US2391614A - Collapsible wardrobe cabinet - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 25, 1945. BLECHMAN 2,391,614

COLLAPSIBLE WARDROBE CABINET Filed Aug. l8,' 1942 INVENTOR.

Patented Dec. 25, 1945 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,391,614 OOLLAPSIBLE WARDROBE CABINET Irving Blechman, New York, N. Y. Application August 18, 1942, Serial No. 455,188 2 Claims. (01. 312-144) The object of the present invention is to provide a collapsible wardrobe cabinet which may be very quickly and easily assembled from fiat collapsed condition and with a minimum of applied nails, screws or other fastening devices.

The characteristic of my cabinet is that the one-piece member which forms the side and back walls and the top and bottom members may be assembled into a rigid structure by interfitting and sliding the top member to the side wall members, and with the same action with respect to the bottom member.

The invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure l is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 is a view, in vertical section taken on line 2-2 of Figure 1, showing a form of interlocking the slidable connection between the top and side walls.

Collapsible wardrobe cabinets have become an important furniture item, due to their relatively low cost, and the fact that when shipped they occupy very little space. It is necessary, however, for the householder to unpack the collapsed cabinets and follow detailed printed directions in erecting and fastening the units together. One of the principal difliculties has been the securing of the top and bottom members to the side Walls in such manner that the-top may serve as primary reinforcing units for the assembly, and it has been generally the practice to perforate the side flanges of the top and bottom members and to supply the householder with prong fasteners for securing the flanges to the side walls. This troublesome method of assembly is avoided by my construction.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, it will be seen that the side and back walls of my cabinet are formed of a unitary sheet, the back wall being shown at I and the side walls at 2. The front margins of the side walls are received in vertical grooves formed in the uprights of the front frame member 3 and nails driven through the sides of said vertical frame members may be employed to hold the frame in position, the nails being indicated at 4. Secured by hinges 5 are two doors 6 separated, when closed, by an intermediate vertical frame member 51', the doors having handles 1, the vertical frame member carrying pivoted latch members 8 for holding the doors in closed position. It will be understood that any other suitable front closure means for the cabinet may be provided.

Permanently secured to each side wall 2 near the top thereof is a horizontal bar or strip 18a of dovetail shape. Also secured to each flange lfiasof the top member I 0 is a strip I 9a having an inwardly directed channel formation to interflt with that of member 18a. When the end walls are mounted in the frame member and held in position by nails 4 the top may be applied with its channelway strips interlocked with the strips |8a,- and the top moved forwardly until its front margin lies over upon the top rail 34m: of the frame 3. A few tacks or nails may be driven in through the said top margin and in through rail 3x2: to secure the parts inposition.

The strips may be formed of plastic, metal or any suitable material and at its rear corners the top may be reinforced by the corner reinforcements I3 particularly when the top member with its flanges and channel strips is constructed of relatively light material.

It will be understood that the slide arrangement of the top member I0 is duplicated for the bottom member indicated at M, Figure 1, like numerals having been applied to the corresponding parts.

After the top pediment l8 may I!) has been placed in position, a be laid over upon top rail 3mm of the frame and secured by two nails l9 as indicated in Figure 1. This pediment will hide the otherwise exposed edge of top member ID and will improve the appearance of the cabinet.

It will be understood that modifications may be made in the interfitted and slidable parts within the scope of the invention. Thus, for example, the positions of the channeled strip and its interfitting bar may be reversed. In that case, the channeled strips carried by the walls may have a greater width than the flange lilac, thereby providing increased rigidity, if desired, to the wall members.

Having described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is as follows:

1. A collapsible cabinet comprising: a cardboard material folded to form a body member composed of a rear wall and side walls; a front frame; top and bottom members of cardboard extending beyond the side walls, each formed with integral flanges for overlapping the side walls and the rear wall; each of said side walls and the adjacent flanges of the top and bottom members having a, reinforcing bar, adjacent bars being dovetail shaped and channelled respectively for interfitting and sliding engagement with each other.

2. A collapsible cabinet comprising: a cardboard material folded to form a. body member ing dovetail shaped bar and each of the flanges composed of a rear wall and side walls; a. front of the top and bottom members adjacent the side frame; top and bottom members of cardboard walls having a reinforcing channeled bar; the extending beyond the side walls, each formed said dovetailed and channel bars being adapted with integral flanges for overlapping the side 5 for interfittin and S idin n m nt w th e h walls and the rear wall; each of the side walls other.

having a longitudinally extending and reinforc- IRVING BLECHMAN.

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