GB2562322A - Furniture unit and method of use thereof - Google Patents
Furniture unit and method of use thereof Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2562322A GB2562322A GB1713424.8A GB201713424A GB2562322A GB 2562322 A GB2562322 A GB 2562322A GB 201713424 A GB201713424 A GB 201713424A GB 2562322 A GB2562322 A GB 2562322A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- compartment
- closure means
- housing
- furniture unit
- unit according
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
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Classifications
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47B—TABLES; DESKS; OFFICE FURNITURE; CABINETS; DRAWERS; GENERAL DETAILS OF FURNITURE
- A47B53/00—Cabinets or racks having several sections one behind the other
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47B—TABLES; DESKS; OFFICE FURNITURE; CABINETS; DRAWERS; GENERAL DETAILS OF FURNITURE
- A47B55/00—Cabinets, racks or shelf units, having essential features of rigid construction
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- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E06—DOORS, WINDOWS, SHUTTERS, OR ROLLER BLINDS IN GENERAL; LADDERS
- E06B—FIXED OR MOVABLE CLOSURES FOR OPENINGS IN BUILDINGS, VEHICLES, FENCES OR LIKE ENCLOSURES IN GENERAL, e.g. DOORS, WINDOWS, BLINDS, GATES
- E06B5/00—Doors, windows, or like closures for special purposes; Border constructions therefor
- E06B5/006—Doors, windows, or like closures for special purposes; Border constructions therefor for furniture
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47B—TABLES; DESKS; OFFICE FURNITURE; CABINETS; DRAWERS; GENERAL DETAILS OF FURNITURE
- A47B17/00—Writing-tables
- A47B17/04—Writing-tables with secret or fireproof compartments ; Trays or the like countersunk in the table top and obturable, e.g. by means of a roller or sliding shutter
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47B—TABLES; DESKS; OFFICE FURNITURE; CABINETS; DRAWERS; GENERAL DETAILS OF FURNITURE
- A47B2220/00—General furniture construction, e.g. fittings
- A47B2220/0061—Accessories
- A47B2220/0069—Hinges
- A47B2220/0072—Hinges for furniture
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47B—TABLES; DESKS; OFFICE FURNITURE; CABINETS; DRAWERS; GENERAL DETAILS OF FURNITURE
- A47B77/00—Kitchen cabinets
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47B—TABLES; DESKS; OFFICE FURNITURE; CABINETS; DRAWERS; GENERAL DETAILS OF FURNITURE
- A47B88/00—Drawers for tables, cabinets or like furniture; Guides for drawers
- A47B88/80—Concealed drawers
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Civil Engineering (AREA)
- Structural Engineering (AREA)
- Cabinets, Racks, Or The Like Of Rigid Construction (AREA)
Abstract
A furniture unit 2 includes a housing defined by one or more walls 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18. At least one first compartment 4 and one second compartment 6 are defined in the housing. The compartments 4, 6 have respective closure means 10, 18 for allowing an opening to each compartment 4, 6 to be closed. At least one of the existence of the at least second compartment 6, the existence of the at least second compartment closure means 18 or the ability to access the at least second compartment 6 is substantially hidden from view from an exterior of the housing. The door 18 of the hidden compartment 6 may form at least part of a side panel 18 of the housing. The unit 2 may be a cupboard, drawer or kitchen cabinet unit. Also disclosed is a method of using or constructing the furniture unit 2.
Description
Furniture Unit and Method of Use Thereof
This application relates to a furniture unit and a method of use thereof.
Although the following description refers almost exclusively to a furniture unit in the form of a kitchen cabinet, it will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the furniture unit could be any type of furniture unit used for any application, such as for example any type of cupboard, bathroom cabinet, bedside cabinet, office cupboard, drawer unit and/or the like.
There is often a need to hide items of value, medical related items, personal items, important documents and/or the like in a house or building from one or more people, such as children, intruders, burglars and/or the like. For example, in recent years there has been a significant increase in crime relating to the theft of cars from outside a person’s house, as a result of an intruder breaking into the house and stealing the car keys. Car keys are often left near to the front door of a house or in a room close to the front door of a house and are therefore often easily locatable by an intruder.
The most common way to store items of value, personal items or important . documents within the home is to use a stand alone device, such as a locked drawer unit or a safe. However, such devices often take up significant space, they can look unsightly, they can be time consuming to enter, and such devices are often positioned within the home at inconvenient locations which are difficult to access on a regular basis. There is therefore a need to provide a furniture unit which can overcome the abovementioned problems.
It is an aim of the present invention to provide a furniture unit that overcomes the abovementioned problems.
It is a further aim of the present invention to provide a method of using a furniture unit.
It is a yet further aim of the present invention to provide a kitchen cabinet that overcomes the abovementioned problems.
It is a yet further aim of the present invention to provide a method of using a kitchen cabinet.
According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a furniture unit, said furniture unit including: a housing defined by one or more walls; at least a first compartment defined within said housing; said at least first compartment having closure means associated with the same for allowing selective closing of an opening to said at least first compartment in use; and wherein at least a second compartment is defined in said housing; said at least second compartment having closure means associated with the same for allowing selective closing of an opening to said at least second compartment in use; and wherein the existence of the at least second compartment, the existence of the at least second compartment closure means and/or the ability to access the at least second compartment in use is hidden or substantially hidden from view from an exterior of the housing.
Thus, the present invention provides a furniture unit with a hidden compartment. The hidden compartment can be used, in one example, to store one or more items, one or more items of value, car keys, medical items, documents and/or the like.
Preferably the existence of the at least first compartment, the existence of the at least first compartment closure means and/or the ability to access the at least first compartment is visible or substantially visible from an exterior of the housing.
Thus, in one example, a person looking at the furniture unit would only see or appreciate that access to the unit is via the first compartment closure means.
In one embodiment access to the at least second compartment is independent of and/or separate to access to the at least first compartment in use.
In one embodiment access to the at least second compartment is dependent on a user first gaining access to the at least first compartment in use.
In one embodiment the compartments are arranged in the housing such that the closure means for the at least first compartment needs to be moved from a closed position to an open position in order to gain access to the at least second compartment and/or to move the closure means for the at least second compartment from a closed position to an open position in use.
In one embodiment the closure means for the at least second compartment is provided on, opens from, is accessed via, or forms a different wall, face, surface and/or planar surface of the housing with respect to the closure means for the at least first compartment, and further preferably forms a different exterior wall, exterior face, exterior surface and/or exterior planar surface of the housing to that of the at least first compartment.
Preferably the closure means for the at least second compartment (when in a closed position) is provided at an angle with respect to the closure means for the at least first compartment (when in a closed position).
Preferably the angle is an acute angle.
Preferably the angle is perpendicular or substantially perpendicular.
Preferably the closure means for the at least second compartment is arranged to open in a different direction and/or through a different angle compared to opening of the closure means for the at least first compartment. Opening of the closure means is an action of move the closure means from a closed position to an open position in use.
In one embodiment the closure means of the at least second compartment forms in whole or in part a first side panel or side wall to the housing. In one example of this embodiment the opposing side panel or wall to the housing is non-openable or does not define a closure means for a compartment. In an alternative example of this embodiment the opposing side panel or wall to the housing also defines a closure means for first compartment and/or a further compartment.
In one embodiment the closure means of the at least first compartment forms, in whole or part, a front panel or wall to the housing. Preferably the front panel or wall is located between the first side panel or wall and the opposing side panel or wall.
In one embodiment a side or side edge of the closure means for the at least second compartment is visible from, is flush or substantially flush with a front panel or wall of the housing or the closure means for the at least first compartment. Preferably the side or side edge of the closure means is between the front and rear surfaces of the closure means for the at least second compartment.
Preferably the side or side edge of the closure means for the at least second compartment is opposite to a further side or side edge which is hingedly or pivotably mounted to the housing in use.
In one embodiment at least part of the closure means for the at least second compartment protrudes outwardly beyond a waE or side waE defining the at least second compartment. This protruding part of the closure means can be used as a handle or gripping portion to open the closure means for the at least second compartment in use.
Preferably one or more waEs defining the at least second compartment are located within the housing (i.e. within the external waEs of the housing).
Preferably a rear wall or wall of the at least second compartment opposite to the closure means of the at least second compartment is located within the housing or outer housing of the furniture unit.
In one embodiment the rear wall or wall of the at least second compartment opposite to the closure means of the at least second compartment forms a wall, such as for example at least part of a side wall defining the at least first compartment in use. Preferably the side wall of the first compartment is perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the closure means of the first compartment.
Preferably one or more wall defining the second compartment also form, at least in part, one or more walls defining the first compartment.
Preferably one or more side walls of the at least second compartment are located within the housing or outer housing of the furniture unit.
Preferably the appearance of the furniture unit from an exterior of the unit is symmetrical or substantially symmetrical.
Preferably the dimensions of the first compartment closure means are equal to, substantially equal to or greater than the dimensions of the opening to the at least first compartment. This allows the first compartment closure means to close or substantially close the opening to the first compartment when in a closed position in use.
Preferably the second compartment closure means are equal to, substantially equal to or greater than the dimensions of the opening to the at least second compartment. This allows the second compartment closure means to close or substantially close the opening to the second compartment when in a closed position in use.
In one embodiment the closure means for the at least first compartment includes one or more handles, handle means, knobs and/or the like to allow a user to easily move the closure means between the open and closed positions.
In one embodiment the closure means for the at least first compartment is handleless.
Preferably the closure means for the at least second compartment is handleless.
In one embodiment the closure means for the at least second compartment includes one or more handles, handle means, knobs and/or the like. Preferably the one or more handles, handle means, knobs and/or the like are located within the housing and are not visible until the closure means for the at least first compartment has been moved from a closed position to an open position.
In one embodiment the closure means for the at least first and/or second compartment is hingedly or pivotably mounted to one or more walls of the housing. This allows the closure means to be hingedly or pivotably movable between open and closed positions in use.
Preferably one or more hinges, pivots, hinge mechanisms or pivot mechanisms are provided to allow the closure means for the first and/or second compartments to be hingedly or pivotably movable in use.
Preferably the one or more hinges, pivots, hinge mechanism or pivot mechanisms are arranged so as to pull the closure means away from a wall surface on which the furniture unit could be located on or against in use when moving from the closed position to the open position in use.
Preferably the one or more hinges, pivots, hinge mechanisms or pivot mechanisms for the closure means of the at least second compartment are provided on a different edge or side of the housing to the one or more hinges, pivots, hinge mechanisms or pivot mechanisms for the closure means of the at least first compartment.
Preferably the one or more hinges, pivots, hinge mechanisms or pivot mechanisms are hidden or substantially hidden from view from an exterior of the housing.
In one embodiment the furniture unit, the at least first compartment and/or the at least second compartment is in the form of a cupboard unit and/or a drawer unit.
In one embodiment the cupboard unit and/or drawer unit is a kitchen cupboard unit or cabinet and/or kitchen drawer unit or cabinet.
In one embodiment the closure means for the at least first compartment can be in the form of a door or drawer front.
In one embodiment the closure means for the at least second compartment is in the form of a door or drawer front.
Preferably the furniture unit is wall mounted and/or floor mounted in use.
In one embodiment engagement means are provided on or associated with the at least second compartment and/or the closure means for the at least second compartment to lock and/or engage the closure means in the closed position in use.
Preferably the engagement means are moveable between an engaged/locked position, wherein the closure means is maintained in a closed position in use, and a disengaged/unlocked position, wherein the closure means can be moved between the closed position and the open position in use.
Preferably the engagement means are hidden or substantially hidden from view from an exterior of the housing and/or from the at least first compartment.
In one embodiment at least part of the engagement means are attached to and/or are associated with an interior wall surface of the at least second compartment and/or closure means for the at least second compartment.
Tu one embodiment at least part of the engagement means are embedded within the closure means for the at least second compartment.
Preferably the engagement means includes or consists of a magnetic lock mechanism, and further preferably a magnetic lock mechanism which requires a magnetic key to be moved relative to a magnetic lock or latch element to allow the lock or latch element to be moved from an engaged or locked positon to a disengaged or unlocked position. For example, the magnetic key is required to be moved over an exterior surface of the closure means for the at least second compartment so as to move the magnetic lock mechanism from a locked position to an unlocked position in use.
In one embodiment the housing includes a front wall, a rear wall, a top wall, a base wall and two side walls.
Preferably at least one of the side waEs forms the closure means for the at least second compartment. Further preferably the other side waE is fixed.
Preferably the front waE forms the closure means for the at least first compartment.
Preferably attachment means are provided on or associated with the housing, rear waE of the housing or first compartment, or the waE opposite to the closure means for the at least first compartment, so as to aEow the housing to be attached a surface, vertical surface or waE surface in use.
Preferably the attachment means includes any or any combination of one or more screws, hooks, nuts and bolts, cEps, inter-engaging members, brackets, apertures and/or the Eke.
Preferably one or more plinth elements, pelmets, cornices, trim elements, rail elements and/or decorative elements can be provided on or associated with the housing, a top wall and/or a base wall of the housing if required.
Preferably the at least first and/or second compartments can include one or more sub-compartments, shelves, drawers and/or the like.
Preferably the first compartment is bigger or significantly bigger in dimensions compared to the second compartment.
According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of using or constructing a furniture unit.
In one embodiment there is provided a method of using or constructing a furniture unit, said furniture unit including: a housing defined by one or more walls, and wherein said method includes the step of forming at least a first compartment in said housing; said at least first compartment having closure means associated with the same for allowing selective closing of an opening to said at least first compartment; forming at least a second compartment in said housing; said at least second compartment having closure means associated with die same for allowing selective closing of an opening to said at least second compartment; and wherein the existence of the at least second compartment, the existence of the at least second compartment closure means and/or the ability to access the at least second compartment in use is hidden or substantially hidden from view from an exterior of the housing.
According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a cupboard unit.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of using a cupboard unit.
According to a further independent aspect of the present invention there is provided a furniture unit, said furniture unit including a housing defined by one or more walls; at least a first compartment defined within said housing; said first compartment having closure means associated with the same for allowing selective closing of an opening to said at least first compartment in use; and wherein at least a second compartment is defined in said housing; said second compartment having closure means associated with the same for allowing selective closing of an opening to said at least second compartment in use; and wherein the closure means and/or access to the closure means for the at least second compartment is provided on a different wall, surface, plane and/or a different angle to the closure means for the at least first compartment.
According to a yet further independent aspect of the present invention there is provided a furniture unit, said furniture unit including a housing defined by one or more walls; at least a first compartment defined within said housing; said first compartment having closure means associated with the same for allowing selective closing of an opening to said at least first compartment in use; and wherein at least a second compartment is defined in said housing; said second compartment having closure means associated with the same for allowing selective closing of an opening to said at least second compartment in use; and wherein access to the closure means and/or access to the closure means for the at least second compartment requires the closure means for the at least first compartment to be in an open position.
An embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the following figures, wherein:
Figures la and lb show a perspective view of a cupboard unit in a closed position, and with both first and second compartment of the cupboard unit in an open position respectively;
Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the cupboard unit in figures la-lb with the first compartment in an open position and the second compartment in a closed position;
Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the cupboard in figure 2 in one embodiment wherein the second compartment can be in an open position and the first compartment is in a closed position.
Referring firstly to figure la, there is illustrated a furniture unit in the form of a kitchen cupboard 2. The cupboard 2 defines a first main compartment 4 and a second compartment 6 which, when viewed from the exterior of the cupboard 2 when both compartments are in a closed condition, is hidden and has the appearance of a normal side wall panel of a conventional kitchen cupboard.
The cupboard 2 has the appearance of a housing having a rear panel 8, a front panel 10, a top panel 12, a base panel 14, first side panel 16 and second side panel 18. A decorative plinth 20 is provided around the front and side peripheral edges of the top panel 12. A decorative base plinth 22 is provided around the front and side peripheral edges of the base panel 14. The decorative plinths 20, 22 are optional and could take any suitable form, such as pelmets, cornices, trims, rail elements and/or other decorative elements etc. In addition, it will be appreciated that although the panels of the cupboard 2 in this example are shown to be flat and planar, any suitable shape, configuration and/or designs could be provided on the panels, particularly the exterior surface of the panels, and particularly the exterior surface of the front panel 10 if required.
In the illustrated example, the cupboard 2 is wall mounted and typically has attachment means in the form of wall brackets located on rear panel 8 to allow the cupboard to be attached to a suitable wall in use.
The front panel 10 is arranged to form a closure means in the form of a door for the first main compartment 4. Front door 10 is hingedly mounted to an interior surface of side panel 16 so as to allow the door 10 to be moved between a closed position, as shown in figure la wherein access to the first compartment 4 is prevented, and an open position, as shown in figures lb and 2 wherein access to the first compartment 4 is allowed. A plurality of shelves 24 are provided in the first compartment 4 to allow one or more items to be located on the same in use.
The side panel 16 is a fixed panel and does not move in the illustration.
The opposite side panel 18 is arranged to form a closure means in the form of a door for the second compartment 6. Side door 18 is hingedly mounted to an interior surface of rear panel 8 so as to allow the door 18 to be moved between a closed position, as shown in figure la and 2 wherein access to the second compartment 6 is prevented, and an open position, as shown in figures lb and 3 wherein access to the second compartment is allowed. A plurality of shelves 26 are provided in the second compartment 6 to allow one or more items to be located on the same in use.
Thus, it can be seen that door 18 for the second compartment 6 opens in a different direction, is hingedly mounted to a different housing panel (i.e. a panel of the housing that is perpendicular in this example) and is provided on a different surface of the housing (i.e. a panel of the housing that is perpendicular in this example) compared to door 10 for the first compartment 4.
On looking at the exterior of the cupboard 2 when in a closed position, side panels 16 and 18 both look like fixed conventional side panels of a conventional cabinet. There is nothing visible on the exterior of cupboard 2 that would indicate side panel 18 is a door to a second compartment 6. Even when the front door 10 is moved to an open position, the existence of the second compartment 6 is still not visible to a user.
The second compartment 6 has a rear wall 28 which also forms a side wall of the first compartment 4. The rear wall/side wall 28 is located internally of the housing and is opposite to the fixed side panel 16 of the housing. The second compartment 6 has a first side wall formed from part of the rear panel 8 of the housing, and a second opposite side wall 30. The side wall 30 of the second compartment 6 is located within the housing, is parallel to the front door 10 of the first compartment and is flush with the walls defining the opening to the first compartment 4. A section 32 of door panel 18 protrudes outwardly of side wall 30, thereby acting as a handle element for door 18 and allowing a user to easily move the door panel 18 from the closed position to the open position in use. A side wall 34 of door 18 is flush with the front surface of front door 10 when both door 18 and door 10 are in closed positions. A side edge 36 of side panel 16 is also flush with the front surface of front door 10 when door 10 is in a closed position.
In the illustrated example, the second compartment 6 can only be moved from the closed position to the open position when the door 10 of the first compartment 4 is in an open position, as this is when the protruding section 32 of door 18 becomes exposed.
To make second compartment 6 even more secure, it is possible to provide a locking mechanism in association with door 18. A magnetic locking mechanism has an advantage that there are no external visible parts, thereby not revealing to an intruder that the second compartment 6 exists. A magnetic latch element could be provided on an internal surface of door 18 to allow latching with a corresponding latch housing provided on an interior surface of wall 30 facing inwardly of the second compartment 6. A magnetic key would then have to be moved over the exterior surface of door 18 to allow the magnetic latch element to be moved between a locked position, wherein entry to the second compartment 6 is prevented, to an unlocked position, wherein entry to the second compartment 6 is allowed.
The dimensions of the first compartment 4 are significantly larger than the dimensions of the second compartment 6.
In one example, the dimensions for the first and second compartments 4, 6 can be defined so as to fit in with standard kitchen cupboard measurements. For example, for a 600mm front door panel 10, the side wall 30 of the second compartment 6 could be 100mm and the width opening to the first compartment 4 could be 500mm; for a 500mm front door panel 10, the side wall 30 of the first compartment 6 could be 100mm and the width opening to the first compartment 4 could be 400mm.
Claims (34)
1. A furniture unit, said furniture unit including: a housing defined by one or more walls, at least a first compartment defined within said housing; said at least first compartment having closure means associated with the same for allowing selective closing of an opening to said at least first compartment in use; and wherein at least a second compartment is defined in said housing; said at least second compartment having closure means associated with the same for allowing selective closing of an opening to said at least second compartment in use; and wherein the existence of the at least second compartment, the existence of the at least second compartment closure means and/or the ability to access the at least second compartment in use is hidden or substantially hidden from view from an exterior of the housing.
2. The furniture unit of claim 1 wherein the existence of the at least first compartment, the existence of the at least first compartment closure means and/or the ability to access the at least first compartment is visible or substantially visible from an exterior of the housing.
3. The furniture unit of claim 1 wherein access to the at least second compartment is independent of and/or separate to access to the at least first compartment.
4. The furniture unit of claim 1 wherein access to the at least second compartment is dependent on a user first gaining access to the at least first compartment.
5. The furniture unit of claim 4 wherein the compartments are arranged in the housing such that the closure means for the at least first compartment needs to be moved from a closed position to an open position in order for a user to gain access to the at least second compartment and/or to move the closure means for the at least second compartment from a closed position to an open position in use.
6. The furniture unit of claim 1 wherein the closure means for the at least second compartment is provided on, opens from, is accessed via, or forms, a different wall, face, surface and/or planar surface of the housing to that of the closure means for the at least first compartment.
7. The furniture unit of claim 6 wherein the closure means for the at least second compartment forms a different exterior wall, exterior face, exterior surface and/or exterior planar surface of the housing to that of the closure means for the at least first compartment.
8. The furniture unit of claim 1 wherein the closure means for the at least second compartment is provided at an acute angle, is perpendicular or substantially perpendicular when in a closed position with respect to the closure means for the at least first compartment when in a closed position.
9. The furniture unit of claim 1 wherein the closure means for the at least second compartment is arranged to move from a closed position to an open position in use in a different direction and/or through a different angle compared to moving the closure means for the at least first compartment from a closed position to an open position in use.
10. The furniture unit of claim 1 wherein the closure means for at least second compartment forms in whole or part a first side panel or side wall to the housing.
11. The furniture unit of claim 10 wherein a further side panel or side wall of the housing opposing said first side panel or side wall is non-openable or does not define a closure means for a compartment.
12. The furniture unit of claim 10 wherein a further side panel or side wall of the housing opposing said first side panel or side wall also defines a closure means for the first compartment or at least a further compartment.
13. The furniture unit according to any preceding claim wherein the closure means of the at least first compartment forms, in whole or part, a front panel or wall to the housing, and is located between the first side panel or side wall and the opposing side panel or side wall.
14. The furniture unit according to any preceding claim wherein a side or side edge of the closure means for the at least second compartment is visible from, is flush or substantially flush with a front panel or wall of the housing or the closure means for the at least first compartment.
15. The furniture unit according to claim 14 wherein the side or side edge of the closure means for the at least second compartment is opposite to a further side or side edge that is hingedly or pivotably mounted to the housing.
16. The furniture unit according to any preceding claim wherein at least part of the closure means for the at least second compartment protrudes outwardly beyond a wall or side wall defining the at least second compartment.
17. The furniture unit according to any preceding claim wherein one or more walls defining the at least second compartment are located within the housing.
18. The furniture unit according to claim 17 wherein a rear wall of the at least second compartment opposite to the closure means of the at least second compartment is located within the housing or outer housing of the furniture unit.
19. The furniture unit according to claim 18 wherein the rear wall forms at least part of a side wall defining the at least first compartment.
20. The furniture unit according to claim 1 wherein the external appearance of the unit is symmetrical or substantially symmetrical.
21. The furniture unit according to claim 1 wherein the closure means for the at least first and/or second compartments includes one or more handles, handle means or knobs.
22. The furniture unit according to claim 1 wherein the closure means for the at least first and/or second compartments is handless.
23. The furniture unit according to claim 1 wherein the closure means for at least first and/or second compartments is hingedly or pivotably mounted to one or more walls of the housing via one or more hinges, pivots, hinge mechanisms or pivot mechanisms.
24. The furniture unit according to claim 23 wherein the one or more hinges, pivots, hinge mechanisms or pivot mechanisms are arranged so as to pull the closure means away from a waE surface on which the furniture unit could be located on or against in use when moving from the closed position to the open position in use.
25. The furniture unit according claim 23 wherein the one or more hinges, pivots, hinge mechanisms or pivot mechanisms for the closure means for the at least second compartment are provided on a different side or edge of the housing to the one or more hinges, pivots, hinge mechanisms or pivot mechanisms for the closure means for the at least first compartment.
26. The furniture unit according to any preceding claim in the form of a cupboard or drawer unit.
27. The furniture unit according to any preceding claim wherein engagement means are provided on or associated with the at least second compartment and/or the closure means of the at least second compartment to lock and/or engage the closure means in a closed position in use.
28. The furniture unit according to claim 27 wherein the engagement means are hidden or substantially hidden from view from an exterior of the housing and/or from the at least first compartment in use.
29. The furniture unit according to claim 27 wherein the engagement means are attached to or associated with an interior wall surface of the at least second compartment and/or closure means or are embedded within the closure means for the at least second compartment.
30. The furniture unit according to any of claims 27-29 wherein the engagement means includes or consists of a magnetic lock mechanism comprising a magnetic key which needs to be moved relative to a magnetic latch element to allow the latch element to move from an engaged or locked position to a disengaged or unlocked position.
31. The furniture unit according to any preceding claim wherein attachment means are provided on or associated with the housing, a rear wall of the housing or first compartment, or wall opposite to the closure means for the at least first compartment, to allow the housing to be attached to or hung on a surface in use.
32. The furniture unit according to any preceding claim wherein one or more plinth elements, pelmets, cornices, trim elements, rail elements and/or decorative elements are provided on or associated with the housing.
33. The furniture unit according to any preceding claim wherein the first compartment is bigger or significandy bigger in dimensions compared to the second compartment.
34. A method of using or constructing a furniture unit, said furniture unit including: a housing defined by one or more walls, and wherein said method includes the step of forming at least a first compartment in said housing; said at least first compartment having closure means associated with the same for allowing selective closing of an opening to said at least first compartment; forming at least a second compartment in said housing; said at least second compartment having closure means associated with the same for allowing selective closing of an opening to said at least second compartment; and wherein the existence of the at least second compartment, the existence of the at least second compartment closure means and/or the ability to access the at least second compartment in use is hidden or substantially hidden from view from an exterior of the housing.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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GBGB1707395.8A GB201707395D0 (en) | 2017-05-11 | 2017-05-11 | Furniture unit and method of use thereof |
Publications (3)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
GB201713424D0 GB201713424D0 (en) | 2017-10-04 |
GB2562322A true GB2562322A (en) | 2018-11-14 |
GB2562322B GB2562322B (en) | 2019-05-15 |
Family
ID=59065488
Family Applications (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
GBGB1707395.8A Ceased GB201707395D0 (en) | 2017-05-11 | 2017-05-11 | Furniture unit and method of use thereof |
GB1713424.8A Expired - Fee Related GB2562322B (en) | 2017-05-11 | 2017-08-22 | Furniture unit and method of use thereof |
Family Applications Before (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
GBGB1707395.8A Ceased GB201707395D0 (en) | 2017-05-11 | 2017-05-11 | Furniture unit and method of use thereof |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
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GB (2) | GB201707395D0 (en) |
Citations (10)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB315647A (en) * | 1928-11-20 | 1929-07-18 | Leon Knaster | Improvements in or relating to desks |
US3332729A (en) * | 1965-11-18 | 1967-07-25 | Dale D Dickson | Drawer construction |
US4366997A (en) * | 1980-05-02 | 1983-01-04 | Bankamerica Corporation | Hidden drawer arrangement for bank teller cabinet |
US5127719A (en) * | 1989-10-25 | 1992-07-07 | Anthony Battista | Concealed jewelry case |
JPH0690831A (en) * | 1992-04-28 | 1994-04-05 | Yoshihisa Matsui | Furniture |
US20070216269A1 (en) * | 2006-03-17 | 2007-09-20 | Laura Kischitz | Recycling |
CN105054620A (en) * | 2015-08-12 | 2015-11-18 | 黑龙江华信家具有限公司 | High-low combined cabinet |
US9192231B1 (en) * | 2014-02-12 | 2015-11-24 | Daniel W. Steffen | Curio cabinet with concealed gun rack |
CN105768593A (en) * | 2014-12-18 | 2016-07-20 | 哈尔滨金苹果橱柜有限公司 | Expandable wardrobe with hidden safe case |
CN205658605U (en) * | 2016-04-29 | 2016-10-26 | 四川农业大学 | Theftproof locker |
-
2017
- 2017-05-11 GB GBGB1707395.8A patent/GB201707395D0/en not_active Ceased
- 2017-08-22 GB GB1713424.8A patent/GB2562322B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Patent Citations (10)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB315647A (en) * | 1928-11-20 | 1929-07-18 | Leon Knaster | Improvements in or relating to desks |
US3332729A (en) * | 1965-11-18 | 1967-07-25 | Dale D Dickson | Drawer construction |
US4366997A (en) * | 1980-05-02 | 1983-01-04 | Bankamerica Corporation | Hidden drawer arrangement for bank teller cabinet |
US5127719A (en) * | 1989-10-25 | 1992-07-07 | Anthony Battista | Concealed jewelry case |
JPH0690831A (en) * | 1992-04-28 | 1994-04-05 | Yoshihisa Matsui | Furniture |
US20070216269A1 (en) * | 2006-03-17 | 2007-09-20 | Laura Kischitz | Recycling |
US9192231B1 (en) * | 2014-02-12 | 2015-11-24 | Daniel W. Steffen | Curio cabinet with concealed gun rack |
CN105768593A (en) * | 2014-12-18 | 2016-07-20 | 哈尔滨金苹果橱柜有限公司 | Expandable wardrobe with hidden safe case |
CN105054620A (en) * | 2015-08-12 | 2015-11-18 | 黑龙江华信家具有限公司 | High-low combined cabinet |
CN205658605U (en) * | 2016-04-29 | 2016-10-26 | 四川农业大学 | Theftproof locker |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
GB2562322B (en) | 2019-05-15 |
GB201707395D0 (en) | 2017-06-21 |
GB201713424D0 (en) | 2017-10-04 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
PCNP | Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee |
Effective date: 20210822 |