GB2243595A

GB2243595A - Cupboard platform lift

Info

Publication number: GB2243595A
Application number: GB9009882A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Martin Foley
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1990-05-02
Filing date: 1990-05-02
Publication date: 1991-11-06
Also published as: GB9009882D0

Abstract

Fixing cupboards to a wall is difficult and heavy work, usually requiring two people to accomplish the task. A lift for supportably raising a cupboard or the like, comprising a base (2) and a platform (3) interconnected by means, such as a pair of scissor jacks (4), for raising and lowering the platform (3) relative to the base (2) such that the platform (3) can be maintained at a substantially horizontal attitude. The platform (3) has an indicator of its attitude, such as a spirit level (8). <IMAGE>

Description

A JACK The present invention relates to a jack. More particularly, the invention relates to a jack for cupboards, or the like, which, in use, facilitates the mounting of the cupboard or the like on a wall.

When mounting a cupboard on a wall, it is usually necessary for two people to be involved, one to support the cupboard against the wall and the other to mark up holes for drilling, etc. and to fix the cupboard against the wall by means of screws, etc. A high degree of co-ordination is required between the two people to ensure that the cupboard is horizontal and, in the case of a large cupboard, the physical strain on the person supporting the cupboard can be considerable. Clearly, it is desirable to have a device which enables one person alone to offer the cupboard up to the wall, whilst maintaining the cupboard substantially horizontal, and leaving the person with hands free for drilling, etc.

According to the present invention, a jack, for supportably raising a cupboard or the like, comprises a base and a platform interconnected by means for raising and lowering the platform relative to the base such that the platform can be maintained at a substantially horizontal attitude, the platform having an indicator of its attitude.

Preferably the raising and lowering means comprises a screw-threaded jack and, more preferably, comprises a pair of scissor jacks.

Preferably the indicator is a visual indicator, comprising, for example, one or more spirit levels.

By this means, a person working alone can place the cupboard on the jack; raise the cupboard up to the wall, using the indicator to ensure that the cupboard remains horizontal; mark up holes for drilling; lower the cupboard; drill the holes; raise the cupboard again, offering it up to the wall, and then fix it in position.

An example of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:- Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the jack; Fig. 2 is a plan view from above of the jack; and, Fig. 3 is an end elevation of the jack.

In Figure 1, a jack 1 has a wooden base 2 which, as shown in Figure 3, has a box section. The base 2 is connected to a wooden main platform 3 by means of a pair of scissor jacks 4. Each of the scissor jacks 4 is bolted securely to the base 2 and the platform 3, the upper bolt 5 being countersunk so as to maintain a plain upper surface 6 to the platform 3. Each of the scissor jacks 4 has an operating handle 7 as conventional.

The platform 3 is provided with a spirit level 8 which, in the example shown, is suspended under the platform 3. Alternatively, the spirit level 8 may be mounted in a recess in one of the long edges of the platform 3. The spirit level 8 shown in the drawings provides a visual indication of the degree of rotation about the lateral axis (coming out of the paper in Figure 1). A further spirit level may be positioned along one or both of the short edges of the platform 3 so as to provide an indication of the degree of rotation of the platform 3 about its longitudinal axis (coming out of the paper in Figure 3).

The platform 3 is further provided with a wooden bar 9 which is mounted for sliding across the platform 3 by bolts 10 and wing nuts 11, the bolts 10 passing through elongate slots 12 provided in the platform 3.

The base 2 has four feet 13 made of rubber or the like so as to provide a good grip on the surface on which the jack 1 is mounted in use. In addition, the base 2, may be provided with a pair of recesses 14 in its upper and lower surfaces. A further sliding clamp 15 may be provided on the base 3 by a bolt 16 passing through the short bar clamp 15 and an elongate slot 17 provided in the upper surface of the base 2, the clamp 15 being locked and unlocked by means of a wing nut 18. The provision of the recesses 14 and sliding clamp 15 allow a door, for example, to be supported edgeways by the base 2. This is clearly useful for a person wishing to work on a door, e.g. to plane its edges.

In use, the jack 1 is positioned against the wall (not shown) to which the cupboard, kitchen wall unit or the like is to be fixed, and the cupboard (not shown) is lifted onto the platform 3. The cupboard can be secured on the platform 3 by loosening the wing nuts 11, sliding the bar 9 up to the cupboard edge, and clamping the bar 9 in position by tightening the wing nuts 11. The fixer then can raise the platform 3 and cupboard by turning the handles 7 of the scissor jacks 4 whilst watching the spirit level 8 to ensure that the platform 3, and therefore the cupboard, are kept horizontal. Adjustment of the attitude of the cupboard and platform 3 about its lateral axis can be made by selective raising and/or lowering of one scissor jack 4 or the other.

Once the cupboard has been moved into the correct position, the wall can be marked for drilling, if necessary. The cupboard can then be moved out of the way by lowering the platform 3. The necessary holes can then be made in the wall, wall plugs, etc. fitted as required, and the cupboard then be offered up to the wall again by raising of the platform 3. Again, the horizontal attitude of the cupboard is easily observed and maintained at all times.

In the specific example, the base 2 has a length of about 70cm, the platform 3 has a length of about 60cm, each having a width of about 30cm. The platform may be moved from a minimum height of about 44cm to a maximum height of about 55cm.

Claims

1. A jack, for supportably raising a cupboard or the like, comprising a base and a platform interconnected by means for raising and lowering the platform relative to the base such that the platform can be maintained at a substantially horizontal attitude, the platform having an indicator of its attitude.

2. A jack according to claim 1, wherein the raising and lowering means comprises a screw-threaded jack.

3. A jack according to claim 2, wherein the raising and lowering means comprises a pair of scissor jacks.

4. A jack according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the indicator is a visual indicator.

5. A jack according to claim 4, wherein the visual indicator comprises at least one spirit level.

6. A jack according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the base is provided with a stop against which a cupboard may abut.

7. A jack according to claim 6, wherein the stop is selectively lockable in a plurality of positions.

8. A jack, for supportably raising a cupboard or the like, substantially as described with reference to the accompanying drawings.