Patent Publication Number: US-7722138-B2

Title: Storage cabinet

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/049,199, filed Feb. 2, 2005 now abandoned, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/867,564, filed Jun. 14, 2004 now abandoned, which claims priority of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/478,590, filed Jun. 13, 2003. 

   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The invention relates to a storage cabinet, and more particularly, to a storage cabinet having a housing defined by a foldable wrapper or individual side panels, which define multiple sides of the storage cabinet, and an internal framework providing rigidity to the housing. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Storage cabinets such as those used in offices for storage of files and the like conventionally have an exterior housing which has a box-shape that is open on a front side. The housing has at least three side walls and a top wall wherein an open side is adapted to receive a plurality of drawers therein. 
   One conventional housing construction has a foldable sheet of wall material that defines a plurality and typically three of the vertical walls of the cabinet. More particularly, this foldable material sheet is commonly referred to as the housing wrapper wherein the left and right side walls as well as the back wall are formed together as a single piece, but each wall is separated one from the other by a fold line. The wrapper is folded into a box-like configuration to define the side walls and back wall wherein a separate top wall typically is mounted directly on the walls and then suitable drawers are fitted into the open front defined by the housing wrapper. 
   Since such housing wrapper is formed of sheet metal and therefore does not have significant lateral rigidity, additional internal frame pieces are mounted on the side walls to maintain the side walls and back wall in a rigid box-like shape. For example, each side wall may include a front vertical rail and a rear vertical rail which are affixed to the inside face of the side wall wherein additional horizontal cross rails extend between the upper ends of each pair of front vertical rails and the rear vertical rails while additional lower cross rails are mounted to the respective lower ends of the front and rear vertical rails. As such, near the front and rear ends of each side wall, the various rails are joined end-to-end into a rectangular configuration to increase the lateral and vertical strength of the overall cabinet structure formed by the wrapper. Additionally, the vertical side rails are adapted to support drawer slides thereon which drawer slides in turn support slidable drawers that are movable inwardly and outwardly from the open front side of the cabinet. 
   While such internal frame rails serve to rigidify the overall wrapper structure, the frame rails still are able to deflect, particularly at the upper and lower corners thereof, to permit undesirable lateral deflection, i.e. racking, of the cabinet. To determine the relative strength of a cabinet construction, it is known to measure the extent of force placed laterally on an upper corner of the cabinet, which force will cause lateral deflection or racking of one inch. 
   It is an object of the invention to provide an improved cabinet construction which is stronger so as to provide better resistance to lateral deflection of the cabinet while also simplifying the arrangement of component parts and the assembly thereof. 
   The invention relates to a storage cabinet and in particular, a file cabinet having an external housing adapted to support a plurality of storage drawers therein. The cabinet of the invention in one embodiment uses a foldable housing wrapper which defines the side walls and back wall of the cabinet in a manner similar to prior art cabinets. In another embodiment, the side and back walls are separate pieces joined by screws. The inventive cabinet further includes a reinforcement box or insert which fits, preferably, into the back end portion of the hollow interior of the housing and in the case of the wrapper, after the wrapper is folded to define the side walls and back wall. 
   The reinforcement box generally has five sides defined by a vertical back panel which is disposed in opposing relation with the back wall of the cabinet housing. The back panel of the insert further includes four side panels which project forwardly of the back panel from the periphery thereof. Each of the side panels are rigidly joined together at their upper and lower corners to define a rigid open-sided box structure. The back panel has a rectangular shape and is integrally joined together with the side panels along the periphery thereof such that the back panel maintains the side panels in a rectangular configuration and resists deflection of the side panels, particularly at the corners. 
   An opposite pair of the box side panels extend vertically and are disposed in facing relation with the interior surfaces of the cabinet side walls. These vertical panels are rigidly affixed to the cabinet side walls, preferably by welding. The side panels of the reinforcement box therefore rigidify the overall cabinet structure in that the back panel reinforces the box side panels and greatly increases the overall resistance of the cabinet to lateral deflections. 
   Additionally, the reinforcement box has the back panel spaced forwardly of the back wall of the cabinet housing to thereby define a vertical channel therebetween. This spacing effectively results in a hollow column being formed by the cabinet back wall, the insert back panel and the rearmost edge portions of the cabinet side walls. The overall rigidity of the cabinet housing thereby is further increased. 
   Other objects and purposes of the invention, and variations thereof, will be apparent upon reading the following specification and inspecting the accompanying drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a file cabinet of the invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a side elevational view of the file cabinet. 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the cabinet housing with a top wall and the drawer removed therefrom. 
       FIG. 4  is a front elevational view of the cabinet housing. 
       FIG. 5  is a right side elevational view illustrating the interior of the left side wall of the cabinet housing with drawer slides diagrammatically illustrated in phantom outline. 
       FIG. 6  is an enlarged right side view illustrating the left side wall of the housing wrapper. 
       FIG. 7  is an enlarged plan view of the front edge of the left side wall with a drawer slide illustrated in phantom outline. 
       FIG. 8  is a right side view of the cabinet housing illustrating the left side wall thereof. 
       FIG. 9  is a front view of a top or upper cross rail. 
       FIG. 10  is a plan view of the top cross rail. 
       FIG. 11  is a plan view of the cabinet housing. 
       FIG. 12  is a bottom view of the cabinet housing. 
       FIG. 13  is a front elevational view of the reinforcement box or insert. 
       FIG. 14  is a bottom view of the reinforcement box. 
       FIG. 15  is a side elevational view of the reinforcement box. 
       FIG. 16  is an enlarged partial left side view of the reinforcement box mounted in the housing adjacent the back wall. 
       FIG. 17  is an enlarged partial plan view of a vertical side panel of the reinforcement box. 
       FIG. 18  is a front elevational view of a cabinet housing of a second embodiment of the invention. 
       FIG. 19  is a left side elevational view illustrating the interior of the left side wall of the cabinet housing. 
       FIG. 20  is a partial cross-sectional side view of an improved top cross rail joined to the housing wrapper. 
       FIG. 21  is a partial cross-sectional side view illustrating an improved lower cross rail joined to the housing wrapper. 
       FIG. 22  is a perspective view of the lower cross rail. 
       FIG. 23  is a front elevational view of the lower cross rail. 
       FIG. 24  is a side cross sectional view illustrating an end flange of either of the upper or lower cross rails connected to the housing wrapper. 
       FIG. 25  is a perspective view of the top cross rail. 
       FIG. 26  is a right side view of the top cross rail. 
       FIG. 27  is a front elevational view of the top cross rail. 
       FIG. 28  is a rear elevational view of the top cross rail. 
       FIG. 29  is a front elevational view of the top cross rail with a lock assembly supported therein. 
       FIG. 30  is a plan view of the top cross rail with the lock assembly. 
       FIG. 31  is a side cross sectional view of the top cross rail and lock assembly as taken along line  31 - 31  of  FIG. 29 . 
       FIG. 32  is a front isometric view of a further embodiment of a storage cabinet of the invention. 
       FIG. 33  is a front elevational view thereof. 
       FIG. 34  is an isometric view of the cabinet housing with file drawers and doors removed. 
       FIG. 35  is a front elevational thereof. 
       FIG. 36  is a top isometric view of a top panel for a lower housing box. 
       FIG. 37  is a plan view of an outer side wall for the lower box. 
       FIG. 38  is a plan view of an inner side wall for the lower box. 
       FIG. 39  is a plan view of a lower reinforcement box for the lower housing module. 
       FIG. 40  is a plan view of an upper reinforcement box for the upper housing module. 
       FIG. 41  is a top cross-sectional view of the housing wall components as taken along line  41 - 41  of  FIG. 35 . 
       FIG. 42  is a top cross-sectional view of the wall components as taken along line  42 - 42  of  FIG. 35 . 
       FIG. 43  is a front exploded view of the doors and spacer arrangement for the cabinet. 
     Certain terminology will be used in the following description for convenience and reference only, and will not be limiting. For example, the words “upwardly”, “downwardly”, “rightwardly” and “leftwardly” will refer to directions in the drawings to which reference is made. The words “inwardly” and “outwardly” will refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center of the arrangement and designated parts thereof. Said terminology will include the words specifically mentioned, derivatives thereof, and words of similar import. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a first embodiment of the invention relates to a storage cabinet  10  which is formed as a file cabinet that is adapted to store files and other office supplies therein. The storage cabinet  10  is a first embodiment of the invention that generally includes a cabinet housing  11  which is adapted to receive a plurality of drawers  12  through an open front side  13  thereof. The drawers  12  are slidable to a stored or closed position enclosed entirely within the housing  11  and are openable to an extended or open position as generally seen in  FIG. 1 . 
   The cabinet housing  11  in the first embodiment includes a housing wrapper  15  which is formed as a one-piece unit of sheet metal material and is foldable to define left and right side walls  16  and  17  having rear edge or corner portions  18  and  19  which side walls  16  and  17  are joined together by a back wall  20 . The housing wrapper  15  thereby defines three sides of the cabinet  11 . When folded into the configuration of  FIG. 3 , the wrapper  15  is open on the top and bottom and has front edge portions  21  and  22  of the side walls  16  and  17  respectively which are laterally spaced apart to define the open front side  13 . 
   The cabinet housing  11  ultimately is enclosed on the top side  11 A thereof by a top wall  25  and has a bottom side  11 B that is supported on a plurality of casters  26 . As generally illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the housing wrapper  15  is strengthened or rigidified by a reinforcement box or insert  30  which is rigidly fixed in position within the back area of the housing wrapper  15  proximate the back wall  20 . 
   To rigidify the front of the housing wrapper  15 , the side walls  16  and  17  further include vertical and tubular reinforcement edge supports  31  and  32  at the front edge portions  21  and  22  respectively of the side walls  16  and  17 . The reinforcement edge supports  31  and  32  are formed integral with the side walls  16  and  17  by folding the sheet metal material housing wrapper  15  inwardly and rearwardly into a tubular shape. Additionally as seen in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , an upper cross rail  35  and a lower cross rail  36  are joined to the respective upper and lower ends of the reinforcement rails  31  and  32  to thereby rigidify the front of the cabinet wrapper  15 . 
   The cabinet housing  11  further includes a plurality of conventional drawer slides on both of the side walls  16  and  17  as illustrated diagrammatically in  FIG. 5 . The drawer slides are illustrated in phantom outline and identified from top to bottom by reference numerals  40 ,  41 ,  42  and  43 . The drawer slides  4043  are adapted to support side walls of the individual drawers  12  as generally illustrated in  FIG. 1  and are extendable to allow pulling of the drawers to the extended position. Such drawer slides  40 - 43  have a conventional construction and are well known in the art such that a detailed discussion of the drawer slides  40 - 43 , their mounting to the side walls  16  and  17 , and their support of the drawers  12  is not required. 
   More particularly, as to the housing wrapper  15 , the housing wrapper  15  is formed of three contiguous sections which define the side walls  16  and  17  and the back wall  20 . The housing wrapper  15  is formed from a planar sheet of housing material which is preferably sheet metal that is painted on one side to provide a finished aesthetic appearance for the cabinet  10 . The housing wrapper  15  is formed as a flat sheet and then is bent about fold lines to define the corners  18  and  19  which join the back wall  20  to the side walls  16  and  17 . When bent, the side walls  16  and  17  and back wall  20  are oriented vertically and define the three sides of the storage cabinet  10  as seen in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . Such a housing wrapper  15 , however, has significant flexure and is readily deflectable and thus, requires additional frame structure to rigidify the storage cabinet  10 . 
   More particularly as to the side walls  16  and  17 , the side walls  16  and  17  are formed substantially the same and thus the following description primarily is directed to the left side wall  16  illustrated in  FIGS. 6 and 7 . The side walls  16  and  17  include inwardly projecting horizontal top and bottom flanges  45  and  46  ( FIG. 3 ). 
   At the front edge section  21  of the side wall  16  as seen in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the front most vertical edge is bent inwardly and rearwardly so as to form a hollow tubular reinforcing vertical edge support  31  along a substantial portion of the vertical height of the side wall  16 . The vertical edge support  31  generally has a rectangular shape when viewed from above which is defined by a front facing section  47 , an interior section  48  and a rearward facing section  49 . A rearward-extending connector flange  50  abuts directly against an opposing interior surface  51  of the side wall  16  and is rigidly connected thereto by a plurality and preferably three spot welds  50 A ( FIG. 5 ). 
   The opposite ends of the edge support  31  terminate short of the upper and lower flanges  45  and  46  of the side wall  16  to thereby define upper and lower spaces  52  and  53 . The spaces  52  and  53  are adapted to receive the opposite ends of the respective upper and lower rails  35  and  36  as generally illustrated in  FIG. 5 . The right edge support  32  similarly includes spaces  52  and  53 . 
   To accommodate the drawer slides  40 - 43 , the interior rail section  48  includes four formations of mounting openings  55  ( FIG. 5 ) which support the forward most ends of the drawer slides  40 - 43 . Each formation of openings  55  includes an upward-projecting support tab  56  as a part thereof. Additionally, the upper and lower ends of the vertical support  31  include slots  58  and holes  59  which are adapted to cooperate with additional cabinet components. 
   The vertical support  31  is thereby formed integral with the side wall material and as such the formation of the front facing wall  47  is an integral part of the vertical support  31  and rigidly supports the side wall  16  continuously along the entire vertical length of the support  31 . The integral vertical supports  31  and  32  thereby eliminate separate support structures and provide improved support continuously along a vertical length of the side walls  16  and  17 . 
   The opposite support  32  is formed substantially identical to the vertical support  31  as a mirror image thereof and thus, a detailed discussion of the vertical support  32  is not required. However, as seen in the top view of  FIG. 10 , the right side connector flange  50  further includes an inturned side flange  60  which thereby defines a vertical, inward-opening slide channel  61  along the vertical length of the right edge support  32 . This slide channel  61  is adapted to receive and guide vertical sliding of a lock bar vertically therein which lock bar is adapted to selectively lockout the drawers  12 . Such lock bars operate in a conventional manner and therefore the lock bar of the present file cabinet  10  is not disclosed in further detail herein. 
   Each side wall  16  and  17  extends rearwardly and terminates at the rear corners  18  and  19  wherein the side walls  16  and  17  are integrally joined to the back wall  20  along the entire vertical length of the corner. The back wall  20  has a rectangular shape and further includes inturned top and bottom flanges  65  and  66  which are formed substantially the same as the side wall flanges  45  and  46 . The back wall  20  has an exterior finished surface  67  and an inward facing interior surface  68 . 
   Turning to the horizontal support structures, namely the upper and lower support rails  35  and  36 ,  FIGS. 9 and 10  illustrate the top support rail  35  in detail. The top support rail  35  has a horizontally elongate central section  70  defined by a main central web  71  and downwardly depending edge flanges  72  which extend along the length of the central web  71 . 
   The central web section  71  at the opposite ends thereof is bent downwardly so as to define plate-like mounting flanges  73 . The side flanges  72  also have projecting portions  74  which project sidewardly beyond the mounting flange  73 . The projecting portions  74  are adapted to fit into the spaces  52  that are formed directly above the respective rail  31  or  32 . The projecting portions  74  and the mounting flanges  73  effectively define a notch  75  at each opposite end of the rail  35 , wherein the mounting flanges  73  are thereby offset inwardly of the terminal ends of the projecting portions  74  so as to lie directly against the interior face  48  of the respective edge supports  31  and  32 . Each mounting flange  73  is MIG welded to the respective vertical support  32  or  31 . Further, the top flange  45  has a spot weld  77  at the upper end thereof which rigidly connects the web section  71  and upper flanges  45  together. This therefore provides a rigid corner connection between the cross rail  35  and the side walls  16  and  17 . 
   To further rigidify the cross rail  35 , the rail  35  includes short strengthening channels  78  which extend about the corner of the flanges  73  and also an additional strengthening channel  79  which extends across the entire length of the rail  35 . 
   For the top cross rail  35 , a semi-circular cutout  80  is formed through the side flanges  72  to permit acceptance of a lock assembly (not illustrated). 
   Referring to  FIGS. 8 and 12 , the bottom cross rail  36  primarily is formed the same as the top cross rail  35  and similar components are identified by like reference numerals. Particularly, the cross rail  36  includes a center web  71  across the center section  70  thereof which has downwardly depending side flanges  72 . The opposite ends of the rail  36  include upwardly projecting mounting flanges  73  which are MIG welded to the bottom of the respective edge support  31  or  32 . The rail  36  further includes short strengthening channels  78  and  79 . 
   The rail  36  also has projecting portions  74  which fit in the spaces  53  defined below the support rails  31  and  32  in substantially the same configuration as that illustrated in  FIGS. 9 and 10 , except that the associated mounting flanges  73  project upwardly rather than downwardly. The bottom rail  36  further is secured rigidly in place by additional spot welds  80  located and formed the same as the spot welds  77  at the top of the cabinet housing  11 . Accordingly, the rails  35  and  36  are secured in place and the front corner components are rigidly joined together by a total of four MIG welds and four spot welds in addition to the three spot welds  52  provided for each support rail  31  and  32 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 12 , the lower rail  36  also includes a pair of caster mounting formations  82  that are defined by a plurality of openings and downwardly projecting flanges  83 . Each mounting formation  82  is adapted to support a respective one of the casters  26  thereon to thereby carry the weight of the cabinet. Further disclosure as to the mounting formations  82  and their interconnection to the casters  26  is not believed to be required. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 13-15 , the reinforcement box or insert  30  is generally formed as an open-sided box which opens forwardly. More particularly, the reinforcement box  30  has a generally rectangular and planar back panel  90  having a periphery defined by upper and lower horizontal edges  91  and  92  and opposite vertical side edges  93 . The reinforcement box  30  is formed preferably of sheet metal and therefore the back panel  90  has a certain level of rigidity, particularly in the plane of the back panel  90 . The box  30  is further formed from a single sheet of material wherein the peripheral edges of  91 ,  92  and  93  of the back panel  90  effectively define fold lines by which a plurality of and preferably four edge panels  95  are connected to the back panel  90 . The side panels  95  each have a generally rectangular shape and project forwardly from the back panel  90  into a box-like configuration. 
   The edge panels  95  comprise an upper panel  96  and a lower panel  97  which extend across the lateral width of the back panel  90 , and further comprise opposite side panels  98  which extend along the vertical height of the back panel  90 . Each of the upper and lower panels  96  and  97  include vertical weld flanges  99  which abut against the inside face  100  of each side panel  98  and are spot welded thereto. As such, the upper box corners  101  and lower box corners  102  have significant rigidity wherein the rectangular configuration defined by the side panels  96 ,  97  and  98  are rigidly supported in such rectangular configuration by the back panel  90 . Therefore, the box configuration has significant rigidity, particularly in the lateral direction of the cabinet since the back panel  90  and side panels  96 ,  97  and  98  mutually support each other, which rigidity thereby prevents racking or lateral deflection of the side panels  95 . It will be understood the reinforcement box  30  may have alternate box-like configurations. 
   The reinforcement box  30  has a lateral dimension which is smaller than the lateral width between the interior surfaces of the side walls  16  and  17  such that the box  30  is able to slidably fit within the hollow interior of the cabinet housing  11 , adjacent to the back wall  20 . To secure the reinforcement box  30  in position, each side panel  98  has a front edge section  110  which is offset or stepped outwardly so as to abut directly against the opposing surfaces of the side walls  16  and  17 . As seen in  FIG. 17 , the side wall  98  has a primary panel section  111  which forms the majority of the front to back dimension thereof, and the front edge of the panel section  111  is bent outwardly to define a welding flange  112  that is joined to the panel section  111  by an offset portion  113 . 
   Each mounting flange  110  has three U-shaped cutouts which each define a welding tab  114  that abuts against the side wall  16  or  17  and is slightly deflectable to ensure snug contact with the side wall  16  or  17 . Three such welding tabs  114  are defined along the vertical length of each side panel  98 . As illustrated in  FIG. 8 , each welding tab  114  is welded to a respective side wall  16  or  17  by spot welds  115 . These spot welds  115  are located a spaced apart distance disposed forwardly of the cabinet back wall  20  and serve to rigidly secure the side panels  98  to the side walls  16  and  17  effectively along a vertical length thereof. 
   To support the drawer slides  40 - 43 , each side panel  98 , and in particular the offset portion  113  thereof, includes four vertically spaced apart notches  116  which open forwardly and are adapted to receive respective mounting projections provided on the rearmost ends of the drawer slides  40 - 43 . 
   To further locate the reinforcement box  30  within the cabinet housing, the upper and lower panels  96  and  97  include horizontal locator flanges  120  and  121  which project rearwardly of the back panel  90 . The locator flanges  120  and  121  are formed from cutouts  122  in the back panel material which cutouts  122  are then bent upwardly or downwardly to form the rearwardly projecting locator flanges  120  and  121 . These locator flanges  120  and  121  serve to locate the back panel  90  of the box  30  a predetermined distance forwardly of the interior face  68  of the cabinet back wall  20 . This defines a hollow space  124  therebetween. Further, the locator flanges  120  and  121  abut against a lower surface of the cabinet wall flanges  65  and  66  to permit formation of spot welds  125  ( FIG. 11) and 126  ( FIG. 12 ). Further, the top and bottom panels  96  and  97  also abut against the under surfaces of the top side wall flanges  45  and the bottom side wall flanges  46  and are rigidly connected thereto by spot welds  127  ( FIG. 11) and 128  ( FIG. 12 ). 
   As such, the cabinet housing has a double wall construction formed at the back thereof wherein the opposing cabinet back wall  20  and box back panel  90  as well as the rearmost side wall portions  130 , which enclose the sides of the space  124 , effectively define a tubular, vertical reinforcement column within the housing. This column therefore has a rectangular, tubular configuration. This serves to further rigidify the cabinet housing  11 . 
   However, since the reinforcement box  30  opens forwardly, the reinforcement box  30  forms part of the interior space of the cabinet  10  and is able to receive the rear portions of the drawer slides  40 - 43  and the drawers  12  therein such that the addition of the column space  124  does not result in a significant increase in the overall front to back depth of the cabinet  10 . 
   While the back wall  20  would serve to generally rigidify the side walls  16  and  17  through its connection thereto, the addition of the reinforcement box  30  and its attachment to the side walls  16  and  17  a significant distance and preferably, about ¾ of an inch, from the back wall  20  results in the box back panel  90  functioning to not only rigidify the housing but provide such rigidity to the side walls  16  and  17  a distance spaced forwardly from the back wall  20 . 
   In addition to the foregoing, the box bottom panel  97  also is provided with two caster mounting formations  130  which are formed substantially identical to the mounting formations  82  on the lower cross rail  36 . The mounting formations  130  generally include downwardly projecting tabs  131  and are formed identical to the formations  82  wherein further discussion of the formations  130  is not required. Generally these mounting formations  130  are adapted to support the rear casters  36 . 
   Additionally, the reinforcement box  30  has an inherent weight which serves to counterbalance the weight of the drawers  12 . Typically, a conventional cabinet has a separate plate attached to the back housing wall thereof which serves as a counterweight. The weight of the reinforcement box however serves a counterbalancing function to thereby reduce the overall weight of an additional counterweight which might be added to the cabinet. As seen in  FIG. 4 , the back panel  90  of the reinforcement box  30  also includes a rectangular counterweight  140  affixed thereto. This counterweight  140  effectively is a steel plate having a selected weight defined by the overall height, width and thickness of the counterweight  140 . Counterweight  140  is secured in place by suitable fasteners. The reinforcement box  30  also may be designed so that the weight of the material used and its thickness provides the entire weight that is required to counterbalance the drawers  12 . As such, the reinforcement box  30  may have a weight which inherently functions as the entire counterweight required in the cabinet  10 . 
   During assembly, the cabinet wrapper  15  is folded into the configuration of the side walls  16  and  17  and the back wall  20  after which, the cross rails  35  and  36  are MIG welded and spot welded in position. Additionally, the reinforcement box  30  is positioned within the cabinet housing  11  by the locator flanges  91  and  92  and then spot welded in position. Thereafter, casters  36  may be installed and the appropriate drawer slides  40 - 43  mounted to both of the side walls  16  and  17 . After which, a front trim piece  135  ( FIG. 2 ) is mounted to the cabinet housing  11  so as to completely enclose the top cross rail  35 . After which, the top wall  25  is mounted to the top edges of the cabinet housing  11  to appropriate keyhole-type openings in the top cross rail  35  and forward-opening slots in the front edge of the box top panel  96 . 
   Referring to  FIGS. 18-31 , a second embodiment of a storage cabinet is illustrated and referenced therein by reference numeral  10 - 1 . This storage cabinet  10 - 1  possesses substantially the same structural construction as that previously discussed relative to storage cabinet  10  wherein the following discussion is primarily directed to improvements in the connection of the upper and lower cross rails  35 - 1  and  36 - 1  to the housing wrapper  15 - 1 . The following discussion uses common reference numerals with a suffix “- 1 ” added thereto to identify the component as being part of the storage cabinet  10 - 1 . It will be understood that the previous discussion relative to cabinet  10  applies the same to the following discussion and hence, the disclosure as to cabinet  10 - 1  is primarily directed to the differences therebetween. 
   As illustrated in  FIGS. 18 and 19 , the housing wrapper  15 - 1  is formed with side walls  16 - 1  and  17 - 1  as well as back wall  20 - 1 . The side walls  16 - 1  and  17 - 1  include tubular reinforcement edge supports  31 - 1  and  32 - 1  along the front vertical edge thereof which are spaced apart to define the open front side  13 - 1 . 
   The reinforcement edge supports are formed the same as that described above except that they are modified to provide a more secure and improved connection with the respective ends of the upper cross rail  35 - 1  and lower cross rail  36 - 1 . The edge supports  31 - 1  and  32 - 1  include interior face sections  48 - 1  and have a connector flange  50 - 1  securely joined to the respective wrapper side wall  16 - 1  or  17 - 1  by welding. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 19-21 , the edge supports  31 - 1  and  32 - 1  include the same pattern of four interior formations of mounting openings  55 - 1  which comprise a support tab  56 - 1  and a U-shaped slot  150  around the support tab  56 - 1  which slot  150  defines an upper horizontal slot edge  151 . An additional formation of mounting openings  55 - 1  is provided at each lower end of the edge supports  31 - 1  and  32 - 1  to support the opposite ends of the lower cross rail  36 - 1 . In this lower opening formation  55 - 1 , the support tab  56 - 1  projects upwardly with the upper edge  151  of the slot  150  disposed above the tab  56 - 1 . An additional formation of mounting openings  55 - 2  is provided at the top of each edge support with the primary difference being that the support tab  56 - 2  projects downwardly and is surrounded by the Ushaped slot  152  that defines a horizontal lower edge  153 . 
   Referring to  FIGS. 21-23 , the lower cross rail  36 - 1  includes a center web  71 - 1  that has upwardly projecting side flanges  72 - 1 . The opposite ends of the rail  36 - 1  include mounting flanges  73 - 1  which are adapted to be welded in place as described previously. The mounting flanges  73 - 1  each further include an outwardly projecting strap  155  which thereby defines an opening  156  passing vertically through the strap  155 . The flange edge  157  further has a locking tab  158  which projects vertically and outwardly. A formation of the strap  155  and the locking tab  158  cooperate with the lowermost support tab  56 - 1  and the slot  150  disposed thereabout. 
   More particularly, when assembling the cabinet, the lower cross rail  36 - 1  is slid downwardly into place wherein the mounting strap  155  is slid sidewardly into the opening  150  and then slid downwardly onto the support tab  56 - 1  as seen in  FIG. 24 . When slid into place, the locking tab  158  slides downwardly below the slot edge  151  and then snaps therebelow so as to prevent upward disengagement of the lower cross rail  36 - 1 . Therefore, during preliminary assembly, the lower cross rail  36 - 1  may be slid downwardly and then snap-locked in place at its opposite ends. Thereafter, during final assembly, a further weld  160  ( FIG. 21 ) is then added to the mounting flange  73 - 1  to provide a secure and rigid connection. 
   The upper cross rail  35 - 1  is formed similarly. Referring to  FIGS. 25-28 , the cross rail  35 - 1  includes a central section  70 - 1  having mounting flanges  73 - 1  projecting downwardly therefrom. The mounting flanges  73 - 1  further include a mounting strap  155  projecting outwardly therefrom and a locking tab  158  which projects downwardly from the lower flange edge  157 . The strap  155  and locking tab  158  cooperate with the upper opening formation  55 - 2  but since the support tab  56 - 2  projects downwardly, the upper cross rail  35  is assembled by first engaging the connector straps  155  sidewardly into the opening  152  and then the upper cross rail  35 - 1  is slid upwardly until the locking tab  158  snaps over and abuts against the lower slot edge  153  as illustrated in  FIG. 20 . The cross sectional view ( FIG. 24 ) of the cooperating parts described above is illustrated substantially the same as  FIG. 24  except that  FIG. 24  would be reversed top to bottom. As seen in  FIG. 20 , final assembly of the cabinet  10 - 1  results in an additional weld  165  being applied between the mounting flange  73 - 1  and the vertical edge support  48 - 1 . 
   With the foregoing arrangement, the upper and lower cross rails  35 - 1  and  36 - 1  are readily connected to the side walls  16 - 1  and  17 - 1  during preliminary assembly and then permanently affixed in place by the addition of the welds of  160  and  165  illustrated in  FIGS. 21 and 20  respectively. 
   Further as to the top cross rail  35 - 1 , this top cross rail is formed integral with a front trim piece  135 - 1 . The front trim piece  135 - 1  as illustrated in  FIGS. 25 ,  27  and  28  is formed of metal into a generally rectangular shape which trim piece  135 - 1  includes a downwardly depending front face  170 . The front face  170  includes a somewhat oval lock seat  171  under one corner thereof. 
   Further, the cross rail  35 - 1  includes a back wall  172  which depends downwardly and has a support slot  173  formed therein in partial alignment with the lock seat  171 . The front face wall  170  and the back wall  172  are adapted to support a lock assembly  175  therein. 
   The lock assembly  175  includes a lock shell  176  rigidly secured within the lock seat  171  and also has a rotatable shaft  177  projecting rearwardly therefrom. The shaft  177  has a stepped section  178  which fits into a slotted portion  179  of the slot  173  as illustrated in  FIG. 31 . 
   With the foregoing arrangement, the lock assembly  175  can be preassembled onto the top cross rail  35 - 1  prior to assembly on the cabinet, or the lock assembly  175  may be fitted in position after final assembly. In any event, a lock assembly  175  is then independently supported on the top cross rail  35 - 1  to thereby form the rail assembly. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 32-42 , the storage cabinet  200  is a third embodiment of the invention which incorporates the concepts of the invention therein. The storage cabinet  200  includes several compartments formed therein which define a pedestal section  201 , a storage compartment  202  and a wardrobe compartment  203  which extends the full height of the storage cabinet  200 . The storage section  202  is defined by an upper cabinet module and is stacked on the pedestal section  201 , which pedestal section  201  constitutes a lower cabinet module. The lower module is formed similar to the above-described storage cabinets as discussed in further detail herein. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 32 and 33 , the pedestal section  201  includes a plurality of file drawers  204  which are supported by conventional drawer slides (not illustrated). The storage compartment  202  is generally open within the interior thereof and is closed off by a storage compartment door  205  which maybe opened by hand grip or pull  206 . The wardrobe section extends the full height of the cabinet  200  and is closed off by a hinged wardrobe door  207  that also may be opened by a conventional hand grip or pull  208 . Each of the doors  205  and  207  includes a respective lock assembly  209  or  210 . 
   Generally, the storage cabinet  200  includes horizontal support structure, namely a top wall  212  and a bottom wall  213  which extend across the width of the cabinet  200  wherein the bottom wall  213  defines a rigid rectangular base. The top wall  212  and base  213  support a plurality of wall panels therebetween to define the upper storage module  202 , the lower pedestal module  201  and the wardrobe section  203 . 
   More particularly, the lower pedestal module  201  is formed substantially similar to the storage cabinets described above and in particular, is formed from an outer side wall  215  which defines an exterior face  216  of the cabinet. The outer side wall  215  extends upwardly and is rigidly connected to an intermediate top wall  217 . Additionally, an inner side wall  218  is provided which has the same general rectangular shape as the outer side wall  215  but has a different configuration as described in further detail herein. 
   The entire cabinet  200  includes a single back wall  219  which encloses the entire back surface of the cabinet  200 . The upper and lower ends of the side walls  215  and  218  therefore are rigidly connected to the intermediate top wall  217  and the base  213  to define a hollow housing unit. Further, a rectangular reinforcement insert  220  is fixed in the back of the pedestal compartment  221  so as to perform substantially the same function as the reinforcement boxes or inserts described above relative to the first and second embodiments. This lower pedestal module  201  therefore defines a rigid cubicle housing for rigidifying the entire storage cabinet  200 . 
   The upper storage module  202  also has a somewhat similar construction. This upper module  202  includes an outer side wall  225  which defines the exterior face  226  ( FIG. 32 ) of the cabinet  200 . The upper module  202  further includes an inner side wall  228  which extends a partial height of the overall storage cabinet  200 . The upper and lower ends of the side walls  225  and  228  are rigidly fastened to the respective top wall  212  and intermediate wall  217  while the vertical back edges of the side walls are disposed closely adjacent to the housing back wall  219 . 
   Additionally, a further reinforcement insert  230  ( FIG. 34 ) is provided to close off the back side of the storage module  202  and further rigidify the cabinet  200 . It is noted that the inner side walls  218  and  228  thereby have interior faces  231  and  232  which define inside faces of the wardrobe compartment  233 . The opposite side of the storage compartment  233  is closed off by an outer wardrobe side wall  234  which extends the full height of the cabinet  200  and is rigidly joined at the upper and lower edges respectively to the top wall  212  and the base  213  while the vertical rear edge of this sidewall  234  is rigidly affixed to the housing back wall  219 . The side wall  234  defines an exterior face  235  of the cabinet. 
   Referring to the intermediate top wall  217  of  FIG. 36 , this top wall includes a front trim section  240  which includes a lock port  241  ( FIG. 36 ) which receives a lock  242  ( FIG. 32 ). Additional edge flanges  243  are provided which includes fastener bores  244  which permit respective engagement with the side walls  215  and  218 . Additional fastener bore  245  are provided therein for fastening the lower sidewalls  215  and  218  thereto as well as upper side walls  225  and  228 . This intermediate wall  217  thereby has an upper surface  246  which defines the bottom of the storage compartment and also as a lower face which closes off the upper end of the pedestal module  201 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 37 , the outer sidewall  215  is generally illustrated as having a major panel that defines the outside face  216  which terminates at the upper and lower horizontal edges with connector flanges  250 . These flanges  250  each include arrangements of fastener bores  251  that align with the fastener bores  245  of the intermediate wall  217  and allow conventional screw fasteners to be inserted therethrough. The front edge of the sidewall  215  includes a reinforced edge portion  252  which is formed the same as the edge portions described above such that further discussion thereof is not necessary. This front edge portion  252  includes groups of openings like those described above that allow for the connection of the front end of drawer slide thereto. 
   At the back edge of the sidewall  215 , an inturned flange  253  is provided which that shaped to define a J-shaped channel  254  which is adapted for fixed engagement with an adjacent edge of the backwall  219  as will be described in further detail hereinafter. 
   Referring to  FIG. 38 , the inner sidewall  218  is illustrated and has a major face that defines the interior wardrobe surface  231  wherein the upper and lower horizontal edges include connector flanges  260  and are provided with fastener bores  261  which align with the bores  245  of the wall  217  for engaging the upper edge of the sidewall  218  to the intermediate wall  217 . The flanges  250  and  260  on the lower ends of the sidewalls  215  and  218  also include similar fastener holes and are fastened directly to the base  213  in a similar manner. 
   The back edge of the sidewall  218  is inturned and shaped to define an abutment face  262  which faces rearwardly and is adapted to abut against the inside face  263  of the backwall  219  as discussed in further detail with respect to  FIG. 41 . The front edge of the sidewall  218  also includes the reinforced edge portion  264  which is formed as a mirror image relative to the reinforced edge portion  252  and also includes groups of openings to support the front end of conventional drawer slides. 
   The upper wall sections and in particular, the outer and inner walls  225  and  228  are formed substantially similar to the lower sidewalls  215  and  218  that are adapted to support storage shelves rather than drawers. Further discussion as to the sidewalls  225  and  228  is provided in the discussion relative to  FIG. 42  below. 
     FIG. 39  illustrates the lower reinforcement insert  220  which has a back panel  270  which faces rearwardly and has peripheral insert walls  271  (which extend vertically) and  272  (which extend horizontally) at the top and bottom thereof. The horizontal insert walls  272  include fastener bores  273 . The vertical insert walls  271  also extend forwardly beyond the extent of the horizontal walls  272  and are stepped to define an end flange  274 . This reinforcement insert  220  is structurally and functionally very similar to the reinforcement boxes described above. 
   The upper reinforcement insert  230  is illustrated in  FIG. 40  and includes upper and lower horizontal walls  280  which include fastener bores  281  vertically therethrough. The reinforcement insert  230  further includes vertical insert walls  282  which extend forwardly beyond the extent of the horizontal walls  280  and terminate at an inturned or curled rib  283  to provide a finished appearance within the interior of the storage module  202 . 
   Referring to the assembly of the above-described components,  FIG. 41  is a top cross section illustrating the wall components through the lower pedestal module  201 . The base  213  is illustrated in phantom outline and generally extends laterally between the outer side wall  215  and the wardrobe side wall  234 . The base  213  extends rearwardly from the open front sides of the pedestal and wardrobe compartments up to the back edge of the cabinet  200 , substantially flush with the back wall  219 . Further discussion is not believed to be required other than the fact that the various side walls  215 ,  218  and  234  are rigidly fastened at their lower edges to the base  213 . As can be seen, the rear side wall edge  253  defines the left rear corner of the cabinet housing. 
   The wardrobe side wall  234  includes a flange  290  at the upper and lower edges thereof which includes bores  291  to fasten the side wall  234  to the base  213 . The back edge of the side wall  234  is inturned to define a right rear corner  292  of the cabinet and then has a J-shaped channel  293  for engagement with the adjacent edge of the back wall  219 . 
   A front edge of the wardrobe side wall  234  also includes a reinforced edge portion  294  which is formed substantially similar to the edge portions  252  and  264 . The wardrobe edge portion  294 , however, includes appropriate slots to support shelves rather than drawer slides although the construction thereof also could be modified to accommodate such drawer slides if drawers were to be provided within the wardrobe compartment. 
   As to the back wall  219 , this back wall  219  extends substantially the entire lateral width of the cabinet  200 . Back wall  219  includes vertical edge flanges  300  which have a generally rectangular shape which fits tightly within the respective engagement channels  254  and  293  of the side walls  215  and  234  respectively. These sections are then fastened together by fasteners  301  and  302 . 
   Abutment section  262  of the inner side wall  218  abuts against the interior face  263  of the back wall  219 . Thereafter, the reinforcement insert  220  is fitted within the pedestal compartment in abutting engagement with the flange  254  as well as the end flange  303  of the inner side wall  218 . The insert  220  is then fastened to these flanges by the fasteners  301  and additional fasteners  304 . As a result, the reinforcement insert  220  has the back face  270  thereof spaced inwardly away from the back wall face  263  to define a hollow compartment and in effect define a rigid column for rigidifying the cabinet  200 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 42 , a substantially similar construction is provided for the upper storage area  202 . 
   More particularly as to the upper storage module  202 , this module  202  includes the upper outer side wall  225  mounted to the intermediate wall  217  which is diagrammatically illustrated in phantom outline. The outer wall  225  has a reinforced edge portion  310  at the front edge thereof which is formed similar to the edge portion  252  but is adapted for supporting a shelf thereon and therefore has appropriate slots for supporting a shelf rather than openings for supporting a drawer slide. The rear edge of the outer wall  225  includes an inturned section which defines a right rear corner  311  which then is shaped to define a J-shaped engagement channel  312  for receiving the respective edge section  300  of the back wall  319  therein. The edge section  300  and channel  312  are fastened together by fastener  313 . The upper and lower edges of the outer wall  225  also include connector flanges which are fastened to the respective top wall  212  and intermediate wall  217 . 
   With respect to the upper inner wall  228 , this inner wall  228  is formed substantially similar to the lower inner wall  218 . The wall  228  includes a reinforced front edge portion  320  which is formed as a mirror image of the reinforced edge portion  310  discussed above. 
   The vertical rear edge of the wall  228  further is inturned to define an abutment flange  321  which then defines a connector flange  322 . The abutment flange  321  abuts against the inside face of the back wall  219  as can be seen. 
   The upper reinforcement insert  230  ( FIG. 40 ) is also illustrated in  FIG. 42  in a position adjacent the respective flanges on the side walls  225  and  228 . The reinforcement insert  230  is then fastened in place by the fasteners  313  as well as additional fasteners  323 . The curled edge portions  283  lie closely against the inside faces of the respective side walls  225  and  228  to provide a finished appearance to the storage compartment. Here again, the reinforcement insert  230  is spaced forwardly of the interior wall face  263  of the back wall  219  to effectively define a rigid column which reinforces the upper module and reinforces the entire cabinet housing  200 . 
   This use of reinforced modules incorporates the inventive features of the above-described cabinets and allows the above-described cabinets to serve as a base module for the addition of further compartments in a multi-function cabinet  200 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 43 , the cabinet  200  further includes a spacer arrangement on the doors  205  and  207  to limit racking of the cabinet  200  when the doors are closed. In particular, the doors  205  and  207  are provided with a plurality of projecting spacers  400  through  405  which mount to the doors  205  or  207  and slidably abut against opposing surfaces to provide tight cooperating engagement between the cabinet components. 
   In particular, the door  205  is provided with two spacers  400  and  401  which are shown affixed to the door  205  as indicated by the solid reference line and in an exploded position prior to assembly as indicated by the dotted reference line. All of these spacers are defined by plastic or nylon buttons or nubs which have a convex outer surface and include a shank that snaps into a corresponding bore in the door edge  407 . The spacer shank may be formed similar to a Christmas tree type fastener with the exposed nub portion of the spacer adapted for abutting contact with an adjacent surface of the cabinet. 
   As to bottom spacer  400 , this spacer  400  projects downwardly and slidably abuts against the upward facing surface  408  of the middle panel wall  217 . The other spacer  401  projects upwardly from the door edge  407  and slidably abuts against the downward facing surface  409  of the cabinet top  212 . When the door  205  is closed, the spacers  400  and  401  wedge between the surfaces  408  and  409  so as to resist relative movement of the top wall  212  relative to the middle wall  217  and thereby rigidify the cabinet  200 . 
   Similarly, the other door  207  has spacer  402  on the door edge  411  which projects upwardly and slidably abuts against the adjacent opposing cabinet surface  409  of the top wall  212 . This further resists relative movement of the top wall  212  and racking of the cabinet  200 . 
   The door  207  also includes two upper spacers  403  and  404  which project sidewardly into abutting engagement with the side door edge  407  of door  205  so as to resist movement of the doors  205  and  207 . Still further, the door  207  has a bottom spacer  405  which projects sidewardly and abuts against the side edge  413  of the lower drawer  204 . All of these spacers serve to resist racking or lateral distortion of the cabinet. 
   Still further, the spacers  400  through  405  project equal distances to define a uniform reveal line or gap between the doors  205  and  207 , the drawers  204  and the cabinet walls  212  and  217 . The spacers  400 - 405  thereby serve dual functions of rigidifying the cabinet  200  and improving the overall aesthetic appearance of the cabinet  200 . 
   Although particular preferred embodiments of the invention have been disclosed in detail for illustrative purposes, it will be recognized that variations or modifications of the disclosed apparatus, including the rearrangement of parts, lie within the scope of the present invention.