Collapsible cabinet

Claim 1

A foldable cabinet comprising: a base panel extending horizontally for providing a floor for the cabinet when the cabinet is erected; first flange means projecting upwardly from the base panel; second flange means extending parallel with respect to said first flange means, being spaced therefrom and having a height greater than that of the first flange means; third flange means extending perpendicular to said first and second flange means and extending upwardly from the base panel a distance greater than the second flange means; a first side panel pivoted to said first flange means and pivotable between an upright position in which the side panel extends perpendicular to the base panel and a collapsed position in which the first side panel extends substantially parallel to the base panel, the first side panel having an inner surface and an outer surface; a second side panel pivoted to the second flange means for movement between an erect position wherein the second side panel extends perpendicular to the base panel and collapse position in which the second side panel extends substantially parallel to the base in the overlapped relationship with respect to the first side panel, the first side panel having an inner surface and an outer surface; a third side panel extending perpendicular to the first and second side panels and being pivoted to the third flange means for movement between an erect position wherein the third side panel extends normally with respect to the base panel means and a collapsed position in which the third side panel extends substantially parallel with respect to the base panel, the third side panel being divided into upper and lower portions by a hinge whereby upper portion overlies the lower portion when the thrid side panel is collapsed; a top panel pivoted to the third side panel, the top panel extending perpendicularly with respect to the first, second, and third side panels and parallel to the base panel when the cabinet is erect and extending parallel to all panels when the cabinet is collapsed; the top panel having abutment means thereon for engaging the inner surfaces the side panels to prevent the side panels from collapsing inwardly when the cabinet is erect; at least one shelf having a length substantially equal to the distance between the first and second panels when the cabinet is erect, the shelf having an absolute thickness no greater than the first flange means whereby the first side panel overlies the shelf when the shelf rests on the base panel for storage, and means for mounting the shelf intermediate the base panel and top panel when the cabinet is erect wherein the shelf serves as a stiffener which helps keep the first and second side panels erect, and latching means for latching the first and second side panels to the third side panel to keep the first and second side panels in engagement with the abutment means.