Modular storage cabinet

Abstract

A modular cabinet system is disclosed. Posts are mounted between a top member and a bottom member to form a sturdy frame. The frame is configured to slidably receive side panels to form an exterior. The frame is also configured to receive doors and shelving to form a door cabinet or drawers to form a drawer cabinet. The doors rotate on a hinge rod, which is received in the top and bottom members of the frame. Alternatively, the frame receives a set of drawers. The frame slidably receives drawer brackets in the posts of the frame. The drawer brackets are spaced to provide a desired clearance between drawers. The disclosed cabinets use the same frame and panels whether the cabinet is to receive doors or drawers. The cabinet is also easily assembled such that it can be shipped in a compacted form and assembled by the purchaser or user.

1 . A modular cabinet comprising: 
 a plurality of posts mounted between a top member and a bottom member to form a frame, the frame being configured to interchangeably receive at least one drawer or at least one door or at least one shelf;    wherein each of the plurality of posts has at least one panel groove formed longitudinally therein; and    a plurality of panels attached to the frame of the cabinet to form an exterior.    
   
   
       2 . The modular cabinet of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of posts is a single-piece post.  
   
   
       3 . The modular cabinet of  claim 2 , wherein each post is formed from extruded aluminum.  
   
   
       4 . The modular cabinet of  claim 1 , wherein the top and top members are formed from blow molded plastic.  
   
   
       5 . The modular cabinet of  claim 1 , wherein the frame further comprises a channel formed longitudinally in each of the plurality of posts and wherein at least one drawer is mounted to the frame using a drawer bracket, the drawer bracket being received in the channel, the drawer bracket being fastened to the post at a selected height.  
   
   
       6 . The modular cabinet of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one door comprises a hinge rod, and wherein the top and bottom members of the frame each have an receptacle formed therein, the receptacle in the top and bottom members being configured to receive the hinge rod.  
   
   
       7 . The modular cabinet of  claim 1 , wherein the components of the cabinet are compactable and form a kit such that the modular cabinet can be transported in a compact form, the kit being configured to be assembled by a user or purchaser, wherein the user or purchaser assembles substantially all the components of the kit by screwing, sliding or snapping the components together.  
   
   
       8 . A modular cabinet comprising: 
 a plurality of posts mounted between a top member and a bottom member to form a frame, the frame being configured to interchangeably receive at least one drawer or at least one door of at least one shelf, wherein the at least one door is received in first and second receptacles formed in respective bottom and top members and wherein the drawer has a drawer bracket that is received in respective channels formed in each of two of the plurality of posts, wherein each of the plurality of posts has at least one panel groove formed longitudinally therein; and    a plurality of panels attached to the frame of the cabinet to form an exterior.    
   
   
       9 . The modular cabinet of  claim 8 , wherein each of the plurality of posts is a single-piece post.  
   
   
       10 . The modular cabinet of  claim 8 , wherein each post is formed from extruded aluminum.  
   
   
       11 . The modular cabinet of  claim 8 , wherein the drawer bracket is slidably received in the channel.  
   
   
       12 . A modular cabinet comprising: 
 a plurality of posts mounted between a top member and a bottom member to form a frame, each of the plurality of posts having at least one panel groove and at least one channel formed longitudinally therein, the at least one channel being configured to receive a shelf bracket or a drawer bracket; and    a plurality of panels attached to the frame to form an exterior, each panel being slidably received in the panel groove of two of the plurality of posts.    
   
   
       13 . The modular cabinet of  claim 12 , wherein the frame is configured to interchangeably receive at least one drawer or at least one door.  
   
   
       14 . The modular cabinet of  claim 12 , wherein each of the plurality of posts is a single-piece post.  
   
   
       15 . The modular cabinet of  claim 14 , wherein each post is formed from extruded aluminum.  
   
   
       16 . The modular cabinet of  claim 12 , wherein the top and bottom members are formed from blow molded plastic.  
   
   
       17 . The modular cabinet of  claim 12 , wherein the components of the cabinet are compactable and form a kit such that the modular cabinet can be transported in a compact form, the kit being configured to be assembled by a user or purchaser, wherein the user or purchaser assembles substantially all the components of the kit by screwing, sliding or snapping the components together.  
   
   
       18 . A modular cabinet comprising: 
 a pair of rear posts and a pair of front posts mounted between a top member and a bottom member to form a frame, each of the rear posts having at least two panel grooves, and each of the front posts having at least one panel groove, each post of the rear posts and front posts having a channel formed longitudinally therein, the channel being configured to receive a shelf bracket or a drawer bracket; and    a plurality of panels attached to the frame to form an exterior, each panel being slidably received in the panel groove of two of the posts.    
   
   
       19 . The modular cabinet of  claim 18 , wherein each of the plurality of posts is a single-piece post.  
   
   
       20 . The modular cabinet of  claim 18 , wherein the front posts further comprise a flange positioned adjacent the door or drawer.  
   
   
       21 . The modular cabinet of  claim 18 , wherein each post is formed from extruded aluminum.  
   
   
       22 . A modular cabinet comprising: 
 a plurality of posts mounted between a top member and a bottom member to form a frame, each of the plurality of posts being a single piece post having at least one panel groove formed longitudinally therein;    a plurality of panels attached to the frame to form an exterior, each panel being slidably received in the panel groove of two of the plurality of posts;    a channel formed longitudinally in each of the plurality of posts; and    at least one drawer mounted to the frame by a drawer bracket, the drawer bracket being slidably received in the channel, the drawer bracket being fastened to the post at a selected height to suspend the drawer so as to provide clearance for the drawer.    
   
   
       23 . The modular cabinet of  claim 22 , wherein the frame is configured to interchangeably receive at least one door instead of the drawer.  
   
   
       24 . The modular cabinet of  claim 22 , further comprising a retainer and a first and a second drawer, wherein the retainer is configured to prevent the second drawer from moving to an open position when the first drawer is in the closed position.  
   
   
       25 . The modular cabinet of  claim 22 , wherein the components of the cabinet are compactable and form a kit such that the modular cabinet can be transported in a compact form, the kit being configured to be assembled by a user or purchaser, wherein the user or purchaser assembles substantially all the components of the kit by screwing, sliding or snapping the components together.  
   
   
       26 . The modular cabinet of  claim 22 , wherein the posts are formed from extruded aluminum.  
   
   
       27 . A modular cabinet comprising: 
 a plurality of posts mounted between a top member and a bottom member to form a frame, each of the plurality of posts being a single piece post and having at least one panel groove formed longitudinally therein;    a plurality of panels attached to the frame to form an exterior, each panel being slidably received in the panel groove of two of the plurality of posts;    a channel formed longitudinally in each of the plurality of posts;    a plurality of shelf brackets, each shelf bracket being slidably received in the channel, the shelf brackets being fixed to the post a selected height; and    at least one shelf mounted on the plurality of shelf brackets.    
   
   
       28 . The modular cabinet of  claim 27 , wherein the frame is further configured to receive at least one door, the door having a hinge rod that pivots in a hinge receptacle formed in the bottom member.  
   
   
       29 . The modular cabinet of  claim 28 , wherein the frame is also configured to interchangeably receive at least one drawer instead of the at least one door and the shelf.  
   
   
       30 . The modular cabinet of  claim 27 , further comprising casters attached to the bottom of the bottom member.  
   
   
       31 . The modular cabinet of  claim 27 , wherein the components of the cabinet are compactable and form a kit such that the modular cabinet can be transported in a compact form, the kit being configured to be assembled by a user or purchaser, wherein the user or purchaser assembles substantially all the components of the kit by screwing, sliding or snapping the components together.  
   
   
       32 . The modular cabinet of  claim 27 , wherein the posts are formed from extruded aluminum.  
   
   
       33 . A cabinet drawer, comprising: 
 a bottom plate;    first and second side plates;    a rear plate; and    a front plate, wherein each plate is linked to at least one other plate in a tongue and groove relationship.    
   
   
       34 . The cabinet drawer of  claim 33 , wherein the bottom plate and the side plate each connect to the first side plate in a tongue and groove relationship.  
   
   
       35 . The cabinet drawer of  claim 33 , wherein the front plate is connected to the bottom plate in a tongue and groove relationship.  
   
   
       36 . A cabinet drawer comprising, 
 a bottom plate;    a rear plate;    first and second opposing side plates; and    a front plate, wherein each of the plates are connected to at least one other plate such that a portion of each plate is selectively received by a portion of at least one other plate, such that the plurality of plates are readily assemblable into a drawer.    
   
   
       37 . The cabinet drawer of  claim 36 , wherein each plate receives another plate in a male-female relationship.  
   
   
       38 . The cabinet drawer of  claim 36 , wherein at least two plates are coupled through a double tongue and groove relationship.  
   
   
       39 . The cabinet drawer of  claim 36 , wherein the portion of the at least one other plate is slidably received by the receiving plate.