GB2508239A

GB2508239A - Fitted cabinet kit of parts

Info

Publication number: GB2508239A
Application number: GB201221314A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Malcolm Healey
Original assignee: WREN KITCHENS Ltd
Current assignee: WREN KITCHENS Ltd
Priority date: 2012-11-27
Filing date: 2012-11-27
Publication date: 2014-05-28
Anticipated expiration: 2032-11-27
Also published as: GB2508239B; GB201221314D0

Abstract

The invention presents a kit of parts for a fitted cabinet comprising a plurality of parts where each of the parts is configured to be positioned at a predetermined build position relative to the other parts such that when assembled the parts are located at their respective position to form a cabinet or the like of a predetermined design and where the parts comprise a first set of parts 24, 26, 28, 30 for some but not all build positions of which only one part of a predetermined build position is provided and a second set of parts for the remaining build positions which comprise at least a first alternative part (20a, 22a, Fig 2) and second alternative part 20b, 22b for the same nominal predetermined build position, where the first alternative part is substantially larger than the second alternative part (for example in width or length). The first and second alternative parts may be panels or corner posts.

Description

A FITTED CABINET KIT OF PARTS

The present disclosure relates to a kit of parts for a fitted cabinet.

In particular the disclosure is concerned with a fitted cabinet kit of parts and a method of building and installing a fitted cabinet from a kit of pads.

Fitted cabinets are often built up from a kit of parts of different sizes. For example, the kit may comprise door panels and frame panels. The parts are made appropriate to the design of the cabinet.

It is common for mass producers of fitted furniture, for example kitchen units, to use a standard corner off-set to base all their kitchen designs on. That is to say, designs generally comprise a datum point from which the rest of the kitchen extends. For a kitchen design which extends along two adjoining walls of the kitchen, for example, this may be a corner post having dimensions which off set adjoining panels of the kitchen units.

It is down to the skill of the fitter to make the cabinet fit in the required location. For example, a fitted kitchen may comprise a number of flat packed parts, and a fitter must assemble the pads in the correct order and in the correct position relative to other features in the room.

The pads for the kitchen cabinets are all of fixed dimensions. However, the space available, for example in a kitchen room of a house, may not be exactly that of the size of the standard pads of the kit of pads for the cabinets. Hence common practice is to ensure in the design for the room that the cabinets and their pads when assembled are smaller than the space allowed. In situations where it is required to use up the whole of the allocated space, insert panels will be used in the assembly to lengthen the cabinet assembly, thereby taking up the space allocated to the cabinet entirely.

The problem with this is that the fillers used are obviously additions to the build. They therefore are aesthetically displeasing to an end user, as there is an obvious join between the panels to which the filler/spacer is fitted. Also, potentially if the person fitting the cabinets has to supply their own filler material, this may not even match the texture and colour of the rest of the cabinets! which will clearly be disappointing to the customer.

Hence a means and method for assembling a fitted cabinet which overcomes the above disadvantages is highly desirable.

Sum m a' Accordingly there is provided a kit of parts for a fitted cabinet comprising a plurality of parts; each of the parts being configured to be positioned at a predetermined build position relative to the other parts such that, when assembled, the parts are located at their respective build position to form a cabinet or the like of a predetermined design; the kit comprising a first set of parts for some, but not all, build positions of which only one part per predetermined build position is provided; and a second set of parts for the remaining build position(s) comprising at least a first alternative part and a second alternative part for the same nominal predetermined build position; wherein, for each remaining build position, the first alternative part is substantially larger than the second alternative part.

The first alternative part may be larger than the second alternative part in only one dimension. The first alternative part may be wider, longer or taller than the second alternative part.

The first and second alternative parts may be panels. The first and second alternative parts may be corner posts.

Accordingly there is also provided a method of building and installing a fitted cabinet from a kit of parts as herein described, the method comprising determining a critical dimension of a part of the second set of parts for a predetermined build position; choosing one of the alternative parts from the selection of alternative parts for the predetermined build position based on the critical dimension.

The method may comprise the step of choosing the alternative part which is least oversized relative to the critical dimension and as compared to the other alternative part(s).

The method may further comprise the step of trimming the chosen part to the critical dimension such that it fits the predetermined build position.

Hence there is provided a fitted cabinet kit of parts and a method of assembly of the said kit of pads, in which a user is provided with a number of optional components for a given role in the cabinet. The consequence of this is that the user does not have to find a filler part which matches the rest of the build of the cabinet.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Examples of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a plan view of a cabinet layout assembly according to the

present disclosure;

Figure 2 is a view shows assembled fitted cabinet kit of parts according to the present disclosure, identical to that in Figure 1 except that the cabinets are extended to take up a larger space; Figure 3 shows a first panel for a nominal build position on an assembly as shown in Figure 1 and 2; and Figure 4 shows a second panel for the same nominal build position.

Detailed Description

Figure 1 shows a plan view of a fitted cabinet kit of parts 10 assembled in a kitchen 12. Each of the parts are configured to be positioned at a pre-determined build position relative to the other parts such that when assembled the parts are located at their respective build position and form a cabinet of a pre-determined design. That is to say, the kit of parts comprises parts for base units, shown assembled generally at 14, and wall units (cabinets) shown assembled generally at 16, where the wall units 16 (or cabinets) are above the base units 14. The cabinets 14,16 comprise a plurality of panels 18, where (for clarity) only some of the panels are numbered in the drawings. The cabinets 14,16 comprise a wall cabinet corner post 20, and a base cabinet corner post 22. The wall cabinets 16 further comprise wall panels 24 and door panels 26. Likewise the base units comprise wall panels 28 and door panels 30.

The example shown in Figure 2 is for a kitchen 12 defined by walls 13 such that the kitchen is of a first size "A". It will be appreciated that for fitted furniture such as fitted kitchens, it is desirable that the whole of the space allocated for the units filled to maximise cupboard space and reduce gaps between the walls 13 of the kitchen and the ends of the cabinet assembly 10.

Hence the parts as shown in Figure 1, having an overall dimension along one wall of "x" as shown in Figure 1, will only be appropriate for use in the kitchen having a space along one wall of length "x". As described in the pre-amble, for a kitchen where the space along one wall is greater than "x", for example as shown in Figure 2 where the space along one wall is "y', where "y" is greater than "x", if the same combination of parts are used to build the kit of parts up in the larger kitchen of Figure 2 (of a second size "B", of larger floor area than size "A") the fitted cabinet assembly will, when assembled, be undersized for the space allocated since all of the panels of the cabinets are of a fixed dimension.

However, the kit of parts 10 for the fitted cabinet according to the present disclosure contains two different sets of parts to deal with this problem. The kit of parts 10 of the present disclosure comprises a first set of parts for some build positions in which only one part per pre-determined build position is provided. That is to say, that for each of the wall panels 24, 26, and door panels 26, 30 only one part is provided for each of these components in the kit of parts 10. However, the kit also comprises a second set of pads for the remaining build position or positions which comprises at least a first alternative pad and a second alternative pad for the same nominal pre-determined build position. For example a number of pads of different dimensions are provided to fulfil the role of the corner post 20, 22. That is to say, and as shown in Figure 3 and Figure 4, there is provided a first alternative part 20a,22a for a corner post which is substantially larger than the second alternative pad 20b,22b for a corner post. There may be provided more than two sizes of corner posts for each corner post position 20, 22.

In the present example the first alternative pad, i.e. corner post 20a,22a, is larger than the second alternative part, i.e. the alternative corner post pad 20b,22b, in only one dimension. In the examples shown the first alternative corner post for build position is wider than the second alternative corner post for the same build position 20.

Likewise the first alternative corner post for build position 22, may be wider than the second alternative corner post for the same build position 22. In alternative examples, not shown, the first alternative pad 20a, 22a may be wider, longer or taller than the second alternative part 20b, 22b. The corner posts may be provided as panels.

Put another way, the example shown in Figure 1 comprises corner posts 20, 22 of a first width for a first kitchen size A. The example shown in Figure 2 is identical to that shown in Figure 1 except that the corner posts 20, 22 have a different width to accommodate a larger kitchen size B. In particular, the corner post 20, 22 in Figure 2 are wider than those shown in Figure 1.

When building and installing a fitted cabinet for making of pads as described above, a user must determine a critical dimension of a part of the second set of parts for each pre-determined build position where alternative pads are provided. In the example of Figure 2, the cabinets to the top of the Figure must be moved to the left (relative to the cabinets to the top of the Figure in Figure 1) to take up the extra space available in the larger kitchen B'. Hence, in the example shown, the predetermined build position is the corner post location 20,22, and the critical dimension is the width of the corner post 20 and the corner post 22 as this will dictate how far to the left (along the kitchen wall) the wall and base cabinets will be translated relative to the example shown in Figure 1. The installer chooses one of the alternative parts, for example, corner posts 20a,20b; 22a,22b of different size from a selection of alternative pads for the pre-determined build position based on the critical dimension. That is to say a fitter will choose a corner post part which is oversized relative to the critical dimension, i.e. the space available. Where a number of alternative parts (e.g. corner posts) are provided for each build position, the user will choose the one which is least oversized relative to the critical dimension. Since the alternative part chosen is slightly too big for the space in the design, the user trims the chosen part to the critical dimension such that it fits the predetermined build position (i.e. the gap between the door panels 26,30 and the cabinet structure extending along the adjacent wall of the kitchen (i.e. the cabinet structure extending down the page, as shown in the figures.) Hence, providing a kit of parts with alternative sized panels, for example corner posts, allows for the installer/fitter to move the cabinet units being constructed in or out by choosing the coiner post to the desired width and, in partnership with the correct sized door on the base 14 and wall 16 units, negates the need to ever have to take up free space with a filler panel. Hence the final assembly will comprise only parts which are identically matched to the design of the cabinet. Also the installer is not inconvenienced by having to source the right sized filler panel of a matching design, thereby saving assembly time.

In an example where the corner posts are panels the panels may be of the same length and depth, but be of different widths, for example as shown in Figure 3 and Figure 4. For example, the panels may be provided for a particular build position and increments of size of 58mm. That is to say the first alternative part may be 58mm wider that the second alternative part for the same nominal predetermined build position.

Although preferred embodiment(s) of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1 A kit of parts for a fitted cabinet comprising a plurality of parts; each of the parts being configured to be positioned at a predetermined build position relative to the other parts such that, when assembled, the parts are located at their respective build position to form a cabinet or the like of a predetermined design; the kit comprising a first set of parts for some, but not all, build positions of which only one part per predetermined build position is provided; and a second set of parts for the remaining build position(s) comprising at least a first alternative part and a second alternative part for the same nominal predetermined build position; wherein, for each remaining build position, the first alternative part is substantially larger than the second alternative part.
2 A kit of parts as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first alternative part is larger than the second alternative part in only one dimension.
3 A kit of parts as claimed in claim 2, wherein the first alternative part is wider, longer or taller than the second alternative part.
4 A kit of parts as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the first and second alternative parts are panels.
A kit of parts as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the first and second alternative parts are corner posts.
6 A method of building and installing a fitted cabinet from a kit of parts as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, the method comprising determining a critical dimension of a part of the second set of parts for a predetermined build position; choosing one of the alternative pads from the selection of alternative pads for the predetermined build position based on the critical dimension.
7 A method as claimed in claim 6, wherein the method comprises the step of choosing the alternative part which is least oversized relative to the critical dimension and as compared to the other alternative part(s).
8 A method as claimed in claim 6 or claim 7, wherein the method further comprises the step of trimming the chosen part to the critical dimension such that it fits the predetermined build position.
9 A kit of parts for a fitted cabinet substantially as hereinbefore described and/or as shown in the accompanying drawings.A method of building and installing a fitted cabinet from a kit of parts substantially as hereinbefore described and/or as shown in the accompanying drawings.AMENDMENTS TO THE CLAIMS HAVE BEEN FILED AS FOLLOWSCLAIMS1 A kit of parts for a fitted cabinet comprising a plurality of parts; each of the parts being configured to be positioned at a predetermined build position relative to the other parts such that, when assembled, the parts are located at their respective build position to form a cabinet or the like of a predetermined design; the kit comprising a first set of parts for some, but not all, build positions of which only one part per predetermined build position is provided; and a second set of parts for the remaining build position(s) comprising at least a first alternative part and a second alternative part for the same nominal predetermined build position; wherein, for each remaining build position, the first alternative part is substantially larger than the second alternative part; and wherein the first and second alternative pads are corner posts.2 A kit of parts as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first alternative part is larger than the second alternative part in only one dimension.3 A kit of parts as claimed in claim 2, wherein the first alternative pad is wider, longer or taller than the second alternative pad.4 A kit of pads as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the first and second alternative parts are panels.A method of building and installing a fitted cabinet from a kit of parts as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, the method comprising determining a critical dimension of a part of the second set of parts for a predetermined build position; choosing one of the alternative pads from the selection of alternative pads for the predetermined build position based on the critical dimension.6 A method as claimed in claim 5, wherein the method comprises the step of choosing the alternative part which is least oversized relative to the critical dimension and as compared to the other alternative part(s).7 A method as claimed in claim 5 or claim 6, wherein the method further comprises the step of trimming the chosen part to the critical dimension such that it fits the predetermined build position.8 A kit of parts for a fitted cabinet substantially as hereinbefore described and/or r as shown in the accompanying drawings.9 A method of building and installing a fitted cabinet from a kit of parts substantially as hereinbefore described and/or as shown in the accompanying drawings.