GB2564649A

GB2564649A - Drawer

Info

Publication number: GB2564649A
Application number: GB1711442.2A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Vincent Pelham; Salter Joe
Original assignee: Foldsmart Ltd
Current assignee: Foldsmart Ltd
Priority date: 2017-07-17
Filing date: 2017-07-17
Publication date: 2019-01-23
Anticipated expiration: 2037-07-17
Also published as: GB2564649B; GB201711442D0

Abstract

The kit for constructing a drawer includes a base 1 connected to two folding side panels 4, 5 which can be unfolded from a flat pack configuration. Housings 7 on the side panels 4, 5 are engageable with pegs 8 on a front panel 6 as they are unfolded. When unfolded, a brace panel (10, figure 6) can prevent the side panels 4, 5 returning to the flat pack configuration. The brace panel (10, figure 6) may slideably engage the side panels 4, 5 via slots and may prevent disengagement of the front panel 6 from the side panels 4, 5. The housings 7 and pegs 8 may be reversibly connected and be push fit connectors. Runners may be provided on the outside of the side panels 4, 5. The side panels 4, 5 may be pivotally connected to the base 1 by continuous hinges. The kit may enables fast assembly and disassembly of a drawer without the need for separate fasteners or tools.

Description

At least one drawing originally filed was informal and the print reproduced here is taken from a later filed formal copy.

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Drawer

The present application relates to a kit for constructing a drawer, to a drawer constructed using the kit and to items of furniture which comprise a drawer constructed using the kit.

Flat pack furniture is usually provided as a kit of parts and a selection of connectors to connect the parts together. A user must attach the connectors to the parts and follow instructions to assemble the furniture. This type of furniture is time consuming, and often frustrating, to construct. Loose connectors may be lost which means that a user needs to return to the supplier to obtain more connectors. There is a chance that instructions are not followed correctly, or are ignored completely, thereby obtaining a badly assembled product. A further problem is that it is difficult to deconstruct flat pack furniture once assembled. Many of the fastenings used, for examples nails or tacks, cannot be removed from the parts which they connect without damaging those parts. This prevents users from deconstructing the furniture and re-assembling it at a different location, for example when they move house. This is a particular problem for users such as students who move accommodation regularly and for property owners who need to move furniture between a number of properties on a regular basis.

It is amongst the objects of the invention to address one or more of these problems.

In a first aspect the invention provides a kit for constructing a drawer comprising;

a base, first and second opposing panels which are each pivotally connected to the base and provided with an engaging means, an engaging panel, and a brace panel, wherein the first and second opposing panels can be pivoted from a flat pack configuration to an assembled configuration, in which;

the first and second opposing panels are upstanding from the base, and the engaging means of each of the first and second opposing panels are engaged with the engaging panel, and wherein each of the first and second opposing panels is adapted to engage the brace panel such that when the first and second opposing panels are in the assembled configuration, the brace panel may be engaged with the first and second opposing panels to prevent them from returning to their flat pack configuration.

The pivotal connections, which enable the engaging means to pivot into engagement with the engaging panel, and the brace panel allow the guick and simple assembly of the drawer. No instructions are reguired and no connectors need to be fitted by a user. Furthermore, the brace panel can be easily disengaged to disassemble the drawer without damaging any part of the kit so that after disassembly, it is immediately ready for reassembly.

The brace panel may be slidably engageable with the first and second opposing panels. The slidable engagement provides a guickway of engaging/disengaging the brace panel. The first and second opposing panels may be provided with a slot for slidably engaging the brace panel.

The engaging means may be adapted to provide a reversible engagement so that the kit may be moved from its assembled configuration to its flat pack configuration and vice versa. The reversible nature of the engaging means permits disassembly of the drawer without damaging any part of the kit. This means that after disassembly, it is immediately ready for re-assembly. The engaging means may be any engaging mechanism and need not be limited to the engaging means of the embodiments described herein.

The engaging panel may be provided with lugs which are engaged by recesses on the first and second opposing panels as they are moved from the flat pack configuration to the assembled configuration. Egually, the recesses may be provided on the engaging panel, and the lugs may be provided on the first and second opposing panels. The lugs may be pre-fitted in the factory before the flat pack product is shipped to a user. This removes the need for loose connectors to be provided with the panels and eliminates the risk of incorrectly assembling the engaging panel.

The engaging means may be push fit connectors. This increases the speed with which the drawer may be assembled.

In preferred embodiments, in the flat pack configuration, the first and second opposing panels fit within the outline of the base, when viewed from above. This means that the product fits easily into an efficiently small packaging, which reduces shipping costs.

Each of the first and second opposing panels may be provided with two engaging means. This provides rigidity to the drawer once assembled.

The engaging means may be provided so that, in the assembled configuration, they are on the outward facing sides of the drawer. This means that the brace panel may be fitted between the first and second opposing panels to hold them apart, adding to the rigidity of the drawer. It also allows a user to easily see that the engaging means have been properly engaged.

The engaging panel may be a facia which preferably comprises a handle for opening the drawer.

The first and second opposing panels may be pivotally connected to the base by continuous hinges. Continuous hinges provide a rigid connection which adds to the rigidity of the drawer once assembled.

Moving the first and second opposing panels from the assembled configuration to the flat pack configuration may cause them to pivot towards one another. This ensures that the flat pack configuration takes up as small a volume as possible, to reduce shipping costs.

In preferred embodiments, in the flat pack configuration, the first and second opposing panels lie flat against the base. This ensures that the flat pack configuration takes up as small a volume as possible, to reduce shipping costs.

In a second aspect of the invention there is provided drawer constructed from a kit as described herein.

In a third aspect the invention provides an item of furniture comprising a drawer constructed from a kit as described herein. The item of furniture may be a wardrobe, a chest of drawers, a bedside table, a bed or a kitchen unit.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the figures, in which;

Figure 1 is perspective view of components of a kit according to the invention in their flat pack configuration.

Figure 2 is a detailed perspective view of the engaging means of the components shown in figure 1.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the components shown in figure 1 as they are moved from a flat pack configuration to an assembled configuration.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the components shown in figure 1, in their assembled configuration.

Figure 5 is a detailed view of the engaging means of the components shown in figure 1, in their assembled configuration.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of a kit according to the invention, with the brace panel about to be inserted into the engaging slot.

Figure 7 is a perspective view of an assembled drawer according to the invention.

Figure 1 shows a rectangular base 1 of a drawer. The base 1 is made from chipboard. Continuous hinges 2 are connected to the upward facing edges of the short sides of the base by fastenings 3. The continuous hinges pivotally connect rectangular side panels 4 and 5 to the base 1. A facia panel 6 is also shown. Each of the side panels 4 and 5 are provided with two Rafix® housings 7 and the facia panel 6 is provided with four Rafix® pegs 8. The Rafix® pegs are provided in groups of two, with each group being adjacent to opposite ends of the facia panel 6. In each group of Rafix® pegs, each peg is located on a line which is generally perpendicular to the base, when the kit is in the assembled configuration. Rafix® connectors can be obtained from Hafele GmbH & Co KG, of AdolfHafele-Str. 1,72202 Nagold, Germany; httpswwww,hafele.co.uk/en/.

The base is also provided with a roller 9 which enables the drawer to smoothly run along tracks in the piece of furniture in which the drawer is incorporated. The facia panel 9 is provided with a handle (not shown) on the side of the panel which is not shown in figure

1. In figure 1 the base and the panels 4 and 5 are in their flat pack configuration. When the components are packaged the facia 6 would also be lying flat against the panels 1,4 and 5 however it is shown in the perpendicular orientation to show clearly how the panels 1,4 and 5 and the facia 6 fit together.

Figure 2 shows a close up view of one pair of Rafix® pegs 8 at one end of the facia panel 6. The corresponding Rafix® housings 7 are shown on the panel 4. The continuous hinges 2 and their fastenings 3 to the panel 4 are also shown. A similar arrangement is provided at the other end of the facia panel 6.

Figure 3 shows the components shown in figure 1 as they are moved from the flat pack configuration to the assembled configuration. The side panels 4 and 5 pivot about the axes provided by the hinges 2 so that they are upstanding from the base panel 1. As the side panels 4 and 5 pivot, the Rafix® housings 7 are brought closer into alignment with the Rafix® pegs 8.

Figure 4 shows the components shown in figure 1 in their assembled configuration. The side panels 4 and 5 are upstanding from, and generally perpendicular to, the base 1. The Rafix® housings 7 are now aligned, and engaged, with the Rafix® pegs 8 (not shown). This arrangement is completely reversible as the Rafix® housings and pegs are not damaged by engagement or disengagement. This means that the components can be moved easily from their flatpack configuration to their assembled configuration and vice versa, many times. The Rafix® pegs are screwed into the facia panel 6 and the Rafix® housings are located in recesses which are provided on the outward facing edges of the side panels 4 and 5. Once in the assembled configuration, the Rafix® housings/pegs transmit force applied to the handle (not shown) on the facia panel 6, to the rest of the drawer. The connectors provide a firm push-fit connection and are not loosened by a pulling force applied to the handle on the back of the facia panel 6. The panels 4 and 5 are each provided with a slot having a sguare cross section. The slots are adjacent to, and parallel to, the rear edges of panels 4 and 5.

Figure 5 shows a close up view of the Rafix® pegs 8 accommodated in the Rafix® housings 7 located on the side panel 4. Providing two Rafix® housings/pegs at each end of the facia panel 6 provides rigidity to the drawer. Providing the Rafix® housings/pegs generally on a line which is perpendicular to the base 1 also provides rigidity to the drawer.

Figure 6 shows the panels 1,4 and 5 and the facia 6 in their assembled configuration. The panels 4 and 5 are each provided with a slot having a sguare cross section. The slots are adjacent to, and parallel to, the rear edges of panels 4 and 5. A rear brace panel 10 is shown positioned above the slots 11. From this location it may be slidably engaged with the slots 11.

Figure 7 shows a drawer 12 according to the invention. The brace panel 10 has been fully inserted into the slots 11. The brace panel 10 prevents the side panels 5 and 4 from folding back towards each other towards their flat pack configuration. To disassemble the drawer, the brace panel 10 may be guickly removed from the slots 11 and the side panels 4 and 5 may be disengaged from the facia panel 6 and folded back into their flat pack configuration. This process takes under 5 seconds and does not reguire the removal of any connectors. Once disassembled, the drawer is undamaged, and immediately ready for reassembly.

When packaged for delivery to a customer, the base 1, and the side panels 4 and 5 would be in their flat pack configuration and the brace panel 10 and the facia 6 would be lying flush to the panels 1,4 and 5.

Two further embodiments of the invention, which are not shown, are a chest of drawers and a wardrobe which each comprise a housing and one or more of the drawers described herein.

Claims

1. A kit for constructing a drawer comprising;

2. A kit according to claim 1 wherein the brace panel is slidably engageable with the first and second opposing panels.

3. A kit according to claim 2 wherein the first and second opposing panels are provided with a slot for slidably engaging the brace panel.

4. A kit according to any preceding claim wherein the engaging means are adapted to provide a reversible engagement so that the kit may be moved from its assembled configuration to its flat pack configuration and vice versa.

5. A kit according to any preceding claim wherein the engaging panel is provided with lugs which are engaged by recesses on the first and second opposing panels as they are moved from the flat pack configuration to the assembled configuration.

6. A kit according to any preceding claim wherein the engaging means are push fit connectors.

7. A kit according to any preceding claim, wherein in the flat pack configuration, the first and second opposing panels fit within the outline of the base, when viewed from above.

8. A kit according to any preceding claim wherein each of the first and second opposing panels is provided with two engaging means.

9. A kit according to any preceding claim wherein the engaging means are provided so that, in the assembled configuration, they are on the outward facing sides of the drawer.

10. A kit according to any preceding claim wherein the engaging panel is a facia which preferably comprises a handle for opening the drawer.

11. A kit according to any preceding claim wherein the first and second opposing panels are pivotally connected to the base by continuous hinges.

12. A kit according to any preceding claim wherein moving the first and second opposing panels from the assembled configuration to the flat pack configuration causes them to pivot towards one another.

13. A kit according to any preceding claim wherein in flat pack configuration, the first and second opposing panels lie flat against the base.

14. A drawer constructed from a kit according to any of claims 1-13.

15. An item of furniture comprising a drawer constructed from a kit according to any of claims 1-13.