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Collapsable modular cabinetCollapsable modular cabinet description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070210682, Collapsable modular cabinet. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The invention relates generally to modular cabinet technology and, more specifically, to collapsible modular cabinet technology. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] A trend in residential construction, owners selectively take on the task of finishing utility rooms, garages, and home offices. The trend is fueled by the desire of owners to personalize their working spaces and to complete their residences at lower expense by assuming some of the less technical tasks in finishing out the living spaces. The trend has spawned a new term, "bonus room." [0003] A bonus room is a term mainly used in the United States. The bonus room is a large room in a house that could be used as a multi-purpose area. Unlike an American bedroom, the bonus room generally does not usually contain a closet. Owners may use the bonus room as a sewing or hobby room, game room, or office. Bonus rooms are sometimes located over a garage or in an attic area with partially reduced ceiling height or some other less desirable characteristic. Like the garage, the bonus room is generally finished through the residence owner's own efforts to the owner's own needs for the space. [0004] The trend has also spawned a market for readily assembled casework or cabinetry used to give function to the otherwise featureless spaces. Known as "knock-down" or "Do-It-Yourself" (or "DIY") cabinetry, the general standard for construction is of particle board with melamine sheathing finished with thermoplastic endcaps. Such cabinets tend, unfortunately, to be difficult to construct, the soft particle board requiring specialized hardware with large flanges and prongs; to require extensive instruction manuals to impart the necessary skill to perform the complex tasks assembly requires; and to be easily blemished in construction and use. Additionally, the volume of packaging needed to contain the components before assembly significantly adds to the expense of shipping the components, an expense that is borne by the residential owner upon purchase. [0005] What is needed, then, in the art, is a modular cabinet system including cabinet casework that readily assembles without specialized skills by deploying from a collapsed to an erected position and providing ready interconnection. Interconnection of selected collapsible units into specialized installations answers an unmet need in the art. SUMMARY OF THE EMBODIMENTS [0006] A modular storage system includes a first cabinet and a second cabinet. Each of the first and the second cabinets defines a cabinet space having a substantially planar right face and a substantially planar left face, a substantially planar top face and a substantially planar bottom face when the cabinet is in a deployed position. Each of the cabinets includes a front right flange, a front left flange, a top member, a bottom member, a rear frame and a right foldable wall attaching the rear frame to the right flange, and a left foldable wall attaching the rear frame to the left flange. The right foldable wall includes a right attachment point and the left foldable wall includes a left attachment point configured to mate with the right attachment point of the first cabinet and facilitates fixed attachment to the left attachment point of the second cabinet in side-by-side relationship. [0007] The present embodiments additionally include a system for modular erection, mounting, and connection of collapsible storage cabinets employing cleats fastened to walls. One embodiment of the cleats are horizontally disposed to allow translational movement of erected cabinets along the cleats into mating engagement at attachment points on the foldable walls. By facilitating the translational movement and maintaining registration of the first cabinet with respect to the second cabinet, the cleating system assures stressless non-deforming mating of cabinets within the modular system. [0008] In accordance with further embodiments, internal shelving rails engage tongues within the cabinets to further assure rigidity of the cabinet. Tongues formed in the foldable walls mate with the shelf rails to urge the front and rear plates of the foldable walls into planar alignment. When so aligned, the foldable walls remain locked in the deployed position for accurate mating one to another by suitably aligning attachment points in the modular system. Attachment points are uniformly displaced in intervals from the bottom member and from the rear frame therefore allowing cabinets of varying widths and purposes to be mated and attached. [0009] In accordance with other embodiments, a raisable work surface is provided that attaches rigidly to the attachment points spanning a space between a first cabinet and a second cabinet. The work surface includes a scissors jack elevation mechanism such that rotation of a threaded rod will raise and lower the work surface relative to the adjoining first and second cabinets. [0010] In accordance with still further embodiments, a corner cabinet exploits the same collapsible construction by including a back frame comprising a first and a second rear plate in hinged attachment. The hinge being constructed to allow the second rear plate to rotate with respect to the first rear plate from a first position of parallel to a second position of being perpendicular to the first rear plate. In the second position, the rear frame will conform to a corner, thereby allowing the modular storage unit to conform to a cornered wall. A mullion is placed to provide an attachment point for catches securing swinging doors. [0011] In accordance with yet other embodiments, a keeper assembly fences a portion of the perimeter of a top member. The keeper assembly includes a lattice of keeper rails with attachment to the top member and keeper stiles that serve to contain objects placed upon an upper surface of the top member. The keeper rails attach to the top member, in an embodiment by insertion into receptacles formed in the top member to receive the keeper rails. In an embodiment, selective placement of keeper rails allows communication of the fenced area over the tops of several cabinets making the keeper rails suitable for containing elongate loads such as pipe or conduit. [0012] As will be readily appreciated from the foregoing summary, the embodiments provide modular and flexible storage that may be selectively employed to conform with the storage needs of a space. By suitable selection of the cabinets, keeper assemblies, and work surfaces, the modular storage system will suitably equip any of a bonus room, basement, or garage for an intended purpose. Varieties of finishes and selections of configured cabinets allow the use in any of a home office, sewing room, recreation room, or workshop. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0013] Preferred and alternative embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the following drawings. [0014] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of an exemplary cabinet in the deployed position; [0015] FIG. 2 is an isometric detail view of the foldable wall including attachment points; [0016] FIG. 3A is an isometric cutaway drawing showing the shelf rail supportively engaged by the tongue; [0017] FIG. 3B is an side view drawing showing the shelf rail in phantom supportively engaged by the tongue; [0018] FIG. 3C is an orthogonal view drawing showing the shelf rail supportively engaged by the tongue; [0019] FIG. 4 is a plan view of a door hinge assembly including doors; [0020] FIG. 5 is an isometric view of a corner cabinet showing rear walls in phantom; Continue reading about Collapsable modular cabinet... Full patent description for Collapsable modular cabinet Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Collapsable modular cabinet patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Collapsable modular cabinet or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Network cabinet Next Patent Application: Network cabinet Industry Class: Supports: cabinet structure ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Collapsable modular cabinet patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 0.77287 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Accenture , Agouron Pharmaceuticals , Amgen , AT&T , Bausch & Lomb , Callaway Golf 174 |
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