US3589788A - Drawer facing device - Google Patents

Abstract

A drawer has a molded plastic pan and a facing device which comprises a molded frame with a recess therein for receiving a removable decorative block. The facing device is held to the drawer by a single knob and screw. As such, the drawer front can be made available with a selection of decorative blocks to match the cabinet in which the drawer is to be installed.

Description

United States Patent Stuart J. Kaiden 10182 John Day Drive, Huntington Beach, Calif. 92646 Feb. 13, 1970 June 29, 1971 [72] inventor [21 Appl. No. [22] Filed [45] Patented s41 DRAWER mm; mav1c1:

[56] RelerencesCited "UNITED sures PATENTS 1,251,055, 3/1932 OConnoretal. 62/623 2,842,420 7/1958 Hansenetal. 229/19x 2,968,519 l/l96l Weber 312/204 Primary Examiner-James T. McCall Anorney- Sokolski & Wohlgemuth ABSTRACT: A drawer has a molded plastic pan and a facing device which comprises a molded frame with a recess therein for receiving a removable decorative block. The facing device is held to the drawer by a single knob and screw. As such, the drawer front can be made available with a selection of decorative blocks to match the cabinet in which the drawer is to be installed.

PATENIED JUN29 I971 INVENTOR STUART J. KAIDEN msm 8 WOHLGEMUTH ATTORNEYS DRAWER FACING DEVICE This invention relates to cabinet drawer facing devices and more particularly to such a device utilizing a molded frame member in conjunction with a removable decorative block and knob.

In the field of recreational vehicles including mobile homes, trailers, and campers, there has been a growing demand for variations in the decor of cabinet drawer facings to satisfy the varying tastes of the increasing numberof consumers. To factory fabricate cabinet drawers having a variety of different types of facings is,both bothersome and expensive. It is likewise difficult for the distributor and retailer to inventory stalled in a few moments by the retailer without tools at the time of purchase, to suit the purchasers desires. Drawer facing frames of several colors and decorative blocks and knobs of alternative designs can thus be made available to the purchaser so he may select any combination at the time of purchase. The drawer facing device may be easily assembled by means of a single screw, thereby affording the aforementioned advantages of in the field assembly while minimizing the problems incidental to such assembly.

It is therefore a principal object of this invention toprovide a unique drawer assembly and drawer facing device having the features and advantages outlined above.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a preferred embodiment of my drawer assembly; and

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the drawer facing device of FIG. 1 assembled.

Briefly described, the device of the invention comprises a molded drawer pan having a lid integrally formed on a top edge thereof, a molded frame member formed with a recessed portion therein, a decorative block adapted to fit within said recessed portion, a knob and screw means for removably holding said drawer pan, frame member, block, and said knob together as a unitary assembly.

Referring to FIG. I, a preferred embodiment of the device of theinvention is illustrated. There l have shown a molded drawer pan ll which may be made of plastic or like substance,

having an integrally molded lip 12 in the shape of a flange element, extending normally outward from the front facel3 of the molded pan. The drawer facing device comprises a molded frame member 14 and decorative block 15. The frame member is formed with a recessed portion 16 which may be rectangular and of sufficient depth to accommodate the thickness of the decorative block 15. The decorative block may be formed of wood, 'compositiom'plastic, metal or any other suitable material, and its exterior surface may be carved, etched, painted, varnished or coated with. other decorative materials to provide the aesthetic appearance desired by the purchaser. A hole 21 is formed in the front face 13 of the molded drawer pan, at a point such as to provide alignment with hole 22 formed in the recessed portion of the frame member, and hole 23 formed in the decorative block 15. Each of these holes is of sufficient sizeto allow the passage of screw 25 which matingly engages threaded portions 26 of drawer knob 24.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the assembled drawer facing device showing the drawer in the closed position with frame member 14 abutted against the front anel 31 of the cabinet in which the drawer lS installed. The he knob 24 is posed portion of screw 25. The lip 12 of pan 11 is located such as to contact the top edge of therecessed portion 16 of the frame member 14, thereby locating the frame member and preventing rotation thereof.

The device of the this invention thus provides a highly simplified and standardized technique of drawer facing construction suitable for ready installation in the field, wherein facing components of standardized dimensions and construction may be fabricated of different colors and designs such that the aesthetic configuration of the drawer may be selected by the purchaser at the time of purchase.

I claim:

1. A molded drawer assembly with interchangeable decorative exterior panel comprising:

a molded drawer pan having a lip integrally molded on the top edge of the forward face thereof,

a molded frame member formed with a recessed portion therein,

a decorative block adapted to fit within said recessed portion,

a knob, and

screw means for removably holding said drawer pan, said frame member, said block and said knob together as a unitary assembly, with said block fittedin the recessed portion and the top edge of the recessed portion running along said drawer pan lip.

2. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the recessed portion of the molded frame member and the decorative block are rectangular and fit together in mating engagement.

3. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said screw means comprises a single threaded screw, said k-nob having a threaded portion therein for receiving said screw, said pan, said frame member and said block having apertures therein, said screw extending through said apertures to engage the threaded portion of said knob.

2 3 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Dated June 29 1971 Patent No. 3,589 788 Inventor-( Stuart J- Kaiden It: is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

T- On the title page, show assignment to:

Assignee: Mobile Metal Products, Inc. of

Gardena, California Signed and sealed this 7th day of December 1 9Y1 (SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.FLETGHER,JR. ROBERT GOTTSCHALK Acting Commissioner of Patents Attesting Officer

Claims (3)

1. A molded drawer assembly with interchangeable decorative exterior panel comprising: a molded drawer pan having a lip integrally molded on the top edge of the forward face thereof, a molded frame member formed with a recessed portion therein, a decorative block adapted to fit within said recessed portion, a knob, and screw means for removably holding said drawer pan, said frame member, said block and said knob together as a unitary assembly, with said block fitted in the recessed portion and the top edge of the recessed portion running along said drawer pan lip.

2. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the recessed portion of the molded frame member and the decorative block are rectangular and fit together in mating engagement.

3. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said screw means comprises a single threaded screw, said knob having a threaded portion therein for receiving said screw, said pan, said frame member and said block having apertures therein, said screw extending through said apertures to engage the threaded portion of said knob.

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