GB2319273A

GB2319273A - Backboard for e.g. kitchen unit

Info

Publication number: GB2319273A
Application number: GB9623687A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael Highley
Original assignee: Moores Furniture Group Ltd
Current assignee: Moores Furniture Group Ltd
Priority date: 1996-11-14
Filing date: 1996-11-14
Publication date: 1998-05-20
Also published as: GB9623687D0

Abstract

A backboard assembly for a kitchen unit comprises a panel member (1) adapted to extend between lower securing means (7) disposed on a work surface and wall mounted upper securing means (8), the lower and wall mounted upper securing means being adapted to abut said wall and incorporating respective lower and upper engagements adapted to engage lower and upper edges of the panel member, the securing means being arranged so that the panel member is located in spaced relation to the wall in use to define a cavity, the upper engagement being releasable and adapted so that the upper edge of the panel member can be disengaged from the upper securing means to facilitate access to said cavity.

Description

BACKBOARD This invention relates to a backboard for permanently secured furniture units, particularly but not exclusively for kitchen furniture units.

Conventional kitchen units often incorporate tiling extending between the work surface and a cupboard or other unit mounted on the wall above the work surface. Any service fixtures such as electrical cables, heating pipes, water pipes and the like are chased into the plaster work beneath the tiling. This makes maintenance and repair of these fixtures difficult and expensive due to the need to renew the overlying tiling.

According to the present invention a backboard assembly comprises a panel member adapted to extend between lower securing means disposed on a work surface and wall mounted upper securing means, the lower and wall mounted upper securing means being adapted to abut said wall and incorporating respective lower and upper engagements adapted to engage lower and upper edges of the panel member, the securing means being arranged so that the panel member is located in spaced relation to the wall in use to define a cavity, the upper engagement being releasable and adapted so that the upper edge of the panel member can be disengaged from the upper securing means to facilitate access to said cavity.

Service fixtures such as electrical cables, socket boxes, heating pipes, water pipes and the like may be located within the cavity beneath the panel member without any requirement for chasing into the underlying plasterwork or masonry. Heating pipes do not require to be boxed in and tiling of the wall surface may be avoided. Lighting systems, telephone and TV aerial points and central heating control switches may be located within the cavity, preventing exposure of the latter to water and dirt.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the upper securing means is located adjacent and below a wall mounted unit, the panel member having a vertical dimension selected so that the assembly forms a seal in use between the work surface and said unit.

Scribing of the worktop can be avoided by use of an appropriate lower securing means.

The upper securing means may include an extruded member adapted to define an aperture to receive a locking member, the locking member including a rearwardly facing surface arranged to engage the panel member.

The extruded member may include a channel adapted to receive and engage a tongue of the locking member to secure the panel member in use.

The lower securing means may include an upwardly extending projection adapted to be received in use in an opening in a lower edge of the panel member. For example the lower securing means may be generally L-shaped having a first limb adapted to lie on the work surface and a second upwardly extending limb adapted to be received in a slot in the panel member.

This invention particularly relates to kitchen furniture.

The invention is further described by means of example but not in any limitative sense with reference to the accompanying drawings of which: Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of a kitchen unit incorporating a backboard in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 is a detailed partial view of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a detailed view of an alternative arrangement; Figure 4 is a cut-away perspective view of a backboard in accordance with the invention; and Figures 5 and 6 illustrate the preferred locking arrangement.

Figures 1 and 2 show a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the invention. A panel member 1 is located between a worktop 2 and a wall mounted cupboard 3. The panel member 1 extends between the worktop 2 and wall unit 3 spaced from the wall 4 to define a cavity 5. An electrical socket 6 mounted against the wall 4 extends through an aperture in the panel 1. Lower securing means 7 and upper securing means 8 are shown in more detail in Figure 2. The upper securing means comprises a generally T-shaped extruded member 9 adapted to define an L-shaped recess to engage a batten 10 secured to the wall 4. A pair of generally parallel members 14, 15 define a channel to receive a complementary formation 13 of a locking member 12. The locking member 12 may be generally T-shaped in cross-section to provide a rearwardly facing surface to engage and retain the panel member 1 in use. The downwardly depending limb 16 of the securing member 9 provides a forwardly facing surface to engage the rear surface of the panel 1 so that the components 16 and 12 act as jaws in use to securely retain the panel 1. The member 12 may be disengaged from the securing member 9 to facilitate removal of the panel 1 to provide access to service fixtures provided within the cavity 5. A laminate strip 11 may be applied to the upper surface of the upper securing member 9 to provide an attractive moisture proof seal for the arrangement.

The lower securing means 7 comprises a generally L-shaped extrusion having a first limb 17 adapted to lie on the work surface 2 and be secured thereto by means of adhesive strips 20, and an upwardly extending limb 18 adapted to be received in a slot or other formation 19 in the lower edge of the panel 1.

The lower securing means may be sufficiently resilient, for example being formed from polyvinyl chloride to allow the panel 1 to be disengaged from the upper securing means while the upwardly extending projection 18 is engaged within the recess 19.

Figure 3 illustrates an alternative arrangement whereby the panel 21 is secured adjacent the wall 24, the batten 10 (shown in Figure 1) being omitted. The horizontal limb of the upper securing member 22 is also omitted and the horizontal limb of the lower securing member 23 is truncated so that the panel 21 lies a short distance from the wall 24.

In use the panel 1 or 21 closely seals the wall between the worktop 2 and wall mounted unit 3. Alternatively the wall mounted unit 3 may be omitted or may be located at a higher position on the wall.

Figure 4 is a partially cut away view of the backboard in accordance with this invention. The upper and lower securing members are as described in Figure 2. Mains or low voltage electrical supplies, boiler electrical supplies, timer controls or power supplies to hob and extractor units are shown generally at 27 and water supply is indicated generally at 28.

A wall mounted boiler unit 25 having heating pipes 26 is located a short distance above the upper edge of the panel, avoiding any necessity for boxing in of the pipe 26. The upper surface 11 of the backboard is sealed by a laminated strip to provide a waterproof and cosmetic appearance.

Figures 5 and 6 illustrate removal of the locking member 12 from the upper securing member 9 shown in Figure 2. The tongue 13 of the locking member 12 is provided with protrusions which engage complementary formations in the limbs 14 and 15 to provide a restraining force preventing unwanted disengagement of the panel 1.

The upper securing means may comprise any alternative releaseable fixture which allows the panel member to be removed in use. Grip exclusions or cap fix and stud or cap and clip arrangements may be employed.

The lower securing means may include a channel adapted to receive the lower edge of the panel, avoiding the need for provision of slot in the lower edge of the panel.

Claims

1. A backboard assembly comprising a panel member adapted to extend between lower securing means disposed on a work surface and wall mounted upper securing means, the lower and wall mounted upper securing means being adapted to abut said wall and incorporating respective lower and upper engagements adapted to engage lower and upper edges of the panel member, the securing means being arranged so that the panel member is located in spaced relation to the wall in use to define a cavity, the upper engagement being releasable and adapted so that the upper edge of the panel member can be disengaged from the upper securing means to facilitate access to said cavity.

2. A backboard assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the upper securing means is located adjacent and below a wall mounted unit, the panel member having a vertical dimension selected so that the assembly forms a seal in use between the work surface and said unit.

3. A backboard assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein upper securing means includes an extruder member adapted to define an aperture to receive a locking member, the locking member including a rearwardly facing surface arranged to engage the panel member.

4. A backboard assembly as claimed in claim 3, wherein the extruded member includes a channel adapted to receive and engage a tongue of the locking member to secure the panel member.

5. A backboard assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the lower securing means includes an upwardly extending projection adapted to be received in use in an opening in a lower edge of the panel member.

6. A backboard assembly as claimed in claim 5, wherein the lower securing means is generally L-shaped having a first limb adapted to lie on the work surface and a second upper limb adapted to lie on the work surface and a second upper extending limb adapted to be received in a slot in the panel member.

Amendments to the claims have been fled as follows CLAIMS 1. A backboard assembly comprising a panel member adapted to extend between lower securing means disposed on a work surface and wall mounted upper securing means, the lower and wall mounted upper securing means being adapted to abut said wall and incorporating respective lower and upper engagements adapted to engage lower and upper edges of the panel member, the securing means being arranged so that the panel member is located in spaced relation to the wall in use to define a cavity, the upper engagement being releasable and adapted so that the upper edge of the panel member can be disengaged from the upper securing means to facilitate access to said cavity.

7. A backboard~assembly for kitchen furniture units as claimed in any preceding claim.

8. A backboard assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.