Space Master Cabinet System

The present invention relates to improvements in collapsible cabinet and table systems having a stationary base cabinet, a table top capable of being stored in a substantially vertical position and used in a substantially horizontal position, and a mobile cart which simultaneously operates the table top and is stored inside of or pulled from the base cabinet.

Modern conveniences require consolidation of furniture. The invention set forth hereinafter provides collapsible, compact and convenient furniture useful in such matters as sewing machine cabinets, and home and office business facilities that include computers and other equipment, as well as in a variety of other applications.

Other folding table/storage cabinet devices are known, but each fail to solve certain limitations and disadvantages as are solved with the present invention. U.S. Pat. No. 2,004,896 discloses a foldaway table system, but without the significant improvements provided for in the present invention, and as described below. German Patent Application No. DE 3,739,658 A1 discloses a foldaway table top, but without the stabilizing and adaptability features of the present invention. Likewise, German Patent Application No. 2,013,607 discloses a folding table that lacks important features of and functions unlike the present invention.

The present invention relates to improvements in collapsible or foldaway work surfaces, mobile and fixed storage cabinets.

The present invention provides a desirable solution to problems associated with such compact, foldaway work systems by improving the stability, flexibility, compactness, ease of assembly and disassembly, and other desirable features that offer advantages over known systems. The present invention offers an improved device capable of meeting a broad range of functional needs, yet that can be collapsed so as to meet important space requirements and limitations. The present invention provides a convenient, economic and expedient manner in which such items as hobby equipment and home and business office facilities and equipment may be stored in a space conserving environment. The present invention is adaptable for use with such applications as (including, but not limited to) computers and peripherals, sewing machines, and many other items. The invention permits equipment and work surfaces/areas to be quickly expanded and/or raised to an elevated position to provide ready operator access, later to be conveniently returned to a condensed storage position.

Embodiments of the present invention provide a glide track and interlocking pin and detent/slot structure in opposing interior panels of a base cabinet, optionally provided with a system of entrance/exit channels which permit the table/mobile cart portions of the device to be easily disassembled from the stationary base cabinet of the device.

Other embodiments of the present invention may include an upper and/or lower set(s) of alignment/locking blocks that mobile cart portions of the device to be securely closed and positioned into the stationary portion of the device.

Another embodiment of the present invention includes a set of spring-biased or locking guide pins attached to the table (and thereby to the mobile cart portion(s) of the device) to be easily disassembled from the base cabinet portion of the unit, exchanged for another attachable mobile cart portion, and/or used independently from the stationary base cabinet portion of the device.

In the accompanying drawings, preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of example only, wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a side view of the extended unit of the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows a side view of a collapsed unit of the present invention;

FIG. 3 shows an end view of a pin and slide track embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of an extended unit of the present invention;

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of a collapsed unit of the present invention;

FIG. 6A shows a side view of a pin and slide track embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6B shows a side view of a pin and slide track embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6C shows a side view of a pin and slide track embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 shows a multi-use embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8A shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8B shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8C shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8D shows an end view of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8E shows an end view of an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 9 shows a side view of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 shows a side view of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11A shows a side view of a pin and slide track embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11B shows a perspective view of a pin and slide track embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11A shows a side view of a pin and slide track embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12B shows a perspective view of a pin and slide track embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13A shows a side view of a pin and slide track embodiment of thee present invention;

FIG. 13B shows an exploded perspective view of a pin and slide track embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 14A shows a perspective view of a pin and slide track embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 14B shows a side view of a pin and slide track embodiment of the present invention;

FIG.15A shows a slide view of a pin and slide track embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 15B shows a side view of a pin and slide track embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 15C shows a side view of a pin and slide track embodiment of the present invention.

The height, width and depth of the base cabinet/work surface/mobile cart unit can be varied to meet desired criteria; a desirable set of dimensions (in inches) and associated applications for the device are set forth in TABLE I.

The collapsible cabinet and table system of the present invention allows easy removal and installation of mobile cabinet/caddie to provide easy transportation and moving of the cabinet. The space saving pullout is a unique system that offers space saving and function in one cabinet. When the mobile cabinet is pulled out of the base cabinet, the table (work surface) pops up automatically and locks in the up position; in some embodiments, the pins drops in track indents. To store or collapse the unit, the user is to applies lift to the table/work surface, and then pushes the work surface/mobile cabinet into the base cabinet. To open the unit, the user pulls out the mobile unit, which simultaneously lifts the table/work surface into the horizontal or "up" position.

Casters, slides, wheels or other means may be used under the mobile cabinet to facilitate the movement and operation of the device. The resulting unit is quite flexible, light, occupies little space when folded, and provides a stable work area when in operating position.

FIG. 1 shows a side elevational view, in partial section of one embodiment of the invention. This embodiment of unit 1 shows a base cabinet 2, which operates as a "nesting" or "docking" station or garage for and mobile cart 4. A hinged, movable work surface 3 spans the distance between the base cabinet 2 and mobile cart 4. Mobile unit 4 is capable of sliding or rolling on casters 8 into the internal cavity of base cabinet 2, as shown in FIG. 1 and cutaway FIG. 2.

FIG. 3 shows a pin 5a which nests in track 6a of an inner wall 7a of base cabinet 2. As shown in FIG. 3, pin 5a glides along track 6a. Track 6a is cut in inner wall 7a of base cabinet 2.

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of mobile cart 4 extended in use position from base cabinet 2. FIG. 4 also shows the inner wall 7b with track 6b; pin 5b slides along track 6b. Inner wall 7b, with track 6b and pin 5b is a mirror image of pin 5a, track 6a and inner panel 7a depicted in FIG. 3.

As shown in FIG. 4, pins 5a and 5b slide along tracks 6a and 6b, respectively, so as to permit work surface 3 to be folded down and moved inside base cabinet 2, as mobile unit 4 is simultaneously rolled inside base cabinet 2 on casters 8. Work surface 3/mobile cart 4 can easily be detached from base cabinet 2 once pins 5a and 5b are freed from their position in tracks 6a and 6b.

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of base cabinet 2, with mobile cart 4 stored completely inside.

FIG. 6A shows a side view of work surface 3 fully collapsed inside base cabinet 2, and mobile unit 4 rolled fully inside base cabinet 2. FIG. 6B shows a side view of work surface 3 partially collapsed inside base cabinet 2, and mobile unit 4 partially rolled out of base cabinet 2. FIG. 6C shows a side view of work surface 3 fully extended into horizontal use position outside inside base cabinet 2, and mobile unit 4 fully extended from base cabinet 2.

FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of a base cabinet 2, with interchangeable mobile cart/work surface units. A first mobile cart 3a and work surface 4a unit may be intended for use as a home sewing setup; a second mobile cart 3b and work surface 4b unit may be intended for use as a home office setup.

FIG. 8A shows a perspective view of another embodiment of base cabinet 2, with a mobile cart 4 and work surface 3. FIG. 8B shows a perspective view of inner panel 7a of base cabinet 2, with track 6a cut into inner panel 7a. FIG. 8C shows a perspective view of inner panel 7b of base cabinet 2, with track 6b cut into inner panel 7b.

FIG. 8D shows an end view of a desired embodiment of pin 2a and track 6a. Flared base 9a prevents the outer end of pin 2a from slipping out of conforming track 6a of inner panel 7a; adapted to substantially matingly receive flared base 9a. This interlocking system of pin 2a, flared base 9a and track 6a adds stability and security to the unit. An optional embodiment of pin 2a is detachably fastened to flared base 9a, so that this interlocking pin and track system may be used with closed end embodiments of tracks 6a and 6b of the present invention, as described and shown in the Figures below. A mirror image of flared base 8a, pin 2a and track 6a of inner panel 7a (flared base 8b, pin 2b and track 6b) are also opposingly configured with inner side 7b (not shown).

FIG. 9 shows a detailed side view of a preferred configuration of the inner wall of the base cabinet 2 (as shown in FIG. 8A, for example), which inner wall is herein designated by reference numeral 11a. Also shown is a preferred track embodiment designated by reference numeral 10a. FIG. 10 shows a detailed side view of the configuration of an opposing inner wall configuration that is a mirror image of FIG. 9. On this opposing inner wall, designated by reference numeral 11b, a pin will slide along a track 10b. For purposes of explanation, FIG. 9 will be used to describe the inner wall, pin and track configurations of this embodiment of device 1, as again, each set of inner walls, pins and tracks are a mirror image of each other.

FIG. 9 shows the upper portion of track 10a having a lower detent 13a and a top exit port 14a. In some desired embodiments, a stop block 15a may be permanently or removably placed inside top exit port 14a, to prevent/permit a pin to exit track 10a, and as shown in FIG. 7, to permit work surface 3 and mobile cart 4 to be completely detached from base cabinet 2. Stop block 15a is not necessary in all applications. Desirably, portion 16a of track 10a may have a slight downward slope in relation to portion 17a of the track. In this manner, the weight of work surface 3 assists in stabilizing mobile cart 4 and work surface 3 while in its fully extended position, as shown in FIGS. 1, 4 and 6C.

FIG. 10 is a mirror image of FIG. 9. FIG. 10 shows the upper portion of track 10b having a lower detent 13b and a top exit port 14b. In some desired embodiments, a stop block 15b may be permanently or removably placed inside top exit port 14b, to prevent/permit a pin to exit track 10b, and as shown in FIG. 7, to permit work surface 3 and mobile cart 4 to be completely detached from base cabinet 2. Stop block 15b is not necessary in all applications. Desirably, portion 16b of track 10b may have a slight downward slope in relation to portion 17b of the track. Again, in this manner, the weight of work surface 3 assists in stabilizing mobile cart 4 and work surface 3 while in its fully extended position, as shown in FIGS. 1, 4 and 6C.

FIGS. 11A and 11b show another embodiment of inner wall 7a track 6a, having a small lower stop detent 18a and a top exit port 19b. In some desired embodiments, a stop block 20a (as shown in FIG. 11a) may be permanently or removably placed inside top exit port 19a, to prevent/permit a pin to exit the end of track 6. The opposing inner wall and track (not shown) is a mirror image of FIGS. 11A and 11B.

The configuration of track 6a near the exit port in FIGS. 11A and 11B permits the user to move the table or work surface to which pin 5 is mounted easily out of the track, or deeper into the track. As such, track 6a as shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B may be preferable over the track 6a shown in FIGS. 9 and 10.

FIGS. 12A and 12B show another embodiment of inner wall 7a with track 6a, having a stop detent 21a, and a bottom exit port 22a. An L-shaped stop block 23a is permanently or removably placed inside bottom exit port 22a, to prevent/permit pin 5 to exit track 6a. The opposing inner wall and track (not shown) is a mirror image of FIGS. 12A and 12B.

FIGS. 13A and 13B show another embodiment of inner wall 7a with track 6a, having a stop detent 24a, but not requiring any exit port. Retractable pins 25a and 25b prevent/permit work surface 3 to be attached or detached from base cabinet 2. The opposing inner wall and track (not shown) is a mirror image of FIGS. 13A and 13B.

FIGS. 14A and 14B show an embodiment of the device that includes upper guide blocks 27 and 28, mounted on the sides of mobile cart 4, which insert into tracks 29 and 30 so as to align and/or secure mobile cart 4 into nesting or storage position inside base cabinet 2. In alternative embodiments as apparent in FIGS. 14A, 14B and other Figures herein, the slots may be formed in the mobile cart and the guide blocks may be attached to the inner sides of the base cabinet.

FIGS. 15A, 15B and 15C show three side views of an embodiment of the device that includes lower guide block 31a, mounted on the inside surfaces of base cabinet 2, so as to elevate and/or align and/or secure mobile cart 4 into nesting or storage position inside base cabinet 2. The opposing inner wall, track and guide block is a mirror image of that as shown in FIGS. 15A, 15B and 15C.

FIG. 15A shows a side view of work surface 3 fully collapsed inside base cabinet 2, and mobile unit 4 rolled fully inside base cabinet 2, with the lower corners of mobile cart 4 resting on lower guide block 31a (and, as the reader will appreciate, the mobile cart 4 will simultaneously rest on the opposing lower guide block on the opposite inner wall, not shown), so as to elevate and/or align and/or secure mobile cart 4 into nesting or storage position inside base cabinet 2. FIG. 15B shows a side view of work surface 3 partially collapsed inside base cabinet 2, mobile unit 4 partially rolled out of base cabinet 2, with the lower leading corners of mobile cart 4 just touching the leading edge of lower guide block 31a, and its opposing lower guide block, (not shown). FIG. 15C shows a side view of work surface 3 fully extended into horizontal use position outside inside base cabinet 2, and mobile unit 4 fully extended from base cabinet 2.

While presently preferred embodiments of practicing the invention has been shown and described with particularity in connection with the accompanying drawings, the invention may be otherwise embodied within the scope of the following claims.