GB2474288A

GB2474288A - Storage furniture with a transparent ceiling and concealed mirror

Info

Publication number: GB2474288A
Application number: GB0917730A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Laurie Drake
Original assignee: Accora Ltd
Current assignee: Accora Ltd
Priority date: 2009-10-12
Filing date: 2009-10-12
Publication date: 2011-04-13
Also published as: GB0917730D0

Abstract

A cabinet or wardrobe 10 for storing clothing or other goods (kitchen utensils, drinks) comprises a ceiling 12 with a transparent portion 16 which may be in the form of a transparent sheet of material (e.g. glass), cut-out or aperture. In addition, or as an alternative embodiment, the cabinet or wardrobe 10 may comprise a vertical side panel and a concealable mirror [ 18, Fig. 2] connected to the side panel. The mirror is movable in a plane substantially parallel to the side panel between a closed position concealing the mirror and an open position exposing the mirror [as shown in Fig. 2]. The mirror may be connected to the side panel of the cabinet or wardrobe by a telescopic slide mechanism [22, Fig. 2]. The wardrobe or cabinet is intended to be used by dementia sufferers, with the transparent ceiling and concealable mirror reducing or preventing shadows and reflections. The storage furniture may take the form of a cocktail cabinet, sample chest or cupboard.

Description

Storage Furniture

Field of Invention

The present invention relates to storage furniture and, more particularly to cupboards, cabinets and wardrobes for storing clothing and other goods.

Background to the Invention

Storage furniture such as cupboards, cabinets and wardrobes do not typically cater for people with dementia. People suffering from dementia may be fearful of things commonly occurring in everyday life which other people do not otherwise notice or have any fear of. In particular, shadows and/or mirrors have been show to cause fear in people suffering from dementia.

It is desirable to redesign common objects, such as furniture, so as to cater for people suffering from dementia.

Summary of the invention

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a cabinet or wardrobe for storing clothing or other goods comprising a ceiling with a transparent portion.

Provision of a transparent portion enables light to enter the cabinet or wardrobe from above so as to reduce or prevent shadows occurring internally, which may be beneficial to persons suffering from dementia (who are typically afraid of shadows).

The ceiling may comprise a transparent sheet of material, and the transparent sheet may be surrounded by a rigid supporting rim.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a cabinet or wardrobe for storing clothing or other goods comprising: a vertical side panel; and a mirror connected to the side panel, wherein the mirror is movable between a closed position concealing the mirror and an open position exposing the mirror.

Embodiments therefore provide a retractable mirror arrangement that enables the mirror to be hidden from view so as to avoid scaring a person suffering from dementia.

Further developments of the invention are the subject-matter of the dependent claims.

Brief description of the drawings

An example of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying diagrams, in which: FIG. 1 shows the top of a wardrobe according to an embodiment of the invention; and FIG. 2 shows the front of the wardrobe of FIG 1, wherein the mirror is provided in the open position.

Detailed description

Referring to FIG. 1, a wardrobe 10 according to an embodiment of the invention comprises a rigid ceiling 12 supported at its periphery by vertical rigid panels 14. A front (door) panel 14a is hinged to a side panel 14b so as to enable access to the internal volume of the wardrobe. The front (door) panel 14a is provided with a transparent portion 15 so as to enable the inside (or internal volume) of the wardrobe 10 to be visible from the outside of the wardrobe when it is closed.

Garments or other articles may be stored on shelves provided internally of the wardrobe, whilst other garments or other goods may be hung inside the wardrobe 10.

The ceiling 12 of the wardrobe comprises a flat wooden panel which is provided with a transparent portion 16. The transparent portion 16 comprises a sheet of glass or transparent material and is supported and surrounded by the wooden ceiling panel 12. The transparent portion 16 of the ceiling 12 allows light to enter the wardrobe 10 from above so as to illuminate the inside of the wardrobe and reduce or prevent shadows occurring internally of the wardrobe. This may beneficial to persons suffering from dementia (who are typically afraid of shadows) and does not require the use of a light source within the wardrobe.

Referring now to FIG. 2, the wardrobe 10 further comprises a mirror 18 supported by a movable side panel 20 which, in turn, is connected to a vertical side panel of the wardrobe. The mirror 18 is movable between a closed position (not illustrated) concealing the mirror 18 and an open position (as shown in FIG. 2) exposing the mirror 18.

In the embodiment shown, the movable side panel 20 (upon which the mirror 18 is supported) is connected to the vertical side panel of the wardrobe by a telescopic support 22 which allows the mirror to move between open and closed positions in a plane substantially parallel to the vertical side panel of the wardrobe. By restricting movement of the mirror 20 to a single plane, space savings are made and a required clearance area for permitting movement of the mirror 20 is reduced.

More specifically, the telescopic support 22 comprises first 22a and second 22b linear tracks connected to the side panel 14b and mirror 20, respectively.

Connected between the first 22a and second 22b linear tracks is a runner 22c which is adapted to move along the linear tracks 22a and 22b. The first 22a and second 22b tracks and the runner 23c are therefore movable with respect to each other, wherein the movement is guided by the tracks. It will therefore be understood that the telescopic support 22 is similar to a conventional track and runner arrangement for a sliding drawer, wherein the provision of the runner 22c between the first 22a and second 22b tracks provides additional support along the full range of motion of the mirror 20.

It should be understood that use of the expression "telescopic support" is meant to encapsulate various different types of supports comprising a plurality of elongated component parts which are slidably coupled together so as to be movable with respect to each other along their longitudinal axis, therefore making the support extendible! retractable in length.

Further, it will be appreciated that the skilled reader will envisage other suitable support arrangements for the mirror which enable it to be moved between the open and closed position in a single plane of movement.

It is to be understood that the article of storage furniture according to an embodiment may be furnished with a variety of fittings, to extend its use, such as clips, racks, compartments, mirrors, and so on, and that whilst for convenience it is described as a wardrobe, since it is primarily intended to contain garments, is could be otherwise named as it may be formed as a cupboard, say for storing goods or kitchen utensils, or as a cabinet or sample chest, or even as a cocktail cabinet.

Further, the article of furniture may be made from any suitable material such as wood, plastic or metal, whilst the doors may be made transparent or other changes introduced without departing from the present invention.

While specific embodiments have been described herein for purposes of illustration, various modifications will be apparent to a person skilled in the art and may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

For example, the transparent portion may simply be provided by a cut-out!removed portion or aperture formed in the ceiling of the furniture.

Claims

Claims 1. A cabinet or wardrobe for storing clothing or other goods comprising a ceiling with a transparent portion.
2. The cabinet or wardrobe of claim 1, wherein the ceiling comprises a transparent sheet of material.
3. The cabinet or wardrobe of claim 2, wherein the transparent sheet is to surrounded by a rigid supporting rim.
4. The cabinet or wardrobe of any preceding claims, comprising a vertical side panel and a mirror connected to the side panel, wherein the mirror is movable between a closed position concealing the mirror and an open position exposing the mirror.6. The cabinet or wardrobe of claim 4, wherein the mirror is movable in a plane substantially parallel to the vertical side panel.7. The cabinet or wardrobe of claim 4 or 5, wherein the mirror is connected to the side panel by a telescopic support.8. A cabinet or wardrobe for storing clothing or other goods comprising: a vertical side panel; and a mirror connected to the side panel, wherein the mirror is movable, in a plane substantially parallel to the vertical side panel, between a closed position concealing the mirror and an open position exposing the mirror.9. A cabinet or wardrobe substantially as herein described above with reference to the accompanying figures.