Patent Application
20190274425
This invention generally relates to closets, and more particularly, to a modular closet system.
Traditional closet systems are static. Conventionally, one had to buy a custom designed closet system that addressed their individual storage needs. In addition, customized closets were aesthetically pleasing as the final assembly typically provides a clean finished appearance with attachment points locked into place and hidden from view. For example, screws might be inserted into a counterbore and capped so as to be hidden from view. This is a permanent attachment because any attempt to remove the screw likely damages the closet surface. These systems become fixtures to the surrounding closet room walls. Once items such as shelves, drawers, and rods are set in place, these items are not moved. The walk-in closet design features are fully contemplated before the system is assembled and once assembled, remain fixed in place. The end product reflects quality in craftmanship and finish.
Freestanding closet systems are typically fully enclosed to provide the same feel as a closet room. Even freestanding closet systems, once assembled, are generally fixed and cannot be re-arranged. Freestanding closet systems are usually mass produced and lack the quality of craftsmanship and design aesthetics of a customized or low volume manufactured piece of furniture. Many closet systems available today are designed to be assembled by the customer (in other words, it is sold unassembled). Unassembled furniture and particularly closets are designed for convenience in assembly. A series of steps guides one to attach dowels or screws to surfaces of the closet pieces. However, the measure of convenience for assembling a closet usually comes at the sacrifice of exposing attachment points (for example, screws, pins, etc. which are readily visible). Once locked in, attempts to remove a fastener typically further exposes the attachment points, damages the structure's finish, and compromises the support structure.
As one's storage capacity needs change, static closet systems become less efficient and more prone to visibly unaesthetic damage to the attachment points. As storage capacity needs change and wear on the closet becomes more apparent, whole closet systems need to be replaced.
As can be seen, there is a need to improve on closet systems so they are more flexible to peoples' changing storage needs yet provide an appearance of a custom closet solution.
In one aspect, a modular closet comprises a first sideframe, the first sideframe including: a first pair of beams positioned parallel to one another, at least one of the first pair of beams including a first beam front face, a first plurality of struts positioned between the first pair of beams supporting the first pair of beams, a plurality of through holes on each of the first pair of beams, the plurality of through holes positioned on an inside facing surface of each the first pair of beams; a second sideframe, the second sideframe including: a second pair of beams positioned parallel to one another, at least one of the second pair of beams including a second beam front face, a second plurality of struts positioned between the second pair of beams supporting the second pair of beams, a plurality of through holes on each of the second pair of beams, the plurality of through holes positioned on an inside facing surface of each of the second pair of beams; a plurality of fasteners configured to fit within the plurality of through holes of the first pair of beams and the plurality through holes in the second pair of beams; and any two of at least a shelf, a first sized drawer, a second sized drawer and a laundry basket configured to fit between the first sideframe and the second sideframe, wherein the shelf, the first sized drawer, the second sized drawer and the laundry basket are repositionable along a height of the first and second sideframes, defined by a space between the first sideframe and the second sideframe, and secured into place within the space by the plurality of fasteners, when the modular closet is in an assembled state, and wherein, none of the plurality of fasteners are visible from a front view perspective of the modular closet when in the assembled state.
In another aspect, a modular closet comprises a first closet module, including: a first sideframe, including a plurality of through holes, and a second sideframe, including a plurality of through holes, a plurality of fasteners configured to fit within the plurality of through holes of the first sideframe and the plurality of through holes of the second sideframe, and a plurality of storage devices configured for attachment between the first sideframe and the second sideframe, the attachment being to the plurality of through holes in the first sideframe and in the second sideframe, wherein: the first sideframe and the second sideframe are configured for modular positioning and repositioning of the plurality of storage devices within the first closet module, and the plurality of fasteners and the plurality of through holes used for attachment of the plurality of storage devices are not visible from a front view perspective of the first closet module when in the assembled state; a second closet module, including: a third sideframe, including a plurality of through holes, and a fourth sideframe, including a plurality of through holes, the plurality of fasteners configured to also fit within the plurality of through holes of the third sideframe and the plurality of through holes of the fourth sideframe, and the plurality of storage devices also configured for attachment between the third sideframe and the fourth sideframe, the attachment being to the plurality of through holes of the third sideframe and to the plurality of through holes of the fourth sideframe, wherein: the third sideframe and the fourth sideframe are configured for modular positioning and repositioning of the plurality of storage devices within the second closet module, and the plurality of fasteners and the plurality of through holes in the second closet module used for attachment of the plurality of storage devices are not visible from a front view perspective of the second closet module when in the assembled state; and a hanging rod configured to be secured between the first closet module and the second closet module.
In yet another aspect, a modular closet comprises a first closet module; a hanging rod coupled to the first closet module by a first end of the hanging rod; a second closet module coupled to the first closet module by a second end of the hanging rod; and a plurality of storage devices configured for modular attachment to attachment points within the first closet module and the second closet module, wherein the attachment points of the plurality of storage devices to the first closet module and to the second closet module are not visible from a front perspective view of the modular closet system when in an assembled state
The invention and its various embodiments can now be better understood by turning to the following detailed description wherein illustrated embodiments are described. It is to be expressly understood that the illustrated embodiments are set forth as examples and not by way of limitations on the invention as ultimately defined in the claims.
The detailed description set forth below is intended as a description of various configurations of the subject technology and is not intended to represent the only configurations in which the subject technology may be practiced. The appended drawings are incorporated herein and constitute a part of the detailed description. The detailed description includes specific details for the purpose of providing a thorough understanding of the subject technology. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the subject technology may be practiced without these specific details. Like or similar components are labeled with identical element numbers for ease of understanding.
In general, embodiments provide a modular closet system that provides an appearance of a custom-made closet with the aesthetic finish of a custom closet yet may be reconfigured at the user's will and still maintain the custom-made look. While aspects of the system quickly and conveniently allow the user to modify their storage needs and adapt the closet as needed, as will be appreciated, the custom-made appearance and clean finish of the closet is maintained during reconfiguration of the closet features. This is the first fully modular closet that allows the user to configure a closet to their needs/wants without needing professional installation. Those assembly embodiments of the closet system will be able to hide attachment points/fasteners from view without needing to know skilled furniture assembly practices for hiding fasteners. The various configurations have front surface of the storage devices flush with the framing creating a clean appearance form the front view perspective.
Embodiments incorporate all different types of storage (for example, drawers of different sizes, shelves, hanging rods, fabric bins, laundry bags, etc.). In addition, aspects of the system may be open faced/open backed providing easy access to switching storage unit types around and facilitating modularity. In some aspects that will be appreciated, the front surfaces of the system may be flush. In some aspects, there may not necessarily be a top, bottom left or right, which may make the system easy to assemble and creates full modularity as storage devices may be moved from one module/location to another without pre-set engineering designs obstructing insertion in to certain points in the framing. Drawers, shelves, hanging bars, and other closet storage devices may be easily added to these frames. Some embodiments may comprise as little as two frames to create a closet module or up to as many frames to build a whole system.
Referring now to
Referring to
In general, assembling features of the closet system 100 may be performed by aligning through holes of respective items together and connecting them with fasteners 105 as shown throughout. The fasteners 105 may be for example, screws, bolts, pins, dowels, etc. Some embodiments may include washers 107 (see
The sideframes 110 are generally positioned parallel to one another to define an opening therebetween which may include an open face and an open back. A sideframe 110 is generally a box frame with support struts. A sideframe 110 includes a pair of beams 111 positioned parallel to one another generally extending from a floor, upward and struts 120 may be positioned between the beams 111 to provide structural support. Each beam 111 may include a plurality of through holes 125 on an inside surface of the beam disposed for interfacing with side surfaces of storage devices (described below). The through holes 125 may be in series (along a same line) running substantially from one end to the other end of the beam 111. In some embodiments, each sideframe 110 includes a rail 115 on each beam 111. In an exemplary embodiment, the rail 115 may be positioned on a side of the sideframe 110 so that it projects away from an opposing sideframe 110 (for example, toward an exterior direction). The rail 115 may be perpendicular to the inside surface on which the through holes 125 are positioned.
Referring to
When the closet module 101 or 102 is assembled, a plurality of storage devices may be incorporated by lining up through holes 125 with through holes 155 of respective storage devices. See for example,
In embodiments including drawers (in the embodiment shown, there may be two differently sized drawers 151 and 160), the drawers are enclosed in a U-shaped box. The slides (not shown) for the drawers are on the inside of the U-shaped boxes 150, 165. The U-shaped boxes 150 and 165 may be removable and reattached at various attachment points along the beams 111. As suggested above, the outer perimeter of the boxes 150 and 165 are flush with the inside surface of the beams 111 so when attached, fasteners 105 are blocked from view when viewing the closet system 100 from the front view perspective. The drawers 151, 160 with the U-shaped enclosure can be moved in increments that fit the holes 125 on the frames (in roughly 1.5″ increments). The drawers 151, 160 may be removed and swapped between boxes 150, 165 of the same size enclosure. Accordingly, the drawer boxes 150, 165 may be fully customizable as to where you want to place them on the sideframes 110.
Similarly, other storage devices such as shelves 140 may be positioned between the sideframes 110 based on relation to fastener 105 placement within the through holes 125. For example,
Referring now to
In addition, closet module 102 has been reconfigured as closet module 302 by swapping out lower shelves 140 which are replaced by laundry baskets 170 (another storage type device). Dowel rods 180 may be aligned with the sideframe through holes 125 and fastened into place at the level desired to hang the laundry baskets 170. Typically, a pair of dowel rods 180 may be used so both sides of the baskets 170 have something to hold on to. The laundry baskets 170 may include hangers 190 which hold the baskets 170 onto the dowel rods 180. In some embodiments, where two laundry baskets 170 are used (as shown), a central hanger 185 adjoins the laundry baskets 170 at a common interface so the laundry baskets 170 may become a singular unit for removal. Support is reinforced at the junction of the two baskets 170 by the central hanger 185. If the user desires, one laundry basket 170 may be detached from the other basket and removed or replaced at will. When installed into the closet system, 300 the sides of the laundry baskets 170 may be flush with the inside surfaces of the beams 111 maintaining the custom-made appearance in this embodiment.
As will be appreciated, combinations of the aforementioned features cooperate to create a modular structure which can be re-arranged to form a variety of storage configurations.
Many alterations and modifications may be made by those having ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, it must be understood that the illustrated embodiments have been set forth only for the purposes of examples and that they should not be taken as limiting the invention as defined by the following claims. For example, notwithstanding the fact that the elements of a claim are set forth below in a certain combination, it must be expressly understood that the invention includes other combinations of fewer, more or different ones of the disclosed elements.
The words used in this specification to describe the invention and its various embodiments are to be understood not only in the sense of their commonly defined meanings, but to include by special definition in this specification the generic structure, material or acts of which they represent a single species.
The definitions of the words or elements of the following claims are, therefore, defined in this specification to not only include the combination of elements which are literally set forth. In this sense, it is therefore contemplated that an equivalent substitution of two or more elements may be made for any one of the elements in the claims below or that a single element may be substituted for two or more elements in a claim. Although elements may be described above as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, it is to be expressly understood that one or more elements from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from the combination and that the claimed combination may be directed to a subcombination or variation of a sub combination.
Insubstantial changes from the claimed subject matter as viewed by a person with ordinary skill in the art, now known or later devised, are expressly contemplated as being equivalently within the scope of the claims. Therefore, obvious substitutions now or later known to one with ordinary skill in the art are defined to be within the scope of the defined elements.
The claims are thus to be understood to include what is specifically illustrated and described above, what is conceptually equivalent, what can be obviously substituted and also what incorporates the essential idea of the invention.
Terms such as “top,” “bottom,” “front,” “rear,” “above,” “below” and the like as used in this disclosure should be understood as referring to an arbitrary frame of reference, rather than to the ordinary gravitational frame of reference. Thus, a top surface, a bottom surface, a front surface, and a rear surface may extend upwardly, downwardly, diagonally, or horizontally in a gravitational frame of reference. Similarly, an item disposed above another item may be located above or below the other item along a vertical, horizontal or diagonal direction; and an item disposed below another item may be located below or above the other item along a vertical, horizontal or diagonal direction.
A phrase such as an “aspect” does not imply that such aspect is essential to the subject technology or that such aspect applies to all configurations of the subject technology. A disclosure relating to an aspect may apply to all configurations, or one or more configurations. An aspect may provide one or more examples. A phrase such as an aspect may refer to one or more aspects and vice versa. A phrase such as an “embodiment” does not imply that such embodiment is essential to the subject technology or that such embodiment applies to all configurations of the subject technology. A disclosure relating to an embodiment may apply to all embodiments, or one or more embodiments. An embodiment may provide one or more examples. A phrase such an embodiment may refer to one or more embodiments and vice versa. A phrase such as a “configuration” does not imply that such configuration is essential to the subject technology or that such configuration applies to all configurations of the subject technology. A disclosure relating to a configuration may apply to all configurations, or one or more configurations. A configuration may provide one or more examples. A phrase such a configuration may refer to one or more configurations and vice versa.
The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example or illustration.” Any aspect or design described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects or designs.
All structural and functional equivalents to the elements of the various aspects described throughout this disclosure that are known or later come to be known to those of ordinary skill in the art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and are intended to be encompassed by the claims. Moreover, nothing disclosed herein is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether such disclosure is explicitly recited in the claims. No claim element is to be construed under the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112, sixth paragraph, unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase “means for” or, in the case of a method claim, the element is recited using the phrase “step for.” Furthermore, to the extent that the term “include,” “have,” or the like is used in the description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprise” as “comprise” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.
This application claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application having Ser. No. 62/640,856 filed Mar. 9, 2018, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62640856 | Mar 2018 | US |
