Easy Assemble Storage Unit

Abstract

The invention provides a pre-fabricated cabinet frame structure (1) including two opposing side wall elements (2, 3) each having an inside surface (4, 4′), a front edge (5, 5′), a rear edge (6, 6′), a base portion (7, 7′), and a top portion (8, 8′). At least two spacer arms, moveable between a folded configuration and an extended configuration, are also provided. Each spacer arm is hingedly connected by wall hinges at one end to an inside surface of one side wall element, and at the other end to an inside surface of the other opposing side wall element. At least one spacer arm extends adjacent the front edge of each wall element and at least one spacer arm extends adjacent the rear edge of each wall element. The at least one spacer arm adjacent the front edge is offset from the at least one spacer arm adjacent the rear edge such that they do not interfere with each other in the folded configuration.

1 . A pre-fabricated cabinet frame structure including:
 two opposing side wall elements each having an inside surface, a front edge, a rear edge, a base portion, and a top portion;   at least one pair of spacer arms located proximate either the base portion or the top portion, the pair of spacer arms being moveable between a folded configuration and an extended configuration, each spacer arm being hingedly connected by wall hinges at one end to an inside surface of one side wall element, and at the other end to an inside surface of the other opposing side wall element,   wherein the pair of spacer arms includes a front spacer arm extending adjacent the front edge of each wall element and at least one spacer arm extends adjacent the rear edge of each wall element, wherein a rear spacer arm is mounted vertically offset from the rear spacer arm such that they do not interfere with each other in the folded configuration.   
     
     
         2 . (canceled) 
     
     
         3 . A pre-fabricated cabinet frame structure according to  claim 1 , wherein each spacer arm is a folding arm having an arm fold hinge connector permitting movement of each folding arm between the folded configuration, where the folding arms lie generally parallel to the side wall elements, and the extended configuration, where the folding arms extend generally transverse to the side wall elements. 
     
     
         4 . A pre-fabricated cabinet frame structure according to  claim 3 , wherein each folding arm includes two arm elements interconnected by the arm fold hinge connector. 
     
     
         5 . A pre-fabricated cabinet frame structure according to  claim 4 , wherein each arm element is of equal length. 
     
     
         6 . A pre-fabricated cabinet frame structure according to  claim 1 , wherein in the folded configuration the two opposed wall elements are relatively closely spaced for packaging and transport, and wherein in the extended configuration, the two opposing side walls are spaced away from each other a predetermined distance to define a storage space therebetween. 
     
     
         7 . A pre-fabricated cabinet frame structure according to  claim 3 , including at least two locking mechanisms to hold each folding arm in the folded configuration and/or the extended configuration. 
     
     
         8 . A pre-fabricated cabinet frame structure according to  claim 7 , wherein each locking mechanism is operatively associated with each wall hinge and/or each arm fold hinge connector. 
     
     
         9 . A pre-fabricated cabinet frame structure according to  claim 7 , wherein each locking mechanism includes an over centre mechanism that biases each folding arm from a partially extended position to either the folded configuration and/or the extended configuration. 
     
     
         10 . A pre-fabricated cabinet frame structure according to  claim 1 , wherein each wall hinge is a flat fold hinge. 
     
     
         11 . A pre-fabricated cabinet frame structure according to  claim 2 , including four folding arms.