Patent Publication Number: US-6991305-B2

Title: Corner storage cabinet

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
   The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/415,073 filed Oct. 1, 2002, which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. 

   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates generally to a piece of furniture for storage. More particularly, the present invention relates to a piece of furniture for storing equipment, specifically musical equipment. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   In many fields, it is necessary to store objects during periods in which it is not desired to use the objects. Various types of shelving systems have been developed to address needs in this area. 
   Certain objects, such as musical instruments, have a high value and/or are easily damaged if used in an inappropriate manner. In these situations, it is desirable to place the objects in a storage locker that enables the objects to be securely stored when not in use. One such system is marketed by the assignee of the present application. 
   When storing objects in locations where the storage cabinets are located on adjoining walls, there is typically a region in front of one of the storage systems that cannot be used because of potential interference with other portions of the storage system. Especially in smaller rooms, these unusable regions dramatically lower the potential storage efficiency. 
   Examples of rotary shelf systems are disclosed in the following patents: Domenig, U.S. Pat. No. 6,017,108; Baker, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,443,885; 4,688,686; and Benting, U.S. Pat. No. 4,486,106. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention is directed to a storage cabinet that is particularly suited for use in a corner. The corner storage cabinet generally includes a center column assembly that is mounted in an enclosure. The center column assembly is adapted to receive one or more different storage mechanisms that permit the corner storage cabinet to be selectively configured to store objects having various dimensions. 
   Another embodiment of the present invention is directed to a corner storage cabinet that includes an enclosure and at least one shelf or hanger mounted therein. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a corner storage cabinet according to an embodiment of the present invention 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a bottom frame assembly of the corner storage cabinet. 
       FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view of a center column assembly of the corner storage cabinet. 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a base frame assembly of the center column assembly. 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a partial shelf assembly of the corner storage cabinet. 
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a deflector plate of the corner storage cabinet. 
       FIG. 7  is perspective view of a partial robe assembly for an alternative embodiment of the corner storage cabinet. 
       FIG. 8  is close-up view of a partial robe assembly mounting face of the partial robe assembly. 
       FIG. 9  is an elevational view of multiple partial robe assemblies for an alternative embodiment of the corner storage cabinet. 
       FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a cushioning pad used with the partial shelf assembly. 
       FIG. 11  is a perspective view of a front door for the corner storage cabinet. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
   A corner storage cabinet according to the present invention is shown generally at  10  in the figures. The corner storage cabinet  10  consists of a housing structure  12  within which is a support assembly  14  for use in storing items having various dimensions. 
   The corner storage cabinet  10  of the present invention enhances the efficiency for using storage space in a particular room by utilizing corner space that is typically not used with conventional designs. The support assembly  14  is rotatably mounted in the corner storage cabinet  10  to enhance the ability to access items stored therein. Additionally, the corner storage cabinet  10  is reconfigurable to change the storage configuration depending upon needs during different times of the year. 
   Referring to  FIG. 1 , the housing structure  12  consists of two adjacent back panels  20 , a top panel  22 , and two side panels  24 . Depending on a location where it is desired to use the corner storage cabinet  10 , the housing structure  12  may also include a bottom panel (not shown). 
   The back panels  20 , the top panel  22 , and the two side panels  24  are preferably fabricated from melamine, plastic panels, metallic panels, wood, or laminated wood. The corner storage cabinet  10  has a height of at least four feet and preferably about seven feet. The corner storage cabinet  10  has a width and a length of at least two feet and preferably about four feet. 
   A front opening  30  for access to the cabinet contents is defined by proximal edges  26  of the side panels  24  and a front edge  28  of the top panel  22 . As is discussed in more detail below, a front door (not shown) may be provided to close off the front opening  30  and thereby restrict access to items stored in the corner storage cabinet  10 . 
   The side panels  24  and the top panel  22  preferably include a plurality of vent holes  32  to allow for air circulation and moisture dissipation within the housing structure  12 . The vent holes  32  thereby reduce the potential that items stored in the corner storage cabinet  10  will develop a musty smell or otherwise become undesirable to use. The size and spacing of the vent holes  32  is selected based upon the amount of air circulation and moisture dissipation that is desired. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  3 , the support assembly  44  includes a bottom frame assembly  40  with a bottom frame  42  adjacent to the inside perimeter of housing structure  12 , specifically, the interior bottom edges of the back panels  20  and the side panels  24 . Using this configuration provides support for the housing structure  12  and prevents undue rolling or swaying of the bottom frame assembly  40  due to the placement of the contents on the support assembly  14 . The bottom frame  42  is preferably constructed of tubular steel. 
   The bottom frame assembly  40  directly supports center column assembly  52  and has a plurality of support legs  60 . The support legs  60  are preferably metallic in construction, such as being fabricated of steel tubing. At the junction of individual support legs  60  is a bottom plate assembly  50 . The bottom plate assembly  50  is fixed to the support legs  60  and provides the supporting structure for the center column assembly  52 . 
   Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the bottom plate assembly  50  consists of a single center plate  51 , preferably of steel construction, with a plurality of holes  54 . The holes  54  are used for both securing the center plate  51  to the individual support legs  60  and attaching a plurality of leveler glides  56  (only one of which is shown). The leveler glides  56  allow for the leveling of the bottom frame assembly  40  to assure stability of the supported contents. At the midpoint of the center plate  51  is a base frame assembly post  58 . The base frame assembly post  58  permits rotation of the center column assembly  52  about its longitudinal axis. 
   Referring to  FIG. 2 , a distal end  70  of each support leg  60  is attached a frame tab  72 . The frame tab  72  is attached to the support leg  60  and a portion of the frame tab  72  longitudinally overhangs the distal end  70  of the support leg  60  and contains a clearance hole (not shown). The support leg  60  is fastened to the bottom frame  42  with a standard fastener, such as a capscrew, through both the clearance hole and a mating fastening hole (not shown) in the bottom frame  42 . 
   Referring back to  FIG. 3 , upon the bottom frame assembly  40  is the center column assembly  52 . The center column assembly  52  includes a center column  92 , consisting of a multi-sided tube spanning a vertical height of the corner storage cabinet  10 . The center column  92  is preferably constructed of a metallic material, such as steel tubing. 
   A bottom end plate (not shown) is attached to a lower end of the center column  92 . The bottom end plate allows for rotation of center column  92  about the base frame assembly post  58 . Bored out along the length of each side of the center column  92  are a plurality of positioning holes  94 , in which supporting structures, described below, may be mounted. The plurality of positioning holes  94  allows for the placement of those supporting structures anywhere along the length of the center column  94 . 
   At the top of the center column  92  is a top plate assembly  80 . Referring to  FIG. 2 , the top plate assembly  80  includes a top plate  82 . The top plate  82  has a plurality of mounting holes  84  for attachment to the top panel  22  and is preferably constructed of steel. The top plate  82  may be attached to the top panel  22  of the housing structure  12  using a standard fastener, such as a capscrew. 
   Referring to  FIG. 5 , a preferred support structure of the support assembly  14  consists of shelving, specifically partial shelf assemblies  100 . Each partial shelf assembly  100  includes a support surface  110 . The support surface  110  is preferably made of metal. The support surface  110  provides a support face  112  upon which various objects may be placed. Along the outer perimeter of the partial shelf assembly  100  is an edge  114 , which presents inner margin  116 , providing a contact surface to prevent the sliding of the shelf contents from the shelf. 
   The partial shelf assembly  100  is preferably fastened to the center column  92  with a shelf support  130 . The shelf support  130  has a mounting face  132  and two side faces  134 . The shelf support  130  contains a plurality of mounting holes  136  on the mounting face  132  for securing the partial shelf assembly  100  to the center column  92 . 
   The side faces  134  provide lateral resistance to rotation of the partial shelf assembly  100  about the center column  92 . To provide structural support to the partial shelf assembly  100  and further retain the contents placed upon the shelf, an inner wall  140  is presented on both sides of the shelf support  130 . The inner wall  140  extends radially from the upper edge of the mounting face  132  at a downward angle to meet the ends of the inner margin  116 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 6 , a deflector plate  144  is provided to further protect and retain the contents of the partial shelf assembly  100  within the housing structure  12 . The deflector plate  144  is an arcuate plate attached along the vertical length of both back panels  20  of the housing structure  12 . 
   It should be noted that multiple partial shelf assemblies  100  may be mounted on adjacent faces at the same level of the central column  92  to form a larger coplanar shelf assembly for increased storage capacity. 
   In an alternative arrangement, a flag/coral robe rack may be assembled and attached to the center column  92  for the storage of larger, upright items. Referring to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , a partial robe assembly  150  is situated in a similar manner to the partial shelf assembly  100 . Each partial robe assembly  150  has a mounting face  152  for attachment to the center column  92 . The mounting face  152  has a plurality of attachment holes for attachment therewith. 
   Projecting radially outward from the mounting face  152  are at least two side walls  156 . The side walls  156  provide support for a plurality of containment rims  160 . The containment rims  160  provide a support structure for various items that are to be stored in an upright position, such as flags or guns. The number of containment rims  160  will depend on the objects to be contained. 
   It should be noted that multiple partial robe assemblies  150  may be mounted on adjacent faces of the central column  92  to form a larger coplanar shelf assembly for increased storage. Referring to  FIG. 9 , multiple coplanar partial robe assemblies  150  may also be secured at varying heights along the center column  92  to provide enhanced support for various stored items. 
   Referring to  FIG. 10 , in the flag/coral robe rack configuration, a cushioning pad  170  may be applied to support surface  110  to reduce wear and tear on both the load bearing surfaces of the stored items and the support surface  110  of a partial shelf assembly  100 . The cushioning pad  170  will also restrict the movement of the stored items on the partial shelf assembly  100 . 
   As noted above, depending on the location where the corner storage cabinet  10  is to be used, the corner storage cabinet  10  may include a door  180  that covers the front opening  30  and thereby restricts access to items stored in the corner storage cabinet  10 . The door  180  is pivotally attached to one of the side panels  24 . A lock (not shown) is preferably provided on the door  180  to prevent unauthorized persons from opening the door  180 . 
   The door  180  is preferably curved to substantially conform to a shape of the partial shelf assemblies  100 . Alternatively, the door  180  may have a substantially flat shape. The door  180  is preferably fabricated from a plurality of bars. Fabricating the door  180  with this configuration also promotes ventilation to facilitate moisture dissipation from within the corner storage cabinet  10 . A person of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the door  180  may also be fabricated from plastic, metal, or composite materials. 
   Because of the relatively large size of the corner storage cabinet, it is possible for a person to walk at least partially inside the corner storage cabinet to access items stored in the corner storage cabinet. 
   It is contemplated that features disclosed in this application, as well as those described in the above applications incorporated by reference, can be mixed and matched to suit particular circumstances. Various other modifications and changes will be apparent to those of ordinary skill.