REPLACEABLE DRAWER FRONT COMPONENT

COMPOSANT AVANT DE TIROIR REMPLACABLE

English Abstract

A replaceable drawer front is configured to be repeatedly removed and installed on a tool storage unit drawer face. Co-acting connection features on the drawer front and the drawer face releasably retain the drawer front on the drawer face.

French Abstract

L'invention concerne un avant de tiroir remplaçable conçu pour être retiré et installé de façon répétée sur la face d'un tiroir d'une unité de rangement d'outil. Des caractéristiques de raccordement coopératif sur l'avant du tiroir et la face du tiroir maintiennent l'avant du tiroir de façon libérale sur la face du tiroir.

Claims

Claims
1. A tool storage unit comprising:
a storage unit housing including five sides that form a tool storage cavity
having a frontward facing opening defined by edges of four of the sides;
at least one drawer slidingly installed within the tool storage cavity, the
drawer
including a body portion having a compartment therein and a front face
configured to rest
substantially flush with the frontward facing opening when the drawer is in a
closed position;
a removable drawer front connected to the front face and configured to enable
repeated removal from and installation to the front face, the drawer front
including at least
one decorative surface that faces away from the tool storage cavity to present
an exterior
surface.
2. The tool storage unit of claim 1 wherein the drawer front includes a grip
portion configured to be engaged by a user to manipulate the drawer.
3. The tool storage unit of claim 1 wherein the front face includes a set of
first
connection features and the drawer front includes a set of co-operating second
connection
features.
4. The tool storage unit of claim 3 wherein one of the first connection
feature and
the second connection feature comprises an opening and wherein the other of
the first
connection feature and the second connection feature comprises a protrusion
configured to
protrude through the opening and be retained within the opening.
5. The tool storage unit of claim 4 wherein the opening comprises a narrow
portion and an adjacent wider portion and wherein the protrusion comprises a
neck portion
sized to provide a friction fit within the narrow portion and a head portion
sized to pass
through the wider portion and be constrained from removal through the narrow
portion.
6

6. The tool storage unit of claim 1 wherein the drawer front comprises a
unitary
component.
7. The tool storage unit of claim 1 wherein the drawer front comprises a
decorative skin connected to a top drawer front portion and to a bottom drawer
front portion.
8. The tool storage unit of claim 1 wherein the decorative surface comprises
aluminum.
9. The tool storage unit of claim 1 wherein the decorative surface comprises
stainless steel.
10. The tool storage unit of claim 1 wherein the decorative surface comprises
a
painted surface.
11. The tool storage unit of claim 1 wherein the decorative surface comprises
a
material that includes plastic.
12. The tool storage unit of claim 1 wherein a plurality of drawers include a
removable drawer front and wherein the decorative surface of each drawer front
depicts a
portion of a single image.
13. A drawer front kit for use with a tool storage unit having a housing
including
five sides that form a tool storage cavity having a frontward facing opening
defined by edges
of four of the sides and at least one drawer slidingly installed within the
tool storage cavity,
wherein the drawer includes a body portion having a compartment therein and a
front face
7

configured to rest substantially flush with the frontward facing opening when
the drawer is in
a closed position, the front face including one or more drawer connection
features, the kit
comprising a drawer front having a decorative surface on a front side and a
connection surface
on an opposite facing rear side, the drawer front including one or more front
connection
features positioned on the connection surface in corresponding location to the
drawer
connection features and configured to co act with the drawer connection
features to releasably
retain the drawer front to the drawer front face.
14. The drawer front kit of claim 13 wherein the drawer front includes a grip
portion configured to be engaged by a user to manipulate the drawer.
15. The drawer front kit of claim 13 further comprising fasteners configured
to
fasten the drawer connection features to the front connection features.
16. The drawer front kit of claim 13 wherein one of the drawer connection
feature
and the front connection feature comprises an opening and wherein the other of
the first
connection feature and the second connection feature comprises a protrusion
configured to
protrude through the opening and be retained within the opening.
17. The drawer front kit of claim 16 wherein the opening comprises a narrow
portion and an adjacent wider portion and wherein the protrusion comprises a
neck portion
sized to provide a friction fit within the narrow portion and a head portion
sized to pass
through the wider portion and be constrained from removal through the narrow
portion.
18. The drawer front kit of claim 13 wherein the drawer front comprises a
unitary
component.
8

19. The drawer front kit of claim 13 wherein the drawer front comprises a
decorative skin connected to a top drawer front portion and a bottom drawer
front portion.
20. The drawer front kit of claim 13 wherein the decorative surface comprises
aluminum.
21. The drawer front kit of claim 13 wherein the decorative surface comprises
stainless steel.
22. The drawer front kit of claim 13 wherein the decorative surface comprises
a
painted surface.
23. The drawer front kit of claim 13 wherein the decorative surface comprises
a
material that includes plastic.
24. The drawer front kit of claim 13 comprising a plurality of drawer fronts
and
wherein the decorative surface of each drawer front depicts a portion of a
single image.
25. A method of replacing an installed drawer front component on a tool
storage
unit drawer, the method comprising:
removing the drawer from the tool storage unit;
disconnecting front fastening features on the installed drawer front component
from co-acting drawer fastening features on the drawer;
removing the drawer front component from the drawer; and
installing front fastening features on a replacement drawer front component to
the drawer fastening features on the drawer.
9

26. The method of claim 25 wherein the replacement drawer front component is
the installed drawer front component.
27. The method of claim 25 wherein the step of disconnecting the front
fastening
features from the drawer fastening features is performed by sliding the drawer
front
component relative to a front face of the drawers such that head portions of
tabs on a rear
surface of the drawer front component are positioned within an opening in the
drawer face
from a narrow portion that constrains removal of the head from the opening to
a wide portion
of the opening that permits clearance of the head to allow the drawer front
component to be
removed from the drawer face.
28. The method of claim 25 wherein the step of installing the front fastening
features to the drawer fastening features is performed by placing the drawer
front component
on a front face of the drawer and sliding the drawer front component relative
to the front face
of the drawers such that head portions of tabs on a rear surface of the drawer
front component
are moved from a position within a wide portion of an opening in the drawer
face that permits
clearance of the head to allow the drawer front component to be installed on
the drawer face
to a position within a narrow portion that constrains removal of the head from
the opening.

Description

CA 02667624 2009-04-24
WO 2008/067512 PCT/US2007/086019
REPLACEABLE DRAWER FRONT COMPONENT
Cross Reference to Related Applications
[0001] This non-provisional application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Patent
Application Nos. 60/861,874, entitled "Drawer with Replaceable Skin," filed on
November
30, 2006, and 60/861,880, entitled "Replaceable Drawer Front Component," filed
on
November 30, 2006 the entire disclosure of each is incoiporated herein by
reference, to the
extent that it is not conflicting with the preseilt disclosure.
Field of the Invention
[0002J The present invention relates to a replaceable drawer front and to a
replaceable
drawer front for installation on a tool chest or tool cabinet.
Backlzround of the Invention
[00031 Storage containers such as dressers, bureaus, and file cabinets having
drawers are
in popular use. Several exemplary storage devices include tool chests, tool
cabinets, and
combination tool chest and cabinet units. Tool chests, tool cabinets, and
combination tool
chest and cabinet units are in widespread use in residential, commercial and
industrial
settings.
[0004] Tool cliests and cabinets typically include a plurality of drawers of
similar or
various height. The drawers are constnicted to form an assernbled unit having
slides on either
side and a front panel. A comnion construction tecluiique involves the
coinplete assembly of
the tool chest or tool cabinet frame by welding or other means. The drawers
are manufactured
as complete permanent assemblies. Subsequently, the drawers are installed and
the entire unit
is painted or otherwise finislied to produce a uniform appearing exterior
surface. This
uniform surface includes the exposed front face of the drawers. As a result,
the color of the
front panel matches the rest of the tool chest or tool cabinet. Absent any
repainting, the color
or texture of the front face of the drawers can not be readily changed by the
consumer.
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Snmmary
[0005] A replaceable drawer front is provided as part of a tool storage unit
and as a
drawer front kit and method of installing the drawer front on a tool storage
unit drawer. The
drawer front includes a decorative surface on a front side and a connection
surface on an
opposite facing rear side. The drawer front includes one or more fi=ont
connection features
positioned on the connection surface in corresponding location to drawer
connection features
on the drawer. The front comlection features are configured to co-act witli
the drawer
connection features to releasably retain the drawer front to the drawer front
face.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0006] Further features and advantages of this invention will become apparent
from the
following detailed description made with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
[0007] Figure 1 is a fi=ont elevation view of a tool chest having a
replaceable drawer front
constructed in accordance with an embodinient of this iiivention;
[0008] Figure 2 is a top view of the tool chest of Figure 1;
[0009] Figure 3 is a right side view of the tool chest of Figure 1;
[00010] Figure 4 is a perspective view of a portion of the tool chest of
Figure 1 showing a
drawer having a replaceable drawer front constilicted in accordance with an
embodiment of
this invention in an extended or apen position;
[00011] Figure 5 is an exploded view of the drawer of Figure 4; and
[00012] Figure 6 is a rear view of a replaceable drawer front constructed in
accordance
with an embodiment of the present invention.
Detailed Description of the Invention
[00013] This Detailed Description of the Invention merely describes
enlbodiments of the
inventioii and is not intended to lirnit the scope of the specification,
including any claims, in
any way. Indeed, the invention as described by the specification and claims is
broader than
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and unlimited by the preferred embodiments, and the tenns used in the
specification and
clainis have their fiill ordinary meaning.
[00014] The present invention will be described for use with a tool chest and
a tool cabinet.
It should be understood that this is for exemplary purposes only and the
invention can be
applied to a wide variety of applications.
[00015] The invention is directed to a replaceable drawer front assembly or
integral unit
that can be conveniently removed and replaced. The replacemerit can be done by
a consumer
in an after market enviromnent. The remove and replace operation requires no
special tooling
or training. The process results in the front face of the drawer having a new
or different
onianiental appearance. One of more drawers fronts can be replaced to alter
the entire
ornamental appearance of a tool chest or a tool cabinet.
[00016] Referring now to the drawings, Figure 1 is a front elevation view of a
tool chest
10. Figures 2 and 3 are top and right side views of the tool chest. The tool
chest 10 includes
a plurality of drawers 12, 14, 16, 18, 20. One or more of the drawers is
constructed to include
a replaceable drawer front 21 (Figure 5), to be discussed in greater detail.
[00017] Figure 4 is a fragmentary front perspective view of the tool chest 10
witli one of
the drawers 18 pulled away from the chest to a partially extended positioii. A
replaceable
drawer front 21 is mounted to the outennost portion of a drawer body poi-tion
35. The drawer
front 21 includes a grip portion 52 adapted to be gripped by a user to move
the drawer along
its slides. In the depicted embodiment, the grip portion 52 includes two
cavities 45 for tool
storage. Other embodiments may include alternative features as part of the
grip portion 52.
The drawer front 21 includes a bottom portion 54 and a skin portion 50 between
the grip
portion and the bottom portion. The skin portion 50 may be made of a flexible
decorative
material that is wrapped around the grip portion and bottom portion.
Alternatively, the skiii
poi-tion may be molded or formed material having an aesthetically pleasing
appearance such
as brushed aluminum, stainless steel, plastic or a composite plastic, or a
material that includes
a painted surface.
[00018] Wllile the drawer front 21 is shown in Figures 4-6 as having three
separate
co>'nponents, the grip portion 52, the skin portion 50, and the bottom portion
54, the drawer
front may be constructed as a unitary component, such as, for example, molded
plastic or
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fonned or cast metal. The drawer fronts 21 on the drawers of the tool chest 10
may be
configured to depict components of a single image when installed on the tool
chest. For
example, the drawer fronts may be configured to depict a sports logo or
mascot, a flag, or a
rnotto, when the drawer fronts are installed on the tool chest. When the
drawer 42 is in a fiilly
extended position, a user may depress release buttons (not shown) located in
or near the slides
on either side of the drawer to remove the drawer from the tool cabinet 30. It
should be
understood that other structures and techniques for drawer removal can be used
in the practice
of this invention.
[00019] Figure 5 is an exploded view of the drawer 18 with the drawer front 21
reinoved
from the drawer body portion 35. The drawer body portion 35 includes a front
pane146
having a series of exemplary through-holes 48. The holes are used to mount the
drawer front
21 to the body portion 35. Tabs 75 extending froni the back of the drawer
front 21 are
configured to engage and be retained in the holes 48. It may be advantageous
to provide a
mounting configuration that allows the drawer front 21 to be removed and
installed without
requiring the use of tools. As shown in Figure 6, the rear side of the drawer
front 21 includes
a pattern of tabs 75 protruding from the grip portion 52 and bottom portion
54. The tabs have
a narrow neck portion 75a and a larger head portion 75b. The tabs can be of
any practical
number, pattern and size, but should be corresponding to the holes 48 on the
front pane146 of
the drawer to which the replaceable drawer front will be mounted. The holes 48
include a
smaller left portion 48a adjacent a larger right portion 48b. When viewing
from the
perspective of Figure 5, the tabs 75 are in the left portion 48a of the hole
48 when the drawer
front 21 is installed in a drawer. In other words, the neck portion 75a of the
tab is in the
smaller section 48a. To remove the drawer front 21, the user slides the drawer
front 21 to the
right so that the head 75a of the tab 75 becomes aligned and co-axial with the
larger right
portion 48a of the hole 48. In this position, the user can simply pull the
drawer front directly
off the drawer. To install a replacement drawer front, the process is
reversed. Of course, other
hole and tab sizes, configurations, and patterns can be used in the practice
of this invention.
[00020] The drawer front can be removed from a drawer and replaced with a
different
drawer front. A user may chose to do this for a variety of reasons, such as
for example, to
charige the color of the entire front of a tool cabinet or to replace a single
drawer front having
an aesthetically damaged appearance.
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[00021] While several embodiments of the invention has been illustrated and
described in
considerable detail, the present invention is not to be considered limited to
the precise
constrn.tctions disclosed. Various adaptations, modifications and uses of the
invention may
occur to those skilled in the arts to which the invention relates. It is the
intention to cover all
such adaptations, modifications and uses falling within the scope or spirit of
the specification
filed herewith.
{00172645.DOC;1 } 5

Representative Drawing