Retractable step stool/access device

Abstract

A retractable step stool assembly for assisting a person in elevating him or herself above a floor includes a base member, a step stool member which in an upright position has a generally horizontal platform surface and two side members which depend downwardly from opposite ends of the platform surface, and an arm assembly which is configured to pivotally connect the step stool member to the base member for movement of the step stool member between a stored position in which the step stool member is positioned over the base member to a deployed position in which the step stool member is positioned on the floor in front of the base member. The arm assembly is configured such that the platform surface remains generally horizontal during movement of the step stool member between the stored position and the deployed position. The step stool member includes an upwardly directed foot-engaging member which is engageable by the bottom of the person's foot and is configured to transfer at least an initial downwardly directed force from the person's foot into movement of the step stool member from the stored position toward the deployed position. In this manner, the person can move the step stool member from the stored position to the deployed position by engaging the foot-engaging member with only his or her foot.

Claims

1. A retractable step stool assembly for assisting a person in elevating him or herself above a floor, the step stool assembly comprising: a base member; a step stool member which comprises a generally horizontal platform surface and two side members which depend downwardly from opposite ends of the platform surface; and an arm assembly which is configured to pivotally connect the step stool member to the base member for movement of the step stool member between a stored position in which the step stool member is positioned over the base member and a deployed position in which the step stool member is positioned on the floor in front of the base member, the arm assembly being configured such that the platform surface remains generally horizontal during movement of the step stool member between the stored position and the deployed position; wherein the step stool member comprises a vertically upwardly directed foot-engaging member which is spaced apart from and located vertically below the platform surface, and wherein the arm assembly and the foot-engaging member are together configured to transfer at least an initial vertically downwardly directed force from a person's foot into movement of the step stool member from the stored position toward the deployed position; whereby the person can move the step stool member from the stored position to the deployed position by engaging the foot-engaging member with only the foot; wherein the arm assembly comprises at least a first arm member which is pivotally connected to the base member at a first location and to the step stool member at a second location, and wherein when the step stool member is in the stored position, a line extending between the first and second locations is oriented at an angle of less than 90 relative to horizontal as measured from a location in front of the base member; wherein the arm assembly comprises at least a second arm member which is pivotally connected between the base member and the step stool member and, when the step stool assembly is viewed in profile with the step stool member in the deployed position, the first arm member is spaced above and oriented generally parallel to the second arm member; and wherein the first arm member comprises a generally U-shaped configuration having a middle portion which is pivotally connected directly to the base member and two end portions which are pivotally connected to opposite sides of the step stool member.

2. The step stool assembly of claim 1, wherein the second arm member comprises a generally U-shaped configuration having a middle portion which is pivotally connected to the base member and two end portions which are pivotally connected to the opposite sides of the step stool member.

3. The step stool assembly of claim 1, wherein the second arm member comprises a first end which is pivotally connected to the base member and a second end which is pivotally connected to the step stool member.

4. A retractable step stool assembly for assisting a person in elevating him or herself above a floor, the step stool assembly comprising: a base member; a step stool member which comprises a generally horizontal platform surface and two side members which depend downwardly from opposite ends of the platform surface; and an arm assembly which is configured to pivotally connect the step stool member to the base member for movement of the step stool member between a stored position in which the step stool member is positioned over the base member and a deployed position in which the step stool member is positioned on the floor in front of the base member, the arm assembly being configured such that the platform surface remains generally horizontal during movement of the step stool member between the stored position and the deployed position; wherein the step stool member comprises a vertically upwardly directed foot-engaging member which is spaced apart from and located vertically below the platform surface, and wherein the arm assembly and the foot-engaging member are together configured to transfer at least an initial vertically downwardly directed force from a person's foot into movement of the step stool member from the stored position toward the deployed position; whereby the person can move the step stool member from the stored position to the deployed position by engaging the foot-engaging member with only the foot; wherein the arm assembly comprises at least a first arm member which is pivotally connected to the base member at a first location and to the step stool member at a second location, and wherein when the step stool member is in the stored position, a line extending between the first and second locations is oriented at an angle of less than 90 relative to horizontal as measured from a location in front of the base member; wherein the step stool assembly further comprises means for generating a force on the step stool member which acts in the direction of movement of the step stool member from the deployed position to the stored position, said force generating means being connected between the first arm member and one of the base member and the step stool member; and wherein the first arm member comprises a generally U-shaped configuration having a middle portion which is pivotally connected directly to the base member and two end portions which are pivotally connected to opposite sides of the step stool member, and wherein the means for generating a force on the step stool member comprises a torsion spring which is connected between the base member and the middle portion of the first arm member.

5. A retractable step stool assembly for assisting a person in elevating him or herself above a floor, the step stool assembly comprising: a base member; a step stool member which comprises a generally horizontal platform surface and two side members which depend downwardly from opposite ends of the platform surface; and an arm assembly which is configured to pivotally connect the step stool member to the base member for movement of the step stool member between a stored position in which the step stool member is positioned over the base member and a deployed position in which the step stool member is positioned on the floor in front of the base member, the arm assembly being configured such that the platform surface remains generally horizontal during movement of the step stool member between the stored position and the deployed position; wherein the step stool member comprises a vertically upwardly directed foot-engaging member which is spaced apart from and located vertically below the platform surface, and wherein the arm assembly and the foot-engaging member are together configured to transfer at least an initial vertically downwardly directed force from a person's foot into movement of the step stool member from the stored position toward the deployed position; whereby the person can move the step stool member from the stored position to the deployed position by engaging the foot-engaging member with only the foot; wherein the arm assembly comprises at least a first arm member which is pivotally connected to the base member at a first location and to the step stool member at a second location, and wherein when the step stool member is in the stored position, a line extending between the first and second locations is oriented at an angle of less than 90 relative to horizontal as measured from a location in front of the base member; wherein the step stool assembly further comprises means for generating a force on the step stool member which acts in the direction of movement of the step stool member from the deployed position to the stored position, said force generating means being connected between the first arm member and one of the base member and the step stool member; wherein the means for generating a force on the step stool member comprises a gas spring; and wherein the first arm member comprises a generally U-shaped configuration having a middle portion which is pivotally connected directly to the base member and two end portions which are pivotally connected to opposite sides of the step stool member, and wherein the gas spring comprises a first end which is pivotally connected to the base member and a second end which is pivotally connected to a linkage that in turn is fixedly connected to the middle portion of the first arm member.

6. A retractable step stool assembly for assisting a person in elevating him or herself above a floor, the step stool assembly comprising: a base member; a step stool member which comprises a generally horizontal platform surface and two side members which depend downwardly from opposite ends of the platform surface; and an arm assembly which is configured to pivotally connect the step stool member to the base member for movement of the step stool member between a stored position in which the step stool member is positioned over the base member and a deployed position in which the step stool member is positioned on the floor in front of the base member, the arm assembly being configured such that the platform surface remains generally horizontal during movement of the step stool member between the stored position and the deployed position; wherein the step stool member comprises a vertically upwardly directed foot-engaging member which is spaced apart from and located vertically below the platform surface, and wherein the arm assembly and the foot-engaging member are together configured to transfer at least an initial vertically downwardly directed force from a person's foot into movement of the step stool member from the stored position toward the deployed position; whereby the person can move the step stool member from the stored position to the deployed position by engaging the foot-engaging member with only the foot; wherein the arm assembly comprises at least a first arm member which is pivotally connected to the base member at a first location and to the step stool member at a second location, and wherein when the step stool member is in the stored position, a line extending between the first and second locations is oriented at an angle of less than 90 relative to horizontal as measured from a location in front of the base member; wherein the step stool assembly further comprises means for generating a force on the step stool member which acts in the direction of movement of the step stool member from the deployed position to the stored position, said force generating means being connected between the first arm member and one of the base member and the step stool member; and wherein the step stool assembly further comprises a latch mechanism which is configured to retain the step stool member in the deployed position when the step stool member is moved from the stored position to the deployed position and then release the step stool member to move back to the stored position after the person steps onto and then off of the step stool member.

7. The step stool assembly of claim 6, wherein the latch mechanism is mounted to one of the side members and, when the step stool member is moved from the stored position to the deployed position, is engageable by a hook member which is connected to a corresponding end portion of the first arm member.

8. The step stool assembly of claim 6, wherein the foot engaging member comprises a foot bar which is connected between the side members.

9. The step stool assembly of claim 6, wherein the base member is configured to be mounted to the floor.

10. The step stool assembly of claim 6, wherein the base member is configured to be mounted to a wall which extends generally vertically from the floor.

11. The step stool assembly of claim 6, wherein the arm assembly comprises at least a second arm member which is pivotally connected between the base member and the step stool member and, when the step stool assembly is viewed in profile with the step stool member in the deployed position, the first arm member is spaced above and oriented generally parallel to the second arm member.

12. The step stool assembly of claim 6, wherein the means for generating a force on the step stool member comprises a gas spring.

13. The step stool assembly of claim 12, wherein the gas spring comprises a first end which is pivotally connected to the base member and a second end which is pivotally connected to the first arm member.

14. A retractable step stool assembly for assisting a person in elevating him or herself above a floor, the step stool assembly comprising: a base member; a step stool member which comprises a generally horizontal platform surface and two side members which depend downwardly from opposite ends of the platform surface; and an arm assembly which is configured to pivotally connect the step stool member to the base member for movement of the step stool member between a stored position in which the step stool member is positioned over the base member and a deployed position in which the step stool member is positioned on the floor in front of the base member, the arm assembly being configured such that the platform surface remains generally horizontal during movement of the step stool member between the stored position and the deployed position; wherein the step stool member comprises a vertically upwardly directed foot-engaging member which is spaced apart from and located vertically below the platform surface, and wherein the arm assembly and the foot-engaging member are together configured to transfer at least an initial vertically downwardly directed force from a person's foot into movement of the step stool member from the stored position toward the deployed position; whereby the person can move the step stool member from the stored position to the deployed position by engaging the foot-engaging member with only the foot; wherein the arm assembly comprises at least a first arm member which is pivotally connected to the base member at a first location and to the step stool member at a second location, and wherein when the step stool member is in the stored position, a line extending between the first and second locations is oriented at an angle of less than 90 relative to horizontal as measured from a location in front of the base member; and wherein the first arm member comprises a generally U-shaped configuration having a middle portion which is pivotally connected to the base member and two end portions which are connected to opposite sides of the step stool member.

15. The step stool assembly of claim 14, wherein the foot engaging member comprises a foot bar which is connected between the side members.

16. The step stool assembly of claim 14, wherein the base member is configured to be mounted to the floor.

17. The step stool assembly of claim 14, wherein the base member is configured to be mounted to a wall which extends generally vertically from the floor.

18. The step stool assembly of claim 14, further comprising means for generating a force on the step stool member which acts in the direction of movement of the step stool member from the deployed position to the stored position, said force generating means being connected between the first arm member and one of the base member and the step stool member.

19. The step stool assembly of claim 18, wherein the means for generating a force on the step stool member comprises a gas spring.

20. The step stool assembly of claim 19, wherein the gas spring comprises a first end which is pivotally connected to the base member and a second end which is pivotally connected to the first arm member.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) In the following drawings, which form a part of the specification and which are to be construed in conjunction therewith, and in which like reference numerals have been employed throughout wherever possible to indicate like parts in various views:

(2) FIG. 1 is a right side elevation view of version 1 mounted in a cabinet showing the retractable step stool/access device in a lowered deployed position.

(3) FIG. 2 is a perspective view of version 1 mounted in a cabinet showing the retractable step stool/access device in a lowered deployed position.

(4) FIG. 3 is a right side elevation view of version 2 mounted in a cabinet showing the retractable step stool/access device in a lowered deployed position.

(5) FIG. 4 is a perspective view of version 2 mounted in a cabinet showing the retractable step stool/access device in a lowered deployed position.

(6) FIG. 5 is a right side elevation view of version 3 mounted to a wall showing the retractable step stool/access device in a raised stored position.

(7) FIG. 6 is a perspective view of version 3 mounted to a wall showing the retractable step stool/access device in a raised stored position.

(8) FIG. 7 is a right side elevation view of version 4 mounted to the floor showing the retractable step stool/access device in a raised stored position.

(9) FIG. 8 is a perspective view of version 4 mounted to the floor showing the retractable step stool/access device in a raised stored position.

(10) FIG. 9 is a side elevation view showing a small person deploying/restoring version 1-2 of the step stool/access device.

(11) FIG. 10 is a side elevation view showing a small person deploying/restoring version 3-4 of the step stool/access device.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(12) With reference to the drawings:

(13) FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate version 1 mounted within a cabinet C resting upon a floor F. The retractable step stool/access device assembly A, includes base storage tray 11 and step stool 12. Base storage tray 11 and step stool 12 are constructed of rigid material and are generally rectangular in shape. Step stool 12 has a top step platform with a down turning forward lip 15, and an open front and rear with two opposed supporting sides. Base storage tray 11 and step stool 12 are connected by means of formed rod members, lower arm 13, essentially in a U-shape, and upper arm 14, both preferably made of steel. Lower arm 13 is pivotally connected to the forward edge of base 11 with the ends of the right and left upper portions of the U-shaped arm 13 turning outward and inserting into two holes located on the interior surfaces of the opposed sides of step stool 12. The singular upper arm 14 is pivotally connected to one side of the base storage tray 11 and extends to a pivotal connection point within the interior of step stool 12. As depicted in FIG. 9, a child can, by placing the toe of the foot under lip 15 lift step stool 12 from the stored position over base storage tray 11, move step stool 12 through an arc that is guided by lower arm 13 and upper arm 14 and bring step stool 12 to rest on floor F. After using step stool 12 to gain the necessary height/reach advantage, step stool 12 is returned to the stowed position over base storage tray 11 by again using the foot.

(14) FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate a second version of the invention. In this version positioning of the step stool 12 between the stored position and the deployed position is assisted by mechanical energy stored in torsion spring 16. Torsion spring 16 is attached underneath the top step surface of step stool 12, at the rearward edge, while also being pivotally connected to the upper arm 14 at one end with the other end of arm 14 being pivotally connected to a centrally located divider wall in the interior of the base storage tray 11. Deployment and retraction of step stool 12 is done with the foot in the same fashion as before but with less effort due to the assist from the energy stored in the torsion spring 16. FIGS. 5 and 6 show a third variation of the invention. This variant of the retractable step stool/access device assembly A is generally comprised of a step stool 12 and a hybrid base 17. The hybrid base 17 can be mounted to a floor F or mounted to an upright structural wall W. Step stool 12 is pivotally coupled to hybrid base 17 by an extended U-shaped lower arm 18 and an extended U-shaped upper arm 19. The lower sections of extended arms 18 and 19 are contained within and pass through holes located in the right and left opposed sides of hybrid base 17. The upper ends of extended arms 18 and 19 turn outboard and insert into holes located in the inside surfaces of the supporting sides of step stool 12. Step stool 12 is lowered to floor F by placing a foot upon and pressing downward on foot bar 20, which is connected to step stool 12 at the lower forward corners. Torsion spring 16 is connected to the lower portion of lower extended arm 18 to provide stored mechanical energy to lift step stool 12 to the retracted position.

(15) As depicted in FIG. 10, a child can place a foot over bar 20 and press downward to move the stepstool to the floor F. The stepstool 12 retracts to the stowed position due to the energy stored in the torsion spring 16.

(16) FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate a fourth version of the invention. In this version the retractable step stool/access device assembly A is comprised generally of a step stool 12 and a floor mount base 21. The floor mount base 21 is mounted to the floor F. Step stool 12 is pivotally attached to floor base 21 by lower extended arm 18 and upper singular extended arm 22. Lower extended arm 18 is generally U-shaped with the lower segment captured within and passing through holes located in the upper forward corners of the opposing right and left sides of the floor base 21. The upper ends of the extended arm 18 bend outward and are captured within holes located on the insides of the opposed right and left supporting sides of the step stool 12. The upper singular extended arm 22 is pivotally attached at one end to a lower bracket 23 which is attached to the floor base 21 at the rearward upper edge. The opposing end of the upper singular extended arm 22 is pivotally attached to an upper bracket 24 which is attached to the underside of the top step platform of step stool 12. A gas spring 25 is pivotally attached to the lower portion of the lower extended arm 18 and to a central bracket 26 which is connected at the lower inside surface to floor base 21. Mechanical energy stored within gas spring 25 is utilized to lift the step stool 12 to a retracted or stowed position. Additionally, a latch mechanism 27 may be utilized in conjunction with the gas spring 25 that would engage when the step stool 12 is pressed to the floor allowing a child to step up onto the step stool 12 without having to continue to press it to the floor. Upon stepping up onto the step stool 12, the latch 27 would disengage so that when the child stepped off of the step stool 12, the mechanical energy of the gas spring would retract the step stool 12 to a stowed position.