Cabinet

Abstract

This application is directed to a cabinet configured with at least a right side wall and a left side wall, defining together a cabinet space, closeable by a at least one front door pivotally articulated at a front portion of the cabinet and displaceable between a closed position and at least a first open position. At the first open position each of the at least one door is coplanar with a respective side wall and at least one of the right side wall and the left side wall are configured with wall rail segments. One or more of the respective at least one front door is configured with door rail segments, such that the wall rail segments are coextensive with respective door rail segments, with a sliding gap extending between neighboring ends of a wall rail segment and a door rail segment, and defining together one or more sliding planes. The planes are configured for slidingly supporting a support unit mountable thereon.

Claims

1. A cabinet, comprising: a right side wall; a left side wall; a top wall; a bottom wall; and a back wall; wherein the right side wall, the left side wall, the top wall, the bottom wall, and the back wall together define a cabinet space, which is closeable by at least one front door pivotally articulated at a front portion of the cabinet and displaceable between a closed position and at least a first open position, wherein, at said first open position, the at least one front door is substantially coplanar with a respective side wall; wherein one or both of the right side wall and the left side wall are configured with wall rail segments; wherein the at least one door is configured with door rail segments, such that the wall rail segments are substantially coextensive with respective door rail segments, with a sliding gap extending between neighboring ends of a wall rail segment and a door rail segment, and defining together one or more sliding planes each configured for slidingly supporting a support unit mounted thereon; wherein the support unit includes at least three rail engaging members at least at one mounting side thereof, the rail engaging members being receivable in the respective rail segment in a sliding engagement; wherein the support unit is displaceable between a fully retracted position, at least one intermediate position, and an extracted position; wherein the wall rail segments and the door rail segments are substantially parallely disposed at a substantially equidistanced configuration; wherein the rail engaging members are configured to be supported by a bottom rail segment or both a top and bottom rail segment, depending on a displacement location of the rail engaging members with respect to the sliding gap such that at least two of the rail engaging members are configured to be alternatingly supported by the bottom rail segment or by both the top and bottom rail segments, and remain engaged with the bottom or both of top and bottom rail segments; upon displacement of the support unit; and at least one of the wall rail segments or the door rail segments is integrally formed with the respective side walls and the at least one front door.

2. The cabinet according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of rail engaging members include more than three rail engaging members at each side of the support unit.

3. The cabinet according to claim 1, wherein the at least one door includes a floor engaging support.

4. The cabinet according to claim 3, wherein the floor engaging support is configured near or at an innermost location of the at least one door.

5. The cabinet according to claim 3, wherein a front edge of the bottom wall is configured with a recess for receiving the floor engaging support of the at least one door at the closed position.

6. The cabinet according to claim 1, further comprising a locomoting system.

7. The cabinet according to claim 6, wherein the locomoting system includes a rear wheeling system disposed at or near a rear portion of the cabinet, and a manipulating mechanism for tilting and wheeling the cabinet over the rear wheeling system.

8. The cabinet according to claim 1, wherein the rail engaging members are friction reducing element facilitating stabilized support yet smooth displacement of a support unit over the rail segments.

9. The cabinet according to claim 1, wherein the cabinet includes two or more doors, where two opposing doors extending from side walls of the cabinet are configured with door rail segments such that at the open position they coextend the sliding planes defined by the rail segments.

10. The cabinet according to claim 1, wherein a single rail segment can have a top surface serving as a bottom rail segment of one sliding plane, and a bottom surface serving as a top rail segment of another sliding plane extending below said one sliding plane.

11. The cabinet according to claim 1, wherein the support unit can extend between one side wall and respective door unit of the cabinet, and a fixed partition wall of the cabinet, wherein the fixed partition wall is fitted with a co-planar optional telescopic rail configured for supporting the support unit.

12. A cabinet, comprising: at least a right side wall and a left side wall, defining together a cabinet space, closeable by at least one front door pivotally articulated at a front portion of the cabinet and displaceable between a closed position and at least a first open position; wherein at said first open position, the at least one door is substantially coplanar with a respective side wall; wherein at least one of the right side wall or the left side wall is integrally formed with wall rail segments; and wherein the at least one front door is integrally formed with door rail segments, such that the wall rail segments are substantially coextensive with respective door rail segments at said first open position, with a sliding gap extending between neighboring ends of a wall rail segment and a door rail segment, and defining together one or more gapped sliding planes, each configured for slidingly receiving a support unit that comprises at least three rail engaging members at at least one mounting side of the support unit, such that either bottom rail segments or both bottom and top rail segments alternatingly support the rail engagement members and remain engaged with at least two of the rail engaging members at each location of the rail engaging members along the gapped sliding plane.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) In order to better understand the subject matter that is disclosed herein and to exemplify how it may be carried out in practice, embodiments will now be described, by way of non-limiting examples only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

(2) FIG. 1A is a front perspective view of a cabinet according to an example of the present disclosed subject matter;

(3) FIGS. 1B and 1C are a front and a side view, respectively, of the cabinet of FIG. 1A;

(4) FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of a short cabinet according to another example of the present disclosed subject matter;

(5) FIG. 3A illustrates the cabinet of FIG. 1 with both front doors open at a first open position, and accommodating several shelves;

(6) FIG. 3B is an enlargement of the portion marked B in FIG. 3A;

(7) FIG. 3C is an enlargement of the portion marked C in FIG. 3A;

(8) FIG. 4 illustrates the cabinet of FIG. 1 with one front door closed and the other door open at a first open position, and accommodating different support units;

(9) FIGS. 5A and 5B are a right side perspective view and a left side view, respectively, illustrating the cabinet of FIG. 1 with both front doors open at a first open position, and accommodating different support units, each disposed at a different state;

(10) FIG. 6A is an isometric view of a support unit in the form of a drawer, fitted with wheels serving as rail engaging members;

(11) FIG. 6B is an enlargement of the portion marked D in FIG. 6A;

(12) FIG. 6C is an enlarged sectioned portion view taken along line VI-VI in FIG. 5;

(13) FIG. 7 is a schematic illustration of progressing a support unit over a rail segment;

(14) FIGS. 8A to 8C illustrate different examples of support units for use in conjunction with a cabinet according to the present disclosure;

(15) FIG. 9 is an example of a cabinet according to the present disclosure, configured as a carry along trolley;

(16) FIGS. 10A to 10E illustrate another example of a cabinet according to the present disclosure, wherein:

(17) FIG. 10A illustrates the cabinet with only one door open and with some of the support units withdrawn;

(18) FIG. 10B is the same as FIG. 10A, however with the left door removed for sake of clarity;

(19) FIG. 10C is a front, left side perspective view of the cabinet, with both doors open;

(20) FIG. 10D is a front, right side perspective view of the cabinet, with both doors open; and

(21) FIG. 10E is an enlargement of the portion marked E in FIG. 10B.

(22) FIG. 11 is an example of a cabinet according to the present disclosure, configured for mounting over a wall;

(23) FIG. 12A illustrates different examples of support units for use in conjunction with a cabinet according to the present disclosure; and

(24) FIG. 12B and FIG. 12C are enlargements of the portions marked G and H in FIG. 12A, schematically illustrating progressing a support unit over a rail segment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

(25) Attention is made to the attached drawings, illustrating different cabinets and support units according to the present disclosure.

(26) In FIGS. 1A to 1C there is illustrated a tall cabinet generally designated 10 and comprising a right side wall 12, a left side wall 14, a top wall 16, a base 18 and a back wall 20, defining together a cabinet space 28 (FIGS. 3A, 4 and 5). The cabinet 10 is further fitted with a right front door 30 and a left front door 32, said doors being pivotally articulated at a front edge portion of the side walls 12 and 14, respectively.

(27) The cabinet 10 is supported over supports disposed at respective corners thereof, suitable for leveling the cabinet (said supports can be height adjustable according to a modification, not shown), and spacing it from the floor to leaving a small gap, if any. According to an example, the supports may be movably received within the corners of the cabinet (not shown).

(28) The front doors 30 and 32 are pivotal between a closed position (FIGS. 1 and 2), and a first open position where the doors extend substantially co-planner with the respective side walls, i.e. pivoted by 90 (FIGS. 3A, 4 and 5). In FIG. 4 the right front door 30 is at its closed position and the left front 32 door is disposed into the first open position (pivoted about 90). As seen in the drawings, at their closed position the front doors 30 and 32 are coplanar and substantially flush with a front frame 36 composed of a right front frame 36A, a left front frame 36B, a top front frame 36C and a bottom front frame 36D, established by the respective front edges of the right side wall 12, the left side wall 14, the top wall 16, the base 18.

(29) It is however appreciated that according to other designs (not shown), the front doors can be pivotally secured the side walls over the front frame portions, concealing same.

(30) The present illustrated examples are directed to a cabinet made of injection molded plastic material. It should be noted however, that the cabinet can be made in other technologies and be made of other materials. Even more so, in the presently disclosed examples, the cabinet is composed of two side walls, a top wall, a base and a back wall. However, according to other arrangements (not shown), the cabinet can be a niche cabinet wherein all or one or more of the walls of the cabinet are walls or structure elements of other constructions (e.g. a built-in cabinet or a partially built-in cabinet). Optionally, where one or both of the side walls are structure elements of other constructions, there may be inserted an inside wall plate configured with a plurality of rail segments and mimicking an inside face of the respective side wall (not shown).

(31) The right side wall 12 and the left side wall 14 are each configured at their inside surface 12A and 14A respectively, with a plurality of parallely disposed, opposing, wall rail segments 40, wherein each pair of opposing wall rail segments 40 define together a sliding plane configured for sliding accommodating a support unit, as will be discussed herein.

(32) As noted in the drawings, the wall rail segments extend substantially from the back wall 20 and do not reach the right front frame 36A and the left front frame 36B, but rather leave a gap 44 (best seen in FIG. 7). This enables the disclosed configuration of the front doors 30 and 32, namely extending between the side walls 12 and 14, respectively and flush with the front edge 36 of the cabinet. In particular that is the case noting that the front doors 30 and 32 are configured at their inside with door rail segments 48, the arrangement being such that the wall rail segments 40 are coextensive with respective door rail segments 48, whereby each pair of opposing door rail segments 48 extends coplanar with respective sliding planes between the side walls.

(33) In the particular illustrated example, and as can best be seen in FIG. 7, the door rail segments 48 extend substantially from the hinged edge (i.e. from the edge near the respective side wall), and however at the other end the door rail segments 48 do not reach the mating edge of the front doors, leaving a gap 50.

(34) In the illustrated examples the rail segments are disposed about the respective side walls 12 and 14, and about the front doors 30 and 32 at equal intervals, rendering the system suitable for interchangeably receiving a variety of support units, having different heights (FIGS. 8A to 8C).

(35) In the illustration of FIGS. 3A and 3B the rail segments have an inverted T-like cross-section, wherein a single rail segment has a top surface 54 serving as a bottom rail segment of one sliding plane, and a bottom surface thereof 56 serving as a top rail segment of another sliding plane extending below said one sliding plane. In the illustrations of FIGS. 3A and 3B the support units 58, shelves in the particular example, have an inverted I-like section configured for sliding between the respective rail segments 54 and 56. It is however appreciated the rollers/wheels can be added, as will be discussed in connection with the following example.

(36) In the example illustrated in FIGS. 4, 5A and 5B the rail segments have rigid structure defining a top surface 62 serving as a bottom rail segment of one sliding plane, and a bottom surface thereof 64 serving as a top rail segment of another sliding plane extending below said one sliding plane. In this example the support units 66A, 66B and 66C (baskets of different configurations) are configured with three equi-spaced rail engaging members, namely wheels 68. The shelves 58 are of similar structure as those described in connection with the example of FIGS. 3A and 3B, however are slidingly engaged with the rail segments. It is however appreciated that there may be more than three rail engaging members at each side of the support unit, thereby reducing loads from each such rail engaging member and further, improving stability of the support unit, in particular when it is partially drawn out.

(37) Further noted, the front doors 30 and 32 are fitted at their bottom edge with a floor engaging support, namely caster/swivel wheel 72, configured for rolling over a floor surface about an arced path 74, and supporting the doors at their respective closed and in particular first open position, when one or more support units are extracted from the cabinet space and are now supported by the door rail segments. As can be seen in the drawings, the bottom front edge 36D is configured with a recess 76 for receiving the floor engaging support wheels 72 of the front doors at their closed position, such that the wheels substantially do not project from the bottom front edge 36D. It will be appreciated that the floor engaging wheels of the front door can be configured for height adjustment. In accordance with another example the floor engaging wheels are detachably attachable members.

(38) The support units are displaceable between a fully retracted position and an extracted position. At the fully retracted position (e.g. as seen in FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C, 3A, 4, 12A), and schematically represented at level L.sub.1 in FIGS. 7, and level E.sub.1 in FIGS. 12B and 12C, wherein the support units are fully received within the cabinet space 28. At this position the loads are born by a top surface 54 of the wall rail segment 40, at reaction to wheel engagement locations B.sub.1, B.sub.2 and B.sub.3 (corresponding with wheels 68A, 68B and 68C, respectively). At the extracted position (FIGS. 5A, 5B, 12B and 12C), schematically represented at level L.sub.5 in FIG. 7 and level E.sub.3 in FIGS. 12B and 12C, the support units are completely out of the cabinet space 28, however supported between the front doors 30 and 32. At the fully extracted position the three rail engaging wheels 68 at each side of the support units bear over the respective door rail segments 48 of the sliding plane. At this position the loads are born by a top surface 54 of the door rail segment 48, at reaction to wheel engagement locations B.sub.1, B.sub.2 and B.sub.3 (corresponding with wheels 68A, 68B and 68C, respectively).

(39) With particular reference now being made to FIG. 7 of the drawings, it is appreciated that the arrangement is such that at a first extracting sequence of drawing a support unit (level L.sub.2), a front rail engaging wheel 68A extends at the sliding gap 44, the center rail engaging member 68B bears at B.sub.2 over the top surface 54 of support rail 40 and rear rail engaging member 68C bears at T.sub.3 under top surface 56 of support rail 40, such that loads are born by both top and bottom wall rail segments, respectively.

(40) At a next extracting sequence of drawing a support unit (level L.sub.3), the front rail engaging wheel 68A bears at B.sub.1 over a top surface 54 of the door rail segment 48, the center rail engaging wheel 68B extends at the door rail gap 44, and at the rear rail engaging member 68C bears at B.sub.3 over a top surface 54 of the door rail segment 40. Thus, loads are born by the door rail segment and the wall rail segment.

(41) At a further intermediate extracting sequence of drawing a support unit (level L.sub.4), the front rail engaging wheel 68A bears at T.sub.1 under a bottom surface 56 of the door 30 rail segment 48, the center rail engaging wheel 68B bears at B.sub.2 over a top surface 54 of the door rail segment 48, and the rear rail engaging wheel 68C extends at the door rail gap 44. Thus, at this position loads are born substantially by the top and bottom door rail segment.

(42) Upon further extracting the support unit to a position where a front rail engaging member extends out of the rail segments and is now fully supported only over the door rail segments (level L.sub.5), the loads are born by a top surface 54 of the door rail segment 40, at reaction to wheel engagement locations B.sub.1, B.sub.2 and B.sub.3 (corresponding with wheels 68A, 68B and 68C, respectively).

(43) Further extracting the support unit, so that it partially projects from the doors (level L.sub.6) results in that the front rail engaging wheel 68A extends at or over the gap 50, the center rail engaging member 68B bears at B.sub.2 over the top surface 54 of door support rail 48 and rear rail engaging member 68C bears at T.sub.3 under top surface 56 of door support rail 48, such that loads are born by both top and bottom door rail segments, respectively.

(44) It is thus noted that at each of the drawing positions at least two rail engaging wheels are in contact with rail segments, imparting it stability and retaining it a level state.

(45) The support units can be full drawn out of the cabinet and returned, and a stopping arrangement (not shown) can be provided to prevent unintentional complete removal of a support unit.

(46) As already mentioned in connection with FIGS. 8A to 8C, the support units 66A, 66B and 66C respectively, are mere examples of different trays/baskets suitable for use in conjunction with a cabinet according to the present disclosure. However, a noticeable difference between the support units 66A, 66B and 66C is that support unit 66C has a height H being twice the height h of support units 66A and 66B. This configuration is possible owing to the equal space between rail segments of the cabinet. Yet an example of the support units is illustrated in FIG. 12A in which the support units 248a is a tool rack and the support unit 248b is a basket like drawer, both being configured for engagement with the wall and door rail segments of the cabinet 300 at their one side. The support unit 248b is a narrow basket such that it is suitable to engage the rail segments only on one side thereof and to retain itself at a substantially level state. This is achieved for example by the narrow dimensions of the unit 248b. The tool rack 248a is configured for holding tools through its engaging members 250 adapted to receive and hold various tools, such as a hammer, a screwdriver, etc. it should be appreciated that other types of utility tools can be engaged by the tool rack, which in other examples can be a clothes hanger, holder for brooms, etc.

(47) FIG. 2 is yet an example of a cabinet 90 according to the present disclosed subject matter, however wherein the overall size of the cabinet 90 is about half the height of the cabinet 10 in the previous examples. Apart for different size, all other features are as previously discussed hereinbefore, mutatis mutandis.

(48) FIG. 9 of the drawings illustrates a cabinet generally designated 100, similar in size to cabinet 90 of FIG. 2, however configured with a pair of wheels 104 at a rear bottom portion, and a handle 106 at a rear top portion, whereby the cabinet 100 can be tilted and locomoted over the wheels 104. Apart for the locomotion arrangement, all other features are as previously discussed hereinbefore, mutatis mutandis. FIG. 11 illustrates a cabinet generally designated 200, similar in size to cabinet 90 and 100 of FIGS. 2 and 9, however configured with mounting members at its back side (not seen) for mounting the cabinet on a wall W. Apart for the mounting arrangement, all other features are as previously discussed hereinbefore, mutatis mutandis. It will be appreciated that the cabinets 90 and 100 can be adapted for mounting, e.g. by having the rear wheels 104 either detachably attachable or received within the rear and bottom wall so as not to protrude outwards when mounted.

(49) With further reference to FIGS. 10A to 10E of the drawings, there is illustrated a cabinet according to another example of the disclosed subject matter generally designated 120.

(50) The cabinet 120 is substantially similar to the previous disclosure herein above, however, with the provision of a vertical partition wall 124 extending up to a shelf 126 (fixed in the present example, though according to other example can be removable), thereby dividing the cabinet space into three partitions 128A, 128B and 128C. The cabinet 120 is configured with two front doors 132A and 132B, both extending the entire height of the cabinet.

(51) The arrangement is such that both the side walls of the cabinet are configured with wall rail segments 142A and 142B (the later seen only in FIG. 10D), and likewise at least one side of the partition wall 124 is configured with partition wall rail segments 142C. In the particular example partition wall rail segments are configured only at the right face of the partition wall 124, i.e. facing wall rail segments 142A and defining together respective sliding planes.

(52) It is appreciated that the at least the right front door 132A is configured with door rail segments 146, coextending with wall rail segments 142A, as discussed herein above.

(53) Support units 148 are disposed within the right partition 128B, slidingly retained between the wall rail segments 142A and the partition wall rail segments 142C and further over the door rail segments 146. However, in order to support the support units 148 at the retracted position, the support units 148 are supported at their partion wall facing side over a telescopic rail 152 (best seen in FIG. 10E).

(54) Whilst not illustrated in the Figs., the top partition 128C could accommodate one or more support units slidingly disposed between the two side walls of the cabinet, and likewise, additional support units can be configured at the partition 128A.

(55) Whilst in the annexed drawings there are illustrated cabinets configured with two doors, namely a right front door 30 and a left front door 32, it should be appreciated that the cabinet can be configured with one door only, or alternatively with more than two doors, mutatis mutandis.