Movable cabinets

Abstract

A Highly Hung Vertically Moveable Cabinet (HHVMC) comprising a cabinet having a bottom and a top essentially parallel thereto; and an electrical motion system configured to allow movement of the cabinet to a predetermined distance of at least 500 mm in a first direction and in a second opposite direction. Both first direction and second direction being essentially normal to the cabinet bottom and top, and switches electrically coupled to the motion system, wired to allow selection of the movement in the first or second direction.

Claims

1. A Highly Hung Vertically Moveable Cabinet (HHVMC), comprising: a cabinet having a bottom and a top essentially parallel thereto; an electrical motion system including: a first bracket configured for attachment to a ceiling, a second bracket configured for attachment to said ceiling independently of said first bracket and an electric tubular motor for wrapping a curtain attached between the cabinet and said first bracket; said electrical motion system configured to move the cabinet to a predetermined distance of at least 500 mm in a first direction and in a second opposite direction, both first direction and second direction being essentially normal to the bottom and top; a retractable belt configured to remain attached between the cabinet and said second bracket independently from said tubular motor; said retractable belt passively extending and retracting as said cabinet is lowered and raised respectively; a brake attached to said retractable belt to stop said extending in response to a sudden increased movement; and switches coupled to the electrical motion system, to allow selection of movement in the first or second direction.

2. The HHVMC of claim 1, further comprising at least two telescopic rails positioned on opposite sides of the cabinet, said rails configured to extend as the cabinet is lowered and stabilize vertical movement of the cabinet and wherein in raised position said cabinet hides said telescopic rails from a viewer standing in front of said cabinet and wherein in a lowered position said cabinet and said curtain hide said telescopic rails from a viewer standing in front of said cabinet.

3. An HHVMC according to claim 1, shaped as a right angle triangular prism.

4. The HHVMCs according to claim 1, having a single said tubular motor and installed in structures selected from a group comprising warehouses, storehouses, exhibition halls and houses, wherein the cabinet comprises an array of cabinets positioned one next to another and attached together to be raised and lowered as a unit; and wherein said first and second brackets are attached proximal to ceiling areas in the structures.

5. The HHVMC according to claim 4, wherein structures comprise floors, and wherein the array of cabinets of the HHVMC is installed such that in a raised position a distance between the bottom and the floor is at least 1900 mm.

6. The HHVMC according to claim 1, which further comprises means to allow manually moving the cabinet the predetermined distance in at least one direction as a backup system.

7. Installing an array of HHVMCs according to claim 1, in built spaces selected from the group consisting of warehouses, storehouses, exhibition halls, etc., wherein the array of HHVMCs are installed one next to the other on ceiling areas in the built spaces and wherein the array of HHVMCs provides large storage volume in high zones of the built spaces.

8. The HHVMC of claim 1, wherein said retractable belt includes a mechanism configured for installation into a car as a safety belt.

9. The HHVMC of claim 1, further comprising: a groove in the top of the cabinet housing at least part of the tubular motor and at least part of the curtain behind storage space inside the cabinet when the cabinet is proximal to the ceiling.

10. A method comprising: installing a Highly Hung Vertically Moveable Cabinet (HHVMC) provided with an electrical motion system at an upper volume of a built space with some 1900 mm clearance between a bottom of the HHVMC and a floor of the built space, in an up most travel position of the HHVMC; providing at least two telescopic rails to stabilize vertical motion of the HHVMC; and lowering and lifting the HHVMC about 500 mm and more using the electrical motion system comprising a curtain, or at least one curtain used as a medium to lift and lower the HHVMC by wrapping/unwrapping around a tubular motor, housing at least part of the tubular motor and said at least part of said curtain in a groove in a top of the cabinet housing while the cabinet is proximal to a ceiling with said part of said curtain behind a portion of storage space in the cabinet; wherein the clearance enables installation above windows and doors in the built space; wherein the HHVMC has an aspect ratio higher than 1:1 to gain access to stored items in the HHVMC; stabilizing vertical movement of the cabinet with at least two telescopic rails positioned on opposite sides of the cabinet, said rails configured to extend as the cabinet is lowered; hiding said telescopic rails from a viewer standing in front of said cabinet with said cabinet when said cabinet is in a raised position; and hiding said telescopic rails from a viewer standing in front of said cabinet with cabinet and said curtain when said cabinet is in a lowered position.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the HHVMC is shaped as a right angle triangular prism with door/s at its hypotenuse, allowing good accessibility to stored items within the HHVMC, wherein the HHVMC is installed at vertical corners of the built space.

12. The method according to claim 10, further comprising means to allow manually moving the cabinet in at least one vertical direction as a backup system.

13. A Highly Hung Vertically Moveable Cabinet (HHVMC), comprising: a cabinet having a bottom and a top essentially parallel thereto; an electrical motion system including a tubular motor for wrapping a curtain attached between the cabinet and a ceiling configured to move the cabinet to a predetermined distance of at least 500 mm in a first direction and in a second opposite direction, both first direction and second direction being essentially normal to the bottom and top; switches coupled to the electrical motion system, to allow selection of a movement in the first or second direction; a groove in the top of the cabinet housing at least part of said tubular motor and a portion of said curtain behind storage space in the cabinet when the cabinet is proximal to the ceiling; and at least two telescopic rails positioned on opposite sides of the cabinet, said rails configured to extend as the cabinet is lowered and stabilize vertical movement of the cabinet and wherein in raised position said cabinet hides said telescopic rails from a viewer standing in front of said cabinet and wherein in a lowered position said cabinet and said curtain hide said telescopic rails from a viewer standing in front of said cabinet.

14. An HHVMC according to claim 13, wherein said cabinet is configured to fit into a SHAFT CORNER Movable Cabinet as an insert installed within a trapped volume of a corner kitchen cabinet.

15. A method of using a SHAFT CORNER Movable Cabinet according to claim 6, the method comprising: installing the SHAFT CORNER Movable Cabinet with the electrical motion system at a shaft formed by a kitchen room corner; lowering and lifting the SHAFT CORNER Movable Cabinet in a space under and behind the upper kitchen wall cabinets by the electrical motion system; and stabilizing the lowering and lifting with two or more telescopic rails.

16. The method according to claim 15, further comprising restraining dropping due to technical failure of the SHAFT CORNER Movable Cabinet with a retractable belt configured to remain attached between the cabinet and at least one of a wall and said ceiling of a built space independently from said tubular motor; said retractable belt passively extending and retracting as said cabinet is lowered and raised respectively and wherein said restraining is by a brake attached to said retractable belt to stop said extending in response to a sudden increased movement.

17. An HHVMC according to claim 13, shaped as a right angle triangular prism.

18. the HHVMC according to claim 13, having a single said tubular motor and installed in structures selected from a group comprising warehouses, storehouses, exhibition halls and houses, wherein the cabinet comprises an array of cabinets positioned one next to another and attached together to be raised and lowered as a unit.

19. The HHVMC according to claim 18, wherein structures comprise floors, and wherein the array of cabinets of the HHVMC is installed such that in the raised position a distance between the bottom and the floor is at least 1900 mm.

20. The HHVMC according to claim 13, which further comprises means to allow manually moving the cabinet the predetermined distance in at least one direction as a backup system.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

(1) Preferred embodiments, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention, are described herein in conjunction with the following drawings. In principle the drawings are drawn to scale, but not as a mandatory issue.

(2) All sizes are in millimeters.

(3) FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a room installed with a suggested HHVMC, in its upper position, above an opened window.

(4) FIG. 2 is a side sectional view of a suggested HHVMC. View A shows one embodiment, while views B and C depict a preferred embodiment in two different elevations.

(5) FIG. 3 is a sectional view through a prior art tubular motor assembly.

(6) FIG. 4 is a front perspective sectional view of a room installed with a preferred suggested embodiment for HHVMC, shown in its lower position

(7) FIG. 5 is a sectional view through the suggested embodiment of HHVMC from FIG. 4, in its lower position.

(8) FIG. 6 is a rear perspective view of a preferred suggested HHVMC embodiment in its lower position.

(9) FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a CORNER HHVMC at three elevation levels.

(10) FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a preferred suggested CORNER HHVMC application from two different points of view.

(11) FIG. 9 is a perspective view of prior art corner kitchen cabinets

(12) FIG. 10 shows four perspective views of an upper SCVMC embodiment coupled to prior art stationary upper corner kitchen cabinets

(13) FIG. 11 shows six perspective views of a lower SCVMC embodiment coupled to prior art stationary lower corner kitchen cabinets

(14) FIG. 12 depicts three perspective views of a retrofit kit installed on top of a regular cupboard.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

(15) The present invention will be understood from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments (best mode), which are meant to be descriptive and not limiting; for the sake of brevity, some well-known features, components, circuits, and so on, are not described in detail.

(16) FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a two door HHVMC (1) embodiment, installed above a window (2) with an opened window wing (3).

(17) Size 1900 represents a safe clearance for nearby people, allows installation above windows and doors and minimizes room overcrowding. Sizes 500 and 2000 depict a recommended large aspect ratio intended to gain maximal storage volume on one hand and an esthetic wall to wall installation; on the other hand, the demonstrated 1:8 aspect ratio should not be considered as an upper limit.

(18) To facilitate mobility trough gates, elevators, etc. the HHVMC may be made of modular pieces assembled each to other at the installation site; in the depicted case, each door represents a separate module; larger sizes HHVMCs may be split into more sub-units as needed.

(19) The motion system is not shown, but in any case it could hardly be seen, as it is hidden behind the HHVMC in looking at the HHVMC doors direction and among the HHVMC side walls and the room walls from other views directions.

(20) It should be noted that during the HHVMC motion, the wing window (3) must be fully closed or fully opened.

(21) FIG. 2 shows side sectional views of HHVMC installations above a window (2), comprising a window wing (3), a shutter (4), a shutter cover (5), an HHVMC shelf (6), and a motion system (7). In all cases the motion system (7) is installed above the HHVMC (1); In view A the motion system occupies the entire volume between the HHVMC and the ceiling; views B and C describe a preferred suggested case in two different elevation levels; with this embodiment the motion system (7) is installed within a groove, running all along the HHVMC roof width, thus allowing for a higher HHVMC and larger storage volume.

(22) To prevent collision with possibly installed objects on the wall, such as shutter cover (5), the suggested solution comprises a deliberate gap (8), between the HHVMC backside and the wall.

(23) FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a prior art tubular motor assembly (7). The assembly comprises a prior art tubular motor (8), an extendable tube (9), a thrust bearing (11) in between, and a cup fitting (12) at the end of extendable tube (9); numeral (10) is the tubular motor rotor, numerals (13) are coupling pins between extendable tube (9), rotor (10) and fitting cup (12); two switches (14) are used to set the rotational clockwise and counter clockwise ranges of the rotation.

(24) Tubular tube assembly (7) is installed into one side wall through holes (15), and to an opposite wall bearing via fitting cup (12).

(25) When electrically activated, rotor (10), extendable tube (9) and cup (12) rotate together round bearing (11) as one pivot, while the cup (12) serves as a second rotating pivot. In prior art, a shutter or a blind connected to the tube (9) wraps or unwraps in accordance with the rotation direction, in the novel suggested usage, a curtain or straps connected to tube (9) on one side and to HHVMC roof on the other side are used to vertically move the HHVMC, this method largely reduces possible cabinet deflections.

(26) FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of a suggested HHVMC, shown in a very lower posture, suitable for disabled persons or children, with one opened door and with a fully opened window in the background. It should be noticed that other type of doors could be applied; in addition, the interior of the HHVMC could be changed to drawers or shelves.

(27) The HHVMC is hung on a curtain (16), made of a sheet of reinforced fabric, this sheet caries the HHVMC while equally distributing the load and preventing large deflections, in addition the curtain hides the motion and the anti-fall safety systems (to be shown and explained with more details in later figures).

(28) FIG. 5 is a sectional view of previous FIG. 4; the cut goes through the room walls, HHVMC (1), tubular motor assembly (7) and curtain (16). In the background are seen: one of two consoles (17) carrying the tubular motor assembly (7), one of two consoles (18) carrying a retractable safety belt (19); one of two retractable safety belt wrapping mechanisms (21), and one of two telescopic rails (20) attached to console (18). More detailed explanation for this embodiment is given in conjunction with the following figures.

(29) The suggested HHVMC movement is guided by two telescopic rails (20), connected to consoles (18), (one pair of console and rail is hidden behind curtain (16)). Further detailed explanation for this embodiment is given in conjunction with the coming figure.

(30) FIG. 6 depicts a rear perspective view of the HHVMC from FIGS. 4 and 5, with the room wall removed.

(31) Curtain (16), is all along attached to extendable tube (9) of tubular motor assembly (7), on one side and to a groove in the HHVMC roof, on the other side; rotation of tube (9), due to the tubular motor action, wraps/unwraps curtain (16), hence lifts or lowers the HHVMC.

(32) As the HHVMC reaches the ceiling, tubular motor assemblies (7) together with the wrapped curtain (16) are entering the U shape groove opening, allowing for the HHVMC roof to almost touch the ceiling.

(33) A reversed installation is also possible, to say: tubular motor assembly (7) is installed within the U shaped groove, while 'curtain (16) is connected to the room ceiling; the minor drawbacks of this inversion are: the extra load on the motor that has to carry its own weight and in addition, the electrical supply cable to the motor, has to move together with the HHVMC (this reversed installation method is described later on, in conjunction with a CORNER HHVMC).

(34) Two retractable car safety belts (19), are connected to belts consoles (18), on one side and to the upper HHVMC vertical interior surface on the other side (belt retracting mechanism (21) is shown in FIG. 5); in normal action the two belts wrap/unwrap together with curtain (16), but, in case of a mechanical failure, causing the HHVMC to drop (for instance disengagement of console (17) from the room ceiling or wall), the retractable belts stop the sudden falling. Due to safety or room walls and ceiling strength considerations, each of the four consoles 2(17), (2)18, may be secured both to the wall and/or to the ceiling, furthermore, the safety retractable belts are installed on separate consoles (18), which unlike the other ones, are only lightly loaded during normal operation and thus do not suffer significant loads and have a good probability to deal with such a failure separately from a possible failure with consoles (17).

(35) FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a CORNER HHVMC (22) in three elevations levels. The suggested CORNER HHVMC has a shape of a right angle prism (triangular base and top) fitted to a room corner.

(36) This uncommon shape of CORNER HHVMC is applicable where only small to medium amount of extra storage volume is needed; and in view of esthetical considerations. As in the figure, the two arms of the prism are not necessarily equals (could be helpful to deal with existing obstructions on the walls). As for the HHVMC, the CORNER HHVMC is hung on a curtain (16) connected to prior art tubular motor assembly (7) and vertically guided by two telescopic rails (hidden by the CORNER HHVMC and the curtain in this figure). As in previous case, rotation of the tubular motor wraps/unwraps curtain (16) to lift and lower the CORNER HHVMC as needed. More detailed explanation for this embodiment is given in conjunction with the coming figure.

(37) FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a CORNER HHVMC (22) from two different points of view with the room walls and ceiling removed. The CORNER HHVMC is hung to the ceiling through curtain (16) with the aid of bar (23); a retractable safety belt (19) is also attached to the ceiling on different anchoring point; not like the embodiment showed for the HHVMC, tubular tube (7) is connected to a pouch in the roof unit (this is not a necessity, furthermore, as mentioned previously, this embodiment may be used for the HHVMC as well).

(38) FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a prior art, corner kitchen comprising upper level cabinets (30) and lower level cabinets (31), typical dimensions are shown as well. The heavy dotted marked area (32), represents a volume with a poor accessibility; for the lower corner cabinet case this problem is solved using door (33) together with rotating trays, using drawers and so on; for the upper case, drawers or trays solutions are not an option, due to the relatively high level; in many cases this volume is left unused, in other cases door manipulation enables using this volume, with a degraded accessibility, due to the high level and the deepness of this volume.

(39) The suggested solution for this case is a SHAFT CORNER HHVMC. It should be noted that this solutions may be extended to size A and B (and not only for the heavy dotted area mentioned earlier.

(40) Like the two previously described HHVMC and the CORNER HHVMC, the solution is based on the following building stones: Using prior art tubular motor assembly as a novel motion system. Using wrapping straps (rather than a curtain) as connecting elements to the tubular assembly motor. Using telescopic rails for vertically guiding the cabinet movement Using prior art retractable car safety belts as a novel anti drop means.

(41) FIG. 10 shows four perspective views of upper SCVMC (34), the installation is within the shaft formed by two upper corner cabinets which are part of upper stationary kitchen cabinet (30), and the room corner.

(42) Views A and B demonstrate the upper level position, while views C and D represent the lower one.

(43) Tubular motor assembly (7), is installed above the upper SCVMC (34), with one end attached to the wall of the nearby stationary cabinet (30), while the other end is installed to the room wall; strap (35) is wrapped/unwrapped on the tubular motor assembly (7), to lift and lower the upper SCVMC (34); two telescopic rail (20) guide the upper SCVMC (34) in a vertical route.

(44) Another installation option is hanging the tubular motor assembly (7) further higher, on top of cabinet (30) roof, thus more efficiently using the 700 mm height for storage volume; in this case, some esthetical price is involved, resulting from the visibility of the tubular motor assembly on top of stationary cabinets (30). One more installation option is to connect tubular motor assembly (7) to the roof of the upper SCVMC (34), in a similar way described in FIG. 8 for the CORNER HHVMC.

(45) Prior art switch (36) (used to operate shutters and blinds), is used for lifting and lowering SCVMCs (34) and other depicted HHVMCs.

(46) FIG. 11 shows six perspective views of upper SCVMC (37), the installation is within the shaft formed by two lower corner cabinets that are part of lower stationary kitchen cabinet (31), and the room corner.

(47) Views A and D demonstrate the lower and upper level position, while the other views depict a suggested installation design.

(48) Tubular motor assembly (7), is attached to the bottom of the lower SCVMC (37), two straps (35) are wrapped/unwrapped on the tubular motor assembly (7), the straps are attached to two strap anchoring brackets (40) positioned on a sheet metal shell construction (41) surrounding the lower SCVMC; two telescopic rail (20) connected to the sheet metal shell guide (41) one side and to the lower SCVMC (37) wall in the other side guide the lower SCVMC in a vertical route.

(49) To avoid liquid leakage from the worktop down to the lower cabinets, an elevated banister (38) surrounds the opening in the desktop surface.

(50) Due to esthetical consideration it is suggested that the lower SCVMC roof (39) is made of the same worktop material.

(51) FIG. 12 shows a basic concept allowing to use an existing cabinet as a HHVMC; this is achieved by using a retrofit kit (42), the kit comprises a cuboids shell installed with a tubular motor (7), two telescopic rails (20) and two straps (35).the retrofit kit is attached to the top of an existent cupboard. The rails are installed to the nearby wall while the two straps are attached to the ceiling.

LEGEND/REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

(52) In the figures and/or description herein, the following reference numerals have been mentioned:

(53) 1. Highly Hung Vertical Moveable Cabinet (HHVMC).

(54) 2. Window opening

(55) 3. Window wing

(56) 4. Window shutter

(57) 5. Shutter compartment cover

(58) 6. Cabinet shelf

(59) 7. Tubular motor assembly

(60) 8. Gap between HHVMC and wall room

(61) 9. Extension tube

(62) 10. Rotor of the tubular motor

(63) 11. Thrust bearing

(64) 12. Cup fitting

(65) 13. Coupling pin

(66) 14. Tubular motor rotational range switches

(67) 15. Tubular motor installation holes

(68) 16. Curtaina sheet of reinforced fabric.

(69) 17. Console carrying tubular motor assembly and telescopic rails.

(70) 18. Console carrying retractable vehicle safety belt.

(71) 19. Retractable vehicle safety belt

(72) 20. Telescopic rail

(73) 21. Retractable vehicle safety belt mechanism

(74) 22. CORNER HHVMC

(75) 23. Anchoring bar for a curtain

(76) 30. Upper corner stationary cabinet

(77) 31. Lower corner stationary cabinet

(78) 32. Corner rectangular area of upper stationary cabinet

(79) 33. Lower corner stationary cabinet diagonal door

(80) 34. SCVMC (Shaft Corner Vertically moveable cabinet)

(81) 35. Strap

(82) 36. Electrical wall shutter switch

(83) 37. Lower SCVMC

(84) 38. Elevated banister

(85) 39. Lower SCVMC roof

(86) 40. Strap anchoring bracket

(87) 41. Sheet metal shell

(88) 42. Retrofit kit from an existent to HHVMC

(89) The foregoing description and illustrations of the embodiments of the invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the above description in any form.

(90) Any term that has been defined above and used in the claims, should to be interpreted according to this definition.

(91) The reference numbers in the claims are not a part of the claims, but rather used for facilitate the reading thereof. These reference numbers should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any form.