GB2151462A - A cabinet - Google Patents

Abstract

A showcase constructed substantially from extruded sections comprises corner posts 2 having channels 19, 20 for receiving a side panel 25 or sliding glass panels 27, 28, and top rails 3, 4 connected to each other and to the corner posts by L-shaped corner pieces 8 whose arms 9, 10 are slidably received in channels 11, 12 in the top rails and which are secured to the top rails by screws 13, 14 and to the corner posts by screws 32, 33. A lamp assembly may be connected to a channel (63, Fig. 3) in the top rail and the electric cable can be concealed in a channel 66 in the corner post. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION A cabinet The present invention relates to cabinets, for example showcases intended to display articles for sale or exhibition.

The invention will be described with reference to a specific showcase example. However, it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to this particular example.

In the manufacture of showcases it is important to provide an attractive product and one which is both secure and easy to assemble. Previously known showcases have been difficult to manufacture and assamble, even when constructed from extruded components such as aluminium sections. Construction has frequently involved the specialised drilling and tapping of fixing holes in the extruded components, accurate mitreing of corners and specialised fitting of horizontal partitioning to meet particular requirements. It has proved difficult to provide for size or decor changes or for the inclusion of specific features such as additional horizontal partitioning, separate enclosures and so on.

It is an object of the present invention to ameliorate many of these disadvantages of the prior art by providing a showcase construction employing constant sectioned components which can be assembled in a simple manner without mitred corner joints.

The present invention consists in a cabinet comprising in combination: at least three elongate legs, each having two projecting limbs extending along its length adapted to accept panelling; a like number of top rails adapted to extend between adjacent legs; a like number of corner pieces each adapted to be engaged with one end of a respective leg and each having two rail limbs each slidably engageable with one end of a top rail and adapted to be clamped thereto.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a showcase corner assembly in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is a perspective view similar to figure 1 showing further details of the corner assembly.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of one end of a side or front top rail assembly prior to constructing the corner, showing the inclusion of a lamp assembly.

Figure 4 is a perspective view similar to figure 3 but showing a back rail assembly incorporating a lamp.

Referring to the drawings, the showcase 1 includes four corner posts 2 inter-connecting side, front, back and bottom rails to define the entire showcase. In Figure 1, the corner post 2 connects a back top rail 3 and a side top rail 4 while Figure 2 further illustrates the connection of a bottom rail 5 and heightadjustable foot assembly 6.

The various components are preferably formed from extruded aluminium sections although it will be appreciated that other materials may be used.

The back and side top rails 3 and 4 respectively are provided with square-cut ends 7 which are simply abutted as shown in Figure 1. This construction is made possible by an Lshaped corner piece 8 having limbs 9 and 10 which slide into engagement with locating channels 11 and 1 2 formed in the top rails.

In constructing the corner, one of the corner piece limbs is inserted into the corresponding locating channel of one of the top rails and the other top rail is then presented to the remaining free limb of the corner piece until the two rails abut each other as shown in Figure 1. Holding screws 1 3 and 1 4 are then applied to threaded holes 1 5 and 1 6 in the corner piece to lock it into engagement with the two top rails. There is no need to drill and tap the top rails because the assembly is locked by the screws 1 3 and 1 4 simply bearing against the undersurface of the top rails within the locating channels 11 and 1 2.

The upright corner post 2 is also provided with top and bottom square cut ends 1 7 and 18. Like the top rails, each corner post is preferably formed from an aluminium extrusion and is provided with vertically extending locating channels 1 9 and 20. In the particular embodiment illustrated in Figure 1, one limb 21 of the corner post is provided with a vertically extending channel 23 for locating the vertical edge 24 of a showcase side panel 25. The other limb 22 of the corner post is able to accept the free end 26 of one of a pair of sliding glass panels 27 and 28 which form the rear wall of the showcase. In this construction it will be observed that the corner post is not symmetrical in elevation since the inner flange 29 defining the channel 23 in limb 21 is absent from limb 22.A symmetrical corner post employing two limbs identical with 21 is employed for showcase corners where two fixed panels meet. The corner post is provided with a pair of screw recesses 30 and 31 in the form of vertically extending channels thereby permitting the post to be formed by extrusion.

Once the two top rails have been connected by the corner piece 8, the top rail assembly is fixedly secured to the corner post by screws 32 and 33 which engage the screw recesses 30 and 31 through corresponding holes 34 and 35 formed in the corner piece. The screws preferably cut their own threads in the screw recesses, thereby facilitating construction.

Downwardly opening longitudinally extend ing channels 36, 37 and 38 in the top rails engage and retain the top edges of the side panel 25 and sliding glass doors 27 and 28 respectively. Wearing strips 39 may be inserted laterally into corresponding channels formed in the back top rail 3 to assist in supporting the sliding glass panels if required.

The bottom edges of the front and side panels of the showcase, together with the sliding doors, are supported by suitable bottom rails 5 as shown in Figure 2.

The illustrated corner post construction makes it very easy to install and position the bottom rail or any predetermined number of intermediate horizontal partitions or shelves.

This is achieved by use of a small L-shaped end piece 40 as shown in Figure 2. The end piece has a downwardly extending limb 41 which is engageable with the vertically extending locating channel 1 9 in the corner post. Recesses 42 enable the end piece to clear the inwardly directed flanges 43 on the corner post so that the end piece can be presented to the channel 1 9 at the top end of the corner post from where it can slide downwardly to the required height location for the bottom rail or one or more intermediate rails.

At a predetermined height location, a grub screw (not shown) is applied to a threaded hole 44 in the end piece to lock the end piece into engagement with the corner post. The bottom rail 5 is then secured to the corner post by applying the horizontal limb 45 of the end piece 40 to a horizontally extending locating channel 46 formed in the bottom rail. In this respect, the engagement of the bottom rail 5 with the end piece 40 is identical with the engagement of the top rails 3 and 4 with the corner piece 8. When the bottom rail is in its final position, another grub screw (not shown) is applied to threaded hole 47 in the end piece so as to lock it to the bottom rail 5.

The bottom rail 5 includes two horizontally extending rails 48 for mounting the sliding glass panels 27 and 28. The bottom rail also includes an open sided channel 49 for accepting and supporting a floor panel. Preferably, in the embodiment illustrated in Figure 2, the bottom rail is cut away slightly at its end to permit the sliding glass rails 48 to extend inside the boundary of the corner post.

It will be apparent that other forms of bottom and intermediate rails may be employed using the system described above. For example, a single, upwardly opening channel can support a single side panel of glass or timber for those faces of the showcase not requiring sliding doors. In the embodiment of Figure 2 the bottom rail 5 can act as an intermediate rail if the lower part of the showcase is to be left open. If fixed or sliding lower panels are required, one or more downwardly opening channels can be included beneath the rail 5 in the same manner as 36, 37 and 38 in Figure 1. All vertically extending flanges can be omitted if the wall in question is to be left open.

As shown in Figure 2, the showcase corner post can also function as a showcase leg. In this configuration the corner post can be easily provided with an adjustable foot assembly 6 by means of a bottom plate 51 secured to the bottom edge of the corner post 2 by screws 52 engaging with the bottom ends of the screw recesses 29 and 30. The plate 51 carries a threaded boss 53 which engages a screw 54 attached to a foot pad 55. Height adjustment of each individual corner post can then be effected by appropriate rotation of its foot pad.

If the corner post is not required to function also as a leg, its bottom edge 1 8 can be cut flush with the bottom rails and be joined to these in a corner construction identical with that of the top corners but inverted. The corner pieces 8 then fit into the locating channels 46 on the bottom rail 5 in the same way as described above for the top rails.

Separate legs (not shown) are then secured to the underside of the showcase, set back from the corner posts in known manner.

By using the illustrated top rails, one or more lamp assemblies 60 can be easily applied to the showcase. Each lamp assembly 60 includes a reflector section 61 provided with longitudinally extending flanges 62 for engagement with a corresponding locating channel 63 formed in each top rail. The reflector section 61 also includes inwardly directed flanges 64 for supporting the lamp 65. Prior to assembling the showcase corners, the reflector section 61 can slide into engagement with the selected top rail as shown in Figures 3 and 4. It is usual to apply the lamp assembly to the front top rail of the showcase as shown in Figure 3, but it may be applied to any of the other top rails as required.

Electrical conduit for the lamp can pass from inside the reflector section 60 to the centre channel 66 of the corner post and then down along channel 66 to the underside of the showcase. If required, a cover strip (not shown) can be applied along the interior of the corner post to close the channel 66 and screen the conduit from view. Appropriate facia strips 67 may also be applied to an exterior vertical channel 68 formed in the corner post to provide a decorative effect. This strip may also, for example, comprise a radius section to provide the corner post with a curved edge.

The showcase is ccmpleted by applying a strip of felt material 70 around the inner edge of the top rail and across the small square gap 71 left at the adjacent ends of each top rail. A sheet of glass 72 then rests on the felt and a corner locking cover piece 73 can be applied to the corner piece 8 by double sided adhesive or any other suitable means.

It will be appreciated that the above de scribed showcase may be quickly and simply constructed. Furthermore, it is readily adapted to changes in size and configuration since the corner and end pieces provide for simple assembly and adjustment without the need for accurately mitred joints.

The corner construction can, however, be applied to corners other than right angled ones by providing appropriately shaped corner posts and corner pieces. For example, corner posts and pieces with limbs arranged at 60 to each other would produce a showcase with a top in the form of an equilateral triangle. In this case some mitreing of the rail ends may be required.

Although the invention has been described with reference to a specific example it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in many other forms.

Claims (11)

1. A cabinet comprising, in combination: at least three elongate legs, each having two projecting limbs extending along its length adapted to accept panelling; a like number of top rails adapted to extend between adjacent legs; a like number of corner pieces each adapted to be engaged with one end of a respective leg and each having two rail limbs each slidably engageable with one end of a top rail and adapted to be clamped thereto.

2. A cabinet according to claim 1 wherein said corner pieces are adapted to be engaged with said respective legs by provision of one or more screws adapted to project through said corner piece to threadedly engage respective one or more screw recesses extending longitudinally of said legs.

3. A cabinet according to claim 2 wherein said top rails include a longitudinally extending slotted locating channel, said channel being adapted to endwise slidingly engage one of said rail limbs, and wherein a clamping screw projects through the slot and said rail limb, the end of said screw being adapted to bear against a wall of said channel opposed to said slot, upon rotation thereof, to urge said rail limb and a wall adjacent said slot into clamping engagement.

4. A cabinet according to claim 3 wherein opposite ends of said top rails are normal to a longitudinal axis thereof.

5. A cabinet according to claim 4 wherein the adjacent ends of two adjacent top rails abut end to side.

6. A cabinet according to anyone of the preceding claims wherein said top rails include a recessed flange adapted to support a cabinet top.

7. A cabinet according to claim 6 wherein said cabinet includes a like plurality of corner cover piece, adapted to abut the top end of respective legs, to cover said corner pieces intermediate said rail limbs.

8. A cabinet according to claim 1 further comprising a like plurality of bottom rails adapted to extend between adjacent legs to engage therewith, at a location below said top rails.

9. A cabinet according to claim 8 wherein said bottom rails and said limbs include a longitudinally extending slotted locating channel, and, wherein said cabinet further comprises a plurality of L-brackets each having two bracket legs slidably engageable within the channels of abutting bottom rails and limbs respectively, and a clamping screw projecting through each of said bracket legs, the end of which, upon rotation thereof, bears against the wall of said channel opposite the respective slot, to urge the bracket leg and the wall of the channel adjacent the slot into clamping engagement.

10. A cabinet according to claim 1 wherein at least one of said top rails includes a lamp assembly slidably engageable therewith.

11. A cabinet substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.