Abstract:
The present invention includes a storage cabinet including: a cabinet case having at least a lower cavity; a drawer adapted to fit within the lower cavity; and two front wheels connected to an outwardly-facing edge of the drawer. A first wheel of the two front wheels is located in proximity to a right-side corner of the outwardly-facing edge of the drawer; and a second wheel of the two front wheels is located in proximity to a left-side corner of the outwardly-facing edge of the drawer.

Description:
FIELD 
       [0001]    The present invention is related to the field of storage cabinets. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    A cabinet may be used for storing miscellaneous items, for example, in an office or a home. Some cabinets may be generally box-shaped, and may have doors and/or drawers which may be opened and closed by a user. 
         [0003]    Some cabinets may be implemented as stand-alone furniture, whereas other cabinets may be built into a building cavity or may be attached to a wall. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    The present invention may include a storage cabinet having a lower drawer which may be opened and closed by a user. The lower drawer may move on rails, and may include two stabilizing wheels which may be connected underneath the lower drawer. For example, a first stabilizing wheel may be connected at or near a first outward corner (e.g., a front right corner) of the lower drawer, and a second stabilizing wheel may be connected at or near a second outward corner (e.g., a front left corner) of the lower drawer. 
         [0005]    The two stabilizing wheels may allow smooth and/or efficient opening and closing of the drawer; may stabilize the storage cabinet; may prevent tipping of the storage cabinet due to partial or full opening of the lower drawer, or due to placement of heavy items in the lower drawer while in an open position; and may support the movement of the lower drawer, thereby reducing pressure and wear-and-tear from the rails on which the lower drawer is mounted. 
         [0006]    In accordance with the present invention, for example, a storage cabinet may include: a cabinet case having at least a lower cavity; a drawer adapted to fit within said lower cavity; and two front wheels connected to an outwardly-facing edge of said drawer. 
         [0007]    In accordance with the present invention, for example, a first wheel of the two front wheels may be located in proximity to a right-side corner of the outwardly-facing edge of the drawer; and a second wheel of the two front wheels may be located in proximity to a left-side corner of the outwardly-facing edge of the drawer. 
         [0008]    In accordance with the present invention, for example, the two front wheels may include two non-swiveling wheels. 
         [0009]    In accordance with the present invention, for example, the lower drawer may be located above a base surface of the storage cabinet. 
         [0010]    In accordance with the present invention, for example, the storage cabinet may further include two rear wheels connected underneath an inwardly-facing edge of the lower drawer. 
         [0011]    In accordance with the present invention, for example, the two rear wheels may be adapted to roll within the lower cavity of the cabinet case on top of the base surface. 
         [0012]    In accordance with the present invention, for example, the two rear wheels may be on top of the base surface; and the two front wheels may touch a surface on which the storage cabinet stands. 
         [0013]    In accordance with the present invention, for example, the base surface may include two recesses therein to receive the two front wheels. 
         [0014]    In accordance with the present invention, for example, the storage cabinet may be a non-portable and/or non-rollable storage cabinet. 
         [0015]    In accordance with the present invention, for example, the storage cabinet may include rails mounted within side panels of the lower cavity, and the lower drawer may slide on the rails. 
         [0016]    In accordance with the present invention, for example, at least the lower drawer may be formed of plastic. 
         [0017]    In accordance with the present invention, for example, substantially all components of the storage cabinet may be formed of plastic. 
         [0018]    In accordance with the present invention, for example, at least the lower drawer may be formed of one or more injected plastic materials. 
         [0019]    In accordance with the present invention, for example, substantially all components of the storage cabinet may be formed of one or more injected plastic materials. 
         [0020]    The present invention may provide other and/or additional benefits and/or advantages. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0021]    For simplicity and clarity of illustration, elements shown in the figures have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements may be exaggerated relative to other elements for clarity of presentation. Furthermore, reference numerals may be repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements. The figures are listed below. 
           [0022]      FIGS. 1A-1C  are schematic illustrations of perspective views of a storage cabinet having wheels supporting a lower drawer, the lower drawer being in in an open position, in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0023]      FIG. 1D  is a schematic illustration of a right-side view of the storage cabinet in an open position, in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0024]      FIGS. 2A-2B  are schematic illustrations of perspective views of the storage cabinet in a closed position, in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0025]      FIG. 2C  is a schematic illustration of a front-side view of the storage cabinet in a closed position, in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0026]      FIGS. 3A-3C  are schematic illustrations of perspective views of a lower drawer of the storage cabinet, in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0027]      FIG. 3D  is a schematic illustration of a bottom view of the lower drawer of the storage cabinet, in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0028]      FIG. 4A  is a schematic illustration of the lower drawer within the storage cabinet, shown from the front side without a front panel, in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0029]      FIG. 4B  is a schematic illustration of the lower drawer within the storage cabinet, shown from the front side without a front panel and without a bottom panel, in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0030]      FIG. 4C  is a schematic illustration of the lower drawer in an open position, shown from the rear side, in accordance with the present invention; and 
           [0031]      FIG. 4D  is a schematic illustration of the lower drawer in a closed position, shown from the front side, in accordance with the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0032]    In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of some embodiments. However, it will be understood by persons of ordinary skill in the art that some embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, components, units and/or circuits have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the discussion. 
         [0033]    Applicants have realized that a lower drawer of a storage cabinet may cause a safety hazard, for example, since opening a heavily-loaded lower drawer may cause the storage cabinet to tip over and fall. 
         [0034]    Applicants have further realized that a lower drawer is located close to the ground or floor, and thus the ground or floor may be utilized to provide support for the lower drawer, for example, by having wheels mounted underneath the lower drawer. 
         [0035]    Reference is made to  FIGS. 1A-1C , which are schematic illustrations of perspective views of a storage cabinet  100  having wheels supporting a lower drawer, the lower drawer being in an open position, in accordance with the present invention; as well as to  FIG. 1D , which is a schematic illustration of a right-side view of storage cabinet  100  in an open position, in accordance with the present invention. Storage cabinet  100  may include an upper storage area  101  and a lower drawer  102 . 
         [0036]    Upper storage area  101  may optionally include one or more chambers, drawers, doors, compartments, divider, shelves, handles, or other units or components. 
         [0037]    Lower drawer  102  may fit inside a lower cavity  103  of storage cabinet  100  (the spatial location of lower cavity  103  is partially filled by lower drawer  102  in  FIG. 1A ), and may be opened and closed by a user. Optionally, lower drawer  102  may be movable over a base surface  104  of storage cabinet  100 . Lower drawer  102  may include multiple wheels, for example, four wheels  111 - 114 , which may be connected under a lower panel  105  of lower drawer  102 . Wheels  111 - 114  may be implemented, for example, as a pair of front wheels  111 - 112  which may be closer to an outward edge  151  of lower drawer  102 , while a pair of rear wheels  113 - 114  (shown in  FIG. 3A ) which may be closer to an inward edge  152  of lower drawer  102 . 
         [0038]    Optionally, the pair of rear wheels  113 - 114  may be able to roll on top of bottom panel  105 , whereas the pair of front wheels  111 - 112  may be able to roll on a floor or ground located in front of bottom panel  105 . Optionally, the pair of rear wheels  113 - 114  may be able to roll internally within storage cabinet  100 , whereas the pair of front wheels  111 - 112  may be able to roll on a floor or ground located externally to storage cabinet  100 . 
         [0039]    Each one of rear wheels  113 - 114  may be substantially identical to each one of front wheels  111 - 112 . Alternatively, rear wheels  113 - 114  may have dimensions or characteristics which may be different from those of front wheels  111 - 112 . For example, rear wheels  113 - 114  may be smaller and/or narrower relative to front wheels  111 - 112 , for example, since rear wheels  113 - 114  may roll internally within storage cabinet  100  whereas front wheels  111 - 112  may roll externally to storage cabinet  100 . 
         [0040]    Each one of wheels  111 - 114  may be located at a corner, or in proximity to a corner, of lower panel  105  of lower drawer  102 . For example, a distance between each one of wheels  111 - 114  (for example, wheel  111 ) and a nearest corner of lower drawer  102  (for example, a corner  153 ) may be smaller than ten percent of the longest horizontal edge of lower drawer  102  (e.g., outward edge  151 ). 
         [0041]    In a fully-closed position of lower drawer  102 , front wheels  111 - 112  may slightly protrude out of storage cabinet  100 . Alternatively, in a fully-closed position of lower drawer  102 , front wheels  111 - 112  may fit into recesses  121 - 122  (shown more clearly in  FIG. 4A ), respectively, in base surface  104 , such that front wheels  111 - 112  may not protrude out of storage cabinet  100 , or may be completely or partially hidden within storage cabinet  100 . Recesses  121 - 122  may be implemented as cavities, tunnels, slopes, or other structures, and may optionally allow the front wheels  111 - 112  to remain at a same height or to be slightly elevated relative to a floor or ground on which storage cabinet  100  may stand. 
         [0042]    In a fully closed position of lower drawer  102 , as well as in a partially or fully opened position of lower drawer  102 , front wheels  111 - 112  may be able to touch a floor or ground on which storage cabinet  100  stands. In contrast, in a fully closed position of lower drawer  102 , as well as in a partially or fully opened position of lower drawer  102 , rear wheels  113 - 114  may not be able to touch a floor or ground on which storage cabinet  100  stands; rather, rear wheels  113 - 114  may touch an upper side  154  of base surface  104 , and may be movable on top of base surface  104 . Accordingly, even though lower drawer  102  may be mounted on top of four wheels  111 - 114 , base surface  104  may remain steady and non-moving on a floor or ground, and storage cabinet  100  may not be rollable, and may not roll sideways. In accordance with the present invention, storage cabinet  100  may be non-rollable, non-movable, not easily movable, non-portable, or not easily portable; and may be moved by applying substantial force to push or lift or drag the entirety of storage cabinet  100 , rather than to roll storage cabinet  100  on wheels (since storage cabinet  100  itself may not be mounted on four wheels, in contrast with lower drawer  102 ). 
         [0043]    The four wheels  111 - 114 , or alternatively, at least the two front wheels  111 - 112 , may be non-swiveling wheels which may be able to roll forward and backward but may not be able to turn sideways relative to a vertical axis. This may force each one of wheels  111 - 112  to move only along a pre-defined line of movement, and/or may prevent an accidental or intentional attempt to move lower drawer  102  sideways relative to storage cabinet  100 . 
         [0044]    Optionally, lower drawer  102  may be mounted on, and may be movable on rails, which may be installed on two side panels of lower cavity  103 . In such implementation, wheels  111 - 114  may support the movement of lower drawer  102  relative to the rails, and may reduce pressure applied by lower drawer  102  to the rails, thereby possibly reducing wear-and-tear of the rails or preventing breaking of such rails. 
         [0045]    Storage cabinet  100  may be formed of plastic; or, one or more components of storage cabinet  100  (e.g., lower drawer  102  and/or wheels  111 - 114 ) may be formed of plastic. Optionally, one or more of the components of storage cabinet  100  may be formed of injection molding of one or more raw plastic material(s). The present invention may be exercised using other suitable materials, for example, wood, metal(s), or the like; and/or using plastic components which may be formed by injection molding or by other plastic manufacturing processes. 
         [0046]    For example, storage cabinet  100  may be formed or assembled such that substantially all the components of storage cabinet  100 , in accordance with the present invention, may be formed or plastic, or injected plastic material(s), or wood, or metal, or the like. Optionally, at least lower drawer  102  may be formed or plastic, or injected plastic material(s), or wood, or metal, or the like. Other suitable material(s) or combinations of materials may be used. 
         [0047]    Storage cabinet  100 , or components thereof, are further depicted in  FIGS. 2A-2C , in  FIGS. 3A-3D , and in  FIGS. 4A-4D . 
         [0048]    Particularly,  FIGS. 2A-2C  show storage cabinet  100  while lower drawer  102  is in a closed position. As shown,  FIGS. 2A-2C  demonstrate how all four wheels  111 - 114  in such closed position are within storage cabinet  100 , and none of wheels  111 - 114  protrudes out of storage cabinet  100 . In the closed position demonstrated in  FIGS. 2A-2C , substantially the entirety of lower drawer  102  is within storage cabinet  100 . 
         [0049]      FIGS. 3A-3D  show lower drawer  102  in greater detail. Particularly, all four wheels  111 - 114  are shown, as well as their demonstrative locations under a bottom panel of lower drawer  102 . Further demonstrated are additional or optional features, for example, the pair of rear wheels  113 - 114  may be slightly smaller than the pair of front wheels  111 - 112 ; the pair of rear wheels  113 - 114  may be slightly elevated relative to the pair of front wheels  111 - 112 ; and the distance between the pair of rear wheels  113 - 114  may be slightly greater than the distance between the pair of front wheels  111 - 112 . 
         [0050]      FIGS. 4A-4D  show in greater detail a lower half of storage cabinet  100 . Particularly demonstrated are cavity  103 , into which lower drawer  102  may fit; as well as recesses  121 - 122 , into which front wheels  111 - 112  may fit. 
         [0051]    Functions, operations, components and/or features described herein with reference to one or more embodiments, may be combined with, or may be utilized in combination with, one or more other functions, operations, components and/or features described herein with reference to one or more other embodiments, or vice versa. 
         [0052]    While certain features of some embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described herein, many modifications, substitutions, changes, and equivalents may occur to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the claims are intended to cover all such modifications, substitutions, changes, and equivalents.