Reachable Cabinet Device

Abstract

This invention relates to a device for making cabinet storage easier to access. The device is composed of a base, slideable parts, gyrate brackets, and shelf frames. This device allows shorter people to access cabinet storage that would otherwise be out of reach.

Description

BACKGROUND

[0001] Many homes utilize cabinets as a means of storage. Cabinets allow people to store items on shelves with opening and closing doors. Cabinets are often placed high along walls and may have deep storage areas. These high locations and deep storage areas often present difficulties for shorter people, such as children, who require assistance to reach items in hard-to-reach areas of the cabinets. It would be useful to have new and innovative way to reach items that may be on high cabinet shelves or deep within cabinet storage systems.

SUMMARY

[0002] This invention relates to a device for making cabinet storage easier to access. The device is composed of a base, slideable parts, gyrate brackets, and shelf frames. This device allows shorter people to access cabinet storage that would otherwise be out of reach.

[0003] These as well as other aspects, advantages, and alternatives, will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art by reading the following detailed description, with reference where appropriate to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0004] FIG. 1 is a 3-dimensional view of an embodiment of the device in the folded state.

[0005] FIG. 2 is a 3-dimensional view of an embodiment of the device in the opened state.

[0006] FIG. 3 is a side view of an embodiment of the device in the opened state.

[0007] FIG. 4 is a side view of a base component of an embodiment of the device.

[0008] FIG. 5 is an isometric view of a base component of an embodiment of the device.

[0009] FIG. 6 is a side view of a slideable part component of an embodiment of the device.

[0010] FIG. 7 is an isometric view of a slideable part component of an embodiment of the device.

[0011] FIG. 8 is a side view of gyrate bracket components of an embodiment of the device.

[0012] FIG. 9 is a side view of a shelf frame component of an embodiment of the device.

[0013] FIG. 10 is an isometric view of a shelf component of an embodiment of the device.

[0014] FIG. 11 is a front view of a shelf frame with shelves of an embodiment of the device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0015] In the particular embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, the device 100 is composed of two bases 110, two slideable parts 120, six gyrate brackets 130, two shelf frames 140, and three shelves 150.

[0016] Each base 110 is composed of metal, wood, or another strong material, depending on weight, strength, and cost considerations. Each base 110 is mounted on one side of a cabinet compartment where the device will be installed. The bases 110 are mounted on the cabinet compartment using traditional means, such as mounting brackets, bolts, screws, nails, or other appropriate means. The pair of bases 110 is intended to act as the main support for the device.

[0017] As illustrated in FIG. 4, each base 110 has two sets of rails 112, one near the top and one near the bottom. Rails 112 connect slideable parts 120. Rails 112 allow slideable parts 120 to slide in and out of the cabinet space via wheels, ball bearings, or other appropriate means.

[0018] Each base 110 has a slot 116 located below top rail 112. Slot 116 is a shallow, horizontal groove that provides a guide for the sliding action of slideable part 120. Slot 116 prevents slideable part 120 from sliding all the way out of the cabinet.

[0019] Bases 110 may optionally have grooves 118. Grooves 118 are areas of thinner material or no material at all that reduce the weight of bases 110. Grooves 118 may be necessary depending on the material that bases 110 are constructed from, in order to provide sufficient strength without being too heavy.

[0020] Between the bottom of the cabinet and each base 110 are wedges 114. Wedges 114 are composed of plastic or other lightweight, strong material. Wedges 114 are square shaped, or can be another shape if the space requires it. Wedges 114 lift bases 110 off the bottom of the cabinet so that slideable parts 120 will clear any lip on the bottom of the cabinet. Wedges 114 are sized appropriately to provide enough space as is needed. Wedges 114 may optionally be placed between the sides of bases 110 and the cabinet walls in order to provide enough space for slideable parts 120 to clear any lip on the sides of the cabinet.

[0021] Slideable parts 120 are composed of similar material to the rest of the device, such as wood or metal, depending on strength, weight, and cost considerations. As illustrated in FIG. 7, each slideable part 120 has rails 122. Rails 122 are sized to fit inside of rails 112. Rails 122 allow slideable part 120 to slide partially out of the cabinet space. Guide 124 is a short protrusion intended to fit in slot 116. Guide 124 prevents slideable part 120 from sliding all the way out of the cabinet space.

[0022] Each slideable part 120 has at least 3 pins 126. Pins 126 are short, cylindrical protrusions intended to attach gyrate brackets 130. Pins 126 are located near the bottom of slideable part 120, nearly evenly distributed horizontally. One of the pins 126, typically the pin closest to the rear wall of the cabinet, is located higher than the others.

[0023] Each slideable part 120 has a groove 128. Groove 128 is a shallow curved groove intended to provide stability to the operation of gyrate brackets 130. Groove 128 is located and shaped such that it forms an arc with center pin 126 as the anchor.

[0024] Each slideable part has a spring hole 127. Spring hole 127 is a small hole which allows a spring to be mounted.

[0025] Slideable parts 120 may optionally have grooves 129. Grooves 129 are areas of thinner material or no material at all that reduce the weight of slideable parts 120. Grooves 129 may be necessary depending on the material that slideable parts 120 are constructed from, in order to provide sufficient strength without being too heavy.

[0026] The particular embodiment described uses three gyrate brackets 130 for each side, as shown in FIG. 8. Each gyrate bracket 130 is composed of a strong material such as metal. Each gyrate bracket 130 is shaped as a long, thin rectangle with rounded corners. Each gyrate bracket 130 has two pinholes 138, located near either end of gyrate bracket 130. Pinholes 138 are sized and shaped such that pins 126 will fit inside. Center gyrate bracket 134 has an additional protrusion which contains spring hole 137. Center gyrate bracket 134 also has pin 139. Pin 139 is a protruding pin sized to fit in groove 128. Center gyrate bracket 134 has a thinner top section with less material, which corresponds to a similar bottom section of bottom gyrate bracket 136.

[0027] When assembled, top gyrate bracket 132 connects to slideable part 120 via rear pin 126, as shown in FIG. 3. Top gyrate bracket 132 also connects to shelf frame 140 via pin 142. Center gyrate bracket 134 connects to slideable part 120 via center pin 126, while pin 139 fits into groove 128 to provide additional stability when opening and closing the device. Center gyrate bracket 134 connects to spring 135 via spring hole 137. The other end of spring 135 connects to slideable part 120 via spring hole 127. Spring 135 assists in closing operations by providing additional force from the tension in the spring 135. Center gyrate bracket 134 also connects to shelf frame 140 via pin 142. Bottom gyrate bracket 136 connects to slideable part 120 via bottom pin 126. Bottom gyrate bracket 136 also connects to shelf frame 140 via pin 142. Though not pictured, a washer is typically placed between gyrate brackets 132, 134, and 136, and slideable part 120 to prevent friction damage.

[0028] Shelf frames 140 are composed of similar material to the rest of the device, such as wood or metal, depending on strength, weight, and cost considerations. As shown in FIG. 9, each shelf frame 140 has pins 142, grooves 144, and slideable wedges 148. Pins 142 are sized to fit gyrate brackets 130. Pins 142 are positioned such that when gyrate brackets 130 are connected, each shelf frame 140 is in a level position. Slideable wedges 148 are composed of plastic or similar material that allow sliding with little friction. Slideable wedges 148 are attached to each shelf frame 140 by glue or other appropriate means. Slideable wedges 148 allow for easier opening and closing and prevent the shelf frames 140 from contacting the surface of bases 110.

[0029] Shelf frames 140 may optionally have grooves 146. Grooves 146 are areas of thinner material or no material at all that reduce the weight of shelf frames 140. Grooves 146 may be necessary depending on the material that shelf frames 140 are constructed from, in order to provide sufficient strength without being too heavy.

[0030] Shelves 150 are composed of wood, plastic, metal, or other material appropriate for shelves. As shown in FIG. 10, each shelf 150 has a basic shelf 152, and optionally side holders 156, and optionally mounting brackets 154. Basic shelf 152 is a rectangular piece of material that functions as a typical shelf. Optional side holders 156 are lips placed at the front and back of shelves 150 in order to prevent items from falling off during opening and closing operations. Optional side holders 156 are attached to each basic shelf 152 by appropriate means such as brackets, bolts, screws, nails, pins, or glue. Optional mounting brackets 154 are attached to each basic shelf 152 using bolts, screws, or other typical means. Optional mounting brackets 154 are then placed into grooves 144 at whatever location is appropriate to achieve the desired shelf height. Other means of mounting the shelves 150 to the shelf frames 140 may also be used, such as bolts, screws, nails, pins, or glue.

[0031] While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims. Other embodiments may be utilized, and other changes may be made, without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matter presented herein. It will be readily understood that the aspects of the present disclosure, as generally described herein and illustrated in the figures, can be arranged, substituted, combined, separated, and designed in a wide variety of different configurations, all of which are contemplated herein.

Claims

1. A cabinet device comprising: a first base; a second base; a first slideable support; a second slideable support; a first shelf frame; a second shelf frame; a shelf; wherein the first and second slideable supports are connected to the first and second base by a first rail and a second rail such that the first and second slideable supports can slide into and out of the first and second base; and wherein the first and second shelf frames are connected to the first and second slideable supports by a first gyrate bracket and a second gyrate bracket such that the first and second shelf frames move to an accessible position when the first and second gyrate brackets are actuated; and wherein the shelf resides between the first shelf frame and the second shelf frame.

2. The cabinet device of claim 1 wherein the first and second shelf frames have weight reduction grooves.

3. The cabinet device of claim 1 wherein the first and second slideable supports hayed weight reduction grooves.

4. The cabinet device of claim 1 wherein the first and second bases have weight reduction grooves.

5. The cabinet device of claim 1 wherein the shelf has a lip.