Patent Abstract:
A frame assembly for simulating topography of an existing wall portion provides points of adjustment behind a wallboard panel mounted to the frame assembly. In this manner imperfections in an existing wall can be replicated to facilitate cabinet or countertop installation.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/700,113, filed on Sep. 12, 2012, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
     This invention relates to a device for providing a replica of an existing wall or portion of a wall. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The walls of a home are not necessarily true and flat, but may exhibit inconsistencies in trueness, flatness, or both. When it is desired to install cabinets such as kitchen cabinets in a customer&#39;s residence, often a considerable time and effort is spent in conforming the rear of a prefabricated cabinet to an existing wall where the cabinet is to be installed. The present device facilitates cabinet and countertop installation by providing a device that simulates an existing wall so that the rear of a cabinet or countertop can be appropriately modified at factory so as to be complementary to the wall portion at the installation site. 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     A frame assembly is provided for simulating the topography of an existing wall portion by providing strategically positioned points of adjustment behind a wallboard panel which permits a fabrication to mimic or replicate imperfections present in an existing wall where a cabinet is to be hung or a countertop installed, thereby minimizing installation time. 
     The frame assembly includes a metal frame to which is mounted an array of spaced columns. The columns are mounted in a substantially parallel relationship to one another and at spaced intervals from one another. 
     A plurality of threaded, dish-headed bolts is present in each of the columns. These bolts are threadedly received in the columns and are situated spaced from one another. 
     Plural weldments extend across the columns, usually at about right angles relative to the columns so as to define a quadrilateral grid with the columns. On one side thereof each weldment is provided with spaced pockets each sized to receive a head portion of one of the dish-headed bolts. 
     Wood slats are carried by the weldments and a wallboard panel is, in turn, is mounted to the wood slats. 
     Once the topography of a particular wall is determined by measurement, for example, by laser beam scanning, this topography can be replicated by the frame assembly by adjusting inwardly or outwardly, as required, individual dish-headed bolts so as to conform a wallboard panel carried by the frame to the particular wall. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       In the drawings, 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective front view of a frame assembly embodying the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective back view of the frame assembly shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a detail view showing a preferred relationship between the columns and the weldments in the frame assembly; 
         FIG. 4  is an enlarged exploded detail view showing a weldment carrying a wood slat about to be mounted to the frame; 
         FIG. 5  is a front elevational view of a frame assembly embodying the present invention with wood slats and a fragment of a wallboard mounted thereon; 
         FIG. 6  is a top plan view of the frame assembly shown in  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a side elevational view of the frame assembly shown in  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 8  shows a pair of frame assemblies embodying the present invention and pivotably joined together at about a right angle; and 
         FIG. 9  is an enlarged detail view showing a pivotable joint between the frame assemblies of  FIG. 8 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , frame assembly  10  has peripheral metal frame  12 , an array of spaced columns  14 , and weldments  16  carried by columns  14 . Optional skeleton tube  19  contributes to the rigidity of metal frame  12 . Frame assembly  10  is held in an upright position by horizontal support channels such as channel  18  and support tubes such as support tube  20 . Horizontal support channel  18  and support tube  20  are connected to one another at floor weldment  22 . Support tube  21  is connected to floor weldment  23  and skeleton tube  19 . 
       FIG. 3  shows a dish-headed bolt, such as dish-headed bolt  24 , received in pocket  26  defined by mounting clip  27  on one side of weldment  16 . Preferably, the dish-headed bolt  24  is a sex bolt or a barrel bolt. 
     As can best be seen in  FIG. 4 , dish-headed bolt  28  terminating at its distal end in a dish  30  is sized to be received in pocket  32  of weldment  34  defined by mounting clip  33 . Wood slat  36  is secured to weldment  34  on the side opposite that equipped with pocket  32 . Dish-headed bolt  28  is threadedly received in column  38 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 5 ,  6  and  7 , frame assembly  40  has outer metal frame  42  and an array of substantially parallel columns  44  mounted therein and spaced from one another. Wood slats  46  are attached to underlying flexible elongated weldments (see  FIG. 6 ), carried by columns  44 , by through fasteners, e.g., screws  48 , and the like. Wallboard  50 , in turn, is mounted to wood slats  46  in any convenient manner. 
     Transverse cross-members  52  can be provided to rigidify frame  40 , if desired. 
       FIG. 8  shows a pair of frame assemblies  60  and  80  pivotably joined at  95  and arranged to form about a right angle with respect to one another. The included angle between frame assemblies  60  and  80  can be adjusted, however, as desired. Frame assembly  60  has outer frame  62 , an array of substantially parallel columns  64  and spaced weldments  66  carrying wood slats  68 . Likewise, frame assembly  80  has an outer frame  82 , an array of parallel columns  84 , spaced weldments  86  and wood slats  88  attached to weldments  86 . 
       FIG. 9  shows joint  95  pivotably connecting frames  62  and  82  so that the included angle therebetween can be adjusted. Adjustment is achieved by hinge  92  which comprises hinge brackets or mounts  96  and  98 , as well as hinge pin or tube  100 . Horizontal supports  102  and  104  are received in respective horizontal support securement channels  106  and  108  and are held in place by bolts  110  and  112 . 
     The frame assembly described hereinabove provides a multi-axis system that can adjust also for a varying angle between a wall and the contiguous floor for plumbers, for a varying angle between contiguous side walls that may not be at a right angle relative to one another, as well as for inward or outward bow of a side wall both vertically and horizontally. These features assist in custom configuration of cabinets in advance of installation in a customer&#39;s home and with minimal disruption of the cabinets themselves. Countertop fabrication prior to installation in a customer&#39;s home is facilitated as well. 
     The foregoing description and the drawings illustrate the present invention, but are not to be construed as limiting. Still other variants and arrangements of parts within the spirit and scope of this invention are possible and will readily present themselves to those skilled in the art.

Technology Classification (CPC): 6