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Patent 2491979 Summary

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(12) Patent Application: (11) CA 2491979
(54) English Title: DRAWER CABINET STORAGE KIT
(54) French Title: ARMOIRE DE RANGEMENT A TIROIRS EN KIT
Status: Dead
Bibliographic Data
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):
  • A47B 47/04 (2006.01)
  • A47B 43/00 (2006.01)
  • A47B 88/00 (2006.01)
  • A47B 96/00 (2006.01)
(72) Inventors :
  • MOON, BRIAN (United States of America)
  • ANDERSON, TORRENCE (United States of America)
(73) Owners :
  • SUNCAST CORPORATION (United States of America)
(71) Applicants :
  • SUNCAST CORPORATION (United States of America)
(74) Agent: FINLAYSON & SINGLEHURST
(74) Associate agent:
(45) Issued:
(22) Filed Date: 2005-01-11
(41) Open to Public Inspection: 2005-08-04
Availability of licence: N/A
(25) Language of filing: English

Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT): No

(30) Application Priority Data:
Application No. Country/Territory Date
10/773,033 United States of America 2004-02-04

Abstracts

English Abstract




The present invention provides an assembly, or kit, of
injection molded panels having integrated connectors which
combine to form a drawer cabinet. The panels are formed of
injection molded plastic to interlock with one another
without the need for separate fasteners or connectors. The
interior of the cabinet is constructed and arranged to accept
a plurality of cooperating drawer guides and drawers which
snap into place to fill the cabinets interior.


Claims

Note: Claims are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.




CLAIMS



What is claimed is:

1. A plastic drawer cabinet kit having a base panel, a
top panel, a left side panel, a right side panel and a back
panel in combination with a plurality of drawer guides and
drawers comprising:
a base panel for enclosing the bottom of said drawer
cabinet, said base panel having an upper surface, a lower
surface, a left end, a right end, a front portion and a back
portion, said left end including a means for attaching said
base panel to a left side panel in a perpendicular
relationship, said right end including a means for attaching
said base panel to a right side panel in a perpendicular
relationship, said rear portion including a means for
attaching said base panel to a back panel in a perpendicular
relationship;
a top panel for enclosing the top of said drawer
cabinet, said top panel having an upper surface, a lower
surface, a left end, a right end, a front portion and a back
portion, said left end including a means for attaching said
top panel to a left side panel in a perpendicular
relationship, said right end including a means for attaching
said top panel to a right side panel in a perpendicular
relationship, said back portion including a means for


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attaching said top panel to a back panel in a perpendicular
relationship;
a back panel for enclosing the back of said wall
cabinet, said back panel having a top edge, a bottom edge, a
left edge, and a right edge, said top edge including a means
for attaching said back panel to said top panel in a
perpendicular relationship, said bottom edge including a
means for attaching said back panel to said base panel in a
perpendicular relationship;
a left side panel for enclosing the left side of said
drawer cabinet, said left side panel including a top edge, a
bottom edge, a front edge, a back edge, an inner surface and
an outer surface, said top edge including a means for
attaching said left side panel to said top panel in a
perpendicular relationship, said bottom edge including a
means for attaching said left side panel to said base panel
in a perpendicular relationship, said inner surface including
a means for removably securing a plurality of drawer guides
in a vertically spaced generally parallel relationship;
a right side panel for enclosing the right side of said
drawer cabinet, said right side panel including a top edge, a
bottom edge, a front edge, a back edge, an inner surface and
an outer surface, said top edge including a means for
attaching said right side panel to said top panel in a
27



perpendicular relationship, said bottom edge including a
means for attaching said right side panel to said base panel
in a perpendicular relationship, said inner surface including
a means for removably securing a plurality of drawer guides
in a vertically spaced generally parallel relationship;
a plurality of drawer guides, said drawer guides
including a means.of removably securing said drawer guides to
said inner surfaces of said left and said right side panels,
said drawer guides constructed and arranged to cooperate with
at least one drawer to provide support and prevent tipping
and canting of said at least one drawer while said at least
one drawer is moved inwardly and outwardly of said cabinet
assembly;
at least one drawer for enclosing the front of said
drawer cabinet and providing a storage area within said
drawer cabinet, said at least one drawer including a front
portion, a rear portion, a left side and a right side, said
left side and said right side each including at least one
upper roller and at least one lower roller rotatably mounted
thereto, wherein said upper and said lower rollers are
constructed and arranged to cooperate with said drawer guides
to allow said at least one drawer to be moved inwardly and
outwardly of said drawer cabinet to provide access to said
storage area within said at least one drawer;
28



wherein said drawer cabinet can be shipped fully
assembled or in a disassembled state and assembled on a
desired site without separate fasteners.
2. The drawer cabinet kit as described in claim 1,
wherein said means for removably securing a plurality of
drawer guides includes a pair of vertical rails integrally
molded on each of said inner surfaces of said left and said
right side panels, wherein one of said vertical rails is
positioned generally adjacent to said front edge of each said
panel. and one of said vertical rails is positioned generally
adjacent to said rear edge of each said panel, said vertical
rails extending from about said bottom edges of said panels
to about said top edges of said panels, said vertical rails
including a plurality of vertically spaced apertures, wherein
said apertures are constructed and arranged to cooperate with
said drawer guides for removable attachment thereof, wherein
said drawer guides are positionable in a generally parallel
relationship to accommodate a combination of various sized
drawers to fill said cabinet.
3. The drawer cabinet kit as described in claim 1,
wherein said drawer guides are generally L-shaped, said L-
shaped drawer guides including a vertical leg and a
29



horizontal leg, a front portion, and a back portion, wherein
said vertical leg is constructed and arranged to prevent
canting of said drawers while said drawers are moved inwardly
and outwardly of said drawer cabinet, wherein said horizontal
leg is constructed and arranged to cooperate with said at
least one drawer to prevent tipping of said drawer while said
drawer is moved inwardly and outwardly of said drawer
cabinet, wherein said vertical leg includes a means for
removably securing said drawer guides to said inner surfaces
of said left and said right side panels, wherein said means
for removably securing said drawer guides to said inner
surfaces of said left and said right side panels are
constructed and arranged to cooperate with said inner
surfaces of said side panels to removably secure said drawer
guide members in a vertically spaced generally parallel
relationship.
4. The drawer cabinet kit as described in claim 3,
wherein said means for removably securing said drawer guides
to said inner surfaces of said left and said right side
panels includes a pair of outwardly extending locking posts,
wherein one of said locking posts is integrally formed into
said front portion of said vertical leg of said drawer guide
and one of said locking posts is integrally formed into said

30


back portion of said vertical leg of said drawer guide,
wherein said locking posts are constructed and arranged to
have a conjugate shape to said left and said right side panel
vertical rail apertures, wherein said locking posts enter
said apertures for coupling engagement between said drawer
guides and said side panels, wherein said drawer guides may
be positioned to accommodate a combination of various sized
drawers to fill said drawer cabinet.
5. The drawer cabinet assembly as described in claim 4,
wherein each said locking post includes at least one
integrally formed spring tab, wherein said spring tab is
constructed and arranged to cooperate with said vertical rail
apertures for a mechanically and releasably secure connection
between said drawer guides and said side panels.
6. The drawer cabinet kit as described in claim 3,
wherein said drawer guides each include at least one roller,
wherein said at least one roller is rotatably mounted in said
front portion of said horizontal leg of said drawer guide
for supporting said at least one drawer, wherein said
horizontal leg includes an upper surface and a lower surface,
wherein said roller is sized and positioned between said
31



upper surface and said lower surface so that a portion of
said roller protrudes above said top surface.
7. The drawer cabinet kit as described in claim 6,
wherein said upper surface of said horizontal leg of said
drawer guide includes an outwardly protruding detent, wherein
said detent is integrally formed into said rear portion of
said drawer guide, wherein said rollers rotatably mounted on
said left and said right lower portions of said at least one
drawer cooperate with said detent for releasably securing
said drawer member within said drawer cabinet, wherein
pulling outward on said at least one drawer allows said
rollers to release from said detent.
8. The drawer cabinet kit as described in claim 6,
wherein said lower surface of said horizontal leg of said
drawer guides include an integrally formed and outwardly
protruding stop tab, wherein said stop tab is constructed and
arranged to cooperate with said rear portion of at least one
drawer to prevent said drawer from being extended completely
out of said drawer cabinet.
9. The drawer cabinet kit as described in claim 6,
wherein said left and said right sides of said at least one
32



drawer each include an integrally formed upper roller pocket
and an integrally formed lower roller pocket, wherein said
upper roller pockets are positioned generally at an upper
rear portion of said left side and said right side of said
drawer, wherein said lower roller pockets are positioned
generally at a lower rear portion of said left side and said
right side of said drawer, wherein said upper rollers are
rotatably mounted within said upper roller pockets to extend
partially outward therefrom to cooperate with said lower
surface of an adjacent drawer guide, and wherein said lower
rollers are rotatably mounted within said lower roller
pockets to extend partially outward therefrom to cooperate
with said upper surface of an adjacent drawer guide, wherein
said rollers and said drawer guides prevent said drawer from
tipping as said drawer is extended outwardly from said drawer
cabinet.
10. The drawer cabinet kit as described in claim 6,
wherein said at least one drawer member includes a lower
surface, said lower surface including a pair of detents
integrally formed therein, wherein said pair of detents are
constructed and arranged to cooperate with said rollers
rotatably mounted in said front portion of said drawer guides
33



for releasably securing said at least one drawer within said
drawer cabinet.

11. The drawer cabinet kit as described in claim 1,
wherein said means of attaching said base panel to said left
side panel, said right side panel, and said back panel
includes a plurality of outwardly extending locking posts,
wherein said locking posts are constructed and arranged to
cooperate with a plurality of locking sockets, wherein said
locking posts are brought into an coupling engagement with
corresponding locking sockets in said left side panel, said
right side panel and said back panel resulting in a
mechanically secure connection between said base panel and
said left, right, and back panels.

12. The drawer cabinet kit as described in claim 11
wherein said base panel locking posts include at least one
integrally formed spring-tab, wherein said at least one
spring-tab is constructed and arranged to cooperate with said
locking sockets for positively maintaining secure coupling
engagement between said base panel and said left, right and
back panels.
34


13. The drawer cabinet kit as described in claim 1,
wherein said means of attaching said top panel to said left
side panel, said right side panel, and said back panel
includes a plurality of outwardly extending locking posts,
wherein said locking posts are constructed and arranged to
cooperate with a plurality of locking sockets, wherein said
locking posts are brought into an coupling engagement with
corresponding locking sockets in said left side panel, said
right side panel and said back panel resulting in a
mechanically secure connection between said base, left,
right, and back panels.
14. The drawer cabinet kit as described in claim 13
wherein said top panel locking posts include at least one
integrally formed spring-tab, wherein said at least one
spring-tab is constructed and arranged to cooperate with said
locking sockets for positively maintaining secure coupling
engagement between said top panel and said left, right and
back panels.
15. The drawer cabinet kit as described in claim 1
wherein said left side panel, said right side panel, and said
back panel include a plurality of locking sockets arranged in
a linear fashion along said top and said bottom edges, said
35


locking sockets extending inwardly between said outer surface
and said inner surface, wherein said locking cavities are
constructed and arranged to cooperate with said top and said
base panels, wherein said top and said base panels are
secured to said left, right and back panels via said locking
sockets.
16. The drawer cabinet kit as described in claim 15,
wherein at least one of said locking sockets include an
aperture therethrough, wherein said aperture is constructed
and arranged for mating engagement with at least one spring-
tab integrally formed into locking posts in said top and said
base panels.
17. The drawer cabinet kit as described in claim 1,
wherein said bottom surface of said base panel includes
integrally formed cross-bracing, wherein said cross-bracing
provides increased weight capacity and stability to said
drawer cabinet kit.
36

Description

Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.


CA 02491979 2005-O1-11
1 DRAWER CABINET STORAGE KIT
2
3 Field of the Invention
4 This invention relates generally to a drawer cabinet kit
constructed of plastic structural panels. More specifically,
6 the present invention relates to a cabinet constructed of
7 injection molded plastic panels to contain a plurality of
8 drawers with modular snap-in guides and which is capable of
9 being packaged and shipped assembled or in a knocked-down
state and constructed into a secure drawer cabinet at a
11 desired site.
12
13 Background Information
14 Throughout the home, a need exists to store a large
variety of different items. This is particularly true of
16 garage and utility areas where a vast array of products have
17 been developed to increase the comfort level of living. The
18 accumulation of these various objects and products gives rise
19 to a need for adequate storage of those items when not in
use .
21 Various cabinets for storing household items such as
22 gardening tools, automotive supplies, barbeque accessories
23 and the like are well known. One of the more popular type of
24 cabinets for storing household items is a cabinet with a
1

CA 02491979 2005-O1-11
1 plurality of pull-out drawers. Cabinets of this type are
2 generally shipped to a consumer or a supplier fully
3 assembled. Shipping fully assembled cabinetry requires a
4 considerable amount of space available within a shipping
medium. Because space is limited, the cost associated with
6 shipping assembled cabinets is comparatively high.
7 Alternatively, drawer cabinet assemblies are customized
8 for the consumer based on the consumer's needs. With
9 customized cabinets, the consumer selects the cabinet
material, the size of the associated drawers and the drawer
11 guides needed to guide the drawers in and out of the cabinet.
12 Numerous devices have been utilized throughout history to
13 guide drawers in and out of drawer cabinets. The simplest
14 mechanism is a box in which the drawer slides. Other methods
of control include runners on either side of the drawer or a
16 single runner under the bottom of the drawer with notches to
17 hold the drawer in alignment with the cabinet. All of these
18 basic guide systems have high levels of friction between the
19 drawer and the cabinet and, consequently, rapidly wear out.
Numerous low friction devices have been designed to
21 facilitate movement of drawers in and out of cabinets
22 including ball bearings, wheels, and sliders. Most of these
23 low friction devices require unsightly tracks along the side
24 of the drawers and wide spaces between the sides of the
2

CA 02491979 2005-O1-11
1 drawers and the drawer face to allow passage of the low
2 friction devices from the inside of the drawer cabinet to the
3 outside when the drawer is extended.
4 Side play of the drawer when extended is another
difficult problem, particularly in the basic forms of drawer
6 guides. Often the drawer must be moved from side to side and
7 up and down in order to get it to return to the drawer
8 cabinet. As the guides become worn, the problem becomes even
9 more severe. Even drawer slides utilizing rollers, ball
bearings and sliders have binding problems, especially when
11 the drawers are heavily loaded or the slide parts have become
12 slightly worn.
13 The ball bearing type of drawer slide creates a
14 different problem. Because there is virtually no side play
in a ball bearing slide the drawer cabinet must be perfectly
16 aligned with the drawer slide in order to eliminate binding
17 as the drawer is moved in and out. Skilled labor and time
18 are required to properly position a ball bearing slide.
19 Fabrication costs of low friction slide arrangements are
another problem. The slide arrangements must be specially
21 made for each different length of drawer. A long drawer
22 requires a long slide arrangement and a short drawer requires
23 a short slide arrangement. Manufacturers are required to
3

CA 02491979 2005-O1-11
1 maintain supplies of many different lengths of drawer slides
2 or modify slides for each customer.
3 Full extension drawer slides are a variation of the
4 typical drawer slide and are used to permit full extension of
drawers such that the back of the drawer is fully accessible.
6 Such drawer guides usually use three or more rails with one
7 rail (cab.inet rail) being attached to the cabinet, one rail
8 (drawer rail) being attached to the drawer and one rail
9 (floating rail) gliding between the drawer and cabinet rails.
Examples of such drawer guides are disclosed in United States
11 Pat. Nos. to Card, 1,537,067, Tobey, 2,099,148, Schaffert,
12 1,129,831, Bullock et al, 3,203,749, Vander Ley, 4,004,841,
13 Lautenschalager 5,733,027, Fleisch, 5,895,102, Fraccaro,
14 6,390,574. In these systems, rollers or ball bearings are
provided on racks between the floating rail and the cabinet
16 and drawer rails to provide free gliding movement between
17 each of the rails.
18 One of the problems associated with such systems is that
19 they tend to be rather large and bulky which limits their use
on smaller drawers. Further, such systems are relatively
21 complicated and difficult to fabricate, resulting in high
22 costs to consumers.
23 Such prior art systems have not met all of the needs of
24 manufacturers to provide a product that can be easily
4

CA 02491979 2005-O1-11
1 manufactured, packaged and shipped, or the needs of consumers
2 requiring economical and versatile do-it-yourself storage
3 kits. Moreover, because the prior art devices do not break
4 down they are difficult and expensive to ship from the
manufacturer to the consumer.
6 Paramount among such needs is an easy to assemble kit
7 which can be easily assembled by an average homeowner.
8 Structure is a further consideration, the cabinet formed by
9 the panels must create cabinet walls which resist panel
separation, buckling and racking in such a way as to unify
11 the entire enclosure.
12 Also, from a versatility standpoint, a cooperating
13 drawer and guide should be present which can be easily
14 assembled or modified after assembly of the side, top, bottom
and back panels, and which provides security and dependable
16 access to the contents of the drawers without the complex and
17 difficult to assemble mechanisms associated with the prior
18 art .
19 There are also commercial considerations that must be
satisfied by any viable drawer cabinet system or kit;
21 considerations which are not entirely satisfied by state of
22 the art products. The drawer cabinet must be formed of
23 relatively few component parts that are inexpensive to
24 manufacture by conventional techniques. The drawer cabinet
5

CA 02491979 2005-O1-11
1 must also be capable of being packaged and shipped in a
2 knocked-down state.
3 In addition, there are ergonomic needs that a drawer
4 cabinet system must satisfy in order to achieve acceptance by
the end user. The system must be easily and quickly
6 assembled using minimal hardware and requiring a minimal
7 number of tools. Further, the system must not require
8 excessive strength to assemble or include heavy component
9 parts. Moreover, the system must assemble together in such a
way so as not to detract from the internal storage volume of
11 the resulting wall cabinet or otherwise negatively affect the
12 utility of the drawer cabinet.
13
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6

CA 02491979 2005-O1-11
1 Brief Description of the invention
2 The present invention provides an assembly, or kit, of
3 injection molded panels having integrated connectors which
4 combine to form a drawer cabinet with a plurality of snap-in
drawer guide members and cooperating pull out drawers. The
6 cabinet panels are formed of injection molded plastic and
7 include integrally formed connectors to interlock with one
8 another without the need for separate fasteners. The
9 integrated connection of the side walls and top and bottom
panels simplifies the drawer cabinet construction and
11 minimizes the number of components required to assemble the
12 drawer cabinet. Injection molding allows the panels to be
13 formed with integral cross-bracing, ribs and gussets for
14 increased rigidity. When supplied as a kit, assembly of the
drawer cabinet requires minimal hardware and a minimum number
16 of hand tools .
17 The drawer cabinet assembly includes a base panel, a
18 back panel, left and right side panels and a top panel. The


19 base panel is constructed with integrally formed
outwardly


extending contoured locking posts for interlocking


21 cooperative engagement with sockets formed into the ends
of


22 the left, between the
right and
back panels.
The engagement


23 locking pos ts and the sockets serve to rigidly connect the


24 components together, preventing the panels from bowing


7

CA 02491979 2005-O1-11
1 inwardly or outwardly under loads to provide a structurally
2 sound cabinet with a pleasing aesthetic appearance.
3 The interior portion of the cabinet includes integrally
4 molded vertical rails extending along each side. The rails
extend from the base panel to the top panel. Each rail is
6 constructed to accept a plurality of snap-in drawer guide
7 members in a vertically spaced and generally parallel
8 arrangement to cooperate with a combination of drawers to
9 fill the cabinet. This construction allows the consumer to
customize the drawer cabinet for a particular storage
11 requirement. Cooperating with the vertical rails are snap-in
12 drawer guide members having a rotatably mounted roller
13 secured within the front portion thereof. The snap in guide
14 members minimize complexity of completing the assembly while
increasing versatility by allowing the consumer to customize
16 the assembly for specific needs. The snap-in construction of
17 the drawer guides eliminate the need for skilled tradesmen to
18 line-up and mount complicated hardware within the cabinet.
19 In this manner the consumer can select a plurality of drawers
having various heights, snap in the drawer guides, and
21 thereafter slide in the drawers to complete the assembly.
22 The drawers are pre-constructed of polymeric material
23 including a first roller rotatably mounted on each lower rear
24 corner and a second roller rotatably mounted on each upper
8

CA 02491979 2005-O1-11
1 rear corner. The first rollers are adapted to cooperate with
2 an adjacent lower drawer guide to support the rear portion of
3 the drawer and the second rollers are adapted to cooperate
4 with an adjacent upper guide to prevent the drawer from
S tipping as it is pulled outwardly.
6 In operation, as a loaded drawer is pulled outward it
7 rolls freely on the fixed position guide roller and the
8 rollers at the bottom rear of the drawer. As the guide
9 roller and the drawer rollers get closer together the weight
in the drawer causes a cantilever action across the guide
11 roller and the rollers positioned at the upper rear of the
12 drawer roll along the lower portion of the adjacent guide
13 above. This construction allows the drawers to be easily
14 opened with heavy loads without requiring complex sliding
track mechanisms to prevent tipping of the drawer.
16 Accordingly, it is an objective of the present invention
17 to provide a polymeric drawer cabinet assembly having a
18 plurality of modular cooperating drawer and guide assemblies.
19 It is a further objective of the present invention to
provide a modular snap-in drawer guide device, by which a
21 cooperating drawer can be smoothly guided inwardly and
22 outwardly of a cabinet body without the need for complex
23 metal guiding mechanisms.
9

CA 02491979 2005-O1-11
1 Yet a further objective of the present invention is to
2 provide a modular polymeric drawer guide device which allows
3 the drawer to be guided a sufficient distance out of the
4 cabinet body to provide access to the interior of the drawer.
Still yet a further objective of the present invention
6 is to provide a drawer cabinet assembly constructed from
7 panels having integrated connectors which accommodate
8 injection molding plastic formation of the panel components
9 for increased structural integrity.
Another objective of the present invention is to provide
11 a drawer cabinet storage kit in which the side walls, top
12 panel, and bottom panel are interlocked without the need for
13 separate fasteners.
14 Yet another objective of the present invention is to
provide a kit for a drawer cabinet that is capable of being
16 packaged and shipped in a knocked-down state and constructed
17 into a secure drawer cabinet.
18 Still yet another objective of the present invention is
19 to provide a drawer and guide assembly which allows an end
user to customize a drawer cabinet to suit an individual
21 application.
22 Other objectives and advantages of the present invention
23 will become apparent from the following description taken in
24 conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein are set

CA 02491979 2005-O1-11
1 forth, by way of illustration and example, certain
2 embodiments of this invention. The drawings constitute a
3 part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments
4 of the present invention and illustrate various objects and
S features thereof.
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11

CA 02491979 2005-O1-11
1 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
2 FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the instant invention;
3 FIGURE 2 is an exploded view of the instant invention,
4 illustrated with the drawers and drawer guides omitted for
clarity;
6 FIGURE 3 is a partial exploded view of the instant
7 invention, illustrating a drawer guide and the inner surface
8 of a side panel;
9 FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of a drawer utilized in
the instant invention;
11 FIGURE 5 is a section view taken along line 1-1 of
12 FIGURE 1.
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12

CA 02491979 2005-O1-11
1 Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments
2 While the present invention is susceptible of embodiment
3 in various forms, there is shown in the drawings and will
4 hereinafter be described a presently preferred embodiment
with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be
6 considered an exemplification of the invention and is not
7 intended to limit the, invention to the specific embodiments
8 illustrated.
9 FIGS. 1 and 2 which are now referenced illustrate
perspective and exploded views of the drawer cabinet
11 assembly, generally referenced as 10, according to a
12 preferred embodiment of the present invention. The drawer
13 cabinet is made up of a base panel 100 and top panel 200,
14 left side panel 300, right side panel 400, rear panel 500
(FIG. 2), drawer guides 600 (FIG. 3) and drawers 700. In the
16 preferred embodiment, the panels comprising the assembly are
17 formed of but not limited to a suitable polymeric material,
18 through the process of injection molding. The result is that
19 the panels comprising the drawer cabinet assembly 10 are
formed as unitary panels with integral connectors, and cross
21 bracing. Strengthening ribs 120, 220 (FIG. 5) are integrally
22 formed within the lower surfaces of the top and base panels
23 100, 200 in order to enhance rigidity of the panels while
24 leaving the external surface in a generally smooth condition
13

CA 02491979 2005-O1-11
1 for aesthetic purposes, as shown in FIG. 1. Injection
2 molding offers significant strength and stability advantages
3 over wood or metal construction as utilized in the prior art.
4 In this manner the enclosure of the instant invention is
capable of handling a significant amount of weight as
6 compared to wooden or sheet metal cabinets.
7 The base panel 100. has an upper surface 102, lower
8 surface (not shown), front edge 104, rear edge 106, left edge
9 108 and right edge 110. Adjacent to each of the rear, left,
and right edges 106, 108, 110 is a means of attaching the
11 base panel to the left side panel 300, right side panel 400,
12 and back panel 500 illustrated herein as a plurality of
13 formed locking posts 112 extending outwardly from the upper
14 surface. The integrally formed locking posts 112 are
constructed and arranged to cooperate with sockets 310
16 extending inwardly in a linear fashion along the upper and
17 lower edges of the left 300, right 400, and back 500 panels.
18 The locking posts 112 and sockets 310 are constructed and
19 arranged so that the locking posts 112 enter and mateably
engage the sockets 310 securing the panels together in an
21 inter-fitting perpendicular engagement. In a most preferred
22 embodiment, the base panel locking posts 112 each include at
23 least one integrally formed spring-tab 114. The spring-tabs
24 are constructed and arranged to cooperate with apertures 314
14

CA 02491979 2005-O1-11
1 provided in the locking sockets 310 for positively
2 maintaining secure coupling engagement between the base panel
3 100 and the left, right and back panels 300, 400 and 500.
4 The top panel 200 has an upper surface 202, lower
surface 204, front edge 206, rear edge 208, left edge 210 and
6 right edge 212. Adjacent to each of the rear, left and right
7 edges 208, 210, and 212 respectively is a means of attaching
8 the top panel to the left side panel 300, right side panel
9 400, and back panel 500. The means of attaching the panels
is illustrated herein as a plurality of formed locking posts
11 112 extending outwardly from the lower surface 204. The
12 formed locking posts 112 are constructed and arranged to
13 cooperate with sockets 310 extending inwardly in a linear
14 fashion along the upper and lower edges of the left 300,
right 400, and back 500 panels. The locking posts 112 and
16 sockets 310 are constructed and arranged so that the locking
17 posts 112 enter and mateably engage the sockets 310 securing
18 the panels together in an inter-fitting perpendicular
19 engagement. In a most preferred embodiment, the top panel
locking posts 112 each include at least one integrally formed
21 spring-tab 114. The spring-tabs are constructed and arranged
22 to cooperate with apertures 314 provided in the locking
23 sockets 310 for positively maintaining secure coupling

CA 02491979 2005-O1-11
1 engagement between the base panel 100 and the left, right and
2 back panels 300, 400 and 500.
3 The back panel. 500 is constructed and arranged for
4 enclosing the back of the drawer cabinet 10. The back panel
500 includes a top edge 502, a bottom edge 504, a left edge
6 506, and a right edge 508. The top edge 502 and bottom edge
7 504 include a.means for attaching the back panel to.the base
8 panel 100 and the top panel 200 in a perpendicular
9 relationship. The attachment means is illustrated herein as
a plurality of locking sockets 310 arranged in a linear
11 fashion extending inwardly along the top and bottom edges.
12 The locking sockets preferably include at least one aperture
13 314. The apertures 314 are constructed and arranged to
14 cooperate with the locking post spring tabs 114 for
positively maintaining secure coupling engagement between the
16 back panel 300 and the base and top panels 100, 200.
17 The left side panel 300 is constructed and arranged for
18 enclosing the left side of the drawer cabinet. The left side
19 panel 300 includes a top edge 302, a bottom edge 304, a front
edge 306, a back edge 308, an inner surface 312 and an outer
21 surface (not shown). The top edge 302 and the bottom edge
22 304 include a means for attaching the left side panel to the
23 base panel 100 and the top panel 200 in a perpendicular
24 relationship. The attachment means is illustrated herein as
16

CA 02491979 2005-O1-11
1 a plurality of locking sockets 310 arranged in a linear
2 fashion extending inwardly along the top and bottom edges
3 302, 304. The locking sockets 310 preferably include at
4 least one aperture 314. The apertures 314 are constructed
and arranged to cooperate with the locking post spring tabs
6 114 for positively maintaining secure coupling engagement


7 between the left side panel 300 and the base and top panels


8 100, 200. The inner surface 312 includes an integrally


9 formed means for mounting a plurality of drawer guides in a
vertically spaced and generally parallel relationship. The
11 drawer guide mounting means is illustrated herein as a pair
12 of like-constructed vertical rails 316 integrally molded on
13 the inner surface 312 of the left side panel 300. One of the
14 vertical rails 316 is positioned generally adjacent to the
front edge 306 and one of the vertical rails 316 is
16 positioned generally adjacent to the rear edge 308 of the
17 left panel 300. The vertical rails 316 extend from about the
18 bottom edge 304 of the panel to about the top edge 302 of the
19 panel. The vertical rails 316 each include a plurality of
vertically spaced apertures 318 which are constructed and
21 arranged to cooperate with a plurality of drawer guides 600
22 for removable attachment thereof.
23 The right side panel 400 is constructed and arranged for
24 enclosing the right side of the drawer cabinet 10. The
17

CA 02491979 2005-O1-11
1 right side panel 400 includes a top edge 402, a bottom edge
2 404, a front edge 406, a back edge 408, an inner surface (not
3 shown) and an outer surface 414. The top edge 402 and the
4 bottom edge 404 include a means for attaching the right side
panel 400 to the base panel 100 and the top panel 200 in a
6 perpendicular relationship. The attachment means is
7 illustrated herein as a plurality of .locking sockets 310
8 arranged in a linear fashion extending inwardly along the top
9 and bottom edges 402, 404. The locking sockets 310
preferably include at least one aperture 314. The apertures
11 314 are constructed and arranged to cooperate with the
12 locking post spring tabs 114 for positively maintaining
13 secure coupling engagement between the right side panel 400
14 and the base and top panels 100, 200. The inner surface
includes an integrally formed means for mounting a plurality
16 of drawer guides in a vertically spaced and generally
17 parallel relationship. The drawer guide mounting means is
18 illustrated herein as a pair of like-constructed vertical
19 rails 316 integrally molded on the inner surface of the left
side panel 400. One of the vertical rails 316 is positioned
21 generally adjacent to the front edge 406 and one of the
22 vertical rails 316 is positioned generally adjacent to the
23 rear edge 408 of the left panel 400. The vertical rails 316
24 extend from about the bottom edge 404 of the panel to about
18

CA 02491979 2005-O1-11
1 the top edge 402 of the panel. The vertical rails 316 each
2 include a plurality of vertically spaced apertures 318 which
3 are constructed and arranged to cooperate with a plurality of
4 drawer guides 600 for removable attachment thereof.
The left, right and back panels 300, 400 and 500 are
6 attached to the top and bottom panels 100 and 200 by
7 inserting the locking posts 112 into locking sockets 310
8 until the spring tabs 114 integrally formed into the locking
9 posts 112 engage the apertures 314 in the sockets 310 of the
left, right and back panels 300, 400 and 500. It will be
11 appreciated that the purpose of the locking posts 112 are to
12 align two panels in a perpendicular relationship and to
13 facilitate their mechanical connection. The perpendicular
14 panels are brought into a coupled relationship wherein the
locking posts 112 enter the corresponding sockets 310 in the
16 left, right and back panels 300, 400 and 500. The result is
17 a mechanically secure engagement between the panels. The
18 coupling engagement between the panels as described above
19 provides a secure connection and offers several advantages.
First, the design allows the panels to be connected without
21 the need for separate fasteners. Second, the design creates
22 a positive lock that prevents separation of the panels.
23 Third, the design maintains alignment of the panels and
24 prevents bowing or bending of either panel relative to one
19

CA 02491979 2005-O1-11
1 another. The resultant drawer cabinet created by the
2 combination of the interlocking panels benefits from high
3 structural integrity and reliable operation.
4 Referring to Figure 3 and 4, to accommodate a
combination of various sized drawers 700 to fill the drawer
6 cabinet, a plurality of drawer guides 600 are provided. The
7 drawer guides 600 are constructed and arranged to cooperate
8 with the mounting means provided on the inner surfaces of the
9 left and right side panels 300, 400 and the drawers 700 to
provide support and prevent tipping and canting of the
11 drawers 700, while the drawers are moved inwardly and
12 outwardly of the cabinet assembly.
13 The drawer guides 600 are constructed and arranged to
14 securely support the drawers while evenly distributing the
weight thereof within the cabinet assembly. The drawer
16 guides are generally L-shaped and include a vertical leg 602,
17 a horizontal leg 604, a front portion 606, and a back portion
18 608, and means for removable securement within the cabinet
19 assembly. In a preferred, albeit non-limiting embodiment,
the vertical leg 602 includes a means for removably securing
21 the drawer guides 600 to the inner surfaces of the .left and
22 right side panels 300, 400 in a vertically spaced generally
23 parallel relationship, illustrated herein as a pair of
24 outwardly extending locking posts 610. One of the locking

CA 02491979 2005-O1-11
1 posts 610 is integrally formed into the front portion 606 of
2 the vertical leg 602 and one of the locking posts is
3 integrally formed into the back portion 608 of the vertical
4 leg of the drawer guide 600. The locking posts are
preferably constructed and arranged to have a conjugate shape
6 to the apertures 31.8 provided in the left and right side
7 panel vertical rails 316. In a most preferred embodiment,
$ the drawer guide locking posts 610 each include at least one
9 integrally formed spring-tab 114. The spring-tabs 114 are
constructed and arranged to cooperate with apertures 318
11 provided in the vertical rails 316 for positively maintaining
12 secure coupling engagement between the drawer guides 600 and
13 the left and right side panels 300, 400. For supporting and
14 facilitating easy movement of a loaded drawer 700, the drawer
guides 600 include at least one roller 616 rotatably mounted
16 in the front portion 606 of the horizontal leg 604. The
17 roller 616 is sized and positioned between an upper surface
18 612 and a lower surface 614 of the horizontal leg 604 of the
19 drawer guide 600 so that a portion of the roller protrudes
above the top surface. The upper surface of the horizontal
21 leg 604 of the drawer guide 600 also includes an outwardly
22 protruding detent 618. The detent 618 is integrally formed
23 into the rear portion 608 of the drawer guide and is
24 constructed and arranged to cooperate with rollers 720 (FIG.
21

CA 02491979 2005-O1-11
1 4) rotatably mounted on the lower rear portion of the drawers
2 for releasably securing a drawer 700 within the drawer
3 cabinet 10. Pulling outward on the drawer 700 allows the
4 rollers to release from the guide detents 618. The lower
surface 614 of the horizontal leg 604 of each drawer guide
6 also includes an integrally formed and outwardly
protruding


7 stop tab 620 (FIG. 5). The stop tab 620 is constructed and


8 arranged to ooperate with a stop 722 (FIG. 4) formed into
c


9 the upper rear the drawers 700 to prevent the
portion of


10drawers from being extended of the drawer
completely
out


11cabinet.


12 In operation, the drawer guides 600 may be positioned on
13 the inner surface of the left and right side panels to
14 accommodate a combination of various sized drawers to fill
15the drawer cabinet by sliding 600 into the
the locking posts


16apertures 318 until the spring- tab 114 engages the left or


17right side panel. The result is a mechanically secure inter-


18fitting engagement between the guides and the panels. The


19design allows the drawer guides to be connected to the panels


20 without the need for separate fasteners.
21 Referring to FIGS 4 and 5, a plurality of drawers 700
22 are provided for enclosing the front of the wall cabinet 10
23 and providing storage within the cabinet. The drawers 700
24 include a front portion 702, a rear portion 704, a left side
22

CA 02491979 2005-O1-11
1 706, a right side 708 and a bottom surface 714. The left
2 side 706 and the right side 708 each include at least one
3 upper roller 710 and at least one lower roller 720 rotatably
4 mounted thereto. In the preferred embodiment the rollers 710
and 720 are mounted within integrally formed roller pockets
6 712. The upper rollers 710 are rotatably mounted within the
7 .upper roller pockets to extend partially outward therefrom. to
8 cooperate with the lower surface 614 of an adjacent drawer
9 guide, and wherein the lower rollers 720 are rotatably
mounted within the lower roller pockets to extend partially
11 outward therefrom to cooperate with the upper surface 612 of
12 an adjacent drawer guide 600. In this manner, the
13 cooperating rollers and said drawer guides prevent the drawer
14 from tipping as the drawer is extended outwardly from the
drawer cabinet. The lower surface 714 of the drawers 700
16 include a pair of integrally formed detents 716. The pair of
17 detents 716 are constructed and arranged to cooperate with
18 the rollers 616 rotatably mounted in the front portion 606 of
19 the drawer guides 600 for releasably securing a drawer 700
within the drawer cabinet.
21 Thus, a drawer cabinet kit with a plurality of drawer
22 guides and cooperating drawers has been shown and described.
23 The kit is comprised of injection molded components having
23

CA 02491979 2005-O1-11
1 integrated connectors which may be assembled on a desired
2 site without requiring separate fasteners or tools.
3 All patents and publications mentioned in this
4 specification are indicative of the levels of those skilled
in the art to which the invention pertains. All patents and
6 publications are herein incorporated by reference to the same
7 extent as if each individual publication was specifically and
8 individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.
9 It is to be understood that while a certain form of the
invention is illustrated, it is not to be limited to the
11 specific form or arrangement herein described and shown. It
12 will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various
13 changes may be made without departing from the scope of the
14 invention and the invention is not to be considered limited
to what is shown and described in the specification.
16 One skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the
17 present invention is well adapted to carry out the objectives
18 and obtain the ends and advantages mentioned, as well as
19 those inherent therein. The embodiments, methods, procedures
and techniques described herein are presently representative
21 of the preferred embodiments, are intended to be exemplary
22 and are not intended as limitations on the scope. Changes
23 therein and other uses will occur to those skilled in the art
24 which are encompassed within the spirit of the invention and
24

CA 02491979 2005-O1-11
1 are defined by the scope of the appended claims. Although
2 the invention has been described in connection with specific
3 preferred embodiments, it should be understood that the


4 invention as claimed should not be unduly such
limited to


S specific modifications the
embodiments. of
Indeed, various


6 described modes for carrying out the invention which are


7 obvious those skilled in the art are intended to be
to within



8 the scope of the following claims.
9
11
12
13
14
16
17
18
19
21
22
23
24

Representative Drawing
A single figure which represents the drawing illustrating the invention.
Administrative Status

For a clearer understanding of the status of the application/patent presented on this page, the site Disclaimer , as well as the definitions for Patent , Administrative Status , Maintenance Fee  and Payment History  should be consulted.

Administrative Status

Title Date
Forecasted Issue Date Unavailable
(22) Filed 2005-01-11
(41) Open to Public Inspection 2005-08-04
Dead Application 2011-01-11

Abandonment History

Abandonment Date Reason Reinstatement Date
2010-01-11 FAILURE TO REQUEST EXAMINATION
2010-01-11 FAILURE TO PAY APPLICATION MAINTENANCE FEE

Payment History

Fee Type Anniversary Year Due Date Amount Paid Paid Date
Registration of a document - section 124 $100.00 2005-01-11
Application Fee $400.00 2005-01-11
Maintenance Fee - Application - New Act 2 2007-01-11 $100.00 2006-12-18
Maintenance Fee - Application - New Act 3 2008-01-11 $100.00 2007-11-22
Maintenance Fee - Application - New Act 4 2009-01-12 $100.00 2008-12-11
Owners on Record

Note: Records showing the ownership history in alphabetical order.

Current Owners on Record
SUNCAST CORPORATION
Past Owners on Record
ANDERSON, TORRENCE
MOON, BRIAN
Past Owners that do not appear in the "Owners on Record" listing will appear in other documentation within the application.
Documents

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Document
Description 
Date
(yyyy-mm-dd) 
Number of pages   Size of Image (KB) 
Abstract 2005-01-11 1 15
Description 2005-01-11 25 843
Claims 2005-01-11 11 375
Drawings 2005-01-11 5 155
Representative Drawing 2005-07-13 1 17
Cover Page 2005-07-27 1 42
Assignment 2005-04-26 5 147
Assignment 2005-01-11 5 150
Correspondence 2005-02-08 1 23