CABINET SYSTEM AND METHOD OF ASSEMBLING THE SAME
A front panel, a pair of side panels, a top panel, and a bottom panel connect to form a cabinet. Optionally, the cabinet includes a rear panel. The front panel includes a pair of master keyways. Each of side panels has a groove and a pair of side keyways. Each groove provides the side panel with an edge profile that connects with one master keyway to couple the side panels with the front panel. Each of top and bottom panels includes a pair of grooves. Each groove provides top and bottom panels with an edge profile that connects with one side keyway to couple the top and bottom panels with the side panels. Optionally, one of the top or bottom panels includes an extender and the front panel includes a groove wherein the extender is received within the groove to limit movement of the side panels.
This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 12/751,082 filed Mar. 31, 2010, which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 11/464,987, filed Aug. 16, 2006, now abandoned, which are hereby incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUNDThe present disclosure relates to a cabinet system used in kitchens or furniture design. Specifically, the present disclosure includes a front panel, a pair of side panels, a top panel, and a bottom panel that fit together to form a cabinet. Optionally, the cabinet can include a back panel or a rear panel.
Several techniques and systems have been developed for manufacturing and assembling cabinets. In a typical system, cabinet components are assembled using mechanical fasteners. In this type of system, often a skilled carpenter is required to assemble the cabinets, either in the manufacturing facility or at the final site of installation, for example a kitchen. The cabinets that are assembled in the manufacturing facility can be shipped in the assembled form to the final destination; however, this often requires large amounts of packing materials and shipping costs to do so. Unassembled cabinets can be shipped to the final destination, assembled, and installed at the final site of installation. However, these unassembled cabinets often require a skilled carpenter to assemble the cabinets which requires the homeowner to pay an additional cost of the carpenter to assemble and install the cabinets.
For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the disclosure, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the claims is thereby intended. Any such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated device, and any such further applications of the principles as illustrated herein, are contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the disclosure relates.
Referring generally to the figures, there are shown embodiments of a cabinet device 20. In the illustrated embodiment in
In the illustrated embodiment shown in
In the illustrated embodiment in
In the illustrated embodiment in
In the illustrated embodiment in
A cabinet device 20 is formed by assembling together front panel 22, right side panel 24, left side panel 26, top panel 28, and bottom panel 30. Optionally, a rear panel 32 is assembled onto cabinet device 20. Right side panel 24 is connected to front panel 22 by sliding groove 60 and the edge 160 (
Optionally, rear panel 32 fits onto right side panel 24, left side panel 26, top panel 28, and bottom panel 30. In particular, one of back grooves 140 and edges 240 is inserted into side notch 62 (
In one embodiment, an adhesive is applied between groove 60 and edge 160 (
(
While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the invention are desired to be protected.
Claims
1. A cabinet system comprising:
- a front panel having a pair of master keyways and a pair of grooves;
- a pair of side panels, each of the side panels having a side key, a pair of side keyways, and a side notch, the side key of one of the side panels configured to connect with one of the master keyways and the side key of the other of the side panels configured to connect with the other one of the master keyways;
- a top panel having a pair of top keys and a top extender, each of the top keys configured to connect with one of the side keyways, and the top extender configured to connect with one of the pair of grooves; and
- a bottom panel having a pair of bottom keys and a bottom extender, each of the bottom keys configured to connect with one of the side keyways, and the bottom extender configured to connect with the other of the pair of grooves.
2. The cabinet system of claim 1, further comprising:
- a rear panel having a pair of back grooves and a pair of slots, each of the back grooves configured to contact one of the side notches, one of the slots configured to contact the top panel, and the other of the slots configured to contact the bottom panel.
3. The cabinet system of claim 1, wherein the top panel and the bottom panel are interchangeable.
4. The cabinet system of claim 1, wherein each of the master keyways has an L-shape.
5. The cabinet system of claim 1, wherein each of the side keys has a U-shape.
6. The cabinet system of claim 1, wherein each of the top keys has a U-shape.
7. The cabinet system of claim 1, wherein the master keyways and the side keyways are shaped substantially similar to each other.
8. The cabinet system of claim 1, wherein the side keys, the top keys, and the bottom keys are shaped substantially similar to each other.
9. The cabinet system of claim 1, wherein the top panel and the bottom panel are substantially similar to each other.
10. A method of forming an interlocking cabinet comprising:
- providing a front panel having a pair of master keyways and a pair of grooves;
- providing a pair of side panels, each of the side panels having a side key, a pair of side keyways, and a side notch;
- sliding the side key onto one of the master keyways to connect one of the side panels with the front panel;
- sliding the side key onto the other of the master keyways to connect another of the side panels with the front panel;
- providing a top panel having a pair of top keys and a top extender; and
- sliding each of the top keys onto one of the side keyways to connect the top panel with the pair of side panels.
11. The method of forming an interlocking cabinet of claim 10, further comprising:
- placing a rear panel on the pair of side panels, the top panel and the bottom panel.
12. The method of forming an interlocking cabinet of claim 10, further comprising:
- inserting the top extender into one of the pair of grooves.
13. The method of forming an interlocking cabinet of claim 12, further comprising:
- inserting the bottom extender into the other of the pair of grooves.
14. The method of forming an interlocking cabinet of claim 11, wherein the rear panel has a pair of back grooves and a pair of slots;
- assembling each of the side notches with one of the back grooves to connect the rear panel to the pair of side panels; and
- assembling each of the slots with either the top panel or the bottom panel.
15. The method of forming an interlocking cabinet of claim 10, further comprising:
- attaching both of the side panels to the front panel with an adhesive;
- attaching the top panel to the pair of side panels with the adhesive; and
- attaching the bottom panel to the pair of side panels with the adhesive.
16. A system of joints for connecting a front panel, a pair of side panels, a top panel, and a bottom panel together to form a cabinet comprising:
- a pair of master keyways on the front panel;
- a side key, a pair of side keyways, and a side notch on each of the side panels, the side key configured to slide into one of the master keyways to connect each of the side panels with the front panel;
- a pair of top keys on the top panel, each of the top keys configured to slide into one of the side keyways to connect the top panel with the pair of side panels; and
- a pair of bottom keys on the bottom panel, each of the bottom keys configured to slide into one of the side keyways to connect the bottom panel with the pair of side panels.
17. The system of joints of claim 16, wherein the pair of side keyways are shaped substantially similar to the pair of master keyways.
18. The system of joints of claim 16, wherein the side keys, the top keys, and the bottom keys are shaped substantially similar to each other.
19. The system of joints of claim 16, wherein each of the master keyways has an L-shape.
20. The system of joints of claim 16, wherein each of the side keys has a U-shape.
21. The system of joints of claim 16, wherein each of the top keys has a U-shape.
Type: Application
Filed: Nov 14, 2013
Publication Date: Mar 13, 2014
Inventor: Phillip C. Crabtree (Owensboro, KY)
Application Number: 14/080,029
International Classification: A47B 47/00 (20060101); F16B 12/02 (20060101);