Self-squaring modular cabinetry

Abstract

Contemplated modular self-squaring cabinets are component-wise assembled onto a wall or ceiling, wherein assembly is typically achieved by first coupling one or more mounting rails to the wall or ceiling at a desired angle. Bulkheads are then coupled to the rail, and the remaining cabinet components are coupled to the bulkheads to thereby complete the cabinet. Preferably, the cabinet includes one or more squaring brackets and fixed angles in the bulkheads such that assembly necessarily results in a perfectly squared cabinet. Contemplated cabinets may further include an adjustable component that allows straightening of the mounting rail to a horizontal position and/or changing of the distance of the bulkhead relative to the wall.

1 . A modular self-squaring cabinetry kit comprising: 
 an instruction that instructs a person to assemble a cabinet by 
 (a) coupling at least one mounting rail to a static surface;  
 (b) coupling at a predetermined angle a first and a second bulkhead to the mounting rail;  
 (c) optionally coupling a secondary rail to the first and the second bulkhead;  
 (d) coupling at least one of a cabinet top, a cabinet bottom, a cabinet side, a shelf, and a cabinet face plate to the first and second bulkheads;  
   wherein the cabinet includes a squaring bracket that is coupled to the bulkhead such that the bracket prevents change of an angle that is formed between an imaginary plane through the bulkhead and an imaginary plane through the mounting rail; and    at least one of the mounting rail, the bulkhead, the secondary rail, the cabinet top, the cabinet bottom, the cabinet side, the shelf, the cabinet face plate, and the squaring bracket.    
   
   
       2 . The kit of  claim 1  wherein the bulkhead has at least one of a rectangular frame configuration, an X-shaped configuration, an M-shaped configuration, and a U-shaped configuration.  
   
   
       3 . The kit of  claim 1  further comprising an instruction of assembling the bulkhead from a plurality of elements.  
   
   
       4 . The kit of  claim 1  wherein the squaring bracket is permanently coupled to the bulkhead.  
   
   
       5 . The kit of  claim 1  wherein the squaring bracket is configured to engage with the bulkhead and the mounting rail to thereby prevent change of the angle.  
   
   
       6 . The kit of  claim 1  wherein at least one of the cabinet face and the bulkhead are configured to change a length in at least one dimension.  
   
   
       7 . The kit of  claim 1  wherein the cabinet top, the cabinet bottom, the cabinet side, the shelf, and the cabinet face plate are configured to be coupled to the bulkhead.  
   
   
       8 . The kit of  claim 1  wherein the static surface is a wall and the mounting rail is coupled in a horizontal position to the wall, and wherein the predetermined angle is 90 degrees, and wherein the angle is maintained by the squaring bracket.  
   
   
       9 . A method of installing a cabinet comprising the steps of: 
 coupling at least one mounting rail to a static surface;    coupling at a predetermined angle a first and a second bulkhead to the rail;    optionally coupling a secondary rail to the first and the second bulkhead;    coupling at least one of a cabinet top, a cabinet bottom, a cabinet side, a shelf, and a cabinet face plate to the first and second bulkheads; and    including a squaring bracket into the cabinet such that the bracket is coupled to the bulkhead to prevent change of an angle that is formed between an imaginary plane through the bulkhead and an imaginary plane through the rail.    
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the mounting rail is coupled in a horizontal position, and wherein the bulkheads are mounted at a  90  degree angle between the mounting rail and the bulkhead.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the step of coupling the at least one of the cabinet top, the cabinet bottom, the cabinet side, the shelf, and the cabinet face plate to the first and second bulkheads includes using prefabricated connectors that are optionally coupled to the bulkhead or the at least one of the cabinet top, the cabinet bottom, the cabinet side, the shelf, and the cabinet face plate.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the squaring bracket is included as part of the bulkhead.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 9  further comprising a step of changing a length in at least one dimension of the bulkhead or the face plate.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 9  further comprising a step of assembling the bulkhead from a plurality of elements.  
   
   
       15 . A modular cabinet comprising: 
 a first and a second bulkhead coupled to a mounting rail, wherein the mounting rail is configured to be coupled to a wall or ceiling;    an optional secondary rail that is coupled to the first and the second bulkhead;    at least one of a cabinet top, a cabinet bottom, a cabinet side, a shelf, and a cabinet face plate, each of which is coupled to the first and second bulkheads; and    a squaring bracket coupled to the bulkhead such that the bracket prevents change of an angle that is formed between an imaginary plane through the bulkhead and an imaginary plane through the rail.    
   
   
       16 . The cabinet of  claim 15  wherein the bulkhead has at least one of a rectangular frame configuration, an X-shaped configuration, an M-shaped configuration, and a U-shaped configuration.  
   
   
       17 . The cabinet of  claim 15  wherein the squaring bracket is configured to cooperate with at least one of the mounting rail, the optional secondary rail, and the face plate to thereby prevent change of the angle.  
   
   
       18 . The cabinet of  claim 15  further comprising an adjusting mechanism coupled to at least one of the mounting rail and the bulkhead that allows changing of a distance between the bulkhead and the mounting rail.  
   
   
       19 . The cabinet of  claim 15  wherein at least one of the cabinet top, the cabinet bottom, the cabinet side, the shelf, and the cabinet face plate comprises a connector element that is configured to allow coupling of the at least one of the cabinet top, the cabinet bottom, the cabinet side, the shelf, and the cabinet face plate to at least one of the first and second bulkheads.  
   
   
       20 . At least one of a bulkhead, a squaring bracket, a cabinet top, a cabinet bottom, a cabinet side, a shelf, and a cabinet face plate, wherein the bulkhead, the squaring bracket, the cabinet top, the cabinet bottom, the cabinet side, the shelf, and the cabinet face plate are configured to be coupled to at least one of a mounting rail and another bulkhead to thereby form at least part of the modular cabinet of  claim 15.