4289-1.doc Room Storage Field of Invention This invention relates to storage and more particularly storage in buildings. Background 5 Most buildings, whether they be residential, industrial, retail, commercial or other, have cupboards for storing items in most rooms. These cupboards may be built in or free standing. However, irrespective of whether the cupboard is built in or not, it takes up space. Access to this storage space is not needed all the time and so the space occupied is "wasted". 10 Most buildings have rooms with generally horizontal ceilings. The ceiling generally has a volume above it, with a roof, next level floor or other surface above this volume. This volume will hereby be referred to as the 'ceiling cavity'. The ceiling cavity of most buildings is not easily accessible and whilst it provides a large potential storage space, is rarely used or only for items 15 infrequently required. In a similar manner the floor of any level in a building may have a cellar, floor cavity or other sub floor volume, hereby referred to as the 'floor cavity', that may be used as storage space. Office type buildings frequently have a relatively large space between a suspended ceiling and the floor above. Whilst this space is intended for services such as air conditioning 20 and lighting, there may be areas that are unused for this and could be used for storage. Summary of the Invention The present invention, in one embodiment, aims to provide a storage solution for rooms that utilises the space above or below the room to increase the 25 available storage space and/or provide more usable space in the room for at 4289-1.doc -2 least some of the time. In one broad form the invention provides a cupboard or storage receptacle (hereinafter referred to as a cupboard) movable between a use position and a storage position. A support and lifting mechanism for the cupboard is 5 connected to the cupboard. The lift mechanism is operable to either: lift or raise the cupboard from its use position within the room to its storage position to be, preferably, above head height or to lower the cupboard from its use position within the room to its storage 10 position so that the top of the cupboard is at least at or below the floor, so as to allow at least part of the space within the room otherwise occupied by the cupboard in the use position to be usable to a human. In one preferred form of the invention the cupboard is raised partially or fully into the ceiling cavity above the ceiling of the room. An opening is provided in 15 the ceiling that is sized to accommodate the cupboard in plan view, whereby the cupboard may be raised into the ceiling cavity above the ceiling of the room. Depending on the height of the room (and hence the distance of the ceiling above floor level) and the height of the cupboard, the cupboard may pass 20 partially or fully through the opening into the ceiling cavity above the ceiling of the room. Preferably substantially the entire cupboard is raised into the ceiling cavity above the ceiling of the room. The ceiling cavity may be the space between a suspended ceiling and a floor above or may be a roof space or other. 25 In the lowered position the cupboard may rest on the floor or may be supported above the floor.
4289-1.doc -3 In the lowered position the top of the cupboard may be adjacent the ceiling or may be above the lower face of the ceiling structure, such that the opening is not apparent. The ceiling cavity into which the cupboard is raised is preferably isolated or 5 substantially isolated from the rest of the cavity space above the ceiling of the room to prevent airflow, debris and vermin entering the room via the opening. The opening may be provided with one or more doors, flaps panels or the like that are movable to fully or substantially close the opening when the cupboard 10 is fully raised into the ceiling cavity above the ceiling of the room and to fully or substantially close the opening when the cupboard is in a lowered position. The lifting mechanism may be permanently attached to the cupboard, such as by way of wires, ropes or the like. However, the lifting mechanism may be detachable from the cupboard, particularly if the cupboard rests on the floor 15 in the lowered position. Thus, if the cupboard is otherwise supported when in the lowered position, the lifting mechanism may disengage and retract to a raised position. In another broad form the invention provides a building having a room with a ceiling, a space above the ceiling; an opening in the ceiling communicating 20 the space with the room; a cupboard; a support and lifting mechanism located above at least part of the cupboard and operable to move the cupboard between a lowered position, in which all or substantially all of the cupboard is located in the room, through the opening, to a raised position, in which at least part of the cupboard is located in the space. 25 In another broad form the invention also provides a kit comprising a cupboard and a support and lifting mechanism for installation in a building having a room with a ceiling, a ceiling cavity; an opening in the ceiling communicating 4289-1.doc -4 the ceiling cavity with the room, the support and lifting mechanism adapted to be located above at least part of the cupboard and operable to move the cupboard between a lowered position, in which all or substantially all of the cupboard is located in the room, through the opening, to a raised position, in 5 which at least part of the cupboard is located in the ceiling cavity. In another preferred form of the invention the cupboard is lowered into a floor cavity. An opening is provided in the floor that is sized to accommodate the cupboard in plan view, whereby the cupboard may be lowered into the sub floor space. 10 The floor cavity may be located between the floor and a suspended ceiling of a room below or may be a cellar or the like. In another broad form the invention provides a building having a room with a floor; a floor cavity; an opening in the floor communicating the floor cavity with the room; a cupboard; a support and lifting mechanism operable to move 15 the cupboard between a raised position, in which at least part of the cupboard is located in the room, through the opening, to a lowered position, in which the top of the cupboard is at or below the top surface of the floor. In another broad form the invention also provides a kit comprising a cupboard and a support and lifting mechanism for installation in a building having a 20 room with a floor; a sub floor cavity; an opening in the floor communicating the floor cavity with the room; a support and lifting mechanism operable to move the cupboard between a raised position, in which at least part of the cupboard is located in the room, through the opening, to a lowered position, in which the top of the cupboard is at or below top surface of the floor. 25 Brief Description of the Drawings Figure 1 is a schematic cross sectional view through a building incorporating a first embodiment of the invention.
4289-1.doc -5 Figure 2 is a perspective view of a cupboard according to an embodiment of the invention. Figure 3 is a plan view of the cupboard of figure 2. Figure 4 is a perspective view of the cupboard of figure 2 with an enclosure 5 for location in the ceiling cavity. Figure 5 is a schematic plan view from within the roof space showing the support and lifting mechanism of a first embodiment of the invention. Figure 6 is a schematic side cross sectional view through the room showing the support and lifting mechanism of figure 4. 10 Figure 7 is a schematic side cross sectional view through a room showing a second embodiment of the invention in a raised position. Figure 8 is a schematic side cross sectional view showing the second embodiment of the invention in a lowered position. Figure 9 is a schematic cross section through a multi storey building 15 incorporating another embodiment of the invention. Detailed Description of Preferred and other Embodiments Referring to the drawings there is shown a building 10 having a room 12 with a peaked roof 14 immediately above. A generally horizontal ceiling 16 separates the room 12 from the roof space 18 defined by the roof 14 and the ceiling 16. 20 A cupboard 20 is located above the floor 22 of the room 12. An opening 24 exists in the ceiling 16 above the cupboard 20. The opening 24 is sized so that the cupboard may pass generally vertically through the opening 24 into a volume in the roof space 18, indicated by numeral 25 in figure 1. In the preferred form of the invention, designed for use in rooms with a 4289-1.doc -6 ceiling height of about 2400 mm, the cupboard is about 1100 mm tall, about 600 mm wide and about 400 mm deep. None of these dimensions are critical to the working of the invention. The cupboard preferably has an opening 50 providing access to shelves 52. In the embodiment shown the opening 50 does 5 not have a door to close off access to the shelves or other storage arrangements but one or more doors may be provided. The cupboard may be formed of any suitable material and may be rigid, semi-rigid or relatively flexible. Thus, for example, the cupboard may be formed of a relatively stiff material such as medium density fibreboard (MDF) or a flexible material, such 10 as a woven fabric. Located in the ceiling cavity 18 about the opening 24 is a support and lifting structure 26 (see figures 4 and 5). In a preferred form of the invention the support and lifting structure 26 includes four support legs 28 each located adjacent the corners of the opening 24. 15 The legs 28 are preferably at least as tall as the cupboard, but this is not essential. Mounted on the top of each leg 28 is a pulley 30 .Wires or ropes 32 extend from the cupboard, over the pulleys 30 to drums 32, preferably secured to the support structure or the ceiling structure. In the embodiment shown two 20 drums 34 are provided and two wires 32 are secured to each drum. The drums 34 are connected to an electric motor 36. The motor 36 is operable to rotate the drums in either direction, under the action of switch 38, located within the room 12. Rotation of the motor 36 in one direction causes the wires 32 to be wound onto the drums 34, so raising the cupboard 20 whilst rotation in the 25 other direction causes the wires 32 to be unwound, lowering the cupboard. In use, when the cupboard is lowered it is preferably supported at about eye level, not resting on the floor, and with its load being taken by the wires. In the preferred embodiment the bottom of the cupboard is about 900 mm above 4289-1.doc -7 floor height and the top is about 2000 mm above floor height and about 400 mm below the ceiling, but these dimensions are not essential to the invention. The system may be configured so that when lowered the cupboard rests securely on the floor. 5 The user accesses the contents of the cupboard in a conventional manner. When access is no longer required, the user activates motor 36 via switch, remote or other control mechanism 38 (herein after referred to as switch 38), causing the wires to be wound onto the drums so raising the cupboard. The motor continues to rotate until the cupboard has been fully or substantially 10 raised into the ceiling cavity to its desired position. This may be by use of one or more sensors 42 that detect when the cupboard is at the desired position. The sensors may detect the position of the cupboard, markers or the like attached to the wires or may count rotation of the drums or the motor. Alternatively, physical stops may be provided that limit upwards motion of the 15 cupboard, with the motor having a load sensor that stops the motor when further raising is prevented. The exact means of limiting upwards motion is not critical. The switch 38 may incorporate security means to control access to the cupboard, particularly when raised. Thus, for example, the cupboard may only 20 be lowered after a user has "unlocked" the security means. The volume 25 in the ceiling cavity into which the cupboard extends is preferably seated from the rest of the ceiling cavity, so as to prevent airflow between the room and the cavity and also prevent dust, debris and vermin entering the room from the ceiling cavity via the opening 24. Accordingly the 25 volume is surrounded by walls 44 that seat off the volume 25. The walls 44 may enclose the motor 36 and drums 34 or just the volume 25 for the cupboard, with the motor 36 and drums 34 located in the general ceiling cavity, thus reducing noise of operation to the user.
4289-1.doc -8 In the preferred embodiment the cupboard is raised substantially into the ceiling cavity space 18. Because of the walls 44, dust and debris cannot enter into the cupboard interior via opening 50, which is why a door is not necessarily provided. 5 To lower the cupboard, the user again activates the motor 36 via switch 38 to rotate the drums in the opposite direction. The motor rotates until the cupboard is at its desired lowered position, at which point it stops. Preferably the motor has a failsafe mechanism that prevents uncontrolled decent of the cupboard. This may be by use of brakes that require power to 10 be deactivated or by use of a worm drive from the motor to the drums, such that load applied to the drums by the wires cannot cause rotation. Where the top of the cupboard is below ceiling height when fully towed, a panel may be provided that automatically slides across the opening once the cupboard has been lowered out of the ceiling cavity. The panel is 15 automatically retracted to allow the cupboard through the opening when being raised. Whilst it is preferred that the cupboard is supported above the floor when in the lowered position this is not essential and it may rest on the floor when fully lowered. 20 Whilst the embodiment shown is supported by wires connected to the top of the cupboard, it is not essential that wires be used or that connection be to the top of the cupboard. Wires or other supports may be attached to the sides or base of the cupboard. Thus, for example, the support and lift mechanism may include a hydraulic or pneumatic ram connected to the cupboard or a 25 scissor type lift arrangement may be used. The specific configuration of the support and lift mechanism is not critical to the invention - it is merely necessary that the support and lift mechanism be capable of raising and 4289-1.doc -9 lowering the cupboard as required. Similarly, whilst it is preferred that the support and lifting mechanism be located in the ceiling cavity, some or all of the support and lifting mechanism may be mounted in the ceiling structure or on the underside of the ceiling 5 structure. The invention also includes lowering of a cupboard below floor level. Referring to figures 7 and 8 there is shown a room 110 having a floor 112. Below the floor is a volume 114 in which a support and lift mechanism 116 is located. An opening 115 in the floor provides access to the volume 114 from the room 110. 10 The support and lift mechanism 116 supports a cupboard 118. In this example the support and lift mechanism 116 comprises a scissor lift. The scissor lift legs 120 may be connected to a support plate 122 upon which the cupboard is rests or may be connected directly to the cupboard. A motor 124 is operable to raise and lower the scissor lift 116. When in a raised position at least part 15 of the cupboard 118 extends upwards above the floor 112, so providing access to the interior of the cupboard 118. In the lowered position the top 126 of the cupboard is preferably at or below floor level. The top 126 may extends outwards more than the rest of the cupboard so that it has sideways extending portions 128. When lowered the 20 top 126 ties across substantially all of the opening and substantially closes the opening. By providing a top with a covering the same as the floor (e.g. carpet, timber, tiles) when the cupboard is lowered a substantially flush surface is provided that is both safe and aesthetically pleasing. The support plate 122 preferably ties across substantially all of the opening 25 115 and substantially closes the opening when the cupboard 118 is raised. The top 126 of the cupboard need not provide a closure for the opening and a separate door, panel or other closure members may be provided that closes 4289-1.doc - 10 the opening when the cupboard is in the lowered position. Control of the support and lift mechanism is via a switch 130. Sensors and access control are preferably provided as per the first example of the invention, although this is not essential to the invention 5 The invention may be used in ceiling cavities typically found in multi-storey office buildings. Figure 9 shows a multi-storey office building 150 having floors 154a, 154b. A ceiling 156 is suspended from each floor 154 by supports 158. The lower ceiling 156a has an opening 160 into which a cupboard 162 has been 10 raised by lifting mechanism 164. The cupboard may be moved between the raised position and a lowered position, 166 shown in dotted outline by the lifting mechanism. The upper floor 154a has an opening 170 into which a cupboard 172 has been lowered by lifting mechanism 174. The cupboard 172 may be moved between 15 the lowered position and a raised position, 176 shown in dotted outline by the lifting mechanism. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many obvious modifications and variations may be made to the embodiments described herein without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.