Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
PORTABLE CABINET
RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority to US Patent Application Serial Number
63/153,801, filed February 25, 2021, which is incorporated herein by reference
in its entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present application relates to the fields of portable cabinetry. In
particular,
the present application relates to a portable cabinet with utilities that may
be easily
transported and installed in a variety of situations.
BACKGROUND
[0003] While most homes include kitchens and bathrooms having at least a sink
and
lighting, there is often an interest in providing these features in non-
traditional locations in
and around a house or other residence. In addition, these features may be
needed on a
temporary basis, without requiring extensive remodeling or a permanent
installation, as is
typical for a kitchen or bathroom.
[0004] For example, a family member may move into a home temporarily and
request a
small kitchen in a bedroom or similar location. A college dorm may have a need
to create
temporary housing in lobbies or other locations where students would need to
be able to
prepare meals individually. Other locations may benefit from a portable
cabinet having
power, lighting and water, such as a bar, a garden shed or a fish cleaning
station, for
example. In addition, a user may have interest in repurposing the portable
cabinet by
changing its configuration for different uses.
SUMMARY OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0005] A portable cabinet may provide facilities that can be quickly, but
temporarily,
installed. It may be customized for a variety of uses throughout its life
cycle, and may also
have a structural design that facilitates relocation and transportation from
one location to
another.
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Date Recue/Date Received 2022-02-25
[0006] In a first aspect, a portable cabinet may include a body having a
height H, a
width Wand a depth D, wherein a diagonal of H and W is less than eight feet
and D is less
than 25 inches, said body further comprising a floor and a ceiling having a
width Wand a
depth D, two side walls having a height H and a depth D, and a back wall
having a height H
and a width W; a first shelf secured to the side walls, the first shelf having
a depth
approximately equal to D; a first interior wall secured to the floor and the
first shelf at a
position approximately equidistant between the side walls, the first interior
wall having a
depth D and a height of approximately 30 to 37 inches; a second shelf secured
to the side
walls, the second shelf having a depth D2 of approximately 12 ¨ 20 inches; a
second interior
wall secured to the ceiling and the second shelf at a position approximately
equidistant
between the side walls, the second interior wall having a depth D2 and a
height of
approximately 25 ¨ 32 inches; and first and second doors having height H,
width ¨w2 and a
depth D3, said first and second doors hinge-ably attached to the side walls;
wherein the first
shelf, first interior wall, second shelf and second interior wall provide
structural support
when the portable cabinet is moved.
[0007] In a further aspect, a portable cabinet may include any or all of a
sink secured to
the first shelf, the sink further comprising a plumbing conduit and a waste
conduit, and an
optional light strip attached to a surface interior to the body and a power
strip.
[0008] In another aspect, the back wall of the cabinet may include openings
for
providing ventilation.
[0009] In additional aspects, the portable cabinet may include any or all of
shelves
securely mounted inside the body, a shelf mounted on slides under the first
shelf and a
plurality of drawers mounted inside the body.
[0010] In another aspect, the depth of the doors is between approximately 3
and 10
inches and forms an interior space within the doors, one or more retaining
devices are
detachably mounted inside the interior space of the doors.
[0011] The cabinet is especially helpful in small spaces due to its minimal
footprint and
nice aesthetics.
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Date Recue/Date Received 2022-02-25
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0012] FIG. lA depicts a portable cabinet, in embodiments.
[0013] FIG. 1B depicts an interior view of the portable cabinet of FIG. 1A, in
embodiments.
[0014] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the interior view of FIG. 1A, in
embodiments.
[0015] FIG. 3A is a plan view of the portable cabinet of FIG. 2, in
embodiments.
[0016] FIGS. 3B and 3C are cross-sectional views of the portable cabinet of
FIG. 3A, in
embodiments.
[0017] FIG. 4A is a face view of the portable cabinet of FIG. 1A, in
embodiments.
[0018] FIGS. 4B ¨ 4D are cross-sectional views of the portable cabinet of FIG.
4A, in
embodiments.
[0019] FIG. 5 depicts internal features of the portable cabinet of FIG. 1B, in
embodiments.
[0020] FIG. 6 is an alternative view of the portable cabinet of FIG. 1B, in
embodiments.
[0021] FIGS. 7A ¨ 7C depict an alternative base for use with any portable
cabinet, in
embodiments.
[0022] FIGS. 8A ¨ 8B are front and plan views of a portable cabinet with the
doors
closed, in embodiments.
[0023] FIGS. 9A ¨ 9B are front and plan views of a portable cabinet of FIGS.
8A ¨ 8B
with the doors open, in embodiments.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0024] An individual may have an interest in providing storage, cooking,
cooling, sink
and lighting/power facilities in a variety of non-traditional locations.
Further, the
requirements may change over time. For example, there may be an interest in
providing
kitchen facilities in a basement or other areas of a house or used in an
auxiliary dwelling unit
or tiny house. Cabinet 100 of FIG. lA may be installed to provide a
supplemental kitchen by
attaching connections to a sink in cabinet 100 to water and drainage conduits
in the house.
Subsequently, the kitchen may no longer be needed, at which time cabinet 100
transferred to,
for example, a garden shed where the sink may be attached to a garden hose and
drain into a
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Date Recue/Date Received 2022-02-25
rain barrel or bucket. Likewise, cabinet 100 may be adapted to a variety of
uses, such as a
bar, a fish cleaning station or a kitchen in a temporary housing situation,
such as a college
dormitory. In places where drainage cannot be accommodated, an auxiliary sump
pump may
be added to drain the sink. Other uses for cabinet 100 may or may not include
a sink hobby
work area, office desk, sewing station, gun cabinet, fly lure tying station,
[0025] In any of these situations, cabinet 100 may provide facilities that can
be quickly,
but temporarily, installed. Cabinet 100 may also have a structural design that
facilitates
relocation and transportation from one location to another throughout its
period of use.
Although various features are described in the following embodiments, these
are to illustrate
principles of cabinet 100 and other embodiments are contemplated. For example,
cabinet 100
may be used in a way that does not require connections to plumbing or
electricity.
[0026] FIGS. lA and 1B shows a portable cabinet 100 with the doors closed and
open.
FIGS. lA and 1B are best viewed together in the following description. FIG. lA
shows
cabinet 100 with doors 102 in a closed position. Doors 102 are hinge-ably
attached to body
112 along line 104 so they may open and close. FIG. 1B shows cabinet 100 with
doors 102 in
an open position. As shown in FIG. 1B, cabinet 100 includes a body 112 that is
configured
for use as a kitchen, although other uses are contemplated. In embodiments,
various
appliances may be installed in cabinet 100 and are representative of the type
of devices that
may be included in a cabinet, such as refrigerator 106, microwave 108 and hot
plate 110.
Cabinet 100 is not limited to this set of devices and more, different or fewer
devices may be
integrated depending on the intended use of cabinet 100.
[0027] In embodiments, sink 114 is provided with a plumbing conduit and a
waste
conduit, not shown. A plumbing conduit extends from the faucet of sink 114 to
the exterior
of cabinet 100 where it may be releasably connected to a water supply such as
pipes inside a
house, an outdoor hose, etc. A waste conduit extends from a drain of sink 114
to the exterior
of cabinet 100 where it may be releasably connected to an external sewage line
or drain or
other mechanism for allowing the contents of sink 114 to be removed. Different
sizes of
sinks, up to 44" wide may be installed, depending on usage.
[0028] As shown in FIG. 1B, doors 102 include a variety of shelves, racks and
storage
devices for storing items of use in a kitchen, including utensils, paper
towels and knives, for
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Date Recue/Date Received 2022-02-25
example. In embodiments, a user may adapt cabinet 100 to another use by
switching the
devices to include, for example, wine racks, gun scallops, fishing rod
holders. The user will
also be able to change the location of accessories within the unit. Doors 102
may be removed
from body 112 while moving or transporting cabinet 100.
[0029] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the interior view of cabinet 100. FIG.
2
illustrates an interior structure for demonstrating principles disclosed
herein but other
arrangements and positions of walls and shelves are contemplated. Cabinet 100
has a body
112 having a height H, a width W and a depth D such that it may fit through a
standard size
doorway. Height H and width Ware selected to meet the condition that
\ifiz + w2 e- II
-- "MAX,
[0030] where HmAx may be approximately 8 ft. The measurement HmAx is selected
so
that cabinet 100 may be tilted on one side and moved through a standard size
doorway. In an
embodiment, H may be approximately 82 inches and Wmay be approximately 48
inches,
although other dimensions are contemplated. Doors 102 have the same height H
as body 112,
and a width approximately equal to ¨w2 , in this case, approximately 23
inches. The depth D of
cabinet 100 will be discussed in connection with FIG. 3.
[0031] In embodiments, body 112 of cabinet 100 includes structural features
that
provide support for cabinet 100 while it is being moved. A counter shelf 115
has dimensions
of approximately depth D and spans width W of body 112. It may be secured to
side walls
116. An interior wall 118 may be secured between counter shelf 115 and a floor
120 of body
112. The T-shaped structure formed by shelf 155 and interior wall 118 provides
structural
support when cabinet 100 is moved or transported. An inverse T-shaped
structure is formed
by shelf 122 and interior wall 124, also providing structural support. Shelf
122 and interior
wall 124 may have a depth D2 that is less than D, for example, approximately
25 ¨ 32 inches.
[0032] Interior wall 118 may have a height H2 < HmAx such that counter shelf
115 is
positioned at a height above the floor approximately equal to a typical
kitchen counter height,
such as 36 ¨38 inches. One or both of the T-shaped structures formed within
body 112
provide structural support so that a back wall of body 112 may be made of a
thinner material
for easier transportation.
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-02-25
[0033] Other structures may be formed within body 112, including shelves 130
and
drawers 132, as shown. Structures may be secured in a variety of ways, whether
more
permanently through screws or flexibly, through the use of pegs. In
embodiments, sliding
shelf 126 may be mounted on rails that allow it to be moved from a position
underneath
counter shelf 115 to a position extended outward from body 112.
[0034] Cabinet 100 may be made from a variety of materials, including cores of
particle
board, medium density fiberboard (MDF), high density fiberboard, or plywoods,
including
indoor, outdoor, honeycomb core, or marine grade. Core coverings may include
wood
veneers, acrylics, textured melamine, simulated and real stone, concrete, or
metals. In
embodiments, counter shelf 115 may have an upper surface of a composite
laminate such as
Formica . Counter shelf 115 may also include an opening for receiving a sink
114. Other
spaces within body 112 may be sized to receive a refrigerator 106 or microwave
108, as
shown in FIG. 1B. Cabinet 100 may be provided with a base 128 to raise body
112 off the
floor or ground. In embodiments, base 128 is provided with leveling
mechanisms. The height
of counter shelf 115 and/or base 128 may be selected to increase comfort and
convenience of
a user of cabinet 100.
[0035] FIG. 3A is a plan of view cabinet 100 of FIG. 2. FIGS. 3B and 3C are
cross-
sectional views of cabinet 100. FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view of cabinet
100 along the
line 3B-3B of FIG. 3. FIG. 3C is a cross-sectional view of cabinet 100 along
the line 3C-
3C of FIG. 3A. FIGS. 3B and 3C further illustrate internal structures of FIG.
2 from a side
view of cabinet 100.
[0036] FIG. 3A shows a plan view of body 112 and doors 102. In embodiments,
body
112 is shown with a width W of approximately 48 inches and a depth D of
approximately 24
inches. Doors 102 have a depth D3 of approximately 6 inches and a width of
¨w2,
approximately 24 inches. As noted above, dimensions are for purposes of
illustrating
embodiments of cabinet 100 and other dimensions are contemplated.
[0037] FIG. 3B shows internal structures on one side of cabinet 100, including
counter
shelf 115 and sliding shelf 126 mounted beneath it. Rails may be provided
underneath or
along the sides of sliding shelf 126 to enable a sliding motion. Sliding shelf
126 may also
include one or more ridges or notches in a front edge to enable a user to
grasp sliding shelf
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Date Recue/Date Received 2022-02-25
126 to extend it out of body 112 during use. Sliding shelf 126 may be made
from various
materials, including laminate such as described for counter shelf 115, or
material to serve as
a cutting board, for example. Shelf 122 having a depth D2 is shown. One or
more additional
shelves 130, also having an approximate depth D2, may be provided. In
embodiments,
drawers, bins or other storage structures may be used in place of shelves.
[0038] FIG. 3C shows internal structures of the other side of cabinet 100.
Sink 114 is
installed in an opening in counter shelf 115. One or more drawers 132 may be
slidably
attached to rails 133 underneath counter shelf 115. One or more shelves 130
having a depth
D2 may be secured above shelf 122. Although an arrangement of shelves and
drawers is
shown, this is for purposes of illustrating various embodiments and is not
limiting. Although
two sides of cabinet 100 are shown, any of the features described herein may
be located on
either side, embodiments are not limited to the specific arrangement shown.
[0039] FIG. 4A is a face view of cabinet 100, in embodiments. FIGS. 4B ¨4D are
cross-sectional views of cabinet 100 along lines 4B, 4C and 4D respectively.
[0040] FIG. 4B shows an area in an upper half of cabinet 100. Shelves 122 and
130
have a depth D3 that is smaller than depth D of body 112. This provides
additional comfort
for a user of features in the lower half of cabinet 100. An opening 134 for
receiving sink 114
is partially obscured by shelf 130. FIG. 4C shows an area at approximately a
midpoint of
cabinet 100. Opening 134 in counter shelf 115 for receiving sink 114 is fully
shown. In
embodiments, opening 134 may be positioned on either side of counter shelf
115. and fully
shown in FIG. 4C. An area in a lower half of cabinet 100 below counter shelf
115 is shown
in FIG. 4D. A drawer 132 may be located on the side of cabinet 100 below
opening 134. As
above, one or more drawers 132 may be positioned on either side of cabinet
100. The area
below counter shelf 115 may also be open to receive an appliance like a small
refrigerator,
for example.
[0041] FIG. 5 depicts additional internal features of cabinet 100. In
embodiments, one
or more light strips may be provided within body 112 of cabinet 100. As
depicted in FIG. 5,
light strip 136 may be mounted inside body 112 just under the ceiling. Light
strip 138 may
also be mounted under shelf 122, for example, or under floor 120 of body 112
(not shown).
In embodiments, one or all of the light strips shown in FIG. 5 may be included
in cabinet
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Date Recue/Date Received 2022-02-25
100. Back wall 140 of body 112 may be provided with pre-cut openings for
electrical,
plumbing and venting connections. For example, cutout 142 may allow for
plumbing
connections for sink 114 (not shown). Cutout 144 may allow for electrical
connections and
cutout 146 may provide for venting for a refrigerator appliance. Cutout 148
provides access
through the back of cabinet 100 to a microwave or similar appliance. The
shapes and
locations of cutouts 142, 144, 146 and 148 are for purposes of illustration
only, other
configurations and locations within cabinet 100 are contemplated, such as in
either sidewall
or the top of body 112.
[0042] Base 128 may extend across the width of body 112 as shown in FIG. 4A.
In
embodiments, base 128 may include feet 150 spaced along the width of body 112.
Further
feet 150 may be bars within base 128 that extend the across the full depth of
body 112 to
provide additional support for cabinet 100.
[0043] In embodiments, a light source for the interior of cabinet 100 may be
any
flexible or rigid strip light, although any conveniently mounted lights may be
used. A light
strip may include a strip of one or more LED lights, or individual lights
mounted as a unit.
Light strips may be electrically connected to a switch mounted inside or
outside cabinet 100.
Light strips may also be connected to a hinge-mounted switch so they are
turned on when
one or both doors are opened and turned off when one or both doors are closed.
Light strips
may include one or more outlets for providing an electrical connection to
various appliances,
such as a microwave, refrigerator or hot plate. Further, a separate outlet
strip may be
provided for use by appliances installed in cabinet 100. Wiring may be
accomplished
through internal conduit or raceways provided for customer wiring, or pre-
installed conduit,
raceways, junction boxes, and outlet boxes. Lighting transformers, if used,
may be affixed to
the inside or outside of the assembly. A combination of 120V AC, 220V AC, 12V
DC or 24
V DC may be used for lighting or accessory power.
[0044] FIG. 6 is a view of a portable cabinet 200, in embodiments. Cabinet 200
is
similar to cabinet 100 with an alternative internal configuration to
illustrate the principles
discussed herein. As shown in FIG. 6, shelf 122 has a width of approximately
¨w2 . This allows
the installation of an undermount microwave, which may be attached to shelf
152. This
embodiment may be used, for example, with a microwave having a vent/fan on its
lower
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Date Recue/Date Received 2022-02-25
surface. Alternatively, the embodiment of FIG. 6 allows for the use of an
appliance requiring
more space, such as a hotplate 154 as shown, or a taller appliance such as a
coffeemaker or
stand mixer, for example.
[0045] FIG. 7A is a perspective view of a base 160 for use with any portable
cabinets
disclosed herein. FIG. 7B is a plan view of base 160 and FIG. 7C is a
perspective bottom
view of base 160. FIGS. 7A ¨ 7C are best viewed together in the following
description.
[0046] Base 160 includes leveling hardware 166 so that base 160 may be leveled
prior
to installation of cabinet 100. As shown, leveling hardware 166 is located in
the corners of
base 160, but it could be positioned in other locations within base 160, as
well. Support
beams 164 provide structural support for cabinet 100. In embodiments, one or
more bubble
levels 163 may be used to level base 160. Although five bubble levels are
shown in FIGS. 7A
and 7B, any number and positioning of levels may be provided as needed. After
base 160 is
leveled, any of the portable cabinets disclosed herein may be secured to base
160 using
mounting holes 162 and corresponding mounting holes in the floor of body 112,
for example.
[0047] FIGS. 8A ¨ 8B are front and plan views of an alternative portable
cabinet with
the doors closed, in embodiments. Additional features may be used with cabinet
100. For
example, a shelving unit 170 may be attached to one side of body 112. Shelving
unit 170
may have the same height H as body 112 or a different height. The depth D4 of
shelving unit
170 is selected so that doors 102 may fold flat against shelving unit 170 when
opened, as
shown in FIGS. 9A ¨ 9B. the optional shelving unit and fold-down table. A fold-
down
table 172 may also be hinge-ably attached to a side wall of body 112. Fold-
down table 172
may rest flat against the side wall of body 112, then be opened in the
direction of array 174
when in use. In embodiments, fold-down table 172 may have a variety of widths
as long as
fold-down table 172 clears the floor when in a folded position. A support bar
or other
mechanism (not shown) may be used to maintain fold-down table 172. In
embodiments, fold-
down table 172 has a depth D4 similar to that of shelving unit 170 to allow
for opening door
102.
[0048] FIGS. 9A ¨ 9B are front and plan views of a portable cabinet of FIGS.
8A ¨ 8B
with the doors open, in embodiments. Doors 102 are open and folded flat
against shelving
unit 170 and fold-down table 172. In embodiments, the positions of shelving
unit 170 and
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Date Recue/Date Received 2022-02-25
fold-down table 172 may be reversed. Further, a shelving unit 170 may be
positioned on both
sides of body 112. Additionally, fold-down table 172 or other features may be
positioned on
either or both sides of body 112.
[0049] A variety of construction techniques may be used to assemble any
portable
cabinet disclosed herein. In embodiments, these techniques may include screws,
pegs, nails,
tongue and groove, etc. Further, construction techniques may include
connectors that can be
assembled or disassembled, such as Lamello Clamex0 P-14 connectors. In
embodiments,
any of the portable cabinets disclosed herein may be provided to a user in an
assembled or
disassembled state. If a cabinet is provided to a user in a disassembled
state, ready to
assemble connectors may be used at fixed joints.
[0050] In embodiments, any portable cabinet as disclosed herein may include
anti-tip
brackets in the base, back, or top of the cabinet. Further, anti-tip straps at
the back or top of
the cabinet to secure the cabinet to a wall or other permanent structure.
[0051] Changes may be made in the above methods and systems without departing
from
the scope hereof. Any of the devices described herein may be removed or
replaced, and other
devices and accessories may be added to cabinet 100, such as wine glass rack,
show rails,
paper towel hanger, knife racks, towel hooks, drying racks, cutlery cups, gun
scallops,
fishing rod holders, peg boards, garden implement holders and magnetic strips,
for example.
Any number of shelves may be mounted on rails so them may be extended to
increase
workspace.
[0052] It should thus be noted that the matter contained in the above
description or
shown in the accompanying drawings should be interpreted as illustrative and
not in a
limiting sense. Herein, and unless otherwise indicated: (a) the adjective
"exemplary" means
serving as an example, instance, or illustration, and (b) the phrase "in
embodiments" is
equivalent to the phrase "in certain embodiments," and does not refer to all
embodiments.
The following claims are intended to cover all generic and specific features
described herein,
as well as all statements of the scope of the present method and system,
which, as a matter of
language, might be said to fall therebetween.
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-02-25
