GB2253994A - Elevating wardrobe - Google Patents

Abstract

A wardrobe 2 is normally housed (in its raised position), within a loft mount box 1 such that its underside is at, or in the proximity of, room ceiling level. The wardrobe is suspended within the loft box such that it can be lowered from its raised storage position to a height at which its contents may be accessed from within the roof. The lift cables 3 by their relative length may control the attitude of the wardrobe. The wardrobe is guided by a skirt 6 that also allows it to lower below the bottom limit of the loft box while still maintaining control of side movement. <IMAGE>

Description

ELEVATING WARDROBE This invention relates to a storage system which can be used to convert space above the ceiling of a room into a storage space extension of that room.

According to the present invention there is provided a loft box fixture with an open bottom and constructed such that it may be mounted into a ceiling aperture. Suspended within the loft box fixture is a storage box/ wardrobe which can lowered and raised by a hoist or other suitable mechanism.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: Figure 1 shows in perspective a bedroom with an elevating wardrobe installed, shown firstly with the wardrobe raised in the storage position, and secondly lowered into the bedroom such that the contents may be accessed from within that room. This movement could be controlled via a suitable switch that had to be manually maintained closed in order to lower the wardrobe into the room. The wardrobe could be open fronted (as shown), open sided, or fully enclosed with door/s.

Figure 2 shows an "exploded" view of the storage system and a ceiling aperture into which the unit could be installed.

The Loft box 1 has suspended from it the wardrobe 2, this suspension being effected by four cables 3. The cables 3 are attached to hoist drum 4, pass near horizontally to the corner areas of the loft box where they pass over pulleys 5 in order to effect a directional change to the near vertical for attachment to the wardrobe 2. Wardrobe attitude could be controlled by the relative lengths of the cables.

Wardrobe side movement is controlled by the guide skirt 6 which also allows the wardrobe to lower beyond the bottom limit of the loft box such that it may be more easily accessed. The vertical movement of the guide skirt 6 could be limited by a strap 8.

Wardrobe lift/lower is effected by rotation of the hoist drum 4, this rotation could be achieved by use of a geared brake motor.

Figure 3 shows an arrangement of a hoist drum 4 and geared brake motor 7.

Figure 4 shows an elevation of the unit installed between the roof frames of a house.

Claims (5)

1 An elevating storage system comprising an overhead box fixture with an inner storage box suspended within and provided with a means of lowering and raising this inner box from within its box fixture housing.

2 An elevating storage system as claimed in claim 1 whereby the system is configured as a wardrobe with the overhead box fixture being mounted into the ceiling of a bedroom or dressing room such that the storage box occupies loft space with the underside of the wardrobe being near flush (within 70mm.) with the ceiling of the room when raised.

3 An elevating storage system as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 whereby the elevate-able storage box is guided by a skirt such that the box may be telescopically lowered to a position below and clear of the fixed box.

4 An elevating storage system as claimed in any preceding claim whereby the elevation of the storage box is achieved by use of cables that also control, by their relative lengths, the attitude of the elevate-able box.

5 An elevating storage system as claimed in any preceding claim and or as described herein with reference to Figures 1-4 of the accompanying drawings.