5 wherein said first, second and third rectangles are equal in their dimensions.

7) The system set forth in claim 6 wherein said sixth and ninth sides are coplanarly disposed.

8) The system set forth in claim 7 wherein said third and eleventh sides are coplanarly disposed.

9) The system set forth in claim 8 wherein said twelfth sides are coplanarly disposed.