CABINET MODIFICATION KIT

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001]Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[0002]Not Applicable

THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

[0003]Not Applicable

INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC OR AS A TEXT FILE VIA THE OFFICE ELECTRONIC FILING SYSTEM

[0004]Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING PRIOR DISCLOSURES BY THE INVENTOR OR JOINT INVENTOR

[0005]Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(1) Field of the Invention

[0006]The disclosure relates to cabinet modification kits and more particularly pertains to a new cabinet modification kit for modifying the ornamental appearance of cabinets. The device includes a plurality of door covers which is each removably attachable to a door of a respective cabinet for altering the ornamental appearance of the door of the respective cabinet. The device includes a plurality of drawer covers that is each removably attachable to a drawer of a respective cabinet for altering the ornamental appearance of the drawer of the respective cabinet. The device includes a plurality of hinges that can replace existing hinges on respective cabinets to ensure proper clearance between the door covers and the respective cabinet.

(2) Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98

[0007]The prior art relates to cabinet modification kits including: a plastic facing device that includes a flange to fit over a door or drawer and which is affixed to the door or drawer with a penetrating fastener; a variety of decorative skin devices that each at least includes a flexible skin that can be applied to a cabinet drawer to modify the ornamental appearance of the cabinet drawer; a replaceable front panel system which includes a chassis and a removable skin covering that is positionable on the chassis and a skin that can be applied to surround the chassis; an ornamental design for a door skin that can be applied to a door. In no instance does the prior art disclose a cabinet modification kit that includes a plurality of door panels that each includes an attachment element for removably attaching the door panels to a door of a respective cabinet and a plurality of drawer covers that each includes an attachment element for releasably attaching the drawer covers to a drawer of a respective cabinet and plurality of hinges that can replace existing hinges on cabinets to ensure clearance between the door panels and the respective cabinets.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008]An embodiment of the disclosure meets the needs presented above by generally comprising a plurality of door covers each removably attachable to a door of a respective cabinet to alter the ornamental appearance of the door of the respective cabinet. Each of the door covers includes an attachment element which releasably engages the door of the respective cabinet. A plurality of drawer covers is each removably attachable to a drawer of a respective cabinet alter the ornamental appearance of the drawer of the respective cabinet. Each of the plurality of drawer covers including an attachment element which releasably engages the drawer of the respective cabinet. A plurality of hinges is provided which can each replace an existing hinge on the door of the respective cabinet.

[0009]There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the disclosure in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the disclosure that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

[0010]The objects of the disclosure, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the disclosure, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

[0011]The disclosure will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:

[0012]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cabinet modification kit according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0013]FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of a door cover of an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0014]FIG. 3 is a front phantom view of a door cover of an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0015]FIG. 4 is a rear phantom view of a door cover of an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0016]FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 8 of an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0017]FIG. 6 is a rear perspective view of door cover of an embodiment of the disclosure showing a protective sheet being removed from an adhesive layer on a door cover.

[0018]FIG. 7 is a rear perspective view of side panel of an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0019]FIG. 8 is an exploded in-use view of an embodiment of the disclosure showing a door cover being applied to a door of a cabinet and a drawer cover being applied to a drawer of a cabinet and a side panel being applied to a side panel of a cabinet.

[0020]FIG. 9 is an exploded in-use view of an embodiment of the disclosure showing a fill panel being positioned between a door cover and a door of a cabinet.

[0021]FIG. 10 is a perspective in-use view of an embodiment of the disclosure showing a first ornamental appearance of a plurality of door covers and a plurality of drawer covers.

[0022]FIG. 11 is a perspective in-use view of an embodiment of the disclosure showing a second ornamental appearance of a plurality of door covers and a plurality of drawer covers.

[0023]FIG. 12 is a rear perspective view of a drawer cover of an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0024]FIG. 13 is a right side view of a frame strip of an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0025]FIG. 14 is a right side view of a base board cover of an embodiment of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0026]With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 through 14 thereof, a new cabinet modification kit embodying the principles and concepts of an embodiment of the disclosure and generally designated by the reference numeral 10 will be described.

[0027]As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 14, the cabinet modification kit 10 generally comprises a plurality of door covers 12 and each of the plurality of door covers 12 is removably attachable to a door 14 of a respective cabinet 16. In this way each of the plurality of door covers 12 can alter the ornamental appearance of the door 14 of the respective cabinet 16 without requiring painting of the respective cabinet 16 or structural modification of the respective cabinet 16. Furthermore, the cabinet 16 may be a kitchen cabinet, a bathroom cabinet or any other type of cabinet. Each of the plurality of door covers 12 includes an attachment element 18 which releasably engages the door 14 of the respective cabinet 16 for releasably retaining each of the plurality of door covers 12 on the door 14 of the respective cabinet 16. Thus, the plurality of door covers 12 can be removably attached to the door 14 of the respective cabinet 16 without employing fasteners thereby preserving the original appearance of the door 14 of the respective cabinet 16. Furthermore, the plurality of door covers 12 can be manufactured in a color and style that is chosen ahead of time by a user to enable the user to modify the color and style of the door of each of the plurality of cabinets 16. Additionally, each of the plurality of door covers 12 can be applied to any type of cabinet, including but not being limited to bathroom cabinets and laundry room cabinets.

[0028]Each of the plurality of door covers 12 has a front wall 20 and a perimeter wall 22 extending rearwardly from a rear surface 24 of the front wall 20. The perimeter wall 22 of each of the plurality of door covers 12 has a lip 26 which extends away from an inwardly facing surface 28 of the perimeter wall 22. The lip 26 on the perimeter wall 22 of each of the plurality of door covers 12 defines the attachment element 18 of the plurality of door covers 12. Furthermore, the lip 26 on the perimeter wall 22 of each of the plurality of door covers 12 extends around a full perimeter of the perimeter wall 22.

[0029]The lip 26 on the perimeter wall 22 of each of the plurality of door covers 12 is aligned with a distal edge 30 of the perimeter wall 22 with respect to the rear surface 24 of the front wall 20. In this way the lip 26 on the perimeter wall 22 of each of the plurality of door covers 12 can be positioned behind the door 14 of the respective cabinet 16 for retaining each of the plurality of door covers 12 on the door 14 of the respective cabinet 16. The perimeter wall 22 of each of the plurality of door covers 12 is comprised of a resiliently flexible material, including but not being limited to plastic or a composite material, thereby enabling the perimeter wall 22 of each of the plurality of door covers 12 to be spread outwardly around the door 14 of the respective cabinet 16. As is shown in FIG. 6, the attachment element 18 of each of the plurality of door covers 12 may comprise an adhesive layer 31 rather than the lip 26 to enable the door covers 12 to be adhesively retained on the door 14 of the respective cabinet 16.

[0030]As is shown in FIG. 2, a fill panel 32 may be provided that can be positioned on the rear surface 24 of the front wall 20. The fill panel 32 might rest against a front surface 34 of the door 14 of the respective cabinet 16 to ensure proper fitment of the door covers 12 on the door 14 of the respective cabinet 16. In this way the door covers 12 can be securely fitted to a craftsman style of door 14 of the respective cabinet 16, for example. Furthermore, the fill panel 32 may be comprised of a compressible material, including but not being limited to rubber or expanded polystyrene foam, thereby inhibiting the fill panel 32 from damaging the front surface 34 of the door 14 of the respective cabinet 16.

[0031]Each of the plurality of door covers 12 has a hole 36 which extends through the front wall 20 of the plurality of door covers 12. The hole 36 in the front wall 20 of each of the plurality of door covers 12 facilitates a knob 38 or other hardware to be attached to each of the plurality of door covers 12. The hole 36 is strategically located on the front wall 20 having the hole being offset with respect to the perimeter wall 22. In this way the hole 36 enables the knob 38 or other hardware to be preferentially located on each of the plurality of door covers 12.

[0032]A plurality of drawer covers 40 is provided and each of the plurality of drawer covers 40 is removably attachable to a drawer 42 of a respective cabinet 16. In this way each of the plurality of drawer covers 40 can alter the ornamental appearance of the drawer 42 of the respective cabinet 16 without requiring painting of the respective cabinet 16 or structural modification of the respective cabinet 16. Each of the plurality of drawer covers 40 includes an attachment element 43 which releasably engages the drawer 42 of the respective cabinet 16 for releasably retaining each of the plurality of drawer covers 40 on the drawer 42 of the respective cabinet 16. Thus, the plurality of drawer covers 40 can be removably attached to the drawer 42 of the respective cabinet 16 without employing fasteners thereby preserving the original appearance of the drawer 42 of the respective cabinet 16. Furthermore, the plurality of drawer covers 40 can be manufactured in a color and style that is chosen ahead of time by a user to enable the user to modify the color and style of the drawer 42 of each of the plurality of cabinets 16. Additionally, each of the plurality of drawer covers 40 can be applied to any type of cabinet located within a building, including but not being limited to bathroom cabinets and laundry room cabinets.

[0033]Each of the plurality of drawer covers 40 has a forward wall 44 and a peripheral wall 46 extending rearwardly from a rear surface 48 of the forward wall 44. The peripheral wall 46 of each of the plurality of drawer covers 40 has a lip 50 extending away from an inwardly facing surface 51 of the peripheral wall 46. Furthermore, the lip 50 on the peripheral wall 46 of each of the plurality of drawer covers 40 defines the attachment element 43 of the plurality of drawer covers 40. The lip 50 on the peripheral wall 46 of each of the plurality of drawer covers 40 extends around a full perimeter of the peripheral wall 46. Additionally, the lip 50 on the peripheral wall 46 of each of the plurality of drawer covers 40 is aligned with a distal edge 52 of the peripheral wall 46 with respect to the rear surface 48 of the forward wall 44. In this way the lip 50 on the peripheral wall 46 of each of the plurality of drawer covers 40 can be positioned behind the drawer 42 of the respective cabinet 16 for retaining each of the plurality of drawer covers 40 on the drawer 42 of the respective cabinet 16. The peripheral wall 46 of each of the plurality of drawer covers 40 is comprised of a resiliently flexible material, including but not being limited to plastic or a composite material, thereby enabling the peripheral wall 46 of each of the plurality of drawer covers 40 to be spread outwardly around the drawer 42 of the respective cabinet 16.

[0034]Each of the plurality of drawer covers 40 has a hole 54 extending through the forward wall 44 of the plurality of drawer covers 40. The hole 54 in the forward wall 44 of each of the plurality of drawer covers 40 facilitates a knob 38 or other hardware to be attached to each of the plurality of drawer covers 40. The hole 54 in each of the plurality of drawer covers 40 is strategically located on the forward wall 44 having the hole 54 in each of the plurality of door covers 12 being offset with respect to the peripheral wall 46. In this way the hole 54 in the forward wall 44 enables the knob 38 or other hardware to be preferentially located on each of the plurality of drawer covers 40.

[0035]A plurality of side panels 56 is provided and each of the plurality of side panels 56 is removably attachable to a side panel 58 of a respective one of the plurality of cabinets 16. In this way each of the plurality of side panels 56 can alter the ornamental appearance of the respective cabinet 16. Each of the plurality of side panels 56 includes an attachment element 60 which releasably engages the side panel 58 of the respective cabinet 16 for retaining each of the plurality of side panels 56 on the side panel 58 of the respective cabinet 16. As is shown in FIG. 7, the attachment element 60 associated with each of the plurality of side panels 56 may comprise an adhesive strip 62 that is applied to a rear surface 64 of a respective side panel 56. Additionally, the adhesive strip 62 may extend along an entire perimeter edge 66 of the respective side panel 56 and the adhesive strip 62 may include a protective sheet 68 that is removable from an exposed surface 70 of the adhesive strip 62 prior to adhering the adhesive strip 62 to the side panel 58 of the respective cabinet 16. Furthermore, the plurality of side panels 56 can be manufactured in a color and style that is chosen ahead of time by a user to enable the user to modify the color and style of the side panel 58 of each of the respective cabinets 16. Additionally, each of the plurality of side panels 56 can be applied to any type of cabinet located within a building, including but not being limited to bathroom cabinets and laundry room cabinets.

[0036]A plurality of hinges 72 is included and each of the plurality of hinges 72 is attachable to the door 14 of a respective one of the plurality of cabinets 16 thereby replacing an existing hinge on the door 14 of the respective cabinet 16. Furthermore, each of the plurality of hinges 72 is strategically structured to facilitate increased clearance between the door cover 12 which is attached to the door 14 of the respective cabinet 16 and a front face 74 of the respective cabinet 16 as compared to the existing hinge on the door 14 of the respective cabinet 16. In this way the plurality of hinges 72 enables the door 14 on the respective cabinet 16 to be opened or closed without having the door cover 12 which is attached to the door 14 of the respective cabinet 16 impinging on the front face 74 of the respective cabinet 16.

[0037]A plurality of frame strips 76 is provided and each of the plurality of frame strips 76 is removably attachable to the front face 74 of a respective one of the plurality of cabinets 16. Furthermore, the plurality of frame strips 76 are oriented to surround the door 14 of the respective cabinet 16 to alter the ornamental appearance of the front face 74 of the respective cabinet 16. As is shown in FIG. 11, each of the plurality of frame strips 76 has an adhesive layer 78 which is applied to a rear surface 80 of a respective one of the plurality of frame strips 76. The adhesive layer 78 on the rear surface 80 of each of the plurality of frame strips 76 adhesively engages the front face 74 of the respective cabinet 16 for retaining each of the plurality of frame strips 76 on the front face 74 of the respective cabinet 16. The adhesive layer 78 associated with each of the plurality of frame strips 76 include a protective sheet 82 that is removable from an exposed surface 84 of the adhesive layer 78 associated with each of the plurality of frame strips 76 prior to adhering the adhesive layer 78 associated with each of the frame strips 76 to the front face 74 of the respective cabinet 16.

[0038]A plurality of base board covers 86 is provided and each of the plurality of base board covers 86 is removably attachable to a base board 88 of a respective one of the cabinets 16. In this way each of the plurality of base board covers 86 can alter the ornamental appearance of the base board 88 of the respective cabinet 16. As is shown in FIG. 12, each of the plurality of base board covers 86 has an adhesive strip 90 which is applied to a back surface 92 of a respective base board cover 86. The adhesive layer 90 on the back surface 92 of each of the plurality of base board covers 86 adhesively engages an exposed face 94 of the base board 88 of the respective cabinet 16 for retaining each of the plurality of base board covers 86 on the base board 88 of the respective cabinet 16. The adhesive layer 90 associated with each of the plurality of base board covers 86 includes a protective sheet 96 that is removable from the adhesive layer 90 associated with each of the plurality of base board covers 86 prior to adhering the adhesive layer 90 associated with each of the plurality of base board covers 86 to the exposed face 94 of the base board 88 of the respective cabinet 16.

[0039]In use, each of the plurality of door covers 12 is positioned on the door 14 of the respective cabinet 16 to alter the color or style of the door 14 of the respective cabinet 16. In this way ornamental appearance of the door 14 of the respective cabinet 16 can be modified without requiring the door 14 of the respective cabinet 16 to be painted or replaced thereby saving time and money for the user. The plurality of hinges 72 can be employed to replace existing hinges on the cabinets 16 in the event that the existing hinges do not provide adequate clearance between the plurality of door covers 12 and the respective cabinet 16. Each of the plurality of drawer covers 40 is positioned on the drawer 42 of the respective cabinet 16 to alter the color or style of the drawer 42 of the respective cabinet 16. In this way the ornamental appearance of the drawer 42 of the respective cabinet 16 can be modified without requiring the drawer 42 of the respective cabinet 16 to be painted or replaced thereby saving time and money for the user.

[0040]Respective ones of the plurality of frame strips 76 is each applied to the front face 74 of the of the respective cabinet 16 such that the respective frame strips 76 surrounds the door 14 of the respective cabinet 16. In this way the ornamental appearance of the front face 74 of the respective cabinet 16 matches the ornamental appearance of the door cover 12 that is positioned on the door 14 of the respective cabinet 16. Additionally, the plurality of base board covers 86 is each applied to the base board 88 of a respective cabinet 16. In this way the ornamental appearance of the base board 88 of the respective cabinet 16 matches the ornamental appearance of the door cover 12 that is positioned on the door 14 of the respective cabinet 16.

[0041]With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of an embodiment enabled by the disclosure, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0042]Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the disclosure. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the disclosure to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the disclosure. In this patent document, the word “comprising” is used in its non-limiting sense to mean that items following the word are included, but items not specifically mentioned are not excluded. A reference to an element by the indefinite article “a” does not exclude the possibility that more than one of the element is present, unless the context clearly requires that there be only one of the elements.