GB2052956A

GB2052956A - Frame constructions

Info

Publication number: GB2052956A
Application number: GB8018679A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: LB Plastics Ltd
Current assignee: LB Plastics Ltd
Priority date: 1979-06-09
Filing date: 1980-06-06
Publication date: 1981-02-04

Abstract

A set of parts to be assembled to form a frame construction comprises at least three wall panels formed from a continuous panel member divided by V-notches into sections to be folded at right angles to one another about the notches to form the wall panels, and clip members for engagement at the corners of the frame construction to retain the wall panels in their folded condition. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Frame constructions The invention relates to frame constructions and is especially, but not exclusively, applicable to the construction of drawers and bathroom cabinets.

With the advent of so called "knock-down" furniture which is supplied in parts for assembly by the purchaser, there came a need for a "knock-down" drawer which could be simply and easily assembled and was relatively inexpensive. A number of satisfactory drawers of this kind are available but it is an object of the present invention to provide alternative means enabling the construction of a cheap and simple drawer. The invention may also be used to produce a bathroom cabinet of knockdown form.

The invention provides a set of parts which may be assembled to form a frame construction comprising at least three wall panels formed from a continuous panel member divided by V-notches into sections which may be folded at right angles to one another about the notches to form the wall panels, and clip members adapted for engagement over the folded wall panels at the corners of the frame construction to retain the wall panels in their folded condition.

Preferably the clip members have means for embracing adjacent edge portions of the wall panels, and retaining means for co-operation with complementary retaining means on the wall panels to secure same together in the folded condition.

Preferably also the retaining means comprise projection on or recesses in inwardly directed surfaces of the clip members adapted for engagement with complementary recesses or projections formed in or on the adjacent surfaces of the wall panels. It is preferred that the retaining means comprise projections on the clip members engageable with recesses in the wall panels.

The portions of the clip members adapted for engagement with the wall panels preferably comprise channels of generally U-shape in cross-section having their bases interconnected, disposed in the same plane and inclined at right angles to one another.

When used in the construction of drawers the connecting clips will be provided at at least the rear corners of the drawer frame, one connector being fitted at the upper and lower end of each corner. In some cases all four sides of the drawer may be constructed from similar wall panels interconnected by connecting clips at all four corners.

When used in the construction of cabinets the wall panels form at least the top and sides of the cabinet and in some cases of its door, one connector being fitted at each upper corner. Generally the floor of the cabinet will also be formed by one of the wall panels, connectors being fitted at the upper and lower corners of the assembled frame.

The continuous panel member may advantageously be formed of hollow section extruded plastics material or could be formed from plastics covered chipboard or the like, and preferably incorporates a longitudinal recess adjacent one of its edges to acommodate a drawer bottom or cabinet back.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a drawer incorporating a frame construction according to the invention; Figures 2 and 3 are perspective views of a connecting clip used at the rear corners of the drawer shown in Fig. 1; and Figures 4 to 6 are perspective views of connecting clips used at the front of the drawer, Figs. 4 and 5 showing a left hand clip and Fig. 6 a right hand clip.

Referring to Fig. 1, there is shown a drawer having front, back and side walls constructed from an extruded plastic member of hollow cross-section divided by V-notches (not shown) into five sections which may be bent at right angles to one another about the Vnotches to form the back 1 2C, sides 1 2B, 1 2D and front 1 2A, 1 2E of a drawer 10.

Grooves (not shown) formed in the inner faces of the sections provide a recess to accommodate the edges of a drawer base 11, and grooves or channels 1 3 formed in the outer surfaces of the member form, in the case of the sections 1 2B, 1 2D constituting the drawer sides, rebates for engagement with drawer runners mounted in a cabinet or other structure in which the drawer is supported in use.

The drawer wall panels are retained at right angles to one another and strengthened by means of clips 14 of the kind shown in Figs.

2 and 3. Each clip comprises a base 1 5 of Lshape having pairs of inner and outer depending flanges 1 6 and 1 7 formed from the material of the base itself by bending at right angles so as to form two generally U-shaped members disposed at 90" to one another.

Circular depressions 1 8 are formed in the outer faces of the outer flanges 1 7 in order to provide dome-shaped projections 1 9 on their inner faces engageable with complementary recesses or holes (not shown) in the wall panels. The entire clip is formed from a metal blank by stamping and pressing.

Two such clips are fitted at each of the rear corners of the drawer and engage over the upper and lower edges of the wall panels, the projections 1 9 on the inner surfaces of the flanges 1 7 of the clips engaging in complementary holes or recesses provided in the outer surfaces of the wall panels 1 2B, 1 2C 1 2D adjacent their corners. The arrangement is such that the clips snap into position on the corners, retain the panels in position and rigidify the structure.

At the front of the drawer the sections 1 2A, 1 2E of the extruded member form a front wall to which is attached a facia board 20 of wood or other suitable material. The side and front wall panels are rigidified and secured to the facia board 20 by front connecting clips 24 similar to the rear corner clips 14. The clips 24 include a base 25 having depending flanges 26, 27 provided with inwardly directed projections 29 which engage in holes or recesses in the wall panels. The clips are secured to the facia board 20 by screws 30 (Fig. 1) passed through tabs 31 on the clips.

By virtue of the arrangement described there is provided a simple and effective manner of retaining drawer wall panels at right angles to one another. The clips are of extremely simple construction, may be cheaply produced and are also extremely easy to fit in position compared with arrangements utilizing clips which require to be engaged within the V-notches or necessitate the use of adhesive which are time consuming and inconvenient.

Various modifications may be made without departing from the invention. For example while reference has been made to the construction of a drawer frame using panels of extruded construction, components according to the invention may be used to interconnect panels of solid construction and may be applied to items other than drawers. For example a bathroom cabinet may be constructed by folding a V-notched panel member at three or four locations to form the top, bottom and side walls of the cabinet, a back wall being engaged in slots similar to those used to receive the drawer base. The cabinet door may be similarly constructed, the clip members serving to rigidify the corners and also conceal the mitred joint between the adjacent walls from view.

In further modification the extent to which the flanges project from the base of the clip may be altered and the inner and outer pairs of flanges may project to the same or different extents. Projections may also be provided on the inner flanges for engagement with complementary recesses or holes in the members to be connected either in addition to or instead of the outer flanges. More than one projection may be provided on each flange if desired and the prjections could be of different shape. In some cases the projections may be omitted and the caps press-fitted in position. The clips may also be formed from plastics or other material instead of metal.

Claims

1. A set of parts which may be assembled to form a frame construction comprising at least three wall panels formed from a continuous panel member divided by V-notches into sections which may be folded at right angles to one another about the notches to form the wall panels, and clip members adapted for engagement over the folded wall panels at the corners of the frame construction to retain the wall panels in their folded condition.

2. A set of parts according to claim 1 wherein said continuous panel member is formed from hollow section extruded plastics material.

3. A set of parts according to claim 1 wherein said continous panel member is formed from plastics covered chipboard.

4. A set of parts according to any preceding claim wherein said continuous panel member incorporates a longitudinal recess adjacent one of its edges.

5. A set of parts according to any preceding claim wherein said continuous panel member is provided with three notches whereby to form a closed framed having four walls.

6. A set of parts according to any preceding claim wherein said clip members have means for embracing adjacent edge portions of the wall panels, and retaining means for cooperation with complementary retaining means on the wall panels to secure same together in the folded condition.

7. A set of parts according to claim 6 wherein said retaining means comprise projections on the clip members engageable with recesses in the wall panels.

8. A set of parts according to claim 6 or 7 wherein the portions of the clip members adapted for engagement with the wall panels comprise channels of generally U-shape in cross-section having their bases interconnected, disposed in the same plane and inclined at right angles to one another.

9. A set of parts according to any preceding claim for use in constructing a drawer frame wherein said continuous panel member is provided with a longitudinal track in one face thereof adapted to form recesses in the opposite side walls of the assembled drawer frame for engagement with runners on which the drawer is mounted in use.

10. A frame construction formed from a set of parts according to any preceding claim.

11. A drawer in which the back and side walls are formed from a continuous panel member having three sections folded at right angles to one another and retained in the folded condition by connecting clips mounted at the upper and lower regions of each corner of the drawer, and a drawer base retained in position by engagement of its edges in longitudinally extending slots in said sections of the panel member.

1 2. A drawer according to claim 11 wherein a front panel is connected to the side walls of the drawer by connecting clips adapted to engage over and lock on to the front ends regions of the side walls of the drawer and having bracket portions screwed to the rear face of said front panel.

1 3. A drawer substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 4. A cabinet wherein the top, bottom and side walls are formed from a continuous panel member folded to form a closed rectangular frame and retained in the folded condition by connecting clips engaged over corners of the frame.

1 5. A cabinet according to claim 14 having a door which is similarly constructed.

1 6. A cabinet substantially as hereinbefore described.

1 7. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter herein disclosed, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding claims.