Modular cabinet assemblies and related methods

Abstract

A modular cabinet assembly includes a first cubby element having a box shaped configuration and bounding a first compartment, the first cubby element having a front face extending between a first side and an opposing second side and encircling an opening to the first compartment. A second cubby element is similarly configured. The cubby elements can be stacked, or positioned side-by-side. A removable clip can secure the first cubby element to the second cubby element. In an embodiment, various cubby elements, of related widths can be provided, e.g., a first cubby element of width (x), a second cubby element of width (2×), a third cubby element of width (3×), and/or a fourth cubby element of width (1.5×). An embodiment can include a false back defining a hidden cavity and/or stacking brackets, for securely stacking cubby elements.

1 . A modular cabinet assembly comprising:
 a first cubby element having a box shaped configuration and bounding a first compartment, the first cubby element having a front face that extends vertically between a top face and an opposing bottom face and that extends laterally between a first side face and an opposing second side face, the front face encircling an opening to the first compartment, the first cubby element having a first width extending between the first side face and the opposing second side face; and   a second cubby element having a box shaped configuration and bounding a second compartment, the second cubby element having a front face that extends vertically between a top face and an opposing bottom face and that extends laterally between a first side face and an opposing second side face, the front face of the second cubby element encircling an opening to the second compartment, the second cubby element having a second width extending between the first side face and the opposing second side face of the second cubby element;   wherein the first width is substantially equal to a height of the first cubby element, or the first width is substantially equal to twice the height of the first cubby element;   wherein the second width is substantially equal to a height of the second cubby element, or the second width is substantially equal to twice the height of the second cubby element;   wherein the first and second cubby elements are selectively secured to one another, either in a lateral side-by-side configuration, or stacked one atop another.   
     
     
         2 . (canceled) 
     
     
         3 . The modular cabinet assembly as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the first width of the first cubby element is substantially equal to the height of the first cubby element, and the second width of the second cubby element is substantially equal to the height of the second cubby element. 
     
     
         4 . The modular cabinet assembly as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the first width of the first cubby element is substantially equal to twice the height of the first cubby element, and the second width of the second cubby element is substantially equal to twice the height of the second cubby element. 
     
     
         5 . (canceled) 
     
     
         6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . The modular cabinet assembly as recited in  claim 1 , wherein each cubby element is open at a top of the cubby element. 
     
     
         9 . The modular cabinet assembly as recited in  claim 8 , wherein each cubby element includes an alignment mechanism in a top surface of the cubby element, for coupling a top panel over the open top of such cubby element, when such cubby element is positioned as a top cubby element in the modular cabinet assembly. 
     
     
         10 . The modular cabinet assembly as recited in  claim 9 , wherein each cubby element includes a bottom panel for coupling over and closing the open top of a cubby element positioned below such cubby element in the modular cabinet assembly, wherein an underside of the bottom panel mates with the alignment mechanism in the top surface of the cubby element positioned below such cubby element. 
     
     
         11 . The modular cabinet assembly as recited in  claim 9 , wherein the alignment mechanism comprises alignment rails on opposite sides of the top surface of the cubby element, alignment rails on each side of the top surface of the cubby element, or a plurality of alignment pegs. 
     
     
         12 . A modular cabinet assembly comprising:
 a first cubby element having a box shaped configuration and bounding a first compartment, the first cubby element having a front face that extends vertically between a top face and an opposing bottom face and that extends laterally between a first side face and an opposing second side face, the front face encircling an opening to the first compartment, the first cubby element having a first width extending between the first side face and the opposing second side face; and   a second cubby element having a box shaped configuration and bounding a second compartment, the second cubby element having a front face that extends vertically between a top face and an opposing bottom face and that extends laterally between a first side face and an opposing second side face, the front face of the second cubby element encircling an opening to the second compartment, the second cubby element having a second width extending between the first side face and the opposing second side face of the second cubby element;   a third cubby element having a box shaped configuration and bounding a third compartment, the third cubby element having a front face that extends vertically between a top face and an opposing bottom face and that extends laterally between a first side face and an opposing second side face, the front face of the third cubby element encircling an opening to the third compartment, the third cubby element having a third width extending between the first side face and the opposing second side face of the second cubby element;   wherein the first width is (x) and is substantially equal to a height of the first cubby element, so that the first compartment of the first cubby element is substantially square;   wherein the second width is substantially equal to twice the first width (2×);   wherein the third width is substantially equal to three times the first width (3×); and   wherein the first, second and third cubby elements are selectively secured to one another, directly or indirectly, either in a lateral side-by-side configuration, or stacked one atop another.   
     
     
         13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . The modular cabinet assembly as recited in  claim 12 , further comprising a fourth cubby element having a box shaped configuration and bounding a fourth compartment, the fourth cubby element having a front face that extends vertically between a top face and an opposing bottom face and that extends laterally between a first side face and an opposing second side face, the front face of the fourth cubby element encircling an opening to the fourth compartment, the fourth cubby element having a fourth width extending between the first side face and the opposing second side face of the second cubby element, wherein the fourth width is substantially equal to 1.5 times the first width (1.5×). 
     
     
         15 . The modular cabinet assembly as recited in  claim 14 , wherein the fourth compartment of the fourth cubby element is rectangular. 
     
     
         16 - 37 . (canceled) 
     
     
         38 . A modular cabinet assembly comprising:
 a plurality of cubby elements each having an identical configuration, each of the plurality of cubby elements having a box shaped configuration with a front face encircling an opening to a compartment;   wherein the plurality of cubby elements includes:
 a first cubby element removably coupled to a second cubby element, the second cubby element being disposed lateral in a side-by-side relationship relative to the first cubby element; and 
 a third cubby element removably coupled to the first cubby element, the third cubby element being disposed vertically on top of the first cubby element. 
   
     
     
         39 . A modular cabinet assembly comprising:
 a plurality of cubby elements each having an identical configuration, each of the plurality of cubby elements having a box shaped configuration with a front face encircling an opening to a compartment;   wherein the plurality of cubby elements includes:
 a false back defining a hidden cavity between the false back and a back panel. 
   
     
     
         40 . The modular cabinet assembly as recited in  claim 39 , wherein the plurality of cubby elements includes:
 a first cubby element removably coupled to a second cubby element, the second cubby element being disposed lateral in a side-by-side relationship relative to the first cubby element; and   a third cubby element removably coupled to the first cubby element, the third cubby element being disposed vertically on top of the first cubby element;   wherein each of the first, second, and third cubby elements include the false back defining a hidden cavity.   
     
     
         41 . The modular cabinet assembly as recited in  claim 39 , further comprising a plurality of foot anchors within a bottom panel of each cubby element. 
     
     
         42 . The modular cabinet assembly as recited in  claim 39 , wherein a bottom panel of each cubby element includes a notch to allow passage of a cord from the hidden cavity into the compartment defined by the cubby element. 
     
     
         43 . The modular cabinet assembly as recited in  claim 41 , further comprising a plurality of bolts or feet that anchor into the foot anchors. 
     
     
         44 . The modular cabinet assembly as recited in  claim 39 , further comprising one or more stacking brackets that attach between a side panel and an upper beam extending between opposed side panels of the cubby element. 
     
     
         45 . The modular cabinet assembly as recited in  claim 44 , wherein the stacking brackets include a notch that receives a bolt or foot anchored into a foot anchor in a bottom panel of an adjacent stacked cubby element. 
     
     
         46 . The modular cabinet assembly as recited in  claim 39 , further comprising one or more integrated latches for locking one cubby element to an adjacent stacked cubby element. 
     
     
         47 . The modular cabinet assembly as recited in  claim 39 , further comprising a rear upper beam crossmember above the back panel, the rear upper beam crossmember including an angled underside, for mounting the cubby element to a corresponding cleat mounted or mountable to a wall. 
     
     
         48 . The modular cabinet assembly as recited in  claim 39 , further comprising a wall-securing cable attached to the back panel, for securing the cubby element to a wall. 
     
     
         49 . The modular cabinet assembly as recited in  claim 39 , wherein connecting hardware inserted into foot anchors slides into a notch of a stacking bracket, for stacking one cubby element on top of another cubby element. 
     
     
         50 . The modular cabinet assembly as recited in  claim 44 , wherein stacking brackets of adjacent side-by-side cubby elements each include a notch that receives a bolt or foot anchored into a top panel lid that is attached over the cubby elements that are attached side-by-side. 
     
     
         51 . The modular cabinet assembly as recited in  claim 50 , further comprising a clamp or clip that clamps one side panel of one cubby element to an adjacent side panel of an adjacent cubby element, so as to connect the cubby elements side-by-side. 
     
     
         52 . The modular cabinet assembly as recited in  claim 44 , further comprising a clamp or clip that clamps one side panel of one cubby element to an adjacent side panel of an adjacent cubby element, so as to connect the cubby elements side-by-side. 
     
     
         53 . The modular cabinet assembly as recited in  claim 52 , wherein the clamp or clip is positioned in a gap between a rear upper beam and a bottom panel, behind the false back, so as to be hidden by the false back. 
     
     
         54 . The modular cabinet assembly as recited in  claim 52 , wherein the clamp or clip is positioned in a gap between a rear upper beam and the false back, so as to be hidden by the false back.