US20080122328A1

US20080122328A1 - Foldable cabinet

Info

Publication number: US20080122328A1
Application number: US11/946,560
Authority: US
Inventors: Yu-Chu Hsu
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-11-28
Filing date: 2007-11-28
Publication date: 2008-05-29
Also published as: TWM313452U

Abstract

A foldable cabinet includes a first horizontal panel and a second horizontal panel, each of which has a panel body, two pivot portions each formed at two opposite sides of each of the panel body. A first vertical panel and a second vertical panel, each of which has a panel body, two pivot portions each formed at two opposite sides of the panel body and respectively pivot to each pivot portion of the first horizontal panel and the second horizontal panel, a front opening and a rear opening formed by the panels, a front frame retainer formed on the panel body of the first vertical panel. And a front frame has a frame body, a first panel retainer formed on the frame body and pivoted to the front frame retainer of the first vertical panel, the frame body further mounted on at least one panel bodies of the first horizontal panel, the second horizontal panel and the second vertical panel nearby the front opening.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a cabinet, and more specifically, to a foldable cabinet.
2. Description of the Related Art
Nowadays, user usually hope that the furniture can be convenient stack up to store articles, hence the maker had designed and produced multiple stack up and foldable cabinet for use, when did not needed, the cabinet can be folding down to a smaller volume and flat its shape, besides capable of saving storing space, the quantity of storing article needed and to use how many of the cabinet by user.
However, in the prior art, the assemble and/or the folding down of the foldable cabinet must using tools to finish, some parts inside the cabinet must be taken down, therefore the user need to storing those parts carefully after the cabinet folding down, to prevent the inconvenient of losing parts.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been accomplished under the circumstances in view. It is the main object of the present invention to provide a foldable cabinet, which allows assembling to a cubic shape or folding down to a flat shape quickly, and saving storing space or convenient delivery. It is another object of the present invention further providing a foldable cabinet, which in assemble or folding down, don't need tool to take down any parts, for helping in use more convenient. It is still another object of the present invention still further providing a foldable cabinet, which is adapted to various parts of parts and let in use more in accordance with needed.
To achieve these and other objects of the present invention, the foldable cabinet comprises a first horizontal panel and a second horizontal panel, each of which has a panel body, two pivot portions each formed at two opposite sides of each of the panel body; a first vertical panel and a second vertical panel, each of which has a panel body, two pivot portions each formed at two opposite sides of the panel body and respectively pivot to each pivot portion of the first horizontal panel and the second horizontal panel, a front opening and a rear opening of a cubic body formed by the first horizontal panel, the second horizontal panel, the first vertical panel and the second vertical panel, a front frame retainer formed on the panel body of the first vertical panel; and a front frame has a frame body, a first panel retainer formed on the frame body and pivoted to the front frame retainer of the first vertical panel, the frame body further mounted on at least one panel bodies of the first horizontal panel, the second horizontal panel and the second vertical panel nearby the front opening.
Wherein the second panel retainer of the front frame can be cancelled but adding a third panel retainer and a fourth panel retainer opposite each other and movably retained by the first horizontal panel and the second horizontal panel respectively.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a preferable embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an elevational assembly view of a preferable embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a front view of a vertical panel of a preferable embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along a cutting line 4-4 in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along a cutting line 5-5 in FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a partial sectional view of a preferable embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a partial enlarged view of the FIG. 6, showing the rear frame retained by a front frame retainer of the first vertical panel.

FIG. 8 is a partial enlarged view of the FIG. 6, showing a flange of the front frame retainer of the first vertical panel curling the rear frame.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view of a preferable embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a partial enlarged view of the FIG. 9, showing the front frame turned and retained on the front frame retainer of the second vertical panel.

FIG. 11 is a partial enlarged view of the FIG. 9, showing the front frame retained on the front frame retainer of the second vertical panel.

FIG. 12 is a side view of a preferable embodiment of the present invention, showing the cabinet folding down to flat shape.

FIG. 13 is a partial exploded view of another preferable embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is an assembly view of another preferable embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is an assembly view of the FIG. 7 and FIG. 8.

FIG. 16 is a partial exploded view of still another preferable embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Please refer FIG. 1 to FIG. 5, a foldable cabinet of a preferable embodiment of the present invention is provided, which is able to assembling to a cabinet 1 or folding to flat shape, the foldable cabinet comprises the follows.
A first horizontal panel 10 and a second horizontal panel 20, which are made of metal material and the surface each formed of a plurality of grooves of square shape, the first horizontal panel 10 and the second horizontal panel 20 each has a panel body 11 & 21, two pivot portions 13, 14, 23 & 24 each formed integrally at two sides of each of the two panel bodies 11 & 12, two front frame retainers 15 & 25 and two rear frame retainers 16 & 26 each forms curling shape on another two sides of each of the two panel bodies 11 & 21 differ from the pivot portion 13, 14, 23 & 24, a plurality of fixing holes 19 & 29 each throughout the two panel bodies 11 & 21 and respectively at top and down position.
A first vertical panel 30 and a second vertical panel 40, which are made of metal material and the surface each formed a plurality of grooves of square shape, the first vertical panel 30 and the second vertical panel 40 each has a panel body 31 & 41, a pivot protrusion 32 & 42 extend formed at a side of the two panel bodies 31 & 41, two pivot portions 33 & 43 each integrally formed on an end peripheral of the two pivot protrusions 32 & 42, and two pivot portions 34 & 44 each formed on another side of each of the two panel bodies 31 & 41, two front frame retainers 35 & 45 and two rear frame retainers 36 & 46 each formed of a curling shape on another two sides of each of the two panel bodies 31 & 41 differ from respective pivot portions 33, 34, 43 & 44, a plurality of fixing holes 39 & 49 each pass through the panel body 31 & 41 and locate at left and right position; wherein, the second vertical panel 40 further has two frame pushing slots 451 & 461 each formed between the middle of each of the two front frame retainers 45 & 46.
A front frame 50 and a rear frame 60, each of which has a frame body 51 & 61 and the length of each edge is same as the length of the front frame retainers 15 & 25 and the rear frame retainers 16 & 26 respective edge of the first horizontal panel 10, the second horizontal panel 20, the first vertical panel 30 and the second vertical panel 40, a first panel retainer 53 & 63 formed on an edge of the frame body 51 & 61 and each pivot to the two front frame retainers 35 & 36 of the first vertical panel 30, a second panel retainer 54 & 55, a third panel retainer 56 & 64 and a fourth panel retainer 65 & 66 each formed on another three sides other than the first panel retainer 53 & 63 nearby the front opening.
By aforesaid elements, the assembly of the foldable cabinet of the present invention can be described hereafter:
First, please referring FIG. 6 to FIG. 8, each of the first panel retainers 53 & 63 of the front frame 50 and the rear frame 60 connect to the two front frame retainers 35 & 36 of the first vertical panel 30, and then urging the end of the front frame retainer 35 & 36 each flange inwards and curled the first panel retainer 53 & 63, then the first panel retainer 53 & 63 of the front frame 50 and the rear frame 60 each pivotable to the front frame retainer 35 & 36.
Further, as shown in FIG. 9 to FIG. 11, let each pivot portion 13, 43, 24, 44, 23, 33, 14 & 34 of the first horizontal panel 10, the second horizontal panel 20, the first vertical panel 30 and the second vertical panel 40 pivot one after another to form a square shape cubic body of a hollow inward, and form a front opening and a rear opening, and let the rear frame 60 rotate backwards by a center of the front frame retainer 36 of the first vertical panel 30, and the second, third and fourth panel retainers 64, 65 & 66 of the rear frame 60 each in turn hooked the rear frame retainer 26 of the second horizontal panel 20, the front frame retainer 46 of the second vertical panel 40 and the rear frame retainer 16 of the first horizontal panel 10, the front frame 50 swivel forwards by an axis of the front frame retainer 35 of the first vertical panel 30, the second, third and fourth panel retainers 54, 55 & 56 of the front frame 50 each hooked by each front frame retainer 25 of the second horizontal panel 20, the front frame retainer 45 of the second vertical panel 40 and the front frame retainer 15 of the first horizontal panel 10, for helping the cabinet 1 strongly fixed on a cubic shape, as shown in FIG. 2.
On the contrary, let the front frame 50 and the rear frame 60 each detaches from the two frame pushing slot 451 & 461 of the second vertical panel 40 return swiveling to the first vertical panel 30, the cabinet 1 fold down toward the lateral side to a flat shape, as shown in FIG. 12; wherein the cabinet 1 via the height of the two pivot protrusions 32 & 42 of the first vertical panel 30 and the second vertical panel 40 and providing receiving of the front frame 50 and the rear frame 60; as we can known, the present embodiment assemble not only don't need any tool, but also easy to folding and getting less volume of the cabinet, and it is convenient for delivery and storing.
Wherein, the first panel retainers of the front frame and the rear frame can respectively pivot to each front frame retainer of the first horizontal panel, the second horizontal panel, the first vertical panel or second vertical panel, but not only confined in the pivoting method of the two front frame retainers of the first vertical panel aforesaid.
Beside aforesaid embodiment, the foldable cabinet of the present invention still can be modified hereafter:
First, as shown in FIG. 13, another preferable embodiment of the present invention, the cabinet 1 further has a plurality of fixing bolts B each mount fixing hole 39 of the first vertical panel 30 and each fixing hole 49 of the second vertical panel 40, and a leveling panel 70 fixed by each fixing bolt B, thereby the leveling panel 70 providing a cabinet 1 of multi-layer.
Further, as shown in FIG. 14, still another preferable embodiment of the present invention, a front opening and a rear opening of the cabinet 1 each can be mounted on a door panel 80, the two door panels 80 each pivotable to the first vertical panel 50 and the second vertical panel 60 to open or close the front opening of the cabinet 1.
Moreover, as shown in FIG. 15, the cabinet 1 can be assembled by users needed and multiple cabinets to stack up, the mounting of the leveling panel 70 or the door panel 80 is optional.
In addition, as shown in FIG. 16, further still another preferable embodiment of the present invention, the cabinet 1 further provides a plurality of drawers 90 to install, the cabinet 1 further comprises a plurality of sliding rails 91 each mounted to the fixing hole 39 & 49 of the first vertical panel 30 and the second vertical panel 40, thereby the two drawers 90 can be sliding reciprocate on each sliding rail 91.
By the way, each of the pivot portions of the first horizontal panel, the second horizontal panel, the first vertical panel and the second vertical panel can be made separately, then using welding or threading to mount on each panel body; in addition, the first horizontal panel, the second horizontal panel, the first vertical panel and the second vertical panel still can be made from plastic material, thereby reducing the weight and lowing manufacturing cost.
Concluding embodiments aforesaid, the benefits of the present invention are:
1. The foldable cabinet of the present invention, which via the two horizontal panels and two vertical panels pivots each other, the cabinet is capable of folding to flat shape, thereby saving storing space or convenient in delivery.
2. The foldable cabinet of the present invention, when assembling not need by any tool, the front frame and the rear frame pivot to the first vertical panel, which can be hide inside the cabinet, for helping in use more convenient after folding down.
3. The foldable cabinet of the present invention, which is suitable for various parts, like the leveling panel, door panel or drawer, for helping the cabinet more functions in use.

Claims

1. A foldable cabinet, comprising:

a first horizontal panel and a second horizontal panel, each of which having a panel body, two pivot portions each formed at two opposite sides of each of the panel body;

a first vertical panel and a second vertical panel, each of which having a panel body, two pivot portions each formed at two opposite sides of the panel body and respectively pivot to each pivot portion of the first horizontal panel and the second horizontal panel, a front opening and a rear opening formed by the first horizontal panel, the second horizontal panel the first vertical panel and the second vertical panel, a front frame retainer formed on said panel body of the first vertical panel; and

a front frame having a frame body, a first panel retainer formed on the frame body and pivoted to said front frame retainer of the first vertical panel, said frame body further mounted on at least one panel bodies of the first horizontal panel, the second horizontal panel and the second vertical panel nearby the front opening.

2. The foldable cabinet as claimed in claim 1, wherein said second vertical panel has a front frame retainer nearby the front opening, said front frame has a third panel retainer being retained by said front frame retainer of the second vertical panel.

3. The foldable cabinet as claimed in claim 2, wherein said first horizontal panel has a front frame retainer nearby the front opening, said front frame has a fourth panel retainer being retained by said front frame retainer of the first horizontal panel.

4. The foldable cabinet as claimed in claim 3, wherein said second horizontal panel has a front frame retainer nearby the front opening, said front frame has a second panel retainer being retained by said front frame retainer of the second horizontal panel.

5. The foldable cabinet as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first horizontal panel and second horizontal panel each has a front frame retainer nearby the front opening, said front frame has a fourth panel retainer and a second panel retainer each being retained by said front frame retainer of the first horizontal panel and second horizontal panel.

6. The foldable cabinet as claimed in claim 1, wherein said front frame swivels between said first panel and the front opening.

7. The foldable cabinet as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least one of the front frame retainer of any panel has a frame pushing slot for pushing said panel retainer depart from said front frame retainer.

8. The foldable cabinet as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first vertical panel and said second vertical panel each has a pivot protrusion, each pivot portion is formed on said two pivot protrusions.

9. The foldable cabinet as claimed in claim 1, wherein said panel retainer of the front frame is hooked by said front frame retainer of at least one of the first horizontal panel, the second horizontal panel, the first vertical panel and the second vertical panel.

10. The foldable cabinet as claimed in claim 9, wherein said front frame retainer of at least one of the first horizontal panel, the second horizontal panel, the first vertical panel and the second vertical panel forms a curling shape.

11. The foldable cabinet as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a rear frame having a frame body, a first panel retainer formed on the frame body and mounted to a rear frame retainer of the first vertical panel, said frame body further mounted on at least one panel body of the first horizontal panel, the second horizontal panel and the second vertical panel nearby the rear opening.

12. The foldable cabinet as claimed in claim 11, wherein said second vertical panel has a rear frame retainer nearby the rear opening, said rear frame has a third panel retainer being retained by said rear frame retainer of the second vertical panel.

13. The foldable cabinet as claimed in claim 12, wherein said first horizontal panel has a rear frame retainer nearby the rear opening, said rear frame has a fourth panel retainer being retained by said rear frame retainer of the first horizontal panel.

14. The foldable cabinet as claimed in claim 13, wherein said second horizontal panel has a rear frame retainer nearby the rear opening, said rear frame has a fourth panel retainer being retained by said rear frame retainer of the second horizontal panel.

15. The foldable cabinet as claimed in claim 11, wherein said first horizontal panel and second horizontal panel each has a rear frame retainer nearby the rear opening, said rear frame has a fourth panel retainer and a second panel retainer each being retained by said rear frame retainer of the first horizontal panel and second horizontal panel.

16. The foldable cabinet as claimed in claim 11, wherein said rear frame swivels between said first panel and the rear opening.

17. The foldable cabinet as claimed in claim 11, wherein a first panel retainer of the rear frame is pivoted to said rear frame retainer of the first vertical panel.

18. The foldable cabinet as claimed in claim 11, wherein a third panel retainer of the rear frame is pivoted to said rear frame retainer of the second vertical panel.

19. The foldable cabinet as claimed in claim 11, wherein a fourth panel retainer of the rear frame is pivoted to said rear frame retainer of the first horizontal panel.

20. The foldable cabinet as claimed in claim 11, wherein a second panel retainer of the rear frame is pivoted to said rear frame retainer of the second horizontal panel.