Collapsible Furniture Cabinet

Abstract

A furniture cabinet includes a removable horizontal base panel, a removable horizontal top panel, and a collapsible body. The collapsible body includes a front panel, a back panel, a split left panel and a split right panel. Hinges connect the two parts of the split left panel and the split right panel. Additional hinges connect the split panels to the front panel and back panel. The base panel and the top panel are configured for convenient removal from the body. When the base panel and the top panel are removed from the body, the split left panel and the split right panel may be foldable at the hinges. When the split left panel and the split right panel are folded, the front panel and the back panel are moved toward one another until all panels of the body are oriented parallel to one another.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The present application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 690,602, filed Sep. 4, 2024, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference herein.FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure relates to the field of furniture, and particularly to ready-to-assemble furniture products.BACKGROUND

[0003] Modern furniture is often sold in packages that hold unassembled furniture components that must be removed from the packaging and then assembled by the end user. Examples of such furniture can be found at any number of big box stores such as IKEA, Costco, and Walmart. Unassembled furniture is conveniently held by the seller at either a retail store where it may purchase by a customer, or at a warehouse where it is retained until it is transferred to the store or shipped to a customer. Because the furniture is sold unassembled with components arranged in a package, the footprint of the furniture is much smaller than it would be if the furniture were sold completely assembled. This saves valuable space for the both the retail store and the warehouse. Additionally, because the footprint of the furniture is smaller than assembled furniture, shipping cost are less to ship the furniture to retailers and / or customers. Moreover, because the furniture is not pre-assembled, the manufacturer saves on manufacturing costs. As a result of all of these savings, the unassembled furniture may be sold more cheaply than assembled furniture.

[0004] Unfortunately, once the unassembled furniture reaches the end customer, the customer typically finds unassembled furniture to be difficult to assemble. Customers are often frustrated with the complexity of assembly, the lack of clear instructions for assembly, the amount of tools required for assembly, and the amount of time to assemble the furniture. For this reason, some customers avoid the purchase of unassembled furniture.

[0005] In view of the foregoing, it would be desirable to provide unassembled furniture that may be conveniently packaged with a small footprint, but that is easy to assemble for the customer. It would also be advantageous for the furniture to be quickly assembled without the use of tools.SUMMARY

[0006] In at least one embodiment disclosed herein, a furniture cabinet includes a horizontal base panel, a removable horizontal top panel, and a collapsible vertical body including two opposing hinged side panels, a front panel, and a back panel. The furniture cabinet is packaged with the hinged side panels in a folded / split configuration, thus placing the body in a collapsed position wherein the front and back panels are moved toward one another with the split side panels positioned in between the front and back panels. With the hinges of the side panels folded, all of the panels of the vertical body are parallel to one another within the packaging. The base panel and top panel are also included in the packaging parallel to the body panels. The total thickness of the package is approximately that of the sum of the thicknesses of the two side panels, the front panel, the back panel, the base panel and the top panel.

[0007] In order to assemble the furniture cabinet, the end user simply removes the panels from the box, unfolds the body (i.e., moves the front panel away from the back panel in order to unfold the side panels), inserts the base panel into the bottom of the cabinet by resting the base panel on ledges fixed to the bottom of the body panels, and then places the top panel on the top of the body (with ribs on the bottom of the top panel abutting the upper perimeter of the body panels). No tools are required for assembly of the furniture cabinet.

[0008] In at least one embodiment, the furniture cabinet includes a horizontal base panel, a horizontal top panel and a collapsible vertical body. The collapsible vertical body includes a front panel, a back panel opposite the front panel, a left side split panel, and a right side split panel. The left side split panel includes a forward left panel portion hingedly connected to the front panel and a rearward left panel portion hingedly connected to the back panel. The forward left panel portion is hingedly connected to the rearward left panel portion such that the forward left panel portion and rearward left panel portion are configured to move inwardly on the collapsible body when the forward left panel portion is pivoted relative to the rearward left panel portion. The right side split panel includes a forward right panel portion hingedly connected to the front panel and a rearward right panel portion hingedly connected to the back panel. The forward right panel portion is hingedly connected to the rearward right panel portion such that the forward right panel portion and rearward right panel portion are configured to move inwardly on the collapsible body when the forward right panel portion is pivoted relative to the rearward right panel portion. An an interior cabinet space is defined by the front panel, the back panel, the left side split panel and the right side split panel of the collapsible vertical body. The horizontal base panel is positioned within the interior cabinet space of the collapsible vertical body. The horizontal top panel positioned on top of the collapsible vertical body above the interior cabinet space.

[0009] In another embodiment disclosed herein, the furniture cabinet is provided as part of a kit comprising a package, an expandable vertical body, a horizontal base panel, and a horizontal top panel. The expandable vertical body is positioned in the package with a plurality of interconnected panels of the vertical body arranged in parallel with one another. The plurality of panels include a front panel, a back panel opposite the front panel, a left side split panel positioned between and hingedly connected to both the front panel and the back panel, and a right side split panel positioned between and hingedly connected to both the front panel and the back panel. The horizontal base panel is positioned in parallel with the plurality of interconnected panels of the vertical body within the package. The horizontal top panel is positioned in parallel with the horizontal base panel and the plurality of interconnected panels of the vertical body within the package.

[0010] In yet another embodiment, a method of making a furniture cabinet is disclosed. The method includes opening a package comprising a plurality of panels for the furniture cabinet, and removing the plurality of panels from the package, the plurality of panels including an expandable vertical body, a horizontal base panel and a horizontal top panel. The method further includes placing the expandable vertical body in an upright position with a plurality of interconnected panels of the expandable vertical body arranged in parallel with one another, the plurality of interconnected panels including a front panel, a back panel opposite the front panel, a left side split panel rotatably connected to both the front panel and the back panel, and a right side split panel rotatably connected to both the front panel and the back panel. Thereafter, the method includes moving the front panel away from the back panel such that the left side split panel and the right side split panel both rotate relative to the front panel and the back panel with an interior cabinet space defined between the front panel, the back panel, the left side split panel, and the right side split panel. After this, the method includes arranging a horizontal base panel within the interior cabinet space with the horizontal base panel perpendicular to the front panel, back panel, left side split panel, and right side split panel, and then arranging a horizontal top panel above the interior cabinet space with the horizontal top panel perpendicular to the vertical front panel, back panel, left side split panel, and right side split panel.

[0011] The above described features and advantages, as well as others, will become more readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art by reference to the following detailed description and accompanying drawings. While it would be desirable to provide a wheelchair and related method for transporting people that provides one or more of these or other advantageous features as may be apparent to those reviewing this disclosure, the teachings disclosed herein extend to those embodiments which fall within the scope of the appended claims, regardless of whether they include or accomplish one or more of the advantages or features mentioned herein.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] FIG. 1 shows a front view of an assembled furniture cabinet;

[0013] FIG. 2 shows a side view of the furniture cabinet;

[0014] FIG. 3 shows a top view of the furniture cabinet of FIG. 1 with the top panel removed and the body in an expanded configuration;

[0015] FIG. 4 shows a top view of the body of the furniture cabinet of FIG. 1 in a collapsed configuration for packaging within a furniture stand kit;

[0016] FIG. 5 shows a perspective front side view of a vertical body of the furniture cabinet of FIG. 1 in the collapsed configuration following removal of the vertical body from the packaging;

[0017] FIG. 6 shows a perspective side view of the body of the furniture cabinet of FIG. 5 in the process of moving from the collapsed configuration to the expanded configuration;

[0018] FIG. 7 shows a perspective front side view of the body of the furniture cabinet of FIG. 5 in the expanded configuration;

[0019] FIG. 8 shows a base panel being inserted into the expanded body during assembly of the furniture cabinet;

[0020] FIG. 9 shows a top panel being inserted onto the expanded body during assembly of the furniture cabinet;

[0021] FIG. 10 shows a perspective front side view of the fully assembled furniture cabinet of FIG. 5;

[0022] FIG. 11 shows a front door of the assembled furniture cabinet of FIG. 10 swinging open to expose an interior cabinet space defined within the vertical body;

[0023] FIG. 12 shows a perspective front side view of another embodiment of the furniture cabinet of FIG. 1;

[0024] FIG. 13 shows a perspective rear side view of the furniture cabinet of FIG. 12;

[0025] FIG. 14 shows a front view of another embodiment of the furniture cabinet of FIG. 12;

[0026] FIG. 15 shows a perspective side view of the body of the furniture cabinet of FIG. 14 in the process of moving from the expanded configuration to the collapsed configuration;

[0027] FIG. 16 shows a perspective side view of the body of the furniture cabinet of FIG. 14 in the collapsed configuration;

[0028] FIG. 17 shows a perspective top view of an alternative embodiment of the furniture cabinet of FIG. 1 during assembly, wherein a hinged base panel of the furniture cabinet is in an upright / vertical position prior to being dropped to a horizontal position;

[0029] FIG. 18 shows a top perspective view of the furniture cabinet of FIG. 17 while the hinged base panel is in the process of dropping from the vertical position to the horizontal position; and

[0030] FIG. 19 shows a top perspective view of the furniture cabinet of FIG. 17 with the hinged base panel in the horizontal position.DESCRIPTION

[0031] With reference to FIGS. 1-4, a furniture cabinet 20 includes a horizontal base panel 22, a removable horizontal top panel 24, and a collapsible / expandable vertical body 30 comprised of a plurality of vertical panels. The base panel 22 and the top panel 24 are configured to abut the vertical panels at right angles, and the horizontal top panel 24 is specifically configured for convenient removal from the collapsible vertical body 30. When the base panel 22 is moved away from the vertical body 30 and / or pivoted away from a horizontal position, and when the top panel 24 is removed from the vertical body 30, the panels of the vertical body 30 may be moved between an expanded position (see FIGS. 2-3) and a collapsed position (see FIG. 4). It will be recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art that the furniture cabinet described herein is of “furniture quality” which is typical for use in a modern residential or commercial setting. Structures that are “furniture quality” are typically comprised of panels and other components that are durable, strong, and aesthetically pleasing. Accordingly, it will be recognized that structures comprised of relatively thin cardboard material are not “furniture quality” structures.

[0032] The horizontal base panel 22 of the furniture cabinet 20 is a generally flat panel with a rectangular shape, a planar upper surface and a planar lower surface. The base panel 22 is comprised of wood, which may be, for example, a solid wood, wood veneer, plywood, particle board, or composite material. The length and width dimensions of the base panel 22 are such that it fits within the interior of the body 30 in a flat, level, horizontal position with the perimeter edges of the base panel abutting (or nearly abutting) the interior surfaces of the body 30. The base panel 22 is supported on the interior of the body 30 by one or more ledges provided on the interior surface of the body 30 (note that ledges are not shown in FIGS. 1-4, but exemplary ledges 46 are illustrated in the embodiment of FIG. 13). In at least one embodiment, the one or more ledges 46 to support the base panel may be provided by a horizontal rib or other support member extending along an entire bottom portion or substantially all of the bottom portion of the front panel 32 and / or the back panel 34 (e.g., see horizontal member 34b shown in FIG. 8 which also serves as a ledge 46 for the horizontal base panel 22). As explained in further detail below, in some embodiments the horizontal base panel 22 is completely removable from the collapsible body 30. In other embodiments, the horizontal base panel 22 is pivotably connected to the collapsible body 30 at the back panel 34.

[0033] The horizontal top panel 24 is also a generally flat panel with a rectangular shape, a planar upper surface and a planar lower surface. The top panel 24 is comprised of wood, which may be, for example, a solid wood, wood veneer, plywood, particle board, or composite material. The length and width dimensions (i.e., length from front-to-back, and width from side-to-side) of the top panel 24 are greater than the length and width dimensions of the vertical body 30. The horizontal panel 24 is thus configured to rest on the top of the panels of the vertical body 30 in a flat, level, horizontal position. Because the length and width dimensions of the top panel 24 are greater than those of the body 30, a top lip of the furniture cabinet is formed on the underside of the top panel along the perimeter edges of the top panel 24. The underside of the top panel 24 further includes a plurality of ribs (not shown) that extend into the interior cabinet space 70 defined by the body 30 when the top panel 24 is positioned on the body 30. The ribs are arranged on the underside of the top panel such that they abut (or nearly abut) the front, back, left and right interior sides of the body 30 when the top panel 24 rests on the top edges of the body 30. In this manner, the top panel 24 is retained in place on the body 30 and prevented from sliding along the upper surface of the body 30.

[0034] The vertical body 30 includes a plurality of interconnected panels including a front panel 32, a back panel 34, a left split side panel 36, and a right split side panel 38. Each of the panels 32-38 are vertically oriented on the furniture cabinet (which may alternatively be referred to as a furniture “stand” or simply a “cabinet”) and are generally flat panels with a rectangular shape. Each of the panels 32-38 also includes a planar inner surface and a planar outer surface. The panels 32-38 are comprised of wood, which may be, for example, a solid wood, wood veneer, plywood, particle board, or composite material. The panels 32-38, while interconnected, are also moveable relative to one another.

[0035] The front panel 32 is presented on the front of the furniture cabinet 20, and may include one or more decorative or functional features. For example, an accessory panel in the form of a forward door 50 may be arranged in front of a face panel 32a. Hinges on one side of the door allow the door 50 to swing open and closed relative to the front panel 32. The total thickness of the front side panel 32 includes the thickness of the face panel 32a in addition to the thickness of any accessory panel, such as the door panel 50. In at least one embodiment the front panel 32 is comprised of at least two horizontal panel members that are positioned rearward from at least two vertical panel members. The horizontal panel members are fixedly connected to the vertical panel members with the horizontal panel members arranged behind of the vertical panel members. The door 50 is hingedly connected to one of the vertical panel members. The total thickness of the front panel includes the thickness of the horizontal panel members that lie in a common plane in addition to the thickness of the vertical panel members that lie in a common plane.

[0036] The back panel 34 is arranged opposite the front panel 32 on the furniture cabinet 20. The back panel 34 may be a completely closed panel, or may be substantially open, allowing access to the interior of the body 30 through the back panel 34. In at least one embodiment, such as that shown in FIGS. 3-8, the back panel 34 is comprised of at least two elongated horizontal panel members 34a, 34b that are positioned forward from at least two elongated vertical panel members 34c, 34d. The horizontal panel members 34a and 34b are fixedly connected to the vertical panel members with the horizontal panel members 34a and 34b arranged in front of the vertical panel members 34c, 34d, 34e. The total thickness of the back panel 34 includes the thickness of the horizontal panel members 34a that lie in a common plane in addition to the thickness of the vertical panel members 34c. 34d, and 34e that lie in a common plane.

[0037] The left side panel 36 and the right side panel 38 are split panels, meaning that each panel 36, 38 is comprised of a two-part panel wherein the two parts are separated but pivotably connected. In the embodiments disclosed herein the two parts are also identical or similar in size and shape. For example, the left side panel 36 shown in FIG. 2 is a left side split panel that includes a first / forward panel portion 36a that is pivotably connected to from a second / rearward panel portion 36b that has an equal size and shape as the first / forward panel portion 36a. Side hinges 40 connect the first panel portion 36a to the second panel portion 36b and allow the two panel members to rotate relative to one another along a vertical axis defined by the side hinges 40. The hinges 40 are located on the exterior surface of the panel 36 such that panel portions 36a and 36b are allowed to fold inwardly when the split panel portions 36a and 36b are rotated about the axis defined by the hinges 40. The hinges are further arranged such that the split panel portions 36a and 36b are prohibited from folding outwardly.

[0038] In addition to the side hinges 40 that connect the two parts of the split side panels 36, 38, the furniture cabinet 20 also includes corner hinges 42. The corner hinges 42 are located on the interior surfaces of each corner of the body 30, with each corner hinge 42 connecting one of the left side panel 36 or the right side panel 38 to either the front panel 32 or the back panel 34. The corner hinges allow the side panels 36, 38 to fold inwardly relative to the front panel 32 and back panel 34 when the side panels 36, 38 are rotated about the axes defined by the hinges 42.

[0039] Together, the hinges 40, 42 allow all of the panels 32-38 of the vertical body 30 to fold into alignment in a collapsed configuration (i.e., fold such that the primary flat surfaces of the panels are all parallel to one another) as shown in FIG. 4. With the body 30 folded into this collapsed configuration, the cabinet 20 may be easily packaged into a significantly smaller container than would be required if the cabinet 20 were packaged in the expanded configuration. Because the vertical body 30 is moveable between an expanded and collapsed configuration, the vertical body may alternatively be referred to herein as an “expandable vertical body” or a “collapsible vertical body,” wherein the vertical body 30 is an “expandable vertical body” when in the collapsed configuration and is a “collapsible vertical body” when in the expanded configuration. Accordingly, it will be recognized that the term “expandable vertical body” is synonymous with the term “collapsible vertical body,” and both terms are used interchangeably herein depending on configuration. When in the collapsed configuration, all of the panels 32-38 of the body 30 are parallel within the package, and the base panel 22 and top panel 24 are also arranged parallel to the panels 32-38 of the body. Accordingly, all of the panels are stacked upon one another within the package, and the total depth of the package is only slightly more than the combined thicknesses of the base panel 22, top panel 24, front panel 32, back panel 34, left side panel 36, and right side panel 38. For example, if the thickness of each panel is 0.75 inches, the total depth of the package may be only slightly more than 4.5 inches (i.e., 0.75 inches / panel×6 panels=4.5 inches). In at least some embodiments, the size of the base panel 22 or top panel 24 is such that these panels may be arranged in the package between the two side panels 36, 38 (e.g., at position 48 shown in FIG. 4) and / or within an opening in the back panel 34, if available.

[0040] FIG. 4 shows the vertical body positioned within a package 60 illustrated by dotted lines. The package 60 may be any appropriate package for storage, containment and shipment of furniture-quality merchandise, such as a cardboard container with foam or plastic inserts for padding, or other appropriate packaging as will be recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art. In FIG. 4, the top panel 24 and base panel 22 are not illustrated within the package 60, but it will be recognized that the top panel 24 and the base panel 22 are also arranged within the package 60 such that they are parallel to the front panel 32 and the rear panel 34 (e.g., the bottom surface of the top panel 24 abutting or in close proximity to the rear surface of the back panel 34 within the package 60). In this configuration wherein the vertical body 30 is in a collapsed position (and thus an “expandable vertical body”) within a package 60 and the base panel 22 and top panel 24 are positioned in the same package 60, a “kit” for a furniture cabinet is provided. In the embodiment disclosed herein, each interconnected panel of the vertical body 30 is defined by six faces including two larger faces, and four narrow elongated perimeter faces (which may also be referred to herein as “perimeter edges”). When placed in the package 60, at least one of the two larger faces of each panel engages one of the two larger faces of an adjacent panel within the package 60 (i.e., either directly or by a small separation with foam or other padding therebetween). Because of the unique design of the components of the furniture cabinet, a user who purchases the kit may assemble the furniture cabinet 20 without the use of tools.

[0041] With reference now to FIGS. 5-10, a method of assembly (and disassembly) of the cabinet 20 is shown. The method is typically performed by a user who purchases the kit described in the preceding paragraph (i.e., the expandable vertical body 30 along with the base panel 22 and top panel 24 within a package). The method begins with the cabinet 20 being removed from the package. FIG. 5 shows the collapsed configuration of the cabinet body 30 when all of the panels are removed from the box (or other packaging). Next, the body 30 of the cabinet 20 is moved from the collapsed configuration to the expanded configuration. FIG. 6 shows the split side panels 36, 38 being rotated relative to one another about the hinges 40 such that the front panel 32 is pushed away from the back panel 34 on the body 30. During this process of moving from the collapsed configuration to the expanded configuration, the split side panels 36, 38 move generally outwardly as illustrated by the double-sided arrow 80 in FIG. 6. This outward movement of the split side panels 36, 38 is accomplished by the forward panel portions 36a, 38a rotating relative to the rearward panel portions 36b, 38b at the hinges 40, while the forward panel portions 36a, 38a of the split panels rotate relative to the front panel 32 and the rearward panel portions 36b, 38b of the split panels rotate relative to the back panel 34. The interior cabinet space defined by the vertical body 30 increases during this outward / expanding movement of the split side panels 36, 38, the front panel 32, and the rear panel 34. FIG. 7 shows the body 30 of the cabinet opened to the expanded configuration. Because the front panel 32 and back panel 34 of the body 30 easily move inward and outward relative to one another as illustrated in FIGS. 5-7, and because the side panels 36, 38 appear to be pleated, the cabinet 20 may be considered to have accordion-like features. When in the expanded configuration, the split side panels 36, 38 are arranged perpendicular to the front panel 32 and the back panel 34 with the front edges of the split side panels 36, 38 positioned slightly forward from the front surface of the front panel 32, and back edges of the split panels 36, 38 positioned slightly rearward from the back surface of the back panel 34. Because of this, the vertical body 30 may be considered to have an “I” cross-sectional shape with the split panels 36, 38 forming the top and bottom of the I.

[0042] The next step in the method for assembling the cabinet 20 is to insert the base panel 22 into the interior of the expanded body 30. This step is illustrated in FIG. 8 with the user resting the base panel 22 on the ledges 46 on the bottom interior of the body. Depending on the exact fit of the base panel 22 relative to the interior surface of the body 30, the base panel may require some small amount of downward pressing to properly seat it in a horizontal position on the ledges. However, as explained in further detail below om association with FIGS. 17-19, in at least one alternative embodiment, the base panel 22 is hingedly connected to at least two of the vertical panel members 34c, 34d of the back panel 34. In this embodiment, the base panel 22 is simply rotated at hinges that connect the base panel 22 to the back panel 34, and the base panel 22 simply falls into place within the interior space of the cabinet 20 when the vertical body 30 is moved from the collapsed position to the expanded position.

[0043] With the base panel 22 in position on the expanded body 30, the method continues with the top panel 24 being placed on top of the expanded body 30, as shown in FIG. 9. The top panel 24 is a free panel within the package 60 meaning that the top panel 24 is disconnected from the other panels within the package 60. In order to assemble the top panel 24 on the furniture cabinet, the top panel is arranged with its underside facing the expanded vertical body 30. As noted previously, the ribs on the underside of the body lock the top panel 24 in place on the body 30 such that the top panel 24 is prevented from sliding. Depending on the exact fit of the ribs on the underside of the top panel 24 relative to the interior surface of the body 30, the top panel may require some small amount of downward pressing to properly seat it in a horizontal position on top of the body. The I-shaped cross-section of the vertical body 30 allows the top panel 24 to rest securely on the top of the vertical body 30 and acts to prevent downward pressure on the edges of the top panel 24 from accidentally dislodging the top panel from the vertical body 30.

[0044] The fully assembled cabinet 20 is shown in FIG. 10. As illustrated in FIGS. 5-10, the cabinet 20 may be removed from the packaging and assembled in a very short period of time (e.g., within one minute) and does not require the use of tools or fasteners. The simple upright nature of the cabinet 20 with the vertical panels 32-38 of the body supporting the horizontal to panel 24 makes the cabinet 20 is very strong and capable of holding significant weight. For example, depending on the particular embodiment of the cabinet, the cabinet is configured to hold hundreds of pounds or more of weight on the top panel 24. This makes the cabinet ideal for retaining heavy objects that are to be displayed in a home or business, such as large aquariums that hold dozens or even hundreds of gallons of water.

[0045] In addition to holding significant weight, the cabinet is also decorative and functional. For example, a door 50 may be provided on the front of the cabinet, allowing a user to access the interior of the body 30 of the cabinet, as shown in FIG. 11.

[0046] In addition to the foregoing embodiments of the cabinet 20, it will be recognized that numerous different embodiments are contemplated. For example, FIGS. 12 and 13 show an alternative embodiment of the cabinet that is wider than that of FIGS. 1-4 and includes two front doors 50. In this embodiment, the back panel 34 is open, exposing the ledges 46 located in the bottom surfaces of the front and back panels. As discussed previously, these ledges support the base panel 22 on the interior of the body 30.

[0047] Yet another example of an alternative embodiment of the cabinet is shown in FIGS. 14-16. In this embodiment, the cabinet 20 includes two decorative front doors 50. Because of the width of this embodiment of the cabinet 20, the body 30 includes two additional split panels 56, 58 located on the interior of the body between the two side panels 36, 38 (see FIG. 15). These additional split panels 56, 58 provide further structure for the cabinet 20, allowing it to be sturdy and support heavy weights even though it is a relatively wide piece of furniture.

[0048] In view of the foregoing, it will be recognized that a decorative furniture cabinet is disclosed herein for displaying large and / or heavy objects. One application for the cabinet 20 is to hold television or other media. Another application is for the furniture cabinet to hold and display fish tank aquariums. In at least some embodiments, the cabinet can securely hold 1,500 lbs. of weight. The collapsible design of the body allows it to easily fold to a compact and easy to transport size and shape. For example, the collapsible design reduces the length of the body of the cabinet (i.e., from front to back) to under 4 inches.

[0049] The compact design of the collapsed cabinet is convenient for transportation and storage (for the consumer in their home, for the retailer in their store, for the distributor in their warehouse). The hinged design of the cabinet keeps all the parts together in their correct location except the cabinet top and the bottom shelf which are loose / removable but rest on the body and are prevented from sliding. The doors remain fully attached in the collapsed state and the expanded state. The hinged design requires no tools to assemble the cabinet; current designs on market use hardware and require tools for assembly.

[0050] The collapsible hinged design allows a user to build the cabinet from the package by simply opening up the body to the expanded state, inserting the base panel (i.e., bottom shelf) into the body, and then placing the top panel (i.e., top shelf) on the body. Assembly can be completed in under one minute with most users with no hardware or tools required and no woodworking or handyman experience required. This is in contrast to current products on the market that utilize a hardware pack with screws and hinges and require multiple hours to complete the assembly. The design can be used across a wide range of sizes-current designs range from a small cabinet of 20 inches wide to a large cabinet of 72 inches wide. The collapsible design fits well with applications where the furniture cabinet will be moved.

[0051] With reference now to FIGS. 17-19, an alternative embodiment of the furniture cabinet is illustrated wherein the base panel 22 is hingedly connected to the vertical body 30. Specifically, the base panel 22 is hingedly connected to the back panel 34 via hinges 44. The base panel 22 may be advantageously connected to the vertical panel members 34c, 34d of the back panel 34, thus allowing the base panel to rotate into an upright position wherein is parallel with other panels of the vertical body 30 in the collapsed configuration and lies in a common plane with the horizontal panel members 34a, 34b. In this embodiment, when the vertical body 30 is moved to the expanded configuration from the collapsed position, the base panel 22 is initially arranged in a vertical position (e.g., as shown in FIG. 17). In order to move the base panel 22 from a vertical / collapsed position to its normal horizontal / expanded position within the furniture cabinet 20, the base panel 22 is simply rotated at the hinges 44 that connect the base panel 22 to the back panel 34. This process of rotation is illustrated by arrow 90 in FIG. 18. While a slight nudge may be required to rotate the base panel, in at least some instances the base panel 22 simply falls into place within the interior space of the cabinet 20 when the vertical body 30 is moved from the collapsed position to the expanded position.

[0052] Although the various embodiments of a furniture cabinet have been provided herein, it will be appreciated by those of skill in the art that other implementations and adaptations are possible. For example, while two different sizes and configurations of the furniture cabinet are disclosed herein, it will be recognized that numerous different sizes and configurations of the furniture cabinet are possible. In at least some embodiments, additional decorative or functional features may also be included on the panels. In yet other embodiments, the panels may be comprised of a non-wood material, such as a metal or plastic material. Furthermore, aspects of the various embodiments described herein may be combined or substituted with aspects from other features to arrive at different embodiments from those described herein. Thus, it will be appreciated that various of the above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be desirably combined into many other different systems or applications. Various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations, or improvements therein may be subsequently made by those skilled in the art which are also intended to be encompassed by any eventually appended claims.

Claims

1. A furniture cabinet comprising:a collapsible vertical body including:a front panel,a back panel opposite the front panel,a left side split panel including a forward left panel portion hingedly connected to the front panel and a rearward left panel portion hingedly connected to the back panel, the forward left panel portion hingedly connected to the rearward left panel portion such that the forward left panel portion and rearward left panel portion are configured to move inwardly on the collapsible body when the forward left panel portion is pivoted relative to the rearward left panel portion, anda right side split panel including a forward right panel portion hingedly connected to the front panel and a rearward right panel portion hingedly connected to the back panel, the forward right panel portion hingedly connected to the rearward right panel portion such that the forward right panel portion and rearward right panel portion are configured to move inwardly on the collapsible body when the forward right panel portion is pivoted relative to the rearward right panel portion,wherein an interior cabinet space is defined by the front panel, the back panel, the left side split panel and the right side split panel of the collapsible vertical body;a horizontal base panel positioned within the interior cabinet space of the collapsible vertical body; anda horizontal top panel positioned on top of the collapsible vertical body above the interior cabinet space.

2. The furniture cabinet of claim 1 wherein the horizontal top panel is removable from the collapsible vertical body, the horizontal top panel further comprising a plurality of alignment ribs positioned on a bottom side of the horizontal top panel and arranged within the interior cabinet space with at least one of the plurality of bottom ribs abutting an interior surface of the collapsible vertical body.

3. The furniture cabinet of claim 1, the collapsible vertical body further comprising a plurality of support ribs positioned within the interior cabinet space with the horizontal base panel resting on the plurality of support ribs.

4. The furniture cabinet of claim 3, wherein the horizontal base panel is removably positioned within the interior cabinet space.

5. The furniture cabinet of claim 1 wherein the horizontal base panel is hingedly connected to an interior surface of the collapsible vertical body within the interior cabinet space.

6. The furniture cabinet of claim 5 wherein the back panel includes at least two elongated horizontal panel members connected to at least two elongated vertical panel members, wherein the horizontal base panel is hingedly connected to the at least two elongated vertical panel members of the back panel.

7. The furniture cabinet of claim 1 wherein the front panel includes a face panel with a door hingedly connected to the face panel.

8. A kit for a furniture cabinet comprising:a package;an expandable vertical body positioned in the package, the expandable vertical body comprising a plurality of interconnected panels arranged in parallel with one another within the package, the plurality of panels including a front panel, a back panel opposite the front panel, a left side split panel positioned between and hingedly connected to both the front panel and the back panel, and a right side split panel positioned between and hingedly connected to both the front panel and the back panel;a horizontal base panel positioned in parallel with the plurality of interconnected panels of the vertical body within the package; anda horizontal top panel positioned in parallel with the horizontal base panel and the plurality of interconnected panels of the vertical body within the package.

9. The kit of claim 8 wherein the horizontal base panel is hingedly connected to the expandable vertical body and wherein the horizontal top panel is disconnected from the expandable vertical body within the package.

10. The kit of claim 9 wherein the back panel includes at least two elongated horizontal panel members connected to at least two elongated vertical panel members, wherein the horizontal base panel is hingedly connected to the at least two elongated vertical panel members of the back panel.

11. The kit of claim 8 wherein the horizontal base panel and the horizontal top panel are disconnected from the expandable vertical body within the package.

12. The kit of claim 8 wherein:the left side split panel includes a forward left panel portion hingedly connected to a rearward left panel portion, wherein the forward left panel portion is hingedly connected to the front panel and the rearward left panel portion is hingedly connected to the back panel; andthe right side split panel includes a forward right panel portion hingedly connected to a rearward right panel portion, wherein the forward right panel portion is hingedly connected to the front panel and the rearward right panel portion is hingedly connected to the back panel.

13. The kit of claim 12 wherein the forward left panel portion and rearward left panel portion are configured to pivot relative to one another when the front panel is moved away from the back panel, and wherein the forward right panel portion and rearward right panel portion are configured to pivot relative to one another when the front panel is moved away from the back panel.

14. The kit of claim 8 wherein each panel of the plurality of interconnected panels of the expandable vertical body includes six faces with two larger faces, wherein at least one of the two larger faces of each panel engages one of the two larger faces of an adjacent panel within the package.

15. A method of making a furniture cabinet comprising:opening a package comprising a plurality of panels for the furniture cabinet;removing the plurality of panels from the package, the plurality of panels including an expandable vertical body, a horizontal base panel and a horizontal top panel;placing the expandable vertical body in an upright position with a plurality of interconnected panels of the expandable vertical body arranged in parallel with one another, the plurality of interconnected panels including a front panel, a back panel opposite the front panel, a left side split panel rotatably connected to both the front panel and the back panel, and a right side split panel rotatably connected to both the front panel and the back panel;moving the front panel away from the back panel such that the left side split panel and the right side split panel both rotate relative to the front panel and the back panel with an interior cabinet space defined between the front panel, the back panel, the left side split panel, and the right side split panel;arranging a horizontal base panel within the interior cabinet space with the horizontal base panel perpendicular to the front panel, back panel, left side split panel, and right side split panel; andarranging a horizontal top panel above the interior cabinet space with the horizontal top panel perpendicular to the vertical front panel, back panel, left side split panel, and right side split panel.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the left side split panel is rotatably connected to the front panel and the back panel with a first plurality of hinges, and wherein the right side split panel is rotatably connected to the front panel and the back panel with a second plurality of hinges.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein the left side split panel includes a forward left panel portion hingedly connected to a rearward left panel portion with the forward left panel portion hingedly connected to the front panel and the rearward left panel portion hingedly connected to the back panel, and wherein the right side split panel includes a forward right panel portion hingedly connected to a rearward right panel portion with the forward right panel portion hingedly connected to the front panel and the rearward right panel portion hingedly connected to the back panel.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein the front panel is moved away from the back panel until the forward left panel portion and the rearward left panel portion of the split left side panel are perpendicular to the front panel and the back panel, and until the forward right panel portion and the rearward right panel portion of the right side split panel are perpendicular to the front panel and the back panel.

19. The method of claim 15 wherein the horizontal base panel is hingedly connected to one of the front panel and the back panel, and wherein arranging the horizontal base panel within the interior cabinet space includes rotating the horizontal base panel from a position that is parallel to the front panel and the back panel to a position that is perpendicular to the front panel and the back panel.

20. The method of claim 15 wherein the horizontal top panel is a free panel relative to the plurality of interconnected panels of the expandable vertical body, and wherein arranging the horizontal top panel within the interior cabinet space includes inserting a plurality of ribs on a bottom of the horizontal top panel into engagement with the expandable vertical body and / or into the interior cabinet space.

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