Modular plastic cabinet

Abstract

Modular plastic cabinet (1) comprising a rear wall (2), two side panels (3), a top (4), and a bottom (5) delimiting a storage compartment (6), at least one movable front door (7) providing access to the storage compartment (6), and at least one shelf (8) supported within the storage compartment (6) and featuring a recess (9) and an insert (10) of complementary shape to the recess (9), the cabinet (1) includes articulation means (11) connecting the insert (10) to the shelf (8), configured to support reversible rotation of the insert (10) between an occupation position (12) and a clear position (13) of the recess (9).

Description

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

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

[0003] Generally, in the field of modular plastic cabinets, the manufacturer supplies a series of kits, each containing panels and shelves of different shapes and sizes, allowing for the assembly of cabinets with varying heights and widths, and with customizable internal shelving to suit the contents.

[0004] An example of customizable internal shelving that adapts to the contents may include, for instance, shelves of two different widths: a first full width equal to the width of the cabinet, which makes full use of the internal space to store a greater number of items, and a second, reduced width, which leaves vertical space free to allow for the storage of very tall and long objects, such as brooms.

[0005] For the reduced-width shelves, it is common practice for manufacturers to include a support pole positioned roughly at the front center to support the shelf, which would otherwise lack support at one of the corners.

[0006] The buyer selects the shelf kit that best suits their needs, depending on how they intend to use the cabinet's internal space.

[0007] After selecting the appropriate kit, some components often go unused, and the buyer is unsure how to make use of them or where to store them.

[0008] Over the course of the cabinet's useful life, the buyer may wish to change the internal configuration, but may refrain from doing so for various reasons, such as simply forgetting where the spare shelves or support pole were stored, or finding the shelf replacement process too complex.

[0009] Some solutions currently on the market, instead of requiring replacement of the entire shelf, allow for the simple insertion or removal of a portion of the shelf; when the portion is removed, tall objects like brooms can be stored, while when it is inserted, objects can be stored across the entire shelf width.

[0010] These alternative solutions also present the same issues previously mentioned.

[0011] The objective of the present invention is, therefore, to eliminate the drawbacks of the known prior art.

[0012] Within this objective, one purpose of the invention is to provide a modular plastic cabinet that allows the internal configuration to be easily reconfigured over time.

[0013] A further purpose of the present invention is to provide a modular plastic cabinet that allows for quick and easy modification of the shelf arrangement.

[0014] This objective, along with the aforementioned and other purposes, is achieved by providing a modular plastic cabinet comprising a rear wall, two side panels, a top, and a bottom that define a storage compartment, at least one movable front door providing access to the storage compartment, and at least one shelf supported within the storage compartment and featuring a recess and an insert having a shape complementary to that recess, characterized by comprising articulation means between said insert and said shelf configured to support reversible rotation of said insert between an occupation position and a clear position of the recess.

[0015] Preferably, said articulation means define a horizontal hinge axis parallel to the rear wall or to the side panels.

[0016] Preferably, the shelf has a first use configuration in which the recess faces said at least one front door and the insert is in the said clear position.

[0017] Preferably, in said clear position, the insert is tilted toward the rear wall or toward one of the said side panels.

[0018] Preferably, in said first use configuration, a modular upright for supporting the shelf is provided, positioned through a vertical front hole passing through the shelf.

[0019] Preferably, the shelf has a second use configuration in which said recess faces said rear wall and said insert is in said occupation position.

[0020] Preferably, said recess includes a perimeter frame that supports the perimeter edge of said insert. Preferably, the modular plastic cabinet includes male / female type locking means between said perimeter frame of said recess and said perimeter edge of said insert.

[0021] Preferably, the modular plastic cabinet includes, within said storage compartment, a housing for storing the modules of said upright.

[0022] Preferably, said housing for the upright modules is formed by a vertically extending gap delimited between one of the cabinet's side panels, the bottom of the cabinet, and at least one shelf. Preferably, at the location of said gap at the bottom of the cabinet, a box-shaped container is provided to house at least a portion of said upright modules.

[0023] Additional features and advantages will become more evident from the detailed description of the modular plastic cabinet according to the invention, shown for illustrative purposes in the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the modular plastic cabinet with three shelves in the first use configuration, with the horizontal hinge axis parallel to the rear wall; Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the modular plastic cabinet with three shelves in the second use configuration, with the horizontal hinge axis parallel to the rear wall; Figure 3 shows an enlarged view of Figure 2; Figure 4 shows a perspective view of the modular plastic cabinet with two shelves in the first use configuration, with the hinge axis parallel to the rear wall, and one shelf in the second use configuration, also with horizontal hinge axis parallel to the rear wall; Figure 5A shows a perspective view of the shelf with the insert in the clear position, with the horizontal hinge axis parallel to the rear wall; Figure 5B shows a side elevation section of the shelf from Figure 5A; Figure 5C shows a perspective view of the shelf with the insert in the occupation position, with the horizontal hinge axis parallel to the rear wall; Figure 5D shows a side elevation section of the shelf from Figure 5C; Figure 6A shows another perspective view of the shelf with the insert in the occupation position with the horizontal hinge axis parallel to the rear wall; Figure 6B shows another perspective view of the shelf with the insert in the clear position with the horizontal hinge axis parallel to the rear wall, and one module of the modular upright; Figure 7 shows a perspective view of the modular plastic cabinet with three shelves in the first use configuration, with the horizontal hinge axis parallel to the side panels; Figure 8 shows a perspective view of the modular plastic cabinet with three shelves in the second use configuration with the horizontal hinge axis parallel to the side panels; Figure 9 shows an enlarged view of Figure 8; Figure 10 shows a perspective view of the modular plastic cabinet with two shelves in the first use configuration with the horizontal hinge axis parallel to the side panels and one shelf in the second use configuration with the horizontal hinge axis parallel to the side panels; Figure 11A shows a perspective view of the shelf with the insert in the clear position with the horizontal hinge axis parallel to the side panels; Figure 11B shows a front elevation section of the shelf from Figure 11A; Figure 11C shows a perspective view of the shelf with the insert in the occupation position, with the horizontal hinge axis parallel to the side panels; Figure 11D shows a front elevation section of the shelf from Figure 11C; Figure 12 shows another perspective view of the shelf with the insert in the occupation position with the horizontal hinge axis parallel to the side panels; Figure 13 shows a perspective view of the box-shaped container for the upright modules, without the upright modules; Figure 14 shows a perspective view of the box-shaped container for the upright modules, this time with the upright modules and terminal; Figure 15 shows a perspective view of a section of the cabinet cut through the vertical front-through hole, with enlarged details; Figure 15A shows a side elevation section of the upright and the shelves with the horizontal hinge axis parallel to the rear wall, with enlarged details.

[0024] With reference to the figures mentioned, a modular plastic cabinet is shown and is generally indicated by reference number 1.

[0025] The modular plastic cabinet 1 typically comprises, as known, a rear wall 2, two side panels 3, a top 4, and a bottom 5 which define a storage compartment 6.

[0026] The cabinet 1 further comprises at least one movable front door 7 providing access to the storage compartment 6.

[0027] Typically, there are two movable front doors 7 for access to the storage compartment 6.

[0028] The movable front doors 7 may be, for example, sliding, or are generally hinged to each side panel 3 of the cabinet 1.

[0029] The cabinet 1 further includes at least one shelf 8 supported within the storage compartment 6, featuring a recess 9 and an insert 10 with a shape complementary to that of the recess 9.

[0030] The shelf 8 is supported by removable and / or adjustable supports.

[0031] The removable and / or adjustable supports are protrusions that extend from the rear wall 2 and / or the side panels 3, and may be made as an integral part of the rear wall 2 and / or the side panels 3, or may be separate components attached to the rear wall 2 and / or the side panels 3.

[0032] Furthermore, articulation means 11 are provided between the insert 10 and the shelf 8.

[0033] The articulation means 11 are configured to allow reversible rotation of the insert 10 between an occupation position 12 and a clear position 13 of the recess 9.

[0034] The articulation means 11 define a horizontal hinge axis A.

[0035] The horizontal hinge axis A may be parallel to the rear wall 2, as shown in Figures 1 to 6, or parallel to the side panels 3, as shown in Figures 7 to 12.

[0036] In other words, a hinge 21 is provided with a horizontal axis A parallel either to the rear wall 2 or to the side panels 3, connecting the shelf 8 and the insert 10, and allowing the insert 10 to rotate.

[0037] In the case where the horizontal axis A is parallel to the rear wall 2, the hinge 21 is positioned at the rear end of the insert 10, when the insert is in the occupation position 12 of the recess 9.

[0038] In the case where the horizontal axis A is parallel to the side panels 3, the hinge 21 is positioned at the end of the insert 10 closest to either one of the side panels 3, when the insert 10 is in the occupation position 12 of the recess 9.

[0039] The shelf 8 has a first use configuration in which it is arranged with the recess 9 facing the front doors 7, as shown, for example, in Figures 1 and 7.

[0040] In this configuration, the insert 10 is in the clear position 13, and in this position it is tilted either toward the rear wall 2 or toward one of the side panels 3, depending on the orientation of the hinge axis A. For instance, in Figure 1 the insert 10 is tilted toward the rear wall 2 because the hinge axis A is parallel to it, while in Figure 7 the insert 10 is tilted toward the side panel 3 because the hinge axis A is parallel to that panel.

[0041] As shown in Figures 1, 4, 5A, 5B, and 6B, when the insert 10, with the hinge axis A parallel to the rear wall 2, is in the clear position 13, it is inclined backward against the rear wall 2, thus preventing it from accidentally falling forward and returning to the occupation position 12.

[0042] Likewise, as shown in Figures 7, 10, 11A, and 11B, when the insert 10, with the hinge axis A parallel to the side panels 3, is in the clear position 13, it is inclined sideways against the side panels 3, to prevent accidental movement back into the occupation position 12.

[0043] The insert 10 may also include fastening means to the rear wall 2 or to the side panels 3 of the cabinet 1, to lock it in the clear position 13.

[0044] When the shelf 8 is in the first use configuration, a modular upright 14 is also used to support the shelf 8, positioned through a vertical front hole 15 passing through the shelf 8.

[0045] Without the support upright 14, the shelf 8 would not be capable of bearing heavy loads, as it is mechanically weakened by the presence of the recess 9.

[0046] The upright 14 is modular, and therefore consists of multiple modules: each module supports the shelf 8 above it and is supported by the shelf 8 below it, except for the bottom module, which is anchored into a terminal 22, which is in turn fitted into a shaped recess 23 in the bottom 5 of the cabinet 1.

[0047] The shelf 8 also has a second use configuration in which it is rotated 180° on the horizontal plane, with the recess 9 facing the rear wall 2, and the insert 10 placed in the occupation position 12.

[0048] In this second use configuration of the shelf 8, the modular upright 14 is not required, as the side of the shelf 8 weakened by the recess 9 rests directly against the rear wall 2 via the removable and / or adjustable supports, while the side of the shelf 8 near the front opening is solid and has no recess, thus not mechanically weakened, and is further reinforced with ribs and / or structural reinforcements capable of increasing the shelf's load-bearing capacity.

[0049] For these reasons, in the second use configuration, the side of the shelf 8 facing the front opening is fully capable of supporting any localized and / or distributed loads, transferring the weight onto the appropriate removable and / or adjustable supports, which are either integrated in one piece with the side panels 3 or attached to the side panels 3.

[0050] The recess 9 of the shelf 8 includes a perimeter frame 16 to support the perimeter edge 17 of the insert 10.

[0051] Additionally, male / female type locking means 18 are provided between the perimeter frame 16 of the recess 9 and the perimeter edge 17 of the insert 10, which are active when the insert 10 occupies the recess 9.

[0052] These locking means 18 ensure the stability of the occupation position 12 of the recess 9, even in the event of accidental breakage of the hinge 21.

[0053] The purpose of the recess 9 in the shelf 8 is to allow the storage of brooms or other tall, elongated objects, while the purpose of the insert 10 is to increase the usable load area of the shelf 8 when storage of brooms or other tall, elongated objects, is not required.

[0054] The insert 10 is primarily rectangular in shape, with its sides parallel to the sides of the shelf 8 and the cabinet walls 1.

[0055] Moreover, the top surfaces of the shelf 8 and the insert 10, when occupying the recess 9, are juxtaposed to ensure full coplanarity of their upper surfaces.

[0056] The edge of the insert 10 that is closest to the opening of the recess 9, when the insert 10 is occupying the recess, is arranged flush with the edge of the shelf 8 that contains the recess 9; specifically, these two edges are juxtaposed in a flush manner to maintain coplanarity along the lateral surface of the shelf side in which the recess 9 is provided.

[0057] The perimeter frame 16 is recessed relative to the upper surface of the shelf 8 and has a reduced thickness compared to the full thickness of the shelf.

[0058] The perimeter frame 16, which is open at the top when the shelf 8 is in the second use configuration, can be used as a resting surface for storing small or medium-sized objects, thereby increasing the available load area even when the shelf 8 is in the second use configuration and it is therefore not possible to place objects on top of the insert 10.

[0059] Specifically, the surface of the perimeter frame 16 that can be used to place objects is larger when the hinge axis A is parallel to the rear wall 2 than when it is parallel to the side panels 3.

[0060] The perimeter edge 17 of the insert 10, when occupying the recess 9, is also recessed relative to the lower surface of the insert 10, and has a reduced thickness compared to the full thickness of the insert.

[0061] The full thickness of the insert 10 corresponds to the full thickness of the shelf 8.

[0062] The sum of the reduced thickness of the insert 10 and the reduced thickness of the shelf 8 equals the full thickness of either the shelf 8 or the insert 10.

[0063] Inside the storage compartment 6, there is a housing 19 for storing the modules of the upright 14 and the terminal 22 when they are not in use, particularly when the shelf 8 is in the second use configuration.

[0064] The housing 19 for the modules of the upright 14 is formed by a vertically extending gap delimited between one of the side panels 3 of the cabinet 1, the bottom 5 of the cabinet 1, and at least one shelf 8.

[0065] Specifically, the shelf 8 that delimits the upper side of this gap is the one positioned at the bottom. Within the gap on the bottom 5 of the cabinet 1, a box-shaped container 20 is provided to house at least a portion of the modules of the upright 14, and optionally the terminal 22 when detached from its respective upright module, as seen in Figure 14.

[0066] Alternatively, the stored terminal 22 may remain attached to one of the modules of the upright 14, as seen in Figures 2, 3, 8, and 9.

[0067] The cabinet 1 can include multiple shelves 8, all in the first use configuration, as shown in Figures 1 and 7, or all in the second use configuration, as shown in Figures 2 and 8, or a combination, some in the first use configuration and others in the second use configuration as shown in Figures 4 and 10.

[0068] In the latter case, ideal for storing vertically long items that do not span the full height of the cabinet 1, one or more lower shelves 8 are arranged in the first use configuration, while one or more upper shelves 8 are arranged in the second use configuration.

[0069] Below is a detailed description of the snap-fit connection system between the modules of the upright 14 and a shelf 8.

[0070] In the hole 15, two adjacent modules of the upright 14 engage, one from below and one from above, each having mating terminals 25 and 26 that fit together under pressure and clamp against opposite sides of an internal flange 24 of the hole 15.

[0071] These two terminals 25, 26, which engage with the interposed flange 24 of the hole 15, define a snap-fit connection between the shelf 8 and the upright 14.

[0072] The upper terminal 25, male type, includes an outer step that defines an external shoulder resting on the upper side of the flange 24 of the hole 15, while the lower terminal 26, female type, abuts the lower side of the flange 24.

[0073] The reduced-diameter portion of the upper male terminal 25, between the shoulder and the lower end, extends below the flange 24 of the hole 15 and engages into the female lower terminal 26. In practice, it has been found that the modular plastic cabinet according to the invention is particularly advantageous, as it allows the user to keep unused components inside the cabinet, readily available for use, enabling quicker and easier reconfiguration.

[0074] Indeed, to place the insert into the recess of the shelf, it is sufficient to rotate it via the hinge, without needing to orient or position it precisely, since the hinge itself guides the motion.

[0075] The modular plastic cabinet thus conceived is subject to numerous modifications and variations, all falling within the scope of the inventive concept; furthermore, all the details may be replaced with technically equivalent elements.

[0076] In practice, the materials used as well as the dimensions may be of any kind, depending on requirements and the state of the art.

Claims

1. Modular plastic cabinet (1), comprising a rear wall (2), two side panels (3), a top (4), and a bottom (5) delimiting a storage compartment (6), at least one movable front door (7) providing access to the storage compartment (6), and at least one shelf (8) supported within the storage compartment (6) and featuring a recess (9) and an insert (10) of complementary shape to said recess (9), characterized in that it comprises articulation means (11) connecting said insert (10) to said shelf (8), configured to support reversible rotation of said insert (10) between an occupation position (12) and a clear position (13) of the recess (9).

2. Modular plastic cabinet (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said articulation means (11) define a horizontal hinge axis (A) parallel to said rear wall (2).

3. Modular plastic cabinet (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said articulation means (11) define a horizontal hinge axis (A) parallel to said side panels (3).

4. Modular plastic cabinet (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said shelf (8) has a first use configuration in which said recess (9) faces said at least one front door (7) and said insert (10) is in said clear position (13).

5. Modular plastic cabinet (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that in said clear position (13), said insert (10) is tilted toward said rear wall (2) or toward one of said side panels (3).

6. Modular plastic cabinet (1) according to any of claims 4 or 5, characterized in that in said first use configuration, a modular upright (14) for supporting the shelf (8) is provided, arranged through a vertical front hole (15) passing through the shelf (8).

7. Modular plastic cabinet (1) according to any of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that said shelf (8) has a second use configuration in which said recess (9) faces said rear wall (2), and said insert (10) is in said occupation position (12).

8. Modular plastic cabinet (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said recess (9) comprises a perimeter frame (16) for supporting a perimeter edge (17) of said insert (10).

9. Modular plastic cabinet (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it comprises male / female type locking means (18) between said perimeter frame (16) of said recess (9) and said perimeter edge (17) of said insert (10).

10. Modular plastic cabinet (1) according to any of claims 6 to 9, characterized in that the interior of said storage compartment (6) comprises a housing (19) for storing the modules of said upright (14).

11. Modular plastic cabinet (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said housing (19) for the modules of the upright (14) is formed by a vertically extending gap delimited between one of the side panels (3) of the cabinet (1), the bottom (5) of the cabinet (1), and said at least one shelf (8).

12. Modular plastic cabinet (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that at the location of said gap on the bottom (5) of the cabinet (1) a box-shaped container (20) is provided to house at least a portion of said modules of the upright (14).

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