Collapsible Wardrobe and Method
A collapsible wardrobe includes a pair of doors hingedly connected to a pair of folding side portions, fixed side sections, and top and bottom floors pivotally disposed relative to the fixed side portions. The wardrobe is reconfigurable between a collapsed orientation and an expanded orientation.
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This application is based on U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 61/899,326, filed Nov. 4, 2013, which application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety and to which priority is claimed.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to a wardrobe reconfigurable between a collapsed orientation and an expanded orientation, and a method of reconfiguring the wardrobe.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONWardrobes for storing clothing and other items, and in particular clothing that is typically hung from bars or hangers, is a convenience or even necessity for organizing such clothing and maintaining the clothing and other stored items in a clean, orderly manner. Wardrobes are particularly helpful in structures or rooms that do not include built-in closets, or that do not provide sufficient closet space (e.g., such as older structures, temporary living structures, structures including rooms not originally intended as living space, etc.).
In addition, wardrobes are helpful as a storage supplement or alternative to built-in closets in rooms or spaces that were not designed solely for use as living or sleeping quarters. For example, in settings in which rooms may be utilized as a living area for an occupant for a certain limited period of time and thereafter repurposed for another use (e.g., such as supplemental or temporary student accommodations at universities and colleges, temporary accommodations for military personal abroad, temporary accommodations for individuals during conventions or other events, etc.), wardrobes for storing large amounts of clothing or other items are needed.
However, wardrobes are relatively large and bulky, and often difficult to move or install, particular in smaller rooms or spaces, or in such rooms or spaces that are only accessible by narrow corridors, stairways, etc. Moreover, conventional wardrobes are difficult and expensive to manufacture, transport and store due to their bulky size. As a result, conventional wardrobes are typically relatively expensive for the consumer.
Most conventional light weight or folding wardrobe designs include a flexible fabric covering disposed over a metal frame. Thus, such designs are similar to large hanging storage bags or racks, and fail to provide a finished appearance and solid outer surface. Other conventional designs attempt to decrease wardrobe size during storage, transport and installation by providing for a completely disassembled unit. While some space savings are achieved with such disassembled units, assembly of the unit by the end user is difficult and time consuming, and often requires a skilled carpenter.
Other design attempts provide for bulky metal structures having telescoping or collapsing side plates. However, the front portions and doors of such collapsing designs do not fold against the side plates, and therefore the resulting structure is extremely bulky, and requires extensive hinge mechanisms typically extending along the entire length or height of the unit. Such collapsible designs are expensive to manufacture and ship, and do not present a commercially viable and appealing design for many consumers.
Other designs provide for a series of hinged panels. However, such conventional hinged designs do not fold into a uniform ‘stack’ of panels when folded. The folded or detached stack of panels is not retained within an overall footprint of the unit. For example, the door or side panels often extend outwardly from the footprint of the rear panel when folded in a stack. As a result, such conventional hinged panel designs are prone to being damaged, particularly during storage and transport. Thus, such designs have not proven practical or economically feasible.
Accordingly, there is a need for a wardrobe unit that overcomes some or all of the above-noted problems, and that is practical and aesthetically appealing to consumers.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention is directed to a collapsible wardrobe for storing clothing, blankets, household or business items, personal effects, etc., which is comprised of solid wood, metal or composite components, and which is reconfigurable between a collapsed orientation and an expanded orientation.
A collapsible wardrobe according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a rectangular frame comprising a top section, a bottom section, and first and second opposing side sections. The frame defines an interior cavity. A first side panel is pivotally connected to the first side section, and a second side panel is pivotally connected to the second side section. A first door is pivotally connected to the first side panel, wherein the first door has a width substantially equal to or less than a width of the first side panel. A second door is pivotally connected to the second side panel, wherein the second door has a width substantially equal to or less than a width of the second side panel. The first and second doors are pivotal about 270° from a closed position extending across the interior cavity to an open position engaging the first and second side panels. The first side panel and the first door are collectively movable from the open position to a collapsed orientation extending across the interior cavity. Similarly, the second side panel and the second door are collectively movable from the open position to a collapsed orientation extending across the interior cavity.
In some implementations, the wardrobe includes a top floor pivotally connected to the top section. The top floor is pivotal between a first position extending outwardly from and substantially coplanar with the top section, and a second position extending downwardly from the top section and into the interior cavity. The wardrobe may also include a bottom floor pivotally connected to the bottom section. The bottom floor is pivotal between a first position extending outwardly from and substantially coplanar with the bottom section, and a second position extending upwardly from the bottom section and into the interior cavity.
In some implementations, the wardrobe includes one or more shelves disposed within the interior cavity of the rectangular frame and extending between the first and second side sections. Each shelf preferably includes a rear fixed portion coupled to the first and second side sections, and a front portion pivotally connected to the rear fixed portion.
The wardrobe defines an interior cavity having a first volume when the first and second side panels are disposed in an open position, and a second volume less than the first volume when the first and second side panels are disposed in a collapsed orientation. In some embodiments, the second volume is no more than about ½ of the first volume.
A collapsible wardrobe according to another embodiment includes a rectangular frame comprising a top section, a bottom section, a first side section and an opposing second side section. A first side panel is pivotally connected to the first side section, and a second side panel is pivotally connected to the second side section. A first door is pivotally connected to the first side panel. The first door has a width substantially equal to or less than a width of the first side panel. A second door is pivotally connected to the second side panel. The second door has a width substantially equal to or less than a width of the second side panel. Each of the first side panel and first door, and the second side panel and second door, are collectively movable between an expanded orientation so that the wardrobe defines an interior cavity having a first volume, and a collapsed orientation so that the wardrobe defines an interior cavity having a second volume which is at least about ¼ of the first volume. In some implementations, the second volume is between about ¼ and about ½ of the first volume.
In some implementations, each of the doors is pivotal about 270° between a closed position extending across the interior cavity and an open position engaging a corresponding one of the folding side panels. In addition, each of the folding side panels preferably has a width at least about twice the width of a corresponding one of the fixed side sections.
A collapsible wardrobe according to another embodiment includes a frame comprising a top section, a bottom section, a first side section and an opposing second side section. The frame defines an interior cavity. A first side panel is pivotally connected to the first side section, and a second side panel is pivotally connected to the second side section. A first door is pivotally connected to the first side panel, and a second door is pivotally connected to the second side panel. The first and second doors are pivotal about 270° from a closed position extending across the interior cavity to an open position engaging the first and second side panels, respectively. Each of the connected first side panel and first door, and connected second side panel and second door, are collectively movable from the open position to a collapsed orientation extending across the interior cavity. The wardrobe defines an interior cavity having a first volume when the first and second side panels are disposed in the open position, and a second volume when the first and second side panels are disposed in the collapsed orientation. In some implementations, the second volume is at least about ⅕ of the first volume. Preferably, the second volume is between about ¼ and about ½ of the first volume.
The terms “left,” “right,” “top,” “bottom,” “front,” “rear,” “side,” “height,” “length,” “width,” “upper,” “lower,” “interior,” “exterior,” “inner,” “outer” and the like, as may be used herein, merely describe points or portions of reference and do not limit the present invention to any particular orientation or configuration. Further, terms such as “first,” “second,” “third,” etc., merely identify one of a number of portions, components and/or points of reference as disclosed herein, and do not limit the present invention to any particular configuration or orientation.
A collapsible wardrobe 5 according to an embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in
Referring to
Referring to
A front toe kick 32 is disposed beneath the bottom floor 28 and adjacent the front portion 18 of the wardrobe 5, as shown in
Referring to
Referring again to
The left and right side panels 34, 38 have a width L5 and the fixed side sections 36, 40 have a width L6 less than width L5. In some implementations, the length of width L5 is preferably at least about twice the length of width L6, more preferably the length of width L5 is between about 2 and 4 times the length of width L6. The length of width L6 is preferably at least about ¼ the length of width L5, more preferably the length of width L6 is at least about ¼ to about ½ of the length of width L5. In some implementations, width L5 is substantially equal to widths L1 or L3 and/or width L6 is substantially equal to widths L2 or L4. Upper edges 42, 44 of the left and right side portions 14, 16 are aligned with a perimeter or edges of the top panel 22 (as shown in
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
Similarly, the top floor 24 is maintained in a substantially horizontal orientation via L-brackets or fasteners (e.g., L-brackets), whereby the fasteners are secured to the top floor 24 and corresponding inner surfaces of the left and right side portions 14, 16. Alternatively, shelf pins may be provided for supporting the top floor 24 in its horizontal position, such as described above, so that the undersurface of the top floor 24 rests upon corresponding shelf pins and the top floor 24 is supported in a horizontal position.
In one embodiment, the top floor 24, shelf 60 and bottom floor 28 are secured in their horizontal orientations via cam inserts or locks 70, shown in
Reconfiguration of the wardrobe 5 from its expanded orientation O1 to its collapsed orientation O2 will be described with reference to
Referring to
Any components that have been removed or detached from the structure (including the door pulls 54, the top panel 22 and any associated fasteners and/or pins) may be placed inside the interior cavity 58 of the wardrobe 5, such as against or adjacent the back portion 20. As shown in
Thus, the collapsible wardrobe 5 may be easily and quickly reconfigured from its expanded orientation O1 to its collapsed orientation O2. In order to reconfigure the wardrobe 5 back to its expanded orientation O1 from its collapsed orientation O2, the above-described steps are performed in reverse order. Because the wardrobe 5 may be readily reconfigured between its expanded and collapsed orientations, it may be more easily transported, stored and installed.
For example, when the wardrobe 5 is disposed in its collapsed orientation O2, its depth and volume is preferably reduced by about ½, more preferably by about ⅓, more preferably by about ¼ or more (e.g., ⅕ or ⅙) as compared to its depth and volume when disposed in its expanded orientation O1. Such a reduction in size and overall volume substantially reduces transportation and storage costs (which are closely associated with total required volume). In addition, by readily reducing the size and dimensions of the wardrobe 5, it may be more easily moved into, through or out of relatively small corridors, rooms, stairs, etc., that would otherwise be inaccessible or difficult to maneuver when the wardrobe 5 is in its expanded orientation O1. Once the wardrobe 5 is disposed at its desired location, it may be readily reconfigured to its expanded orientation O1, thus providing a full size furniture wardrobe unit formed from solid materials (e.g., such as wood or wood composite components), which is much more stable, secure and aesthetically appealing as compared to conventional designs (e.g., such as conventional designs having a flexible or fabric covering stretched over a frame, or having a bulky metal locker-style design with hinges running the length of the sides and a fixed front face configuration).
While the invention has been described in connection with specific embodiments thereof, it will be understood that it is capable of further modifications and this application is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention following, in general, the principles of the invention and including such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice within the art to which the invention pertains and as may be applied to the features hereinbefore set forth.
Claims
1. A collapsible wardrobe, comprising:
- a rectangular frame comprising a top section, a bottom section, a first side section and an opposing second side section, said rectangular frame defining an interior cavity;
- a first side panel pivotally connected to said first side section;
- a second side panel pivotally connected to said second side section;
- a first door pivotally connected to said first side panel, said first door having a width substantially equal to or less than a width of said first side panel; and
- a second door pivotally connected to said second side panel, said second door having a width substantially equal to or less than a width of said second side panel,
- wherein said first and second doors are pivotal about 270° from a closed position extending across said interior cavity to an open position engaging said first and second side panels,
- and wherein said first side panel and said first door are collectively movable from said open position to a collapsed orientation extending across said interior cavity, and said second side panel and said second door are collectively movable from said open position to a collapsed orientation extending across said interior cavity.
2. The wardrobe of claim 1, further comprising a top floor pivotally connected to said top section.
3. The wardrobe of claim 2, wherein said top floor is pivotal between a first position extending outwardly from and substantially coplanar with said top section, and a second position extending downwardly from said top section and into said interior cavity.
4. The wardrobe of claim 1, further comprising a bottom floor pivotally connected to said bottom section.
5. The wardrobe of claim 4, wherein said bottom floor is pivotal between a first position extending outwardly from and substantially coplanar with said bottom section, and a second position extending upwardly from said bottom section and into said interior cavity.
6. The wardrobe of claim 1, further comprising a shelf disposed within said interior cavity of said rectangular frame and extending between said first and second side sections.
7. The wardrobe of claim 6, wherein said shelf comprises a rear fixed portion coupled to said first and second side sections, and a front portion pivotally connected to said rear fixed portion.
8. The wardrobe of claim 1, wherein said interior cavity defines a first volume when said first and second side panels are disposed in said open position, and said interior cavity defines a second volume less than said first volume when said first and second side panels are disposed in said collapsed orientation.
9. The wardrobe of claim 8, wherein said second volume is no more than about ½ of said first volume.
10. The wardrobe of claim 1, further comprising a top panel removably securable to said top section.
11. A collapsible wardrobe, comprising:
- a rectangular frame comprising a top section, a bottom section, a first side section and an opposing second side section;
- a first side panel pivotally connected to said first side section;
- a second side panel pivotally connected to said second side section;
- a first door pivotally connected to said first side panel, said first door having a width substantially equal to or less than a width of said first side panel; and
- a second door pivotally connected to said second side panel, said second door having a width substantially equal to or less than a width of said second side panel,
- wherein each of said first side panel and said first door, and said second side panel and said second door, are collectively movable between an expanded orientation so that said wardrobe defines an interior cavity having a first volume and a collapsed orientation so that said wardrobe defines an interior cavity having a second volume at least about ¼ of said first volume.
12. The wardrobe of claim 11, wherein said second volume is between about ¼ and about ½ of said first volume.
13. The wardrobe of claim 11, further comprising a top floor pivotally connected to said fixed top section.
14. The wardrobe of claim 11, further comprising a bottom floor pivotally connected to said fixed bottom section.
15. The wardrobe of claim 11, wherein each of said doors are pivotal about 270° between a closed position extending across said interior cavity and an open position engaging a corresponding one of said folding side panels.
16. The wardrobe of claim 15, wherein each of said folding side panels has a width at least about twice a width of a corresponding one of said fixed side sections.
17. A collapsible wardrobe, comprising:
- a rectangular frame comprising a top section, a bottom section, a first side section and an opposing second side section, said frame defining an interior cavity;
- a first side panel pivotally connected to said first side section;
- a second side panel pivotally connected to said second side section;
- a first door pivotally connected to said first side panel; and
- a second door pivotally connected to said second side panel, wherein said first and second doors are pivotal about 270° from a closed position extending across said interior cavity to an open position engaging said first and second side panels, respectively, and wherein each of said first side panel and said first door, and said second side panel and said second door, are collectively movable from said open position to a collapsed orientation extending across said interior cavity.
18. The wardrobe of claim 17, wherein said wardrobe defines an interior cavity having a first volume when said first and second side panels are disposed in said open position, and said wardrobe defines an interior cavity having a second volume when said first and second side panels are disposed in said collapsed orientation, said second volume at least about ⅕ of said first volume.
19. The wardrobe of claim 18, wherein said second volume is between about ¼ and about ½ of said first volume.
Type: Application
Filed: Oct 29, 2014
Publication Date: May 7, 2015
Applicant: BLOCKHOUSE COMPANY, INC. (York, PA)
Inventors: Ryan Forry (York, PA), Stephen Perko (York, PA)
Application Number: 14/526,800
International Classification: A47B 61/00 (20060101); A47B 43/00 (20060101);