US4632473A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Cabinet assembly
Assignee: RC SMITH Co 801 EAST 79TH ST MPLS MN 55420 A MN CORP
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Filing: 1983-10-24
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Granted: 1986-12-30
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Expires: 2003-10-24
Abstract
Abstract An improved cabinet assembly for quick and easy assembly into various configurations. The assembly is characterized in one embodiment, by a unique joint where three framework members meet. A vertical post is equipped with vertically spaced slots. A first crossbar has prongs at one end which are snugly received in the slots, and, upon vertical movement of the crossbar, lock the crossbar to the post. A second crossbar joins the first crossbar and vertical post at mutually perpendicular angles, and is equipped with two pins which are snugly received in holes in the post. When both crossbars are in position, a bolt is inserted through the post and into the end of the second crossbar where it is secured. The bolt engages an edge of one of the prongs of the first crossbar, preventing vertical movement of the crossbar to retain it in the locked position. In another embodiment, the assembly is characterized by a drawer slide which has prongs at each end receivable in the facing slots of two parallel vertical posts. The prongs at one end of the drawer slide are adjustable lengthwise of the slide, allowing the slide to be rigidly inserted after the cabinet is assembled.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard C. Smith
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 08:45
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47B; A47B47/00; A47B47/02; A47B47/03; F; F16; F16B; F16B12/00; F16B12/40; F16B2200/00; F16B2200/20; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T403/00; Y10T403/46; Y10T403/4602
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
183 words
A cabinet framework comprising: a tubular vertical post having vertically spaced slots in a wall thereof, the post being generally rectangular in cross-section; a first crossbar having an end terminating in three prongs receivable in the slots of the vertical post, each prong including a vertical notch capable of rigidly engaging the post upon vertical movement of the prongs after insertion of the prongs into the slots; a second crossbar, mutually perpendicular to the first crossbar and to the vertical post, and including two spaced pins affixed to the end of the second crossbar, the pins received snugly in spaced apertures in the vertical post to prevent rotational and vertical movement of said crossbar with respect to the vertical post when the post and crossbar are fastened together; and a bolt extending through the post into the second crossbar for fastening the second crossbar to the post, the bolt being positioned adjacent the edge of one of said three prongs in a locked position to prevent vertical movement of said one prong and thus to retain the first crossbar in the locked position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
183 words
A cabinet framework comprising: a tubular vertical post having vertically spaced slots in a wall thereof, the post being generally rectangular in cross-section; a first crossbar having an end terminating in three prongs receivable in the slots of the vertical post, each prong including a vertical notch capable of rigidly engaging the post upon vertical movement of the prongs after insertion of the prongs into the slots; a second crossbar, mutually perpendicular to the first crossbar and to the vertical post, and including two spaced pins affixed to the end of the second crossbar, the pins received snugly in spaced apertures in the vertical post to prevent rotational and vertical movement of said crossbar with respect to the vertical post when the post and crossbar are fastened together; and a bolt extending through the post into the second crossbar for fastening the second crossbar to the post, the bolt being positioned adjacent the edge of one of said three prongs in a locked position to prevent vertical movement of said one prong and thus to retain the first crossbar in the locked position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
146 words
A cabinet framework comprising: a vertical post having vertically spaced slots in a wall thereof; a first crossbar having an end terminating in a prong receivable in one of the slots of the vertical post, the prong including means for locking the post and crossbar together in response to vertical movement of the crossbar with respect to the post; a second crossbar, disposed at right angles to the post and the first crossbar, and including engagement means engageable with the post for preventing rotational and vertical movement of the second crossbar with respect to the post; and a bolt extending through the post into the second crossbar for fastening the second crossbar to the post, the bolt positioned adjacent the edge of the prong in a locked position to prevent vertical movement of the prong and thus to retain the first crossbar in the locked position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
146 words
A cabinet framework comprising: a vertical post having vertically spaced slots in a wall thereof; a first crossbar having an end terminating in a prong receivable in one of the slots of the vertical post, the prong including means for locking the post and crossbar together in response to vertical movement of the crossbar with respect to the post; a second crossbar, disposed at right angles to the post and the first crossbar, and including engagement means engageable with the post for preventing rotational and vertical movement of the second crossbar with respect to the post; and a bolt extending through the post into the second crossbar for fastening the second crossbar to the post, the bolt positioned adjacent the edge of the prong in a locked position to prevent vertical movement of the prong and thus to retain the first crossbar in the locked position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
48 words
The framework of claim 2 wherein the first crossbar includes a second prong receivable in one of the slots of the vertical post, said second prong including means for locking the post and crossbar together in response to vertical movement of the crossbar with respect to the post.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
The framework of claim 2 wherein the locking means comprises a vertical notch in said prong capable of rigidly engaging the post upon vertical movement of the prong after insertion of the prong into the slot.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
The framework of claim 2 wherein the engagement means comprises two spaced pins affixed to the end of the second crossbar, the pins received snugly in spaced apertures in the vertical post.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
133 words
A cabinet framework comprising: a vertical post having vertically spaced slots in a wall thereof; a first crossbar having an end terminating in two prongs receivable in the slots of the vertical post, each of said prongs including means for locking the post and crossbar together upon vertical movement of the crossbar with respect to the post; a second crossbar disposed at right angles to the first crossbar and to the vertical post, and including engagement means engageable with the post for preventing rotational and vertical movement of the second crossbar with respect to the post; and means for simultaneously fastening the end of the second crossbar to the vertical post and preventing vertical movement of one of the prongs of the first crossbar to maintain the first crossbar locked to the post.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
133 words
A cabinet framework comprising: a vertical post having vertically spaced slots in a wall thereof; a first crossbar having an end terminating in two prongs receivable in the slots of the vertical post, each of said prongs including means for locking the post and crossbar together upon vertical movement of the crossbar with respect to the post; a second crossbar disposed at right angles to the first crossbar and to the vertical post, and including engagement means engageable with the post for preventing rotational and vertical movement of the second crossbar with respect to the post; and means for simultaneously fastening the end of the second crossbar to the vertical post and preventing vertical movement of one of the prongs of the first crossbar to maintain the first crossbar locked to the post.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
38 words
The framework of claim 6 wherein the locking means comprises a vertical notch in each of said prongs capable of rigidly engaging the post upon vertical movement of the prongs after insertion of the prongs into the slots.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
61 words
The framework of claim 6 wherein the fastening means comprises a bolt extending through the post into the second crossbar for fastening the second crossbar to the post, the bolt positioned adjacent the edge of one of said prongs in the locked position to prevent vertical movement of said prong and thus to retain the first crossbar in the locked position.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
34 words
The framework of claim 6 wherein the engagement means comprises at least two spaced pins affixed to the end of the second crossbar, the pins received snugly in spaced apertures in the vertical post.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
76 words
The framework of claim 6 further comprising: a second vertical post having vertically spaced slots in a wall thereof confronting slots of the first post; an elongated drawer slide having first and second ends, the first end carrying a prong receivable in one of the slots of one of the vertical posts; and a plate attachable to the second end of the drawer slide and having prongs receivable in the slots of the other vertical post.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-12-29 | 1990-06-30 | 1990-12-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-12-29 | 1994-06-30 | 1994-12-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-12-29 | 1998-06-30 | 1998-12-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |