US1732359A - Kitchenette - Google Patents

Description

odi. 22, 1929. L, s, GMLMQWE 1,732,359

KITCHENETTE Filed Jan. 2l, 1925 3 SheevlZS-Sheel l FLouR CANNED SPUDS l GOODS l i i 1 1 DISH PAN u /I 23 v f a AoRA/EY.

ct. 22, 1929 n.. s. GHLMORE KITCHENETTE Filed Jan. 2l, 1925 3 SheetS-Sheeb Z0 30 /ol INVENTOR. 1.0!/ SHIELDS Gf-ILMORE ATTORNEY.

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@m lli QQ., L. s. @LMORE KITCHENETTE Filed Jan. 2l, 1925 3 Sheets-Sheet Rm nu WG. S U L m H S U O L A TTORNEY.

Patented Oct. 22, 1929 PATENT OFFICE LOU SHIELDS GILMORE, OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA KITCHENETTE Application filed January 21, 1925. Serial No. 3,777.

This invention relates tokitchenettes which are adapted to be used in dwellings or to be placed upon automobiles and conveyed from place to place.

The general object of the invention is to provide an improved device which while lcompact and readily transported, is nevertheless, thoroughly efiicient in use and is strong and durable.

One of the specific objects of the invention is to provide an improved kitchenette wherein a casing is provided withA closures therefor and wherein the closures coact with the casing to form a dust proof and air tight container.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved cabinet wherein a. novel insulation means is provided for a refriger ating ice compartment.

A further object of the invention is to provide an automobile kitchenette including a refrigerator wherein means are provided toiresiliently support ice contained in the refrigerating compartment, thereby preventing rattling of the ice when the automobile is in motion.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved drip receiver for refrigerators whereby the drip from the nieltin g ice may be utilized to give added refrigeration.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved support for the closure of a portable kitchenette whereby the closure in oneposition may serve as a. work table or dining table and wherein supporting legs are provided with improved means which allow themto collapse.

A further object of the invention is to providea compartment kitchenette with a drawer therein having a collapsible handle whereby the drawer may ,Serve as a water bucket. y

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved hinged construction which can be cheaply made but at the same time will afford dust tight protection.'-

Other objects of the invention will be apparent from the following description taken I0 in connection with the accompanying draw- -ettes or cabinetsl`A at 10.

ings wherein Fig. 1 is a perspective view of my invention as applied to an automobile; Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the kitchenette opened; Fig. 3 is a fragmentary central sectional view showing the ice and drinking water compartments; Fig. 4 is a section on line 4 4, Fig. 3; Fig. 5 is a Section online 5-5, Fig. 3; Fig. 6 is a partial section taken on line 6 6, Fig. 5 showing the tapered receptacle; Fig. 7 is aperspective view of the combined drawer and water bucket; Figs. 8 and 9 are fragmentary elevations in cross sections showing details of the leg construction; Fig. -10 is a central sectional view partly in elevation showing the construction of the drip receiver; Fig. 11 is a section on line l1-11, Fig. 10; Fig 12 is a perspective view. partly in section, showing the` hinges for'the cover; Fig. 13 is a sectional view of the hinge in another position; Fig. 14 is a cross section showing the resilient dust excluded IlangegFig. 15 is a view similar to Fig. 14 showing the closure seated; Fig. 16 is a fragmentary sectional detail showing the relation of the closures when in the lowest position; Fig. 17 is a section on line 17--17, Fig. 16 ;v Fig. 18 is a perspective view of one of the drawers and Fig. 19 is a modified form of the drawer shown in Fig. 18.

Referring to the drawing by reference characters, I have shown one of my kitchen- This cabinet is adapted for use 'for a plurality of purposes and it is particularly adapted for use for mounting upon the running board of an automobile and for use in small apartments.

Referring again to the drawing it will be seen that the cabinet comprises aback portion 11 and bottom portion 12. In the embodiment of my invention shown in the drawing, I have shown acabinet which is particularly adapted to be placed upon the running board 14 of an automobile 15. This type of cabinet is provided at each end with a supporting leg 16. Each leg comprises a body portion bent to form an inverted U. The legs are preferably secured to the running board 14 by bolts 17 Mounted upon the lower front edge of the bottom 12, I show a cover 18. This cover is provided With end flanges 19 and with a front flange 20. The cover is paneled as at 21 by pressing out the material of which it is composed.

I have preferred to construct the various portions of my kitchenette from sheet metal and on account of the tendency of this material to flex and bend, I find that it is very essential that the panels be provided as shown at 21 and also in other parts as Will be later described. In order that the cover 18 may be supported in a substantially horizontal position so that it will serve as a Work table or as a dining table, I hingedly mount a leg 22 at each end thereof. Each of the legs as shown is mounted upon a pivot 23 which is arranged in the end flanges 19 of the cover 18. When in service position the cover is supported as shown in Fig. 2 with the legs 22 in vertical position. lVhen the cover is to be closed, the legs are swung about the pivot 23 until they are received in the flexible clips 24 which are secured upon the cover by suitable fastening means. This fastening means is shown in detail in Fig. 8 Where it will be noted that the legs 22 are provided with recesses which receive beads 25 formed upon the clips 24. The flanges 19 and 20 are preferably doubled by folding upon themselves as shown in Fig. 9.

A closure 30 is shown as secured along the top rear wall 11 of the cabinet. In devices of this nature, it is essential that the hinged construction be such that the likelihood of Idust entering the container will be reduced to a minimum and in order to bring about this desired effect, I bend and roll the upper edge of the wall 11 as shown at 31. The adjacent portion of the closure 30 is also bent and rolled as at 32 to correspond to the bent and rolled portion 31. At each end of the closure a flange 33 is provided and the eX- tremities 34 of each flange overlies the adj acent. portion of the hinge to prevent entrance of dust. When assembling the closure one of the portions 34 may be bent back after which the interlocking parts may be slid together and the portion 34 may be then returned to position.

In order to afford a dust proof and air tight kitchenette I provide resilient member 36 on the upper edge of the end Walls and the front walls of the container as shown in Figs. 14 and l5. This resilient flange comprises a i' body part which may be soldered or welded as at 37 to the container. Above the Welded portion 37 is another portion 38 which is normally substantially parallel with the adjacent wall of the container. The portion 38 is connected by a curved portion with another planeI portion 39, likewise arranged substantially parallel to the container wall. From the portion 39 the flanges extend outwardly to forma portion which will be engaged by the vclosure and cover.

In Fig. 14 it will be noted that as the closure 30 moves to closed position it first strikes upon the inclined portion thus forcing this portion against the outer Wall of the container. YVhen the closure is seated contact is had along three spaced lines, namely 40, 41 and 42 between the closure and the resilient flange to thus give a triple seal which is highly effective in excluding dust. Arranged within the kitchenette I sh`0w a vertically extending partition 45.

Adjacent the upper portion of this partition 45 I arrange the refrigerating compartment 46 which is here shown as an ice chest. The ice chest is provided adjacent the partition 45 and at the front and rear with insulation material 47 preferably in the form of ground cork, with metal plates 48 serving as a lining for the insulation. At one end of the ice compartment 46 the insulation is omitted and a single thickness of sheet metal 49 is provided. A drinking water container 50 is inserted with its Wall 51 in direct engagement with the wall 49 of the ice chest 46. At the front and rear of the drinking water receptacle 5() the insulation is provided at the end of the ice receptacle as shown at 53.

The ice chest is provided with a bottom 54 and upon this bottom I arrange a corrugated filler 55 of metal or other material. Upon the filler I place a metal plate 57 which may be soldered to prevent leakage about it. Insulation 57 may be arranged adjacent the filler if desired. A drain pipe 58 passes through the bottom of the ice chest to conduct the water away from the chest.

The cold Water in the compartment 5() in effect acts as added insulation to assist in keeping the ice. The refrigeration is dry as there is no circulation of air and all cooling effect is carried on without contamination, as food in one compartment does not affect food in another compartment. This effect is increased since the metal walls conduct the cold from the ice compartment and from the fact that cold air goes down.

In order to support the ice so that it will remain in position without objectionable shifting about, I provide a resilient support for the ice which comprises a fiexble metal plate 59. This metal plate is dished upwardly and the natural resiliency thereof is such that as the automobile moves about the ice is cushioned. A plurality of U-shaped sharpened spursI 60 are arranged at spaced points on the plate 59. These members eugagc the ice and hold it in place upon the resilient support.

The drinking water container' 50 is of greater depth than the ice chest 46 and is provided at its lower end with a faucet 6l. Beneath the drinking water compartment 50 I arrange a corrugated filler 62 and a partition member 63. The corrugated fillers 55 and 62 serve to prevent sweating since the j corrugated cardboard provides dead air cells so that no appreciable amount of condensation forms.

In the compartment formed between the partition 63 and the bottom 12 I place a tray 65. This tray 65 may have an end 66 and may be dished at the bottom portion as at 67 to receive cups or in lieu thereof the tray may be as shown at 65I in Fig. 19 where the tray takes the form of a receptacle for holding silverware.

The ice water dripping through the discharge 58 passes to a drip refrigerator 7 0 which is shown in detail in Figs. l() and 11. This drip receptacle comprises a bottom portion, front, side and rear portions as shown. The top of the drip/receptacle is provided with a sliding closure 71. One end of the upper portion of the drip receptacle is permanently closed by a closure member 72 which may be soldered in place. This closure 72 is secured beneath a beaded over portion 73 of the side walls of the drip container 70. The closure 72 is turned over as at 74 to form a pair of channelways in which the edges of. the sliding closure 71 fits. Cooperating corrugations 75 serve to guide the closure 71 and to stifen it. The drip container 70 is in the nature of a drawer which is slidably fitted within the kitchenette. The closure 71 is provided with a dished portion 76 which serves as a guide so that the watei` will find its way through the punched holes 78 into the interior of the drip container. The hole 78 -it will be noted is punched so as to provide jagged spurs since I have found that the water will not splash out through a jagged hole as readily as it passes through a single clear cut aperture.

The closure 71 is folded upon itself and engages with a tight fit the upper end 79 of the drip container 70. A tube 80 which is open at its upper and lower end is secured within the drip vcontainer and has its lower end extending through the bottom 81 of the drip container as shown. The only discharge from the container 70 is through the tube 80 and it will be apparent that the container will continually be filled to a point approximating the top of the tube 80. The lower end of the tube 80 communicates with a recess in the bottom of the kitchenette.

I may place products which I wish to main` tain at a low temperature.

The drawer 84 like the other drawers is made of metal, and is provided with a handle member 85 which is pivoted at 86 to one wall of the drawer and may be fitted through an aperture in the opposite wall as shown in Fig. 7 to afford a handle. In this condition the container may be used as a water bucket. When the handle is not desired the outer walls of the drawer 84 may be sprung apart and the handle may be moved to the dotted line position shown in Fig. 7.

Beneath the ice chest 46 I arrange a drawer 87. This drawer will receive a refrigeration from the adjoining ice chest and in this drawer 87 I may store eggs or other articles. The bottom of the drawer may be provided with a removable filler 88 which is provided with cushioning means for the reception of eggs. If desired, I may keep butter or other articles in the drawer 87. Beneath the drawer 87 I arrange a pair of slidable com-I partments 88. These compartments may be used for the reception of sugar and Hour and for other purposes if desired.

Beneath the partition 45 and the end of the kitchenette I provide a compartment 90. This compartment may have a front portion 91 in which canned goods and potatoes may be stored. A flange 92 may be arranged at each end of the compartment to receive a dishpan 93 in which other articles may be stored. The kitchenette above the compartment 9() is shown as provided with another compartment which is adapted to be closed by a hinged cover 94. This compartment may be provided with ventilated perforations 95 and in the compartments bread or lunch may be provided. A separate removable container shown in dotted lines at 96 may be provided for placing in the compartment 94. Above the compartment 94 I provide a receptacle 97 for various articles such as soap, towels, etc., while a hinged towel rack 98 may be secured adjacent the partition 45. This towel rack is preferably pivoted so that it can fold beneath the closure 30.

The drawers 84, 87 and 88', as well as the drip container 70 are preferably tapered (as shown in Fig. 6) so that they may be more readily positioned and will afford a tight fit thus preventing rattling.

When my kitchenette is used in places where it is exposed to high temperatures, as for example when driving through desert sections, I may place sheets of paper or old newspapers in the dead air spaces, previously mentioned to afford further insulation.

The kitchenette when secured upon an automobile is preferably provided with spacing blocks 99 as shown in Fig. 5. These spacing blocks are preferably made of soft rubber so that the finish of the automobile will not be scratched or marred. With my invention the space isfully conserved and this is of great n value in View of the limited space available on the running board of automobiles and other places Where my lnventlon 1s used.

AClosures 100 and 101 are provided for the ice Water receptacle and the ice chest. These closures are preferably made as shown in Fig. 5 and are provided with insulation material. When in folded position, the flanges 33 on the closure fit over the adjacent portion of the cover 18 to hold the latter in place. When in the closed position a dead air space is provided between the front of the kitchenette and the adj acentiportion of lthe cover 18. The partition 45 as Well as the partitions 102,` 103, 104, etc., extend beyond the adjacent surface of the kitchenette as shown at 4.5 so that in effect when the cover 18 is closed a plurality of dead air cells are provided. These dead air cells serve to maintain a lower temperature. The closure 30 also forms dead air cells over the top of the ice chest and the drinking container as shown in Fig. 3.

Each of the drawers may be provided with a handle member which is shown in Fig. 10

at 106. This handle member comprises a loop having bent over ends as shown in Fig. 10. These bent over ends fit Within slits 107. The handle is preferably arranged Within a beaded portion 108 as shown.

It Will be readily seen that the ice chest may be used as a tireless cooker and that the drinking Water compartment may receive hot liquids which it Will maintain in the hot condition. For picnic parties roast 'fowl or game may be placed in the ice chest together with a cooking iron and hot coffee may be laced in the drinking Water container an both meat and coffee will remain hot for many hours.

Another advantage of my construction is that the Water in the drip container being melted ice is soft and is very useful in camp for Washing purposes.

From the foregoing description it will be apparent that I have provided a kitchenette Which can be economically manufactured, which is durable and which is highly eficient in use.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

In a kitchenette a body having an ice chest therein, means on certain sides of said ice chest to afford heat insulation, a discharge .opening for Water from said ice receptacle, a

drip container beneath said ice receptacle a drinkingk water container adjacent said lce receptacle, said drinking water container being made of metal and having one entire wall in direct engagement with the adjacent Wall of the ice chest and the drip container.

In testimony whereof, I hereunto ax my signature.

. LOU SHIELDS GILMORE.

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