Ready-to-assemble cabinet

• US 4,832,421 A
• Filed: 04/27/1988
• Issued: 05/23/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 04/27/1988
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Shoffner Cabinet RTA Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Eugene T. Hardigree
• Inventors: Shoffner, Donald I.
• Primary Examiner(s): Falk, Joseph
• Application Number:
  US07/186,582
• Time in Patent Office: 391 Days
• Field of Search: 312/257 R, 312/257 SM, 312/263, 312/138 R, 312/264, 49/413, 211/189, 211/186, 108/111
• US Class Current: 312/263
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2230/0085 Mutually slotted furniture joints
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 47/042 Panels connected without frames

Abstract

A ready-to-assemble cabinet requiring no fasteners for assembly. Side panels interlock with a back panel, front rail, and shelves to form a free-standing, self-supporting unit.

Claims

1. An article of furniture comprising first and second vertical side panel means each having a front edge, a back edge, a top edge, and a bottom edge, upper and lower vertical slot means located adjacent said back edge, said upper vertical slot means extending downwardly from said top edge, said back edge having an inwardly projecting portion terminating forwardly of said lower vertical slot means, said upper and lower vertical slot means opening upwardly and being substantially vertically aligned;

back panel means having a generally rectangular section fitting between said first and second side panel means and a plurality of ears projecting laterally from said rectangular section and defining a plurality of vertical slots therewith which open downwardly and which interlock with said upper and lower vertical slot means to lock said side panel means and said back panel means together;

horizontal shelf means having a pair of laterally spaced slots extending forwardly from its back edge, each of said side panel means having shelf support means including horizontal slot means extending inwardly from its front edge and groove means continuing from said horizontal slot means toward its back edge, the slots of said shelf means being slidably interlocked and supported within said groove means to enable said shelf means to bear substantial weight;

each of said side panel means having front vertical slot means adjacent its front edge, and vertical rail means fitting within said front vertical slot means to hold said side panel means together.

2. The article of furniture of claim 1, said front vertical slot means being positioned adjacent said horizontal slot means so that said rail means provides support underneath said horizontal shelf means.

3. The article of furniture of claim 1, said shelf means comprising vertically spaced upper and lower shelves and said side panel members including upper and lower of said shelf support means for supporting said shelves.

4. The article of furniture of claim 3, each of said side panel members having upper front vertical slot means located adjacent its front edge and the horizontal slot means of said upper shelf support means, and said vertical rail means fitting within said upper front vertical slot means to hold said side panel members together and provide support underneath said upper shelf.

5. The article of furniture of claim 4, each of said side panel members having lower front vertical slot means located adjacent its front edge and the horizontal slot means of said lower shelf support means, and second vertical rail means fitting within said lower front vertical slot means to hold said side panel members together and provide support underneath said lower shelf.

6. The article of furniture of claim 5, said back panel having upper and lower horizontal slots, each of said upper and lower shelves having a rearwardly projecting tab fitting into said upper and lower horizontal slots, respectively, and providing support for said shelves.

7. The article of furniture of claim 4 further comprising sliding door means, lower track means formed in said lower shelf to slidably support the bottom of said door means, a molded plastic upper track assembly including first upwardly opening snap-on channel means frictionally engaged on the bottom of said vertical rail means and second downwardly opening channel means for slidably supporting the top of said door means.

8. The article of furniture of claim 4, each of said side panel members having second groove means on its inside face extending forwardly from its back edge, and an inner shelf having side edges mounted within said second groove means.