NZ561615A

NZ561615A - Modular cabinet

Info

Publication number: NZ561615A
Application number: NZ56161507A
Authority: NZ
Inventors: Stephen John Cummings; David Giorgio
Original assignee: Dorf Clark Ind Ltd
Priority date: 2007-06-27
Filing date: 2007-09-18
Publication date: 2008-03-28
Also published as: AU2007202949A1; CN101332019A

Abstract

A modular cabinet comprising a substantially rectangular base module (10) and a pair of side panels (30a, 30b). The base module (10) having a pair of opposed front and rear braces (70a, 70b) and a base panel (72). Each of the braces (70a, 70b) include side panel connecting means. Each of the side panels (30a, 30b) include brace connecting means. The brace connecting means and the panel connecting means are engaged so as to connect the side panels (30a, 30b) and the braces (70a, 70b).

Description

10054677945* ;561615 ;PATENTS FORM 5 PATENTS ACT 1953 ;OurRef: 816073NZ Dated: 17 September 2007 ;COMPLETE SPECIFICATION ;Modular cabinet ;We, Dorf Clark Industries Limited, incorporated in Australia, of 194 Milperra Road, Revesby, New South Wales, 2212, Australia, hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: ;1 ;0013E(950872_1):IRG ;la ;MODULAR CABINET ;Field of the Invention ;The present invention relates to modular cabinets, and to kits for assembling the same. The present invention also relates to modular cabinets which are adapted to receive a tub, and are, therefore, particularly well suited for use in laundries. ;An almost generic item in laundries is a cabinet which is adapted to receive a laundry tub. Typically, the laundry tub is mounted in an upper opening of the cabinet, and a cupboard and/or shelving is locatable below the laundry tub. ;The basic design of a typical cabinet for this application is comprised of a base panel, two side panels, a rear panel, and one or more front panels (which may serve as cupboard doors). An upper opening, defined by upper edges of the side panels, rear panel and front panel/s, is adapted to receive the tub. One or more shelving panels and/or drawers may be locatable within the cabinet. Such cabinets are typically assembled using several tools along with screws, hinges, door handles, and other components. ;Typically, the cabinets are purchased as a fully built unit with the tub built into a fully assembled cabinet. Such fully built units are difficult and costly to store and transport, particularly interstate and overseas. If the tub, each of the panels, and each of the other components were purchased or obtained as individual items, several tools and considerable work and skill would be required to fully assemble the product. ;Similar comments can be made for other kinds of cabinets that are typically purchased as fully built units by wholesalers, retailers and consumers. ;There is a need for cabinets which: are cheap to manufacture, are substantially cheaper to transport (including interstate and overseas) than currently existing cabinets, are accessible to, and more user-friendly for, markets associated with large renovations and/or 'do-it-yourself consumers, and can be assembled with a minimum number of tools or relevant skills. ;Summary of the Invention ;In a first aspect, the invention provides a modular cabinet comprising: ;• a substantially rectangular base module having a pair of opposed front and rear braces and a base panel, each of the braces including integrally formed side panel connecting means; and f ;Background to the Invention ;19 FEB 2008 ;1118170 1MLW ;2 ;• a pair of side panels, each side panel including integrally formed brace connecting means, wherein said brace connecting means and said panel connecting means are engaged so as to connect said side panels to said braces. ;The base panel is preferably positioned within the side panels and on top of the ;5 braces. ;The side panels preferably include a ridge along their respective lower edge with the brace connecting means therein. ;The braces preferably include a ridge along their respective lower edge with the side panel connecting means therein. ;10 The braces preferably each include a ridge along their top edge adapted to support the base panel. ;According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a modular cabinet comprising: ;• a substantially rectangular base module having a first pair and a second 15 pair of opposed side sections, each of the side sections including integrally formed side panel connecting means; and ;• a pair of side panels, each side panel including integrally formed base connecting means; wherein said base connecting means and said panel connecting means are engaged so as to connect said side panels to said base module. ;20 In this specification, references to "substantially rectangular" are intended to 20 ;include (but are not limited to) rectangular and square shapes. ;Preferably, each of said side panels is of a length which substantially corresponds to the length of each corresponding side of the base module. ;Typically, the base module is a substantially planar body. Alternatively, it could 25 be a substantially rectangular frame. ;Each of the side sections includes a recessed rim adjacent to a corresponding side of the base module. Alternatively, the first and second pairs of side sections include a recessed rim extending about a perimeter of the base module. In this embodiment, each side panel has a bottom edge adapted to be seated on a portion of said recessed rim and, 30 preferably, the base connecting means is located on the bottom edge of each said side panel. ;1118170 1MLW ;[ intellectual property i office of n.z ;' 9 FEB 2008 RECElVFn ;2a ;The integrally formed side panel connecting means is preferably located on said recessed rim. In a preferred embodiment, the integrally formed side panel connecting means includes a protruding tab and the integrally formed base connecting means includes a slot adapted to receive at least a portion of said protruding tab. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the integrally formed side panel connecting means intellectual property office of n.z. ;19 FEB 2008 RECEIVED ;1118170_1MLW ;intellectual propers OFFICE OF N.Z. ;1 9 FEB 2008 RECEIVE L ;3 ;includes two or more protruding tabs and the integrally formed base connecting means includes two or more corresponding slots. ;Typically, the modular cabinet of this invention further includes bracing means for holding said side panels in upright position when connected to said base module. The 5 bracing means generally extends between the two side panels. The bracing means may include a front panel extending between front edges of the two side panels. Alternatively, or additionally, the bracing means may include a rear panel extending between rear edges of the two side panels. ;The modular cabinet will generally further include a front door. This door will io typically be hingedly connected adjacent a front edge of one of said side panels. The hinged connection of the front door is preferably (and simply) effected by means of a rod extending from a front panel to the base module. In this case the door is attached to the rod in a manner which enables the door to rotate about the rod. ;The front door is typically located above a corresponding portion of the recessed is rim. When located in this position, there will typically be a space between a bottom edge of the door and the corresponding portion of the recessed rim. The modular cabinet may therefore further include a base strip connected to the base module so as to substantially fill the space between said bottom edge of the front door and the recessed rim. ;The above cabinet will generally also include door closure means to maintain the 20 front door in closed orientation. The door closure means preferably comprises a magnet (such as a magnetic strip). ;Also, the door may further include strengthening means to inhibit warping of the door when opening and/or closing the door. ;In a preferred embodiment of the subject invention, adjoining panels of the 25 cabinet are connected by connection arrangements. The connection arrangements may include corresponding apertures in adjoining panels and connecting plugs received within said corresponding apertures in order to inhibit disengagement of the adjoining panels. ;In a preferred embodiment, the modular cabinet of this invention is adapted to support a water holding body selected from a tub, a sink and a basin. Preferably, the 30 water holding body is a laundry tub. ;In a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a kit for assembling a modular cabinet, said kit comprising: ;• a substantially rectangular base module having a first pair and a second pair of opposed side sections, each of the side sections including 35 integrally formed side panel connecting means; and ;1118170_1MLW ;4 ;• a pair of side panels, each side panel including integrally formed base connecting means; ;wherein said integrally formed base connecting means and said integrally formed panel connecting means are adapted to engage so as to connect said side panels to said 5 base module. ;Preferably, said kit is for assembling a modular cabinet according to the second aspect of the present invention. ;According to a fourth aspect of this invention, there is provided a base module, for use in a modular cabinet according to the first aspect of this invention, wherein said 10 base module is substantially rectangular and comprises a first pair and a second pair of opposed side sections, each of the side sections including integrally formed side panel connecting means is adapted to engage corresponding integrally formed base connecting means of a corresponding side panel of said modular cabinet. Preferably, this base module further comprises a base strip adapted to be connected to the base module so as to is substantially fill a space between a bottom edge of the front door of the modular cabinet and the corresponding portion of the recessed rim of the base module. ;Preferably, the braces integrally formed side panel connecting means include at least one cut-out and the panels integrally formed brace connecting means, include at least one tab, wherein at least one tab is adapted for folding engagement with the at least 20 one cut-out. ;Throughout this specification, unless the context requires otherwise, any references to the word "comprise", or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or 25 group of elements, integers or steps. ;Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles or the like which has been included in the present specification is solely for the purpose of providing a context for the present invention. It is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the 30 field relevant to the present invention as it existed in Australia before the priority date of each claim of this specification. ;In order that the present invention may be more clearly understood, preferred embodiments will be described with reference to the following drawings. ;1118170_IMLW ;intellectual property office of n,z. ;I 9 FEB 2008 RECEIV E D ;4a ;Brief Description of the Drawings ;Preferred embodiments will now be described, by way of examples only, with 30 reference to the accompanying drawings in which: ;Figure 1 a is a top perspective exploded view of a modular cabinet according to a first preferred embodiment; ;Figure lb is a further exploded view of the modular cabinet shown in Figure la; ;intellectual property office of n.2. ;19 FEB 2008 RECEIVED ;1118170_1MLW ;5 ;Figure 2a is a top perspective view of a base module for use in the modular cabinet shown in Figures la and lb; ;Figure 2b is a top view of the base module shown in Figure 2a; ;Figure 2c is a bottom perspective view of the base module shown in Figure la; 5 Figure 2d is a bottom view of the base module shown in Figure la; ;Figures 2e, 2f and 2g are a front view, a rear view and a right view, respectively, of the base module shown in Figure I a; ;Figure 2h is an exploded view showing the base module shown in Figure 2a, a base strip (for connection to the base module) and levelling feet (for levelling the base io module); ;Figure 2i is a top perspective view of the base module and the base strip, shown in Figure 2h, connected together and with levelling feet attached; ;Figure 3a is a bottom perspective view of the base module shown in Figure 2a, the base strip (for connection to the base module) and levelling feet (for levelling the base 15 module); ;Figure 3b is a bottom perspective view of the base module and base strip, shown in Figure 3a, connected together and with levelling feet attached; ;Figure 4a is a bottom perspective view of the modular cabinet shown in Figure la (without door); ;20 Figure 4b is a top perspective view of the modular cabinet shown in Figure 4a; ;Figure 5a is a top perspective view of the modular cabinet shown in Figure la (with door attached); ;Figure 5b is a bottom perspective view of the modular cabinet shown in Figure ;5a; ;25 Figure 6a is a front perspective view of a side panel for use in the modular cabinet shown in Figure la; ;Figure 6b is a rear perspective view of the side panel shown in Figure 6a; ;Figure 6c is a further rear perspective view of the side panel shown in Figure 6b; ;Figure 6d is a front perspective view of the side panel shown in Figure 6a; 30 Figure 6e is a rear view of the side panel shown in Figure 6a; ;Figure 6f is a right view of the side panel shown in Figure 6a; ;Figure 6g is a top view of the side panel shown in Figure 6a; ;Figure 6h is a bottom view of the side panel shown in Figure 6a; ;Figure 7a is a top front perspective view of a (front or rear) panel for use in the 35 modular cabinet shown in Figure 1 a; ;6 ;Figure 7b is a top rear perspective view of the panel shown in Figure 7 a; ;Figure 7c is a top view of the panel shown in Figure 7a; ;Figure 7d is a bottom view of the panel shown in Figure 7a; ;Figure 7e is a front view of the panel shown in Figure 7a; ;5 Figure 7f is a rear view of the panel shown in Figure 7a; ;Figure 7g is a right view of the panel shown in Figure 7a; ;Figure 8a is a top perspective view of a door for use in the modular cabinet shown in Figure la; ;Figure 8b is a rear perspective view of the door shown in Figure 8a; io Figure 8c is a front view of the door shown in Figure 8a; ;Figure 8d is a rear view of the door shown in Figure 8a; ;Figure 8e is a top view of the door shown in Figure 8a; ;Figure 8f is a bottom view of the door shown in Figure 8 a; ;Figure 8g is a right view of the door shown in Figure 8a; ;15 Figure 9a is a top perspective view of a door strengthening means shown in ;Figure la; ;Figure 9b is another perspective view of the door strengthening means shown in Figure 9a; ;Figure 9c is a further perspective view of the door strengthening means shown in 20 Figure 9a; ;Figure 9d is a front view of the door strengthening means shown in Figure 9a; Figure 9e is a rear view of the door strengthening means shown in Figure 9a; Figure 9f is a right view of the door strengthening means shown in Figure 9a; Figure 9g is a top view of the door strengthening means shown in Figure 9a; 25 Figures 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, lOe, lOf, lOg and lOh are various views of the base strip, for attachment to the base module shown in Figures 3a and 3b; ;Figures 11a, lib, 11c, lid and lie are various views of a levelling foot for attachment to the base module shown in Figures 3 a and 3b; ;Figures 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d, 12e, 12f, 12g and 12h are various views of a panel 30 lock for securing adjoining panels of the modular cabinet shown in Figure 1 a; ;Figures 13a, 13b, 13c and 13d are various views of a rod for hingedly connecting the door of the modular cabinet shown in Figure 8; ;Figures 14a, 14b, 14c, 14d, 14e and 14f are various views of a door washer for location in the base module shown in Figures 3a and 3b and for receiving an end of the 35 rod shown in Figure 13; ;7 ;Figures 15a and 15b are front and rear perspective views respectively of a modular cabinet according to a second preferred embodiment; and ;Figures 16a, 16b and 16c are sequential partial perspective views of the cabinet shown in Figures 15a and 15b during assembly. ;5 Description of Preferred Embodiments ;A first preferred embodiment of the present invention is described below with reference to one or more of Figures 1 to 14f. ;The present invention is directed towards a modular cabinet for easy storage, transport and assembly. ;io With particular reference to Figures la and lb, the illustrated modular cabinet includes a base module 10 and side panels 30a and 30b. These side panels 30a, 30b are connectable to side portions 11a and 1 lb of the base module 10. ;In order to provide structural rigidity to the modular cabinet, a front panel 40b and/or a rear panel 40a are attached to, and extend between, the side panels 30a and 30b. is The adjoining panels are secured by locking elements 80 each having a handle segment 81 and a protruding segment 82. The protruding segment 82 is adapted to extend through corresponding locking apertures 31 of adjoining panels. ;Preferably the modular cabinet includes a front door 50 hingedly connected to the cabinet. For improved strength and rigidity, the door 50 may include door 20 strengthening means 55. In the embodiment of the invention shown in the drawings, the door 50 includes a separate handle 60 which is affixed to the door 50. As will be appreciated, however, this handle 60 could be integrally formed with the door 50. In order to connect the door 50 to the cabinet, a door washer 56 is inserted into a designated cavity 11 in the base module 10. A rod 57 is passed through a hinge aperture 41 in the 25 relevant panel 40a, 40b. The rod also passes through rod apertures 51 located adjacent a top edge and a bottom edge of the door 50. The end of the rod 57 is positioned within a top opening 59 of the door washer 56. ;Preferably, the door 50 is maintained in closed orientation by means of a magnetic strip 58. As will be appreciated, the magnetic strip 58 may be connected either 30 to the open end 53 of the door 50 or it may be connected to a portion of the cabinet which (when in closed orientation) adjoins the open end of the door 53. ;As can be seen from Figures 2a and 2b, the base module 10 is a substantially planar body having a rectangular shape. The base module 10 includes a flat upper surface 12. ;8 ;Around the perimeter of the base module 10 is a recessed rim 13. The designated cavity 11 for receiving the rod 57 (for hingedly connecting the door 50) is located in the recessed rim 13. The embodiment of the base module shown actually includes four designated cavities 11 although, as would be obvious, only one such cavity 5 would be used in each modular cabinet (although the location of the hinged connection may be selected from these four optional locations). ;The base module also includes protruding tabs 14 which extend outwardly and overhang a portion of the recessed rim 13, forming a narrow space 15 between the recessed rim 13 and the protruding tab 14. ;io The base module 10 also includes four foot apertures 16, each for receiving a levelling foot 70 (see Figure 11). ;As is clearly shown in Figures 6a to 6h, the side panels 30a, 30b contain elements for enabling the side panels 30a, 30b to be connected to the base module 10 and to front/rear panels 40a, 40b. The side panels include a lower ridge 32 having tab 15 receiving apertures 33. In order to connect the side panels 30a, 30b to the base module 10, the lower ridge 32 of each side panel, 30a, 30b is rested upon the adjoining corresponding recessed rim 13, with the lower ridge 32 being positioned in the narrow space 15 between the protruding tabs 14 and the recessed rim 13. The protruding tabs 14 extend at least partially into the tab receiving apertures 33 thereby holding the side panels 20 30a, 30b in position. ;The front/rear panels 40a, 40b extend between the opposed side panels 30a, 30b and are connected thereto by securing the locking elements to the locking apertures of adjoining panels (as described above). ;In the above arrangement, when the door 50 has been hingedly connected to the 25 modular cabinet, there is typically a visible gap between a lower edge of the door 50 and the portion of the recessed rim 13 which underlies this lower edge. The base strip 20 is used to fill in this visible space. The base strip 20 is positioned into this space and is held in place by a connection mechanism. In the preferred embodiment shown, this connection mechanism simply consists of the relevant protruding tabs 14 and a 30 corresponding cut-out 22 in the base strip 20 which inter-engage, typically with a snap fit. ;A second preferred embodiment of the present invention is described below with reference to Figures 15a to 16c. Like features to those of the first embodiment of the cabinet are indicated with like reference numerals. ;The second embodiment of cabinet is similar to the first embodiment of the 35 cabinet previously described, except that the base module 10 is formed from a front brace ;9 ;70a and a rear brace 70b which are connected to the side panels 30a and 30b. A base panel 72 is fitted over the braces 70a, 70b to complete the base module 10. ;The ends of the braces 70a, 70b include cut-outs 74 through which pass tabs 76 formed on the side panels 30a, 30b. The side panels 30a, 30b also include an inwardly s extending ridge 78 along their bottom edge from which two upright tabs 80 protrude. ;As shown in Figure 16a, the tabs 80 pass through corresponding openings 82 in a similar ridge 84 provided on the front and rear braces 70a, 70b. As shown in Figure 16b, the tabs 80 are folded flat against the ridge84 to secure the braces 70a, 70b to the side panels 30a, 30b. As shown in Figure 16c, the base panel 72 is then positioned over the io top edges of the braces 70a, 70b to provide a neat appearance and act as a floor to the cabinet. The base panel 72 also improves the torsional rigidity of the cabinet. ;The remainder of the cabinet construction and assembly is similar to that previously described in relation to the first embodiment. ;The preferred embodiments described above can be assembled by a user without 15 the need for any tools whatsoever. ;As will be readily appreciated, the modular cabinet described above can be provided and sold as a kit for assembly by a purchaser. The kit may be supplied in a flat pack which is particularly desirable for storage and transport during all phases of the distribution process, such as transportation from the manufacturer, to a wholesaler, to a 20 retailer and then to a customer. This has the obvious advantage of substantially reducing storage and/or transportation costs which can in turn reduce the cost of the end product. ;The modular cabinet described above is particularly useful as a laundry cabinet, in which case it is adapted to support a laundry tub which can be supplied as part of the kit or separately. ;25 As would be apparent, the above described modular cabinet is not restricted to the laundry context and may be used in a range of other applications, such as a bathroom cabinet, in which case the cabinet may support a hand basin. ;It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the invention as shown in the specific embodiments 30 without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as broadly described. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. *

Claims

10 I/we claim the following:

1. A modular cabinet comprising: • a substantially rectangular base module having a pair of opposed front and rear braces and a base panel, each of the braces including integrally formed side panel connecting means; and • a pair of side panels, each side panel including integrally formed brace connecting means, wherein said brace connecting means and said panel connecting means are engaged so as to connect said side panels to said braces.

2. The modular cabinet according to claim 1, wherein the base panel is positioned within the side panels and on top of the braces.

3. The modular cabinet according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the side panels include a ridge along their respective lower edge with the brace connecting means therein.

4. The modular cabinet according to claim 3, wherein the braces include a ridge along their respective lower edge with the side panel connecting means therein.

5. The modular cabinet according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the braces each include a ridge along their top edge adapted to support the base panel.

6. The modular cabinet according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the braces integrally formed side panel connecting means include at least one cut-out and the panels integrally formed brace connecting means, include at least one tab, wherein at least one tab is adapted for folding engagement with the at least one cut-out. Dorf Clark Industries Limited By the Attorneys for the Applicant INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE OF N.Z. 1 9 FEB 2008 RECEIVED 11181701MLW