Abstract:
A wardrobe that may be sold in disassembled form and be readily assembled by a purchaser includes employs lightweight fabric doors, yet provides the fabric doors with sufficient rigidity to enable them to be slid back and forth along associated tracks. The fabric doors releasably attach to the overall wardrobe, enabling them to be removed for repair or replacement, as well as enabling the substitution of differently-colored or patterned doors in accordance with user preference. Substitution of doors of varying width are supported, again in accordance with the preference of the user.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application No. 61/606,096, filed on Mar. 2, 2012, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates, in general, to garment storage and, more particularly, to garment wardrobes and closets that are relatively light weight and that may be readily assembled by purchasers. 
         [0004]    2. General Background of the Invention 
         [0005]    Due to a shortage of built-in closet space in many homes and apartments, freestanding wardrobes have been popular for quite some time. Some freestanding wardrobes are relatively large, bulky, and expensive pieces of fine furniture. However, not all homeowners or renters want to incur the expense of obtaining this type of wardrobe. Other wardrobes are made from relatively inexpensive materials, but are often considered to be unattractive and thus unsuitable for use in the bedroom or other commonly used portions of the home, and are instead relegated to use within a basement or attic of the home. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The present invention is intended to provide a wardrobe that is constructed from relatively inexpensive components and capable of being sold in disassembled form, yet, when readily assembled by the purchaser, is attractive in appearance, and thus suitable for use within bedrooms and other commonly used areas of the home. As such, it is desirable for the present invention to incorporate features not commonly used in wardrobes but rather commonly used in traditional, built-in closets, such as horizontally sliding doors. Traditional sliding closet doors, however, are relatively heavy and cumbersome, particularly for a product intended to be sold in disassembled form and then readily assembled by an unskilled purchaser. The present invention instead employs lightweight fabric doors, yet provides the fabric doors with sufficient rigidity to enable them to be slid back and forth along associated tracks. Moreover, the fabric doors of the present invention releasably attach to the overall wardrobe, enabling them to be removed for repair or replacement, as well as enabling the substitution of differently-colored or differently-patterned doors in accordance with user preference. In addition, the present invention supports the substitution of doors of varying widths, again in accordance with the preference of the user. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]      FIG. 1  an elevated, exploded perspective view of a first embodiment of the overall present wardrobe invention; 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is an elevated, exploded perspective view of the wardrobe assembly portion of the first embodiment of the invention; 
           [0009]      FIG. 3A  is a top perspective view of the wardrobe rail of the first embodiment of the invention; 
           [0010]      FIG. 3B  is a side view of the wardrobe rail of the wardrobe rail of the first embodiment of the invention; 
           [0011]      FIG. 3C  is a top plan view of the wardrobe rail of the wardrobe rail of the first embodiment of the invention, partially in section. 
           [0012]      FIG. 4A  is a front perspective view of a sliding rail assembly of the first embodiment of the invention;  FIG. 4B  is a front view of the sliding rail of a sliding rail assembly of the first embodiment of the invention; 
           [0013]      FIG. 4C  is a front perspective view of the sliding rail of the first embodiment of the invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 4D  is a side view of two adjacent sliding rails of the first embodiment of the invention and showing, in particular, their relative horizontal spacing upon assembly of the first embodiment of the invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 4E  is a front view of a wheel portion of a sliding rail assembly of the first embodiment of the invention; 
           [0016]      FIG. 4F  is a side sectional view of the wheel portion, taken generally along lines  4 F- 4 F of  FIG. 4E ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  is an elevated, exploded perspective view of the door assembly portion of the first embodiment of the invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 6A  is a side view of a single wardrobe rail of a second embodiment of the invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 6B  is a side view of the single wardrobe rail of  FIG. 6A , showing, in particular, the operable positioning of a rolling slider relative to the single wardrobe rail; 
           [0020]      FIG. 6C  is a side view of a double wardrobe rail of a third embodiment of the invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 6D  is a side view of the double wardrobe rail of  FIG. 6C , showing, in particular, the operable positioning of two rolling sliders relative to the double wardrobe rail; 
           [0022]      FIG. 6E  is a combination front view and side view of a wheel of the rolling sliders of  FIGS. 6B and 6D ; 
           [0023]      FIG. 6F  is a front view of the rolling slider of the second and third embodiments of the invention; 
           [0024]      FIG. 6G  is a side view of the rolling slider of the second and third embodiments of the invention and showing, in particular, the use of spacers to provide separation of the wheels and body of the rolling slider; 
           [0025]      FIG. 6H  is an exploded perspective view of a rolling slider and associated rail and showing, in particular, the attachment member portion of the rolling slider; 
           [0026]      FIG. 6I  is a side perspective view of two rolling sliders within a common wardrobe rail; 
           [0027]      FIG. 6J  is a side view of the top portion of a sliding door assembly of the present invention and showing, in particular, the placement of an attachment member and top stiffening member thereof; 
           [0028]      FIG. 6K  is a front perspective view of a wardrobe rail of the second embodiment of the present invention and showing, in particular, the releasable attachment of the door assembly to rolling sliders carried by the wardrobe rail 
           [0029]      FIG. 7A  is an exploded perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a dual wardrobe rail and sliding rail assembly; and 
           [0030]      FIG. 7B  is an enlarged front view of the wardrobe rail of  FIG. 7A . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0031]    While the present invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail, several specific embodiments, with the understanding that the present disclosure is intended as an exemplification of the principles of the present invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the embodiments illustrated. 
         [0032]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , a first embodiment of the present invention is shown as comprising wardrobe assembly  10 , a plurality of vertical tube assemblies  20 , X-frame assembly  30 , a plurality of door assemblies  40 , a plurality of corner bracket caps  60 , garment hang bar  70 , hang bar end caps  80 , a plurality of rail slide assemblies  90 , double hanging bar assembly  100 , and a plurality of fasteners  110 . Fasteners  110  may comprise, for example, M6×35 mm hex head screws, or any other suitable fastener that preferably facilitates assembly of the present invention by the purchaser using only simple hand tools that may be either supplied with the disassembled wardrobe, or that are commonly found in the home. Garment hang bar  70  may constructed from steel tubing having a wall thickness of approximately 0.7 mm. X-frame assembly  30  may be constructed from 6 mm steel rods and attaches to the back of wardrobe assembly  10  across two opposing vertical tube assemblies  20 , thereby providing stiffness and rigidity the frame components of wardrobe assembly  10 . 
         [0033]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , wardrobe assembly  10  comprises wardrobe body  11 , wardrobe rail  120 , a plurality of first wardrobe tubes  12 , a plurality of second wardrobe tubes  13 , a plurality of corner brackets  14 , a plurality of grommets  15 , and a plurality of fasteners  110 . The outer side, top, bottom, and back surfaces or wardrobe body  11  are all preferably constructed of a relatively strong fabric material, such as a  600  dernier polyester material. Eight sleeves  16  are formed within wardrobe body  11  proximate the top and bottom surfaces thereof to accommodate the insertion of associated first wardrobe tubes  12  and second wardrobe tubes  13 , which are secured in place by corner brackets  14  and fasteners  110 . Each sleeve is preferably constructed of the same fabric material as the overall wardrobe body. First wardrobe tubes  12  and second wardrobe tubes  13  may be constructed from steel tubing having a wall thickness of approximately 0.7 mm, and corner brackets  14  may likewise be constructed of a steel material. 
         [0034]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , corner brackets  14  also receive associated vertical tube assemblies  20 , likewise secured in place by fasteners  110 . A rigid board material  17  is preferably affixed adjacent the inside top and bottom surfaces of wardrobe body  11  to reinforce and provide further rigidity to these surfaces. Grommets  15  are placed through nylon reinforcing webbing disposed on opposing sides of the left and right side surfaces of wardrobe body  11 , proximate the top surface. Double hanging bar assembly  100  includes two opposing hooks cooperating with and grommets  15  which serve as points of hanging attachment, permitting the assembly to be suspended from grommets  15  within the interior of wardrobe body  11 . As described in detail below, each door assembly  40  is releasably attachable to an associated rail slide assembly  90 . 
         [0035]    As shown in  FIGS. 3A through 3C , wardrobe rail  120  comprises horizontal portion  121  and two vertical arms  122 . Each vertical arm  122  terminates in a hooked region, formed by horizontal roller support portion  123  and roller retaining portion  124 . Wardrobe rail  120  may be constructed of a rigid polyvinylchloride (“PVC”) material. As shown in  FIGS. 4A through 4F , each rail slide assembly  90  comprises door glide rail member  91 , a plurality of wheels  95  and a plurality of tubular rivets  96 . Each rivet  96 , in cooperation with an associated aperture  94  of a tab region  93  of door glide rail member  91 , and an associated aperture  99  of wheel  95 , serves to rotatably affix a wheel  95  adjacent the front surface of glide rail member  91 , with a cylindrical shaft region of each rivet serving as both an axle and a bearing for an associated wheel  95 , about which wheels  95  may freely rotate. As best seen in  FIGS. 4D and 4A , each glide rail member  91  includes an elongated raised region  98 , providing a planar, elongated rectangular surface for attachment of releasable fastening member  97 . In a preferred embodiment, releasable fastening member  97  comprises either the male (i.e., hook) or female (i.e., loop) half of a combination hook-and-loop fastener of relatively strong (yet releasable) bonding strength, such as a VELCRO® brand fastener, and is sized to substantially overlie elongated raised region  98 . A suitable adhesive may be employed to securely bond releasable fastening member  97  to elongated raised region  98 . 
         [0036]    Each rail slide assembly  90  is slidably coupled to an associated vertical arm  122  of wardrobe rail  120  by positioning both associated wheel members  95  atop horizontal roller support portion  123 , adjacent roller retaining portion  124 . Horizontal roller support portion  123  accordingly serves as an elongated track, accommodating wheel members  95  to, in turn, permit back-and-forth sliding of door glide rail member  91  relative to wardrobe rail  120 . 
         [0037]    As shown in  FIG. 5 , in a first embodiment of the present invention, each door panel assembly includes door panel  41 , having bottom sleeve  42  extending along the entire width of the bottom edge thereof. Bottom weight, which may comprise an elongated rectangular bar of steel or aluminum, may be inserted into bottom sleeve  42  through an aperture disposed at least one end of bottom sleeve  42 . Releasable fastening member  44  extends along substantially the entire top edge of one side of door panel  41 . In a preferred embodiment, releasable fastening member  44  comprises either the male or female half of a combination hook-and-loop fastener of relatively strong bonding strength, such as a VELCRO® brand fastener. A suitable adhesive or stitching may be employed to securely bond releasable fastening member  44  to door panel  41 . Door panel  41  may be constructed of a relatively lightweight fabric material, such as a 300 dernier polyester material. 
         [0038]    Releasable fastening member  44  of door assembly  40  and releasable fastening member  97  of rail slide assembly  90  collectively form the male and female portions of a hook-and-loop fastener, and serve to releasably attach the top edge region of door panel  41  to raised region of  98  of door glide rail member  91 . This, in turn, permits each door panel  41  to slide back and forth proximate the front opening of wardrobe body  11 , as rail slide assembly  90  is slid back and forth by rolling wheel members  95  along the upper surface of horizontal roller support portion  123  of wardrobe rail  120 . 
         [0039]    The releasable attachment of individual door assemblies  40  to associated rail slide assemblies  90  permit door assemblies  40  to be readily removed and replaced to facilitate their cleaning or repair. Moreover, the ease of replacement of door assemblies  40  permits any door panel  41  to be rapidly replaced with one of another color, pattern, and/or size, depending upon the user&#39;s preference. 
         [0040]    Second and third embodiments of the present invention are shown in  FIGS. 6A through 6K .  FIG. 6A  shows single wardrobe rail  130  of the second embodiment of the present invention as comprising vertical arms  131 , horizontal legs  132 , and aperture  133  disposed between opposing horizontal legs  132 .  FIG. 6C  shows double wardrobe rail  140  of the third embodiment of the present invention as comprising three vertical arms  141 , each with associated horizontal legs  142 . As shown in  FIG. 6C , the two outer vertical arms  141  each has one associated, inwardly-extending horizontal leg  142 , while a central vertical arm  141  includes two associated horizontal legs  142 , extending in opposing directions. In this manner, two bottom apertures  143  are each disposed between opposing pairs of horizontal legs  142 . 
         [0041]    As shown in  FIGS. 6F through 6H , in the second and third embodiments of the present invention, door sliding member  150  comprises slider body  151 , having recessed rectangular region  152  and two pairs of wheels  155 . Each pair of wheels  155  are rotatably attached to opposing sides of slider body  151 , proximate the top edge of slider body  151 . Spacers  154  are employed between each wheel  155  and slider body  151  to facilitate each wheel&#39;s rotation. Spacers  154  may comprise separate components, or may be integrally formed, raised portions of slider body  151 . Moreover, an axle extending outwardly from each spacer  154  extends through central aperture  156  of each wheel  155 . 
         [0042]    Releasable fastening member  160  is substantially rectangular in shape and is sized to fit within recessed region  152  of slider body  151 . In a preferred embodiment, releasable fastening member  160  comprises either the male or female half of a combination hook-and-loop fastener of relatively strong bonding strength, such as a VELCRO® brand fastener. A suitable adhesive may be employed to securely bond releasable fastening member  160  to recessed region  152  of slider body  151 . 
         [0043]    As shown in  FIGS. 6B ,  6 D and  6 G, in the second and third embodiment of the present invention, each door sliding member  150  slidably engages an associated wardrobe rail  130  or  140 , through the engagement of associated wheel members  155  atop horizontal legs  132  or  142 . Crossbar members  153  of slider body  151  serve to further retain each sliding door member  150  in sliding engagement with an associated wardrobe rail  130  or  140 , including inhibiting slider body  151  from rocking back and forth. As shown in  FIG. 61 , for each door assembly of the second and third embodiments of the present invention, at least two door sliding members  150  slidably engage a wardrobe rail  130  (or  140 ). 
         [0044]    As shown in  FIG. 6J and 6K , door assembly  170  includes door panel  171  having top sleeve  176  extending along the entire width of the top edge thereof. Top sleeve  176  may be formed by folding a top portion  172  of door panel  171  about itself, and then stitching or otherwise attaching the top edge of the door panel  171  at seam  175 , thereby creating an internal channel having end apertures  173 . A stiffening member  174 , which may comprise an elongated rectangular bar or steel or aluminum, and extending along substantially the entire width of door panel  171 , is inserted through aperture  173  and carried within top sleeve  176 . 
         [0045]    As shown in  FIGS. 6J and 6K , substantially rectangular releasable fastening members  174  are disposed at opposing top inside corners of door panel  171 . In a preferred embodiment, each releasable fastening member  174  comprises either the male or female half of a combination hook-and-loop fastener of relatively strong bonding strength, such as a VELCRO® brand fastener. A suitable adhesive or stitching may be employed to securely bond releasable fastening member  174  to door panel  171 . 
         [0046]    As shown in  FIG. 6K , releasable fastening member  174  of door assembly  170  and releasable fastening member  160  of door sliding member  150  collectively form the male and female portions of a hook-and-loop fastener, and serve to releasably attach the top edge region of door panel  171  to two door sliding members  150 . This, in turn, permits each door panel  171  to slide back and forth proximate the front opening of wardrobe body  11 , as door sliding members  150  are slid back and forth by rolling wheel members  155  along the upper surface of horizontal legs  132  or  142  of wardrobe rail  130  or  140 , respectively. 
         [0047]    The use of a plurality of individual door sliding members  150 , which are individually slidable within an associated rail member, permits door panels  171  of varying widths to be readily accommodated, as the distance between door sliding members  150  can be adjusted to accommodate a particular desired width of door panel  171 . Moreover, as in the first embodiment of the present invention, the releasable attachment of individual door sliding members to door assemblies  170  permits door assemblies  170  to be readily removed and replaced to facilitate their cleaning or repair, or to accommodate the color, pattern, or size preference of the user. 
         [0048]    An alternative embodiment of a dual wardrobe rail and sliding rail assembly is shown in  FIGS. 7A and 7B  as including rail slide assembly  90 ′, which is somewhat similar in construction to rail slide assembly  90  as described above, but which includes four, rather than two, associated wheels; and double wardrobe rail  140 ′, which is somewhat similar in construction to double wardrobe rail  140 , as described above. In particular, each rail slide assembly  90 ′ comprises door glide rail member  91 ′, four wheels  95  and two tubular rivets  96 . Each rivet  96 , in cooperation with an associated aperture  94 ′ of a tab region  93 ′ of door glide rail member  91 ′, and associated apertures of a pair of wheels  95 , serves to rotatably affix a pair of wheels  95  adjacent opposing sides of the front surface of glide rail member  91 ′, with a cylindrical shaft region of each rivet serving as both an axle and a bearing for two associated wheels  95 , about which wheels  95  may freely rotate. 
         [0049]    With continuing reference to  FIGS. 7A and 7B , double wardrobe rail  140 ′ of this embodiment of the present invention is shown as comprising three vertical arms  141 ′, each with associated horizontal legs  142 ′. As best seen in  FIG. 7B , the two outer vertical arms  141 ′ each has one associated, inwardly-extending horizontal leg  142 ′, while a central vertical arm  141 ′ includes two associated horizontal legs  142 ′, extending in opposing directions. In this manner, two bottom apertures  143 ′ are each disposed between opposing pairs of horizontal legs  142 ′. 
         [0050]    Many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced other than as specifically described. Various modifications, changes and variations may be made in the arrangement, operation and details of performing the various steps of the invention disclosed herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The present disclosure is intended to exemplify and not limit the invention.