Modular plastic cabinet

Abstract

Modular plastic cabinet (1) comprising a rear wall (2), two side panels (3), a top (4), and a bottom (5) defining a storage compartment (6); at least one movable front door (7) providing access to the storage compartment (6); a support upright (8); at least one first shelf portion (9) located inside the compartment (6), at least partially supported by the support upright (8) and having a first upper surface (10); at least one second shelf portion (11) having a second upper surface (12); and coupling and decoupling means (13A, 13B) for positioning the second shelf portion (11) in the compartment (6) with the second upper surface (12) horizontally juxtaposed to the first upper surface (10) of the first shelf portion (9).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a modular plastic cabinet.

[0002] As is known, there are currently numerous types of plastic cabinets on the market, which must meet increasingly demanding specifications, including not only load capacity but also a high degree of flexibility in adapting to spaces of various shapes and sizes, as well as adapting to the contents stored within the cabinet itself.

[0003] Generally, in the field of modular plastic cabinets, there are cabinets with shelves of different sizes to meet various customer needs.

[0004] For example, there are cabinets with reduced-width shelves, which leave a vertical space free to store tall and long items such as brooms.

[0005] Alternatively, as is well known, there are also cabinets with full-width shelves that allow for storing a greater number of items, but which do not accommodate tall and long items like brooms. For cabinets with reduced-width shelves, it is common practice for manufacturers to include a support post in an approximately central front position to support the shelf, which would otherwise remain unsupported at one of its corners.

[0006] It can happen that a customer who purchases the cabinet in one of the two configurations may not fully utilize the potential of the chosen version due to changes in use and habits: for example, if they choose the cabinet with reduced-width shelves, after a few years they may stop using brooms, resulting in unused interior space; alternatively, they might choose the full-width shelf version because they do not own a broom, but later purchase one and have nowhere to store it.

[0007] The purpose of the present invention is therefore to eliminate the drawbacks of the known prior art.

[0008] In pursuing this goal, one objective of the invention is to create a modular plastic cabinet that allows for a very simple reconfiguration of the cabinet over time.

[0009] A further objective of the present invention is to provide a modular plastic cabinet that allows the customer, even years after purchase, to change the internal arrangement of the shelves to suit their needs.

[0010] This purpose, as well as these and other objectives, are achieved according to the present invention by providing a modular plastic cabinet comprising: a rear wall, two side panels, a top, and a bottom defining a storage compartment; at least one movable front door providing access to the storage compartment; a support upright; at least one first shelf portion located inside the compartment, at least partially supported by the support upright, and having a first upper surface; characterized in that it comprises at least one second shelf portion with a second upper surface, and coupling and decoupling means for positioning the second shelf portion in the compartment with the second upper surface horizontally juxtaposed to the first upper surface of the first shelf portion.

[0011] Preferably, said coupling means are configured for a vertical male-female type plug-in connection. Preferably, said coupling means are entirely contained within the thickness of the first and second shelf portions.

[0012] Preferably, said coupling and decoupling means comprise first coupling and decoupling means and second coupling and decoupling means complementary to said first coupling and decoupling means, and are configured for mutual coupling and uncoupling.

[0013] Preferably, said first coupling and decoupling means are formed on a lateral edge of said first shelf portion.

[0014] Preferably, said second coupling and decoupling means are formed on a lateral edge of said second shelf portion.

[0015] Preferably, said first coupling and decoupling means are formed by vertical protrusions extending upward from said lateral edge of said first shelf portion.

[0016] Preferably, said second coupling and decoupling means are formed by blind vertical holes.

[0017] Preferably, at said lateral edge of the second shelf portion having said second coupling and decoupling means, a joint cover is provided between the first and second shelf portions, positioned above said blind vertical holes and at least partially overlapping said lateral edge of the first shelf portion having said first coupling and decoupling means.

[0018] Preferably, the cabinet includes four corner uprights located at the four corners of the cabinet and integrated into the side panels, two of which positioned near the junction between the rear wall and the side panels, and two of which positioned near the junction between the side panels and the at least one movable front door; and said first and second shelf portions are supported by said corner uprights through removable and / or adjustable supports.

[0019] Preferably, said support upright has a circular cross-section.

[0020] Preferably, said support upright is modular.

[0021] Preferably, said support upright is positioned through a vertical front through-hole of the first shelf portion.

[0022] Preferably, the cabinet further comprises a full-width monolithic shelf with an upper surface substantially equal to the sum of said first and second upper surfaces.

[0023] Preferably, said full-width monolithic shelf is located at a higher position, closer to the top of the cabinet, relative to said at least one first and one second shelf portion.

[0024] Additional features and advantages will become more evident from the detailed description of the modular plastic cabinet according to the invention, illustrated by way of example in the accompanying figures, in which: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the modular plastic cabinet with three second shelf portions attached to three first shelf portions; Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the modular plastic cabinet of Figure 1 without the three second shelf portions; Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the shelves from Figure 1 without the external structure of the modular plastic cabinet; Figure 4 shows a perspective view of the shelves from Figure 2 without the external structure of the modular plastic cabinet; Figure 4A shows the same elements of Figure 4 from a different viewpoint; Figure 4B shows the coupling system of the first and second shelf portions, with a close-up of the coupling means; Figure 5 shows a perspective view of the second shelf portion; Figure 6 shows a perspective view of a side elevation section of the modular plastic cabinet cut along the coupling and decoupling means; Figure 6A shows a perspective view of the section in Figure 6 without the external structure of the cabinet and with a close-up of the coupling and decoupling means; Figure 7 shows a side elevation section of the upright and the vertical front through-hole.

[0025] Referring to the mentioned figures, a modular plastic cabinet is shown, generally indicated by reference number 1.

[0026] The modular plastic cabinet 1 typically comprises, as known, a rear wall 2, two side panels 3, a top 4, and a bottom 5, delimiting a storage compartment 6.

[0027] The cabinet 1 also comprises at least one movable front door 7 for access to the storage compartment 6.

[0028] Typically, there are two movable front doors 7 providing access to the storage compartment 6. The movable front doors 7 may be, for example, sliding or are generally hinged to allow for rotational opening.

[0029] The cabinet 1 also includes four corner uprights 19 located at the four corners of the cabinet 1 and integrated into the side panels 3; two of which are positioned near the junction between the rear wall and the side panels, and two of which are positioned near the junction between the side panels and the at least one movable front door; two connect the rear wall 2 to the side panels 3, and two connect the side panels 3 to the two movable front doors 7.

[0030] The cabinet 1 also includes a support upright 8, which is modular and has a circular cross-section, and at least one first shelf portion 9 located inside the storage compartment 6.

[0031] The at least one first shelf portion 9 is at least partially supported by the support upright 8 and has a first upper surface 10.

[0032] In particular, the support upright 8 is inserted through a vertical front through-hole 21 of the first shelf portion 9, in order to support the corner of the first shelf portion 9 closest to it and thereby help distribute the load.

[0033] Without the support upright 8, indeed, the first shelf portion 9 could not support heavy loads, as it would have an unsupported corner unable to bear weight.

[0034] As mentioned, the support upright 8 is modular, meaning it is made up of multiple segments: each segment supports the first shelf portion 9 above it and is supported by the first shelf portion 9 below it, except for the bottom segment, which is fitted onto a terminal piece 23, itself inserted into a shaped recess 24 in the bottom 5 of the cabinet 1.

[0035] The connection system between the upright 8 and a first shelf portion 9, through which the first shelf portion 9 is able to transfer weight, is described at the end of the invention description. The cabinet 1 also comprises at least one second shelf portion 11, which likewise has a second upper surface 12.

[0036] Typically, the cabinet 1 includes three first shelf portions 9 and three second shelf portions 11, as shown in the figures.

[0037] In addition to the three first and three second shelf portions 9, 11, the cabinet 1 also comprises a full-width monolithic shelf 22 with an upper surface 25 that is substantially equal in size to the sum of the first and second upper surfaces 10, 12.

[0038] The full-width monolithic shelf 22 is specifically positioned higher and closer to the top 4 of the cabinet 1 compared to the three first and second shelf portions 9, 11.

[0039] The first and second shelf portions 9, 11 are supported by the corner uprights 19 via specific removable and / or adjustable supports 20.

[0040] The removable and / or adjustable supports 20 are protrusions extending from the corner uprights 19, and may be made integrally in a single piece with them, or may be external components attached to them.

[0041] The cabinet 1 also includes coupling and decoupling means 13A, 13B.

[0042] The coupling and decoupling means 13A, 13B allow the second shelf portion 11 to be positioned inside the compartment 6 with its second upper surface 12 horizontally juxtaposed to the first upper surface 10 of the first shelf portion 9.

[0043] Since the two upper surfaces 10, 12 are horizontally juxtaposed, there are no steps or slopes in the new, large shelf formed by combining the two shelf portions 9, 11, allowing it to be used to store large items.

[0044] Furthermore, the first and second shelf portions 9, 11 respectively present a first front surface 26 and a second front surface 27, and when the second shelf portion 11 is positioned inside the compartment 6 with the second upper surface 12 horizontally juxtaposed with the first upper surface 10, the two front surfaces 26, 27 are also aligned, thereby creating a flush appearance at the front opening of the cabinet 1.

[0045] The coupling and decoupling means 13A, 13B are configured as vertical male-female plug-in connections.

[0046] The coupling and decoupling means 13A, 13B are also fully contained within the thickness of the first and second shelf portions 9, 11, which are in particular equivalent.

[0047] The coupling and decoupling means 13A, 13B consist of first coupling and decoupling means 13A and second coupling and decoupling means 13B, which are complementary to each other and designed for mutual coupling and decoupling.

[0048] The mutual coupling is reversible and non-permanent; no permanent fastening mechanisms are provided.

[0049] Following the above-mentioned mutual coupling, it is still possible to decouple the first coupling and decoupling means 13A from the second coupling and decoupling means 13B, as both first and second coupling and decoupling means are also designed to allow disconnection.

[0050] The first coupling and decoupling means 13A are formed on a lateral edge 14 of the first shelf portion 9.

[0051] The second coupling and decoupling means 13B are formed on a lateral edge 15 of the second shelf portion 11.

[0052] The first coupling and decoupling means 13A are made up of vertical protrusions 16 extending upward from the lateral edge 14 of the first shelf portion 9.

[0053] The second coupling and decoupling means 13B consist of blind vertical holes 17.

[0054] The protrusions 16 and holes 17 are shaped to interlock and couple together in a vertical male-female joint, meaning the second shelf portion 11 is positioned in the compartment 6 by inserting the protrusions 16 into the holes 17.

[0055] Specifically, both the coupling and decoupling between the protrusions 16 and holes 17 occur via a downward vertical motion of the second shelf portion 11.

[0056] Advantageously, the protrusions 16 are multi-functional and may serve as hooks for hanging accessories.

[0057] When the protrusions 16 are not coupled with the holes 17, they can be used for a secondary purpose: to hang rags, small brushes, tools, or any other suitable item.

[0058] This enables increased storage capacity of the cabinet 1, even in the absence of the second shelf portion 11.

[0059] When the second shelf portion 11 is placed inside the compartment 6, side-by-side with the first shelf portion 9, with the two upper surfaces 10, 12 juxtaposed and the protrusions 16 inserted into the holes 17, a joint line is formed between the two shelf portions 9, 11.

[0060] To cover this joint line, where small items could potentially fall through, a joint cover 18 is provided along the lateral edge 15 of the second shelf portion 11 containing the second coupling and decoupling means 13B.

[0061] This joint cover 18 is positioned between the first and second shelf portions 9, 11, above the blind vertical holes 17, and overlaps at least partially the lateral edge 14 of the first shelf portion 9 that has the first coupling and decoupling means 13A.

[0062] The purpose of the joint cover 18 is therefore to visually conceal the gap that forms at the junction between the two shelf portions 9, 11, maintaining a cleaner and more linear profile.

[0063] More importantly, as mentioned above, the joint cover 18 seals a gap that could otherwise allow objects to fall through unintentionally.

[0064] Finally, the interlocking connection system between the segments of the upright 8 and the first shelf portion 9 is described in detail below.

[0065] Within the vertical front through-hole 21, two adjacent segments of the upright 8 engage, one from below and one from above, with conjugated terminals 28, 29 that snap-fit together, pressing against opposite sides of an internal flange 30 of the hole 21.

[0066] The two terminals 28, 29, which engage with the interposition of the flange 30 of the hole 21, define a snap-fit connection of the first shelf portion 9 to the upright 8.

[0067] The upper terminal 28, of the male type, has an external step that defines an external support shoulder against the upper side of the flange 30 of the hole 21, while the lower terminal 29, of the female type, rests head-on against the lower side of the flange 30 of the hole 21.

[0068] The reduced outer diameter section of the upper male terminal 28, located between the shoulder and the lower end, extends below the flange 30 of the hole 21 and engages into the lower female terminal 29.

[0069] It has been practically observed that the modular plastic cabinet according to the invention proves particularly advantageous because it allows the storage of long items such as brooms simply by removing the second shelf portion, and when broom storage is not needed, the combined surface of the first and second shelf portions can be used as a larger shelf.

[0070] Furthermore, the modular plastic cabinet allows the customer to initially use it without the second shelf portions, which may be purchased later only if needed, resulting in cost savings at the time of purchase, as fewer components are required upfront.

[0071] Additionally, the specific design of the first coupling means, namely the vertical protrusion, allows the cabinet's storage capacity to be increased even without the second shelf portions, since rags, small brushes, or other items can be hung directly on the protrusions, which would otherwise remain unused in the absence of the second shelf portions.

[0072] The modular plastic cabinet conceived in this way is susceptible to numerous modifications and variants, all of which fall within the scope of the inventive concept. Furthermore, all the details may be replaced with technically equivalent elements.

[0073] In practice, the materials used, as well as the dimensions, may vary depending on needs and the state of the art.

Claims

1. A modular plastic cabinet (1) comprising a rear wall (2), two side panels (3), a top (4), and a bottom (5) defining a storage compartment (6); at least one movable front door (7) providing access to said storage compartment (6); a support upright (8); at least one first shelf portion (9) located inside said compartment (6), at least partially supported by said support upright (8) and having a first upper surface (10), characterized in that it comprises at least one second shelf portion (11) having a second upper surface (12), and coupling and decoupling means (13A, 13B) for positioning the second shelf portion (11) in the compartment (6) with the second upper surface (12) horizontally juxtaposed to the first upper surface (10) of the first shelf portion (9).

2. Modular plastic cabinet (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said coupling and decoupling means (13A, 13B) are configured as vertical male-female plug-in connections.

3. Modular plastic cabinet (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said coupling and decoupling means (13A, 13B) are entirely contained within the thickness of the first and second shelf portions (9, 11).

4. Modular plastic cabinet (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said coupling and decoupling means (13A, 13B) comprise first coupling and decoupling means (13A) and second coupling and decoupling means (13B) complementary to said first coupling and decoupling means (13A) and are configured for mutual coupling and mutual decoupling.

5. Modular plastic cabinet (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said first coupling and decoupling means (13A) are formed on a lateral edge (14) of said first shelf portion (9).

6. Modular plastic cabinet (1) according to any of claims 4 or 5, characterized in that said second coupling and decoupling means (13B) are formed on a lateral edge (15) of said second shelf portion (11).

7. Modular plastic cabinet (1) according to any of claims 5 or 6, characterized in that said first coupling and decoupling means (13A) are formed by vertical protrusions (16) extending upward from said lateral edge (14) of said first shelf portion (9).

8. Modular plastic cabinet (1) according to any of claims 4 to 7, characterized in that said second coupling and decoupling means (13B) are formed by blind vertical holes (17).

9. Modular plastic cabinet (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that at the lateral edge (15) of the second shelf portion (11) having said second coupling and decoupling means (13B), a joint cover (18) is provided between the first and second shelf portions (9, 11), positioned above said blind vertical holes (17), and at least partially overlapping said lateral edge (14) of the first shelf portion (9) having said first coupling and decoupling means (13A).

10. Modular plastic cabinet (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises four corner uprights (19) located at the four corners of the cabinet (1) and integrated into the side panels (3), two of which are positioned near the junction between the rear wall (2) and the side panels (3), and two of which are positioned near the junction between the side panels (3) and the at least one movable front door (7); and in that said first and second shelf portions (9, 11) are supported by said corner uprights (19) through removable and / or adjustable supports (20).

11. Modular plastic cabinet (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said support upright (8) has a circular cross-section.

12. Modular plastic cabinet (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said support upright (8) is modular.

13. Modular plastic cabinet (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said support upright (8) is positioned through a vertical front through-hole (21) of the first shelf portion (9).

14. Modular plastic cabinet (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further comprises a full-width monolithic shelf (22) with an upper surface (25) substantially equal to the sum of said first and second upper surfaces (10, 12).

15. Modular plastic cabinet (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said full-width monolithic shelf (22) is located at a higher and closer position to the top (4) of the cabinet (1) compared to said at least one first and one second shelf portion (9, 11).

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