WO2009024641A2

WO2009024641A2 - Movable kitchen with adaptable accessibility

Info

Publication number: WO2009024641A2
Application number: PCT/ES2008/070164
Authority: WO
Inventors: Antoni Gordo Aubarell
Original assignee: Lareira Eurococinas S.A.
Priority date: 2007-08-20
Filing date: 2008-08-12
Publication date: 2009-02-26
Also published as: ES1066022Y; EP2218354A4; EP2218354A2; WO2009024641A3; ES1066022U

Abstract

Movable kitchen with adaptable accessibility consisting of a set of cupboards and worktops which have means enabling movement thereof, in a controlled way and with reinforced safety systems, in ascending and descending directions, and with simultaneous horizontal movement in the case of cupboards, to make them more accessible for persons of slight stature or reduced mobility, such as elderly or handicapped persons.

Description

Description ADAPTABLE MOBILE ACCESSIBILITY KITCHEN

[1] OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[2] The invention, as expressed in the present specification, refers to a mobile kitchen with adaptive accessibility, which contributes to the function to which several advantages and innovative features are intended, which will be described in detail below.

[3] More specifically, the object of the invention consists of a kitchen, specifically the set of cabinets, furniture and elements that are located in a room are especially intended for the storage of utensils and food as well as to incorporate the different household appliances that enable the preparation of meals, which have the particularity of having means that allow their movement, in a controlled way and at will, in an ascending and descending direction, in order to make them more accessible for people of reduced height or mobility, such as they can be elderly people, people with disabilities, etc., for which the measures and standard positioning that these elements usually present represent a barrier that greatly complicates the daily tasks for which they are intended.

[4] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[5] The problem that disabled people often face, especially those in wheelchairs, is widely known, because most elements and devices in any field of industry are studied without taking into account such people.

[6] Thus, in the case at hand, of the furniture and elements that make up conventional kitchens, the heights and positioning thereof are difficult, if not impossible, to be used comfortably by such people.

[7] This is due to the fact that, on the one hand, the worktops, in which the stoves, the sink are normally located and in which the food is prepared, have a height that is difficult to access easily if you do not have the right height or you remain standing, on the other hand, the upper furniture, are usually at a height that are also inaccessible, so that type of people usually do without them or have them placed at a very high height lower, consequently losing space between them and the countertop.

[8] It is clear, therefore, the need to create a system to adapt these elements to the needs of each user, this being the main objective of the present invention, on which, on the other hand, at present and as reference to the state of the art, it should be mentioned that, on the part of the petitioner, the existence of any other mobile kitchen with adaptive accessibility that has similar technical, structural and configuration characteristics, to those presented here.

[9] Some mobile kitchens with adaptive accessibility are described in the following patents: MU7102189, DE10023203 and DE19505391 that describe a movement of kitchen furniture only vertically, while patent FR2906983 also describes a horizontal movement. Patents US2007 / 0236114, US4134629 and US3857623 propose complex mechanisms to facilitate accessibility with a considerable increase in technical complexity and without the security systems described herein in the present invention, resulting in a complex assembly and making maintenance and repair difficult. Proposed kitchen

[10] DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[11] Thus, the kitchen that the invention proposes configures itself as an obvious novelty, since, according to its application, it is achieved, in a restrictive way, to alleviate the problem of accessibility in the kitchen that suffer from a wide range of people, allowing them to move and place at will the different elements, furniture and appliances contained in the kitchen to be able to work with total comfort, and then, once the work is finished, put them back in place.

[12] To do this, and specifically, the mobile kitchen that the invention advocates, consists of a set of tall furniture, each of which, independently, by operating a remote control designed for this purpose and thanks upon the incorporation of a system of motors and guides, it descends and goes forward to the level of the countertop, while its door opens, automatically, and when it rises it closes in the same way.

[13] Also the furniture door can be opened or closed manually as in traditional furniture.

[14] When the furniture is at the level of the countertop, and also advanced to almost the limit of the countertop (normally the countertops are usually wider than the cabinets), the interior of the furniture is within reach of any disabled person and / or reduced mobility or height.

[15] The cabinet returns to its original position, closing the door again, upon receiving the corresponding order, by activating the aforementioned remote control.

[16] In parallel, the invention also provides for a mobile worktop or countertop, which can cover all of it, a significant part or be divided into two or more parts of independent mobility, being able to rise and descend to different heights, to Will of the payer, also by operating a remote control, and manual buttons, and thanks to a system of motors and guides; or alternatively, thanks to a system of motors, legs, electronic control unit and me- safety mechanisms, which prevent the countertop from being able to imprison and accidentally press the body of a person or thing.

[17] It should be noted that both tall cabinets and countertops have a security system. In the case of tall furniture, it is a contact system that detects any interference in the predetermined path, not only immediately stopping the descent of the cabinet, but automatically starting its ascent, after a few seconds, to return to the original position. In case of failure of the safety system for detecting the lowering of the cabinet, the motor that moves each inner body of the cabinet pulls it when it goes up, but instead does not push the inner body of the cabinet when it goes down; This is achieved by connecting the motor with the inner body by means of a flexible high strength fabric. So if, when the furniture is lowered, it encounters an obstacle, such as a child's body, even if the contact safety mechanism fails, the pressure that would be exerted on the child's body would be the weight of the furniture and its content, but without adding the tractive force of the engine.

[18] In the case of the countertop, this incorporates, a system of lateral sensors that stop the movement of the same before any obstacle, and additionally, if desired, an innovative system of sheets by means of which, if in the descent the countertop is meets some obstacle, they also stop the mechanism.

[19] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[20] The following figures are included in order to facilitate the understanding of the invention:

[21] 1. - Figure 1: perspective view of the mobile kitchen assembly object of the invention.

[22] 1. - Figure 2: exploded perspective view of an example of high furniture, which shows the main parts and elements of which it consists as well as their configuration and arrangement.

[23] 1. - Figure 3: exploded perspective view of a high furniture variant.

[24] 1. - Figure 4: exploded perspective view of the countertop or countertop and of the structure and safety elements of which it is equipped.

[25] 1. - Figure 5: exploded perspective view of a countertop or countertop variant and of the structure and safety elements of which it is equipped.

[26] PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

[27] In view of the aforementioned figures, and in accordance with the numbering adopted, an example of a preferred embodiment of the kitchen object of the invention can be observed, which comprises the parts and elements indicated and described in detail below.

[28] Thus, as can be seen in these figures, the mobile kitchen in question comprises a set of yearbooks (1) of high type, that is, those located in the upper part of the kitchen, each of which has its corresponding door (2), being constituted, as shown in the figure 2, by three external boards (3) that make up a fixed external box, inside which a movable inner body (4) fits, laterally having a sliding guide system (5) complemented with the guides (5 ') provided laterally inside the outer box (3), which will direct the downward and forward movement of the inner body (4), in whose displacement, the casters (6) provided in its upper part will cause the door to open (2) , fixed articulated by its upper part to the fixed outer box (3).

[29] Figure 3 shows a variant in which four external panels form a fixed external box (103), inside which a movable inner body (104) fits, laterally having a sliding guide system (105) complemented with the guides (105 ') provided laterally inside the fixed external box (103), which will direct the downward and forward movement of the inner body (104), in whose displacement, the casters (106) provided in its upper side part will cause the opening of the door (102), fixedly articulated by its upper part, by means of a lift (111), to the fixed external box (103).

[30] The cabinet (1) has, for the realization of said displacement of the inner body

(4), with a roller (7) fixed internally to the aforementioned external box (3) which is associated with a motor (8) having a drag band (9) of high resistance, the mechanism being driven through of a remote control (not shown) specially programmed for this purpose.

[31] In certain cases, in which the inner drawer (4) houses elements of greater weight or volume, such as a microwave (10) or similar, the cabinet (1) incorporates a second thrust motor (25) that separates initially the door (2) of the outer box (3) facilitating the lowering of the inner body (4). Alternatively, as shown in Figure 3, the door (102) incorporates cams (113), which initially separate said door (102) from the fixed outer box (103), facilitating the descent of the movable inner body (104).

[32] As can be seen in Figure 2, optionally, said inner body (4) can incorporate an accessory (11) suitable for attaching different small appliances to it.

[33] In Figure 2 it is observed that each cabinet (1) also has a safety system consisting of two metal plates (12) and (13), located in its lower part, of which the upper plate (12 ) It is directly screwed to the inner body (4) and the lower plate (13) has a series of lateral holes (14), which are used for fastening to the body (4), by means of screws used to actuate the safety mechanism, since said holes (14) are slightly larger than the screw, which provides a clearance between the plates (12) and (13). If the mechanism, when lowering the body (4) encounters an obstacle, the lower plate (13) will make contact with the upper plate (12) by closing an electrical circuit connected to the motor (8), and therefore, by activating the mechanism of safety that will reverse the direction of rotation of the drag band (9) causing the body (4) to rise again.

[34] Figure 3 shows a variant of the security system for cabinets, in which each cabinet has a security system consisting of a sensitive membrane (112). If the mechanism, when lowering the movable inner body (104), encounters an obstacle, the sensitive membrane (112) will make an internal contact, closing an electrical circuit connected to the motor (108) and, therefore, activating the safety mechanism , which will stop, first of all, the downward movement, to reverse it in a few seconds and bring the moving inner body (104) to its original position.

[35] Additionally, both in the modality of Figure 2 and in the alternative of Figure 3, and in case of failure of the safety system by contact of the plates (12,13), or in the case of the sensitive membrane (112), the engine (8,108) that moves each inner body (4,104) pulls said inner body (4,104) when it rises, but instead does not push the inner body when it drops; This is achieved by joining the motor with the inner body by means of the high resistance drag band (9,109) mentioned above which will be highly flexible even against opposing forces (the engine thrust and the resistance of the body or object intercepted) located from its plane.

[36] For its part, as can be seen in Figure 1 and in greater detail in Figure 4, the invention also includes a mobile worktop (15), consisting of a board or table (16) that ascends and descends by means of a motor (not shown) driven in the same way by a remote control programmed for this purpose.

[37] Said counter (16) is arranged on a metal structure (17) which is provided with a security system consisting of a metal sheet (18) located at its front and fixed to it by means of screwing; and on which there is another sheet (19) fixed to it by means of screws inserted in the holes (20) of which the sheet (18) is provided, which are larger than them so that there is a certain clearance between them. Thus, in the movement of descent of the table (16), if the previous plate (19) encounters an obstacle, it rises and activates the safety mechanism by means of a limit switch or switch that will stop the movement of the motor.

[38] The table (16) also has at least one photoelectric cell (21) and a reflector (22) arranged on its sides as additional safety elements.

[39] It should be noted that the structure (17), on which it is supported and fixed by screws

(23) the table (16), in which the plate and the sink can also be installed, in which case they will have the corresponding flexible connections that allow their movement, it has other leveling screws (24) for its correct installation .

[40] The flexible connections are the sink drain connections and the connections to domestic water connections (hot and cold), to allow the countertop to move.

[41] Alternatively, as shown in Figure 5, the mobile worktop or table is constituted by a decorative board or table (216), which ascends and descends by means of motorized legs (226), operating it by means of buttons (227) and, optionally, a remote control, programmed for this purpose.

[42] Said decorative table (216) is arranged on a metal structure

(228). This table has a sensor system (230), which stops the movement of it by finding an obstacle in its downward path. This is achieved because the sensors have a transmitter that sends a beam of light to a receiver and, when this beam is interrupted, it acts and the movement stops.

[43] The motorized legs (226), which operate the countertop, are covered by telescopic covers (229,229 '), of the same decorative material, arranged in two parts by motorized leg (226), so that they can travel the same distance as is.

[44] Each motorized leg (226) is fastened with the following fasteners: fixing plate with leveling (233), anchored to the metal structure (228) by means of leveling screws (231) and fixing (232); floor fixing plate (234); and side fixing bracket (235).

[45] The safety system of the counter, in any of the alternatives of figures 4 or 5, in case of detecting any anomaly, causes the countertop to stop working, always giving priority to safety over operation.

Claims

[1] Mobile kitchen with adaptable accessibility, of the type consisting of a set of cabinets, furniture and elements located in a room, characterized in that it comprises a set of high-type cabinets, equipped with means that allow the door to be opened and lowered. of its internal part or interior body by means of a motor driven by a remote control programmed for this purpose, having a contact safety mechanism whose activation reverses the downward movement and raises the interior body of the cabinet to its place; also comprising a mobile countertop or work table, consisting of a board or countertop that ascends and descends by means of a motor driven in the same way by a remote control programmed for this purpose, which has a contact safety system that stops the downward movement.

[2] Mobile kitchen with adaptable accessibility, according to claim 1, characterized in that each of the cabinets (1) is made up of three external boards (3) that make up a fixed external box, inside which the mobile interior body (3) fits. 4), laterally having a system of sliding guides (5) complemented by the guides (5') provided laterally inside the external box (3), which direct the downward and forward movement of the inner drawer (4). ), in whose movement, the wheels (6) provided in its upper part cause the opening of the door (2), articulatedly fixed by its upper part to the fixed outer box (3).

[3] Mobile kitchen with adaptable accessibility, according to claim 1, characterized in that each of the cabinets (101) is made up of four external boards (103) that make up a fixed external box, inside which the mobile interior body (103) fits. 104), laterally having a system of sliding guides (105) complemented by the guides (105') provided laterally inside the external box (103), which direct the downward and forward movement of the mobile body (104). ), in which movement, the wheels (106) provided in the upper lateral part of said mobile interior body (104) cause the opening of the door (102), articulatedly fixed by its upper part, by means of a lifting compass (111), to the fixed external box (103).

[4] Mobile kitchen with adaptable accessibility, according to any of the previous claims, characterized in that to carry out the movement of the interior body (4,104), the cabinet has a roller (7,107) fixed internally to the external box (3,103), which is associated with the motor (8,108) having a high resistance drag band (9,109).

[5] Mobile kitchen with adaptable accessibility, according to the previous claim, characterized in that said high-resistance drag band (9,109) is highly flexible even in the face of opposing forces located in its plane.

[6] Mobile kitchen with adaptable accessibility, according to any of the previous claims, characterized in that the cabinet (1) incorporates a second push motor (25) that initially separates the door (2) from the external box (3), facilitating the lowering of the interior body (4) when it incorporates elements of greater weight or volume, such as a microwave (10).

[7] Mobile kitchen with adaptable accessibility, according to any of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the door (102) incorporates in its upper internal part some cams (113) that initially separate it from the external box (103), facilitating the descent of the inner body (104).

[8] Mobile kitchen with adaptable accessibility, according to any of the previous claims, characterized in that the security system it incorporates is made up of two metal sheets (12,13), located in its lower part, of which, the upper sheet ( 12) is directly screwed to the inner body (4) and the lower plate (13) has a series of side holes (14), which are used for fastening to the body (4), using screws; in which said holes (14) are slightly larger than the screw, which provides clearance between the plates (12) and (13), making contact when bumping into an obstacle.

[9] Mobile kitchen with adaptable accessibility, according to any of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the security system it incorporates is constituted by a sensitive membrane (112) located in the lower part of the interior body (104).

[10] Mobile kitchen with adaptable accessibility, according to any of the previous claims, characterized in that said interior body (4) incorporates an accessory (11) suitable for attaching different small appliances to it.

[11] Mobile kitchen with adaptable accessibility, according to claim 1, characterized in that the countertop (16) is arranged on a metal structure (17) which is provided with a security system consisting of a metal sheet (18) located in its front part and fixed to it by screwing, on which there is another sheet (19) fixed to it by means of screws inserted in the holes (20) with which the sheet (18) is provided, which are of a larger dimension than theirs. so that there is a certain amount of slack between the two, colliding when bumping into an obstacle.

[12] Mobile kitchen with adaptable accessibility, according to claims 1 and 11, ca- characterized because the counter (16) also has at least one photoelectric cell (21) and a reflector (22) arranged on its sides as additional safety elements.

[13] Mobile kitchen with adaptable accessibility, according to claims 1, 11 and 12, characterized in that the structure (17), on which the countertop (16) is supported and fixed by means of screws (23), has other leveling screws. (24) for correct installation.

[14] Mobile kitchen with adaptable accessibility, according to claim 1, characterized in that the counter (216) is arranged on a metal structure (228) that incorporates a security system consisting of sensors (230).

[15] Mobile kitchen with adaptable accessibility, according to the previous claim, characterized in that the countertop and the metal structure are powered by motorized legs (226) covered by telescopic covers (229,229') arranged in two parts for each leg. Said telescopic legs are anchored by their upper part to the metal structure (228) by means of a fixing plate with leveling (233) and with some leveling screws (231) and fixing (232), by their lower part they are anchored by a plate fixing to the ground (234), and laterally they can be anchored with a lateral fixing square (235).

[16] Mobile kitchen with adaptable accessibility, according to any of claims 11 to 15, characterized in that the heating plate and the sink are installed on the counter, which have flexible connections.