Patent Application
20160106209
The present invention relates to a cabinet, and more particularly to a bedside cabinet for storing a CPAP machine.
Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy is a common treatment for obstructive sleep apnea. Therapy typically involves a small machine that supplies a constant and steady air pressure, a hose, a mask or nose piece, and an electrical cord or battery pack. The CPAP machine is most often stored on the floor next to the bed, or on a nearby nightstand. Because of the associated electrical cord and hose, the CPAP machine can be quite unsightly and the machine components (e.g. the hose and electrical cord) can become tangled. Though most users find the CPAP therapy to be effective in resolving sleep apnea, one common complaint is related to how to store and organize the equipment and accessories that are required for the CPAP machine.
The noted issues are addressed by the present cabinet, which is a piece of furniture designed to discreetly store a CPAP machine and its accessories. The cabinet includes a base assembly having two substantially vertical, spaced side panels, a front panel, and a rear panel. The cabinet also includes a top panel and a pull-out tray, each slidably mounted atop and within the base assembly, respectively.
In a disclosed embodiment, the top panel is movable between a closed position, in which the top panel encloses an upper end of the base assembly, and an access position, in which the top panel is at least partially translated forward to allow top access into an interior of the base assembly. The pull-out tray is adapted to support the CPAP machine and is movable between a stowed position in which the pull-out tray is disposed within the base assembly, and an extended position in which the pull-out tray at least partially extends from the base assembly.
Each of the side panels has a cutout or opening in an upper edge thereof. The openings enable a hose of the CPAP machine to pass from the interior of the base assembly to an exterior of the base assembly when the top panel is in the closed position.
These and other features and advantages of the invention will be more fully understood and appreciated by reference to the entire application including the specification, the claims, and the drawings.
Referring to
The cabinet 10 is a substantially rectangular cuboid member that includes a base assembly 22 having two substantially vertical, spaced side panels 24, a front panel 26, and a rear panel 28. The cabinet 10 also includes a top panel 30 that is slidably mounted atop the base assembly 22 and a pull-out tray 32 that is slidably mounted within the base assembly 22.
The top panel 30 is movable between a storage position A shown in
Additionally, the top panel 30 includes a stop block 40 that is mounted on an underside of the top panel 30. The stop block 40 is positioned a predetermined distance from the front edge of the top panel 30. A cooperative rail 42 extends horizontally between the spaced side panels 24. The rail 42 is also positioned a predetermined distance from the front edge of the top panel 30, such that when the top panel 30 is translated forward to the access position B, the stop block 40 contacts the rail 42, thereby preventing the top panel 30 from extending out further than desired from the base assembly 22.
The front panel 26 is hingedly mounted to the base assembly 22 and pivots about a vertical axis between a closed position X shown in
The pull-out tray 32 is adapted to support the CPAP machine 12 and is movable between a stowed position C as in
The pull-out tray 32 is mounted between the side panels 24 by first and second horizontal slides 38. Additionally, a spacer 46 is included between one of the first and second slides 38 and the adjacent side panel 24. More specifically, the spacer 46 is positioned on the same side of the base assembly 22 as which the front panel 26 is mounted. Including a spacer 46 on the stated side laterally shifts the pull-out tray 32 to ensure that the tray 32 is free from obstruction when the front panel 26 is in the open position Y and the pull-out tray 32 is translated to the extended position D. Optionally, a second spacer may be included on the opposite side.
The side panels 24 each include an opening 48 at an upper end thereof. The openings 48 are substantially U-shaped members accessible from the top edge of the side panels 24. The openings 48 are configured to allow the hose 16 of the CPAP machine 12 to pass from the interior 36 of the base assembly 22 to an exterior of the base assembly 22. Accordingly, the openings 48 are appropriately sized to accommodate the hose 16. Furthermore, the cabinet has an opening 48 on each side so that the cabinet 10 can be on either side of the bed, depending on which side of the bed the user typically sleeps.
The rear panel 28 includes one or more ventilation slots 50 to provide proper ventilation and fresh air for the CPAP machine 12. Further, the rear panel 28 may include one or more access holes 52 through which the electrical cord of the CPAP machine 12 may pass from the interior 36 to the exterior of the base assembly 22. This enables the CPAP machine 12 to be plugged in to a nearby electrical outlet (not shown), while limiting visibility of the electrical cord from the front of the cabinet 10. Electrical cords of other objects contained within the cabinet 10 or on the top panel 30 may also pass through the access holes 52. Typically, electrical cords are routed to the opposite side of where the hose 16 is routed through opening 48 to avoid interference or entanglement of electrical cords with hose 16 and mask 18. Additionally, the rear panel 28 includes a top block rail 54 that extends horizontally between the spaced side panels 24. The top block rail 54 is positioned at a top end of the rear panel 28 such that a relief space is formed between the top block rail 54 and the top panel 30. The relief space allows electrical cords from items located on the top panel 30 to be routed into the cabinet 10 and back through the access holes 52.
The top panel 30 and pull-out tray 32 are independently translated. In other words, they do not move together unless moved at the same time. Further, the area under the pull-out tray 32 can be utilized to house a variety of other items, including an associated humidifier, a bottle of distilled water, CPAP cleaning products and wipes, etc.
The cabinet 10 and its components can be made of any suitable material, particularly of finished or unfinished wood, wood composite, laminates, melamine, or vinyl.
The cabinet 10 facilitates easy storage and use of a CPAP machine 12. The CPAP machine 12, including the associated hose 16 and mask 18, can be placed on the pull-out tray 32 and stored within the base assembly 22. The CPAP machine's electrical cord can be pushed through one of the access holes 52 in the rear panel 28 and plugged into a nearby electrical outlet. With the top panel 30, pull-out tray 32, and front panel 26 all in their respective storage A, stowed C, and closed X positions, the cabinet 10 appears to be a conventional bedside table or night stand. The CPAP machine 12, hose 16, and mask 18 are all stored inside the cabinet 10 and out of sight. Additionally, a number of common bedside items can be placed on the surface of the top panel 30; for example, a bedside lamp, alarm clock, reading material, etc.
To use the CPAP machine 12, a user can slide/translate the top panel 30 forward, from the storage position A to the access position B shown in
The cabinet 10 allows easy access to and use of a CPAP machine 12, while at the same time providing a neat and aesthetically pleasing storage solution for users who keep a CPAP machine 12 near their bed. Additionally, instead of having to take the entire CPAP machine 12, hose 16, and mask 18 in and out of the cabinet every morning and evening, the user is able to leave the equipment in the cabinet 12 and simply slide the top panel 30 open and closed when the hose 16 and mask 18 are needed. Another benefit of the present cabinet 10 is that the user can access the interior 36 of the cabinet 12 without disturbing the items placed on the top panel 30.
The above descriptions are those of the current embodiments of the invention. Various alterations and changes can be made without departing from the spirit and broader aspects of the invention as defined in the appended claims, which are to be interpreted in accordance with the principles of patent law including the doctrine of equivalents. Any reference to elements in the singular, for example, using the articles “a,” “an,” “the,” or “said,” is not to be construed as limiting the element to the singular.
