Cabinet system and method of assembling the same

Abstract

A front panel, a pair of side panels, a top panel, and a bottom panel connect to form a cabinet. Optionally, the cabinet includes a rear panel. The front panel includes a pair of master keyways. Each of side panels has a groove and a pair of side keyways. Each groove provides the side panel with an edge profile that connects with one master keyway to couple the side panels with the front panel. Each of top and bottom panels includes a pair of grooves. Each groove provides top and bottom panels with an edge profile that connects with one side keyway to couple the top and bottom panels with the side panels. Optionally, one of the top or bottom panels includes an extender and the front panel includes a groove wherein the extender is received within the groove to limit movement of the side panels.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A cabinet system comprising:
 a front panel having a pair of master keyways and a pair of grooves;   a pair of side panels, each of the side panels having a side key, a pair of side keyways, and a side notch, the side key of one of the side panels configured to connect with one of the master keyways and the side key of the other of the side panels configured to connect with the other one of the master keyways;   a top panel having a pair of top keys and a top extender, each of the top keys configured to connect with one of the side keyways, and the top extender configured to connect with one of the pair of grooves; and   a bottom panel having a pair of bottom keys and a bottom extender, each of the bottom keys configured to connect with one of the side keyways, and the bottom extender configured to connect with the other of the pair of grooves.   
     
     
         2 . The cabinet system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a rear panel having a pair of back grooves and a pair of slots, each of the back grooves configured to contact one of the side notches, one of the slots configured to contact the top panel, and the other of the slots configured to contact the bottom panel.   
     
     
         3 . The cabinet system of  claim 1 , wherein the top panel and the bottom panel are interchangeable. 
     
     
         4 . The cabinet system of  claim 1 , wherein each of the master keyways has an L-shape. 
     
     
         5 . The cabinet system of  claim 1 , wherein each of the side keys has a U-shape. 
     
     
         6 . The cabinet system of  claim 1 , wherein each of the top keys has a U-shape. 
     
     
         7 . The cabinet system of  claim 1 , wherein the master keyways and the side keyways are shaped substantially similar to each other. 
     
     
         8 . The cabinet system of  claim 1 , wherein the side keys, the top keys, and the bottom keys are shaped substantially similar to each other. 
     
     
         9 . The cabinet system of  claim 1 , wherein the top panel and the bottom panel are substantially similar to each other. 
     
     
         10 . A method of forming an interlocking cabinet comprising:
 providing a front panel having a pair of master keyways and a pair of grooves;   providing a pair of side panels, each of the side panels having a side key, a pair of side keyways, and a side notch;   sliding the side key onto one of the master keyways to connect one of the side panels with the front panel;   sliding the side key onto the other of the master keyways to connect another of the side panels with the front panel;   providing a top panel having a pair of top keys and a top extender; and   sliding each of the top keys onto one of the side keyways to connect the top panel with the pair of side panels.   
     
     
         11 . The method of forming an interlocking cabinet of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 placing a rear panel on the pair of side panels, the top panel and the bottom panel.   
     
     
         12 . The method of forming an interlocking cabinet of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 inserting the top extender into one of the pair of grooves.   
     
     
         13 . The method of forming an interlocking cabinet of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 inserting the bottom extender into the other of the pair of grooves.   
     
     
         14 . The method of forming an interlocking cabinet of  claim 11 , wherein the rear panel has a pair of back grooves and a pair of slots;
 assembling each of the side notches with one of the back grooves to connect the rear panel to the pair of side panels; and   assembling each of the slots with either the top panel or the bottom panel.   
     
     
         15 . The method of forming an interlocking cabinet of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 attaching both of the side panels to the front panel with an adhesive;   attaching the top panel to the pair of side panels with the adhesive; and   attaching the bottom panel to the pair of side panels with the adhesive.   
     
     
         16 . A system of joints for connecting a front panel, a pair of side panels, a top panel, and a bottom panel together to form a cabinet comprising:
 a pair of master keyways on the front panel;   a side key, a pair of side keyways, and a side notch on each of the side panels, the side key configured to slide into one of the master keyways to connect each of the side panels with the front panel;   a pair of top keys on the top panel, each of the top keys configured to slide into one of the side keyways to connect the top panel with the pair of side panels; and   a pair of bottom keys on the bottom panel, each of the bottom keys configured to slide into one of the side keyways to connect the bottom panel with the pair of side panels.   
     
     
         17 . The system of joints of  claim 16 , wherein the pair of side keyways are shaped substantially similar to the pair of master keyways. 
     
     
         18 . The system of joints of  claim 16 , wherein the side keys, the top keys, and the bottom keys are shaped substantially similar to each other. 
     
     
         19 . The system of joints of  claim 16 , wherein each of the master keyways has an L-shape. 
     
     
         20 . The system of joints of  claim 16 , wherein each of the side keys has a U-shape. 
     
     
         21 . The system of joints of  claim 16 , wherein each of the top keys has a U-shape.