Patent Application
20150335157
The disclosure relates generally to the field of cabinet systems. More specifically, the present disclosure is directed to a cabinet system that allows for interchangeability of certain surfaces of the cabinet system.
The appearance of typical cabinets, once installed in a home, is very difficult to change. If an owner wants to change the appearance of their cabinets, for example by changing the doors of the cabinets, it is typically not possible to just buy new doors because the remaining surface of the cabinet would be the previous appearance and the new door may not have the same type hinge or same placement of hinge. Also, the purchase of entire new doors would be quite costly and would require a lengthy period of time to replace.
Replacement of entire cabinet doors could also require a difficult installation process of replacing hinges and other hardware, which could be beyond a customer's skill or desire.
What is desired is a cabinet system that allows a user to easily change the appearance of the doors easily at a reduced cost.
Embodiments of the present application provide a system that addresses the above and other issues.
The present application is directed towards cabinet systems. One system includes a cover panel, a cover panel securing device and a support securing device. Another system includes a bottom rail, a left side rail, a right side rail, a top rail and a panel configured for placement within a groove of the bottom rail top face, a groove of the top rail bottom face, a groove of the left side rail right face and a groove of the right side rail left face.
The present disclosure will be better understood by reference to the following drawings of which:
The present application is directed towards a cabinet system 1, as illustrated in
Cabinet system 1 also includes a cover panel securing device 8. Cover panel securing device 8 is discussed further below. Cover panel securing device 8 is secured to the interior face 6 of cover panel 2 in any suitable way, including but not limited to at least one of the following examples a screw, a nail, a pin, a staple, a dowel, a bolt, a magnet and an adhesive. Other means for securing cover panel securing device 8 to the interior face 6 of cover panel 2 may also be used. The cover panel securing device 8 is configured to affix the cover panel 2 to a cabinet panel 10.
Cabinet panel 10 includes an interior face 12 and an exterior face 14. Secured to the exterior face 14 of cabinet panel 10 is a cabinet panel securing device 16. The cabinet panel securing device 16 is configured to affix the cover panel 2 to the cabinet panel 10. Cabinet panel securing device 16 is discussed further below.
Cabinet panel 10 is fixed to a frame of a cabinet (not shown) in a permanent or semi-permanent manner, such as with a hinge. During use of cabinet system 1, cabinet panel 10 remains fixed to the cabinet frame at all times.
Cabinet system 1 also includes a support securing device 18. Support securing device 18 is configured to fasten to the cover panel 2 and to cabinet panel 10 in relation to eachother. In the embodiment shown in
Support securing device 18 can be fixed to the cover panel 2 and cabinet panel 10 in any suitable way, including but not limited to at least one of the following examples a screw, a nail, a pin, a staple, a dowel, a bolt, a magnet and an adhesive. Other means for fixing support securing device 18 to the cover panel 2 and cabinet panel 10 may also be used. Although not shown, another securing device can be placed vertically on top of both cabinet panel 10 and cover panel 2, covering cover panel top surface 22 and cabinet panel top surface 24. This securing device can cover a portion of both cover panel top surface 22 and cabinet panel top surface 24, or all of the cover panel top surface 22 and cabinet panel top surface 24.
The cabinet panel securing device 16 of cabinet system 1 is configured to engage with cover panel securing device 8. Cabinet panel securing device 16 is secured to the exterior face 14 of cabinet panel 10 in any suitable way, including but not limited to at least one of the following examples a screw, a nail, a pin, a staple, a dowel, a bolt, a magnet and an adhesive. Other means for securing cabinet panel securing device 16 to the exterior face 14 of cabinet panel 10 may also be used.
Cabinet panel securing device 16 and cover panel securing device 8 are configured to engage with each other and maintain cover panel 2 in relation to cabinet panel 10. Cabinet panel securing device 16 and cover panel securing device 8 are configured to engage with eachother in any suitable way, including but not limited to at least one of the following examples, offset brackets (as shown in
When the cabinet panel securing device 16 and cover panel securing device 8 are engaged with eachother, cover panel 2 is maintained in relation to cabinet panel 10. The thickness of space 20 between the cabinet panel securing device 16 and cover panel securing device 8 can vary depending on the type of cabinet panel securing device 16 and cover panel securing device 8 used. In some embodiments space 20 is large, in other embodiments space 20 is narrow. Included in this range of thicknesses is space 20 being less than about 0.5 inches, space 20 being less than about 0.25 inches and space 20 being less than about 0.1 inch. Space 20 can be modified based on specific design or use requirements.
As shown in
Each of cover panel 2, cover panel securing device 8, cabinet panel 10, cabinet panel securing device 16 and support securing device 18 can be formed of any suitable material, such as metals, plastics, wood and can be formed in any desired color. Each of cover panel 2, cover panel securing device 8, cabinet panel 10, cabinet panel securing device 16 and support securing device 18 can be formed of a single piece of material or they each may be formed of several pieces of material that are joined or positioned together.
As shown in
Another embodiment of a cabinet system 40 is shown in
Cabinet system 40 also includes a right side rail 56 that is configured to attach to the bottom rail 42. Right side rail 56 comprises a right side rail right side face 58 and a right side rail left side face 60, at least a portion of the right side rail left side face 60 comprises a groove (as shown in
In embodiments where top rail 62 is fixed to the left side rail 50 and right side rail 56, the top rail front portion 72 can be fixed to panel 66, or both panel 66 and top rail 62, mechanically, with at least one of a screw, a nail, a pin, a staple, a dowel, a bolt, a magnet and an adhesive. In this embodiment, extra material (not shown) can be placed on top of panel 66 so that the top surface of top rail 62, top rail front portion 72 and the additional material are all at substantially the same height. In other embodiments, a top surface of panel 66 can be at substantially the same height as top rail 62 and top rail front portion 72, in this embodiment, extra material can be positioned within a left side rail groove 57 and right side rail groove 55, further discussed below, so that the top of panel 66, the top surface of top rail 62, top rail front portion 72 and the additional material are all at substantially the same height.
When top rail front portion 72 and top rail portion 73 are arranged together, as shown in
As shown in
Referring again to
Once panel is placed within bottom rail groove 45, right side rail groove 55 and left side rail groove 57, top rail front portion 72 and top rail rear portion 73 can then be placed so that panel 66 is within top rail groove 65. Top rail front portion 72 can rest on panel 66 or it can be secured using any suitable adhesive or mechanism. When top rail 62 is fixed to left side rail 50 and right side rail 56, panel 66 is between top rail 62 and top rail front portion 72. Panel 66, along with top rail 62, right side rail 56, left side rail 50 and bottom rail 42 can be formed of any suitable material, such as metals, plastics, wood and can be formed in any desired color. While in use, cabinet system 40 is typically affixed, such as with a hinge, along at least one of the left side rail 50 or the right side rail 56, to a cabinet structure.
As shown in
As shown in
But, in other embodiments, left side rail 50 and right side rail 56 can be placed onto bottom rail top face 48. In these other embodiments the length of left side rail right side face 54 and right side rail left side face 60 include grooves and a portion of bottom rail top face not attached to left side rail 50 or right side rail 56 includes a groove.
Other modifications of the top rail are also contemplated. For example, cabinet system 40 can include a top rail 172, as illustrated in
The following example describes one embodiment, and the use thereof, of the present disclosure and refers to the general embodiment illustrated in
Once the user removes the screws from support securing device 18 with a screw driver, the user is ready to remove cover panel 2. In this example cabinet panel securing device 16 and cover panel securing device 8 are configured as offset brackets that engage with eachother. To remove cover panel 2, the user lifts cover panel 2 vertically upward so that cover panel securing device 8 is disengaged from cabinet panel securing device 16.
Then, the user chooses a new cover panel that has the same or similar cover panel securing device. The user then lowers the new cover panel so that the new cover panel securing device engages with the cabinet panel securing device 16. Next, the user places the support securing device underneath new cover panel and the cabinet panel 10 to fasten the new cover panel and the cabinet panel to eachother. In this example the user uses the same screws that were removed previously and screws support securing device 18 into the new cover.
Now the new cover panel is visible to the user and the appearance of the user's kitchen is changed within a short amount of time and with minimal use of tools.
The following example describes one embodiment, and the use thereof, of the present disclosure and refers to the general embodiment illustrated in
Once top rail front portion 72 is removed, the user lifts panel 66 vertically upwards so that panel 66 exits left side rail groove 57, bottom rail groove 45 and right side rail groove 55. In this example, panel 66 is resting within left side rail groove 57, bottom rail groove 45 and right side rail groove 55 and is not adhered or secured to left side rail groove 57, bottom rail groove 45 or right side rail groove 55.
Once panel 66 is removed, and the user has chosen a new panel for installation, the new panel is lowered into bottom rail groove 45 along left side rail groove 57 and right side rail groove 55. Once the new panel is resting within bottom rail groove 45, the user places top rail front portion 72 on the new panel so that the new panel enters top rail groove 65.
The new cabinet system now can have a different appearance within a short amount of time and without the use of any machinery or tools.
The described embodiments and examples of the present disclosure are intended to be illustrative rather than restrictive, and are not intended to represent every embodiment or example of the present disclosure. While the fundamental novel features of the disclosure as applied to various specific embodiments thereof have been shown, described and pointed out, it will also be understood that various omissions, substitutions and changes in the form and details of the devices illustrated and in their operation, may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the disclosure. For example, it is expressly intended that all combinations of those elements and/or method steps which perform substantially the same function in substantially the same way to achieve the same results are within the scope of the disclosure. Moreover, it should be recognized that structures and/or elements and/or method steps shown and/or described in connection with any disclosed form or embodiment of the disclosure may be incorporated in any other disclosed or described or suggested form or embodiment as a general matter of design choice. Further, various modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosure as set forth in the following claims both literally and in equivalents recognized in law.
