US20150123527A1

US20150123527A1 - Collapsible Wardrobe and Method

Info

Publication number: US20150123527A1
Application number: US14/526,800
Authority: US
Inventors: Ryan Forry; Stephen Perko
Original assignee: Blockhouse Co Inc
Current assignee: Blockhouse Co Inc
Priority date: 2013-11-04
Filing date: 2014-10-29
Publication date: 2015-05-07

Abstract

A collapsible wardrobe includes a pair of doors hingedly connected to a pair of folding side portions, fixed side sections, and top and bottom floors pivotally disposed relative to the fixed side portions. The wardrobe is reconfigurable between a collapsed orientation and an expanded orientation.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION AND CLAIM TO PRIORITY

This application is based on U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 61/899,326, filed Nov. 4, 2013, which application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety and to which priority is claimed.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a wardrobe reconfigurable between a collapsed orientation and an expanded orientation, and a method of reconfiguring the wardrobe.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Wardrobes for storing clothing and other items, and in particular clothing that is typically hung from bars or hangers, is a convenience or even necessity for organizing such clothing and maintaining the clothing and other stored items in a clean, orderly manner. Wardrobes are particularly helpful in structures or rooms that do not include built-in closets, or that do not provide sufficient closet space (e.g., such as older structures, temporary living structures, structures including rooms not originally intended as living space, etc.).
In addition, wardrobes are helpful as a storage supplement or alternative to built-in closets in rooms or spaces that were not designed solely for use as living or sleeping quarters. For example, in settings in which rooms may be utilized as a living area for an occupant for a certain limited period of time and thereafter repurposed for another use (e.g., such as supplemental or temporary student accommodations at universities and colleges, temporary accommodations for military personal abroad, temporary accommodations for individuals during conventions or other events, etc.), wardrobes for storing large amounts of clothing or other items are needed.
However, wardrobes are relatively large and bulky, and often difficult to move or install, particular in smaller rooms or spaces, or in such rooms or spaces that are only accessible by narrow corridors, stairways, etc. Moreover, conventional wardrobes are difficult and expensive to manufacture, transport and store due to their bulky size. As a result, conventional wardrobes are typically relatively expensive for the consumer.
Most conventional light weight or folding wardrobe designs include a flexible fabric covering disposed over a metal frame. Thus, such designs are similar to large hanging storage bags or racks, and fail to provide a finished appearance and solid outer surface. Other conventional designs attempt to decrease wardrobe size during storage, transport and installation by providing for a completely disassembled unit. While some space savings are achieved with such disassembled units, assembly of the unit by the end user is difficult and time consuming, and often requires a skilled carpenter.
Other design attempts provide for bulky metal structures having telescoping or collapsing side plates. However, the front portions and doors of such collapsing designs do not fold against the side plates, and therefore the resulting structure is extremely bulky, and requires extensive hinge mechanisms typically extending along the entire length or height of the unit. Such collapsible designs are expensive to manufacture and ship, and do not present a commercially viable and appealing design for many consumers.
Other designs provide for a series of hinged panels. However, such conventional hinged designs do not fold into a uniform ‘stack’ of panels when folded. The folded or detached stack of panels is not retained within an overall footprint of the unit. For example, the door or side panels often extend outwardly from the footprint of the rear panel when folded in a stack. As a result, such conventional hinged panel designs are prone to being damaged, particularly during storage and transport. Thus, such designs have not proven practical or economically feasible.
Accordingly, there is a need for a wardrobe unit that overcomes some or all of the above-noted problems, and that is practical and aesthetically appealing to consumers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a collapsible wardrobe for storing clothing, blankets, household or business items, personal effects, etc., which is comprised of solid wood, metal or composite components, and which is reconfigurable between a collapsed orientation and an expanded orientation.
A collapsible wardrobe according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a rectangular frame comprising a top section, a bottom section, and first and second opposing side sections. The frame defines an interior cavity. A first side panel is pivotally connected to the first side section, and a second side panel is pivotally connected to the second side section. A first door is pivotally connected to the first side panel, wherein the first door has a width substantially equal to or less than a width of the first side panel. A second door is pivotally connected to the second side panel, wherein the second door has a width substantially equal to or less than a width of the second side panel. The first and second doors are pivotal about 270° from a closed position extending across the interior cavity to an open position engaging the first and second side panels. The first side panel and the first door are collectively movable from the open position to a collapsed orientation extending across the interior cavity. Similarly, the second side panel and the second door are collectively movable from the open position to a collapsed orientation extending across the interior cavity.
In some implementations, the wardrobe includes a top floor pivotally connected to the top section. The top floor is pivotal between a first position extending outwardly from and substantially coplanar with the top section, and a second position extending downwardly from the top section and into the interior cavity. The wardrobe may also include a bottom floor pivotally connected to the bottom section. The bottom floor is pivotal between a first position extending outwardly from and substantially coplanar with the bottom section, and a second position extending upwardly from the bottom section and into the interior cavity.
In some implementations, the wardrobe includes one or more shelves disposed within the interior cavity of the rectangular frame and extending between the first and second side sections. Each shelf preferably includes a rear fixed portion coupled to the first and second side sections, and a front portion pivotally connected to the rear fixed portion.
The wardrobe defines an interior cavity having a first volume when the first and second side panels are disposed in an open position, and a second volume less than the first volume when the first and second side panels are disposed in a collapsed orientation. In some embodiments, the second volume is no more than about ½ of the first volume.
A collapsible wardrobe according to another embodiment includes a rectangular frame comprising a top section, a bottom section, a first side section and an opposing second side section. A first side panel is pivotally connected to the first side section, and a second side panel is pivotally connected to the second side section. A first door is pivotally connected to the first side panel. The first door has a width substantially equal to or less than a width of the first side panel. A second door is pivotally connected to the second side panel. The second door has a width substantially equal to or less than a width of the second side panel. Each of the first side panel and first door, and the second side panel and second door, are collectively movable between an expanded orientation so that the wardrobe defines an interior cavity having a first volume, and a collapsed orientation so that the wardrobe defines an interior cavity having a second volume which is at least about ¼ of the first volume. In some implementations, the second volume is between about ¼ and about ½ of the first volume.
In some implementations, each of the doors is pivotal about 270° between a closed position extending across the interior cavity and an open position engaging a corresponding one of the folding side panels. In addition, each of the folding side panels preferably has a width at least about twice the width of a corresponding one of the fixed side sections.
A collapsible wardrobe according to another embodiment includes a frame comprising a top section, a bottom section, a first side section and an opposing second side section. The frame defines an interior cavity. A first side panel is pivotally connected to the first side section, and a second side panel is pivotally connected to the second side section. A first door is pivotally connected to the first side panel, and a second door is pivotally connected to the second side panel. The first and second doors are pivotal about 270° from a closed position extending across the interior cavity to an open position engaging the first and second side panels, respectively. Each of the connected first side panel and first door, and connected second side panel and second door, are collectively movable from the open position to a collapsed orientation extending across the interior cavity. The wardrobe defines an interior cavity having a first volume when the first and second side panels are disposed in the open position, and a second volume when the first and second side panels are disposed in the collapsed orientation. In some implementations, the second volume is at least about ⅕ of the first volume. Preferably, the second volume is between about ¼ and about ½ of the first volume.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a collapsible wardrobe according to an embodiment of the present invention and shown in an expanded orientation.

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the collapsible wardrobe.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the collapsible wardrobe.

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the collapsible wardrobe.

FIG. 5 is another front perspective view of the collapsible wardrobe with the doors in a partially open position.

FIG. 6 is another rear perspective view of the collapsible wardrobe.

FIG. 7 is another front view of the collapsible wardrobe.

FIG. 8 is a front perspective view of the collapsible wardrobe and shown in a collapsed orientation.

FIG. 9 is another rear perspective view of the collapsible wardrobe.

FIG. 10 is another bottom view of the collapsible wardrobe.

FIG. 11 is another front perspective view of the collapsible wardrobe and showing removal of door hardware and fasteners.

FIG. 12 is another front perspective view of the collapsible wardrobe and showing the doors disposed in fully open positions.

FIG. 13 is a front perspective view of the collapsible wardrobe and showing removal of a top panel.

FIG. 14 is a front perspective view of the collapsible wardrobe and showing the top panel removed, and also showing removal of shelf pins and front toe kick fasteners.

FIG. 15 is a top view of the collapsible wardrobe according to an embodiment of the present invention, and showing the top panel removed and disengagement of cam locks.

FIG. 16 is another front perspective view of the collapsible wardrobe disposed in a partially collapsed orientation.

FIG. 17 is another front perspective view of the collapsible wardrobe disposed in a fully collapsed orientation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The terms “left,” “right,” “top,” “bottom,” “front,” “rear,” “side,” “height,” “length,” “width,” “upper,” “lower,” “interior,” “exterior,” “inner,” “outer” and the like, as may be used herein, merely describe points or portions of reference and do not limit the present invention to any particular orientation or configuration. Further, terms such as “first,” “second,” “third,” etc., merely identify one of a number of portions, components and/or points of reference as disclosed herein, and do not limit the present invention to any particular configuration or orientation.
A collapsible wardrobe 5 according to an embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 1-17. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, wardrobe 5 includes a top portion 10, a bottom portion 12, a left side portion 14, a right side portion 16, a front portion 18, and a back portion 20. The wardrobe is configurable between an expanded orientation O1 (as shown in FIG. 1) and a collapsed orientation O2 (as shown in FIG. 8).
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 13, the top portion 10 includes a top panel 22 removably disposed against a top floor 24 and a fixed top section 26. The top panel 22 may be secured to the top floor 24 and/or the fixed top section 26 by fasteners F (e.g., such as wood screws, pins, bolts, etc.). The top floor 24 is pivotally or hingedly connected to the fixed top section 26. The top floor 24 has a width L1 and the fixed top section 26 has a width L2 less than width L1. In some implementations, the length of L1 is preferably at least about twice the length of width L2, more preferably the length of L1 is between about 2 and 4 times the length of width L2. The length of width L2 is preferably at least about ¼ the length of width L1, more preferably the length of width L2 is at least about ¼ to about ½ of the length of width L1.
Referring to FIGS. 1, 3 and 4, the bottom portion 12 includes a bottom floor 28 and a fixed bottom section 30. The bottom floor 28 is pivotally or hingedly connected to the fixed bottom section 30. The bottom floor 28 has a width L3 and the fixed bottom section 30 has a width L4 less than width L3. In some implementations, the length of width L3 is preferably at least about twice the length of width L4, more preferably the length of width L3 is between about 2 and 4 times the length of width L4. The length of width L4 is preferably at least about ¼ the length of width L3, more preferably the length of width L4 is at least about ¼ to about ½ of the length of width L3. In some implementations, L1 of top floor 24 is substantially equal to width L3 of bottom floor 28 and/or the width L2 of fixed top section 26 is substantially equal to the width L4 of fixed bottom section 30.
A front toe kick 32 is disposed beneath the bottom floor 28 and adjacent the front portion 18 of the wardrobe 5, as shown in FIG. 4. The front toe kick 32 extends between the left and right side portions 14, 16, with opposite ends thereof secured to the left and right side panels 34, 38 via fasteners and/or brackets (e.g., such as L-brackets), as best shown in FIG. 4. The front toe kick 32 provides a finished look to the wardrobe 5, and also maintains the left and right side portions 14, 16 in the expanded orientation O1 (and a fixed position relative to each other given the left and right side panels 34, 38 are secured to the front toe kick 32). In addition, the hingedly connected bottom floor 28 is supported by the front toe kick 32 in a substantially horizontal orientation. The left and right side portions 14, 16 are also maintained in their expanded orientation O1 via the brackets and top panel 22 (as shown in FIG. 13).
Referring to FIGS. 4 and 10, first and second rear toe kicks 33, 35 are also preferably provided. Rear toe kicks 33, 35 are disposed beneath, and secured or adjacent to, the fixed bottom section 30 and adjacent the rear portion 20 of the wardrobe. The rear toe kicks 33, 35 extend between the left and right side portions 14, 16, with opposite ends thereof secured to the left and right fixed side sections 36, 40. The rear toe kicks 33, 35 are substantially coplanar with a support surface (e.g., the floor or ground) when the wardrobe 5 is disposed in an upright position thereon, and also permit the wardrobe 5 to be maintained and properly supported in an upright or ‘standing’ position on the support surface when the wardrobe 5 is disposed in its collapsed position O2 (as shown in FIGS. 8-10).
Referring again to FIGS. 1, 2 and 13, the left side portion 14 includes a left side panel 34 and a fixed side section 36. The left side panel 34 is pivotally or hingedly connected to the fixed side section 36. Similarly, the right side portion 16 includes a right side panel 38 and a fixed side section 40. The right side panel 38 is pivotally or hingedly connected to the corresponding fixed side section 40.
The left and right side panels 34, 38 have a width L5 and the fixed side sections 36, 40 have a width L6 less than width L5. In some implementations, the length of width L5 is preferably at least about twice the length of width L6, more preferably the length of width L5 is between about 2 and 4 times the length of width L6. The length of width L6 is preferably at least about ¼ the length of width L5, more preferably the length of width L6 is at least about ¼ to about ½ of the length of width L5. In some implementations, width L5 is substantially equal to widths L1 or L3 and/or width L6 is substantially equal to widths L2 or L4. Upper edges 42, 44 of the left and right side portions 14, 16 are aligned with a perimeter or edges of the top panel 22 (as shown in FIG. 13), and may be releasably attached thereto by fasteners or pins (e.g., such as by wood dowels 46 extending into correspondingly aligned holes provided in the top panel 22 and upper edges 42, 44 of the left and right side portions 14, 16), as shown in FIG. 13.
Referring to FIGS. 3 and 5, the front portion 18 includes a first door 48 pivotally or hingedly connected (e.g., as shown by hinges 52) to a front edge of the left side panel 34, and a second door 50 pivotally or hingedly connected to a front edge of the right side panel 38. Each of the first and second doors 48, 50 may include a door pull 54 fastened to an outer surface thereof, such as by screws, pins, adhesive, etc. The door pulls 54 may extend outwardly from the outer surfaces of the first or second doors 48, 50, or alternatively they may be recessed from the outer surface. Alternatively, a portion of the outer surfaces of the first and second doors 48, 50 may be configured for permitting a user to grasp and open the doors, as known in the art. Door 48 preferably has a width L7 about equal to or less than width L5 of left side panel 34, and door 50 has a width L8 about equal to or less than width L5 of right side panel 38, so that doors 48, 50. Preferably, width L7 of door 48 is equal to width L8 of door 50.
Referring to FIGS. 2, 6 and 7, the back portion 20 includes a perimeter or edges 56 secured to correspondingly aligned edges of the fixed top and bottom sections 26, 30 and the fixed side sections 36, 40. Thus, the top and bottom portions 10, 12, the left and right side portions 14, 16, and the front and back portions 18, 20 of the wardrobe 5 form a generally rectangular interior cavity 58 (shown in FIG. 7) accessible through the first and second doors 48, 50.
Referring to FIGS. 5 and 7, a shelf 60 may be provided within the interior cavity 58 of the wardrobe 5. The shelf 60 includes a rear fixed portion (not shown) connected to the back portion 20 and/or to the left and right fixed side sections 36, 40, and a front portion 64 pivotally connected to the rear fixed portion (e.g., such as via hinges). The rear fixed portion of shelf 60 preferably has a width corresponding to width L2 of fixed top section 26, and front portion 64 of shelf 60 has a width corresponding to width L1 of top floor 24. A front edge 66 of the front portion 64 of the shelf 60 is adjacent or proximate to the first and second doors 48, 50 when the doors 48, 50 are disposed in their closed position and the shelf 60 is disposed in a substantially horizontal orientation. In one implementation, the shelf 60 is maintained in the substantially horizontal orientation via L-brackets or other fasteners 68, whereby each fastener 68 (e.g., L-bracket and corresponding washer, screw, etc.) may be secured to the shelf 60 and corresponding inner surfaces of the left and right side portions 14, 16. In another implementation, a plurality of shelf pins may be removably secured within correspondingly configured holes within inner surfaces of the left and right side portions 14, 16, so that an undersurface of the shelf 60 rests upon the shelf pins and the shelf 60 is supported in its horizontal orientation.
Similarly, the top floor 24 is maintained in a substantially horizontal orientation via L-brackets or fasteners (e.g., L-brackets), whereby the fasteners are secured to the top floor 24 and corresponding inner surfaces of the left and right side portions 14, 16. Alternatively, shelf pins may be provided for supporting the top floor 24 in its horizontal position, such as described above, so that the undersurface of the top floor 24 rests upon corresponding shelf pins and the top floor 24 is supported in a horizontal position.
In one embodiment, the top floor 24, shelf 60 and bottom floor 28 are secured in their horizontal orientations via cam inserts or locks 70, shown in FIG. 15. For example, a first pair of cam locks 70 may be provided along and within a left side edge of the top floor 24, and a second pair of cam locks may be provided along and within a right side edge of the top floor 24. The cam locks 70 may be rotated or activated to engage correspondingly positioned slots or receiving portions disposed in the left and right side portions 14, 16, thereby releasably locking the top floor 24 in its horizontal position. Similarly, first and second pairs of cam locks 70 may be provided along and within side edges of the shelf 60 and/or along and within the side edges of the bottom floor 28, which may likewise be activated to engage additional correspondingly positioned slots or receiving portions disposed in the left and right side portions 14, 16. Further, when activated and disposed in their locked positions, the cam locks 70 further ensure that the left and right side portions 14, 16 are maintained in the expanded orientation O1.
Reconfiguration of the wardrobe 5 from its expanded orientation O1 to its collapsed orientation O2 will be described with reference to FIGS. 11-17. As shown in FIG. 11, the first and second doors 48, 50 are pivoted toward their open position, and their door pulls 54 (if provided and/or extending outwardly from the exterior surface of doors 48, 50) are removed, such as by removing any screws or fasteners F used to secure the door pulls 54. The first and second doors 48, 50 are then pivoted to a fully open position, as shown in FIG. 12. From their closed position (such as shown in FIG. 1), the doors 48, 50 are pivoted approximately 270° to their fully open position, so that the first and second doors 48, 50 are adjacent and/or engaging outwardly disposed surfaces of the left and right side panels 34, 38 of the left and right side portions 14, 16, respectively. Preferably, doors 48, 50 are engaging left and right side panels 34, 38, respectively, and do not extend across or substantially engage either of left and right fixed side sections 36, 40 (given widths L7, L8 of doors 48, 50 are about equal to or less than widths L5 of left and right side panels 34, 38).
Referring to FIG. 13, the top panel 22 is then unsecured from top floor 24 and the fixed top section 26 by removing the associated fasteners or pins (e.g., dowels 46), and detached and lifted away from the upper edges of the left and right side portions 14, 16 (thereby also releasing the fasteners or pins (e.g., dowels 46) from the aligned holes therein. Next, the brackets or fasteners (e.g., L-brackets, shelf pins, or other such securing mechanisms) are removed from beneath the shelf 60 and the top floor 24. The front toe kick 32 is also unsecured from the left and right side portions 14, 16, such as by removing the fasteners F and/or L-bracket from the left and right side portions 14, 16, as shown in FIG. 14. If provided, the cam locks 70 are rotated to their unlocked or deactivated positions, and are thus disengaged from the corresponding slots in the left and right side portions 14, 16, as shown in FIG. 15.
Any components that have been removed or detached from the structure (including the door pulls 54, the top panel 22 and any associated fasteners and/or pins) may be placed inside the interior cavity 58 of the wardrobe 5, such as against or adjacent the back portion 20. As shown in FIG. 16, the top floor 24 is then pivoted downwardly at least about 90° relative to the fixed top section 26 and toward the bottom portion 12. Similarly, the front portion 64 of the shelf 60 is pivoted downwardly at least about 90° relative to the rear fixed portion 62 thereof, and toward the bottom portion 12. The bottom floor 28 is pivoted upwardly more than 90° relative to the fixed bottom section 30 (to allow for clearance of the front toe kick 32 extending outwardly therefrom when the doors 48, 50 and left and right side panels 34, 38 are folded inwardly), and toward the top portion 10. The left and right side panels 34, 38 and first and second doors 48, 50 are then folded or pivoted inwardly toward the interior cavity 58 and against or adjacent the folded top panel 24, shelf 60 and bottom floor 28, until the wardrobe 5 is disposed in its collapsed orientation O2, as shown in FIGS. 8-10 and 17. When disposed in its collapsed orientation O2, the left and right side panels 34 and first and second doors 48, 50 do not extend outwardly beyond the footprint of rear portion 20 of the wardrobe 5. Thus, the wardrobe 5 has a rectangular or box-like configuration when disposed in its collapsed orientation O2, thereby minimizes the possibility of damage to any components thereof, such as during storage or transport.
Thus, the collapsible wardrobe 5 may be easily and quickly reconfigured from its expanded orientation O1 to its collapsed orientation O2. In order to reconfigure the wardrobe 5 back to its expanded orientation O1 from its collapsed orientation O2, the above-described steps are performed in reverse order. Because the wardrobe 5 may be readily reconfigured between its expanded and collapsed orientations, it may be more easily transported, stored and installed.
For example, when the wardrobe 5 is disposed in its collapsed orientation O2, its depth and volume is preferably reduced by about ½, more preferably by about ⅓, more preferably by about ¼ or more (e.g., ⅕ or ⅙) as compared to its depth and volume when disposed in its expanded orientation O1. Such a reduction in size and overall volume substantially reduces transportation and storage costs (which are closely associated with total required volume). In addition, by readily reducing the size and dimensions of the wardrobe 5, it may be more easily moved into, through or out of relatively small corridors, rooms, stairs, etc., that would otherwise be inaccessible or difficult to maneuver when the wardrobe 5 is in its expanded orientation O1. Once the wardrobe 5 is disposed at its desired location, it may be readily reconfigured to its expanded orientation O1, thus providing a full size furniture wardrobe unit formed from solid materials (e.g., such as wood or wood composite components), which is much more stable, secure and aesthetically appealing as compared to conventional designs (e.g., such as conventional designs having a flexible or fabric covering stretched over a frame, or having a bulky metal locker-style design with hinges running the length of the sides and a fixed front face configuration).
While the invention has been described in connection with specific embodiments thereof, it will be understood that it is capable of further modifications and this application is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention following, in general, the principles of the invention and including such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice within the art to which the invention pertains and as may be applied to the features hereinbefore set forth.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A collapsible wardrobe, comprising:

a rectangular frame comprising a top section, a bottom section, a first side section and an opposing second side section, said rectangular frame defining an interior cavity;

a first side panel pivotally connected to said first side section;

a second side panel pivotally connected to said second side section;

a first door pivotally connected to said first side panel, said first door having a width substantially equal to or less than a width of said first side panel; and

a second door pivotally connected to said second side panel, said second door having a width substantially equal to or less than a width of said second side panel,

wherein said first and second doors are pivotal about 270° from a closed position extending across said interior cavity to an open position engaging said first and second side panels,

and wherein said first side panel and said first door are collectively movable from said open position to a collapsed orientation extending across said interior cavity, and said second side panel and said second door are collectively movable from said open position to a collapsed orientation extending across said interior cavity.

2. The wardrobe of claim 1, further comprising a top floor pivotally connected to said top section.

3. The wardrobe of claim 2, wherein said top floor is pivotal between a first position extending outwardly from and substantially coplanar with said top section, and a second position extending downwardly from said top section and into said interior cavity.

4. The wardrobe of claim 1, further comprising a bottom floor pivotally connected to said bottom section.

5. The wardrobe of claim 4, wherein said bottom floor is pivotal between a first position extending outwardly from and substantially coplanar with said bottom section, and a second position extending upwardly from said bottom section and into said interior cavity.

6. The wardrobe of claim 1, further comprising a shelf disposed within said interior cavity of said rectangular frame and extending between said first and second side sections.

7. The wardrobe of claim 6, wherein said shelf comprises a rear fixed portion coupled to said first and second side sections, and a front portion pivotally connected to said rear fixed portion.

8. The wardrobe of claim 1, wherein said interior cavity defines a first volume when said first and second side panels are disposed in said open position, and said interior cavity defines a second volume less than said first volume when said first and second side panels are disposed in said collapsed orientation.

9. The wardrobe of claim 8, wherein said second volume is no more than about ½ of said first volume.

10. The wardrobe of claim 1, further comprising a top panel removably securable to said top section.

11. A collapsible wardrobe, comprising:

a rectangular frame comprising a top section, a bottom section, a first side section and an opposing second side section;

a first side panel pivotally connected to said first side section;

a second side panel pivotally connected to said second side section;

wherein each of said first side panel and said first door, and said second side panel and said second door, are collectively movable between an expanded orientation so that said wardrobe defines an interior cavity having a first volume and a collapsed orientation so that said wardrobe defines an interior cavity having a second volume at least about ¼ of said first volume.

12. The wardrobe of claim 11, wherein said second volume is between about ¼ and about ½ of said first volume.

13. The wardrobe of claim 11, further comprising a top floor pivotally connected to said fixed top section.

14. The wardrobe of claim 11, further comprising a bottom floor pivotally connected to said fixed bottom section.

15. The wardrobe of claim 11, wherein each of said doors are pivotal about 270° between a closed position extending across said interior cavity and an open position engaging a corresponding one of said folding side panels.

16. The wardrobe of claim 15, wherein each of said folding side panels has a width at least about twice a width of a corresponding one of said fixed side sections.

17. A collapsible wardrobe, comprising:

a rectangular frame comprising a top section, a bottom section, a first side section and an opposing second side section, said frame defining an interior cavity;

a first side panel pivotally connected to said first side section;

a second side panel pivotally connected to said second side section;

a first door pivotally connected to said first side panel; and

a second door pivotally connected to said second side panel, wherein said first and second doors are pivotal about 270° from a closed position extending across said interior cavity to an open position engaging said first and second side panels, respectively, and wherein each of said first side panel and said first door, and said second side panel and said second door, are collectively movable from said open position to a collapsed orientation extending across said interior cavity.

18. The wardrobe of claim 17, wherein said wardrobe defines an interior cavity having a first volume when said first and second side panels are disposed in said open position, and said wardrobe defines an interior cavity having a second volume when said first and second side panels are disposed in said collapsed orientation, said second volume at least about ⅕ of said first volume.

19. The wardrobe of claim 18, wherein said second volume is between about ¼ and about ½ of said first volume.