GB2229084A - A carousel assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

A carousel assembly typically for kitchen cupboards and comprising an upright spindle (17) preferably mounted on the floor of the cupboard and carrying a pair of rotatable storage trays (15, 16). The spindle (17) is supported near its upper end by a pair of radial arms (27) attached to the cupboard walls, the upper tray (16) being rotatable on the spindle (17) above the arms (27). Lug and recess means enable the trays to locate in a preferred rotational position but be fully rotatable therefrom, and at least the upper tray (16) is removable from the cupboard without removing the spindle (17). <IMAGE>

Description

A CAROUSEL ASSEMBLY THIS INVENTION concerns carousel assemblies typically for kitchen cupboards. Such devices are used to provide storage space in corner cupboard units to which only narrow access is available.

This invention is particularly concerned with socalled 4 carousels which are storage trays having sectorial cut-outs whilst providing approximately three quarters of a circular storage surface.

There are known forms of 4 carousels in which an upright spindle is fixed to the floor of a cupboard and to the underside of its top and has rotatably mounted thereon usually a pair of storage trays. In most cases, the trays are fixed to the spindle and rotate simultaneously with its so that articles stored near the back of the cupboard may be brought forwards for access.

A disadvantage of such a system is that it is sometimes difficult to reach into the cupboard behind the trays for cleaning, and the trays cannot be removed without dismantling the entire assembly, a task too difficult for many unskilled personnel.

An object of the present invention is to provide a carousel assembly generally of the kind described with - carousels wherein the trays may be easily removed for cleaning and wherein they may be selectively rotated independently of one another.

According to the present invention there is provided a carousel assembly typically for kitchen cupboards and comprising an upright spindle carrying, at different levels, at least a pair of rotatable storage trays, characterised in that the spindle is adapted to be fixed at one end to the floor or top of the cupboard, and between the trays by at least one arm to a wall of the cupboard, in that.each tray is rotatable about the spindle independently of the other tray, in that locating means is provided between the trays and the spindle to cause each tray to locate in a preferred rotational position, and in that at least one of the trays is capable of removal from the cupboard without removing the spindle.

Preferably, the spindle is adapted to be fixed by a base support to the floor of the cupboard and the uppermost tray is capable of removal without removing the spindle.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a schematic plan view of an L-shaped corner cupboard incorporating a carousel assembly made in accordance with the invention; Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the carousel assembly prior to installation; and Fig. 3 is a partially exploded elevation of the assembly illustrated in Fig. 2.

Referring now to the drawings, a 4 carousel assembly generally indicated at 10 is mounted within an Lshaped corner cupboard unit 11. The unit 11 fits in the corner of a room between adjacent cupboard units 12 and 13 in order to utilise the space between them. Typically in a corner unit of this kind there is provided a double-hinged folding door as illustrated at 14 which may be opened to provide access through the narrow opening at the front of the unit.

The carousel assembly consists of a pair of 4 circular storage trays 15 and 16 supported at different levels on a central spindle.

Conventionally, the spindle would extend throughout the entire height of the cupboard and be fixed at both ends thereto. It is usual to provide locking means at the top or bottom of the spindle so that the latter, together with both trays may rotate through 3600 and may return to a locking position as illustrated in Fig. 1 with the sectorial cut-out of each tray positioned at the front.

In such a conventional arrangement the trays are usually fixed to the spindle, and it is spindle which rotates.

Now in accordance with the present invention the carousel arrangement comprises a base support bearing 18 having a flange which is screwed to the base of the cupboard. Located in an upstanding cylindrical portion of the bearing 18 is the chromium plated steel spindle 17.

The lower storage tray 15 has a central aperture to recieve the spindle 17.

As can be seen from Fig. 3 the tray 15 has upper and lower nylon bearing sleeves 19 and 20, the latter having a shoulder 21 on which the tray rests. A lug and recess 22 is provided to fix the rotational position of bearing sleeve 20 with respect to tray 15. Below shoulder 21 is an axial extension 23 of bearing member 20 having at one position around its circumference a semi-circular locating lug 24. This engages with a semi-circular recess 25 within the body of bearing member 18. Thus the rotational position of tray 15 on spindle 17 is determined by lug 24 and recess 25, though the tray may be rotated to disengage the lug and recess when required. Spinning the tray will cause it to return to its position with the lug and recess engaged.

With tray 15 located on spindle 17 a steel pin 26 is introduced into a bore through the spindle at an elevated level such that a part of its length projects radially on each side thereof.

A pair of steel support arms 27 extend at right angles from a central steel collar 28 to which the arms 27 are welded. A nylon bearing sleeve 29 is introduced into steel collar 28 and has a bottom portion 30 which turns up onto the outside surface of collar 28. The lower edge of portion 30 includes a pair of semi-circular recesses which engage upon the projecting parts of pin 26 extending through spindle 17.

The relative rotational positions of sleeve 29 and collar 28 are determined by location of the arms 27 in slots 31 of upturned portion 30.

In their fixed disposition as determined by pin 26, arms 27 extend radially outwards towards the adjacent side walls of cupboards 12 and 13.

Referring to Fig. 1 it will be seen that each arm 27 may be fixed to the side "wall by screws 32 passing through a pair of plates 33 and 34 the latter of which are permanently attached to the wall of the cupboard. In this way, plates 33 and arms 27 may be rapidly removed by first removing screws 32.

In Fig. 3, the spindle 17 is shown broken at 35 to illustrate that the height at which arms 27 are fixed in relation to tray 15 leaves ample storage height for articles in tray 15, and indeed it is intended that arms 27 should be positioned immediately beneath the upper of the two trays.

The upper annular edge of sleeve 29 within collar 28 includes at one circumferential position a semi-circular recess 36. This is to be engaged by a semi-circular lug 37 at the base of a bearing sleeve 38, similar to bearing sleeve 20, located in the base of upper tray 16. Again, sleeve 38 is keyed to spindle 17 by a lug 39. The top of spindle 17 as illustrated at 17a is beneath the upper extremity of tray 1 6 and so an upper bearing sleeve 40 for the tray has a closed upper end 41.

It can be seen therefore that the entire upper tray assembly together with arms 27 rest upon pin 26 in spindle 17 whilst the lower tray assembly rests upon the base support member 18.

Each tray is rotatable independently of the other and of the fixed spindle.

In use, the upper tray 16 may be lifted clear of spindle 17 and manipulated past arms 27 for removal through the front aperture of the cupboard. Similarly, by releasing screws 32 the arms 27 and collar 28 may be released from the spindle whereupon the spindle itself may be removed together with the lower tray 15. In this way the entire assembly can be removed very easily for cleaning and re-assembled.

It is not intended to limit the invention to the above example only. For example there may be more than two trays, and by re-arranging the bearing sleeves the spindle may be fixed alternatively to the top of the cupboard and extend downwardly as far as the base of the bottom tray.

Whilst materials considered to be most appropriate for the assembly have been described, different materials may be used for the various parts as appropriate.

The trays themselves are preferably constructed of polystyrene by vacuum forming the upper surface into which is inserted a steel or aluminium supporting frame, with a bottom skin to complete the assembly. Alternatively, the vacuum formed upper skin may be injected with a rigid or semi-rigid foamed material in place of the metal frame, to provide the necessary rigidity.

The carousels may be of a different shape, for example semi-circular.

Claims (10)

1. A carousel assembly typically for kitchen cupboards and comprising an upright spindle carrying, at different levels, at least a pair of rotatable storage trays, characterised in that the spindle is Sadapted to be fixed at one end to the floor or top of the cupboard, and spaced from said end by at least one arm to a wall of the cupboard; in that each tray is rotatable about the spindle independently of the other tray; and in that locating means is provided between each tray and the spindle to cause each tray to locate in a preferred rotational position.

2. A carousel assembly according to Claim 1, wherein the spindle is adapted to be fixed by a base support to the floor of the cupboard and the uppermost tray is capable of removal without removing the spindle.

3. A carousel assembly according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the locating means for each tray comprises inter-engaging lug and recess means of arcuate form between the respective tray and the spindle such that upon rotation the tray is located in said preferred rotational position by engagement of the lug within the recess.

4. A carousel assembly according to any preceding claim, including a pair of arms positional between said trays and extending radially outwards from a central collar such that their outer ends are adapted to be attached to the cupboard walls, said central collar and the upper tray being supported by a member attached to the spindle.

5. A carousel assembly according to Claim 4, wherein the supporting member comprises a pin which extends diametrically through the spindle and engages with a recess in the base of the central collar.

6. A carousel assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein each tray has at least one central bearing sleeve fixed thereto and rotatably located upon the spindle.

7. A carousel assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the spindle is removably fixed with respect to the cupboard and, upon release of only said arm or arms from the cupboard wall the entire assembly may be removed from the cupboard.

8. A carousel assembly according to Claim 1, wherein the spindle is adapted to be fixed to the top of the cupboard and extend downwardly therefrom to the level of the lowermost tray, above the base of the cupboard.

9. A carousel assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein at least one of said trays is a 3/4 circular storage tray constructed of a vacuum formed plastics shell having a rigid or semi-rigid supporting member beneath its upper surface.

10. A carousel assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein at least one of said trays is semi-circular.