Patent Application
20160045039
This disclosure relates to cabinet shelving assemblies. In particular, the disclosure relates to a rotary shelf assembly known as a “Lazy Susan,” designed to be located in a corner cabinet and which is capable of height adjustment.
Corner cabinets present a problem of an inaccessible space. Rotary shelf assemblies, as known in the art, offer one way to use the inaccessible space. Such shelf assemblies are generally circular and pivot to provide a way to reach items placed in the inaccessible space.
Although useful, prior art rotary shelf assemblies are not completely satisfactory. For example, a leveling of the rotary shelf assemblies during installation continues to be a problem. Also, adjusting the rotating shelves to properly align with the cabinet face is difficult and time consuming.
U.S. Pat. No. 8,459,474 to Sagel discloses a rotary fitting for a corner cabinet. The device comprises a supporting column having a main tube supporting shelves. Length adjustment is provided by a support element fixed in the main tube, a recess in the fixed element, and a threaded riser fitted to the recess. The threaded riser comprises a complex threaded shaft engaged with a nut seated in the fixed element. An access “window” is provided in the main tube which allows rotation which in turn allows height adjustment. The height adjustment is limited due to the small access window. Further, the size of the access window does not allow tightening or adjustment with tools.
Therefore there is a need for a rotary shelf assembly that is simple to install and align, comprises few parts, and is easy to manufacture.
The apparatus disclosed is an adjustable rotary shelf assembly designed to be adjustably mounted within a corner cabinet. The apparatus provides a height adjustment to ensure correct alignment with the cabinet carcass. Height adjustment is preferably accomplished without the use of tools, but may also employ tools when required for challenging installations.
In one embodiment, the apparatus is comprised of an outer pole telescopically engaged with an inner pole. The inner pole is engaged with and rotates within an upper bracket attached to the ceiling of the corner cabinet carcass. The outer pole is seated in and capable of rotating within a lower bracket mounted to the floor of the corner cabinet carcass. A cam lock mechanism adjustably fixes the position of the inner pole with respect to the outer pole. One or more semi-circular shelves are supported by the outer pole with cross-pins. The shelves are fixed with respect to the outer pole and rotate with the inner and outer poles. In a preferred embodiment, each shelf includes a pie-shaped cutout. The shelves also support an angular cabinet door to accommodate the cabinet corner.
A height adjustment assembly connects the outer pole to the lower bracket. The height adjustment assembly is comprised of a shaft engaged with the outer pole, a threaded section of the shaft, a thumbwheel threadably engaged with the threaded section of the shaft and abutting the outer pole, and a cam engaged with the shaft and pivotably supported within the lower bracket. Rotation of the thumbwheel moves the thumbwheel vertically along the threaded section of the shaft. By virtue of the thumbwheel's position adjacent the outer tube, vertical displacement of the thumbwheel moves the outer tube vertically. The cam engages a cam follower attached to the lower bracket. The cam and the cam follower releasably fix the apparatus in a “home” position such that the corner door member completes the cabinet facade to conceal the contents of the shelves. Elasticity of the cam follower allows a rotation of the cam and the shelves and also provides bias toward the defined “home” position.
Reference will now be made to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like numerals, and wherein:
In the descriptions that follow, like parts are marked throughout the specification and drawings with the same numerals, respectively. The drawing figures are not necessarily drawn to scale and certain figures may be shown in exaggerated or generalized form in the interest of clarity and conciseness.
Referring to
Rotary shelf assembly 100 includes base shelf 114 and preferably an additional adjustable shelf 115. In alternate embodiments rotary shelf assembly 100 does not include adjustable shelf 115 or may include a plurality of adjustable shelves 115. Each shelf 114 and 115 is generally semi-circular shaped and each comprises collar 116 and cutout 120. In one embodiment, cutout 120 is made at a radial 90° angle and extends from collar 116 to the edge of the shelf. Other radial angles can be employed to accommodate acute or obtuse cabinet face angles. Cutout 120 includes holes 122 used to mount a decorative cabinet corner face (not shown). The angular cabinet door is visible and is preferably aligned with the cabinet face when the rotary shelf assembly is in a “home” position.
Adjustable shelf 115 is supported on outer pole 106 with cross-pins (not shown) through holes 118 in outer pole 106 as is common in the art. Each hole 118 and 228 includes an equal opposing hole on the opposite side of outer pole 106. The cross-pins extend slightly from each side of outer pole 106 and engage collar 116 and ensure the shelf rotates with outer pole 106. Each hole 118 represents an alternate position for adjustable shelf 115. Base shelf 114 is supported on outer pole 106 in a similar fashion with cross-pin 216 through hole 228, as will be further described below.
Referring to
Thumbwheel 208 is generally cylindrical. The interior surface of thumbwheel 208 includes threads sized to threadably engage threaded section 204. In a preferred embodiment, the threads are locking threads to prevent unintended rotation. The exterior of thumbwheel 208 includes knurled surfaces 224 which provide a non-slip functional surface for applying torque to thumbwheel 208. Thumbwheel 208 further includes bushing 234 for slidable engagement with outer pole 106. In an alternate embodiment, thumbwheel 208 is manufactured of a brass, magnesium or aluminum alloy.
Cam 210 is a double-lobed cam which includes trough 236. Cam 210 includes cross receptacle 212. In other embodiments, the cam can have additional lobes to provide more than one biased or “home” position. Cross receptacle 212 engages end 206 of shaft 202 and prevents rotation between shaft 202 and cam 210. In other embodiments, the receptacle can take on other shapes which prevent rotation between shaft 202 and cam 210. Stem 214 extends from an opposite surface of cam 210. Stem 214 rotatably engages lower bracket 104. Cam 210 is free to rotate with respect to lower bracket 104.
Lower bracket 104 comprises legs 242 extending laterally from raised base 240. A plurality of holes 246 and slots 247 provided in legs 242 accommodate mounting screws for attaching lower bracket 104 to the floor of the corner cabinet carcass. Receptacle 244 formed in base 240 receives stem 214. In a preferred embodiment, a vertical thrust bearing resides in receptacle 244 and rotatably supports stem 214. A clearance is provided between cam 210 and base 240 to prevent interference between the cam and the base during rotation. Cam follower frame 248 is rigidly affixed to base 240. Cam follower frame 248 includes deformable cam follower 250 which is sized to releasably engage trough 236. In a preferred embodiment, both cam follower frame 248 and cam 210 are manufactured of a lightweight and deformable but resilient material such as injection molded plastic or polyvinyl chloride (PVC). In other embodiments, the cam is manufactured of a light metal alloy such as brass, magnesium or aluminum.
In use, rotary shelf assembly 100 is installed inside a corner cabinet carcass. Height adjustment assembly 112 provides a “macro” height adjustment to allow rotary shelf assembly 100 to be installed in a range of different height corner cabinets. Height adjustment assembly 110 provides a “micro” height adjustment to fine tune the length of rotary shelf assembly 100 between upper bracket 102 and lower bracket 104 and to ensure proper alignment with the existing cabinet face adjacent to the corner cabinet. When installed, inner pole 108, outer pole 106 and attached shelves 114 and 115, shaft 202, and cam 210 all freely rotate as a single unit 360°, biased in the “home” position. Pressure on the corner cabinet face rotates the corner cabinet face and the shelves about longitudinal axis 124 of the central column.
Upper bracket 102 is mounted to the inside ceiling portion of the corner cabinet carcass. Lower bracket 104 is mounted to the floor portion. Inner pole 108 is rotatably received in upper bracket 102. The cam lock mechanism of height adjustment assembly 112 is released to allow inner pole 108 to slide within outer pole 106. The overall length of rotary shelf assembly 100 is adjusted by advancing or retreating inner pole 108 from outer pole 106. Once stem 214 is rotatably received in receptacle 244, the cam lock mechanism of height adjustment assembly 112 is secured to prevent sliding of the telescopic engagement between inner pole 108 and outer pole 106. Slots 247 allow for lateral adjustment to ensure the central column of rotary shelf assembly 100 is perpendicular to both the ceiling and floor of the corner cabinet carcass. The corner cabinet face is attached to shelves 114 and 115.
Referring to
In
It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the broad inventive concept. It is understood, therefore, that this disclosure is not limited to the particular embodiments herein, but it is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
