Cleat connector

Abstract

A cleat connector for mounting a cabinet is provided including a substantially cylindrical body and a slot. The substantially cylindrical body has a perimeter and a diameter that corresponds to an opening in a back of a cabinet. The slot extends from the perimeter partially into the body. A cabinet and method of installation is also provided.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A cleat connector comprising:
 a substantially cylindrical body having a perimeter and a diameter that corresponds to an opening in a back of a cabinet, and   a slot extending from the perimeter partially into the body, the slot is configured to receive a mounting structure.   
     
     
         2 . The cleat connector of  claim 1 , further including a flange attached to the perimeter adjacent to the slot. 
     
     
         3 . The cleat connector of  claim 1 , wherein the perimeter includes a flat portion adjacent to the slot. 
     
     
         4 . The cleat connector of  claim 1 , wherein the perimeter includes ridges. 
     
     
         5 . The cleat connector of  claim 1 , wherein the diameter is approximately 20 mm. 
     
     
         6 . The cleat connector of  claim 1 , wherein the slot includes a length that is approximately 15.87 mm. 
     
     
         7 . The cleat connector of  claim 1 , further including an edge that extends past the perimeter. 
     
     
         8 . The cleat connector of  claim 1 , further including an alignment pin attached to the perimeter. 
     
     
         9 . The cleat connector of  claim 1 , further including a second partial cylindrical body attached to the perimeter. 
     
     
         10 . A cabinet comprising:
 a back panel including a first end and a second end, the first end having a first opening and the second end having a second opening;   a first cleat connector inserted in the first opening; and   a second cleat connector inserted in the second opening;   wherein the first cleat connector and the second cleat connector each includes a substantially cylindrical body having a perimeter and a diameter that corresponds to the first opening and the second opening, and a slot extending from the perimeter partially into the body.   
     
     
         11 . The cabinet of  claim 10 , wherein each cleat connector further includes a flange attached to the perimeter adjacent to the slot and extending along the back. 
     
     
         12 . The cabinet of  claim 10 , wherein the perimeter includes a flat portion adjacent to the slot and along a same axis as the back. 
     
     
         13 . The cabinet of  claim 10 , wherein the perimeter includes ridges. 
     
     
         14 . The cabinet of  claim 10 , wherein the diameter is approximately 20 mm. 
     
     
         15 . The cabinet of  claim 10 , wherein the slot includes a length that is approximately 15.87 mm. 
     
     
         16 . The cabinet of  claim 10 , wherein each cleat connector further includes an edge that extends past the perimeter. 
     
     
         17 . The cabinet of  claim 10 , wherein each cleat connector further includes an alignment pin attached to the perimeter. 
     
     
         18 . The cabinet of  claim 10 , wherein each cleat connector further includes a second partial cylindrical body attached to the perimeter. 
     
     
         19 . A method of installing a cabinet comprising:
 receiving the cabinet, the cabinet including a first cleat connector installed in a first opening in a back of the cabinet and a second cleat connector installed in a second opening in the back of the cabinet, each cleat connector includes a substantially cylindrical body having a perimeter, and a slot extending from the perimeter into the body;   installing a rail having a first flange and a second flange by attaching the first flange to a wall with the second flange extending away from the wall at an angle; and   sliding the second flange of the rail into the slot of the first cleat connector and the second cleat connector.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the angle is between 0 and 90 degrees.