US20080122326A1

US20080122326A1 - Decorative tree/cabinet combination

Info

Publication number: US20080122326A1
Application number: US11/564,503
Authority: US
Inventors: Nelda Johnson; John Johnson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-11-29
Filing date: 2006-11-29
Publication date: 2008-05-29

Abstract

A cabinet assembly includes a base having a top surface and a bottom surface. The top surface is connected to a frame with a first face and a second face. The bottom surface of the base is adapted to allow rotation of the cabinet assembly. At least one shelf is disposed on the first face of the frame. A portion of a three-dimensional decorative tree is adjacent to the second face of the frame.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The present invention relates to a decorative tree/cabinet combination, and in particular to a rotatable tree/cabinet wall unit assembly having a portion of a tree on one side and a shelving unit on an opposite side.
During the holiday season, it is customary in many homes to display a tree to celebrate the holiday. The tree may be real or synthetic, and is often covered with lights and ornaments to create an aesthetic appeal. For real trees, it is often an arduous task to commute to a place having and/or selling coniferous pine trees, cut down the tree, and place the tree in one's vehicle so that it may be brought back to one's home for decorating. In addition, when the tree is brought into the house, pine needles from the pine tree are shed inside the house creating a mess for the homeowner to clean.
Additionally, some people use synthetic trees which, although they do not shed pine needles throughout the house, must be assembled and stored every year. Assembly and disassembly can be complicated and time-consuming. Additionally, substantial storage space for synthetic trees is necessary and, over time, parts or accessories can be misplaced, lost or broken, as the same synthetic tree is used year after year.
Regardless of whether a synthetic or real pine tree is used, the room in which the tree is located must be rearranged to accommodate the tree which is otherwise not there during the rest of the year. Consequently, bookshelves and/or other furniture must be moved or taken out of the room and stored elsewhere. Accordingly, a tree/cabinet combination alleviating the above-identified problems is desired to alleviate these problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention a cabinet assembly includes a base having a top surface and a bottom surface. The top surface is connected to a frame with a first face and a second face. The bottom surface of the base is adapted to allow rotation of the cabinet assembly. At least one shelf is disposed on the first face of the frame. A portion of a three-dimensional decorative tree is adjacent to the second face of the frame.
In another aspect of the present invention, a decorative display includes a portion of a three-dimensional synthetic replica of a real tree connected to a first face of a cabinet assembly. At least one shelf is connected to a second face of the cabinet assembly, wherein the first face is opposite the second face. Rollers are disposed on an underside of the cabinet assembly and are adapted to allow rotation of the cabinet assembly so that the first side of the cabinet assembly is in view during the holiday season and the second side of the cabinet assembly is in view when the holiday season has passed.
In yet another aspect of the present invention, a cabinet assembly includes a base having a top surface and a bottom surface with rollers. A frame extends from the top surface and has a first face and a second face. A shelving unit is disposed on the first face of the frame. A portion of a three-dimensional decorative tree is disposed on a second face of the frame.
These and other features, advantages and objects of the present invention will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art upon studying the following specification, claims, and appended drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of the tree/cabinet combination embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2A is a top elevational view of the tree/cabinet combination of FIG. 1;

FIG. 2B is a front elevational view of the tree/cabinet combination of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3A is a top elevational view of the tree/cabinet combination partially rotated in a corner of a room;

FIG. 3B is a side elevational view of the tree/cabinet combination of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 4A is a top elevational view of the tree/cabinet combination rotated to display the decorative tree in a corner of a room;

FIG. 4B is a back elevational view of the tree/cabinet combination

FIG. 5 is an angled back elevational view of the tree/cabinet combination; and

FIG. 6 is a bottom elevational view of the tree/cabinet combination.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

For purposes of description herein the terms “upper”, “lower”, “right”, “left”, “rear”, “front”, “vertical”, “horizontal” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in FIG. 2B. However, it is to be understood that the invention may assume various alternative orientations and step sequences, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.
As illustrated in FIG. 1, the reference numeral 10 generally designates a cabinet assembly including a base 12 having a top surface 14 and a bottom surface 16. The top surface 14 of the base 12 is connected to a frame 18 that includes a first face 20, a second face 22, a first side 24 and a second side 25. The bottom surface 16 of the base 12 is preferably adapted to receive castor wheels 23 for desired rotation of the cabinet assembly 10. The planar extent of the first side 24 is orthogonal to the planar extent of the second side 25.
At least one shelf 26 is preferably disposed on the first face 20 of the frame 18. As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, one or more shelves 26 are disposed on the first face 20 of the frame 18 and are designed to hold books, decorative ornaments, and other small items. In addition, a cupboard 26′, which includes one or more doors 27, is disposed below the shelves 26 and allows for storage of items out of public view.
A portion, preferably more than one-half, of a three-dimensional decorative tree 28 is adjacent to the second face 22 of the frame 18. A tree stand 29 is secured to the base of the decorative tree 28 to stabilize the decorative tree 28 and prevent the same from falling over. The cabinet assembly will typically be placed in a corner of a room so only part of the cabinet 10 (i.e., one face) is visible from the majority of the room (see FIGS. 2A, 3A, 4A). The tree is attached to the second face 22 of the cabinet assembly 10 by any means, including but not limited to mechanical fasteners such as nails or screws. The tree is preferably sized and positioned so that it does not protrude, or only minimally protrudes, past the outer boundaries of the base 12 and the first and second sides 24, 25.
Referring to FIGS. 3A and 3B, the cabinet assembly 10 may be rotated so that the three-dimensional decorative tree 28 is visible to the public. The decorative tree may be a full tree or a portion thereof and may be either a real coniferous pine tree or a synthetic replica. The cabinet assembly 10 may be rotated by a user by slightly tilting the cabinet assembly 10 toward the three-dimensional tree 28 (rearwardly) and onto the castor wheels 23 attached to the bottom surface 16 of the base 12 (see FIG. 3B). As the cabinet 10 is tipped rearwardly, the wheels 23 allow rotation of the cabinet assembly 10 so that the decorative tree 28 may be visible from the majority of the room in which the cabinet assembly sits.
It is also contemplated that the cabinet assembly 10 could be on display in a location other than the corner of a room. For example, the cabinet assembly 10 could be on display on one side wall of a room or in the middle of a room. In the case where the cabinet assembly 10 is in the middle of the room, the tree 28 would be visible on one side of the room and the shelves 26 would be visible on the other side of the room.
Referring to FIGS. 3B, 4B, 5, and 6, castor wheels 23 are located at five different positions below the decorative tree 28. The cabinet 10 rests on the castor wheels 23. This allows for the cabinet 10 to be easily rotated by the user. In addition, the placement of the five castor wheels helps stabilize the cabinet 10, preventing it from tipping during rotation. In addition, a trim piece 32 is disposed about the top of the cabinet assembly 10 on the first face 20 and on the sides. When the decorative tree 28 is in view, the trim piece 32 abuts walls in the corner of the room (see FIG. 4A). Some space is typically left between the first and second sides 24, 25 and the walls in the corner of the room.
The above description is considered that of the preferred embodiments only. Modifications of the invention will occur to those skilled in the art and to those who make or use the invention. Therefore, it is understood that the embodiments shown in the drawings and described above is merely for illustrative purposes and not intended to limit the scope of the invention, which is defined by the following claims as interpreted according to the principles of patent law, including the Doctrine of Equivalents.

Claims

1. A rotatable cabinet assembly comprising:

a base having a top surface and a bottom surface, wherein the top surface is connected to a frame with a first face and a second face and wherein the bottom surface of the base is adapted to receive castor rollers to allow rotation of the cabinet assembly;

at least one shelf disposed on the first face of the frame; and

a portion of a three-dimensional decorative tree adjacent to the second face of the frame.

2. The rotatable cabinet assembly of claim 1, further comprising:

a tree stand secured to the base of the three-dimensional decorative tree.

3. The rotatable cabinet assembly of claim 1, wherein the bottom surface of the base includes rollers.

4. The rotatable cabinet assembly of claim 1, wherein the frame includes a first side and a second side, the planar extent of the first side being orthogonal to the planar extent of the second side.

5. The rotatable cabinet assembly of claim 1, wherein the decorative tree is a synthetic replica of a real tree.

6. The rotatable cabinet assembly of claim 1, and further including a trim piece that is adapted to abut first and second walls in a corner of a room.

7. The rotatable cabinet assembly of claim 1, wherein the first face of the frame includes doors for concealing items.

8. The rotatable cabinet assembly of claim 3, wherein the frame includes a first side and a second side, the planar extent of the first side being orthogonal to the planar extent of the second side.

9. The rotatable cabinet assembly of claim 8, wherein the first face of the frame includes doors for concealing items.

10. The rotatable cabinet assembly of claim 9, wherein the decorative tree is a synthetic replica of a real tree.

11. The rotatable cabinet assembly of claim 10, wherein the base includes first and second edges that are adapted to be parallel with and abut first and second walls, respectively, in a corner of a room.

12. A decorative display comprising:

a portion of a three-dimensional synthetic replica of a real tree connected to a first face of a frame of a cabinet assembly;

at least one shelf connected to a second face of the cabinet assembly, wherein the first face is opposite the second face; and

rollers disposed on an underside of the cabinet assembly and adapted to allow rotation of the cabinet assembly.

13. The decorative display of claim 12, wherein the frame includes a first side and a second side and wherein the planar extent of the first side is orthogonal to the planar extent of the second side.

14. The decorative display of claim 12, wherein the second face of the frame includes doors for concealing items.

15. The decorative display of claim 12, wherein the cabinet assembly includes a trim piece disposed at a top portion of the first face, second face, and both sides.

16. A cabinet assembly comprising:

a base having a top surface and a bottom surface, the bottom surface having rollers attached thereto;

a frame extending from the top surface and having a first face and a second face;

a shelving unit disposed on the first face of the frame; and

a portion of a three-dimensional decorative tree disposed on a second face of the frame.

17. The cabinet assembly of claim 16, wherein the first face of the frame includes doors for concealing items.

18. The cabinet assembly of claim 16, wherein the frame includes a first side and a second side, the planar extent of the first side being orthogonal to the planar extent of the second side.

19. The cabinet assembly of claim 18, wherein the base includes first and second edges that are adapted to be parallel with and abut first and second walls, respectively, in a corner of a room.

20. The cabinet assembly of claim 19, wherein the first face of the frame includes doors for concealing items.