Patent Application
20140037367
NA
The present invention relates to a corner insert member for finishing, protecting and reinforcing inside corners of a cabinet, drawer, shelving, or window and creating a visually pleasing, mechanically strong, and hygienic transition between a first and a second surface forming an inside corner.
Typical window frames, shelves and cabinets and the drawers that engage with cabinets and shelf systems commonly are constructed so as to have sharp, angular internal and external corners defined by the convergence of planar sides, bottoms, and occasionally tops. Many configurations of such items are possible, from rectangular to other polygonal layouts. However, in most cases, and regardless of the materials from which such items are constructed, the internal corners are sharply angled, commonly with 90-degree intersections of the segments or components forming the walls or sides and rear, bottom or floor, and as may be the case, top of any given drawer. In all cases, dust, dirt, and grit are prone to accumulate over time, in particular in the corners of drawers and shelves, as well as in the corners of window frames. This is exacerbated in cabinets and drawers composed of materials more prone to the effects of static electricity or exhibiting certain surface characteristics, such as metal drawers, metal-lined drawers, or thermoplastic drawers, as well as older window frames made of wood prone to warping, as well as newer window frames made of materials prone to collecting dust. Additionally, surfaces in drawers may from time to time expand or contract in such a way as to create gaps or warping. In smaller storage drawers, such as those found in tool boxes or utility containers with multiple compartments consisting of multiple corners, it is often difficult to retrieve small parts such as brad nails or the like as such small parts may become wedged in a sharply-angled corner. In both expensive cabinetry as well as in low-grade, low cost cabinet and drawers, it is often the case that corners result not from detailed joinery, but rather come into being when adjoining vertical and horizontal surfaces are glued together or held in place by friction or otherwise locked into position with brackets which may or may not be reinforced with adhesives or fasteners.
A particular goal of a device capable of creating a modified interior corner and concurrently providing a seamless transition between convergent sides and top and bottom surfaces of a cabinet, drawer, shelf or window frame is to render such corners capable of remaining cleaner over a longer period of time, as opposed to sharply-angled corners, and to protect the corners from damage, while concurrently providing an internal reinforcing member for initial construction or repair or retrofitting of shelving or drawers formed of sections joined by slotted clips or the like, or in the case of drawers or shelves composed of materials such that may delaminate, warping or otherwise deform.
The present invention assumes for illustrative purposes an inside or interior corner, such as may be found in a cabinet, drawer, window frame, or shelving unit, consisting of a first, a second and a third convergent surface in three planes (e.g., two walls and the floor of a drawer). In none of the embodiments set forth below is there any intent to limit the embodiments to a particular first, second and/or third surface. Similarly, the various embodiments of the present invention are not limited to particular surfaces that at their point of junction meet relative to each other at fixed 90-degree angles; any possible combination of angles or inside corner configuration is contemplated. However, for illustrative purposes, the following description in relevant part assumes such a situation. Moreover, it should be noted that the term “inside” or “interior” in relation to a corner or abutment of horizontal and vertical surfaces is used interchangeably. In connection with the forgoing, it is also understood that the interstices referred to as joints may extend to cover the sharp inside edge formed by the intersection of two surfaces, such as the corner of any type or item of furniture formed by the junction of two or more planes.
With regard to drawers, shelves and the like, various measures for providing reinforced corners in initial construction and to reinforce or repair structurally weak or damaged corners have been disclosed. Examples are noted below.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,312,078 to Marsh describes a cabinet corner brace for use in transport of furniture items and for securing a cabinet top in place. A fundamental requirement for the proper application of this device is that it be stapled in place. In addition, given the size of the device, it must be mounted in a substantially enclosed corner area to be properly affixed. The device is also highly visible upon installation, arising out of the fact that it is composed of a large, molded thermoplastic body, which in and of itself necessarily leads to high production costs and limited utility with regard to decorative applications.
Disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,264,863 to Haymond is a cabinet corner insert substantially similar to the foregoing device, although apparently capable of a friction-fit installation. An inventive aspect involves thermoplastic angled bracket compressible projecting wings relationally opposed at ninety-degree angles, suitable for clipping on to exposed internal and external corners of cabinets in an unfinished state during transport. This invention is suitable only for enclosing or corners prior to completion or set-up of the related item of furniture. Moreover, as a corner insert, the device has no usefulness beyond safeguarding during transport, as the installation of horizontal members (i.e., top and bottom of a cabinet) of the item protected by the device obviates the need for the device.
In view of the limitations presented by the aforementioned examples, it is the object of the present invention to offer a protective, permanent or easily removable finishing feature with inside corner protective properties that creates an easily installable, protective and transitional inside corner finish securable to inside corners, that requires no complex anchoring involving additional components, that results in an easily cleaned internal surface less prone to accumulating dirt, and that concurrently strengthens corners, when installed either in a window frame, or on the upper surface of a shelf or cabinet, or underneath the visible surface in the case of a shelf.
Another goal achieved by the present invention is simplicity of manufacture and installation, which relates to and derives from the fact that the corner insert member is of very simple construction, presenting a visible face or surface which is oriented to the interior of a drawer, shelving unit, window frame, or the like, and which features on the rear face, which is oriented towards a confluence of horizontal and vertical surfaces, as in a corner, a surface which seamlessly and in a visually pleasing and mechanically strong and physically durable manner fixably attaches to an inside corner and can be even more firmly anchored to same by means of an integrated pin or barb member and where so desired with adhesive or sealing materials.
The present technical disclosure also reveals a further significant advantage in that what is disclosed is a single, in the case of one embodiment, button-shaped and unobtrusive device that easily permits itself to be affixed and positively engaged and firmly locked into an inside corner from the front or visible face or side, seamlessly meeting and mating with the existing vertical surfaces and horizontal surfaces.
In a preferred embodiment, the diameter of the corner insert member may range from a diameter of approximately 16.25 millimeters to 24.25 millimeters. It is to be understood that the present invention may be constructed or formed, whether by casting, machining, injection molding, rotational molding, or other method of manufacture, as one piece, or as a single body with a pin or barb which upon assembly may become an integral component, as best seen in the figures which are part of this disclosure, and not as an elongate track or rail or in such a manner as to encroach to any significant degree upon the item the abutting surfaces of which it joins and reinforces. Rather, the size of the corner insert member is limited to the space required for finishing the inside corner. Any obtrusive extension into adjacent surfaces or significant overlap with abutting surfaces is not required to effect a seamless transition and to achieve the desirable results sought in such an installation.
In a preferred embodiment, the corner insert member has a generally triangular pyramidal shape or form, such that it could be compared to the frustum of a cone or a truncated cone, of which the base surface or basal face forms the visible surface or outwardly-oriented surface in relation to the mating surfaces it is affixed to, and from which the associated frusta attach to the respective corners of an inside corner, thereby creating a seamless or smoothly-fitting corner which establishes a fluid transition in terms of linear surfaces of, for example, a drawer's interior surface where two perpendicular sidewalls and the bottom of the drawer meet.
In a further embodiment of the present invention, rather than the aforementioned tetragonal shape, a semicircular, lenticular, fillister or ball or spherical form or shape may define at least the front face or base or basal face the corner insert member, which may have emanating from the visible frontal face a preferably conically shaped pin or barb-like component, which similar to the preferred embodiment serves to attached the corner insert member to the inside corner and permits for a seamless and uniform connection to the respective surfaces forming the corner.
Rather than such a completely symmetrical body (which may also be constructed in such a way as to be axially symmetric) form previously described, it is also possible to employ spherical or ball-shaped designs such that the inside corner is not delineated by a lenticular shape or a semicircular or hemispherical shape, but rather by a ball-like shape or curvature, from which extends the aforementioned barb-like portion which affixes to the sharply-angled inside corner and thus creates a seamless and form-fitting inside corner.
It should of course be understood that the present invention contemplates and extends to a broad range of alternatives in form or shape, or modifications to the triangular pyramidal, truncated conical or frustal design or form.
In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the mounting and anchoring of the previously described corner insert member in all of the previously described designs or shapes is facilitated by means of an adhesive or material situated in or along the inside corner.
In the case of the aforementioned embodiment, where using any of the aforementioned adhesive or elastomeric or other sealing or joining materials is contemplated, the installation and positive locking or anchoring of the corner insert member is particularly uncomplicated and easily achieved, as it is possible to simply press-fit the inventive corner protective member into the interstitial material which is intended to seal the inside corner before this material cures and solidifies, whereupon the inventive device is anchored firmly in place once the sealing or caulking materials has fully “set up” and sufficiently cured. This is not only particularly suited to creating a clean, smooth transitional inside corner in, for example, a drawer or cabinet, but also for reinforcing a shelf either from the top surface or underside of the shelf.
It is thus obvious that the present invention teaches a corner insert member which creates and achieves a seamless, form-fitting connection by way of being installed into of affixed onto such a joint either during or after construction or in anticipation of or to address existing physical stress or damage as a reinforcing or supporting member. This results in an inside corner which is protected against becoming dirtied, and furthermore achieves the goal of creating a solid corner, a firmly supported edge or inside corner, and an integral corner insert member assembly which cannot be damaged nor fail structurally, and which above all leads to an inside corner which is considerably less labor intensive to clean. It should be understood, however, that the present invention is not restricted to applications where it must be employed in combination with adhesives or the like at the confluence of vertical and horizontal surfaces.
In yet another embodiment, no adhesives or the like are required, and the corner insert element may be installed or fitted by, for example, the simple application of slight pressure in an existing inside corner where surfaces composed of wood, synthetic materials such as thermoplastics, natural stone, metal or the like meet. In such an application, featuring these relatively solid materials, the preferred method of anchoring the corner insert member involves a corner insert member formed or otherwise designed and constructed to as to feature at least one center bore, or roughened surfaces, or specifically designed depressions of similar anchoring surfaces into which a curable adhesive or caulking materials may be introduced or onto which such a material may be applied. In this embodiment, the corner insert member is pressed or press-fitted—prior to the curing of the adhesive or caulking or sealant material—into the inside corner, and the adhesive, caulk, or sealant is allowed to cure in place, such that the corner insert member seamlessly integrates into the inside corner, thereby providing the corner against staining, dirt, and damage. It should be obvious to those skilled in the art that the adhesive, caulk or sealant need not necessarily be introduced into the aforementioned center bore on the rear face of the corner insert member.
In still another embodiment, the rear surfaces of the corner insert member, which attach to the inside corner created by the convergence of vertical and potentially also horizontal surfaces, may be furnished with roughened surfaces, grooves, lugs or other projections commonly deemed “male” surfaces, or recesses or “female surfaces” or the like, even possibly including barbed hooks or recurved spikes or the like such that the corner insert member can be driven into an inside corner without the need for a an adhesive, caulk or sealing material for purposes of anchoring the corner insert member.
The visible face of the corner insert member disclosed herein may have any of a variety of forms, all of which are considered crucial and are claimed in the present application.
In a first embodiment, the pyramidal base of a tetrahedral body forms the visible face of the corner insert member, and this visible face is smooth and thoroughly level.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the visible face of the corner insert member may take on other designs or forms, such as a cambered or arched, or convex or concave, or any other desired form, shape or design. Not only the visible face of the tetrahedral body may be formed and manufactured according to a variety of designed shapes, but also all other integral sections of the herein claimed corner insert member may take on such other configurations as previously stated, such as a lenticular or fillister head, a semicircular or hemispherical head, or ball head.
As such, it is evident that it is possible that a tetragonal body, along its base face, which in turn is the visible face upon installation, may also be manufactured so as to have a lenticular, button, fillister or ball-shaped head.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the corner insert member is manufactured of a suitable metallic material, particularly, a stainless steel. However, this is in no way to be understood to limit the scope of the present invention. The corner insert member may be composed of any suitable material fit for providing a functional and decorative finish, support, reinforcement and lining for an inside corner, such as any of various light alloys, plastics, wood, plastic and wood combinations, plastic and metal combinations, and the like.
The determinative factor is that the end result is a fitted, seamless, structurally supportive finish achieved in an inside corner which provides the further benefits of a corner insert member permitting easy cleaning of inside corners and protection of the inside corner against damage and soiling as well as reinforcement of inside corners.
The following drawings are attached in explanation of the invention, the features of which are referenced within the detailed description of the invention. Note that, although the example sectional shape of the corner protective member for inside corner insert is tetragonal or tetrahedral as illustrated throughout the majority of the following drawings, the shape may be of any practicable multi-sided geometry. In order to better understand the drawings, the following legend is provided:
Depicted for purposes of illustration is the inside corner of a furniture element, for example a drawer, which features a vertical joint 4 and two horizontal, angularly intersecting surfaces, each of which feature a joint 5, 6 and all of which converge at an inside corner 7, where the inventive corner insert member device is mounted or otherwise affixed to the interstices, seams or joints 4-6, and where the inventive corner insert member has been fitted by the application of pressure into as-yet uncured adhesive or sealant emplaced in or joints 4-6, such that fully seamless, flush, and integral transition regions or transition zones 8 result between the visible face of the corner insert member 1 and the adjacent or adjoining surfaces of the joints 4-6.
The scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-referenced method of anchoring the corner insert member. For example, rather than a joint as previously described, other types of joints may be employed, such as dovetailed or other interlocking joints or similar interconnections designed to limit stress. All such interstices or joints are suited to receive the corner insert member to result in a finished inside corner.
It is important to note that the transition regions or transition zones 8 as depicted in
In view of the above, it follows from
It is to be appreciated that as an alternative to the use of physical force to install or fit the corner insert element to an inside corner 7, an adhesive may also be used to achieve the same results. In such applications, it is desirable to manufacture the corner insert member, which is this embodiment has faces 12 generally tetrahedral 12 in terms of shape, as can be seen in
In a further embodiment of the invention, it is possible that the central bore 13, optimally manufactured as a threaded recess, depicted in
Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the generally tetragonal and symmetrical body 12 may in terms of design and intended purpose as a corner insert element 1 also be manufactured with asymmetrical or unlike surfaces 10. This would result in an asymmetrical tetragonal body, among the other shapes, designs and forms contemplated by the present invention.
It is important to note that the rear-facing apex of the corner insert member, were it to be represented as a full tetragonal structure complete with fully terminal angles or corners or apexes, is essentially lacking, and that where essentially a frustum would result, the aforementioned central bore 13 is found, with the central bore, which may be unthreaded, descending to a suitable given depth in the core of the body of the corner insert member. The central bore in this case may be viewed as a production aid in that a material blank used in the course of the production of the corner insert member may be simply affixed to a jig, receiving clamp or the like or pin received by the bore, and the workpiece blank thereby safely and easily machined or otherwise processed and formed to achieve the desired shape and configuration.
A second advantage of the central bore is that when the central bore 13 is provided with a thread by, for example, manually or otherwise tapping the central bore, it becomes possible to insert a threaded bolt, the thread of which may be made to project from the main body or from the apex. This makes it possible to fit a corner insert member so equipped with a threadably inserted or adhesively-secured tip into an otherwise empty inside corner 7 and anchor it firmly.
The above also applies in the case of a spherically-shaped or spheroidal member according to
Initially it should be obvious from the figures thus presented that the corners or edges of the tetrahedron or tetragonal form are flattened to form beveled corners 24 to result in and achieve a more positive and more flowing and seamless integration with the adjoining surfaces of the interstices of joints 4-6 or generally the vertical surfaces 2, 3.
In a modification of this form,
As can be seen in
A further embodiment is depicted in
It is obvious and will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the various designs depicted do not necessarily show that the visible face 9 of the tetragonal body 12 may also be hemispherical, ball-like, cambered or curved, or formed in any number of other configurations or forms. The present invention is also not intended to be limited to the various designs or forms presented and disclosed herein.
While specific embodiments have been set forth and described herein, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that various adaptations are possible, and that this disclosure is intended to cover adaptations or variations of various embodiments of the present disclosure. The aforementioned embodiments should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but as merely providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments of this invention. Combination of the above elements, and other embodiments not specifically described herein will be apparent to those skilled the art upon a review of foregoing description. The scope of the various embodiments of the present disclosure includes other applications in which the above structures and methods are used. Thus, the scope of the invention should be determined with reference to the appended claims and the full range of their legal equivalents.
In the foregoing detailed description, various features are grouped together in a single embodiment for purposes of presenting the disclosure in a compact manner. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the disclosed embodiments of the present disclosure must necessarily employ more features than expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment. Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into the detailed description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment.
