A WARDROBE APPARATUS

Abstract

A wardrobe apparatus comprising a body supporting a rail, a frame, and a movement mechanism, wherein the actuation means is arranged to move the rail vertically from a first position distal the frame to a second position proximate the frame.

Claims

1-25 (canceled)

26. A wardrobe apparatus which in a retracted position is received in an insulated casket that is located in a space in a loft, and in deployed position is lowered into a room below the loft, the wardrobe apparatus comprising: a wardrobe body including a clothes rail; a frame fixed to or supported by a joist or beam in the loft, the frame defines an opening into the loft; at least one drive motor configured to lower and raise the wardrobe body vertically; a plurality of hangers operably engageable with the clothes rail; and an actuator configured to rotate the plurality of hangers with respect to the clothes rail during movement between the raised and lowered positions, so as to enable the plurality of hangers to pass through the opening.

27. The wardrobe apparatus according to claim 26, wherein the plurality of hangers are linked together so that all the plurality of hangers rotate simultaneously.

28. The wardrobe apparatus according to claim 27, wherein the actuator includes a second motor and belt drive configured to rotate the hangers.

29. The wardrobe apparatus according to claim 28, wherein at least one of the at least one drive motor and the second motor is powered by one or more batteries.

30. The wardrobe apparatus according to claim 29, wherein the batteries are rechargeable and are fitted to the wardrobe body and move with the wardrobe body, and wherein the wardrobe body further comprises connectors in operable communication with the batteries and are arranged to contact a connection in the loft so that the batteries recharge when the wardrobe body is returned to the space in the loft in the retracted position.

31. The wardrobe apparatus according to claim 26, wherein the wardrobe body includes at least one shelf, at least one storage drawer, or at least one shelf and at least one storage drawer.

32. The wardrobe apparatus according to claim 26 further comprises a tension sensor configured to sense reduced tension in a cable operably associated with the at least one drive motor and halts the at least one drive motor.

33. The wardrobe apparatus according to claim 32 further comprises a controller that is operable to reverse the at least one drive motor to retract the cable when slackening is sensed by the tension sensor so that the wardrobe body is suspended a distance above a floor or other surface.

34. The wardrobe apparatus according to claim 26 further comprises a bar configured to spread a load of the wardrobe apparatus across or along one or more joists or rafters.

35. The wardrobe apparatus according to claim 26 further comprises one or more proximity sensors provided on the wardrobe body.

36. The wardrobe apparatus according to claim 35, wherein the, or each, proximity sensor includes an ultra-sonic or an infra-red sensor and the proximity sensor is operable to send a signal to a controller which halts the at least drive motor and thereby stops lowering of the wardrobe body to prevent a collision.

37. The wardrobe apparatus according to claim 26 further comprises: a Bluetooth or a short range radio frequency transceiver that is configured or configurable to communicate with a handheld remote control device; and a controller configured or configurable so that a signal received form the handheld remote control device controls a level of lighting, or the volume of an audio device or select a channel to be displayed on a display screen.

38. The wardrobe apparatus according to claim 26 further comprises a heated towel rail powered via a retracting mains cable, and includes an automatic switch configured to isolate power to the heated towel rail when the wardrobe body is retracted into the loft.

39. The wardrobe apparatus according to claim 26 further comprising: a light located in one face of the wardrobe body, wherein the light has a touch sensitive switch or is automatically operated by at least one switch associated with the light as the wardrobe body is lowered or raised; audio speakers; or a screen provided on at least one side or face of the wardrobe body.

40. The wardrobe apparatus according to claim 26, wherein the opening in the loft where the wardrobe body is received, includes a flexible, resiliently deformable lip that is formed from a synthetic rubber material which contacts sides of the wardrobe body and provides a seal around a base of the wardrobe body when the wardrobe body is retracted into the loft space.

41. The wardrobe apparatus according to claim 26, wherein the clothes rail includes an elongate triangular cover section with a lowermost flattened tip slot extended from a topmost rectangular peripheral base.

42. The wardrobe apparatus according to claim 42, wherein each of the plurality of hangers is associated with a collar that is supported by the flattened tip slot of the clothes rail.

43. The wardrobe apparatus according to claim 43, wherein the actuator includes a second motor configured to drive a toothed belt, and the collar associated with each of the plurality of hangers includes exterior teeth engageable with the tooth belt and is configured to rotate the collar in relation to the clothes rail.

44. The wardrobe apparatus according to claim 43, wherein the collar includes a rotatable boss defining a T shaped slot, the T shaped slot is configured to receive a T shaped top corner of the plurality of hangers, respectively, so that the plurality of hangers are rotatable with and removable from the collar, respectively.

45. The wardrobe apparatus according to claim 26 further comprises a lifting frame associated with the frame, the lifting frame includes a longitudinal central rod in operable association with the at least one drive motor to rotate the central rod, and at least two orthogonal extending arms located at either end of the central rod, wherein ends of the orthogonal extending arms are configured to direct a cable or portion thereof toward the central rod for winding or unwinding of the cable.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

[0047] FIG. 1 shows an isometric view of an embodiment of the apparatus according to the present invention, in a first position;

[0048] FIG. 2 shows a reverse isometric view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, in a second position;

[0049] FIG. 3 shows an isometric view pf the embodiment as shown in FIG. 2;

[0050] FIG. 4 shows a reverse isometric view of the embodiment as shown in FIG. 1;

[0051] FIG. 5 shows an end view of the embodiment as shown in FIG. 1;

[0052] FIG. 6 shows a side view of the embodiment as shown in FIG. 1;

[0053] FIG. 7 show isometric views of internal parts of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1;

[0054] FIG. 8 show isometric views of hanger parts of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1;

[0055] FIG. 9 shows a reverse isometric view of a rail part of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1;

[0056] FIG. 10 shows an isometric view of the rail part shown in FIG. 9;

[0057] FIG. 11 shows an exploded isometric view of the embodiment shown in Figure; and

[0058] FIGS. 12 to 14 show sketch views of further embodiments of the apparatus according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

[0059] With reference to the Figures there is shown an embodiment of the apparatus comprising wardrobe body 3 supporting a clothes rail 2, a frame 31, and an actuation means. The actuation means is arranged to move the rail 2 vertically from a first position distal the frame 1 to a second position proximate the frame 31.

[0060] The frame 31 supports and comprises a housing 10, 12, 14 and is rectangular in plan, such that the housing comprises two long sides 12 extending upwards, joined by two ends 11 and a top 10.

[0061] The rail 2 is supported in a body 3, which in the second position is covered by a plate 24, which may be used to hide the apparatus in use, for example comprising a paintable surface, which overlaps and fits into the ceiling plastering.

[0062] The housing is arranged to be inserted in a loft or attic space and fit between rafters. The rail is provided on and supported by the wardrobe body 3 which comprises two sides 23 and a top 21.

[0063] The housing comprises sheets of aluminium or mild steel. The structure is formed by braced skeleton panels 15. A displaceable hatch 13 allows access to the motor 35 or winch monarchism.

[0064] Four rafter support portions 16 extend from the lowest corners of the housing to engage the ceiling 100, or rafters 105, and have screw fastenings or are fastened by way of steel braces (not shown).

[0065] The sides 12 of the housing further comprise sprung lock tabs 14, which tabs 14 extend inwards from the sides 12 so as to engage the body 3 when the rail 2 is in the second (raised or stowed) position.

[0066] The actuation means comprises a winch 35 and flexible support members 30.

[0067] The support members are four stainless steel multi-braid cables 30. The frame 31 comprises a longitudinal central rod 32 in the top 10 of the housing. The rod 31 has a winch motor 35 at one of its ends, which turns the rod 32. At either end of the rod 32 the frame 31 comprises two pulleys 34 or orthogonal extending arms 33. The central part of the pulley arms comprises a cable contact sleeve 36.

[0068] The cable contact sleeve 36 provides a resiliently deformable surface with sufficient friction to enable the cable to be easily wound round. Alternatively two, three or four separate motors may be used.

[0069] The cable members 30 are arranged in the corners of the frame 31 and housing. The cable members 30 comprise two lengths of cable at either end of the frame 31. The two lengths of cable are in contact with the sleeve 36, and are arranged to wind about the sleeve 36 when the rod 32 is rotated by the motor 35, in order to shorten the members 30, and accordingly move the body to the second higher position, or release the body to descend under gravity to the first position, as appropriate.

[0070] The rail comprises an elongate triangular cover section 26, with a lowermost flattened tip slot 37 extended from a topmost rectangular peripheral base 21 supporting a line of spaced apart collars 23 for the hangers 20.

[0071] The hangers 20 are semi-permanently secured on the rail. The hangers are in the form of triangular wires with a topmost corner comprising a rail securement means, which means comprises a collar 23 and a wire hanger, wherein the wire hanger has a T shaped top corner 28, interfaced in use with a T shaped slot 27 in a rotatable boss extending below the collar 23. In this way the hanger may be easily rotated for removal from the boss as 27 required.

[0072] Due to the narrow span between rafters, the hangers are arranged to rotate 60 as the rail is raised and lowered. A small motor 62 (FIG. 10) is linked to a toothed belt 37 which rotates the collar teeth and facilitates this movement.

[0073] The body further comprises storage compartments 25 and a drawer 22 which provides storage options at the bottom end of the body.

[0074] The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention as defined by the claims. For example different types of fascia may be provided on an interior or exterior of the wardrobe body, including mirrored or polished surfaces. In addition devices incorporated onto the wardrobe body include: a safe and/or a fan each of which may also be wireless controlled.