FASCIA ASSEMBLY FOR A CABINET, A DRAWER, OR A BIN

Abstract

A fascia assembly with is provided a base plate for a cabinet, a drawer, or a bin. A frame with a view opening is attachable to the base plate. An insert is sized to be received and retained between the base plate and the frame and viewable through the view opening. A method is provided for decorating the cabinet, the drawer, or the bin, by installing the base plate on a face. An insert is inserted between the base plate and the frame, which is attached to the base plate to retain the insert between the base plate and the frame and to display the insert through a view opening in the frame. A method is provided by opening the frame. A first insert is removed from the face. A second insert is inserted to the face. The frame is closed to the face.

Claims

1. A fascia assembly for a cabinet, a drawer, or a bin, the fascia assembly comprising: a base plate; a frame attachable to the base plate, the frame having a view opening; and an insert sized to be received and retained between the base plate and the frame and viewable through the view opening.

2. The fascia assembly of claim 1 wherein the base plate further comprises at least one fastener to fasten the base plate to a face plate of the cabinet, the drawer, or the bin.

3. The fascia assembly of claim 1 wherein the insert further comprises a panel.

4. The fascia assembly of claim 1 further comprising hardware installed on the insert.

5. The fascia assembly of claim 4 further comprising at least one fastener installed through the insert to fasten the hardware to the insert.

6. The fascia assembly of claim 5 wherein an aperture is formed through the base plate to provide clearance for a fastener head of the at least one fastener.

7. The fascia assembly of claim 6 wherein the aperture is slotted to accommodate fastener patterns of various hardware assemblies.

8. The fascia assembly of claim 1 wherein the frame is pivotally attached to the base plate.

9. The fascia assembly of claim 1 wherein the frame further comprises a fastener to fasten the frame to the base plate.

10. The fascia assembly of claim 1 wherein the insert is sized to be retained between the base plate and the frame in only one orientation to avoid improper assembly.

11. The fascia assembly of claim 1 wherein the base plate further comprises at least one projection; and wherein the insert is provided with an aperture sized to receive the at least one projection.

12. The fascia assembly of claim 1 wherein the insert further comprises a plurality of interchangeable inserts, each sized to be received and retained between the base plate and the frame.

13. The fascia assembly of claim 1 further comprising indicia indicative of product information.

14. A method for decorating a cabinet, a drawer, or a bin, the method comprising: installing a base plate on a face of the cabinet, the drawer, or the bin; inserting an insert between the base plate and a frame; and attaching the frame to the base plate to retain the insert between the base plate and the frame and to display the insert through a view opening in the frame.

15. The method of claim 14 further comprising: opening the frame; removing the insert; inserting a second insert between the frame and the base plate; and closing the frame.

16. The method of claim 15 further comprising: placing a product in the cabinet, the drawer, or the bin.

17. The method of claim 16 further comprising: installing a sample of the product on the second insert.

18. A method for decorating a cabinet, a drawer, or a bin, the method comprising: opening a frame on a face of a cabinet, a drawer, or a bin; removing a first insert from the face; inserting a second insert to the face; and closing the frame to the face.

19. The method of claim 18 further comprising: placing a product in the cabinet, the drawer, or the bin.

20. The method of claim 19 further comprising: installing a sample of the product on the second insert.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a bin assembly with a fascia assembly according to an embodiment;

[0025] FIG. 2 is another front perspective view of the bin assembly of FIG. 1;

[0026] FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of the bin assembly of FIG. 1, illustrated in a partial open position;

[0027] FIG. 4 is another top perspective view of the bin assembly of FIG. 1, illustrated during an installation step;

[0028] FIG. 5 is another front perspective view of the bin assembly of FIG. 1, illustrated during another installation step;

[0029] FIG. 6 is another front perspective view of the bin assembly of FIG. 1, illustrated during another installation step;

[0030] FIG. 7 is another front perspective view of the bin assembly of FIG. 1, illustrated during another installation step;

[0031] FIG. 8 is an exploded view of the bin assembly and the fascia assembly of FIG. 1, according to another embodiment;

[0032] FIG. 9 is a front perspective view of the bin assembly of FIG. 8, illustrated during an installation step;

[0033] FIG. 10 is a rear perspective view of the bin assembly of FIG. 8;

[0034] FIG. 11 is a side elevation view of the bin assembly of FIG. 8; and

[0035] FIG. 12 is a front elevation view of the bin assembly of FIG. 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention that may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale; some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention.

[0037] FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a furniture or display assembly 30, according to an embodiment. In the depicted embodiment, item 30 is illustrated as a display assembly 30. However, item 30 may be any furniture assembly 30, such as a cabinet 30, a drawer 30, or the like. The item 30 may or may not be a display assembly 30. For example, the item 30 may be any furniture assembly, with or without a display, ornamentation, indicia, or the like.

[0038] For the depicted embodiment, the display assembly 30 comprises a frame 32 with a pair of side walls 34, an upper wall 36, a lower wall 38, and a back wall 40. The walls 34, 36, 38, 40 collectively provide a cavity 42 within the frame. According to an embodiment, the display assembly 30 is a bin assembly 30, such as a tilt bin assembly 30. The bin assembly 30 includes one bin according to an embodiment. The bin assembly 30 includes a plurality of bins 44 each at least partially received in the cavity 42, according to other embodiments. The bins 44 are pivotally connected to the frame 32 as tilt bins 44, with pivotal connections at a lower end of the bins 44 so that the bins 44 can be tilted forward as depicted in FIG. 3 for access to items stored within the bins 44.

[0039] Referring again to FIGS. 1-3, the bin assembly 30 may be utilized to store components, such as hardware within the bins 44. The bin assembly 30 includes a fascia assembly 46 to provide a display face for the bin assembly 30. For example, in a retail context, the fascia assembly 46 may be utilized to display items stored within the bins 44. Likewise, in a personal use application, the fascia assembly 46 may be employed to decorate, ornament, label, organize, or otherwise customize the bins 44.

[0040] With reference now to FIGS. 3-7, the fascia assembly 46 includes a base plate 48. The base plate 48 is attached directly to a face plate 50 of the bin 44. The base plate 48 and the face plate 50 are separate components so that the fascia assembly 46 can be assembled to the face plate 50 as an option or a retrofit. According to another embodiment, the base plate 48 is formed integrally with the bin 44 as the face plate 48.

[0041] As illustrated in FIGS. 1-7, the fascia assembly 46 includes a portrait frame 52. The portrait frame 52 is attachable to the base plate 48. The portrait frame 52 partially covers the base plate 48. In the depicted embodiment, the portrait frame 52 extends around a periphery of the base plate 48. According to another embodiment, the portrait frame 52 extends partially around the periphery of the base plate 48.

[0042] The portrait frame 52 includes an opening 54 therethrough to permit a view through the portrait frame 52. The portrait frame 52 is pivotally connected to the base plate 48 at a hinge 56. The pivotal connection 56 tethers the portrait frame 52 to the base plate 48. The hinge 56 is oriented at a lower end of the portrait frame 52 so that the portrait frame 52 can be opened by pivoting downward as illustrated in the embodiment of FIGS. 5-7. According to other embodiments, the hinge 56 is oriented at a side-opening portrait frame for pivoting the portrait frame 52 about an upright axis. The portrait frame 52 is also provided with a fastener 57 to fasten the portrait frame 52 to the base plate 48. Alternatively, instead of a hinge 56, a pair of fasteners 56, 57 may be provided to attach the portrait frame 52 to the base plate 48.

[0043] The fascia assembly 46 also includes at least one insert 58. The insert 58 is sized to be received and retained between the base plate 48 and the portrait frame 52. The insert 58 is sized as a panel to span an area of the opening 54 for viewing of the insert 58 through the portrait frame opening 54. The insert 58 is provided with an ornamental appearance and is modular to interchange the insert 58 with other inserts 58 for customization of the fascia assembly 46. In a retail context, the insert 58 may be a retail chip for display of a product or product information. The insert 58 may be formed from plastic, wood, metal, or any suitable material.

[0044] As illustrated in FIG. 3, the bin assembly 30 is utilized to store a plurality of items 60. In a retail context, the items 60 are products, and by way of example, the items are hardware assemblies 60, such as handles 60. Of course, other hardware assemblies 60 may be retailed, such as knobs, pulls, hooks, and the like. One of the hardware assemblies 60 is installed on the insert 58 and extends through the portrait frame opening 54 as illustrated in FIGS. 1-4. The fascia assembly 46 displays a sample of the retailed hardware assembly 60 to permit a customer to inspect and interact with a sample of the products 60 retailed in inventory within the bin 44. The customer may also sample the hardware assembly 60 by gripping the handle 60 in order to tilt and open the bin 44. The insert 58 and the fastener 57 are designed to be resilient enough to support the hardware assembly 60 and to distribute loads applied to the hardware assembly 60 to the fascia assembly 46, and consequently to the bin assembly 30.

[0045] With reference to FIG. 7, a plurality of fasteners 62, such as machine screws 62 are installed through a back side of the insert 58 to attach the hardware assembly 60 to the insert 58. The fasteners 62 each include a fastener head 64 for engaging the insert 58. As illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, a slotted aperture 66 is formed through the base plate 48 to provide clearance for the fastener heads 64. The slotted aperture 66 is formed horizontally to accommodate fastener 62 arrangements for handles 60, pulls and knobs. The aperture 66 may be slotted with multiple slots or orientations, or otherwise shaped to accommodate fastener patterns of other hardware assemblies 60.

[0046] The base plate 48 includes a projection 68 extending away from the bin 44 as illustrated in FIGS. 5-7. A corresponding aperture or recess 70 (FIGS. 5 and 6) is formed in the insert 58 for clearance for the projection 68. Additionally, the projection 68 and insert recess 70 cooperate for alignment of the insert 58 between the portrait frame 52 and the base plate 48. Further, the projection 68 also prevents improper installation of the insert 58 at an incorrect orientation.

[0047] According to an optional embodiment, the base plate 48 is provided with an angled projection 72 as illustrated in FIGS. 1-7. The angled projection 72 is provided at an incline to face slightly upward for ease in viewing in some retail environments. The angled projection 72 is provided with informational indicia 74 pertaining to the products 60 stored within the bin 44. The indicia 74 may be indicative of product information, such as manufacturer, brand, cost, materials, a bar code, or the like. Likewise, another aperture 76 may be formed in the insert 58 to provide clearance for the angled projection 72.

[0048] The fascia assembly 46 permits modularity and customization to the face of the bin 44 or any underlying cabinet door, drawer, or the like. As illustrated in FIG. 4, a user grasps and disengages the fastener 57 of the portrait frame 52. Then the user pivots the portrait frame 52 away from the base plate 48 as illustrated in FIG. 5. Next, the user removes the insert 58 as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, if applicable. Next, the user inserts an insert 58 into alignment with the base plate 48 in FIG. 5. Then, the user closes the portrait frame 52 to the base plate 48 and reattaches the fastener 57 to the base plate 48 to secure the fascia assembly 46 with the insert 58 displayed through the portrait frame opening 54 as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. The user can also fill (or refill) the bin 44 with hardware assemblies 60 to match the hardware assembly 60 on the insert 58. The sample hardware assembly 60 is installed on the insert 58 before the insert 58 is installed in the fascia assembly 46.

[0049] The fascia assembly 46 provides a more efficient, more aesthetic, and more versatile solution for labeling and interacting with furniture than the prior art. Instead of removing the entire fascia assembly 46, the user can remove and reinstall another insert 58 to display a different product, or a different ornamental appearance. The various inserts 58 can be rapidly interchanged. The inserts 58 provide alternative aesthetic options, e.g., material, finish, color, pattern, indicia, or the like, for customization and/or updating of the fascia assembly 46. The fascia assembly 46 may be utilized in retail, or for personal storage and organization. Additionally, the portrait frame 52 may also be provided with different ornamental appearances for further customization of the fascia assembly 46.

[0050] FIGS. 8-12 illustrate the fascia assembly 46 in cooperation with another insert 78. The insert 78 has a different ornamental appearance than the insert 58 of the prior embodiment. A hardware assembly 80 is installed to the insert 78. The hardware assembly 80 offers another variation in style and finish of the handle 80.

[0051] FIG. 8 illustrates the bin assembly 30 exploded and without the frame 32. The bin 44 is formed with an upper, central grip portion 82 on the face plate 50. Additionally, a pair of apertures 84 are formed through the face plate 50. As depicted in FIG. 11, the base plate 48 includes an overhang retainer 86 to extend over and engage the grip portion 82 of the bin 44. As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, a pair of fasteners 88 extend from the base plate 48, and engage the apertures 84 to secure the base plate 48 to the bin 44. According to an embodiment, the fasteners 88 are insert retainers 88 with leading edges to engage the apertures 84 and flex the retainers 88 during installation, and abutment edges to engage the apertures 84 and fasten the base plate 48 to the face plate 50 once installed.

[0052] Referring again to FIG. 11, the fastener 57 of the portrait frame 52 attaches to the overhang retainer 86 of the base plate 48. To open the fascia assembly 46, the user grasps and flexes the fastener 57 away from the retainer 86, and then pivots the portrait frame 52 from the base plate 48.

[0053] While various embodiments are described above, it is not intended that these embodiments describe all possible forms of the invention. Rather, the words used in the specification are words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Additionally, the features of various implementing embodiments may be combined to form further embodiments of the invention.