Cabinet with snap-in frame
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A cabinet and frame assembly, comprising:
- a cabinet comprising an upper wall opposite of a lower wall and a left side wall opposite of a right side wall;
the upper wall, the lower wall, the left side wall and the right side wall defining an opening for the cabinet;
the upper wall forming an upper edge, the lower wall forming a lower edge, the left side wall forming a left edge, and the right side wall forming a right edge;
one or more spring clips fastened over at least one of the upper edge, the lower edge, the left edge, or the right edge;
a frame comprising an upper section opposite of a lower section and a left section opposite of a right section;
the one or more spring clips configured to engage to outer surfaces of the frame to secure the frame to the cabinet; and
,the one or more spring clips configured to disengage from the outer surfaces of the frame to remove the frame from the cabinet.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A cabinet with a snap-in frame is described. The cabinet uses spring clips that engage the frame to an opening of the cabinet. The spring clips are fastened to outer edges around the opening of the cabinet. The frame is urged into the opening of the cabinet. The frame compresses the spring clips as the frame is pushed into the opening of the cabinet. End portions of the spring clips snap into recesses of an outer surface of the frame. The spring clips are easily aligned along the opening of the cabinet to ensure proper placement of the frame with respect to cabinet.
42 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A cabinet and frame assembly, comprising:
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a cabinet comprising an upper wall opposite of a lower wall and a left side wall opposite of a right side wall; the upper wall, the lower wall, the left side wall and the right side wall defining an opening for the cabinet; the upper wall forming an upper edge, the lower wall forming a lower edge, the left side wall forming a left edge, and the right side wall forming a right edge; one or more spring clips fastened over at least one of the upper edge, the lower edge, the left edge, or the right edge; a frame comprising an upper section opposite of a lower section and a left section opposite of a right section; the one or more spring clips configured to engage to outer surfaces of the frame to secure the frame to the cabinet; and
,the one or more spring clips configured to disengage from the outer surfaces of the frame to remove the frame from the cabinet. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A cabinet assembly, comprising:
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a cabinet comprising an upper wall opposite of a lower wall and a left side wall opposite of a right side wall, the upper wall, the lower wall, the left side wall and the right side wall defining an opening for the cabinet; the upper wall forming an upper edge, the lower wall forming a lower edge, the left side wall forming a left edge, and the right side wall forming a right edge; and
,one or more spring clips are fastened over at least one of the upper edge, the lower edge, the left edge, or the right edge, and wherein the one or more spring clips includes a mounting portion, a spring portion that extends upward from the mounting portion, the spring portion comprises tab portions leading to ends, an opening is in between the tab portions, and a supporting portion that extends downward from the mounting portion.
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13. A spring clip for engaging a frame to a cabinet, comprising:
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a mounting portion; a spring portion that extends upward from the mounting portion;
the spring portion configured to move or flex relative to the mounting portion;
the spring portion includes two tabs leading to ends with an opening positioned between the two tabs; and
,a supporting portion extends downward from the mounting portion. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method of installing a frame to a cabinet, comprising:
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providing a cabinet comprising an upper wall opposite of a lower wall and a left side wall opposite of a right side wall, the upper wall, the lower wall, the left side wall and the right side wall defining an opening for the cabinet; installing one or more spring clips along at least one of an edge of the upper wall, the lower wall, the left side wall or the right side wall, the one or more spring clips comprising a mounting portion and a spring portion that extends upward from the mounting portion, and the spring portion comprises tab portions leading to ends; inserting a frame through the opening of the cabinet; contacting the spring clips with an outer surface of the frame; biasing the spring clips with the outer surface of the frame; and
,engaging the ends of the one or more spring clips to recesses in the outer surface of the frame to secure the frame to the cabinet. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21)
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Specification