Metal case

A metal case having an adaptable capability between a lateral file or a cabinet which includes an inner framework comprised of a plurality of corrugated metal panels, each having a similar cross-sectional configuration and substantially extending the depth and length of the case. The panels are arranged horizontally and vertically to form a box-like structure which may be encased in a one-piece, metal outer wrapper and finished with a top and a base pan, thereby concealing spot welds which partially secure the inner framework to the outer wrapper. The inner framework is further secured to the outer wrapper by adhesive, which also provides acoustical insulation. The vertical panels include equidistantly placed, symmetrically arranged openings which may accommodate either self-locating, snap-in door hinges for a storage cabinet embodiment or unhanded, snap-in drawer glides for a lateral file embodiment.

CROSS REFERENCE TO COPENDING APPLICATION 
This application is related to copending U.S. Ser. No. 07/872,476, filed 
Apr. 23, 1992 and assigned to the same assignee as this application. 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
This invention relates to a metal case and, more particularly to a metal 
case adaptable to a lateral file or a cabinet having snap-in drawer glide 
and door hinge attachments, thereby providing a cost effective case 
construction having minimal parts and tooling requirements. 
2. Description of the Related Art 
Modern office or industrial environments require increasing storage 
capabilities including storage cabinets and lateral filing systems that 
can be multi-functional, easily interchangeable and sturdy, but also 
attractive and inexpensive in order to adapt to the many styles of office 
design. 
Metal cases including storage cabinets, filing cabinets and the like are 
well known in the art. Cases are also known in the art that have a 
convertible capability between file cabinets with drawers and storage 
cabinets with doors. Most are constructed using an interior skeletal frame 
including vertical rails or channels and horizontal cross bars. However, 
these interior skeletal frames, which support only an exterior skin, do 
not provide sufficient sturdiness to prevent a tinny, hollow sound when 
drawers or cabinet doors are opened or closed. 
Other cabinets, particularly wood kitchen cabinets, include interior 
vertical partition walls having apertures to accommodate shelf brackets. 
While metal office cabinets generally do not include interior partition 
walls which could provide more structural stability, there have been 
instances of lateral filing cabinets which include an inner side panel 
construction with flanged side edges which attempt to solve the sturdiness 
problem, but which are more costly to manufacture because of the increased 
need for additional thicker gauged metal to provide a double wall 
construction. 
With regard to drawer and cabinet door attachments, cabinets or cases are 
known to include drawer suspension systems having a single structural 
glide channel which is attached by screws, nuts and bolts to both interior 
sides of the cabinet as well as to both sides of the drawer. Other cases 
are known to include drawer-glide devices having oppositely-disposed rails 
operably interconnected by ball rollers wherein one rail is fixedly 
attached to the side of the drawer, while the opposite rail is removably 
attached to the inner cabinet frame by means of bayonet clips formed as an 
integral part of the removable rail. Other drawer glide assemblies include 
a center drawer glide having an upper member secured to the bottom of the 
drawer by clips and tabs and a lower member secured to the cabinet frame 
by screws. 
There are also known drawer cabinets having mounting tabs prewelded to the 
cabinet interior side walls so that drawer glide mounting systems may be 
attached to the cabinet interior by a simple key and keyslot locking 
system. 
Door hinges are also well known in the art. For example, wood kitchen 
cabinets employ door hinges having a standard mounting base and an 
adjustable plate secured to the flat, solid wood surface of the inside of 
the kitchen cabinet. However, a common problem referred to as door sag 
eventually occurs after prolonged opening and closing of the doors as a 
result of the force and twist applied to the door by one leaning on the 
open end of the door. 
Consequently, there exists a need to provide an attractive, yet sturdy, 
high quality metal case having an adaptable capability between a lateral 
file and a storage cabinet which includes an interior box-like inner 
framework having panels with openings therein which are equidistantly 
placed and symmetrically arranged to accommodate unhanded, snap-in drawer 
glides and door hinge attachments that is cost effective and does not 
require excess hardware or parts that can be easily misplaced. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
A metal case having an adaptable capability between a lateral file and a 
cabinet which includes an inner framework comprised of a plurality of 
corrugated metal panels, each having a similar cross-sectional 
configuration and substantially extending the complete depth and length of 
the case. The panels are arranged horizontally and vertically to form a 
box-like structure which is encased in a one-piece, metal outer wrapper 
and finished with a top and a base pan, thereby concealing spot welds 
which partially secure the inner framework to the outer wrapper. The inner 
framework is further secured to the outer wrapper by adhesive, which also 
provides acoustical insulation. The vertical panels include equidistantly 
spaced, symmetrically arranged openings which may accommodate either 
self-locating, snap-in door hinges for a storage cabinet embodiment or 
unhanded, snap-in drawer glides for a lateral file embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
The metal case described herein is capable of being adapted to a cabinet or 
a lateral file which includes an inner box-shaped framework constructed of 
similarly configured metal corrugated panels which substantially extend 
the complete depth and length of a side of the case. The side panels of 
the inner framework include openings which accommodate unhanded drawer 
glides having both a snap-in capability and a load-bearing capacity if a 
lateral file with drawers is desired or self-locating door hinge 
attachments if a storage cabinet embodiment is desired. The inner 
framework may be encased in a one-piece metal outer wrapper as well as a 
top and bottom pan, thereby providing a double wall thickness of the 
entire top, sides and bottom of the metal case. 
Referring now in detail to the drawings wherein like reference characters 
represent like parts throughout the several views, there is illustrated in 
FIG. 1 a lateral filing cabinet which is one embodiment of the metal case 
referred to in this specification. The metal case 20 includes a top pan 
40, a base pan 60, an outer wrapper 80, and in this instance, drawers 100. 
FIGS. 2, 3 and 6 illustrate various exploded views of the metal case 20 in 
order to clearly demonstrate the major components and construction of the 
case. 
FIG. 2 illustrates the metal case 20 with top pan 40, base pan 60, and one 
of the drawers 100 exploded in order to show a portion of the inner 
framework 120. Further illustrated in FIG. 2 is a drawer glide 200 which 
is easily snapped into the inner framework 120 in order to accommodate 
drawers 100. The drawer glide 200 will be discussed more completely after 
all of the major components of the case 20 have been fully described. 
The top pan 40 is formed from a single sheet of metal which may be 22 gauge 
steel and includes a top 42 and four shallow sides 44, each of which are 
substantially perpendicular to the adjacent sides and to top 42, thereby 
resembling the lid of a box. The front side edge 46 of top pan 40 includes 
an inner lip or reveal (not shown), which is bent inwardly perpendicular 
to front side edge 46 and parallel to top 42. 
Base pan 60 is also formed from a single sheet of 22 gauge sheet metal and 
may be similar in appearance to top pan 40. Base pan 60 may vary in height 
to accommodate the customer's needs. Base pan 60 includes a bottom 62 and 
four sides 64, each of which are substantially perpendicular to the 
adjacent sides and to bottom 62. Front side edge 66 of base pan 60 further 
includes an inner lip or reveal 68, which is bent inwardly perpendicular 
to front side edge 66 and parallel to bottom 62. Inner lip 68 may not 
extend the entire length of front side edge 66, thereby defining spaces 70 
on either end of lip 68. Base pail 60 further includes four apertures 72 
which may be located in the four outer corners of bottom 62 of base pan 
60. 
The seamless outer wrapper 80, more fully illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3, 4 and 
5 comprises a single sheet of metal such as 22 gauge steel and formed to 
define a three-sided, generally C-shaped surface, including a back wall 82 
and two side walls 84. Side walls 84 extend substantially perpendicularly 
from either end 86 of back wall 82 and terminate in U-shaped bends 88. 
Each U-shaped bend 88 is defined by a bend 90 perpendicular to side wall 
84 and an inward bend 92 parallel to side wall 84. Outer wrapper 80 
further includes an upper ledge 94 and a lower ledge 96. Upper ledge 94 
and lower ledge 96 are roll formed in the sheet metal comprising outer 
wrapper 80 as an upper and lower indentation which may extend 
substantially the entire perimeter of the outer wrapper 80. Upper ledge 94 
and lower ledge 96 include openings 95 which aid in alignment of the outer 
wrapper 80 when being assembled to the case 20. Upper ledge 94 measures 
approximately one inch as indicated by the line x, which corresponds to 
the length of the sides 42 of top pan 40. Likewise, lower ledge 96 
measures approximately one inch as indicated by the line y, which 
corresponds to the length of the sides 64 of base pan 60. The measurement 
of lower ledge 96 may vary depending on the height of the base pan 60 
requested by consumers. Therefore, when metal case 20 is assembled, which 
will be described in greater detail later in the specification, top pan 
40, which is placed over the top of the case, fits snugly over upper ledge 
94 and base pan 60, which covers the bottom of the case, fits snugly over 
the lower ledge 96. 
Still referring to FIG. 3 and in addition to FIG. 6, the inner framework 
120 which resembles a box is comprised of a top panel 122, a bottom panel 
124, which is actually two top panels 122 placed back-to-back and welded 
together, and two side panels 126. Each panel may have substantially the 
same configuration, thereby providing for ease of production and assembly. 
Furthermore, the similar configuration is readily adaptable to mass 
production. The dimensions of each panel correspond to the dimensions of 
the case, for example, top panel 122 may extend substantially the entire 
length and depth of the top of metal case 20, side panels 126 may extend 
substantially the entire depth and height of metal case 20 and so on 
thereby creating a "box within a box." Therefore, the inner framework 
provides a stronger frame which does not rely on the outer housing for the 
structural integrity of the metal case. 
Top panel 122, each portion of bottom panel 124 and side panels 126 may be 
roll formed 20 gauge steel. As can be seen from the drawings these panels 
may have substantially the same thickness and cross-section so that they 
may be produced from the same stock. The panels nay be joined to the 
adjacent panel by welding at various points along their adjoining edges. 
Referring to FIG. 6, a rail 128 may be attached by welding to each end of 
the bottom of bottom panel 124 thereby providing a base or feet to metal 
case 20. A first attachment strip 130 may be welded to the back portion of 
bottom panel 124 and a second attachment strip 132 may be welded to the 
back portion of top panel 122. A corrugated metal retention channel 134 
may be welded near its bottom end to first attachment strip 130 and welded 
near its upper end to second attachment strip 132. Channel 134 provides 
structural rigidity to the back of metal case 20 and provides a means to 
attach a locking mechanism (not shown) to metal case 20. The locking 
mechanism which may be chosen from those well known in the art such as one 
manufactured by Engineered Security Products Corporation of Leominster, 
Mass., may be provided to lock drawers 100 in the closed position and 
prevent tipping of the case. 
Referring now to FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 a typical edge 136 of a panel such as 
side panel 126 illustrates the general cross-sectional configuration of 
top panel 122, side panels 126 and each portion of bottom panel 124 which 
configuration extends substantially the entire length of the panel. The 
cross-section of a panel such as side panel 126 defines a first ridge 138 
having a first land 140, an adjacent first trough 142, adjacent second 
ridge 144 having a second land 146, adjacent second trough 148, adjacent 
third ridge 150 with third land 152, adjacent third trough 154, adjacent 
fourth ridge 156 with fourth land 158, adjacent fourth trough 160 and 
adjacent fifth ridge 162 with fifth land 164. Lands 140, 146, 152, 158 and 
164 may have a height of approximately 0.030 inches, troughs 142 and 160 
may have a height of approximately 0.65 inches, and troughs 148 and 154 
may have a height of approximately 0.14 inches. The combination of troughs 
and ridges provides structural rigidity to metal case 20 while allowing 
for the use of thinner less expensive metal members. Lands 140, 146, 152, 
158 and 164 on side panels 126 provide metal to metal surface contact with 
wrapper 80. An adhesive such as a heat curable epoxy 954 available from 
Essex Specialty Products may be applied to ridges 138, 144, 150, 156 and 
162. The adhesive tends to fill the space created between the ridges and 
the outer wrapper, while allowing substantial metal to metal contact 
between the lands and the outer wrapper. This adhesive provides a means to 
attach wrapper 80 to side panels 126 and enhances the sound deadening 
qualities of metal case 20. Ridges 138, 144, 150, 156, and 162 of top 
panel 122 also provide surface areas to which an adhesive such as a two 
part room temperature curable polyurethane adhesive 73010-A and 73010-B 
available from Essex Specialty Products may be applied. This adhesive 
provides a means to attach top pan 40 to top panel 122, to attach base pan 
60 to bottom panel 124 and to secure the back expanse of wrapper 80 to the 
rear of channel 134 while enhancing sound deadening qualities. The use of 
adhesive in this manner greatly reduces the surface area affected by metal 
to metal rubbing and increases acoustical insulation. 
As an alternative, lands 140, 146, 152, 158 and 160 may be replaced by 
dimples, which would not extend substantially the entire length of the 
panel. 
As can be seen in FIGS. 3 and 9 top panel 122 has substantially the same 
cross-sectional configuration as side panels 126 except that troughs 142, 
148, 154 and 160 of top panel 122 do not extend quite the length of top 
panel 122 so that the corresponding troughs of side panels 126 meet in a 
complimentary fashion. Likewise, ridges and lands of top panel 122 
interconnect with the corresponding portion of side panels 126 to form a 
tight matching fit along adjoining edges where the panels may be welded 
together. 
Again referring to FIG. 8, first trough 142 and fourth trough 160 have 
first openings 170 formed therein for attachment of drawer glides and door 
hinges, and second openings 172 and third openings 174 formed therein for 
accommodating receding door locking clips (not shown). The case may 
include a receding door alternative embodiment not disclosed herein. First 
openings 170, second openings 172 and third openings 174 thereby comprise 
a set which may be arranged in an orderly repeating fashion along first 
trough 142 and fourth trough 160. Each repeating set of openings may be 
formed in a simultaneous stamping to minimize-tolerance stack-up. In 
addition, these openings are positioned in first trough 142 and fourth 
trough 160 in a generally symmetrical manner about the longitudinal center 
line of side panels 126. Because of this configuration, side panels 126 
are interchangeable. That is, any side panel 126 may be used as a side 
panel on either side of metal case 20. 
First openings 170, which interchangeably accommodate drawer glides or door 
hinges, both of which will be discussed presently in this application, are 
comprised of a set of three slots which are equidistantly spaced from each 
other and the other repeating sets of first openings 170 along first 
trough 142 and fourth trough 160. Brackets surrounding one set of the 
three slots which comprise first openings 170 is provided in FIG. 8 for 
clarity. The set of three slots comprising first openings 170 include an 
upper elongated slot 176, a lower elongated slot 178 and an intermediate 
wide slot 180. Upper elongated slot 176 and lower elongated slot 178 may 
be spaced one above the other and may be of the same configuration 
resembling squatty "T" shapes. Intermediate wide slot 180 may be located 
intermediate and offset laterally and inwardly from upper and lower 
elongated slots, 176 and 178, respectively. Intermediate wide slot 180 may 
resemble a "T" shape which has been rotated on its side. Note that upper 
elongated slots 176, lower elongated slots 178 and intermediate wide slots 
180 located on first trough 142 are mirror images of upper elongated slots 
176, lower elongated slots 178 and intermediate wide slots 180 located on 
fourth trough 160. 
Top panel 122, bottom panel 124 and side panels 126 may also have fourth 
openings 182 therein for fabrication purposes during the roll forming 
process which trigger the simultaneous stamping of openings 170, 172 and 
174. Additionally, top panel 122, bottom panel 124, and side panels 126 
may include fifth openings 184 and sixth openings 186 for alignment and 
assembly purposes, so that the case may be properly-constructed during 
mass production. It may be noted that top panel.122, the portions of 
bottom panel 124 and side panels 126 are basically of the same 
configuration and may be manufactured from the same material and process 
but with side panels 126 having additional openings. 
Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, bottom panel 124 may comprise two panels such 
as top panel 122 inverted and welded together as shown in cross-section in 
FIG. 11. In this manner, bottom panel 124 provides additional strength and 
height while utilizing panels having substantially the same 
cross-sectional configuration as side panels 126 and top panel 122. 
Bottom panel 124 may be attached on its underside to rails 128 as shown in 
FIGS. 3, 10 and 11. Rails 128 function as feet for metal case 20 while 
supporting metal case 20 through bottom panel 124. 
As may be seen in FIG. 10, bottom panel 124 is configured near each end 
similar to top panel 122 so that side panels 126 mate with bottom panel 
124 and may be welded together at that intersection. This mating 
configuration may also be seen in FIG. 3. 
Again referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, nuts 190 may be attached to rail 128 
near each end so that threaded levelers 192 may be threadedly engaged 
therethrough. Levelers 192 are disposed within the channel of rail 328 and 
extend through apertures 72 of bottom 62 of base pan 60. Levelers 192 may 
be accessed and adjusted through the interior of metal case 20 so that 
metal case 20 may be leveled on its supporting surface such as a floor. 
Now referring to FIG. 12 and accompanying FIGS. 13-21, the drawer glides of 
this application will be discussed. The drawer glides have several 
attributes, including a snap-in capability and a load bearing capability. 
The drawer glides easily snap into the openings provided in the side 
panels of the case and also snap into the drawers, thereby eliminating the 
need for excess parts and hardware. The drawer glides are also unhanded, 
meaning only one glide is necessary for attachment to both side panels of 
the case and both sides of a drawer. No right hand or left hand parts are 
required. 
FIG. 12 illustrates the drawer glide 200, such as one manufactured by 
Accuride, a drawer glide including progressive telescoping suspensions and 
constructed of roll-formed steel and fitted with ball bearings and 
retainers so as to minimize drawer noise and racking and reduce suspension 
wear. Drawer glide 200 includes three telescoping rails, an outer rail 
202, an intermediate rail 204, and an inner rail 206. Inner rail 206 is 
more clearly illustrated in FIGS. 13, 14, 16, and 18 and includes a 
horizontal emboss 208, a vertical emboss 210 and an intermediately placed 
locking clip 212 which are formed in the metal of the glide 200 for 
snapping onto bayonet extensions formed on the outer sides of the drawers 
as illustrated at 102 and 104 in FIG. 2. Locking clip 212 coacts with slot 
106. These embosses and locking clips may be arranged in various manners 
to accommodate the drawers; however they must be arranged symmetrically 
about a horizontal centerline in order to accomplish the unhanded 
requirement so that only one drawer glide design is needed. Referring back 
to FIG. 12, the outer rail 202 of drawer glide 200 includes two "T" shaped 
tabs, upper "T" shaped tab 214 and lower "T" shaped tab 216 which are 
lanced out of the parent material of the outer rail of the glide and 
extend out perpendicularly and are positioned one above the other at one 
end of outer rail 202 and a cross-shaped tab 218 centrally positioned at 
the other end of outer rail 202. A centrally located locking clip 220 is 
positioned intermediate laterally and inwardly of the upper and lower "T" 
shaped tabs 214 and 216 and the cross-shaped tab 218. Upper tab 214 mates 
with upper elongated slot 176 of first trough 142, lower tab 216 mates 
with lower elongated slot 178 of first trough 142, cross-shaped tab 218 
mates with intermediate wide slot 180 of fourth trough 160 and locking 
clip 220 coacts with intermediate wide slot 180 of first trough 142. See 
FIGS. 15, 17 and 19. Upper tab 214, lower tab 216, cross-shaped tab 218 
and locking clip 220 are all positioned symmetrically about a horizontal 
centerline so that one glide 200 may be used on both sides of the case 
thereby eliminating the need for a right-handed glide and a left-handed 
glide. Therefore glide 200 may be used on the right side panel 126 and the 
same configured glide 200 may be used on the left side panel 126 by simply 
inverting and flipping the glide 200 and attaching it to the left side 
panel 126 as described above. 
FIG. 22 illustrates another embodiment of the metal case 20 being a storage 
cabinet with shelves 230 and doors 232. In this embodiment trim panels 234 
are attached to the interior of the inner framework 120 thereby finishing 
its interior. Trim panels 234 may have ports 236 therein for attachment of 
shelves and hinges. 
FIGS. 23-29 illustrate the location and attachment of trim panels 234 and 
door hinge assemblies 240. 
Trim panels 234 may be flat metal panels which extend substantially the 
entire depth and length of the interior of the case 20 in order to conceal 
the side panels 126 when a storage cabinet embodiment is desired. The side 
panels 126 with openings 170, 172, 174, 176, 178, 180, 182 and 184 therein 
may be considered unsightly when the cabinet door is opened. Trim panels 
234 may be formed 20 gauge steel and may include first ports 236 which are 
stamped into the trim panels 234 in a symmetrical pattern so that a single 
trim panel configuration may be used to conceal both the left side panel 
and the right side panel. First ports 236 aid in shelf placement. Trim 
panel 234 may also include second ports 237 located at the upper and lower 
outer edges of the trim panel 234. Second ports 237 accommodate door hinge 
assemblies 240. 
Trim panels 234 also include flanged side edges 238 which visually conceal 
first ridge 138 and fifth ridge 162 of side panel 126. Trim panel 234 may 
be further secured to side panel 126 by screws. See FIGS. 23-26. FIGS. 25 
and 27 illustrate the way in which first ports 236 and second ports 237 of 
trim panels 234 may be aligned with first openings 170 of side panels 126. 
For example, the uppermost first ports 236 of trim panel 234 are aligned 
with the uppermost intermediate wide slots 180 of side panel 126 and so on 
continuing down the length of the panels. Second port 237 is offset on 
trim panel 234 laterally and outwardly from uppermost first port 236 and 
the next successive port 236. Second port 237 may be aligned with upper 
elongated slot 176 of the second set of first openings 170 of side panel 
126, the second set of openings being indicated by brackets surrounding 
the openings in FIG. 27. 
Referring to FIGS. 28 and 29, the door hinge assembly 240 will now be 
discussed. The hinge assembly 240 which may be chosen from those well 
known in the art such as one manufactured by Blum Company includes a hinge 
242, mounting base 244, and hinge plate 246. The hinge plate 246 is a "T" 
shaped metal plate including side flanges 248, openings 250 and 251, and a 
rectangular metal protrusion 254. 
Rectangular protrusion 254 of hinge plate 246 interfaces with second 
opening 237 of trim panel 234 and upper elongated slot 176 of side panel 
126 which is concealed by trim panel 234, and acts as a self-locator. This 
self-location causes the hinge plate 246 to be disposed on the trim panel 
234 and the concealed side panel 126. Openings 250 of hinge plate 246 
serve as drill hole locators, allowing drill holes 256 to be drilled into 
trim panel 234 and side panel 126, in order to secure with screws 258. No 
other drill fixture is needed. The coaction of rectangular metal 
protrusion 254 with second opening 237 in trim panel 234 and upper 
elongated slot 176 of side panel 126 acts as a self-location feature, 
while the close fit of metal protrusion 254 to second opening 237 and 
upper elongated slot 176 gives the entire hinge attachment added strength 
against possibility of door sag. 
Mounting base 244 includes side ridges 260, openings 262 and a slot 264. 
Side ridges 260 of mounting base 244 slidably coact with side flanges 248 
of hinge plate 246 and a screw 266 secures the mounting base 244 to hinge 
plate 246 through slot 264 and opening 251. Slot 264 is elongated in order 
to provide an adjustable capability when securing mounting base 244 to 
hinge plate 246. 
Hinge 242 includes a spring loaded catch 270, a mounting pin 272 and a 
cupped mounting boss 274. Cupped mounting boss 274 is located on the first 
end 276 of hinge 242 and includes openings 278 through which screws are 
placed in order to attach first end 276 of hinge 242 to door 232. Hinge 
242 also includes a second end 280 where spring loaded catch 270 is 
located. Further assembly of the hinged door requires engaging mounting 
pin 272 of hinge 242 to a groove 282 of mounting base 244 at it's first 
end 284, pivoting hinge 242 about pin 272 and engaging spring loaded catch 
270 located at second end 280 of hinge 242 to a sloped metal protrusion 
286 cast into mounting base 244 at its second end 288. Reversely, spring 
loaded catch 270 on hinge 242 is activated to remove the hinged door 
assembly from the cabinet. 
In the assembly of metal case 20, top panel 122, bottom panel 124 and side 
panels 126 are welded together and rails 128 are attached to bottom panel 
124 as shown in FIG. 3. Attachment strips 130 and 132 and channel 134 may 
also be welded in place. Channel 134 is not included if the storage 
cabinet embodiment is desired. Adhesive may then be applied to ridges 138, 
144, 150, 156 and 162 of side panels 126. Then outer wrapper 80 may be 
carefully spread and disposed around inner framework 120 as depicted in 
FIGS. 2 and 3. Opening 95 may then be aligned with opening 184 of side 
panel 126 in order that the wrapper 80 may be properly aligned with the 
inner framework 120. When so arranged, outer wrapper 80 may be spot welded 
to inner framework 120 at points along upper ledge 94 and lower ledge 96. 
The assembly may then be heated to about 350.degree. F. for approximately 
20 minutes to cure the adhesive applied to side panels 126. Next, the air 
cured adhesive may be applied to ridges 138, 144, 150, 156 and 162 of top 
panel 122 and top pan 40 may then be placed on outer wrapper 80 as shown 
in FIGS. 1, 2 and 5. Of course, since top pan 40 has a lip or reveal, top 
pan 40 should be angled onto and over outer wrapper 80 and top panel 122. 
Similarly, the air cured adhesive may be applied to the bottom of the 
flanged ends of rails 128 and base pan 60 is then angled onto outer 
wrapper 80 and under bottom panel 124 and rails 128 so that inner lip or 
reveal 68 extends over bottom panel 124 as shown in FIG. 11. In this 
position, spaces 70 of bottom pan 60, which may also be located on the 
underside of top pan 40, may accommodate U-shaped bends 88 of wrapper 80. 
Before assembly, the outer corners of top pan 40 and base pan 60 may be 
plasma welded for greater strength and seamless design. 
Once assembled as shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. 22, top pan 40 extends over upper 
ledge 94 and base pan 60 extends over lower ledge 96 thereby concealing 
the spot welds joining outer wrapper 80 to inner framework 120 thereby 
providing a double wall thickness of the entire top, sides and bottom of 
the case. 
Drawers 100 or cabinet doors 232 may be added, depending on which 
embodiment of the metal case 20 is desired. If a lateral file is desired, 
drawer glides 200 are snapped into first openings 170 of side panels 126 
at whatever height necessary depending on the number of drawers desired. 
Cross-shaped tab 218 is inserted into intermediate wide slot 180 of fourth 
trough 160 of side panel 126. Upper "T" shaped tabs 214 and 216 of outer 
rail 202 of drawer glide 200 are then inserted into upper elongated slots 
176 and 178 of first trough 142 of side panel 126. "T" shaped tabs 214 and 
216 are engaged into elongated slots 176 and 178 of panel 126 using a 
downward motion applied to the forward end of the drawer glide 200, at 
which time locking clip 220 coacts with intermediate slot 180 of first 
trough 142, thereby securing drawer glide 200 to side panel 126. The 
mating of upper tab 214 with upper elongated slot 176 results in primary 
securement; this securement is above the centerline of the glide thereby 
resulting in a load transfer of the glide to the side of the cabinet as 
the glide "hangs" from its attachment and "swings in" to rest against the 
cabinet side panel. The mating of lower tab 216 and lower elongated slot 
178 results in secondary securement; lower elongated slot 178 may be used 
either as secondary attachment or merely as a clearance feature. This 
procedure is repeated for the other side panel on the opposite side of the 
case by using another drawer glide 200 by simply flipping and inserting 
glide 200 and inserting as previously described. Inner rails 206 of drawer 
glides 200 are then extended outwardly so that drawers 100 may be attached 
by mating bayonet extensions formed on the outer sides of the drawers to 
embosses 208 and 210 of inner rail 206 of glide 200. 
If a storage cabinet embodiment is desired, trim panels 234 are placed over 
side panels 126 so that flanged side edges 238 of trim panels 234 conceal 
first ridges 138 and fifth ridges 162 of side panels 126. As mentioned 
previously, first ports 236 of trim panels 234 align with intermediate 
wide slots 180 of side panels 126 and second ports 237 of trim panels 
align with upper elongated slots 176 of the second set of first openings 
170 of side panels 126. Hinge plate 246 may now be secured to trim panel 
234. First, mounting base 244 may be secured to hinge plate 246 as 
described earlier in this specification and then metal rectangular 
protrusion 254 of hinge plate 246 is inserted into second port 237 of trim 
panel 234 and upper elongated slot 176 of side panel 126, thus providing a 
close fit of rectangular protrusion 254 to second port 237 and upper 
elongated slot 176. This close fit gives the entire hinge attachment added 
strength against the possibility of door sag which traditionally appears 
after prolonged use in traditional wood cabinet hinge mounting 
applications. 
Finally, openings 250 of hinge plate 246 may serve as drill hole locators, 
allowing drill holes 256 to be drilled into trim panel 234 and side panel 
126 in order to further secure hinge plate 246 and mounting base 244 to 
trim panel 234 and side panel 126 with screws 258. It should be noted that 
upper elongated slot 176 of side panel 126 accommodates both 
rectangular-protrusion 256 of hinge plate 246 of door hinge assembly 240 
for attachment of doors in a storage cabinet embodiment and upper tab 214 
of drawer glide 200 in a lateral file embodiment. A second hinge assembly 
240 is similarly installed adjacent the bottom of trim panel 234 into 
second port 237. 
Thus, the use of the box-like inner framework comprised of metal corrugated 
panels, each having a similar cross sectional configuration and 
substantially extending the complete depth and length of the case, 
provides a stronger frame which does not rely on the outer wrapper for its 
structural integrity. This inner framework construction thereby allows for 
a reduction in material gauge thickness of steel used for manufacturing 
each of the metal corrugated panels and the outer wrapper thereby 
providing a more structurally sound and less expensively produced metal 
case, which is easily adaptable to varying height metal storage cabinets 
and lateral files. 
Therefore, the invention provides a high quality metal cabinet and lateral 
file adaptable to various office settings and uses that are attractive, 
cost effective, sturdy and solid.