DRAWER CABINET

Abstract

 A drawer cabinet (10) includes a cabinet body (20) and a drawer module (30). The cabinet body includes a locking member (21) arranged therein. The locking member is movable vertically between a locking position and an unlocking position. The locking member has a first catch portion (211). The drawer module comprises a frame (31), at least one pull-out box (32), and a limiting member (33). The frame is inserted and removably connected to the cabinet body. The frame is provided with a first hook (311). The pull-out box is slidably inserted into the frame between a closed position and a pulled-out position. The pull-out box is provided with a second hook (321). The limiting member is pivotally arranged on the frame between a limiting position and a releasing position. The limiting member is provided with a stopping portion (331) and an abutting portion (332).

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a drawer cabinet and, more particularly, to a drawer cabinet provided with drawers of different types and the use of drawers corresponding to the same cabinet body.

[0002] TW Pat. No. 487128 discloses a cabinet drawer locking device, which includes a box with vertically arranged drawers, a sliding seat within the box, a catch portion on each drawer, and a locking device. Each catch portion has one end bent towards the direction of the related drawer, forming a stopping portion with a predetermined length and inclination. The locking device comprises a locking body and a connecting rod. The locking body can slide up and down on the slide seat, and it defines multiple locking holes that correspond to the positions of the catch portions. Additionally, it has a narrow, long hanging hole at the upper end. The connecting rod is vertically inserted into the upper end of the hanging hole. The locking of the drawers is achieved through the collaboration of the locking body and the catch portions.

[0003] It is observed that before the drawers can be placed into the cabinet, they must first be adjusted to a predetermined width. Additionally, the drawers must be adjusted to a predetermined length and height before the catch portions can be placed. Nevertheless, the range of drawer types is restricted because the cabinet's locking holes are only compatible with one kind of drawer.

[0004] The present invention is, therefore, intended to obviate or at least alleviate the problems encountered in the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] According to the present invention, a drawer cabinet according to claim 1 is presented and includes a cabinet body and a drawer module. The cabinet body includes a locking member arranged therein. The locking member is movable in a vertical direction between a locking position and an unlocking position. The locking member is provided with a first catch portion. The drawer module comprises a frame, at least one pull-out box, and a limiting member. The frame is inserted and removably connected to the cabinet body. The frame is provided with a first hook. The at least one pull-out box is slidably inserted into the frame between a closed position and a pulled-out position. The at least one pull-out box is provided with a second hook. The limiting member is pivotally arranged on the frame between a limiting position and a releasing position. The limiting member is provided with a stopping portion and an abutting portion.

[0006] When the locking member is in the locking position, the first catch portion is adjacent to and blocks the first hook and prevents the frame from being separated from the cabinet body, the limiting member is prevented from pivoting to the releasing position as the abutting portion is blocked by the locking member, and the stopping portion blocks the second hook to prevent the at least one pull-out box from moving to the pulled-out position. When the locking member is in the unlocking position, the first catch portion is positioned away from the first hook to enable the frame to be separated from the cabinet body. As the at least one pull-out box transitions from the closed position to the pulled-out position, the second hook pushes the stopping portion and causes the limiting member to rotate into the releasing position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0007] 

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a drawer cabinet according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the drawer cabinet of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is another exploded perspective view of the drawer cabinet of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the drawer cabinet of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 illustrates the pulling out of a pull-out box from a drawer module from the drawer cabinet of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 illustrates the pulling out of the drawer module and a drawer from the drawer cabinet of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] FIGs. 1-6 show a drawer cabinet 10 according to the present invention includes a cabinet body 20, a drawer module 30, and a drawer 40.

[0009] The cabinet body 20 includes a locking member 21 arranged therein. The locking member 21 is movable in a vertical direction between a locking position and an unlocking position. The locking member 21 is provided with a first catch portion 211. The locking member 21 defines a first catch hole 212, and the first catch portion 211 is adjacent to an upper edge of the first catch hole 212 and distal from a lower edge of the first catch hole 212 in the vertical direction. The locking member 21 also defines a second catch hole 213 adjacent to the first catch hole 212 in the vertical direction. The locking member 21 is also provided with a second catch portion 214. The second catch portion 214 is adjacent to an upper edge of the second catch hole 213 and distal from a lower edge of the second catch hole 213 in the vertical direction.

[0010] The drawer module 30 comprises a frame 31, at least one pull-out box 32, and a limiting member 33.

[0011] The frame 31 is inserted and removably connected to the cabinet body 20 through an opening in the cabinet body 20. The frame 31 is provided with a first hook 311. When the frame 31 is installed in the cabinet body 20, the first hook 311 is inserted into the first catch hole 212. The frame 31 comprises two side panels 312 and a back panel 313 extending between the two side panels 312. The back panel 313 defines at least one insert hole 314.

[0012] The at least one pull-out box 32 is slidably inserted into the frame 31 between a closed position and a pulled-out position. The at least one pull-out box 32 and the locking member 21 are located on opposite sides of the back panel 313. The at least one pull-out box 32 is provided with a second hook 321. When the at least one pull-out box 32 is closed, the second hook 321 is inserted into the at least one insert hole 314. When the at least one pull-out box 32 is pulled out, the second hook 321 disengages from the at least one insert hole 314. In the embodiment, the at least one pull-out box 32 includes a plurality of pull-out boxes 32. The plurality of pull-out boxes 32 move independently in relation to the frame 31 between the closed position and the pulled-out position. The plurality of pull-out boxes 32 are placed side by side in the horizontal direction.

[0013] The limiting member 33 is pivotally arranged on the frame 31 between a limiting position and a releasing position. The limiting member 33 is pivotally arranrged on the two side panels 312 and is located on a side of the back panel 313 adjacent to the locking member 21. The limiting member 33 is pivotal about a pivot axis L between the limiting position and the releasing position. The pivot L extends in a horizontal direction. The limiting member 33 is provided with a stopping portion 331 and an abutting portion 332. The stopping portion 331 and the abutting portion 332 are on opposite sides of the limiting member 33. The stopping portion 331 is adjacent to the back panel 313 and the abutting portion 332 is distal to the back panel 313. The stopping portion 331 extends parallel to the pivot axis L. The stopping portion 331 is adapted to selectively engage with and disengage from the plurality of pull-out boxes 32 and thus is usable to selectively restrict the plurality of pull-out boxes 32 simultaneously at their closed positions and release the restriction on the plurality of pull-out boxes 32 simultaneously at their pulled-out positions.

[0014] The drawer 40 is inserted and removably connected to the cabinet body 20. The drawer 40 is provided with a third hook 41. The drawer 40 and the drawer module 30 are positioned relative to one another along the vertical direction. In the embodiment, the drawer cabinet 10 is in a first configuration, with the drawer 40 arranged below the drawer module 30 in the cabinet body 20. Although not shown, the drawer cabinet 10 is configurable in a second configuration, where the arrangement of the drawer 40 and the drawer module 30 is swapped from the first configuration.

[0015] As the locking member 21 moves downward to the locking position in the vertical direction, the first catch portion 211 is moved closer to the first hook 311 and at a lower height than the first hook 311 to block the first hook 311 and restrict the limiting member 33 from rotating from the limiting position to the releasing position. This prevents the frame 31 from being separated from the cabinet body 20 and the at least one pull-out box 32 from being moved to the pulled-out position. Additionally, the second catch portion 214 is moved closer to the third hook 41 and at a lower height than the third hook 41 to block the third hook 41, preventing the drawer 40 from being separated from the cabinet body 20. Therefore, when the locking member 21 is in the locking position, the first catch portion 211 is adjacent to and blocks the first hook 311, preventing the frame 31 from being separated from the cabinet body 20. The limiting member 33 is also prevented from pivoting to the releasing position as the abutting portion 332 is blocked by the locking member 21. Furthermore, the stopping portion 331 blocks the second hook 321, preventing the at least one pull-out box 32 from moving to the pulled-out position. Lastly, the second catch portion 214 is adjacent to and blocks the third hook 41, preventing the drawer 40 from being separated from the cabinet body 20.

[0016] As the locking member 21 moves upward to the unlocking position in the vertical direction, the first catch portion 211 is moved away from the first hook 311 to release the restriction on the first hook 311, and the second catch portion 214 is moved away from the third hook 41 to release the restriction on the third hook 41. Therefore, when the locking member 21 is in the unlocking position, the first catch portion 211 is positioned away from the first hook 311 to enable the frame 31 to be separated from the cabinet body 20, and the second catch portion 214 is positioned away from the third hook 41 to enable the drawer 40 to be separated from the cabinet body 20.

[0017] As the at least one pull-out box 32 transitions from the closed position to the pulled-out position, the second hook 321 pushes the stopping portion 331 and causes a sloped edge of the stopping portion 331 to slide relative to a sloped edge of the second hook 321, allowing the limiting member 33 to rotate into the releasing position. When the limiting member 33 rotates towards the releasing position, the stopping portion 331 descends in height in the vertical direction while the abutting portion 332 rises in height in the vertical direction. As the limiting member 33 transitions from the limiting position to the releasing position, the abutting portion 332 extends into the first catch hole 212. On the other hand, when the limiting member 33 rotates towards the limiting position, the stopping portion 331 rises in height in the vertical direction while the abutting portion 332 descends in height in the vertical direction. Moreover, when the limiting member 33 is in the limiting position, a bottom edge of the second hook 321 is at a lower height than a top edge of the stopping portion 331 in the vertical direction.

[0018] In view of the foregoing, the cabinet body 20 can correspond to different drawer usage styles. The drawer module 30 is divided into a plurality of storage space modes with the plurality of pull-out boxes 32, and the drawer 40 is in a single space storage mode. The locking member 21 cannot only lock the drawer 40 but also the drawer module 30. The plurality of pull-out boxes 32 are movable between the closed position and the pulled-out position on the frame 31. The user can even switch the positions of the drawer module 30 and the drawer 40 according to their needs.

Claims

1. A drawer cabinet (10) comprising:

a cabinet body (20) including a locking member (21) arranged therein, wherein the locking member (21) is movable in a vertical direction between a locking position and an unlocking position, and wherein the locking member (21) is provided with a first catch portion (211); and

a drawer module (30) comprising a frame (31), at least one pull-out box (32), and a limiting member (33), wherein the frame (31) is inserted and removably connected to the cabinet body (20), wherein the frame (31) is provided with a first hook (311), wherein the at least one pull-out box (32) is slidably inserted into the frame (31) between a closed position and a pulled-out position, wherein the at least one pull-out box (32) is provided with a second hook (321), wherein the limiting member (33) is pivotally arranged on the frame (31) between a limiting position and a releasing position, and wherein the limiting member (33) is provided with a stopping portion (331) and an abutting portion (332);

wherein when the locking member (21) is in the locking position, the first catch portion (211) is adjacent to and blocks the first hook (311) and prevents the frame (31) from being separated from the cabinet body (20), the limiting member (33) is prevented from pivoting to the releasing position as the abutting portion (332) is blocked by the locking member (21), and the stopping portion (331) blocks the second hook (321) to prevent the at least one pull-out box (32) from moving to the pulled-out position, wherein when the locking member (21) is in the unlocking position, the first catch portion (211) is positioned away from the first hook (311) to enable the frame (31) to be separated from the cabinet body (20), and wherein as the at least one pull-out box (32) transitions from the closed position to the pulled-out position, the second hook (321) pushes the stopping portion (331) and causes the limiting member (33) to rotate into the releasing position.

2. The drawer cabinet (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the limiting member (33) is pivotal about a pivot axis (L) between the limiting position and the releasing position, wherein the pivot (L) extends in a horizontal direction, wherein when the limiting member (33) rotates towards the releasing position, the stopping portion (331) descends in height in the vertical direction while the abutting portion (332) rises in height in the vertical direction, wherein when the limiting member (33) rotates towards the limiting position, the stopping portion (331) rises in height in the vertical direction while the abutting portion (332) descends in height in the vertical direction, and wherein when the limiting member (33) is in the limiting position, a bottom edge of the second hook (321) is at a lower height than a top edge of the stopping portion (331) in the vertical direction.

3. The drawer cabinet (10) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the at least one pull-out box (32) includes a plurality of pull-out boxes (32), wherein the plurality of pull-out boxes (32) move independently in relation to the frame (31) between the closed position and the pulled-out position, wherein the plurality of pull-out boxes (32) are placed side by side in the horizontal direction, and wherein the stopping portion (331) extends parallel to the pivot axis (L) and is adapted to selectively engage with and disengage from the plurality of pull-out boxes (32) and thus is usable to selectively restrict the plurality of pull-out boxes (32) simultaneously at their closed positions and release the restriction on the plurality of pull-out boxes (32) simultaneously at their pulled-out positions.

4. The drawer cabinet (10) as claimed in any of claims 1-3, wherein the locking member (21) defines a first catch hole (212), and the first catch portion (211) is adjacent to an upper edge of the first catch hole (212) and distal from a lower edge of the first catch hole (212) in the vertical direction, wherein when the frame (31) is installed in the cabinet body (20), the first hook (311) is inserted into the first catch hole (212), wherein as the locking member (21) moves downward to the locking position in the vertical direction, the first catch portion (211) is moved closer to the first hook (311) and at a lower height than the first hook (311) to block the first hook (311) and restrict the limiting member (33) from rotating from the limiting position to the releasing position so that the frame (31) is prevented from being separated from the cabinet body (20) and the at least one pull-out box (32) is prevented from being moving to the pulled-out position, wherein as the locking member (21) moves upward to the unlocking position in the vertical direction, the first catch portion (211) is moved away from the first hook (311) to release the restriction on the first hook (311), and wherein as the limiting member (33) transitions from the limiting position to the releasing position, the abutting portion (332) extends into the first catch hole (212).

5. The drawer cabinet (10) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the locking member (21) defines a second catch hole (213) adjacent to the first catch hole (212) in the vertical direction, wherein the locking member (21) is provided with a second catch portion (214), wherein the second catch portion (214) is adjacent to an upper edge of the second catch hole (213) and distal from a lower edge of the second catch hole (213) in the vertical direction, wherein the drawer cabinet (10) comprises a drawer (40) inserted and removably connected to the cabinet body (20), wherein the drawer (40) is provided with a third hook (41), wherein as the locking member (21) moves downward to the locking position in the vertical direction, the second catch portion (214) is moved closer to the third hook (41) and at a lower height than the third hook (41) to block the third hook (41) so that the drawer (40) is prevented from being separated from the cabinet body (20), and wherein as the locking member (21) moves upward to the unlocking position in the vertical direction, the second catch portion (214) is moved away from the third hook (41) to enable the drawer (40) to be separated from the cabinet body (20).

6. The drawer cabinet (10) as claimed in any of claims 1-5 , wherein the frame (31) comprises two side panels (312) and a back panel (313) extending between the two side panels (312), wherein the back panel (313) defines at least one insert hole (314), wherein the at least one pull-out box (32) and the locking member (21) are located on opposite sides of the back panel (313), wherein when the at least one pull-out box (32) is closed, the second hook (321) is inserted into the at least one insert hole (314), wherein when the at least one pull-out box (32) is pulled out, the second hook (321) disengages from the at least one insert hole (314), and wherein the limiting member (33) is pivotally arranged on the two side panels (312) and is located on a side of the back panel (313) adjacent to the locking member (21).

7. The drawer cabinet (10) as claimed in any of claims 1-6, wherein as the at least one pull-out box (32) transitions from the closed position to the pulled-out position, a sloped edge of the stopping portion (331) slides relative to a sloped edge of the second hook (321).

8. The drawer cabinet (10) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the stopping portion (331) and the abutting portion (332) are on opposite sides of the limiting member (33), and wherein the stopping portion (331) is adjacent to the back panel (313) and the abutting portion (332) is distal to the back panel (313).

9. The drawer cabinet (10) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the drawer module (30) and the drawer (40) are positioned relative to one another along the vertical direction.

Drawing