Universal rack slide panel

Abstract

A rack slide panel for use in a storage cabinet including a planar wall, and first and second side walls extending from the planar wall substantially perpendicular to the planar wall. First and second end walls extend from the first and second side walls. The first and second end walls are substantially perpendicular to the first and second side walls. A plurality of notches are formed in the planar wall, which include a first set of notches and a second set of notches, wherein the first set of notches has a different configuration than the second set of notches to receive drawer rails for supporting a drawer.

1 . A rack slide panel for use in a storage cabinet, comprising:
 a planar wall,   first and second side walls extending from said planar wall substantially perpendicular to said planar wall;   first and second end walls extending from first and second side walls, wherein said first and second end walls are substantially perpendicular to said first and second side walls;   a plurality of notches formed in said planar wall, wherein said notches comprise a first set of notches and a second set of notches, wherein said first set of notches has a different configuration than said second set of notches.   
   
   
       2 . The rack slide panel of  claim 1 , wherein said first and second side walls extend along a longitudinal axis of said planar wall. 
   
   
       3 . The rack slide panel of  claim 1 , wherein said first and second side walls are substantially parallel to each other. 
   
   
       4 . The rack slide panel of  claim 1 , wherein said first and second end walls are substantially parallel to each other. 
   
   
       5 . The rack slide panel of  claim 1 , wherein said first and second end walls are substantially parallel to said planar wall. 
   
   
       6 . The rack slide panel of  claim 1 , wherein said first set of notches comprises notches substantially rectangular in shape. 
   
   
       7 . The rack slide panel of  claim 1 , wherein said second set of notches comprises notches substantially square in shape. 
   
   
       8 . The rack slide panel of  claim 1 , wherein said first set of notches extends along a longitudinal axis of said planar wall. 
   
   
       9 . The rack slide panel of  claim 8 , wherein said second set of notches extends along a longitudinal axis of said planar wall. 
   
   
       10 . The rack slide panel of  claim 9 , wherein said first set of notches is positioned offset from said second set of notches. 
   
   
       11 . The rack slide panel of  claim 1 , further comprising a third set of notches formed on said planar wall. 
   
   
       12 . The rack slide panel of  claim 11 , further comprising a fourth set of notches formed on said planar wall. 
   
   
       13 . The rack slide panel of  claim 11 , wherein said third set of notches comprises notches which are substantially rectangular in configuration. 
   
   
       14 . The rack slide panel of  claim 13 , wherein said fourth set of notches comprises notches which are substantially square in shape. 
   
   
       15 . The rack slide panel of  claim 1 , wherein said panel is fabricated of one piece. 
   
   
       16 . A storage cabinet, comprising:
 first and second side walls,   a top wall and a bottom wall connected to each first and second side wall,   a first rack slide panel comprising a planar wall having a first set of notches formed therein, wherein said first rack slide panel is installed adjacent said first side wall, and said first set of notches accommodates a first drawer rail.   
   
   
       17 . The storage cabinet of  claim 16 , further comprising a second rack slide panel installed adjacent said second side wall, wherein said second rack slide panel comprises a second set of notches formed therein for accommodating a second drawer rail. 
   
   
       18 . The storage cabinet of  claim 17 , wherein said first and second rails comprise clips which are installed into said first set and second set of notches for receiving said first and second drawer rails. 
   
   
       19 . The storage cabinet of  claim 18 , further comprising a drawer which is supported by and slides along said first and second drawer rails. 
   
   
       20 . The storage cabinet of  claim 16 , wherein said first rack slide panel can be rotated  180  degrees to be installed adjacent said second side wall. 
   
   
       21 . The storage cabinet of  claim 17 , wherein said second rack slide panel can be rotated  180  degrees to be installed adjacent said first side wall. 
   
   
       22 . The storage cabinet of  claim 16 , wherein said first set of notches comprises notches which are substantially rectangular in shape. 
   
   
       23 . The storage cabinet of  claim 17 , wherein said second set of notches comprises notches which are substantially square in shape. 
   
   
       24 . A method for assembling a drawer rack in a storage cabinet, comprising:
 inserting a first slide rack panel adjacent a first side wall of said cabinet;   inserting a second slide rack panel adjacent a second side wall of said cabinet opposite said first slide rack panel;   inserting a first rail into notches formed in said first slide rack panel;   inserting a second rail into notches in said second slide rack panel; and   mounting a drawer onto said first and second rails.   
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein said step of inserting said first slide rack panel includes snap-fitting the first slide rack panel adjacent said first side wall of said cabinet. 
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein said step of inserting said second slide rack panel includes snap-fitting the second slide rack panel adjacent said second side wall of said cabinet. 
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein said step of inserting said first rail into said notches of said first slide rack panel includes snap-fitting clips formed on said first rack into said notches. 
   
   
       28 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein said step of inserting said second rail into said notches of said second slide rack panel includes snap-fitting clips formed on said second rail into said notches.