Supports: cabinet structure – Knockdown or setup type – Foldable
Reexamination Certificate
2001-11-06
2004-04-20
Mai, Lanna (Department: 3637)
Supports: cabinet structure
Knockdown or setup type
Foldable
C312S257100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06722750
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to folding cabinets and, more particularly, to folding cabinets adapted to fold into substantially flat configurations for shipping and storage, and to be readily opened and assembled with a minimum of effort.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Foldable cabinets are known in the art. Indeed, an intended advantage of folding cabinets is that, in a folded state, they may be shipped more easily than non-folding or fully assembled cabinets, and then assembled with a minimum of tools and effort. U.S. Pat. No. 242,355 shows a folding wardrobe without shelves is adapted to be folded into a compact flat configuration so as to reduce storage space and shipping costs. U.S. Pat. No. 1,199,293 discloses a folding cabinet which incorporates hinged folding sides and hinged shelves for easy assembly. This folding cabinet, however, incorporates a very complex fabric back and folding top panel which renders the cabinet difficult to manufacture and expensive to sell. Moreover, the cabinet lacks a locking device to keep the shelf rigidly attached to the sidewall. U.S. Pats. No. 3,752,552 and 3,955,864 show folding cabinets in plastic molded construction featuring offset hinge points accommodating overlapping side panels.
While the folding cabinets of the prior art fulfill there respective objectives, the folding cabinet configurations of the prior art often sacrifice aesthetics relative to traditional, non-folding cabinets, to achieve their respective functions. Accordingly, a need exists in the art for folding cabinets that create the visual impression of a traditional, non-folding cabinet. Embodiments of the present invention substantially fulfill this need. In addition, other embodiments also feature a novel configuration that allow for highly compact and efficient forms when such cabinets are in a folded orientation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides improvements to foldable cabinets. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a novel offset hinge assembly allowing for a foldable cabinet that creates the visual impression of traditional, non-folding cabinets. In another embodiment, the present invention provides a novel configuration providing a highly compact and efficient form when such cabinets are in a folded orientation.
In one embodiment, the foldable cabinet comprises a front frame having side rails each attached to opposing side panels with hinges for quick and easy assembly with a minimum of parts. The front frame may include one or more hinged doors within the front frame. In one embodiment, at least one shelf is hinged between the side rails of the front frame to move between a horizontal position, when the cabinet is assembled, and a vertical position flat against the door(s), when the cabinet is in a folded orientation. The side panels, when folded out, extend backwards at a 90-degree angle to the front frame, and fold inwards towards each other to lie against the folded shelf when the cabinet is folded. A tab or cleat extending from the side panels engage pins extending from the shelves to support and lock the shelves in a horizontal orientation when the cabinet is assembled. In one embodiment, a back panel slides into opposing grooves extending vertically along the rear edges of the side panels to create a box-like assembly with an open top. In one embodiment, a top panel covers the top of the box-like assembly and connects to the cabinet with the use of locater pins and a locking mechanism to complete the cabinet assembly.
REFERENCES:
patent: 228141 (1880-05-01), Tocci
patent: 242355 (1881-05-01), Nicholas
patent: 442664 (1890-12-01), Elsner
patent: 1174846 (1916-03-01), Garland
patent: 1199293 (1916-09-01), Montgomery
patent: 1202205 (1916-10-01), Montgomery
patent: 2649350 (1953-08-01), Backus et al.
patent: 3294464 (1966-12-01), Lew
patent: 3425763 (1969-02-01), De Lynn
patent: 3472572 (1969-10-01), Himelreich
patent: 3583781 (1971-06-01), Yamawaki et al.
patent: 3644011 (1972-02-01), MacDonald
patent: 3752552 (1973-08-01), MacDonald
patent: 3955864 (1976-05-01), MacDonald et al.
patent: 3975069 (1976-08-01), DeLucia
patent: 4482195 (1984-11-01), Chapin
patent: 5882098 (1999-03-01), Brown et al.
patent: 1371349 (1964-07-01), None
patent: 2187637 (1987-09-01), None
Mai Lanna
Portfolio Productions, Inc.
Spolyar Mark J.
Tran Hanh V.
LandOfFree
Foldable cabinet does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Foldable cabinet, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Foldable cabinet will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3192127