Universal outdoor modular kitchen system

Abstract

The present disclosure provides an outdoor kitchen system that includes universal cabinet structures that are modular. The cabinets provided are configured to accommodate a wide range of kitchen components and are also configured to be arranged to form kitchens having various layouts. The system allows for quick and efficient construction of outdoor kitchen systems.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A universal outdoor kitchen cabinet system comprising:
 a modular frame assembly configured to support a least a first type of kitchen accessory therein and an outdoor veneer thereon;   wherein the frame assembly includes a plurality of preassembly, generally planar sub-structures that are configured to be assembled at job sites by aligning mating structures that are fixed to the generally planar sub-structures;   wherein the frame assembly defines at least one opening that is adjustable in size at the job site to accommodate various different sized kitchen accessories of the first type.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first type of kitchen accessories is selected from a group consisting of: a grill, a trash cabinet, and a refrigerator. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one opening includes a first frame member that is generally perpendicular to a second frame member, wherein both of the first and second frame members include outward facing surfaces that are generally in a common plane. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein a mating structure on the first and second frame members is configured to interlock with mating structures on adjacent modular frame assemblies. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the tubular frame assembly includes a slide assembly that enables the size of the opening to be manually adjusted. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the slide assembly includes a first frame member that includes a channel along a length of the first frame member, and a second frame member that includes a protrusion at an end of the second frame member that fits within the channel. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the slide assembly further includes a third frame member that includes a channel along a length of the third frame member, and wherein the first frame member includes a protrusion at an end of the first frame member that fits within the channel. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the second frame member includes a telescoping construction that enables the length of the second frame member to be adjusted. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the cladding material includes a first sheet that is directly attached to the tubular frame via fasteners and a second sheet that is adhered to the first sheet. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the second sheet is a stone veneer. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the mating structures include a first plate fixed to a first, generally planar sub-structure, and a boss fixed to the first, generally planar sub-structure adjacent the first plate. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the mating structures include a second plate fixed to a second, generally planar sub-structure, and a boss receiving aperture fixed to the second, generally planar sub-structure adjacent the second plate. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the boss receiving aperture is configured to mate with the boss and the first and second plates are configured to be secured to each other by at least one fastener. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the modular tubular frame structure includes a maximum length, width, and height dimension when assembled, and wherein the modular tubular frame structure is configured to be disassembled and packaged for shipping such that at least one of the overall maximum length, width, or height of the package is less than fifty percent of the corresponding assembled dimension. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the frame assembly includes support rods that are configured to be extended into an adjacent frame assembly for auxiliary support. 
     
     
         16 . A method of constructing an outdoor kitchen cabinet system comprising:
 interlocking welded together planar tubular sub-structures to create a frame assembly for a first cabinet that defines a top plane, bottom plane, front plane, back plane, and opposed side planes;   manually adjusting the size of an opening in at least one of the top or front planes based on a kitchen accessory that the opening is configured to receive; and   connecting at least one of the opposed side planes of the frame assembly to an adjacent frame assembly for a second cabinet.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  further comprising:
 attaching sheet material over the frame assembly with fasteners; and 
 attaching an outdoor veneer over the sheet material with adhesive. 
 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16  further comprising:
 extending support rods from the frame assembly for the first cabinet to an adjacent frame assembly for a second cabinet. 
 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the step of manually adjusting the size of the opening is accomplished by sliding elongated tubular members in the same plane in directions perpendicular to their lengths relative to each other and locking them in place after the desired relative orientation of the elongated tubular members is reached. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the frame assembly is partially disassembled into planar sub-structures and stacked for shipping.