WO1994023612A1

WO1994023612A1 - Storage system

Info

Publication number: WO1994023612A1
Application number: PCT/CA1994/000229
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jeffrey Richard Hagon; Kevin Thomas Hagon
Original assignee: Jeffrey Richard Hagon; Kevin Thomas Hagon
Priority date: 1993-04-15
Filing date: 1994-04-15
Publication date: 1994-10-27
Also published as: AU6674194A

Abstract

A shelf system which enables wheelchair bound or other handicapped people to gain access to the contents of high cupboard includes side panels supporting a plurality of shelves; a pair of inverted L-shaped brackets for mounting on the sides of a cupboard; a pair of parallel, inverted chevron-shaped arms pivotally connected at one end to each bracket and at the other end to one of the side panels, whereby the arms can be rotated from a substantially vertical position in a cupboard to an extended, outwardly and downwardly inclined position to move the shelves from an elevated storage position inside the cupboard to a lower access position outside the open front end of the cupboard, facilitating access to the contents of the shelves; and a spring extending between the bottom end of each bracket and the upper arm of each pair of arms for biasing the pair of arms to the vertical position, the spring acting as a counterbalance to facilitate movement of the shelves between the storage and access positions.

Description

STORAGE SYSTEM

This invention relates to a shelving system, and in particular to a movable shelving system for use in a cupboard.

The present inventors have determined that there is a need for a movable shelf system, which makes articles in a cupboard or the like more accessible to a variety of people such as the elderly or the physically handicapped. Many cupboards in the average home are somewhat high and consequently inaccessible to short people or to people in wheelchairs.

Movable shelves or platforms are often used in office or home furniture as supports for a variety of equipment such as, for example typewriters and computer components. Such movable platforms usually include a flat panel, which can be moved between a storage and a use position, and which can be located at a variety of heights and/or orientations. However, such platforms do not provide a solution to the problem described above.

A search of the patent literature discloses shelf systems which could be used as a solution to the problem outlined above. The systems in question are disclosed in United States Patents Nos. 1,188,847, which issued to W.M. Shaw on June 27, 1916; 2,635,030, which issued to L.A. Stebbins et al on April 14, 1953 and 3,224, 827, which issued to R.D. Foster et al on December 21, 1965. While the patented devices are of interest, they are somewhat complicated in terms of structure, expensive to produce and difficult to operate. In this connection, it will be noted that the systems include pulleys and springs or drums.

The object of the present invention is to provide an alternative solution to the problem described above in the form of a relatively simple shelving system for use on a cupboard or the like which includes few parts, and which is easy to install and to operate.

Accordingly, the present invention relates to a shelf system for a cupboard having side and top walls and an open front end, said system comprising: (a) a shelf assembly including

(i) spaced apart parallel side panel means; (ii) shelf means extending between said side panel means;

(b) bracket means for mounting on the inside of each side wall of the cupboard;

(c) upper and lower substantially parallel arm means pivotally connected at one end to each said bracket means at spaced apart locations thereon, and pivotally connected at the other end thereof to one said side panel means of said shelf assembly, whereby the arm means can be rotated from a substantially vertical position in a cupboard to an extended, outwardly and downwardly inclined position to move said shelf assembly from an elevated storage position inside the cupboard to a lower access position outside the open front end of the cupboard, facilitating access to said shelf means, and

(d) spring means extending between a bottom end of each said bracket means and said upper arm means for biasing said upper and lower arm means to the vertical position, said spring means acting as a counterbalance to facilitate movement of said shelf assembly between the storage and access positions.

The invention is described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention and wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a cupboard without doors containing a shelf system in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the shelf system of Fig. 1 in the extended position;

Figure 3 is a side view of the shelf system of Figs. 1 and 2 in the retracted or storage position in the cupboard;

Figure 4 is a side view of the shelf system of Figs. 1 and 2 in the partly extended position; and

Figure 5 is a side view of the shelf system of Figs. 1 and 2 in the fully extended or down position. Figure 6 is an exploded perspective view of a second embodiment of the shelf system of the present invention;

Figure 7 is a side view of the shelf system of Fig. 6 in assembled condition;

Figure 8 is a perspective view of a lock mechanism used in the shelf system of Figs. 6 and 7; and

Figures 9 to 17 are schematic side views of the lock mechanism of Fig. 8 during operation thereof.

Referring to the drawings, the shelf system of the present invention, which is generally indicated at 1 is intended for use in a cupboard 2. The cupboard is defined by a top wall 3, a bottom wall 4 and side walls 5 and a rear wall extending between the top and bottom walls.

The system 1 includes a shelf assembly formed by spaced apart side panels 7 which are maintained in parallel vertical positions by a pair of shelves 8 and 9 extending between the panels 7. The shelves 8 and 9 are merely rectangular panels which are wider than the side panels 7, and consequently extend outwardly beyond the side panels, facilitating access to articles carried by the shelves. A rear rectangular panel 10 interconnects the side panels 7 and the rear or inner edges 12 of the shelves 8 and 9.

Each side panel 7 includes a generally triangular upper end portion 14 with a rounded top edge 15 which extends upwardly beyond the top edge 16 of the rear panel 10. A pair of bends 17 and 18 (Figs. 3 and 4) are formed in the top end portion 14 defining an outwardly inclined shoulder 20.

The whole shelf assembly is movably mounted in the cupboard 2 by means of a pair of parallelogram linkage devices generally indicated at 22. Each linkage device includes an inverted L-shaped bracket 23 which is fixedly mounted on the interior surface 25 of one side wall 5 of the cupboard. A pair of generally chevron-shaped arms 26 and 27 are pivotally connected to the bracket 23 for rotation between an inner storage position in the cupboard 2 (Figs. 1 and 3) and an outer, extended position (Figs. 2 and 5). The upper arm 26 is pivotally connected to a shorter, upper horizontal arm 29 of the bracket 23 by a pin 30 at the inner end of the arm 29. In the retracted, inner position of the shelf system, the arm 26 extends downwardly beyond the inner end 32 of the arm 29, and is connected to the bottom end of the vertical arm 33 of the bracket 23 by a large helical spring 34, which biases the shelf assembly to the storage position in the cupboard 2.

The outer end of the arm 26 is pivotally connected to the upper end of the top portion 14 of one side panel 7 by a pin 36. As best shown in Fig. 2, the outer end of the arm 26 is bent to define a shoulder 37 for properly positioning the outer surface of such outer end with respect to the inner surface of the top portion 14 of the side panel 7. A small, generally drop-shaped plate 39 is provided on the outer end of each arm 26. The plate 39, which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the outer end of the arm 26 is connected to an identical plate 39 on the outer arm 26 by a rod 40. The rod 40 lends lateral stability to the system and ensures that the linkage devices 22 move in unison with each other, i.e. that the shelf system is not twisted or otherwise distorted during movement into and out of the cupboard 2.

One end 41 of the lower arm 27 of the linkage device is pivotally connected to the vertical arm 33 of the bracket 23 by a pin 43 for rotation around the horizontal longitudinal axis of the pin. The arm 27 is stepped, i.e. includes a shoulder 44 for properly aligning the arm with the side panel 7 of the shelf assembly. The other end of the arm 27 is pivotally connected to the side panel 7 by a pin 46.

It will be appreciated that the parallelogram linkage described above is such that the shelves 8 and 9 are maintained in horizontal planes during any movement of the shelf assembly between the storage and extended positions. The locations of the pivot of the arms 26 and 27 defined by the pines 30, 36, 40 and 43 ensure that in the storage position the shelf assembly remains in a position against the rear wall 6 of the cupboard 2. When a positive force is applied to the shelf assembly, e.g. if the outer edge of the shelf 9 is pulled outwardly, then and only then will the assembly move outwardly and downwardly from the storage or retracted position (Fig. 3) through an elevated, partly extended position and ultimately to an outer, extended position (Fig. 5). In the extended position, the shelves 8 and 9 are located outside of the cupboard 2 and at a considerably lower location than in the storage position.

As shown in Fig. 4, during movement between retracted and extended positions, the shelf assembly does not interfere with articles on the bottom shelf or wall 4 of the cupboard 2. Because of the length of the arms 26 and 27, the shelf assembly initially moves outwardly and slightly upwardly before moving downwardly through a large arc, so that the bottom wall 4 is more or less cleared by the shelf assembly before the start of downward movement. The springs 34 act as counterweights or counterbalances to the load of the shelf assembly and the articles of the shelves 8 and 9, biasing the load upwardly to make movement between the storage and access positions relatively smooth.

Referring to Figs. 6 and 7, a production model of the system includes essentially the same elements as the system of Figs. 1 to 5 and a lock mechanism generally indicated at 50. Accordingly, in describing the second embodiment of the invention, wherever possible the same reference numerals have been used to describe the same or similar elements of the system.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7, the side panels 7 of the shelf assembly are formed of a single piece of material with a cut portion or flap 52 which extends inwardly for supporting the top shelf 8. A support for the bottom shelf 9 is formed by bending the bottom end of the panel to form a ledge or flange 53.

As best shown in Fig. 7, each L-shaped bracket 23 for mounting on the interior surface 25 of the covered side wall 5 is profiled for strength, and includes a pair of lugs 57 and 58, which cooperate with the lock mechanism 50 as described hereinafter in greater detail. The lugs 57 and 58 extend outwardly from the upper end of the bracket 23 into the path of travel of portions of the lock mechanism 50 for actuating the latter. A hook 59 at the bottom end of the bracket 23 is integral with the vertical arm 33 of the bracket and is formed by suitable shaping and bending of the sheet of material used to form the bracket.

The arm 26 is also profiled for strength, and includes a flange 61 at the top end thereof for receiving one end of the spring 34. The drop-shaped plate on the other end of the arm 26 is replaced by a lug 63, which is integral with the arm 26.

Referring to Fig. 8, the lock mechanism 50 is defined by a polygonal plate 66, which is rotatably mounted on the arm 26 slightly above the elbow 67 (Fig. 7) of the arm (when the latter is in the extended or down position). The plate 66 is pivotally mounted on the arm 26 by means of a pin 69 for rotation around the axis of the pin. One arm 70 of the plate 66 is biased against the stop in the form of a pin 71 mounted on the arm 26 by a spring 72. The spring 72 extends between the pin 71 and a post 74 on the plate 66. Three lugs 76, 77 and 78 extend outwardly from three separate locations on the plate 66. In the rest position of the latch mechanism, with the arm 70 bearing against the pin 71, the first lug 76 is approximately diametrically opposed to the pin 71. The remaining two lugs 77 and 78 are roughly diametrically opposed to each other, and at approximately 90 degrees to the lug 76.

In operation, when the shelf assembly is pulled downwardly, the arms 26 and 27 rotate around the axes of the pins 30 and 43 (Fig. 2). Referring to Figs. 9 to 17 (in that order) as the arm 26 rotates, the lug 76 on the plate 66 engages the top lug 57 on the bracket 23 to cause the lock mechanism 50 to rotate. Continued rotation of the arm 26 causes the lug 76 to move downwardly on the lug 57 (Figs. 10 to 13). When the lug 67 passes the bottom end of the lug 57, the lug 77 engages the top edge of the lug 58 on the bracket 23 (Figs. 14 and 15). If downward force on the shelf assembly is removed, the lug 76 engages the bottom edge of the lug 57 on the bracket 23 to releasably latch the shelf assembly in the lower or extended position (Fig. 16).

The sole purpose of the lug 78 is to prevent rotation of the latch mechanism 50 beyond a certain point. If the latch mechanism is rotated much beyond the position shown in Fig. 15, the lug 78 contacts the top of the pin 71 to prevent rotation of the latch mechanism.

In order to return the shelf assembly to the retracted position in the cupboard 2, it is necessary to release the lock mechanism 50. Release is effected by pulling downwardly on the shelf assembly (Fig. 17) to release the lug 76 from contact with the bottom of the lug 57, and to place the spring 72 over center. When the spring 72 is over center, it is on the left of the axis of rotation defined by the pin 69 in Fig. 17, and causes rotation of the plate 66 to the rest position (Figs. 7 and 9) as the shelf assembly is elevated and moved into the cupboard 2.

Thus there has been described a simple system which effectively converts the often waste space of high, inaccessible shelves to useful space in the form of shelves which are made accessible to the user. The use of springs ensures that the shelf assembly can be moved between the storage and extended positions with a minimum of effort.

It will be appreciated that the system of the present invention can be retrofitted to an existing cupboard merely by removing the shelves from the cupboard and installing the system described herein. Moreover, the shelf assembly can include one or more shelves, a rod for hanging garments or hooks for hanging cups and mugs in the cupboard. It would also be possible to use the system in a closet or other area by mounting the brackets on parallel walls.

A handle can be mounted at a convenient location such as on the front bottom end of the lower shelf for facilitating movement of the shelf assembly between the storage and access positions.

Claims

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:

1. A shelf system for a cupboard having side and top walls and an open front end, said system comprising:

(a) a shelf assembly including

(b) bracket means for mounting on the inside of each side wall of the cupboard;

2. A shelf system according to claim 1, wherein said shelf assembly includes crossbar means extending between the top ends of said side panel means for reinforcing the shelf assembly.

3. A shelf system according to claim 1, wherein said bracket means includes an inverted L-shaped plate for mounting on each side wall of the cupboard, said plate having a vertical bracket arm extending parallel to the open front end of the cupboard and a horizontal bracket arm extending away from the open front end in the installed position, said upper arm means being pivotally connected to an inner free end of said horizontal bracket arm, and said lower arm means being pivotally connected to said vertical bracket arm, whereby, in the elevated position of the shelf assembly, said upper and lower arm means are substantially parallel to said vertical bracket arm.

4. A shelf system according to claim 3, wherein said spring means is a straight helical spring extending between an inner end of said upper arm means and a lower free end of said vertical bracket arm.