US2948577A - Wardrobe construction - Google Patents

Description

- Aug. 9, 1960 WARDROBE CONSTRUCTION Filed June 4, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 74 INVENTOR.

F. w. HANSEN 2,948,577

1960 F. w. HAN-SEN 2,948,577

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United States Patent WARDROBE CONSTRUCTION Francis W. Hansen, Kenosha, Wis., assignor to Simmons Company, New York, N.Y., a corporation of Delaware Filed June 4, 1958, Ser. No. 739,816

2 Claims. (01. 312264) This invention relates to wardrobe cabinets or the like and more particularly to a wardrobe construction which has a built-in appearance but which is factory-made and adapted for assembly on the site of installation.

The main objects of the invention are to bring to socalled custom wardrobe installations the cost advantages of factory manufacture, and the strength and durability of metal framing, in a form of construction which not only permits the use of wood or other desirable exterior finishes, but which is alsoadaptable with minor adjustment or modification to display a finished appearance on either or both of its sides, in addition to its front, as may be required in a given installation.

Further objects of the invention are the provision of a wardrobe construction which may be shipped in a knockdown condition and easily assembled on the site of installation with a minimum of tools and labor.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description and accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a wardrobe cabinet inaccordance with the invention;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the skeletal frame of the cabinet shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of the top front corner of the cabinet shown in Figure l, the doors being removed;

Figure 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line of 44 of Figure 1, the shelf and doorsbeing removed and the drawing foreshortened in both directions by breaking away non-essential portions;

Figure 5 is a foreshortened sectional view taken along the line 5-5 of Figure 4.

A wardrobe cabinet in accordance with the present invention may be made in various sizes and proportions depending upon the requirements of the installation. The particular embodiment illustrated is designed to fit into a corner of a room in such a way that only the front face and one of the side faces is exposed to view. As will be explained, however, the construction is easily adapted so that either one or both of the side faces may be open to view, as may be required.

Referring particularly to Figures 2, 4 and 5, it may.

be seen that the cabinet includes a self-standing skeletal metal framework '8 comprising connected front and back rectangular frames '10 and 12. The framework is enclosed by exterior panels which are pre-fitted to the frame and adapted along certain of their edges for interlocking engagement with fastening elements which are in part integral with the frame, and in part fastened thereto The wardrobe proper when assembled maybe set upon a low base which is recessed slightly from the front face of the wardrobe, as is customary to provide toe room. The panel doors, which are not themselves a part of the invention, are mounted within the front frame to constitute the front face of the wardrobe cabinet.

Patented Aug. 9, 1960 The front and back vertically disposed rectangular frames 10 and 12 are fabricated from angle iron by welding. The flanges of the rear frame 12 (Figs. 4 and 5) are directed inwardly and forwardly so that the corners of the angle bars form the rear corners of the skeletal framework 8. The flanges of the front frame 10 are of unequal width, the wider flange or leg 14 being directed rearwardly to form the sides of the frame 10, and'the narrower leg 16 extending outwardly 'to' form a border or facing flange for the front face of the cabinet.

As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the forwardly-directed flanges 18 of the rear frame .12, and the wider, rearwardly-directed flanges 14 of the front frame 10, occupy common planes, and are connected together bybraces 20 which, in illustrated embodiment, are also formed of angle iron. The braces 20 preferably extend between corresponding corn'ers of the front and rear frames 10 and 12, and are secured thereto by means of screws with the flanges of the braces flat against the inside corners of theframes. The mid-portions of the braces 20 are offset from their ends so that the outer surfaces of ner that the braces 20 are secured in place. The shelf supports 22 may also be formed of angle iron, one flange or leg of the angle extending horizontally inwardly to support the shelf.

The space within the skeletal metal frame'sis enclosed by securing suitable panels to the frame. If exposed to view, the panels may be decorative in nature consisting, for example, of various forms of wood product having an attractive veneer or other decorative exterior or if concealed by the installation, may be of a more utilitarian nature. V

In the illustrated embodiment, which is designed to be fitted into a corner of a room, only one of the sides is exposed to view. Therefore, referring particularly to Figure 4, the left-hand side panel 24 is a decorative panel and has a thickness such that it is approximately flush with the front border flange 16 of the skeletal frame. The other side panel 26, and the rear and top panels 28 and 30, being normally concealed and having no relation of dress of the finished article, may be substantially thinner and consists, for example, of sheet metal, pressed hardboard, or the like. The floor panel 32, for reasons of convenience and practicality, is as thick as the front border flange 16 is wide, inasmuch as it is used to support the entire cabinet in a level position, either on the floor of the room, or on a pedestal or base 34, as indicated in Figure 1. e W

As previously indicated, the covering panels are secured to the framework by interlocking engagement with fasteners which are, in part, integral with the framework, and in part secured thereto with the panels in the process of assembly. 1

For the mounting of the thick decorative panel, at the left hand side of Figure 4, a U-shaped retaining strip 36 having legs of unequal length is secured to the front frame '10 by spot welding the longer leg of the U to the longer leg or flange|14 of the front frame. The mating front edge of the decorative side panel 24 is appropriately grooved along its length at 38 to receive the shorter leg 40 of the retaining strip in a tongue-andgroove connection. The panel is also appropriately 3 relieved at its interior front corner to provide clearance for the longer leg and base of the locking strip in order that a tight fit may be maintained between the front flange 16 and the outer portion of the front edge of the panel 24-. From Figure 4 it will be seen that the inner edge portion of the panel lying inside of the groove 38 likewise forms a tongue which is disposed between the two legs of the retaining strip 36.

The rear edge of the decorative panel 24 is similarly grooved at 42, and is secured to the skeletal metal frame 8 by means of an elongated clamping strip 44 which is provided with two locking edges or arms 46 and 37 which are generally parallel to the flanges of the uprights of the rear frame 12. One of these edges 46 is inserted into the groove 42 at the rear edge of the decorative panel and serves, when the locking strip is secured in place, to fasten the rear edge of the decorative panel securely against the rear frame 12. As shown in Figure 4, the rear locking strip is secured to the rear frame by means of sheet metal screws or the like, which pass through appropriately spaced holes 48 in the corners of the rear frame 12 and into corresponding holes in the locking strip. The fastening screws extend through the corner of the frame 12 and into the clamping strip obliquely to the flanges of the frame and to the arms of the strip so that the arms of the clamping strip advance edgewise as well as inwardly when the fastening screws are tightened. They thus assist in assuring a tight fit between the forward edge of the panel 24 and the front facing flange 16 of the framework.

The rear edge portion of the panel 24 outwardly of the groove 42 extends sufliciently rearwardly to conceal the rear clamping strip 44 from side view and to permit a tight fit of the side panel 24 to a wall or other backing surface.

The locking arrangement on the opposite unexposed side of the wardrobe is identical in principle and modified only to suit the thinner panel 26 which is there used. Specifically, an angle strip 50 is secured to the back face of the front border flange 16 of the front frame 10 in such a way as to provide between its rearwardly directed leg 52 and the wide flange 14 of the front frame "10, a groove in which to receive the front edge of the panel. The rear edge of the right sidepanel 26 is clamped to the rear frame 12 in a manner identical with that described for the decorative panel on the left side, with the exception that the right side panel, being thinner, is not grooved at its rear edge, which is entirely encompassed between the rear frame 12 and the clamping strip 44.

The rear frame panel 28 is secured to the skeletal metal frame along its side edges coincidentally with the clamping of the side panels 24- and 26, the respective clamps 44 at each rear corner of the frame serving to simultaneously secure the rear and side panels when the fastening screws are tightly drawn up.

The thin top panel 30 (Figs. 3 and 5) is secured in place along its front edge and side edges in a manner very similar to that already described in connection with the side panels. Specifically, an angle-shaped retaining strip 54 is secured, as by spot welding, to the back face of the portion of the front border flange 16 which extends across the top of the front frame 10. The rear Wardly extending leg 56 of the locking strip 54 is parallel to and spaced from the rearwardly extending leg 14 of the front frame so as to form therewith a groove in which the front edge of the top panel is received. .At its rear edge, the top panel 30 is secured in place by an angle or L-shaped clamping strip 58 which is secured to the rear frame by means of screws. The forwardlyextending leg of the strip 58 clamps the rear edge of the top panel 30 to the rear frame 12 when the screws are tightly drawn up, and the other leg of the rear retaining strip simultaneously serves to secure the top 4 edge of the rear panel 28 to. the upper part of the rear frame 12.

It is desirable to also secure the top panel against the frame along its side edges as well as at front and back. Along its side edge which is adjacent to the thinner non-decorative side panel, the top panel may be clamped in place by a retaining strip identical with the strip 58 employed for the back edge of the top panel, said strip also serving to clamp or retain the upper edge of the side panel 26 to hold the latter securely against the framework. However, on the side edge of the top panel adjacent the decorative side panel 24, a different clamping arrangement is used because of the fact that the exposed decorative panel, for the sake. of appearance, extends to the top edge 'of the front border flange 16, and would therefore not permit the use of the same type of clamp. In that case, an L-shaped retaining strip 60, similar to the strip 54 which retains the front edge of the top panel, is secured by means of screws to the inside face ofthe side panel 24 and bears down upon the side edge of the top panel 30 to hold the latter in place. I

From the foregoing description, it will be understood that the thicker decorative panel 24 or the thinner utilitarian panel 26 may be used at either side of the cabinet by selection of the proper front retaining strips at the front edges of the side panels, and at the side edges of the top panels.

The doors of the cabinet may be mounted for sliding or for swinging in the usual manner and by mounting means which are well known in the art and form no part of the present invention. If the wardrobe does not extend to the ceiling of the room in which it is placed, a suitable soffit not shown in the drawings, may be placed between the top of the wardrobe and the ceiling of the room, to complete the built-in appearance.

iFrom the foregoing description, it will be understood that the described construction is one which lends itself readily to factory manufacture, and to ease of assembly using pre-fabricated parts which may be made with all necessary precision to permit the installation of the unit in a manner such as to appear built into the surroundrngs.

Features of the invention believed new and patentable are set forth in the following claims.

Iclaim:

1. A knock-down wardrobe cabinet or the like comprising a skeletal metal frame work including front and rear rectangular frames of angle iron, the flanges of said front frame being directed outwardly and rearwardly and the flanges of said rear frame being directed inwardly and forwardly, said respectively rearwardly and forwardly directed flanges of the two frames being aligned in common planes, angle iron braces extending between corresponding corners of said frames to maintain said frame work in self-standing disposition with said frames in parallel spaced relation, said braces being removably secured to said frames with their flanges flat against the inside corners of said frames and having their portions between said frames offset into the common planes of the opposed flanges of said two frames, side and back panels enclosing said framework, means securing said panels to the outside of said framework including a front retaining strip having an edge extending rearwardly from the outwardly directed flange of said front frame and spaced from the other flange thereof, said side panels engaging the sides of said frames and braces and having forward edge portions disposed between said retaining strip edges and said other flanges, said rear panel engaging the inwardly directed flanges of said back frame, and clamping strips along the side back corners of said framework, said clamping strips being disposed on the outsides of said back corners and having sidewardly extending arms overlapping adjacent edge portions of said side panels and back panel, said clamping strips being secured to said framework by screws passing through the uprights of said back frame obliquely to both flanges thereof thereby to simultaneously secure said adjacent edges of the back and side panels to said framework.

2. A wardrobe cabinet construction in accordance with claim 1 in which a side panel thereof is as thick as the outwardly directed flange of the front frame is wide, and in which the front and rear edges thereof are slotted to receive said front retaining strip and an arm of said rear clamping strip respectively, thereby to provide inner front frame, and between said clamping strip and rear frame.

References Cited in the file of this patent edge portions disposed between said retaining strip and 10 2,722,468

UNITED STATES PATENTS Bales Apr. 19, 1932 Richardson May 24, 1938 Wallance Oct. 23, 1951 Wallance et al. Dec. 7, 1954 Perrin Nov. 1, 1955

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