MODULAR CABINET
A modular cabinet and particularly one to form cabinets or rack type furniture includes a plurality of parallel posts and a plurality of targeted elements stacking on the posts. Each post has a first coupling portion. Each targeted element has a second coupling portion slidably engaged with the first coupling portion. The second and first coupling portions are maintained at desired locations relative to each other through a retaining element located in the second coupling portion. The first coupling portion further has a fixing element to hold the targeted elements at two ends of the posts. The modular cabinet thus formed can be assembled and installed easily. By stacking the targeted elements the structural strength of the modular cabinet is enhanced.
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This application is related to claim the priority under Ser. No. 202006018492.9, filed 2006 Dec. 5 and entitled “Modular cabinet” which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety in this application.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to a modular cabinet and particularly to a modular cabinet or rack furniture that can be coupled and assembled in various fashions to form different combinations.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONModular cabinets are known in the art. A wide variety of modular cabinets are available on the market. Among them the design adopted a frame structure is commonly deemed most reliable. On that structure modular elements are hung and fastened to the frame. The modular elements can be coupled and assembled through suitable means according to different functions (such as open or closed racks, drawers or the like) to form varying combinations. The frame provides steadiness during assembly. The frame also provides a basic structural specification. The modular elements can be interchanged and replaced as long as they conform to the structural specification. In order to achieve a desired mechanical firmness, the modular elements have to be fastened securely to the frame.
However, the structure of the aforesaid conventional modular cabinets often is too complicated and assembly and installation are quite difficult. They mostly require tools to aid assembly and installation. Moreover, the front side of the modular cabinet often is divided by transverse bracing racks to reinforce the steadiness. Hence the overall aesthetic appeal suffers.
German Patent Publication No. 4136307A1 discloses a rack system equipped with a support frame (referring to FIG. 9 of that patent). The support frame has a base board to seal the bottom thereof. The base board is slidable in the longitudinal direction of the support frame. There is a fixed ridge to provide radial protection. It also has an anchor tool on the support frame to protect the base board. There is a spacer on the base board to provide upright support and a desired spacing interval. The spacer is nailed or bonded to the support frame, or screwed on the support frame through bolts.
To position targeted elements on the frame at least the targeted elements at two ends have to be fastened through a fastening tool. This issue is not being explained in the patent specification.
Another European Patent Publication No. 0750869A1 discloses a rack structure which has a track and separable holding elements. The holding elements are engaged with a frame to anchor the base board. The track has a hook structure on the back side to hold a holding element. Thereby anchoring can be formed by surrounding. But one holding element can fasten only one base board or element, and cannot fasten a plurality of base boards or elements at the same time.
Yet another PCT Patent Publication WO2005/111328A1 discloses a structure which has one element fastened to a vertical frame through a connection element. It also can fasten only one element, and cannot fasten a plurality of elements at the same time.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe primary object of the present invention is to provide a modular cabinet that can be constructed easily and rapidly by coupling fewer modular elements without using tools.
The modular cabinet according to the invention includes a plurality of elongated and parallel posts and a plurality of targeted elements stacking along the posts. The posts form a frame to hold the target elements that is preferably formed in an upright structure. The targeted elements can be directly stacked over one another or spaced from one another through a spacer element.
Each of the posts has a first coupling portion. Each targeted element has a plurality of second coupling portions slidably engaging with the first coupling portion. Each second coupling portion has a retaining element to form a positioning relationship with the first coupling portion. The first coupling portion also has a fixing element to anchor and support the targeted elements at two ends of the posts. Thereby all the targeted elements can be fastened to the posts.
According to the invention the targeted elements are hung on the first coupling of the posts by sliding and movable longitudinally on the posts. The targeted elements can be spaced from one another directly or through the spacer element and held in the longitudinal direction of the posts. Installation of the invention does not need any tools. The targeted element can be mounted through a distal end of the posts in the first coupling portion and moved to a desired elevation, and spaced form each other. The second coupling portion of the targeted element does not have to be mounted through the distal end of the post, but can be directly positioned through the spaced interval of the first coupling portion.
The second coupling portion of the targeted element has a desired length relative to the first coupling portion. By mating and engaging the first and second coupling portions, a desired strength is formed to prevent the posts of the frame from tilting.
The post also has a fixing element installed on the distal end to prevent the stacking targeted elements from slipping out from the posts so that that all the installed targeted elements can be held securely on the posts.
In principle the posts can be held on sides walls of targeted elements at any positions desired. However, the preferably installation locations are corners of the targeted elements, while the side walls of the targeted elements can serve ornamental purpose. In general the posts located at the lateral sides of modular cabinet are presented in a fashion without spoiling the aesthetic appeal, and have the first coupling portion formed at one side to hold the targeted element. The first coupling portion has a transverse ridge to form a sliding track to couple with the corner of the target elements. Such a structure also can increase the structural strength and prevent the frame constructed through the posts from tilting.
In principle the first and second coupling portions may be formed in any types of shaped materials presently known. It the invention a T-shaped cross section is selected for the coupling portions to form a closed coupling. Thereby the targeted elements get automatic protection in the upright and longitudinal direction of the posts.
In another embodiment of the invention the side walls of the stacking targeted elements are connected and anchored through corresponding latch notches and lugs. The lugs are held in the notches to form a closed coupling. Hence the side walls of each targeted element have a larger and closed lateral area without transverse support and divided by like elements. As a result, the overall aesthetic appeal of the modular cabinet improves. Moreover, the closed connection of the notches and lugs can further enhance the firmness of the modular cabinet. After the targeted elements have been coupled the side walls form closed and neat lateral areas at the inner side and outer side to make cleaning easier.
In yet another embodiment of the invention the targeted element may have a base board to allow the stacking targeted element to become a box type furniture. In this embodiment the targeted element includes a substantially U-shaped side wall and an entry opening at the front side of the modular cabinet. A closing lid also is provided to seal the entry opening. The closing lid is preferably a pivotal element. To facilitate installation without tools and reducing the number of elements, the base board has a hinge portion to be coupled with an axle of the pivotal element. The base board also has swivel stoppers to control open and closed positions of the pivotal element. The pivotal element may be a drawer or a swivel door.
In one aspect the post has a distal end coupled with a fixing element so that the targeted elements do not slip out through the first coupling portion and can be held securely. As previously discussed, another distal end of the post is coupled with the retaining element. To set the posts at a selected length to be adaptable to different requirements it is preferable to have the two distal ends thereof to be coupled with a corresponding fixing element.
In still another embodiment of the invention the second coupling portion has at least a number of retaining elements to hold the targeted element on the first coupling portion by friction in a closed manner. The retaining element is a clamping element, preferably a clipping element, to be pressed to the post or a side wall of a corresponding targeted element through a fastening element.
In yet another embodiment of the invention each post has at least two or more first coupling portions formed at a selected angle and distance. Thus two targeted elements can be coupled in series longitudinally and vertically on the post, and two neighboring modular cabinets can be coupled at the selected angle and distance.
In yet another aspect the posts are preferably shaped materials made of light metal, especially extruded aluminum (aluminum shaped material). They may be cut to a desired length according to different requirements. The targeted elements and second coupling portion are preferably made from plastics, formed by injection is especially desirable.
The foregoing, as well as additional objects, features and advantages of the invention will be more readily apparent from the following detailed description, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings.
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The post 4 also has a jutting plank 42 which has an inner wall with a transverse ridge formed thereon to divide the first coupling portion 45 into a sliding track 46 (referring to
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In principle, the retaining element 16 can anchor all the targeted elements to be coupled on the post 4 in a closed manner by friction. In another embodiment of the invention, the interval space 28 is formed through the spacer element 10 (as shown in
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In addition, the drawer body 7 has a lower plate 77 with a notch 78 formed thereon closed by the lower plate 77 from outside. The notch 78 holds a jutting strut 79. The side wall 71 has an upper plate 75 with a lug 76 extended therefrom to mate the notch 78 of another drawer body 7 to form a closed and smooth surface. Referring to
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The support portion 62 of the hollow portion 6 may hold a wedge base board 23 as shown in
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The distal end of the post 4 can be closed through the fixing element 35 to provide axial protection of the elements on the sliding track 46. Referring to
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To those skilled in the art, based on the principle previously discussed, the targeted elements can be coupled and assembled through varying approaches to form the modular cabinet 1. While the embodiments set forth above adopt the upright posts 4, the posts may be formed horizontally with the drawer 8 openable downwards without using tools. Assembly and installation can be easily accomplished. The design is elegant and aesthetic appealing. The front panel and lateral sides are formed with fewer elements. In addition, the modular cabinet of the invention provides a greater structural strength. It has a greater strength by itself even without the target elements fastened to the posts 4. The posts 4 are preferably made of a light weight metal, especially continuous shaped material formed by aluminum extrusion and cut at desired lengths according to required functions. The targeted elements are preferable made from plastics, especially by extrusion process. The second coupling portion 13 and the targeted elements may also be formed in an integrated manner.
While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been set forth for the purpose of disclosure, modifications of the disclosed embodiments of the invention as well as other embodiments thereof may occur to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to cover all embodiments which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention.
Claims
1. A modular cabinet to form cabinets or rack furniture, comprising:
- a plurality of posts disposed in a parallel manner; and
- a plurality of targeted elements stacking on the posts;
- wherein each of the posts has a first coupling portion and each of the targeted elements has a plurality of second coupling portions slidably engaging with the first coupling portion, the second coupling portions having a retaining element to form a retaining relationship with the first coupling portion, the first coupling portion having a fixing element to hold the targeted elements.
2. The modular cabinet of claim 1, wherein the targeted elements are directly stacked one over the other, or spaced from one another through a spacer element located in the first coupling portion.
3. The modular cabinet of claim 2, wherein the posts are formed at a length equal to a minimum height or multiple times of the minimum height of the targeted elements, the spacer element being formed at a height same as the minimum height such that at least two targeted elements are stacked and spaced from each other at an interval space.
4. The modular cabinet of claim 1, wherein the first coupling portion has a sliding track which has a ridge connecting to a corner of the targeted elements.
5. The modular cabinet of claim 1, wherein the targeted elements are selectively a holding rack, a hollow frame or a drawer body, and have a side wall which has a lower edge formed with spaced notches, the hollow frame or the drawer body having an upper edge which has lugs corresponding to the notches to form a closed engagement therewith.
6. The modular cabinet of claim 5, wherein the notches have respectively a jutting strut to direct the lug.
7. The modular cabinet of claim 5, wherein the hollow frame includes a side wall which has an extended support portion to hold a wedge base board.
8. The modular cabinet of claim 7, wherein the wedge base board has at least one transverse ridge which is extended in a parallel fashion to a notch of the hollow frame and rests on the support portion.
9. The modular cabinet of claim 5, wherein the drawer body includes a base board which has a hinge portion and a swivel stopper.
10. The modular cabinet of claim 9, wherein the holding rack and the drawer body have respectively a pivotal element.
11. The modular cabinet of claim 10, wherein the pivotal element is a drawer or a swivel door that has an axle held in the hinge portion.
12. The modular cabinet of claim 11, wherein the drawer or the swivel door have respectively another axle at a distal end opposing the axle to mate the swivel stopper at the base board or a back side of the targeted element to define a closing position and a maximum opening position of the drawer and the swivel door.
13. The modular cabinet of claim 11, wherein the drawer has an arched guiding rib located at a lower side thereof.
14. The modular cabinet of claim 1, wherein each post has an axial bore to hold a plugging sleeve to couple with an accessory.
15. The modular cabinet of claim 14, wherein the accessory is selectively a pedestal or a caster.
16. The modular cabinet of claim 1, wherein each post has two neighboring first coupling portions formed at a selected angle between them to be coupled with neighboring targeted elements.
17. The modular cabinet of claim 1, wherein the posts are made of light weight metal by extrusion in a continuous manner, the targeted elements and the second coupling portion being made from plastics through an injection process.
18. The modular cabinet of claim 1, wherein the targeted elements have corners to hold the posts.)
Type: Application
Filed: Nov 30, 2007
Publication Date: Jun 5, 2008
Applicant: (Taipei)
Inventors: Sybille Fleckenstein (Darmstadt), Jens Pohlmann (Offenbach), Thilo Schwer (Offenbach)
Application Number: 11/948,500