US2873453A - Collapsible steam cabinet - Google Patents

Description

B. KIRSCHNER COLLAPSIBLE STEAM CABINET Feb. 17, 1959 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 23, 1957 INVENTOR. BENJ IMAN KIRSCHNER HAVE ATTORNEY Feb. 17,1959 B. KIRSCHNER 2,373,453

COLLAPSIBLE STEAM CABINET- Filed Dec. 23, 1957 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 F IG. 7 45 INVENTOR.

' BENJIMAN KIRSCHNER ATTORNEY Feb. 17, 1959 KmSCHNER 2,873,453

I COLLAPSIBLE STEAM CABINET Filed Dec. 23, 1957 3 Sheets- Sheet 5 ,42 29 26 lHnm. nlll... mnWHHHMHIII V [6 3m *INVENTOR.

BENJ IMAN KIRSCHNER ATTORNEY United States Patent Ofifice 2,873,453 Patented Feb. 17, 1959 COLLAPSIBLE STEAM CABINET Benjiman Kirschner, Miami, Fla.

Application December 23, 1957, Serial No. 704,604

1 Claim. ('Cl. 4--160) This invention relates to collapsible cabinets and is more particularly directed to a steam cabinet which is both portable and collapsible.

A principal object of the present invention is toprovide a steam cabinet of sutlicient size to permit a person to enter therein, which cabinet can be collapsed into a compact unit capable of being carried or stored in a relatively small space.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a collapsible steam cabinet described as above which is sufiiciently sealed when in operating condition to prevent undue loss of steam, vapors, etc.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a rectangular receptacle with extensible posts provided with supporting braces pivotally mounted in each corner thereof, a removable'cover for positioning on the extended posts, a curtain hanging from said cover to enclose the area defined by the four vertical posts, and the horizontal receptacle and cover for receiving a foldable stool and a steam creating device in order that a person may enter into said enclosure and subject himself to a steam or medicated vapor bath or inhalation.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a collapsible cabinet which is simple yet rugged in construction and inexpensive in cost.

With these and other objects in View, the invention will be best understood from a consideration of the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, with the understanding, however, that the invention is not confined to any strict conformity with the showing of the drawings but may be changed or modified so long as such changes or modifications mark no material departture from the salient features of the invention as expressed in the appended claim.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a collapsible steam cabinet embodying my invention showing the cabinet ready for use with a seat and atomizer shown in phantom.

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view taken along the line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the cabinet in its folded condition ready for storing.

Figure 4 is a top plan view of the folded cabinet with its cover removed.

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken along the line 5--5 of Figure 2.

Figures 6 and 7 are sectional views taken along the lines 6-6 and 7-7, respectively, of Figure 3.

Referring to the drawings wherein like numerals are used to designate similar parts throughout the several views, a collapsible cabinet 10 is shown consisting of a receptacle 11 having four sides 12, 13, 14 and 15 and a bottom wall 16 with a removable cover 17 mounted thereon to enclose the content of the receptacle 11 as is explained in detail hereinafter. The receptacle 11 is preferably constructed of sheet metal, though it may be made of plastics, etc.

The receptacle 11 is provided with a handle 18 mounted on the side wall 13 and a plurality of rollers 19 on the opposite wall 14 for transporting the device 10 with ease. Snap fasteners 20 mounted along the side edges of the cover 17 cooperate with sockets 21 mounted in appropriate positions on the side walls 12 and 15 for securing the cover 17 on the receptacle 11..

At the corners of the receptacle there are pivoted rear and front posts or upright supports 22 and 22' secured by a pivot pin 23 to the side walls 12 and 15 to permit the posts 22 and 22' to pivot from their vertical position as shown by Figures land 5, downwardly to approximately a horizontal position adjacent the walls to which the posts 22 and 22' are pivoted and secured thereto by clips 26 mounted on the Walls 12 and 15.

To provide the rear posts 22 with rigidity when positioned upright, a plurality of pivoted braces are secured to each of the posts 22. On the rear wall 14 is a bracket 27 mounted on approximately its mid-portion on which a pivot pin 28 is secured. Pivotally mounted on the ends of the pivot pin is a pair of braces 29 whose other ends are pivotally mounted to a collar type clamp 30 mounted at the upper portion of the posts 22.

A second brace 31 is pivotally secured to each of the pair of posts 22 mounted at the rear of the receptacle 11. The braces 31 have their upper ends pivotally secured to a clamp 32 mounted on the posts 22 adjacent the clamp 30 while the lower ends are provided with recesses 32 for engaging pins 33 secured to the walls 12 and 15.

The front posts 22' are somewhat similarly braced by a pair of pivoted braces 34 and 35. The braces 34 are pivoted at their upper ends to clamps 36 mounted on the posts 22 while the lower ends are pivoted by pivot pins 37 each mounted on a bracket 38. The brackets 38 are secured to the front wall 13 in open spaced relation to each other thereby providing an unobstructed space for a person to step into the receptacle 11. This open space is enhanced in size by forming the lower ends of the braces 34 arcuate in shape as at 39 as best shown by Figures 1 and 2. The braces 35 are pivoted at their upper ends to clamps 40 mounted on the front posts 22 while the lower ends are provided with recesses 41 engaging pins 42 mounted on walls 12 and 15 when the posts 22 are in their upright position.

Means are provided for extending the vertical supports 22, 22 comprising tubular members 42 and 43 telescopically mounted in each of the posts 22, 22. Each of the tubular members 42 and 43 are provided with a spring catch 44 which maintains the tubular members 42 and 43 in their extended position by releasably engaging the top edges of the members in which they are telescopically mounted. The cover 17 of the receptacle is provided with a plurality of sockets 45 on its inner wall for receiving the ends of the tubular members 43 when the cover 17 is positioned thereon. Also secured to the cover 17 is'a plurality of hook members 46 which serve to support an enclosure curtain 47. The enclosure curtain 47 is provided with a rod 48 along each side at the top edge thereof, which rods 48 are positioned on the hook members 46 to permit the curtain to hang downwardly along the side walls 12, 13, 14 and 15; as shown the enclosure curtain 47 is provided with a bottom portion 49 to minimize the loss of steam, vapors, etc. from the enclosure and an opening 50 to permit a person to enter and leave theconfines'of the. device 10.

Within the device 10 there is normally placed a foldable stool or chair 51 and an atomizing or steam produc ing device 52 from which an electric wire 53 extends through the opening 50 in the curtain and connected to a source of electricity (not shown). The stool 51 and steam producing device 52 are normally stored in the device as shown by Figure 7.

athe o m l e e te m cabinet 10. he r pt cle portion 11 is placed with the wall 16 resting on a floor or similar support. The cover 17 is removed carrying therewith the curtain 47 and the contents of the receptacle 11. The free ends of the posts 22 and 22 are grasped and swung upwardly pivoting same on their pivot pins 23. When the posts 22 are upright, the braces 31 are swung outwardly until the pins 33 are engaged by the recesses 32. Likewise, when the post 22 are upright, the braces 35 are swung outwardly until the lower ends are secured with the pins 42 received by the recesses 41. Now the telescopic tubular members 42 and 43 are Withdrawn upwardly until their respective spring catches 44 engage the top of the adjacent lower tubular member. The cover 17 along with the curtain is placed into position and the tubular members 43 fitting in the sockets 45. The curtain 47 now hangs evenly as shown in the device 10 with the stool 51, and the steam producing device 52 in position on the bottom of the curtain 49. The stool 51 is then opened and the electric wire 53 extended through the opening 5! in the curtain 47 and connected to a source of electricity. The steam producing device 52 is then provided with water, medication or Whatever is required to efiect the desired results in the steam bath. A person then steps through the opening 5% of the curtain 47, seats himself on the stool and takes the steam bath. The opening 50 may be provided with a zipper, if desired, in order to seal the opening against loss of steam, etc. therethrough.

When it is desired to store or move the steam bath device 10, the electric wire 53 is disconnected, the stool 51 and steam producing device 52 are removed. The liquid or moisture within the enclosure of the curtain 47 is first removed and the stool 51 and steam producing device 52 is replaced therein. The spring catches 44 are depressed on all of the tubular members 43 and 42 causing the latter members to be withdrawn into the posts 22, 22. The braces 31 and 35 are first disengaged from their pins 33 and 42 respectively and swung outwardly as the posts 22, 22 are pivoted downwardly until the posts 22, 22 slide behind the clips 26 where they become secured. The cover 17 which had been held up as the posts 22, 22 were being housed is now placed on the receptacle 11 and the snap fasteners secured to the sockets 21. The receptacle 11 is now placed upright on its rollers 19 and rolled to a place where it is to be stored or used again. A handle 54 may be mounted as shown on the inner wall of the cover 17 to permit a person who may be within the curtain 47 to grasp it and assist himself in moving about or getting up from a seated position.

What I claim as new is:

A collapsible cabinet for steam baths comprising a substantially rectangularly shaped receptacle having side walls, a front and rear wall and a bottom wall, a plurality of extensible tubular members positioned adjacent corners of said receptacle, pivot means mounting said extensible tubular members on opposed side walls whereby said extensible tubular members may be pivoted to a horizontal position adjacent said opposed side walls, a clip mounted on each of said opposed side walls in the path of said swinging tubular member for securing said extensible tubular members, a brace pivotally secured at one end to each of said extensible tublular members and extending in a direction diagonally away from said opposed side Walls to an intermediate position between said opposed side walls adjacent said rear and front walls, a bracket mounted on a mid portion of said rear Wall, a pivot pin mounted on said bracket and engaging the other end of a pair of said braces for pivotal movement thereof, a pair of brackets mounted on said front wall in spaced relation to the mid position of said front wall, a pivot pin mounted on each of said last named brackets and engaging the other end of the other pair of said braces, a further brace pivotally secured at one end to each of said extensible tubular members and extending to said opposed side walls, a plurality of pins mounted on said opposed side walls, said further braces having a recess at the other end adapted to engage said pins for support ing said extensible tubular members in an upright position, a removable cover, releasable fastening means mounted on said cover and said side walls for securing said cover on said receptacle, a plurality of sockets mounted on an inner wall of said cover for receiving the free ends of said extensible tubular members and a curtain secured to said inner wall of said cover for forming an enclosure, said curtain having an opening at said mid position of said front wall of said receptacle for providing access to said enclosure.

References Cited in thefile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 569,417 Jones et al Oct. 13, 1896 643,822 Isham Feb. 20, 1900 2,632,454 Skogen Mar. 24, 1953

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