Abstract:
A lighted cabinet assembly includes a pair of spaced apart sidewalls and a top wall interconnecting the sidewalls. The sidewalls define an interior space therebetween and at least one shelf is supported between the sidewalls. The cabinet assembly further includes a base for supporting the cabinet assembly on a support surface. The base has an upper surface and a lower surface for facing the support surface. The sidewalls extend from the upper surface and are mounted to the base. In addition, each sidewall includes an elongate recess, which extends from the base up at least a portion of the sidewalls. At least one light strip is positioned in each of the recesses for illuminating at least a portion of the interior space of the cabinet assembly. A power cable assembly includes a power cable for electrically coupling to a power supply, at least one light strip cable for electrically coupling to the light strips, and a power harness coupling the power cable to the light strip cable for selectively powering each of the light strips. The power harness and the light strip cables are arranged in a generally planar arrangement in the base.

Description:
This application claims priority to U.S. provisional application entitled LIGHTED CABINET ASSEMBLY, filed Feb. 25, 2005, Ser. No. 60/656,472, by Applicant Gregory R. Moll, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. 

   TECHNICAL FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention generally relates to a storage cabinet for storing media such as CD&#39;s, videotapes, DVD&#39;s, or the like and, more specifically, to a lighted cabinet assembly. 
   SUMMARY 
   Accordingly, the present invention provides a lighted cabinet assembly that incorporates the use of one or more light strips to illuminate the interior of the cabinet assembly in a manner to reduce shadowing. 
   In one form of the invention, a lighted cabinet assembly includes a pair of spaced apart sidewalls, a top wall, which interconnects the sidewalls, at least one shelf supported between the sidewalls, and a base for supporting the cabinet assembly on a support surface. Each of the sidewalls includes an elongate recess and at least one light strip positioned in each of the recesses for illuminating at least a portion of the interior. The elongated recesses extend from the base up at least a portion of the sidewalls. The cabinet assembly also includes a power cable assembly, which includes a power cable for electrically coupling to a power supply, at least one light strip cable electrically coupled to the light strips, and a power harness coupling the power cable to the light strip cable for selectively powering each of the light strips. The power harness and the light strip cables are arranged in a generally planar arrangement in the base. 
   In one aspect, the base has an overall height of less than about 3 inches and, more preferably, less than 2½ inches. 
   In other aspects, each of the sidewalls includes an outer edge. Preferably, the elongated recesses are spaced inwardly from the outer edges. More preferably, the elongated recesses are positioned between the outer edge of the shelf and the outer edges of the sidewalls. 
   In other aspects, the lighted cabinet assembly further includes a back wall, which interconnects the sidewalls. Further, the back wall preferably extends between the upper wall and the base. 
   In yet other aspects, the lighted cabinet assembly further includes a switch. The power cable assembly further includes a switch cable that is electrically coupled to the switch. For example, the switch may be mounted to one of the sidewalls. Where the switch is mounted to one of the sidewalls, the sidewall includes a passage extending up from the base to the switch at an inner surface of the sidewall, with the switch cable extending up from the base through the passage to couple to the switch. 
   According to yet other aspects, each of the light strips comprise a plurality of light sources. For example the light sources may be incandescent light sources or light emitting diodes. Preferably, the light sources are encapsulated in a flexible extrusion, such as a PVC extrusion. 
   In another form of the invention, the lighted cabinet assembly includes a pair of spaced apart sidewalls a top wall interconnecting the sidewalls, at least one shelf support between the sidewalls, and a base for supporting the cabinet assembly on a support surface. The base includes a recess at a lower surface thereof to define a compartment. Each of the sidewalls includes an outer edge and an elongate recess adjacent a respective outer edge for receiving at least one light strip positioned therein for illuminating at least a portion of the interior. The cabinet assembly also includes a power cable assembly with a power cable for electrically coupling to a power supply, a light strip cable for each light strip, a coupler for electrically coupling each light strip cable to each light strip, and a power manifold coupling the power cable to the light strip cables for selectively powering each of the light strips. The couplers comprise 90° couplers wherein the power manifold and the light strip cables may be arranged in a generally planar arrangement in the compartment of the base. 
   In one aspect, the recess extends no greater than 2 inches into the base. 
   Consequently, the lighted cabinet assembly provides a compact lighted assembly and, further, a lighted cabinet assembly that produces less shadowing. 
   These and other objects, advantages, purposes, and features of the invention will become more apparent from the study of the following description taken in conjunction with the drawings. 

   
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the lighted cabinet assembly of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is perspective view of another embodiment of the lighted cabinet assembly of the present invention; 
       FIG. 3  is an inside perspective view with the media removed to illustrate the inside of the cabinet assembly; 
       FIG. 4  is a partial perspective view of the top end of the cabinet assembly with the top member removed; 
       FIG. 5  is an inside left-hand side perspective view of the cabinet assembly of  FIG. 4  with the top member removed; 
       FIG. 6  is an inside right-hand side perspective view of the cabinet assembly of  FIG. 4  with the top member removed; 
       FIG. 7  is a top perspective view of the cabinet assembly of  FIG. 4  with the top removed; 
       FIG. 8  is a bottom perspective view of the base of the lighted cabinet assembly; 
       FIG. 9  is a similar view to  FIG. 8  with the base cover removed to illustrate the power cord assembly that powers the light strips mounted in the lighted cabinet assembly; 
       FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the power cord assembly and light strips coupled to the power cord assembly and a light strip switch and switch cable; 
       FIG. 11  is an enlarged detailed view illustrating the insertion of the light strip into the base of the lighted cabinet assembly; 
       FIG. 12  is an enlarged inside perspective view of the lighted cabinet illustrating the switch and switch cable cavity with a plastic cover installed; 
       FIG. 13  is a partial perspective view of the top end of the exterior of the cabinet illustrating the switch for the light strips; 
       FIG. 14  is a perspective view of a double column embodiment of the lighted cabinet assembly of the present invention; 
       FIG. 15  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the double column lighted cabinet assembly of the present invention; 
       FIG. 16  is a bottom perspective view of the double column lighted cabinet assembly; 
       FIG. 17  is a similar view to  FIG. 16  with the base cover partially removed; 
       FIG. 18  is a similar view to  FIG. 17  with the cover fully removed illustrating the power cord assembly connecting to the light strips mounted in the cabinet assembly and, further, connecting to the switch through the base of the cabinet; 
       FIG. 19  is an enlarged detailed view of the connection between the light strip cables and the central light strips; 
       FIG. 20  is a similar view to  FIG. 18  with the power cable assembly and light strips removed for clarity; and 
       FIG. 21  is a perspective view of the power cord assembly connected to the light strips and to the switch. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Referring to  FIG. 1 , the numeral  10  generally designates a lighted cabinet assembly of the present invention. Lighted cabinet assembly  10  is particularly suitable for storing and supporting media, such as CDs, DVDs, and VHS tapes or the like. However, it can be appreciated that other articles may be supported and stored in cabinet  10 , including electronic components. As will be more hilly described below, cabinet assembly  10  is supported at a supoort surface  11  and is adapted to illuminate at least a portion of the interior of the cabinet assembly and provide optimal lighting within the interior of the cabinet assembly for visibility while minimizing the shadowing effect. Furthermore, the lighted cabinet assembly may incorporate the use of light emitting diodes, which will light the interior is lighted without generating levels of heat associated with conventional incandescent light sources, which may not be suitable for media, which are typically formed from plastic components, or for electronic devices. 
   Cabinet assembly  10  includes a pair of sidewalls  12  and  14 , a back wall  16 , and a top wall  18 , which interconnect sidewalls  12  and  14 . Sidewalls  12  and  14  and back wall  16  are mounted to a base  20 , which houses a power cable assembly for the lighting system of cabinet  10 , as will be more fully described below. Extending between sidewalls  12  and  14  are a plurality of shelves  22 , which are supported between sidewalls  12  and  14 . For example, shelves  22  may be mounted to the sidewalls using conventional mounting devices, such as brackets, pins, or the like, or to the back wall  18  using similar mounting devices. However, it should be understood that the back wall may be eliminated to allow access to the media from both sides of the cabinet assembly. In which case, it may be desirable to include lighting on the back side of the cabinet assembly as well. 
   Referring to  FIG. 2 , it should be understood that the height of sidewalls  12  and  14  and the number of shelves may be varied, such as illustrated in lighted cabinet assembly  10 ′. Lighted cabinet assembly  10 ′ is constructed in a similar manner to cabinet assembly  10  but includes a wider base and fewer shelves. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 3-7 , lighted cabinet assembly  10  includes a pair of light strips  24  and  26  that are mounted in cabinet assembly  10  adjacent the outer edges  12   a  and  14   a  of sidewalls  12  and  14 . As best seen in  FIG. 7 , light strips  24  and  26  are mounted in elongated recesses  12   b  and  14   b  that are formed in sidewalls  12  and  14 , respectively. Recesses  12   b  and  14   b  are positioned adjacent outer edges  12   a  and  14   a  and, preferably, between outer edges  22   a  of shelf elements  22  and outer edges  12   a  and  14   a  of sidewalls  12  and  14 , respectively, to thereby illuminate at least the front portions of the shelves and the media or items supported on shelves  22 . As will be more fully described below, the depth of each recess  12   b  and  14   b  may be varied to vary the reach of the light projected by the respective light strips  24  and  26 . 
   Referring again to  FIGS. 4-7 , top wall  18  is mounted to sidewalls  12  and  14  by a plurality of fasteners  28 . For example, fasteners  28  may comprise cam screw posts that are mounted in top wall  18  and extend through openings  29  provided in the respective sidewalls where they are engaged therein by cam screws  29   a , which are mounted in the respective sidewalls. In addition, the connection may include dowels  30  that extend upwardly from the respective sidewalls and extend into corresponding openings provided in top wall  18 . It should be understood that the construction of the lighted cabinet assembly may be achieved using just dowels or other conventional fasteners, such as nails, screws, or the like. Furthermore, the components may be assembled using adhesives, though the preferred construction uses releasable fasteners so that the assembly can be dismantled. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 8-10 , light strips  24  and  26  are powered by a power cable assembly  31 , which is substantially contained in base  20  of lighted cabinet  10 . Furthermore, as will be more fully described below, the connection between the power cable assembly and the respective light strips is formed by a 90° coupling  50  so that the power harness  32  and light strip cables  52  may be contained in a generally planar arrangement within the base. 
   Again referring to  FIG. 9 , base  20  includes a lower surface  20   b  for facing support surface  11 , an upper surface  20   c  ( FIG. 1 ) a central recessed portion  34  and an outer perimeter portion  36 , which extends around recessed portion  34 . Base  20  includes a second, inner perimeter portion  38 , which extends around recessed portion  34 . Perimeter portion  38  is recessed with respect to bottom or lower surface  36   a  of outer perimeter portion  36  for receiving a cover  40 , which when mounted to perimeter portion  38  forms a substantially flush arrangement with perimeter portion  36  to thereby provide a substantially planar bottom surface for base  20  and, further, forms a closed, but accessible compartment within base  20 . In the illustrated embodiment, cover  40  is secured to perimeter portion  38  by a plurality of fasteners  42  that extend into a corresponding plurality of mounting openings  44  formed in perimeter portion  38 . However, it can be appreciated that cover  40  may be mounted using dowels, nails, or an adhesive. Though, it is preferable that cover  40  is removable to access to power cable assembly  31 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 11 , light strip  26  is inserted through base  20  through a notch  48  provided in perimeter portion  38  and an opening  46  provided in base  20 , which aligns with the respective recess in sidewall  14 . As previously noted, power cable assembly  31  preferably includes a 90° coupling  50  for coupling to each light strip so that the portion of the power cable assembly  31  contained in base  20  may maintain a generally planar arrangement within recess  34  and, further, occupy a minimal amount of space, while coupling to the light strips  24  and  26  that extend perpendicularly to the base. Notches  48  may be sized to provide friction fits with couplers  50  to secure cables  52  of power cable assembly  31  in base  20 . In this manner, the overall height of base  20  may be significantly reduced to thereby maximize the storage space within lighted cabinet assembly  10 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 10 , in the illustrated embodiment power cable assembly  31  includes wire harness  32  and a light strip cable  52  for each light strip  24 ,  26 . However, it should be understood the light strips may be connected in series and powered by a single light strip cable, though this would eliminate the ability to individually turn on or off the light strips. In addition, power cable assembly  31  includes a power cable  54  that extends through base  20  and exits base  20  through an opening  56  formed in the back of base  20 . Preferably, cable assembly  31  includes a power cord strain relief member  54   a  to reduce the risk of damage to the wiring or sheath of power cord  54 . Optionally, harness  32  includes a pair of mounting tabs  32   a  to secure harness  32  in recess  34 . 
   In the illustrated embodiment, light strips  24  and  26  are actuated by a switch  60 , which is mounted to cabinet assembly  10  and connected to harness  32  by a switch cable  62 . Switch  60  may comprise a single position switch—or may comprise a multi-position switch to allow selective powering of the individual light strips. In the illustrated embodiment, switch  60  is mounted to the upper end of sidewall  14  and may comprise a rotatable knob or a push-in knob to actuate the respective light strips. 
   As best understood from  FIGS. 3 ,  6 , and  9 , switch cable  62  extends from base  20  through an opening  20   a  ( FIG. 9 ) and through sidewall  14  through a passageway  66  formed in sidewall  14 , which is formed in the inner surface  14   c  of sidewall  14  so as not to detract from the exterior appearance of the cabinet. Switch cable  62  connects to switch  60 , which is mounted inside wall  14  and extends through an opening  68  provided in sidewall  14  so that the light strips may be actuated from the outside of the cabinet. To conceal passageway  66 , switch  60 , and switch cable  62 , passageway  66  may be fitted with a cover  70  ( FIG. 7 ), such as a plastic snap-fit cover. Cover  70  may be formed from a single member or from one or more members so that access to the switch may be achieved by removing just a portion of the cover. 
   Referring to  FIG. 14 , the numeral  110  generally designates a double column light cabinet assembly of the present invention. Light cabinet assembly  110  is of similar construction to light cabinet assembly  10  and includes a pair of sidewalls  112  and  114 , a back wall  116  and a top wall  118 , which interconnect sidewalls  112  and  114 . Sidewalls  112  and  114  and back wall  116  are similarly mounted to a base  120 , which houses a power cable assembly for the respective light strips  124   a ,  124   b ,  126   a , and  126   b , which are mounted in cabinet assembly  110 , which will be more fully described below. In addition, cabinet assembly  110  includes an intermediate wall  121  that extends from base  120  to top wall  118  to thereby provide an intermediate support for the respective shelves  122 , which are mounted between sidewall  112  and intermediate wall  121  and between intermediate wall  121  and sidewall  114  to thereby provide additional storage space. Similar to the previous embodiment, the height and width of the cabinet may be varied, such as shown in reference to lighted cabinet assembly  110 ′ illustrated in  FIG. 15 . 
   As previously noted, lighted cabinet assembly  110  includes four light strips, which are positioned adjacent respective outer edges or surfaces  112   a ,  121   a , and  114   a  of sidewall  112   a , intermediate wall  121 , and sidewall  114 . In addition, light strips  124   a ,  124   b ,  126   a , and  126   b  are preferably located between outer edges or surfaces  112   a ,  121   a , and  114   a  and the outer edges  122   a  of shelf elements  122 . In the illustrated embodiment, intermediate wall  121  has a thicker cross-section than either sidewall  112  or  114  to accommodate the respective recesses  121   b  and  121   c  formed in intermediate wall  121  to receive the respective light strips. However, it can be appreciated that the thickness of the respective sidewalls and intermediate wall may be commensurate in size. In the illustrated embodiment, intermediate wall has the same depth as sidewalls  112  and  114 ; however, it should also be understood that intermediate wall may have a shorter depth. In this manner, intermediate light strips  124   b  and  126   a  may be eliminated so that light is directed inwardly from the light strips mounted sidewalls  112  and  114 . However, to minimize shadowing, it is preferable to include the intermediate light strips. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 16-19  and  21 , light strips  124   a ,  124   b ,  126   a , and  126   b  are powered by a power cable assembly  131  similar to power cable assembly  31 . Power cable assembly  131  includes a light strip cable  152  for each light strip, a power cable  154  that exits base  120  through an opening  156  formed in base  120 , and a switch cable  162  for coupling to switch  160 , which is also mounted to cabinet assembly  110 . Optionally, the switch may have multiple positions to actuate one or more of the light strips, as previously noted. Similar to the previous embodiments, light strip cables  152  are coupled to the respective light strips  124   a ,  124   b ,  126   a , and  126   b  by 90° couplers  150  so that power harness  132  and cables  152  may assume a generally planar arrangement within recess  134  of base  120 , similar to the previous embodiment. 
   As best seen in  FIG. 18 , base  120  includes a central recessed portion  134 , which is surrounded by an outer perimeter portion  136  and an inner perimeter portion  138 . Similar to the previous embodiments, inner perimeter portion  138  is recessed with respect to the outer surface  136   a  of perimeter portion  136  for receiving a cover  140  therein. Preferably, inner perimeter portion  138  is recessed such that cover  140  forms a substantially flush arrangement with the outer surface  136   a  of perimeter portion  136 . Similarly, cover  140  is secured to inner perimeter portion  138  by a plurality of fasteners  142  that extend into a corresponding plurality of mounting openings  144  provided in inner perimeter portion  138 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 19 , inner perimeter portion  138  includes an inwardly extending flange  138   a  with an opposed pair of notches  138   b ,  138   c  formed therein, which align with the respective openings provided in base  120  which align with recesses  121   b  and  121   c  of intermediate wall  121 . Optionally and preferably, notches  138   b  and  138   c  are sized to provide a friction fit with couplers  150  to thereby secure the respective light strips at their respective proximal ends to base  120 . Similarly, couplers  150  of light strips  124   a  and  126   b  are similarly optionally secured in the respective notches  148  of inner perimeter portion  138 . Furthermore, cable harness  132  preferably includes mounting tabs similar to the previous embodiment to secure cable harness  132  to base  120  in recess  134 . For further details of the construction of base  120 , reference is made to the previous embodiment. 
   As previously noted, the respective lighted cabinet assemblies  10 ,  10 ′,  10  and  10 ′ are lighted in a manner to provide optimal light visibility of the media or articles supported therein and, further, to minimize shadowing. In addition, cabinets  10 ,  10 ′,  110 , and  110 ′ may be illuminated by light strips incorporating light emitting diodes to generate less heat than associated with conventional incandescent lights. In the preferred embodiments, light strips  24 ,  26 ,  124   a ,  124   b ,  126   a , and  126   b  preferably comprise a plurality of light sources, such as incandescent light sources or light emitting diodes, which minimize heat generation, and, further, preferably comprise a plurality of light sources that are encapsulated in a flexible extrusion, such as a PVC extrusion. As would be understood, therefore, when light strips  24 ,  26 ,  124   a ,  124   b ,  126   a , and  126   b  incorporate light emitting diodes they generate far less heat than associated with conventional incandescent lights sources and, further, consume less power than conventional incandescent light sources. In addition, given the directional nature of light emitting diodes, the direction of the light in the cabinet assembly can be controlled or adjusted to achieve the desired lighting effect. Furthermore, the depth of the recesses may be increased to permit the light strips to be placed further into the sidewalls, which would reduce the light coverage to, for example, the front of the shelves. Furthermore, PVC extrusions are flexible and compressible so that the recesses provided in the sidewalls may be configured to provide a compression or friction fit so that the light strips may be mounted in the respective sidewalls by simply inserting them into the recesses, which will retain the light strips therein by friction. As noted, the position of the light strips in the respective recesses may be adjusted to vary the lighting effect within the cabinet. 
   To further secure the light strips in the cabinet assemblies, the upper distal end of the respective light strips are preferably provided with end caps  25  ( FIGS. 4 and 5 ) and  125  ( FIG. 21 ), which may be inserted into the corresponding opening or recess provided in upper wall  18  to thereby secure the upper distal end of the respective light strips within the cabinet. As previously noted, the proximal ends of the respective light strips are preferably secured in the base by 90° couplers, which preferably have a friction fit with the respective notches provided in the inner perimeter portion of the base. 
   While several forms of the invention have been shown and described, other changes and modifications may be made. For example, thought the illustrated embodiments have been described in reference to the use of a single light strip for each wall, it should be understood that discrete sections of light strips may also be used, with each discrete light sections, for example, being separately powered so that they may be individually be turned on or off. Furthermore, additional light strips may be included in the light cabinet assembly, for example, such as at the back wall of the cabinet assembly or at inner locations of the respective sidewalls. Also as noted, the back wall may be eliminated and additional light strips may be positioned at the back side of the cabinet to illuminate the, now, other outer edges of the shelves. Furthermore, a light strip may be incorporated into the upper wall. Though not previously noted, the respective walls and components of the shelf assemblies are preferably formed from wood components or components formed from wood material. However, it should be understood that one or more of the components of the cabinet assembly may be made from plastic, composite materials, or the like. Therefore, it will be understood that the embodiments shown in the drawings and described above are merely for illustrative purposes, and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention, which is defined by the claims that follow as interpreted under the principles of patent law including the doctrine of equivalents.