US3472571A - Cabinet formed of grooved and folded laminated panels - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 14,1969 Y L.E.HIMELREICH 3,472,571

CABINET FORMED OF GROOVED AND FOLDED LAMINATED PANELS Filed Aug. 24, 1967 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENT'OR LOLHS E. \-\\MELREICH ATTORNEY Oct. 14, 1969 E. HIMELREICH 3,472,511

CABINET FORMED OF GROOVED AND FOLDED LAMINATED PANELS Filed Aug. 24, 1967 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR LOLHS E. H\MELRE\CH ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,472,571 CABINET FORMED OF GROOVED AND FOLDED LAMINATED PANELS Louis E. Himelreich, Louisville, Ky., assignor to H. J.

Schirich Company, Louisville, Ky., a corporation of Kentucky Filed Aug. 24, 1967, Ser. No. 662,936 Int. Cl. A471) 43/00; B65d 9/30 US. Cl. 312259 9 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A cabinet with a front frame formed of folded edges of laminated, interiorly grooved panels and with reinforced corners. The thin and weaker ornamental lamination of the panels covers the exposed frame and the thicker lamination of the panels provides the strength for supporting the contents of the cabinet, for mounting the cabinet on a wall, and for mounting a door on the frame.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the invention The invention pertains to cabinets especially suitable for use in kitchens and adapted to be supported against a wall. Laminated stock material having an ornamental layer, which is visible in the finished cabinet, and so interfitted as to provide reinforced corners of the cabinet comprises an important feature of the invention.

Description of the prior art The use of laminated stock materials employing grooving and folding techniques has been employed in making table tops as exemplified by the Clements Patent No. 2,149,882 and in making containers as shown by the Zalkind Patent No. 2,274,765. Structures of this type, however, do not involve the problems found in the manufacture of cabinets of the present type wherein heavy loadings of dishes, or other objects may be expected and wherein a pleasing appearance of the cabinet is generally considered important. Such cabinets, for example, are usually equipped with a door, and the geometry of the cabinet size, of the door, and of the door framing is a significant factor. Moreover, the corner construction of the cabinet elements and the manner in which the cabinet is to be mounted upon a wall present additional problems of the type which it is a purpose of the present invention to overcome.

SUMMARY The invention relates to a cabinet having side walls, a top, a bottom, and a rear wall and in which a door framing is formed by folded portions of the respective side walls, top and bottom. The top and bottom portions of the cabinet are cut away at their front corners so as to embrace the stiles of the door framing and the several parts of the cabinet are attached to each other, as by adhesives, to form a structure which is reinforced at each corner. The stock material for the cabinet, with the possible exception of the rear Wall, comprises a sheet having a relatively thin, easily bendable first lamination of ornamental material, such as vinyl, and a relatively thick second lamination of a different material, such as composition board.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The objects of the invention will be more apparent when considered in conjunction with the following description and with respect to the accompanying drawings in which:

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FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cabinet embodying the invention, and with parts broken away.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken on line 2-2 of FIG. 1 and with the door removed.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken online 33 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the cabinet.

FIG. 5 is a developed view of a side panel portion showing the grooved second lamination. v

FIG. 6 is a sectional view to a larger scale taken on line 6-6 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is developed view of a bottom panel showing the grooved second lamination and indicating the location of a hinging tape.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view to a larger scale taken on line 8-8 of FIG. 7.

FIG. 8A is an end view of the bottom panel of FIG. 7 folded in readiness for assembly into the cabinet, and

FIG. 9 is an end view of an alternative form of bottom panel folded in readiness for assembly into the cabinet.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring first to FIGS. 2 to 4, the cabinet comprises a pair ofside walls 10 and 11, atop 12, abottom 13, and preferably, but not necessarily, arear wall member 14. As will later appear, theside Wall 10 is suitably folded at its front vertical edge to provide thestile 15 of the front framing of the cabinet and the side wall 11 is folded to provide theother stile 16. In addition, thetop 12 is suitably folded at its front horizontal edge to provide therail 17 of the front framing and thebottom 13 is folded at its front horizontal edge to provide theother rail 18. The resulting rectangular shaped front framing has the appearance of solid sections and its dimensions may be varied merely by choice of the location of the grooving in the stock material, as later to be described. When a closed cabinet is to be produced, asuitable door 19 having a handle 20 may be mounted on the framing as by means ofhinges 21 and 22. The width ofstile 15 is not less than twice the thickness of the side wall, and is such that ample space is present for mounting such hinges withoutdamaging the laminations ofside wall 10.

Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6, a typical side panel is shown and which will be described as the panel forside 10 although by inverting the same it also may serve for side 11. The stock sheet material for such panel comprises anouter layer 30 of vinvyl or similar plastic printed to disclose a wood-like grain and having a suitable thickness, for example about 0.003 inch. This first lamination is bonded to alayer 31 of different material, such as plywood, fiberwood, composition board or the like which has a much greater thickness, for example, about 0.375 inch. By relative movement between the rectangular shaped sheet and a suitable grooving or rabbeting apparatus, a miter groove 32 is formed in the second lamination but without rupturing the first lamination. This groove extends parallel to but inboard of one edge of the sheet leaving an elongated tab which forms arear flange 33 when the cabinet is assembled.

By a similar operation agroove 34 is formed parallel to and inboard of the other edge of the sheet leaving atab 35 which is to form an inner section ofstile 15. Adjacent thegroove 34, asimilar groove 36 is formed leaving atriangular strip 37 which is to form the end section of that stile and still farther inboard of this sheet anothergroove 38 is formed leaving astrip 39 which is to form the outer section of that stile.

Along the top and transversely of the sheet asimilar groove 40 is formed leaving atab 41 and adjacent this groove a similar groove asimilar groove 42 is formed leaving atriangular strip 43. The intersection ofgrooves 40, 42 with the previously describedflange 33 andstrip 39 definestriangular projections 44 and 45 respectively. By means of a suitable blanking operation the respective upper corners of the sheet are then cut away to leave projection 44 attached only to thestrip 43 by its first lamination and to leaveprojection 45 attached only to thestrip 39 by its first lamination.

Similarly, along the bottom and transversely of thesheet grooves 46 and 47 are formed with atriangular strip 48 therebetween, andprojections 49 and 50 are formed in the manner above described. Thetab 51 outboard ofgroove 46 meanwhile corresponds to thetab 41 at the other end of the panel. With the sheet thus prepared, adhesive is placed in the several grooves and the sheet then is folded and held until the adhesive has set. As will be seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, when the thus prepared side panel is assembled in the cabinet the foldedlower tab 51 andstrip 48 in conjunction with the body of the panel constitutes a lower rail along the side of the cabinet and with an elevated supporting ledge on which the bottom of the cabinet may rest. Likewise, the foldedupper tab 41 andstrip 43 in conjunction with the body of the panel constitutes an upper rail along the side of the cabinet and with a depending supporting ledge against which the top of the cabinet may abut.

Referring now to FIGS. 7 and 8, typical panel which can serve either as the top or the bottom for the cabinet is shown, and which will be described as the bottom. The stock sheet material preferably is the same as employed for the cabinet sides, but may have a thickness different from the cabinet sides. A 90miter groove 60 is formed in thesecond lamination 61 without rupturing thefirst lamination 62 and is located inboard of the edge of the sheet a suitable distance to provide thetab 63 which is to form an inner section ofrail 18. Adjacent the groove 60 asimilar groove 64 is formed leaving atriangular strip 65 which is to form the end section of that rail, and farther inboard of this sheet anothergroove 66 is formed leaving astrip 67 which is to form the outer section of that rail. Since the rail is not to have a cabinet door hinged thereto, and for purpose of more pleasing geometry, the width ofstrip 67 normally is somewhat less than the width of thestrip 39 forming the outer section of the stile of the cabinet front frame. In a preferred arrangement to be used with cabinets having theback wall member 14, abacking strip 68 of tough, flexible material is adhered to the second lamination of the sheet adjacent the rear edge thereof and a 90 groove 69 is formed in both the first and second laminations, but without rupturing thestrip 68, thus leaving aflange 70. Adhesive is placed in the grooves and the sheet is then folded into the shape indicated in FIG. 8A. After the adhesive has set, the respective corner portions of the bottom panel are then cut away and the same is ready for assembly into a cabinet. The top of the cabinet is formed in similar fashion. As an alternative, however, theflange 70 may be omitted from the top and bottom, or when a back member is to be interposed between the flanges and a wall rather than interiorly of the flanges, the top and bottom may have the configuration indicated in FIG. 9 in which event the groove 69 would be only in the second lamination of the sheet similar to its companion grooves.

Considering now FIGS. 2 and 4, when the described top and bottom are assembled into the cabinet the following significant features dealing with reinforced corners of the cabinet will be noted. Theshoulders 71, 72 and 73, 74 of the cutaway front corner portions of the top and bottom abut against and embrace the stiles and 16 respectively. Also theshoulders 75, 76 and 77, 78 of the cutaway rear corners of the top and bottom abut against and embrace theflanges 33 extending normally from the side walls at the rear corners of the cabinet. Moreover the side edges 79, 80 of the top and of the bottom are adhesively secured to the inner surfaces of those side Walls. As will be understood, the lower surface of the bottom rests in contact with the upwardly facing ledges of the side walls and the upper surface of the top rests in contact with the downwardly facing ledges of those side walls.

The cabinet normally will be used at an elevation at which thelower rail 18 is visible and in order to complete the front lower corners of the front frame, theprojections 50 of the side walls are folded upwardly and adhesively secured in the corresponding spaces at the lower ends of thestiles 15 and 16 during the fabrication of those side walls. Likewise, theprojections 49 are folded upwardly and adhesively secured in place in the corresponding spaces at the rear lower corners below theflanges 33.Projections 44 and 45 are similarly secured in place.

As will be noted, the described construction is sufficiently strong without requiring theback wall member 14 and when the surface of the wall upon which the cabinet is to be mounted presents an attractive appearance it is contemplated that for reasons of economy the back wall member may be omitted without departing from the invention. In such case suitable screws or other fastening means 81 may be passed through theflanges 33 of the side walls and into the stationary wall on which the cabinet is to be mounted.

It is preferred, however, to employ the flatback wall member 14 which may be of any suitable structural material and when so employed it may be located either interiorly of the respective flanges or be located between such flanges and the stationary wall. The former alternative is preferred and wherein the lower edge of thewall member 14 rests upon the bottom of the cabinet and the upper edge thereof supports the top of the cabinet. Fastening means 82 in this arrangement (FIG. 3) pass through both thewall member 14 and the flanges.

Shelves (not shown) may be employed with the cabinet and may comprise the laminated material or other material. When the laminated material is employed, it preferably is grooved and folded at the front edge of the shelf in order to avoid disclosing a cut section of such material. A series of holes 83 (FIG. 5) is provided in the second lamination of the two side walls for receiving brackets or the like on which shelves may be supported.

Various modifications of the cabinet construction may be employed without departing from the invention. For example, by appropriate grooving and folding technique, the two side panels and the top may be formed of one piece of material, and together with a separate bottom piece, such as disclosed, can be fabricated into a cabinet having the above'described"characteristics. Preferably, the thicknessof the stiles and rails of the front frame are substantially equal and each of the stiles and rails comprise essentially the three discrete sections of the second lamination which provide the necessary strength for the cabinet loadings.

Moreover, without departing from: the invention a stock sheet material having laminations similar to that shown at 30 and 62, but arranged on both faces of the sheet may be employed. If preferred, a suitable finish coating may be used on the side of the sheet opposite thelamination 30 or 62 and of a material different from that of the first lamination.

What is claimed is:

1. A cabinet comprising side walls, a top and a bottom, each of which is formed of a relatively thin, readily bendable first lamination of material attached to a relatively thick second lamination of a different material, said top and said bottom having cutaway front corner portions, said side walls being grooved in said second lamination thereof and folded at their front vertical edges to close the grooving and toform solid flanges having an adhesively secured double thickness of the wall materials extending normally to said side walls thereby to provide stiles of a front frame for said cabinet, said top and said bottom being grooved in said second lamination thereof and folded at their front horizontal edges to close the grooving and to form solid flanges having an adhesively secured double thickness of the top and the bottom materials extending normally to the respective top and bottom thereby to provide rails of said front frame, and means for securing said top and said bottom to said side walls and with the cutaway portions in embracing relatlon to said double thickness stiles thereby to provide reinforced front corners for said cabinet.

2. A cabinet as defined inclaim 1 wherein said side walls are grooved in said second lamination and folded adjacent their rear vertical edges to provide flanges extending normally to the planes of said side walls, said flanges being adapted to receive fastening means for mounting of said cabinet upon a wall.

3. A cabinet as defined inclaim 1 wherein said side walls are grooved in said second lamination thereof and folded adjacent their lower horizontal edges to provide elevated supporting ledges, said bottom having its side edges resting upon said ledges and attached to said side walls.

4. A cabinet as defined inclaim 1 wherein said side walls are grooved in said second lamination thereof and folded adjacent their upper horizontal edges to provide depending ledges, said top abutting against said ledges and having its side edges attached to said side walls.

5. A cabinet as defined inclaim 1 wherein each of said stiles and each of said rails comprises essentially a fold of three discrete sections of the second lamination of the respective side walls, top and bottom.

6. A cabinet as defined in claim 5 wherein the thickness of said stiles is substantially equal to the thickness of said rails.

7. A cabinet as defined inclaim 1 wherein said stiles have a width not less than twice the thickness of said side walls thereby to provide space for mounting of door hinges on said stiles and without weakening of said side walls.

8. A cabinet comprising side walls, a top and a bottom, each of which is formed of a relatively thin, readily bendable first lamination of material attached to a relatively thick second lamination of a different material, a flat rear wall member, said top and said bottom having cutaway front corner portions, said side walls being grooved in said second lamination thereof and folded at their front vertical edges to provide stiles of a front frame for said cabinet, said top and said bottom being grooved in said second lamination thereof and folded at their front horizontal edges to provide rails of said front frame, said side walls being grooved in said second lamination thereof adjacent the rear edges thereof and folded at their rear edges to provide a pair of flanges normal to said side walls and facing each other, said rear wall member resting against said flanges and adapted to receive a fastening means passing through said rear wall member and said flanges for mounting of said cabinet upon a wall, and means for securing said top and said bottom to said side walls and with said cutaway portions in embracing relation to said stiles thereby to provide reinforced front corners for said cabinet.

9. A cabinet as defined inclaim 8 wherein said top and said bottom have cutaway rear corner portions adapted to embrace said flanges and to aid in reinforcing the rear corners of said cabinet.

References Cited

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