Abstract:
An expandable cabinet furniture, especially a television cart, has laterally separable, usually rectangular solid cabinets and one or more extensions, typically shelves, slidably received in and supported by slots, rails or guides of the cabinets. The tops, shelves, or bottoms of the cabinets conceal the portions of the extensions that are received in the cabinets, either behind detail moldings or within false bottoms or hollow shelves.

Description:
[0001]     This application claims the benefit of Provisional Application No. 60/585,468, filed Jul. 2, 2004. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     The present invention relates generally to a type of home furniture known as a television cart (“TV cart”) and more particularly to a TV cart of variable width.  
         [0004]     2. Description of the Related Art  
         [0005]     A furniture maker may sell a TV cart without knowing the width of the buyer&#39;s television (TV). The buyer may replace the TV with one of a different width. If the cart is merely required to support the TV, it might be wider or narrower than the TV with little consequence. However, if home audio/video and consumer electronic entertainment equipment is to be housed near the TV, the consumer prefers to use space efficiently and create a pleasing appearance by surrounding the TV screen with cabinets, usable shelves, speaker towers and the like and not with odd-looking gaps and voids.  
         [0006]     A TV space of variable width can be provided, for example, by a TV cart of fixed width at least as wide as the TV which rests on the floor and is bracketed on the left and right by cabinets or towers having sufficient void space to receive the portions of the TV cart that extend laterally beyond the width of the TV. Although this combination reduces gaps between the TV and the surrounding furniture, the cabinet void spaces occupied by the TV cart are unavailable for other uses and any portion of the TV cart that extends into a cabinet or tower is likely to be obstructed. Moreover, the portion of the TV cart that is unobstructed may be of unexpected dimensions. The consumer, not knowing what to do with this odd space and preferring not to see it, might simply cover it with a piece of fabric or screen cut to size.  
         [0007]     A TV space of variable width can also be provided by a TV cart of variable width which rests on the floor and is bracketed by cabinets or towers. Such a TV cart will not invade the volume of a cabinet or tower, but will nevertheless have a void space and a front area of unpredictable dimensions.  
         [0008]     Televisions today include not only CRTs, but LCDs, Plasmas, DLPs, Regular and High Definition models, Sony WEGAs and a host of other new technologies, all of which have styling with varying dimensions. A need exists for a way to house a television of any width within a range on a TV cart of variable width while preserving familiar usable space near the TV.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0009]     It is an object of the present invention to house a TV of width within a range on a TV cart of variable width while preserving familiar usable space near the TV.  
         [0010]     In accordance with these objects and with others which will be described and which will become apparent, an exemplary embodiment of an expandable cabinet furniture in accordance with the present invention comprises first and second cabinets and at least one extension, or span, extending therebetween, at least one of the first and second cabinets enclosing an interior and receiving and concealing therein a variable portion of the at least one span. When the cabinets are spaced apart, the spans provide shelf space between the cabinets. As the cabinets are moved closer together, the spans are received in the cabinets in a manner which does not substantially lessen the visible and usable space within the cabinets.  
         [0011]     The cabinets may contain shelves, in which case the spans may be received beneath the shelves. Moldings may depend from the shelves and hide the variable length segments of the spans that are received behind the moldings.  
         [0012]     A span may be relatively flat like a plank or shelf. The span may be received through, or supported by, a slotted side of a cabinet.  
         [0013]     A cabinet may receive and conceal a variable portion of a span, either behind a detail molding as mentioned above, or within a hollow shelf or some other obscuring structure.  
         [0014]     A cabinet may receive a span through one or more of its sides.  
         [0015]     A cabinet may receive a span against a bottom shelf or bottom surface, within a guide or rail, or against or within a false bottom panel and the span may have a bolt slidably positioned in a slot in the cabinet to guide the span. The bolt may be secured by a nut, or may be insertable into the slot through an enlarged portion of the slot.  
         [0016]     Also in accordance with the same objects, an exemplary embodiment of an expandable television cart in accordance with the present invention comprises first and second cabinets each having a top side, each having a bottom side adapted for resting on a floor surface, each enclosing an interior space, each having a front side adapted for frontally viewing and accessing the interior space. A top bridge extends between the first and second cabinets. Variable portions of the top bridge are received within the first and second cabinets proximate the top sides thereof. A bottom bridge extends between the first and second cabinets, variable portions of the bottom bridge being received within the first and second cabinets proximate the bottom sides thereof. The variable portions of the top bridge and of the bottom bridge, received within the first and second cabinets, are substantially hidden from frontal viewing.  
         [0017]     The cart may have a shelf at an intermediate height within the interior space. At least one intermediate bridge extends between the first and second cabinets, variable portions of the intermediate bridge being received within the first and second cabinets proximate the intermediate shelf. The variable portions of the intermediate bridge, received within the first and second cabinets, are substantially hidden from frontal viewing.  
         [0018]     A molding may depend from the top side and from the bottom side of each of the first and second cabinets proximate the front side thereof, and the variable portion of the top bridge and the bottom bridge may be received behind the molding.  
         [0019]     A molding may also depend from the intermediate shelf of each of the first and second cabinets proximate the front side thereof, and the variable portion of the intermediate bridge may be received behind this molding.  
         [0020]     The top side and bottom side of the first cabinet and second cabinet may be hollow and each variable portion of the top bridge and the bottom bridge is received within the hollow top side and bottom side, respectively.  
         [0021]     Each intermediate shelf may be hollow and each variable portion of the intermediate bridge may be received within the hollow intermediate shelf.  
         [0022]     A back panel may extend between the first and second cabinets, variable portions of the back panel being received behind the first and second cabinets.  
         [0023]     Also in accordance with the same objects, an exemplary embodiment of an expandable cabinet furniture comprises a support; a cabinet; and at least one span engaged endwise with the support and being concealingly received a variable distance within the cabinet. The support may include a cabinet and the span include a horizontally oriented substantially flat rigid structural member.  
         [0024]     The present invention allows each span to extend a variable distance outside a cabinet in a manner providing shelves or other crossmembers having utility or familiar appearance. The present invention also allows the span to extend into a cabinet in a manner preserving the usefulness and familiar appearance of the space inside the cabinet. Optionally, a back panel is slidably supported at the rear of a cabinet to provide some enclosure behind the span. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0025]     For a further understanding of the objects and advantages of the present invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which like parts are given like reference numbers and wherein:  
         [0026]      FIG. 1  is a front elevational view of a preferred embodiment of an expandable cabinet furniture in accordance with the present invention with the cabinets abutting;  
         [0027]      FIG. 2  is a front elevational view thereof with the cabinets spaced apart;  
         [0028]      FIG. 3  is a right side sectional view through one cabinet thereof taken along line  3 - 3  of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0029]      FIG. 4  is a right side elevational view of a left cabinet thereof;  
         [0030]      FIG. 5  is a front elevational view of a first alternative embodiment of an expandable cabinet furniture in accordance with the present invention with the cabinets abutting;  
         [0031]      FIG. 6  is a front elevational view thereof with the cabinets spaced apart;  
         [0032]      FIG. 7  is a right sectional view through a cabinet thereof taken along line  7 - 7  of  FIG. 5 ;  
         [0033]      FIG. 8  is a bottom plan view of the second cabinet thereof;  
         [0034]      FIG. 9  is a front elevational view of a second alternative embodiment of an expandable cabinet furniture in accordance with the present invention with the cabinets abutting;  
         [0035]      FIG. 10  is a front elevational view thereof with the cabinets spaced apart;  
         [0036]      FIG. 11  is a right sectional view through a cabinet thereof taken along line  11 - 11  of  FIG. 9 ;  
         [0037]      FIG. 12  is a front elevational view of a third alternative embodiment of an expandable cabinet furniture in accordance with the present invention with a column abutting a cabinet;  
         [0038]      FIG. 13  is a side elevational view thereof with the column spaced apart from the cabinet; and  
         [0039]      FIG. 14  is a right sectional view through one cabinet of a fourth alternative embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0040]     The invention will now be described with reference to  FIG. 1 , which illustrates in front view a preferred embodiment of an expandable cabinet furniture in accordance with the present invention shown generally by the reference number  30 , including a first cabinet  32  and a second cabinet  34 , each having a top  36  with frontal depending top detail molding  38 , a bottom  40  with frontal depending bottom detail molding  44  and feet  46 , a middle shelf  48  with frontal depending middle shelf detail molding  50 , and a windowed door  52 . The second cabinet  34  abuts the first cabinet  32 .  
         [0041]      FIG. 2  illustrates a front elevational view with the cabinets spaced apart, showing the first cabinet  32  and second cabinet  34  each with top  36 , top detail molding  38 , bottom  40 , bottom detail molding  44 , feet  46 , door  52 , middle shelf  48 , and middle shelf detail molding  50 . Between the spaced apart first cabinet  32  and the second cabinet  34  there are a top extension  54  with top extension detail molding  56 , a middle extension  58 , and a bottom extension  60  with bottom extension detail molding  62 .  
         [0042]      FIG. 3 , a right side sectional view through one cabinet, shows the top  36 , top detail molding  38 , bottom  40 , bottom detail molding  44 , middle shelf  48 , middle shelf detail molding  50 , feet  46 , door  52 , top extension  54 , middle extension  58 , and bottom extension  60 . The top extension  54  has a frontal depending top extension detail molding  56 . The bottom extension  60  has a frontal depending bottom extension detail molding. The bottom  40  forms a bottom shelf  76 . The bottom  40  also forms a rearward-projecting front rail  68  and a frontward-projecting rear rail  70  which cooperate to support the bottom extension  60 .  
         [0043]      FIG. 4 , a right side elevational view of the first cabinet  32  (the one on the left in  FIGS. 1-2 ), shows the top  36 , top detail molding  38 , bottom  40 , bottom detail molding  44 , door  52 , feet  46 , front rail  68 , and rear rail  70 . Also shown are a top cut-out  72  for receiving and supporting the top extension (not shown; see  FIGS. 2-3 ), and a middle cut-out  74  for receiving and supporting the middle extension (not shown; see  FIGS. 2-3 ).  
         [0044]     With reference to  FIGS. 1-4 , the first cabinet  32  and the second cabinet  34  may be placed in abutment or they may be spaced apart a variable distance. To accommodate the distance, the top extension  54  slides in the top cut-out  72 , the middle extension  58  slides in the middle cut-out  74 , and the bottom extension  60  slides on the front rail  68  and rear rail  70 . The middle shelf  48  and the bottom shelf  76  provide for the familiar and aesthetically pleasing storage, organization or display of articles within the first cabinet  32  and second cabinet  34 . The top detail molding  38 , bottom detail molding  44 , and middle shelf detail molding  50  provide visual features, both familiar and aesthetically pleasing, which may be finished in a manner consistent with whatever decorative motif is desired.  
         [0045]     With continued reference to  FIGS. 1-4 , the top detail molding  38  hides the portion of the top extension  54  that is received beneath the top  36 , the bottom detail molding  44  hides the portion of the bottom extension  60  that is received beneath the bottom  40 , and the middle shelf detail molding  50  hides the portion of the middle extension  58  that is received beneath the middle shelf  48 . As a result, those portions of the extensions  54 ,  60  and  58  are unlikely to be noticed and thus unlikely to disturb the aesthetics of the furniture.  
         [0046]     With further reference to  FIGS. 1-4 , the spaces available for the storage, organization or display of articles within the first cabinet  32  and second cabinet  34  do not vary substantially as the extensions  54 ,  60  and  58  are advanced or withdrawn. Only small, inconspicuous spaces behind the top detail molding  38 , bottom detail molding  44  and middle shelf detail molding  50  are affected.  
         [0047]     With still further reference to  FIGS. 1-4 , the top extension  54  is usable to support a television or similar appliance. Alternatively, if the appliance includes a volume of hardware located below its video screen, the top extension  54  and, if desired, the middle extension  58  may be removed and the appliance may be supported by the middle extension  58  or by the bottom extension  60 . Especially in the case of a wide flat panel television having widely spaced feet and little or no hardware beneath its video screen, the tops  36  of the left and right cabinets  32  and  34  support the appliance directly. In this arrangement, the extensions  54 ,  58  and  60  may appear, or indeed function, as shelf space.  
         [0048]     Finally, with reference to  FIGS. 2-3 , the top extension detail molding  56  and bottom extension detail molding  60 , although shaped simply in the drawing, may be shaped or finished to complement or mimic decorative features of the top detail molding  38  and the bottom detail molding  44 , respectively, if desired.  
         [0049]      FIG. 5  illustrates a front elevational view of a first alternative embodiment of an expandable cabinet furniture in accordance with the present invention in which the cabinets rest directly on the floor and lack rails. This first alternative embodiment, shown generally by the number  130  with the cabinets abutting, includes a first cabinet  132  and a second cabinet  134 , each having a top  136  with frontal depending top detail molding  138 , a bottom  140  with bottom detail molding  144 , a middle shelf  148  with frontal depending middle shelf detail molding  150 , and a windowed door  152 . The second cabinet  134  abuts the first cabinet  132 .  
         [0050]      FIG. 6  illustrates a front elevational view thereof with the cabinets spaced apart. There are a first cabinet  132  and a second cabinet  134 , each having a top  136 , top detail molding  138 , a bottom  140  with bottom detail molding  144 , door  152 , a middle shelf  148 , and middle shelf detail molding  150 . Between the spaced apart first cabinet  132  and the second cabinet  134 , there is a top extension  154  with top extension detail molding  156 , a middle extension  158 , and a bottom extension  160  with bottom extension detail molding  162 .  
         [0051]      FIG. 7  illustrates a right sectional view through a cabinet thereof. There are the top  136 , top detail molding  138 , bottom  140 , middle shelf  148 , middle shelf detail molding  150 , door  152 , top extension  154 , middle extension  158 , and bottom extension  160 . The top extension  154  has a frontal depending top extension detail molding  156 . The bottom extension  160  has a frontal depending bottom extension detail molding  162 . The bottom  140  forms a bottom shelf  176  having two parallel laterally oriented slots  178  and  179 . The bottom extension  160  has two bolts  180  and  181  which are shown projecting upward into the slots  178  and  79  with their heads  182  and  183  above the bottom shelf  176  to slidably suspend the bottom extension  160  from the bottom shelf  176 . Also shown are a top guide  184 , a bottom guide  186 , and a back panel  188  slidably nested between the top guide  184  and the bottom guide  186 . The top guide  184  and the bottom guide  186 , as shown, are formed of the same material used for the cabinets  132  and  134 , but may alternatively be provided in a different form such as, for example, screw-on metal brackets. Also alternatively, the back panel  188  may alternatively be fixed to one cabinet  132  and slidingly received behind the other cabinet  134 .  
         [0052]      FIG. 8 , a bottom plan view of the second cabinet  134  thereof (the one on the right in  FIGS. 5-6 ), shows the bottom  140 , door  152 , bottom shelf  176 , slots  178  and  179 , bottom extension  160 , bottom extension detail molding  162 , and bolts  180  and  181 .  
         [0053]     With reference to  FIGS. 5-8 , the first cabinet  132  and second cabinet  134  may be placed in abutment or they may be spaced apart a variable distance. To accommodate the distance, the top extension  154  slides in the top cut-out (not shown; see top cut-out  72  in  FIG. 4 ), the middle extension  158  slides in the middle cut-out (not shown; see middle cut-out  74  in  FIG. 4 ), the heads  182  and  183  of the bolts  180  and  181  of the bottom extension  160  slide on the bottom shelf  176 , and the back panel  188  slides between the top guide  184  and the bottom guide  186 .  
         [0054]     With continued reference to  FIGS. 5-8 , the bottom  140 , lacking feet, allows the bottom shelf  176  to be positioned relatively close to the floor. The bottom extension  160 , being supported by bolts  180  and  181  engaged with the bottom shelf  176 , avoids the need for the rails  68  and  70  that are shown in  FIGS. 1-4 , thereby saving space and weight and reducing the cost of material and assembly.  
         [0055]      FIG. 9  illustrates a front elevational view of a second alternative embodiment of an expandable cabinet furniture in accordance with the present invention in which the bottom extension is received in a false bottom. This second alternative embodiment, shown generally by the number  230  with the cabinets abutting, includes a first cabinet  232  and a second cabinet  234 , each having a top  236  with frontal depending top detail molding  238 , a bottom  240  with frontal depending bottom detail molding  244 , a middle shelf  248  with frontal depending middle shelf detail molding  250 , and a windowed door  252 . The second cabinet  234  abuts the first cabinet  232 .  
         [0056]      FIG. 10  illustrates a front elevational view thereof with the cabinets spaced apart. There are the first cabinet  232  and second cabinet  234 , each with top  236 , top detail molding  238 , bottom  240 , door  252 , middle shelf  248 , and middle shelf detail molding  250 . Between the spaced apart first cabinet  232  and the second cabinet  234 , there are a top extension  254  with top extension detail molding  256 , a middle extension  258 , and a bottom extension  260  with bottom extension detail molding  262 .  
         [0057]      FIG. 11 , a right sectional view through a cabinet thereof, shows the top  236 , top detail molding  238 , bottom  240 , middle shelf  248 , middle shelf detail molding  250 , door  252 , top extension  254 , middle extension  258 , and bottom extension  260 . The top extension  254  has a frontal depending top extension detail molding  256 . The bottom extension  260  has a frontal depending bottom extension detail molding  262 . The bottom  240  forms a bottom shelf  276  and a false bottom panel  290  having two parallel laterally oriented slots  278  and  279 . The bottom extension  260  has two bolts  280  and  281  which are shown projecting upward into the slots  278  and  279  with their heads  282  and  283  above the false bottom panel  290  to slidably suspend the bottom extension  260  from the false bottom panel  290 .  
         [0058]     With reference to  FIGS. 9-11 , the first cabinet  232  and second cabinet  234  may be placed in abutment or they may be spaced apart a variable distance. To accommodate the distance, the top extension  254  slides in the top cut-out (not shown; see top cut-out  72  in  FIG. 4 ), the middle extension  258  slides in the middle cut-out (not shown; see middle cut-out  74  in  FIG. 4 ), and the heads  282  and  283  of the bolts  280  and  281  of the bottom extension  260  slide on the false bottom panel  290 .  
         [0059]     With continued reference to  FIGS. 9-11 , the heads  282  and  283  of the bolts  280  and  281  are hidden, because they engage with the false bottom panel  290  rather than the bottom shelf  276 .  
         [0060]      FIG. 12  illustrates a front elevational view of a third alternative embodiment of an expandable cabinet furniture in accordance with the present invention in which a support or column abuts one cabinet. This third alternative embodiment, shown generally by the number  330 , includes a first cabinet  332  having a top  336  with frontal depending top detail molding  338 , a bottom  340  with frontal depending bottom detail molding  344 , a middle shelf  348  with frontal depending middle shelf detail molding  350 , and a windowed door  352 . A column  392  abuts the first cabinet  332 .  
         [0061]      FIG. 13 , a side elevational view thereof with the column  392  spaced apart from the cabinet, shows the first cabinet  332 , top  336 , top detail molding  338 , bottom  340 , door  352 , middle shelf  348 , and middle shelf detail molding  350 . A top extension  354  with top extension detail molding  356 , a middle extension  358 , and a bottom extension  360  with bottom extension detail molding  362  are shown between the spaced apart first cabinet  332  and column  392 .  
         [0062]     With reference to  FIGS. 12-13 , the first cabinet  332  and the column  392  may be placed in abutment or they may be spaced apart a variable distance, although not as far apart as with the other embodiments, there being less space for receiving each extension. To accommodate the distance, the top extension  354  slides in the top cut-out (not shown; see top cut-out  72  in  FIG. 4 ), the middle extension  358  slides in the middle cut-out (not shown; see middle cut-out  74  in  FIG. 4 ), and the bottom extension  360  slides on a front rail (not shown; see front rail  68  in  FIG. 3 ) and a rear rail (not shown; see rear rail  70  in  FIG. 3 ) or by means of bolts (not shown; see bolts  180  and  181  in  FIGS. 7-8 ) on a bottom shelf (not shown; see bottom shelf  176  in  FIGS. 7-8 ) or false bottom panel (not shown; see false bottom panel  290  in  FIG. 11 ).  
         [0063]     With continued reference to  FIGS. 12-13 , it is noted that the previous discussions of  FIGS. 1-4 ,  5 - 8 , and  9 - 11  are alternatively applicable to this third alternative embodiment.  
         [0064]      FIG. 14  illustrates a right sectional view through a cabinet of at fourth alternative embodiment of the present invention in which extensions are received in hollow shelves. Shown generally by the number  430 , this fourth alternative embodiment includes a hollow top  436 , top detail molding  438 , bottom  440 , hollow middle shelf  448 , door  452 , top extension  454 , middle extension  458 , and bottom extension  460 . The top extension  454  has a frontal depending top extension detail molding  456 . The bottom extension  460  has a frontal depending bottom extension detail molding  462 . The bottom  440  forms a hollow bottom shelf  476 . The top extension  454 , middle extension  458  and bottom extension  460  are slidably received and supported through top, middle and bottom cutouts (not shown; for structure, see top cut-out  72  and middle cut-out  74  in  FIG. 4 .) and received in and surrounded by the hollow top  436 , hollow middle shelf  448  and hollow bottom shelf  476 , respectively. In this fourth alternative embodiment, it is noted that there is no need for rails or bolts, because extensions  454 ,  458  and  460  are surrounded by the top  436  and the shelves  448  and  476 , respectively.  
         [0065]     While the foregoing detailed description has described several embodiments of an expandable cabinet furniture in accordance with the present invention, it is to be understood that the above description is illustrative only and not limiting of the disclosed invention. For example, the top, middle shelf, or bottom shelf may be hollow and serve to receive, support and guide an extension. Washers may be used with bolts. More or less than two slots may be employed in a bottom shelf or false bottom for supporting the bottom extension. The bottom extension may be received above a false bottom, rather than below it. The backs and sides of the cabinets may be relatively closed, as illustrated, or relatively open. The back panel may be fixed to a cabinet and may be able to slide with respect to another cabinet. Moldings, doors, and windows may be varied in size or shape. The extensions, although shown as relatively flat shelf-like structures, could have other shapes. An extension may be received through one side of a cabinet, as illustrated, or through more than one side. A cabinet may describe a substantially rectangular solid, as illustrated, or a wedge or a triangular solid. An extension need not be received through parallel sides of a cabinet or cabinets. Feet may be replaced by wheels or casters. The present invention may be formed of wood, glass, metal, polymers, composites, or other materials suited to the application. Indeed, it will be appreciated that the embodiments discussed above and the numerous embodiments that are not mentioned could easily be within the scope and spirit of the present invention. Thus, the present invention is to be limited only by the claims as set forth below.