STORAGE UNIT

Abstract

A storage unit includes a top wall, a bottom wall and a peripheral body section joined to the top and bottom walls. The peripheral body section includes a rear wall section, peripheral side wall sections and transversely spaced-apart door jamb sections. The door jamb sections define an opening into said storage unit and are adapted to receive a movable door for opening and closing the opening into said storage unit. The peripheral body section includes a unitary metal member that provides a rear wall section, a peripheral side wall section and a door jamb section.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

This invention relates generally to storage units such as lockers, cabinets and similar structures, and more specifically to storage units of the type having a rigid door jamb providing an opening into the unit and adapted to receive a moveable door for opening and closing the opening into the storage units.

2. Background Art

Storage units, such as lockers and cabinets, commonly include rigid door jambs providing an opening into the unit. The door jambs are designed to be strong enough to support a moveable door that is pivotally attached to one of the jambs, for opening and closing the opening into the storage unit.

In many locker constructions the side and rear walls are somewhat flexible and not of a desired strength to provide a door jamb for pivotally receiving a door thereon. In these constructions it is very common to include a separate unit or member attached to the body of the storage unit to form a door jamb having enhanced strength. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,289,363, issued to Andersson et al., discloses a locker construction in which a separate U-shaped member 33 cooperates with a peripheral wall section of the locker to provide a door jamb of enhanced strength. In this construction an in-turned flange 30 is provided on the outer shell to aid in retaining the U-shaped member 33 in place.

U.S. Patent No. 2,651,559 (O'Connor) and U.S. Pat. No. 4,681,380 (Carl) disclose storage and/or cabinet structures, but do not relate in any way to structures requiring a rigidified door jamb for moveably supporting a door thereon.

In other locker constructions it is common practice to form the peripheral walls of multiple sheet metal sections that are joined together by bolts or similar fastening elements. Bolts and other fastening elements tend to protrude outwardly from the peripheral walls of the locker and therefore prevent the close, side-by-side mounting of multiple lockers on a floor or other supporting structure. It is highly desirable to construct lockers or other storage units so that they can be mounted in a side-by-side arrangement without any gaps between them.

Although storage units in the form of lockers and cabinets have been well accepted in the industry, a need exists for a simplified construction in which a peripheral body of the storage unit includes door jamb sections defining an opening into the storage unit and wherein the door jambs provide a portion of a peripheral body of the storage unit that also includes side wall sections and a rear wall section. The present invention relates to such a simplified, reliable and easy to form construction.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A storage unit in accordance with this invention includes a top wall, a bottom wall and a peripheral body joined to the top and bottom wall. The peripheral body includes a unitary metal member providing a rear wall section, peripheral side wall sections and transversely spaced-apart door jamb sections, the door jamb sections define an opening into the storage unit and are adapted to receive a moveable door for opening and closing the opening into the storage unit.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the door jamb sections are each formed by contiguous sections of the metal member employed to form the rear wall section and peripheral side wall sections of the unit, said contiguous sections overlying each other to provide door jambs of a substantially double-thickness section of the unitary metal member.

In a preferred construction each of the door jamb sections includes a front wall segment, an in-turned inner segment joined to a first edge of the front wall segment for receiving a door adjacent thereto, an in-turned outer segment joined to a second edge of said front wall segment and constituting a forward segment of a respective peripheral side wall section.

In the most preferred embodiment each of the door jamb sections also includes a transversely extended segment joined to an inner edge of the in-turned inner segment so as to be contiguous to an inner surface of a door pivotally attached to the jamb when the door is in a position closing the opening into the storage unit.

In accordance with one embodiment of the invention the entire peripheral body of the storage unit is provided by a single, unitary metal member.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention the peripheral body is provided by a pair of unitary metal members.

In an embodiment of the invention wherein the peripheral body is provided by a pair of unitary metal members, one of the unitary metal members provides an upper segment of the side wall, rear wall and door jamb sections of the storage unit, and the other of the unitary metal members provides a lower segment of said side wall, rear wall and door jamb sections.

In an alternative embodiment wherein the peripheral body is provided by a pair of unitary metal members one of the unitary members provides a complete first door jamb section, a first complete side wall section and a part of a rear wall section; the other of said unitary metal members provides a second complete door jamb section, a second complete side wall section and the remaining part of said rear wall section.

In a preferred embodiment of this invention the top wall of the storage unit is a unitary member including an upper panel overlying a top opening into a peripheral body of the storage unit, a front panel extending generally normal to said upper panel from a forward end thereof and terminating in a forward edge spaced from said upper panel, said front panel providing an upper, front wall section of said storage unit, a panel extending rearwardly from said forward edge and terminating in a rear edge, said panel adapted to overly an upper surface of a moveable door attached to a door jamb when the door is in a position closing the opening into the storage unit, and a panel extending generally normal from said rear edge for overlying an inner surface of the door adjacent an upper part thereof when said door is in a position closing said opening into said storage unit.

In a preferred embodiment the bottom wall of the storage unit includes a unitary member including a horizontal bottom panel overlying a bottom opening of the peripheral body, a front panel extending generally normal to the horizontal bottom panel from a forward end of the horizontal bottom panel, said front panel terminating in a forward edge space from the horizontal bottom panel and providing a lower, front wall of the storage unit.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent by referring to the description of the drawings which follows taken in conjunction with the detailed description of preferred embodiments of this invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a storage unit of this invention, in the form of a locker, schematically showing, in phantom, a door adapted to be attached to the locker for opening and closing a front opening therein;

FIG. 1A is an isometric view of the peripheral body section of the locker shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged, sectional view taken along line II-II of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 2A is an enlarged view of the door jamb shown in the circled region 2A in FIG. 2;

FIGS. 3A-3F show sequential steps in the formation of a door jamb and contiguous side wall of the peripheral body section of a locker in accordance with this invention, it being understood that the opposed door jamb and contiguous side wall is formed in an identical manner;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary, perspective view of a storage unit, in the form of a locker, in accordance with a second embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line V-V of FIG. 4 showing the manner in which upper and lower sections of the locker are fitted together; and

FIG. 6 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 2, but showing a further embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 7 is an isometric view of a top wall of a locker in accordance with this invention;

FIG. 8 is an isometric view of a bottom wall of a locker in accordance with this invention.

DESCRIPTION OF BEST MODES OF THE INVENTION

Definition of Terms

Reference throughout this application to “unitary” in describing one or more metal members forming the storage unit means that the specified metal member is a continuous sheet free of welds, bolts and/or similar fastening devices to attach sections together.

Reference throughout this application to “section” in describing the peripheral body of the storage unit and portions of the peripheral body of the storage unit, e.g., “rear wall section,” “peripheral side wall sections,” “doorjamb sections,” generically means either the entire part being referred to or a portion of that part unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

Reference to “storage unit” means lockers, cabinets and similar structures employing an enclosed body for storing items and having an opening into the body provided by spaced-apart door jams to which a door is moveably attached for opening and closing the opening into the body.

A storage unit in accordance with this invention, in the form of a locker is shown at 10 in FIG. 1. Specifically, the storage includes a top wall 12, a bottom wall 14 and a peripheral body section 16.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 1A and 2 the peripheral body section 16 of the storage unit 10 includes a rear wall section 18, peripheral side wall sections 20, 22 and transversely spaced-apart door jamb sections 24, 26 providing an opening 29 into the interior compartment of the storage unit. As is schematically illustrated in phantom in FIGS. 1, 2 and 2A, a door 27 is pivotally mounted to one of the door jambs, e.g., 26, by a a plurality of longitudinally spaced-apart hinges (only one of said hinges being shown schematically in phantom at 31 in FIG. 2) for opening and closing the opening 29 into the storage unit 10.

Referring specifically to FIGS. 2 and 2A, the door jamb sections 24, 26 are part of a unitary metal member forming the rear wall section 18 and the peripheral side wall sections 20, 22 of the peripheral body section 16.

Referring specifically to FIG. 2A, door jamb section 24 is illustrated in detail, it being understood that the door jam section 26 is of an identical construction, as is clearly shown in FIG. 2. Specifically, the door jamb sections 24, 26 include a front wall segment 28 an in-turned inner segment 30 joined to a first edge 32 of the front wall segment for overlying an outer surface 31 of the pivotal door 27 of the door when said door is in a closed position. The door jamb sections 24, 26 also include a transversely extending segment 34 joined to inner edge 36 of the in-turned inner segment 30 for providing a door-stop for the door 27.

The door jamb sections 24, 26 further include an in-turned outer segment 38 joined to a second edge 40 of the front wall segment 28 and constituting a reinforced, forward segment of peripheral side wall sections 20, 22, respectively.

As is clearly illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 2A, the door jamb sections 24 and 26 are double-thickness sections of the unitary metal member that also forms the rear wall section 18 and peripheral side wall sections 20, 22 of the peripheral body section 16. This is a unique arrangement for providing a rigidified door jamb section as part of a unitary body section of a storage unit for receiving a pivotally mounted door thereon. This invention is particularly beneficial in structures wherein the unitary metal member is so flexible that it lacks sufficient rigidity to function by itself as a door jamb to support a pivotally mounted door thereon. In these latter constructions a separate member is not required to form the rigidified doorjambs. Rather the door jambs are formed unitarily with the remaining wall sections of the peripheral body section 16.

As can be seen best in FIGS. 1, 1A and 2, the storage unit 10 is in the form of a locker wherein the entire peripheral body section 16 is provided by a single unitary metal member. The manner in which the peripheral body section 16 is sequentially formed is illustrated in FIGS. 3A-3F, which will be described in detail later in this application. However, it should be noted that FIGS. 3A-3F show the formation of approximately one half of the peripheral body section 16; specifically showing the formation of one of the door jamb sections 24, one of the peripheral side wall sections 20 and a portion of rear wall section 18. It should be understood that the other door jamb section 26 and its associated side wall section 22 are formed in the same manner as is illustrated in FIGS. 3A-3F and simultaneously with the various formation steps illustrated in FIGS. 3A-3F in a press brake or other metal forming apparatus.

For purposes of simplicity, only the manner of forming the door jamb section 24 and its associated peripheral side wall section 20 will be described, it being understood that the same sequence of steps is provided simultaneously in forming the other door jamb section 26 and its associated side wall 22.

FIGS. 3A-3F illustrate the sequential steps of forming the peripheral body section 16 from a flat metal sheet 40 in accordance with this invention. As is shown in FIGS. 3B-3F the peripheral body section 16 is formed by five (5) sequential bending operations carried out in a press brake or other metal forming apparatus. Press brake apparatus are well known to persons skilled in the art and the specific construction of such an apparatus for forming the peripheral body section 16 will be clearly understood from the description that follows.

FIG. 3A is a fragmentary elevational view of a planar metal sheet 40 having a transverse dimension T for forming the depth and width of the peripheral body section 16 and a machine direction dimension (not shown) (i.e., the dimension of the sheet in the direction of travel through the press brake apparatus) equal to the height of the storage unit to be formed.

As the planar metal sheet 40 is directed in the machine direction through the forming members of the press brake apparatus the metal sheet is formed into the peripheral body section 16. For purposes of simplicity, the sequential steps in forming one of the door jamb sections 24 and its corresponding side wall section 20 will be described, it being understood that a corresponding set of forming units are provided adjacent the opposed transverse side of the metal sheet 40 for simultaneous forming the other door jamb section 26 and its associated peripheral side wall section 22.

Referring to FIG. 3B, the planar sheet is directed through the first forming unit at which a peripheral section of the sheet is bent upwardly at 42 to form an acute angle with the remaining portion of the sheet 40.

Referring to FIG. 3C, the metal sheet 40 is then directed through a second forming unit in which the previously bent peripheral section of the sheet is bent flat against the body of the sheet to form a double thickness section 44 that ultimately will be formed into the door jamb section 24. Specifically, it should be understood that the double thickness section 44 is formed into the door jamb section 24 by the bending operations illustrated in FIGS. 3D-3F, as will know be described.

Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 3D, in the third forming unit the double thickness section is provided with two (2) right angle bends at 46, 48, respectively, that ultimately form the in-turned inner segment 30 and transversely extending segment 34 of the completed door jamb section 24.

Referring to FIG. 3E, the double thickness section is provided with a further right angle bend 50 to establish, or form, the front wall segment 28 in the completed door jamb section 24. It should be understood that during the forming operation the metal is stretched, as is well known in the art. Therefore the starting transverse dimension of the metal sheet 40 is less than the entire transverse dimension of the completed body section 16 to take into account the stretch factor.

Referring to FIG. 3F, in the final forming operation the metal sheet 40 is provided with a final right angle bend at 52 to thereby form peripheral side wall section 20 and orient the peripheral door jamb section 24 into its final position in the storage unit 10. As noted in FIG. 3F the final bending operation also defines the transverse dimension of rear wall section 18.

As can be seen best in FIG. 1A, the peripheral body section 16 is of a single, unitary construction. Such a construction is formed when a single planar sheet, such as is illustrated at 40 in FIG. 3A, has a transverse dimension T (taking into account the stretch factor) equal to the combined transverse dimension of the rear wall section 18, peripheral side wall sections 20, 22 and transversely spaced apart, double-thickness door jamb sections 24, 26, respectively, and has a machine direction length, i.e., the dimension of the sheet in the direction of travel through the press brake apparatus, equal to the desired height of the storage unit 10.

For example, in forming a storage unit 10 in the form of a locker that is approximately 15 inches deep and 12 inches wide, the metal sheet 40 needs to have a transverse dimension T of approximately 55 inches; taking into account the stretching of the sheet 40 that occurs during the various bending stages.

Coils of metal sheeting commonly are available in a variety of axial lengths, e.g., 48 inches, 60 inches and 72 inches. Therefore, if the height of the storage unit to be formed is required to be either 48 inches, 60 inches or 72 inches, then the axial dimension of the sheet will constitute the height dimension of the storage unit to be formed and will be directed in the machine direction through the five (5) forming units of the press brake apparatus.

Thus, the metal sheet 40 will be unwound from the coil a distance of approximately 55 inches to provide the desired length of sheeting to form the transverse dimension of the peripheral body section 16.

From the above explanation it should be apparent that after the appropriate length of sheet material (e.g., approximately 55 inches) is cut from the coil, the sheet 40 needs to be re-oriented 90 degrees prior to forming so that the axial dimension of the sheet is directed in the machine direction through the press brake apparatus, and the length of the sheet unwound from the coil constitutes the transverse dimension T of the sheet, as illustrated in FIG. 3A.

Alternatively, the peripheral body section 16 can be formed as a single, unitary member without requiring reorientation of the sheet 40 after it is cut from a coil when the axial dimension of the coil is equal to or greater than the transverse length of sheet material required to form the transverse dimension of the peripheral body section 16 of the storage unit.

For example, in the exemplary embodiment described above, the length of sheet material required to form the peripheral body section is approximately 55 inches. Thus, a coil of metal sheeting having an axial length of 60 inches can be trimmed to form the required axial dimension of the peripheral body section 16, and the length of the sheeting unwound from the coil will be equal to the height of the storage unit to be formed. In this latter embodiment an additional trimming operation is required to provide the proper transverse dimension of the coil sheet 40 for forming the peripheral body section 16. However, the sheet, once severed from the coil and trimmed, will not need to be reoriented to be directed through the press brake device. Thus, the entire forming operation can be carried out in line, beginning with the unwinding of the coil of metal sheeting.

The latter method of obtaining the planar sheet 40 from the coil permits the formation of a peripheral body unit 16 as a single, unitary member to form a storage unit of any height, provided that the transverse dimension of the coil is of a required length to form the transverse dimensions of the peripheral side wall sections, rear wall section and transversely spaced-apart door jamb sections.

If the axial dimension of the coil of metal sheeting is not of a sufficient dimension to permit the unitary formation of the rear wall section, peripheral side wall sections and transversely spaced-apart door jamb sections of the peripheral body 16, but is of a dimension equal to the desired height of the storage unit, then the first method described above for obtaining the planar metal sheet 40 can be employed. That is, the length of sheeting required to form the transverse dimensions of the rear wall section, peripheral side wall sections and transversely spaced-apart door jamb sections as a single planar member is unwound from the coil and then severed to form the flat metal sheet 40. The sheet 40 then is reoriented 90 degrees to direct the axial dimension of the sheet in the machine direction through the press brake apparatus.

In some constructions it may not be possible or desirable to form the storage unit with a single, unitary peripheral body section 16 as shown in FIG. 1. For example, if the desired storage unit is intended to have a height greater than the maximum axial dimension of commercially available coils of sheet metal, and the length of sheet metal required to form the transverse dimensions of the rear wall section, peripheral side wall sections and transversely spaced-apart door jamb sections also is greater than the axial dimension of commercially available coils of sheet material, then a storage unit 100 can be formed in which the complete peripheral body section 16 includes two unitary sections, i.e., a unitary upper body section 16A and a lower unitary body section 16B, as is shown in FIG. 4.

As can be seen in FIG. 5, a lower end 60 of the upper body section 16A is inwardly offset to seat within an upper end 62 of the lower body section 16B so that outer surfaces 64, 66 of the peripheral body section 16 are generally in the same plane. This eliminates any protruding members or sections that could interfere with the contiguous placement of a plurality of lockers in a side-by-side relationship. After telescopic placement of the upper body section 16A, within lower body section 16B, the overlapping sections can be welded together to complete the construction.

Each of the upper and lower body sections 16A and 16B can be formed in the same manner. For example, assuming that the required height of the storage unit 10 is twice the axial dimension of a standard coil of sheet material, separate sheets will be cut from the coil and employed to form the upper and lower body sections 16A, 16B, respectively. The peripheral transverse dimension of each of the upper and lower body sections 16A, 16B of the storage unit is a unitary length of material, which is unwound from a coil of metal sheeting.

Referring to FIG. 6, an alternative, but less preferred embodiment of a storage unit 200 in accordance with this invention includes a peripheral body section 16 including peripheral side wall sections 20, 22, peripheral rear wall sections 18A, 18B and transversely spaced-apart door jamb sections 24, 26 is illustrated. As is shown in FIG. 6, in this embodiment the peripheral body section 16 includes two, unitary body sections 16A, 16B, respectively, said unitary body sections 16A, 16B being joined together, e.g., by welding, at the rear of the locker to form a continuous rear wall section 18 of the complete peripheral body section 16 from the two rear wall sections 18A, 18B. As can be seen in FIG. 6, the overlapping end of one of the rear wall sections 18B is recessed inwardly so that the overlapping end sections of the rear wall sections 18A, 18B will form a complete rear wall section 18 have a substantially planar outer surface, with no protruding elements or sections.

The alternative storage unit 200 illustrated in FIG. 6 can be employed when the maximum axial dimension of commonly available coils of sheet material is not of a sufficient length to form the complete transverse dimension of the rear wall section 18, side wall sections 20, 22 and door jamb sections 24, 26 as a single, unitary peripheral body section, and it is not desirable, or desired to reorient the sheet material 90 degrees after it has been cut from the coil. Specifically, the storage unit 200 illustrated in FIG. 6 can be formed from two (2) separate planar sheet metal members, each having an axial dimension equal to the transverse length of material required to form one door jamb section, e.g. 24, a contiguous peripheral side wall section, e.g., 20 and a rear wall section, e.g., 18A constituting one half of the completed rear wall section 18. The length of the sheet unrolled from the coil equals the desired height of the storage unit. After formation, the rear wall sections 18A, 18B are overlapped and secured together, e.g., by welding to complete the formation of the storage unit 200.

Turning now to FIGS. 7 and 8, each of the storage units 10, 100, and 200 in accordance with this invention includes a top wall 12 and a bottom wall 14, each formed as a unitary member.

Referring to FIG. 7, the top wall 12 includes a horizontal top panel 70, a front panel 72 extending normal from a forward end 74 of the top panel 70 and terminating in a forward edge 76. A wall section 78 extends rearwardly from the edge 76 and terminates in a rear edge 80. A short panel section 82 extends normal to the rearwardly extending wall 78 from the rear edge 80. In addition, peripheral panel sections 84 extend normal to the top panel 70 at the rear and sides thereof.

As can be seen best in FIG. 1, a pair of Z-shaped slots 86 are provided adjacent each front side edge of the top wall 12 for receiving therein Z-shaped sections of the door jambs 24, 26, respectively, said Z-shaped sections being provided by front wall section 28, in-turned inner segment 30 and transversely extending segment 34 of each door jamb section (See FIG. 2).

It also should be noted that the front panel 72 of the top wall 12 constitutes an upper front wall of the opening into the storage unit (FIG. 1), the rearwardly extending wall section 78 overlies an upper surface of the door 27 that is pivotally mounted to the door jamb 26 when the door is in a closed position and the downwardly extending panel 82, which is normal to the rearwardly extending panel 78 constitutes a stop for overlying an inner surface of the door, at an upper end thereof, when said door is in a closed position.

The peripheral panel sections 84 of the top wall 12 are positioned in close frictional engagement with inner surfaces of the rear wall section 18 and peripheral side wall sections 20, 22 of the storage unit and desirably are welded to the body section. In addition, the downwardly extending panel 82 of the top wall 12 is closely adjacent the transverse sections 34 of the door jambs 24, 26 to cooperate with said transverse sections in providing a stop for the door. Most preferably the downwardly extending panel 82 is welded or otherwise secured to the transverse sections 34 to provide a continuous part of the door stop and also enhance the rigidity of the storage unit construction.

Referring to FIG. 8, the bottom wall 14 is of a substantially identical construction to the top wall 12, and therefore, like numerals have been utilized to define like parts and will not be further discussed herein. The only distinction between the structure of the top wall 12 and the structure of the bottom wall 14 is that the bottom wall does not include a downwardly extending panel 82 to provide a stop at the bottom of the door. In fact, the bottom wall 14 actually is inserted into close conformity with the inner surfaces of the rear wall section 18 and peripheral side wall sections 20, 22 with the peripheral panel sections 84 facing downwardly and with the inwardly directed wall section 78 being substantially flush with the bottom edge of the peripheral body section 16. That is, the bottom wall 14 is in the same orientation as the top wall when inserted into the peripheral body section 16 of the locker. Most preferably, the peripheral panel sections 84 are welded to the rear wall section 18 and the peripheral side wall sections 20, 22 to enhance the rigidity of the storage unit.

It should be noted that the entire closure of the storage unit 10, excluding the door 27, is formed of only three unitary members; namely, the peripheral body section 16, top wall 12 and bottom wall 14. In certain embodiments, as is illustrated at 100 and 200 in FIG. 4 or 6, respectively, the peripheral body section 16 is formed by two (2) unitary sections, and the complete storage units 100 and 200 are formed of four (4) unitary members, excluding the door.

Each of the locker constructions 10, 100 and 200 include a separate door and latching mechanism of any conventional design, which does not constitute a limitation on the present

Claims

1. A storage unit including a top wall, a bottom wall and a peripheral body joined to said top and bottom walls, said peripheral body including a rear wall section, peripheral side wall sections and transversely spaced-apart door jamb sections, said door jamb sections defining an opening into said storage unit, said door jamb sections being adapted to receive a movable door for opening and closing said opening into said storage unit, said peripheral body being provided by one or two unitary metal members, each of said metal members being provided by a continuous, unitary metal sheet providing a rear wall section, a pair of side wall sections joined to said rear wall section and transversely spaced-apart door jamb sections, each of said door jamb sections being joined to one of said pair of side wall sections, each of said door jamb sections being provided by contiguous, overlying sections of said continuous, unitary metal sheet, each of said door jamb sections being substantially double-thickness sections of said unitary metal sheet, each of said double-thickness door jamb sections including a front wall segment, an in-turned inner segment joined to a first edge of said front wall segment and terminating in an inner edge, and an in-turned outer segment joined to a second edge of said front wall segment and constituting a forward segment of a respective peripheral side wall section, each of said segments of each of said door jamb sections being contiguous, overlying double-thickness sections of said continuous unitary metal member from which each of said door jamb sections is formed.

2-3. (canceled)

4. The storage unit of claim 1, wherein each of said double-thickness door jamb sections further includes a transversely extending, double-thickness segment joined to said inner edge of said in-turned segment adapted to be contiguous to an inner surface of a door when the door is in a position closing the opening into said storage unit.

5-6. (canceled)

7. The storage unit of claim 1, wherein said entire peripheral body is provided by a single, continuous unitary metal sheet.

8. The storage unit of claim 1, wherein said entire peripheral body is provided by a pair of continuous unitary metal sheets.

9. The storage unit of claim 1, wherein said peripheral body is provided by a pair of said continuous unitary metal sheets, one of said unitary metal sheets providing an upper section of said side wall sections, rear wall section and door jamb sections and the other of said unitary metal sheets providing a lower section of said side wall sections, rear wall section and door jamb sections, said upper and lower sections being joined together to form a complete peripheral body of said storage unit.

10. The storage unit of claim 1, wherein said peripheral body is provided by a pair of said continuous unitary metal sheets, one of said unitary metal sheets providing a first door jamb section, a first side wall section and a rear wall section constituting only a part of said entire rear wall section, and the other of said unitary metal sheets providing a second door jamb section, a second side wall section and a rear wall section constituting only a part of said entire rear wall section, said rear wall sections provided by said unitary metal sheets being joined together to form a complete rear wall section of said storage unit and complete the formation of the peripheral body.

11. The storage unit of claim 1, wherein said top wall is a unitary member including an upper panel overlying a top opening of said peripheral body, a front panel extending generally normal to said upper panel at a forward end of said upper panel and terminating in a forward edge spaced from said upper panel, said front panel providing an upper, front wall of said storage unit, a lower panel extending rearwardly from said forward edge and terminating in a rear edge, said lower panel adapted to overly an upper surface of a movable door attached to a door jamb section when said door is in a position closing said opening into said storage unit, and a door-stop panel extending generally normal from said rear edge for overlying an upper section of said door when said door is in a position closing said opening into said storage unit.

12. The storage unit of claim 1, wherein said top wall is a unitary member including an upper panel overlying a top opening of said peripheral body, a front panel extending generally normal to said upper panel at a forward end of said upper panel and terminating in a forward edge spaced from said upper panel, said front panel providing an upper, front wall of said storage unit, a lower panel extending rearwardly from said forward edge and terminating in a rear edge, said lower panel adapted to overly an upper surface of a movable door attached to a door jamb section when said door is in a position closing said opening into said storage unit, and a door-stop panel extending generally normal from said rear edge for overlying an upper section of said door when said door is in a position closing said opening into said storage unit, said door-stop panel being secured to said door jamb sections.

13. The storage unit of claim 4, wherein said top wall is a unitary member including an upper panel overlying a top opening of said peripheral body, a front panel extending generally normal to said upper panel at a forward end of said upper panel and terminating in a forward edge spaced from said upper panel, said front panel providing an upper, front wall of said storage unit, a lower panel extending rearwardly from said forward edge and terminating in a rear edge, said lower panel adapted to overly an upper surface of a movable door attached to a door jamb section when said door is in a position closing said opening into said storage unit, and a door-stop panel extending generally normal from said rear edge for overlying an upper section of said door when said door is in a position closing said opening into said storage unit, said door stop-panel being secured to said transversely extending segments of said door jamb sections.

14. The storage unit of claim 1, wherein said top wall is a unitary member including an upper panel overlying a top opening of said peripheral body, a front panel extending generally normal to said upper panel at a forward end of said upper panel and terminating in a forward edge spaced from said upper panel, said front panel providing an upper, front wall of said storage unit, a lower panel extending rearwardly from said forward edge and terminating in a rear edge, said lower panel adapted to overly an upper surface of a movable door attached to a door jamb section when said door is in a position closing said opening into said storage unit, and a door-stop panel extending generally normal from said rear edge for overlying an upper section of said door when said door is in a position closing said opening into said storage unit; said bottom wall being a unitary member including a horizontal bottom panel overlying a bottom opening of said peripheral body, a front panel extending generally normal to said horizontal bottom panel from a forward end of said horizontal bottom panel, said front panel terminating in a forward edge spaced from said horizontal bottom panel, said front panel of said bottom wall providing a lower, front wall of said storage unit.