EXPANDABLE KITCHEN CABINET

Abstract

An expandable kitchen includes an expandable kitchen cabinet and a movable kitchen table. In the compacted state, an outer kitchen cabinet may be disposed adjacent other cabinets, while the kitchen table may be disposed over other cabinets and/or the kitchen sink. In the expanded state, the outer kitchen cabinet may be moved away from the other kitchen cabinets and the table may be expanded both radially and longitudinally to provide a table surface. A shelving unit may be movable to provide an extension to the table top. During movement of the shelving unit, the shelves May remain horizontal so that the shelf can be easily converted into a table top without the need for moving items on the shelves.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

Embodiments of the invention relate generally to expandable living space arrangements. More particularly, embodiments of the invention relate to an expandable kitchen design including an expandable kitchen table and cabinet with a convertible shelving unit.

2. Description of Prior Art and Related Information

The following background information may present examples of specific aspects of the prior art (e.g., without limitation, approaches, facts, or common wisdom) that, while expected to be helpful to further educate the reader as to additional aspects of the prior art, is not to be construed as limiting the present invention, or any embodiments thereof, to anything stated or implied therein or inferred thereupon.

A dining set, including a dining table, can occupy significant floor space and is typically used infrequently, often only for mealtime. In a recreational vehicle or so-called “tiny house”, floor space may be at a premium. When not in use, a dining table can occupy this valuable floor space. While a folding table, such as a card table, may help permit folding of a table, such designs are often cumbersome and require separate storage for the table and chairs. Further, kitchen floor space is, like the kitchen table, used less frequently than other living area floor space.

In view of the foregoing, there is a need for an expandable kitchen design that can change the available floor space from being occupied by kitchen furniture to open floor space for other uses.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention aim to solve the aforementioned problems in conventional kitchen designs by providing movable cabinets and tables.

Embodiments of the present invention provide an expandable kitchen, comprising at least one movable cabinet slidable in a first direction between a compact position and an extended position; and a table portion, slidable in the first direction with the at least one cabinet, a table top of the table positioned over a portion of a kitchen countertop and/or a kitchen sink in the compact position, the table portion slidable in the first direction along with a movement of the movable cabinet and, once the movable cabinet is fully extended and the table portion is in a partially extended position, the table portion is slidable in a second direction, away from a wall, to the extended position.

Embodiments of the present invention provide an expandable kitchen, comprising at least one movable cabinet slidable in a first direction between a compact position and an extended position; a table portion, slidable in the first direction with the at least one cabinet, a table top of the table positioned over a portion of a kitchen countertop and/or a kitchen sink in the compact position, the table portion slidable in the first direction along with a movement of the movable cabinet and, once the movable cabinet is fully extended and the table portion is in a partially extended position, the table portion is slidable in a second direction, orthogonal to the first direction and away from a wall, to the extended position; and a shelving unit movable to form an extension of the table top in the extended position, wherein the shelving unit includes a plurality of shelves; the plurality of shelves are disposed horizontal and level, extending outward from the wall, when in the compact position; and the plurality of shelves being horizontal, level and flush with the table top when the shelving unit is in the expanded position.

Embodiments of the present invention provide an expandable kitchen, comprising at least one movable cabinet slidable in a first direction between a compact position and an extended position; a table portion, slidable in the first direction with the at least one cabinet, a table top of the table positioned over a portion of a kitchen countertop and/or a kitchen sink in the compact position, the table portion slidable in the first direction along with a movement of the movable cabinet and, once the movable cabinet is fully extended and the table portion is in a partially extended position, the table portion is slidable in a second direction, orthogonal to the first direction and away from a wall, to the extended position; and a shelving unit, including a plurality of shelves and a bottom member, movable to form an extension of the table top in the extended position, wherein the plurality of shelves are disposed horizontal and level, extending outward from the wall, when in the compact position; the plurality of shelves remain horizontal and level during movement between the extended position and the compact position; the plurality of shelves being horizontal, level and flush with the table top when the shelving unit is in the expanded position; and the bottom member moves between a vertically disposed position, against the wall, when the shelving unit is in the compact position, and a horizontally disposed position, flush with the table top, when the shelving unit is in the expanded position.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Some embodiments of the present invention are illustrated as an example and are not limited by the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which like references may indicate similar elements.

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a kitchen in an expanded configuration, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the kitchen of FIG. 1, in a compacted configuration;

FIG. 3 illustrates a detailed view of various sliding mechanisms used when converting the kitchen between its compacted and expanded configurations;

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of the kitchen of FIG. 1 showing a first step in its expansion from its compacted configuration, where a cabinet component and a table component are slid outward (radially);

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of the kitchen of FIG. 4 being slid completely in the radial direction, as a second step in its expansion;

FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of the kitchen of FIG. 5, showing longitudinal expansion of the table into its fully expanded position (use position);

FIG. 7 illustrates an exploded perspective view of a convertible shelving unit/table extension that is usable to provide additional table space for the kitchen of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8A illustrates a perspective view of the kitchen of FIG. 1, showing action of the convertible shelving unit/table extension as the table is expanded or compacted;

FIG. 8B illustrates a detailed view taken along circle 88 of FIG. 8A, showing how the shelves of the convertible shelving unit/table extension can be supported to maintain a horizontal orientation during movement thereof;

FIG. 9A illustrates a perspective view of the convertible shelving unit/table extension when in the expanded configuration;

FIG. 9B illustrates a top view of the convertible shelving unit/table extension of FIG. 9A;

FIG. 9C illustrates a side view of the convertible shelving unit/table extension of FIG. 9A;

FIG. 10 illustrates a perspective view of the convertible shelving unit/table extension during conversion thereof;

FIG. 11 illustrates a perspective view of the convertible shelving unit/table extension in the shelf configuration (compacted configuration);

FIG. 12A illustrates a perspective view of the kitchen of FIG. 1A, in a partially compacted configuration;

FIG. 12B illustrates a detailed view taken along circle 11, showing a sliding mechanism for movement of the table;

FIG. 13A illustrates a top view of the kitchen of FIG. 1A, in a partially compacted configuration; and

FIG. 13B illustrates a detailed view taken along circle 13, showing a sliding mechanism for movement of the table.

The illustrations in the figures may not necessarily be drawn to scale.

The invention and its various embodiments can now be better understood by turning to the following detailed description wherein illustrated embodiments are described. It is to be expressly understood that the illustrated embodiments are set forth as examples and not by way of limitations on the invention as ultimately defined in the claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS AND BEST MODE OF INVENTION

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well as the singular forms, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one having ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and the present disclosure and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

In describing the invention, it will be understood that a number of techniques and steps are disclosed. Each of these has individual benefit and each can also be used in conjunction with one or more, or in some cases all, of the other disclosed techniques. Accordingly, for the sake of clarity, this description will refrain from repeating every possible combination of the individual steps in an unnecessary fashion. Nevertheless, the specification and claims should be read with the understanding that such combinations are entirely within the scope of the invention and the claims.

In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be evident, however, to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details.

The present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated by the figures or description below.

As is well known to those skilled in the art, many careful considerations and compromises typically must be made when designing for the optimal configuration of a commercial implementation of any system, and in particular, the embodiments of the present invention. A commercial implementation in accordance with the spirit and teachings of the present invention may be configured according to the needs of the particular application, whereby any aspect(s), feature(s), function(s), result(s), component(s), approach(es), or step(s) of the teachings related to any described embodiment of the present invention may be suitably omitted, included, adapted, mixed and matched, or improved and/or optimized by those skilled in the art, using their average skills and known techniques, to achieve the desired implementation that addresses the needs of the particular application.

Broadly, embodiments of the present invention provide an expandable kitchen that includes an expandable kitchen cabinet and a movable kitchen table. In the compacted state, an outer kitchen cabinet may be disposed adjacent other cabinets, while the kitchen table may be disposed over other cabinets and/or the kitchen sink. In the expanded state, the outer kitchen cabinet may be moved away from the other kitchen cabinets and the table may be expanded both radially and longitudinally to provide a table surface. A shelving unit may be movable to provide an extension to the table top. During movement of the shelving unit, the shelves may remain horizontal and level so that the shelf can be easily converted into a table top without the need for moving items on the shelves.

As used herein, the term horizontal, as it relates to a member of the shelving unit, such as a shelf, refers to a plane of surface of the shelf, where the plane is generally parallel with a ground surface. In other words, when a shelf is horizontal, the shelf may hold an item on the top surface of the shelf without the item falling off. Vertical, on the other hand, has the plane of the shelf in the opposite direction, generally perpendicular with the ground.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, a kitchen design can optionally include one or more fixed cabinets 17 and further include a movable cabinet 10 and a movable table 12. In the compacted state, the movable cabinet 10 may be directly adjacent (or spaced apart from by a small space (small size being relative to a larger space when the movable cabinet 10 is in the expanded state)) a fixed cabinet 17, as shown in FIG. 2. The fixed cabinet 17, in FIG. 1, includes a stove. It should be understood that the term fixed cabinet 17, as used herein, may include any similar kitchen structure, including the stove, a refrigerator, a cabinet, a shelving unit, or the like, provided that such is in a fixed position in the kitchen. In the compacted state, the table 12 may be positioned adjacent to a sink cabinet 19 (or other similar fixed cabinet). In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 2, the table 12 may include a table top 22 that can extend to cover a sink 24 in the compacted state. In the expanded state, the movable cabinet 10 may be spaced apart from the fixed cabinet 17, and the table 12 may be moved both away from the fixed cabinet 17 as well as away from the sink cabinet 19, as shown in FIG. 1. In some embodiments, a wall 18 may include a shelving unit 14 that can be configured as a shelf when in the compacted state as shown in FIG. 2. The shelving unit 14 can be converted, as described in greater detail below, to form an extension of the table top 22, as shown in FIG. 1, when in the expanded state. In some embodiments, the shelving unit 14 may rest in a wall recess 16 when in the compacted (shelf) state.

Referring to FIGS. 3 through 6, the movement of the kitchen design from the compacted state to the expanded state is illustrated. In FIG. 3, a track 32 is provided adjacent the wall 18 along which the table top 22 can slide. Further, the movable cabinet 10 can include a channel 30 that interacts with the table top 22. As the movable cabinet is moved, the table 12 moves along with its movement. Various mechanisms may be used to move the movable cabinet, including, for example, by hand, or by a motor (not shown) disposed, for example, in the floor 20.

FIGS. 4 through 6 illustrate the movement of the movable cabinet 10, and, thus, the table 12. As the moveable cabinet 10 is moved in a first direction (away from fixed cabinet 17), the cable 12 also moves in the first direction. The moveable cabinet 10 may move along tracks 36 in the floor 20. Two tracks 36 are illustrated in FIG. 4, for example, however, in some embodiments, only one track may be provided, or more than two tracks may be provided.

After the movable cabinet 10 and table 12 are moved out fully in the first direction, as shown in FIG. 5, the table 12 may be moved in a second direction, generally orthogonal to the first direction, as shown in FIG. 6.

Referring now to FIGS. 7 through 11, details of the shelving unit 14 are provided. It should be understood that the shelving unit 14 is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and can provide an additional extension for the table top 22, as shown in FIG. 1. However, in some embodiments, the kitchen design may exclude the shelving unit 14.

The shelving unit 14 can include a plurality of shelves 40 and a bottom member 52. In the compacted state (as a shelving unit, as shown in FIG. 11) the shelves 40 form horizontal, level platforms, while the bottom member 52 rests flat (vertically) against the wall. A bracket member 42 may be disposed at sides of the shelving unit 14. As shown in FIG. 1, a recess 16 may house the shelving unit in the compacted state, and the bracket member 42 may be disposed to slide along a channel 60 formed at the sides of the recess 16, as shown in FIG. 8B. Pins 56 may be disposed at upper ends (upper when the shelving unit 14 is in the compacted (shelf) state) of the bracket members 42 to engage with the channel 60. Shelf arms 46 may pivotably attach to the bracket member 42 at one end thereof, and to the shelf 40 at a second end thereof at an outer shelf pin 50. An inner shelf pin 48 can slide along slots 44 formed in the bracket member 42 as the shelving unit 14 is moved between the expanded and compacted states. Thus, as the shelving unit 14 is moved, as best shown in FIG. 8A, the shelves 40 may retain their flat, level, horizontal configuration, until fully expanded, where the shelves 40 are simply aligned as a flat surface, as shown in FIGS. 9A through 9C.

The bottom member 52 can remain disposed between two bracket members 42 (see FIG. 8A) as the shelving unit 14 is moved, where, in the expanded state, the bottom member 52 forms a flat horizontal surface with the table top 22 and the shelves 40 and, in the compacted state, the bottom member 52 rests against the surface of the recess 16.

A filler piece 70 may be pivotably attached, along a first edge, to the bottom of the bottom member 52. The filler piece 70 can be attached to the table top 22 when the table top 22 is moved into the expanded position, via the slots 32 (see FIGS. 12A through 13B). Thus, after the table top 22 is moved into the extended state, the table top 22 engages with the filler piece 70. As the table top 22 is moved in the second direction as shown in FIG. 6, the table top moves the filler piece 70 also in the second direction. With the filler piece 70 pivotably attached to the bottom member 52, this movement also moves the shelving unit 14, as shown in FIG. 8A.

The filler piece 70 remains horizontal and level throughout movement of the shelving unit 14. In the compacted state, the filler piece 70 forms a small horizontal shelf at the bottom of the bottom member 52. In the expanded state, the filler piece 70 forms part of the enlarged table top member, which in includes, in order, the table top 22, the filler piece 70, the bottom member 52 and the shelves 40, as shown in FIG. 1.

All the features disclosed in this specification, including any accompanying abstract and drawings, may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

Claim elements and steps herein may have been numbered and/or lettered solely as an aid in readability and understanding. Any such numbering and lettering in itself is not intended to and should not be taken to indicate the ordering of elements and/or steps in the claims.

Many alterations and modifications may be made by those having ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, it must be understood that the illustrated embodiments have been set forth only for the purposes of examples and that they should not be taken as limiting the invention as defined by the following claims. For example, notwithstanding the fact that the elements of a claim are set forth below in a certain combination, it must be expressly understood that the invention includes other combinations of fewer, more or different ones of the disclosed elements.

The words used in this specification to describe the invention and its various embodiments are to be understood not only in the sense of their commonly defined meanings, but to include by special definition in this specification the generic structure, material or acts of which they represent a single species.

The definitions of the words or elements of the following claims are, therefore, defined in this specification to not only include the combination of elements which are literally set forth. In this sense it is therefore contemplated that an equivalent substitution of two or more elements may be made for any one of the elements in the claims below or that a single element may be substituted for two or more elements in a claim. Although elements may be described above as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, it is to be expressly understood that one or more elements from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from the combination and that the claimed combination may be directed to a subcombination or variation of a subcombination.

Insubstantial changes from the claimed subject matter as viewed by a person with ordinary skill in the art, now known or later devised, are expressly contemplated as being equivalently within the scope of the claims. Therefore, obvious substitutions now or later known to one with ordinary skill in the art are defined to be within the scope of the defined elements.

The claims are thus to be understood to include what is specifically illustrated and described above, what is conceptually equivalent, what can be obviously substituted and also what incorporates the essential idea of the invention.

Claims

1. An expandable kitchen, comprising: at least one movable cabinet slidable in a first direction between a compact position and an extended position; anda table portion, slidable in the first direction with the at least one cabinet, a table top of the table positioned over a portion of a kitchen countertop and/or a kitchen sink in the compact position, the table portion slidable in the first direction along with a movement of the movable cabinet and, once the movable cabinet is fully extended and the table portion is in a partially extended position, the table portion is slidable in a second direction, away from a wall, to the extended position.

2. The expandable kitchen of claim 1, wherein the movable cabinet moves along one or more tracks formed in a floor member.

3. The expandable kitchen of claim 1, wherein the second direction is orthogonal to the first direction.

4. The expandable kitchen of claim 1, further comprising a shelving unit movable to form an extension of the table top in the extended position.

5. The expandable kitchen of claim 4, wherein the shelving unit includes a plurality of shelves, the plurality of shelves remaining horizontal and level during movement between the extended position and the compact position.

6. The expandable kitchen of claim 4, wherein, as the table portion is moved into the partially extended position, the table top engages with a filler piece, the filler piece being horizontally disposed between the table top and the wall.

7. The expandable kitchen of claim 6, wherein the filler piece is pivotably attached to a bottom member of the shelving unit.

8. The expandable kitchen of claim 7, wherein the bottom member moves between a vertically disposed position, against the wall, in the compact position, and a horizontally disposed position, flush with the filler piece, in the expanded position.

9. The expandable kitchen of claim 4, wherein the shelving unit includes a plurality of shelves disposed horizontal and level, extending outward from the wall when the shelving unit is in the compact position, and disposed horizontal and level, and flush with the bottom member and the table top when the shelving unit is in the expanded position.

10. The expandable kitchen of claim 9, wherein: inner ends of each of the plurality of shelves are disposed within slots formed in first and second bracket members, the first bracket member disposed at one side of the plurality of shelves, and the second bracket member disposed at an opposite side of the plurality of shelves; andouter ends of each of the plurality of shelves are pivotably attached to a first end of a shelf arm, where a second end of the shelf arm is pivotably attached to the bracket member.

11. The expandable kitchen of claim 10, wherein the shelving unit is disposed in a recess in the wall when in the compact position.

12. An expandable kitchen, comprising: at least one movable cabinet slidable in a first direction between a compact position and an extended position;a table portion, slidable in the first direction with the at least one cabinet, a table top of the table positioned over a portion of a kitchen countertop and/or a kitchen sink in the compact position, the table portion slidable in the first direction along with a movement of the movable cabinet and, once the movable cabinet is fully extended and the table portion is in a partially extended position, the table portion is slidable in a second direction, orthogonal to the first direction and away from a wall, to the extended position; anda shelving unit movable to form an extension of the table top in the extended position, whereinthe shelving unit includes a plurality of shelves;the plurality of shelves are disposed horizontal and level, extending outward from the wall, when in the compact position; andthe plurality of shelves being horizontal, level and flush with the table top when the shelving unit is in the expanded position.

13. The expandable kitchen of claim 12, wherein the plurality of shelves remain horizontal and level during movement between the extended position and the compact position.

14. The expandable kitchen of claim 12, wherein, as the table portion is moved into the partially extended position, the table top engages with a filler piece, the filler piece being horizontally disposed between the table top and the wall.

15. The expandable kitchen of claim 14, wherein the filler piece is pivotably attached to a bottom member of the shelving unit.

16. The expandable kitchen of claim 15, wherein the bottom member moves between a vertically disposed position, against the wall, when the shelving unit is in the compact position, and a horizontally disposed position, flush with the filler piece and the table top, when the shelving unit is in the expanded position.

17. The expandable kitchen of claim 12, wherein the shelving unit is disposed in a recess in the wall when in the compact position.

18. An expandable kitchen, comprising: at least one movable cabinet slidable in a first direction between a compact position and an extended position;a table portion, slidable in the first direction with the at least one cabinet, a table top of the table positioned over a portion of a kitchen countertop and/or a kitchen sink in the compact position, the table portion slidable in the first direction along with a movement of the movable cabinet and, once the movable cabinet is fully extended and the table portion is in a partially extended position, the table portion is slidable in a second direction, orthogonal to the first direction and away from a wall, to the extended position; anda shelving unit, including a plurality of shelves and a bottom member, movable to form an extension of the table top in the extended position, whereinthe plurality of shelves are disposed horizontal and level, extending outward from the wall, when in the compact position;the plurality of shelves remain horizontal and level during movement between the extended position and the compact position;the plurality of shelves being horizontal, level and flush with the table top when the shelving unit is in the expanded position; andthe bottom member moves between a vertically disposed position, against the wall, when the shelving unit is in the compact position, and a horizontally disposed position, flush with the table top, when the shelving unit is in the expanded position.

19. The expandable kitchen of claim 18, wherein: as the table portion is moved into the partially extended position, the table top engages with a filler piece, the filler piece being horizontally disposed between the table top and the wall; andthe filler piece is pivotably attached to a bottom member of the shelving unit.

20. The expandable kitchen of claim 19, wherein the bottom member is flush with the filler piece and the table top when the shelving unit is in the expanded position.