Abstract:
A method for constructing an armoire within an existing closet space includes the following steps of optionally removing any gypsum board wall sheathing within the closet space; optionally widening the closet opening to more nearly coincide with the interior width dimension of the closet space; optionally raising the height of the closet opening to more nearly coincide with the interior height dimension of the closet space; and constructing an armoire having a body generally in the shape of a rectangular solid that is dimensioned to slide through the closet opening and into the closet space with minimal, non-interference-fit clearance, the armoire having a depth that is about equal the depth of the closet space, the armoire having exterior trim pieces that extend beyond the dimensions of the rectangular solid-shaped body, that fit flush with the closet opening, and that conceal the edges thereof.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   This invention generally relates to armoires, and, more particularly, to armoires constructed within existing closet spaces. 
   2. Description of the Prior Art 
   An armoire is generally a large, free-standing wardrobe or movable cupboard having doors and shelves or drawers. Versatile pieces of furniture that originated in Europe more than 500 years ago, armoires can be designed to hold clothing, china, computer equipment, audio equipment, televisions, audio/visual media collections, photo albums, can make itself at home in nearly any room of the house. Regardless of what they might hold, armoires are typically aesthetic focal points. They can be made of many types of solid wood, or laminated materials, to which a plethora of new or antique finishes can be applied, including both stain and paint finishes. In the U.S., where it has become customary to incorporate at least one clothes closet in each bedroom of every home and apartment, armoires have been relatively uncommon. In places, such as Europe, which have still not developed a closet mentality, multiple armoires are found in nearly every residence. 
   There are two principal problems with closets. The first is that space is typically not efficiently utilized. The second is that closets, as a general rule, are internally unattractive. In addition, closet doors are seldom attractive. Three types of closet doors are commonly used: standard side-hinged, bifold, and sliding. Sliding doors are probably the least attractive. Bifold doors often look cheap. The standard side-hinged doors can be an expensive solid wood door, a cheap hollow-core door, or anything in between. 
   There are also problems associated with armoires. When used as a closet substitute, an armoire must be at least 25 inches deep so that it may hold coats. Such a depth is considerably greater than the depth of most other pieces of bedroom furniture. Hence, it may be difficult to arrange an armoire so that it is coordinated with other furniture and so that only a minimum amount of floor space on either side of it is made unuseable. An additional problem is the typically high costs of armoires. Because an armoire must be of furniture grade quality on at least three side (i.e., the front and both sides), the cost of manufacture is typically at least as much as furniture of comparable size. Still yet another problem is that most armoires have a footprint that is considerably less than a standard size closet. Thus several armoires might be required as substitutes for a single closet. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention solves the problems of both closets and armoires by providing a method for constructing an armoire within an existing closet space. The invention also includes certain armoire design features that enhance the utility of and space utilization within the armoire. 
   The method for constructing an armoire within an existing closet space includes the following steps: optionally removing any gypsum board wall sheathing within the closet space; optionally widening the closet opening to more nearly coincide with the interior width dimension of the closet space; optionally raising the height of the closet opening to more nearly coincide with the interior height dimension of the closet space; constructing an armoire having a body generally in the shape of a rectangular solid that is dimensioned to slide through the closet opening and into the closet space with minimal, non-interference-fit clearance, the armoire having a depth that is about equal the depth of the closet space, the armoire having exterior trim pieces that extend beyond the dimensions of the rectangular solid-shaped body, that fit flush with the closet opening, and that conceal the edges thereof. 
   For closet openings having a width that is a multiple of at about 17 to 25 inches, pull-out clothes hangar pole assemblies may be installed within the armoire. For such assemblies, the clothes hanger rod of each assembly is perpendicular to the front face of the unit. Drawers may also be incorporated into the armoire. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is an isometric view of a typical existing closet space from which the doors have been removed; 
       FIG. 2  is an isometric view of the existing closet space of  FIG. 1 , which has been altered to remove the right and left wall extensions; 
       FIG. 3  is an isometric view of the existing closet space of  FIG. 2 , which has been altered to remove the gypsum board covering where the armoire is to be installed; 
       FIG. 4  is an isometric view of the existing closet space of  FIG. 1 , which has been altered to remove the upper, right and left wall extensions; 
       FIG. 5  is an isometric view of the interior of an armoire built to fit within the existing closet space of  FIG. 3 ; 
       FIG. 6  is an isometric view of the armoire of  FIG. 5  after the installation of doors and drawers; 
       FIG. 7  is an isometric view of the interior of the armoire of  FIG. 5  with a conventional clothes hangar pole installed therein; 
       FIG. 8  is an isometric view of the interior of the armoire of  FIG. 5  with four pull-out clothes hangar pole assemblies installed therein; 
       FIG. 9  is a closeup isometric view of a pair of pull-out clothes hangar pole assemblies; 
       FIG. 10  is a front elevational view of the armoire of  FIG. 6 , following installation in the closet space of  FIG. 3 ; and 
       FIG. 11  is a front elevational view of the installed armoire of  FIG. 10  following the addition of perimetric trim pieces. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   The present invention provides a method for constructing an armoire within an existing closet space. The invention also includes certain armoire design features that enhance the utility of and space utilization within the armoire. The invention will now be described with reference to the included drawing figures. It should be understood that the drawings are merely illustrative of the invention, and are not necessarily drawn to scale. In addition, no attempt is made to represent the level of detail and decoration expected of millwork carpenters by contemporary consumers. Such decorative detail varies widely and is well known in the art. It is assumed that the armoire will be built within a closet opening in a structure characterized as having hollow walls framed with vertical spaced-apart studs and horizontal top and bottom plates and covered with sheathing, such as gypsum board, lathe and plaster, or paneling. The studs and top and bottom plates can be 2×4 or 2×6 scantling or metal box sections. 
   The invention will now be described with reference to the included drawing figures. Item numbers followed by a dash “−” and a letter are identical items. The letter after the dash merely serves to indicate the item&#39;s installed position. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 1 , the method for constructing an armoire within an existing closet space  101  begins with the removal of doors (not shown) from the closet space  101 . Most conventional closet spaces have a depth D of about 28 inches, which is measured from the rear wall  102  of the closet to a line drawn from the outer surface of the left closet entrance wall  103 L to the outer surface of the right closet entrance wall  103 R. It will be noted that most closets have a left wall extension  104 , a right wall extension  105 , and an upper wall extension  106 , which together with the floor  107 , form a closet opening  108  having a height H that is shorter and a width W that is narrower than the closet space  101 . Although an armoire may be built which fits within such a constricted closet opening  108 , interior closet space behind the wall extensions  104 ,  105  and  106  would not be utilized, resulting in wasted space. The ceiling  109 , forms the top of closet space  101 . 
   Referring now to  FIG. 2 , the left wall extension  104  and the right wall extension  105  have been removed from the existing closet space  101  of  FIG. 1 . For hollow wall construction, removal involves ripping out studs, trimming bottom and top plates, and removing sheathing from which the wall extensions are formed. The modified closet opening  201  provides a larger space  202  in which to install an armoire. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 3 , the closet space  101  of  FIG. 1  and the modified closet opening  201  of  FIG. 2  have been further modified by removing the sheathing where the armoire is to be installed. As gypsum board sheathing typically has a thickness of either 0.50 or 0.625 inch, the modified closet opening  301  is increased in width by at least 1.0 inch and increased in height by at least 0.5 inch. In addition, the depth of the resulting closet space is increased by at least 0.5 inch. Consequently, a larger armoire may be constructed. Although the remaining upper wall extension  106  will prevent the installation of a floor to ceiling armoire, for most applications, this configuration will provide the most aesthetically pleasing result, as the armoire will have a height identical to that of existing doors in the building. As a general rule, only in office buildings are doors of near ceiling height frequently utilized. For most residential construction, doors are usually less than ceiling height, being about 80 inches in height. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 4 , the closet space  201  of  FIG. 2  has been further altered by removing the upper wall extension  106 . This configuration provides a resulting closet opening  401  and a closet space  402  of maximum size in which to install an armoire. However, as heretofore explained, unless the structure has ceiling height doors, such a configuration is not deemed to be aesthetically optimized. It should be clear that the entire wall extension  106  need not be removed, and that only a portion of it may be removed. In addition, as in  FIG. 3 , the gypsum board sheathing may also be removed to further increase the size of the closet space  402 . 
   Referring now to  FIG. 5 , an armoire housing  501  has been constructed that is dimensioned to fit within the existing closet space  301  of  FIG. 3 . If the closet opening has a height H, a width W and the closet space has a depth D, the housing  501  is typically constructed so that it has a height (H—˜0.5 cm), a width (W—˜1.0 mm) and a depth (D—˜0.5 cm). The reduction of each of each critical dimension by about (˜) 0.5 to 1.0 cm is made to compensate for any irregularities related to out-of-square, out-of-plumb, and warped stud conditions in the closet space  301  as constructed, and to also ensure that the housing  501  slides into the existing closet space  301  without interference. Although greater clearances may be used, 1.0 mm is deemed to be the preferred amount for closet spaces built by competent and conscientious workmen. The armoire housing  501  has not yet been fitted with doors or drawers. For ease of assembly from a weight perspective, the armoire housing  501  has been constructed from a first set of two identical upper subunits  502 -A and  502 -B and a second set of two identical lower subunits  503 -A and  503 -B, which are secured together with adhesive, screws, or a combination of the two. 
   Each upper subunit  502 -A or  502 -B has a left side panel  504 , a right side panel  505 , a top panel  506 , a lower panel  507 , a back panel  508 , and an upper shelf  509 . The horizontal cavities  510  above the upper shelves  509  are intended for storage, while the large rectangular cavities  511  below the upper shelves  509  are intended as a storage space for clothing hanging from at least one horizontal pole. Doors (not shown in this view) affixed to the vertical edges of the each upper subunit  502 -A and  502 -B will cover the horizontal cavities  510  above the upper shelves  509  and the large rectangular cavities  511 . 
   Each lower subunit  503 -A or  503 -B has a left side panel  512 , a right side panel  513 , a top panel  514 , a lower panel  515 , a back panel  516 , and a shelf  517  between the top panel  514  and the lower panel  515 . A drawer (not shown in this view) will be installed within each recess  518 A and  518 B formed by the shelf  517 . 
   Referring now to  FIG. 6 , the armoire housing  501  of  FIG. 5  is shown after the installation of doors ( 601 L and  601 R) and drawers  602 -A,  602 -B,  602 -C and  602 -D ( 602 , generally). Full extension drawer glides are used to enable the drawers  602  to be fully withdrawn from their respective recesses  518 A and  518 B. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 7 , each of the armoire housing upper subunits  502 -A and  502 -B of  FIG. 5  has been fitted with a conventional clothes hangar pole  701 . Articles of clothing, such as shirts, blouses, slacks, skirts and dresses will be placed on hangars that are parallel to the sides  504  and  505  of the subunits  502 -A and  502 -B. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 8 , each of the armoire housing upper subunits  502 -A and  502 -B of  FIG. 5  has been fitted with two pull-out clothes hanger tube assemblies  801 -A,  801 -B,  801 -C and  801 -D. Pull-out clothes hanger tube assemblies  801 -A,  801 -C and  801 -D are shown fully-retracted, while clothes hanger tube assembly  801 -B is shown fully-extended. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 9 , each pull-out clothes hanger pole assembly  801  includes a pair of spaced-apart support planks  901 , which are secured to a horizontal panel of the armoire, such as the upper shelf  509  with screws  902 , a horizontally-slideable pole unit  903  which is coupled to the support planks  901  via a pair of full-extension drawer glides  904 . Full-extension drawer glides typically have three telescoping tracks. When fully retracted, each of the tracks fully overlap. When the glide is fully extended, each half of the middle track overlaps with half of one of the other tracks, thereby rigidly coupling all three tracks together. Each horizontally-slideable pole unit  903  includes a carrier block  905 , of rectangular cross section, front and rear end pieces  906 F and  906 R respectively, which are attached to opposite ends of the carrier block  905 , and a hangar pole  907  that is suspended between the front and rear end pieces  906 F and  906 R. It should be obvious that a pull-out clothes hanger pole assembly may be constructed in a variety of ways. With the appropriate tooling, the assembly, including full-extension glides, may be fabricated from sheet metal and assembled as a single unit. In any case, the pull-out clothes hanger pole assemblies  801  permit more efficient space utilization within the armoire. For example, assuming that an armoire housing subunit  502 -A or  502 -B has an interior depth of about 27 inches and an interior width of about 34 inches. Using a single conventional closes hangar pole, about 34 inches are available for hanging articles of clothing. However, using two pull-out clothes hanger assemblies  801 , about 54 inches are available for hanging articles of clothing. This equates to about a 59 percent increase in space available to hang articles of clothing. Space utilization is maximized when the available width of a subunit  502 -A or of a single-unit armoire is evenly divisible into spaces which are 17 to 24 inches wide. As the spaces approach 28 inches in width, there is little to be gained by the use of pull-out clothes hanger assemblies  801 . 
   Referring now to  FIG. 10 , the armoire  601  of  FIG. 6  has been installed in the existing closet space  301 . Also shown in this view are the left closet entrance wall  103 L, the right closet entrance wall  103 R, the floor  107  and the ceiling  109 . It will be noted that, as the housing  501  has a height (H—˜0.5 cm), a width (W—˜1.0 cm) and a depth (D—˜0.5 cm), some clearance  1001  is visible between the left closet entrance wall  103 L and the left side of armoire  601 , between the right closet entrance wall  103 R and the right side of armoire  601  and between the upper wall extension  106  and the top of armoire  601 . 
   Referring now to  FIG. 11 , the armoire  601  of  FIG. 6  has been installed in the existing closet space  301  and an upper trim piece  1101 , a left-side trim piece  1102 , a right-side trim piece  1103 , and a toe kick trim piece  1104  have been installed to cover the joints between the closet space opening  904  and the armoire  601 . In addition, decorative corner trim pieces  1105  have been placed at the intersection of the upper trim  1101  with the left-side and right-side trim pieces  1102  and  1103 , respectively. A lower decorative trim piece  1106  has been placed between the bottom of the left-side trim piece  1102  and the toe-kick trim piece  1104  and between the bottom of the right-side trim piece  1103  and the toe-kick trim piece  1104 . Also shown in this view is a crown molding  1107  positioned where the ceiling  109  and the upper wall extension  106  intersect. Additional trim pieces  1108  and  1109  have been placed above each decorative corner trim piece  1105 , which tie into the crown molding  1107 . 
   Although only several embodiments of the invention have been disclosed herein, it will be obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art, that changes and modifications may be made thereto, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.