Drawer Assembly

Abstract

A drawer assembly comprises a plurality of panels (10, 20, 30, 40, 100) interconnected to each other via a first fastening mechanism and a second fastening mechanism. The first fastening mechanism includes one or more pinholes (51) on at least one of the panels (10, 20, 30, 40, 100) and one or more pins (50) extended from at least one of the panels (10, 20, 30, 40, 100) to engage with, and being inserted in, the complementary pinholes (51). The second fastening mechanism includes one or more groove channels (70) on at least one of the panels (10, 20, 30, 40, 100) and one or more projecting tongue profiles (60) extended from at least one of the panels (10, 20, 30, 40, 100) to engage with, and being inserted in, the complementary groove channels (70).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a drawer assembly. More particularly, the invention relates to a drawer assembly having a plurality of panels firmly interconnected to each other via multiple fastening mechanisms.

BACKGROUND ART

Cabinet furniture is an integral part of our homes and workplaces, providing functional storage and adding aesthetic appeal to our living spaces. Such furniture are designed to hold various items to ensure our belongings are organized and easy to accessible. Cabinets come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and styles, catering to different needs and preferences. One of the key aspects of cabinet furniture construction is the method used to connect different panels together. Two of the most commons methods are tongue and groove joints and dowel pins. Tongue and groove joints involve the interlocking of two pieces with complementary protrusions and grooves whereas the dowel pins are cylindrical rods which can be inserted into pre-drilled holes in adjoining panels.

An example of knockdown furniture assembly employing the aforementioned two methods is shown in United States Patent Publication No. US20130071172A1. The patent reveals a composed element consisting of two or more panel-shaped elements. Each of these elements features a coupling zone containing coupling parts shaped as profiled parts that extend longitudinally along the coupling zone. These profiled parts facilitate the secure interconnection of the panel-shaped elements, both in a locking manner and at an angle. Additionally, the composed element incorporates auxiliary means designed to aid in the accurate assembly of the panel-shaped elements. One limitation of the disclosed composed furniture element is that the groove is shaped in such a way that the tongue can only be inserted with a fixed initial orientation. There is no tolerance for the tongue to be inserted in another orientation. As a result, if the initial orientations are not aligned, then the tongue or the groove can be damaged during assembly. Furthermore, this patent lacks supporting panels to hold the panels in their intended orientation during the assembly of the furniture, so that the subsequent panel can be installed in an efficient manner.

Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a drawer assembly with improved fastening mechanisms to prevent damage to the components of drawer assembly during assembly. The proposed invention provides such a drawer assembly that solves the abovementioned problems.

BRIEF SUMMARY

In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a drawer assembly comprises a plurality of panels interconnected to each other via a first fastening mechanism and a second fastening mechanism; wherein the first fastening mechanism includes one or more pinholes on at least one of the panels and one or more pins extended from at least one of the panels to engage with, and being inserted in, the complementary pinholes; and wherein the second fastening mechanism includes one or more groove channels on at least one of the panels and one or more projecting tongue profiles extended from at least one of the panels to engage with, and being inserted in, the complementary groove channels.

Preferably, the panels may include a front panel having a pair of the groove channels of the second fastening mechanism, a pair of side panels, each having the projecting tongue profile of the second fastening mechanism on one edge to respectively engage with the groove channels, and one or more pins of the first fastening mechanism on an opposing edge; and a rear panel having one or more pinholes of the first fastening mechanism to engage with the one or more pins of the side panels.

Preferably, each of the front panel, the side panels, and the rear panel may further include a further groove channel engageable by a base panel.

Preferably, the side panels may be attached with one or more drawer slide components.

Preferably, at least one projecting tongue profile of the second fastening mechanism may have a dovetail tongue configuration.

Preferably, at least one projecting tongue profile of the second fastening mechanism may be provided with a laminate on at least one surface of the tongue profile for providing improved structural integrity to the tongue while nevertheless allowing relative sliding movement between the projecting tongue profile and the groove channel.

Preferably, at least one groove channel of the second fastening mechanism may include a first section and a second section, whereby the first section, has a cross-sectional area wider than the second section, is configured to initially receive one portion of the projecting tongue profile with a wider tolerance of insertion angles than the second section and to subsequently guide the projecting tongue profile to slide towards the second section at a designated orientation.

Preferably, the second section may have a dovetail groove configuration that are complimentary to the dovetail tongue configuration of the projecting tongue profile, and the first second may have a square groove configuration.

Preferably, each groove channel of the second fastening mechanism may be located adjacent an edge of the panels, and a laminate is disposed on the edge of the panels.

Preferably, each pin of the first fastening mechanism may include a first portion and a second portion, both of which have serrated circular protrusions, whereby the diameter of the serrated circular protrusions on the first portion is larger than those on the second portion.

One skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the invention is well adapted to carry out the objects and obtain the ends and advantages mentioned, as well as those inherent therein. The embodiments described herein are not intended as limitations on the scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For the purpose of facilitating an understanding of the invention, there is illustrated in the accompanying drawing the preferred embodiments from an inspection of which when considered in connection with the following description, the invention, its construction and operation and many of its advantages would be readily understood and appreciated.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view diagram illustrating a front panel of a drawer assembly and an installation of a side panel of the drawer assembly.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view diagram illustrating an installation of a base panel of the drawer assembly.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view diagram illustrating an installation of a rear panel of the drawer assembly.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view diagram illustrating an installation of a handle unit of the drawer assembly to the front panel.

FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary of a pin for connecting the panels of the drawer assembly.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view diagram illustrating an exemplary of a projection tongue profile.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view diagram illustrating an exemplary of a groove channel.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view diagram illustrating a further embodiment of the drawer assembly and an installation of the side panel to the front panel.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view diagram illustrating a further embodiment of the front panel.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view diagram illustrating an installation of the second side panel to the assembly.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view diagram illustrating an installation of a supporting panel.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view diagram illustrating an installation of the base panel to the assembly.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view diagram illustrating an installation of the rear panel to the assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the invention will now be described in greater detail, by way of example, with reference to the drawings.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, there is provided a drawer assembly according to the present invention. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the drawer assembly comprises a plurality of panels 10, 20, 30, 40, 100 interconnected to each other via a first fastening mechanism and a second fastening mechanism. Preferably, the first fastening mechanism includes one or more pinholes 51 disposed on at least one of the panels 10, 20, 30, 40, 100 and one or more pins 50 extended from at least one of the panels 10, 20, 30, 40, 100 to engage with, and being inserted in, the complementary pinholes 51. The second fastening mechanism preferably includes one or more groove channels 70 disposed on at least one of the panels 10, 20, 30, 40, 100 and one or more projecting tongue profiles 60 extended from at least one of the panels 10, 20, 30, 40, 100 to engage with, and being inserted in, the complementary groove channels 70. The panels 10, 20, 30, 40, 100 may be made of various wood materials, such as, but not limited to, particleboards, medium-density fiberboards, plywoods, solid woods, hardboard, melamine, veneered woods, and laminate.

Advantageously, a user can assemble the plurality of panels 10, 20, 30, 40, 100 into the drawer assembly without any tools or additional fastening means. Furthermore, the fastening mechanisms allow the user to easily assemble the plurality of panels 10, 20, 30, 40, 100 by just aligning the pins 50 with the complementary pinholes 51 and the tongue profiles 60 with the complementary groove channels 70 and secure the panels 10, 20, 30, 40, 100 by a press action for enhancing securement between the panels 10, 20, 30, 40, 100. Additionally, the drawer assembly has strong structural integrity due to the combination of the first and second interlocking mechanisms. The plurality of interconnected panels 10, 20, 30, 40, 100 will not easily disengage from each other due to external stresses or forces acting on the drawer assembly.

In general, the panels 10, 20, 30, 40, 100 of the drawer assembly is formed by a front panel 10, a pair of side panels 20, a rear panel 30, and a base panel 40 that are interconnected to each other via a first fastening mechanism and a second fastening mechanism. Preferably, the front panel 10 comprises a pair of the groove channels 70 of the second fastening mechanism. The pair of side panels 20, each having the projecting tongue profile 60 of the second fastening mechanism on one edge to respectively engage with the groove channels 70, and one or more pins 50 of the first fastening mechanism on an opposing edge. In addition, each side panel 20 may further comprises a drawer slide components 21 attached to one exposing surface. The rear panel 30 having one or more pinholes 51 of the first fastening mechanism to engage with the one or more pins 50 of the side panels 20. Each of the front panel 10, the side panels 20, and the rear panel 30 includes a further groove channel 80 engageable by a base panel 40. Upon the panels 10, 20, 30, 40, 100 are assembled, a handle unit 90 can be attached to the front panel via screws, nuts and bolts or by way of the first mechanism where the pins can be extended from the handle unit 90 to be inserted into further pinholes on the front panel 10.

Preferably, each pin 50 of the secondary fastening mechanism of the drawer assembly comprises a locking profile at its open end which is to be inserted and fixedly attached to the complementary pinhole 51 for providing a self-interlocking mechanism between the panels 10, 20, 30, 40, 100 upon engagement with the complementary pinhole 51. By way of example, the locking profile of the pin 50 may be a zig-zag configuration or teeth configuration that locks with the complementary pinhole 51 upon the engagement.

One specific embodiment of the pin 50 is shown in FIG. 5. The pin 50 may comprise a cylindrical body having a first portion 52 and a second portion 53, both with serrated circular protrusions 54, 55 that can grip onto the inner surface of the pinholes 51 upon insertion. Preferably, the diameter of the serrated circular protrusion 54 on the first portion 52 is larger than those on the second portion 53. This configuration allows the second portion 53 to be inserted into prefabricated pinholes 51 on an edge of the side panels 20, and the larger serrated circular protrusions 54 on the first portion 52 act as a stopper to prevent the first portion 52 from being inserted into the pinholes 51. In this embodiment, the pinholes 51 at the side panels 20 are sized to be slightly smaller or about the same as the second portion 53 so that the second portion 53 can be fittably inserted into the pinholes 51. Likewise, the pinholes 51 at the rear panel 30 are also sized to be slightly smaller or about the same as the first portion 52.

Referring to FIG. 6, an example of the projecting tongue profile 60 is illustrated. Preferably, the projecting tongue profile 60 has a dovetail tongue configuration, with both of its side walls slanted to form a trapezoidal shape in cross-section. Alternatively, the projecting tongue profile 60 may have a half-dovetail tongue configuration, with only one of its side wall is slanted and the other side wall is in an upright configuration to form a right-angled trapezoid shape in cross-section. The projecting tongue profile 60 may extend continuously along the edge of the side panels 20 or be divided into segments. In one embodiment, the projecting tongue profile 60 is provided with a laminate 61 on at least one surface of the projecting tongue profile 60 for providing improved structural integrity to the projecting tongue profile 60 while nevertheless allowing relative sliding movement between the projecting tongue profile 60 and the groove channel 70. The laminate 61 can further reduce deflection induced within the projecting tongue profile 60 during its manufacture or assembling of the drawer assembly. In other words, the laminate 61 reduces occurrence of fractures in the surface of the projecting tongue profile 60. The laminate 61 can be but is not limited to melamine, high-pressure laminate, lower-pressure laminate, acrylic, polyvinyl chloride, and thermoplastic foil.

Referring to FIG. 7, a first embodiment of the groove channel 70 is illustrated. Preferably, the groove channel 70 has a complementary dovetail groove configuration, with both of its inner sidewalls slanted to form a trapezoidal shape in cross-section. The complementary configuration allows the projecting tongue profile 60 to slidably engage and insert into the groove channel to form a tongue and groove interlocking joint connection. Depending on the configuration of the projecting tongue profile 60, the groove channel 70 may have a half-dovetail groove configuration, with only one of its side wall is slanted and the other side wall is in an upright configuration to form a right-angled trapezoid shape in cross-section. In one embodiment, the groove channel 70 is located adjacent an edge 71 of the panels 10, 20, 30, 40, 100, and a laminate 72 is disposed on the edge 71 of the panels 10, 20, 30, 40, 100. The functions of the laminate 72 are the same as per the laminate 61 on the projecting tongue profile 60.

Referring to FIG. 9, a second embodiment of the groove channel 70 is illustrated. Preferably, at least one of the groove channels 70 can be provided with two groove profiles. For instance, the groove channel 70 comprises a first section 73 and a second section 74. The first section 73 has a wider cross-sectional area compared to the second section 74. The first section 73 is configured to initially accommodate one portion of the projecting tongue profile 60 with a wider range of insertion angles than the second section 74. Subsequently, the first section 73 guides the projecting tongue profile 60 to slide towards the second section 74 in a predetermined orientation. By way of example, the projecting tongue profile 60 has a dovetail tongue configuration, the second section 74 is a dovetail groove configuration that is complimentary to the dovetail tongue configuration, and the first section 73 is a square groove configuration. Such configuration ensures smooth and effortless insertion of the projecting tongue profiles 60 into the groove channels 70, thereby reducing the risk of damage during the initial engagement of the second fastening mechanism's components.

FIGS. 1 to 4 illustrate the process flow for assembling a first embodiment of the drawer assembly. Referring to FIG. 1, the assembling process starts by slidably engaging the projecting tongue profile 60 of side panels 20 to complementary groove channels 8 of the front panel 10 and being retained therein. Referring to FIG. 2, the base panel 40 is slidably engaged with further groove channels 80 of the front panel 10 and the side panels 20, thereby forming a base for the drawer assembly. Referring to FIG. 3, the rear panel 30 is attached to the side panels 20 by engaging the pinholes 51 and the further groove channel 80 of the rear panel 30 respectively to the pins 50 of the side panels 20 and a protruding portion of the base panel 30. Referring to FIG. 4, the drawer assembly is preferably installed with a handle unit 90 at the front panel 10 for allowing a user to easily push or pull the drawer assembly out of a furniture assembly.

Referring to FIGS. 8 to 13, a process for assembling a second embodiment of the drawer assembly is illustrated. FIGS. 8 & 10 shows an exemplary of the pair of side panels 20 attaching to the front panel 10 via the second fastening mechanism. Specifically, the second fastening mechanism includes a pair of the groove channels 70 each positioned at one edge of the front panel 10, and the projecting tongue profile 60 on an edge of each side panel 20. FIG. 11 illustrates an exemplary of a supporting panel 100 attaching to the front panel 10. Preferably, the supporting panel 100 is attached to the front panel 10 via the first fastening mechanism. Specifically, the first fastening mechanism includes a plurality of pins 50 extended from an edge of the supporting panel 100, and a plurality of pinholes 51 on the front panels 10. Alternatively, the pinholes 51 are located at the centre position of the front panels 10 so that the supporting panel 100 can be attached to the centre portion of the front panel 10. FIG. 12 illustrates an exemplary of the base panel 40 attaching to the assembly. Preferably, edges of the base panel 40 are slidably inserted to a further groove channels 80 on the side panels 20 and the front panel 10. FIG. 13 illustrates an exemplary example of the rear panel 30 attaching to the assembly and thereby completing the assembly of the drawer assembly. Preferably, the rear panel 30 is attached to the assembly via the first fastening mechanism. Specifically, the fastening mechanism includes a plurality of pinholes 51 on the rear panel 30 and a plurality of pins 50 extended from the side panels 20 and the supporting panel 100. Upon completion of the assembly of the drawer assembly, the drawer assembly can then be attached and inserted into a furniture assembly via the drawer slide components 21 of the side panels 20.

An objective of the invention is to provide a drawer assembly that enables users to assemble the entire drawer without the need for external tools such as a screwdriver. To achieve this, all the attachment members as discussed in above can be pre-attached to their designated panels 10, 20, 30, 40, 100, the pins 50 can be pre-installed, and the pinholes 51 can be pre-fabricated.

The present disclosure includes as contained in the appended claims, as well as that of the foregoing description. Although this invention has been described in its preferred form with a degree of particularity, it is understood that the present disclosure of the preferred form has been made only by way of example and that numerous changes in the details of construction and the combination and arrangements of parts may be resorted to without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A drawer assembly comprising: a plurality of panels interconnected to each other via a first fastening mechanism and a second fastening mechanism;wherein the first fastening mechanism includes one or more pinholes on at least one of the panels and one or more pins extended from at least one of the panels to engage with, and being inserted in, the complementary pinholes; andwherein the second fastening mechanism includes one or more groove channels on at least one of the panels and one or more projecting tongue profiles extended from at least one of the panels to engage with, and being inserted in, the complementary groove channels.

2. The drawer assembly according to claim 1, wherein the panels include: a front panel having a pair of the groove channels of the second fastening mechanism,a pair of side panels, each having the projecting tongue profile of the second fastening mechanism on one edge to respectively engage with the groove channels, and one or more pins of the first fastening mechanism on an opposing edge; anda rear panel having one or more pinholes of the first fastening mechanism to engage with the one or more pins of the side panels.

3. The drawer assembly according to claim 2, wherein each of the front panel, the side panels, and the rear panel includes a further groove channel engageable by a base panel.

4. The drawer assembly according to claim 2, wherein the side panels are attached with one or more drawer slide components.

5. The drawer assembly according to claim 1, wherein at least one projecting tongue profile of the second fastening mechanism has a dovetail tongue configuration.

6. The drawer assembly according to claim 1, wherein at least one projecting tongue profile of the second fastening mechanism is provided with a laminate on at least one surface of the projecting tongue profile for providing improved structural integrity to the projecting tongue profile while nevertheless allowing relative sliding movement between the projecting tongue profile and the groove channel.

7. The drawer assembly according to claim 1, wherein at least one groove channel of the second fastening mechanism includes a first section and a second section, whereby the first section, has a cross-sectional area wider than the second section, is configured to initially receive one portion of the projecting tongue profile with a wider tolerance of insertion angles than the second section and to subsequently guide the projecting tongue profile to slide towards the second section at a designated orientation.

8. The drawer assembly according to claim 5, wherein the second section has a dovetail groove configuration that are complimentary to the dovetail tongue configuration of the projecting tongue profile, and the first second has a square groove configuration.

9. The drawer assembly according to claim 1, wherein at least one groove channel of the second fastening mechanism is located adjacent an edge of the panels, and a laminate is disposed on the edge of the panels.

10. The drawer according to claim 1, wherein each pin of the first fastening mechanism includes a first portion and a second portion, both of which have serrated circular protrusions, whereby the diameter of the serrated circular protrusions on the first portion is larger than those on the second portion.