FOOT-OPERATED TOE KICK KITCHEN STOOL AND CABINET BASE

Abstract

A cabinet base for supporting a cabinet, having a built-in step so that the user can reach the higher cabinets. The step is foot-operated, and no use of hands is necessary for its use. The step collapses into a drawer which is slid into the cabinet base.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention pertains to the area of kitchen cabinetry. More particularly, the invention pertains to a stool and cabinet base.

2. Description of Related Art

There is a need for people to reach items in kitchen cabinets that are higher than they can reach from the floor, and in addition, there is a need for children to be able to work comfortably at the counter or use the sink.

Almost all kitchen cabinets are of a standard size, with a recessed toe kick area that is between 3 ½ and 4 inches tall. In general, the contractor installing the cabinets builds a base to support the cabinets, and that base makes up the toe kick and cabinet support.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is meant to supplant a cabinet base, and to support the cabinet, as well as to provide a built-in step so that the user can reach the higher cabinets. The step is meant to be foot-operated, and no use of hands is necessary for its use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 shows the cabinet base with the step in its stowed position.

FIG. 2 shows the cabinet base with the drawer extended, but prior to the automatic extension of the step.

FIG. 3 shows the cabinet base with the drawer and the step extended.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention is meant to supplant a cabinet base, and to support the cabinet, as well as to provide a built-in step so that the user can reach the higher cabinets. The step is meant to be foot-operated, and no use of hands is necessary for its use.

FIG. 1 shows the cabinet base 1 with the step 2 in its stowed position.

The cabinet base 1 is made up of a cabinet base frame 3, which contains leveling feet 4. In one embodiment, the base frame 3 may be made of a metal framework. In another embodiment, the cabinet base frame 3 may be made of wood.

A plywood panel covers the top of the framework shown in order to support the cabinet, and is not shown in the drawing so as to show the mechanism.

A sliding drawer 5, which latches in the base 1 (in the stowed position), and is released by the user kicking the toe kick 6 with his or her foot. A spring 7 pushes the drawer 5 out once the latches are released.

In one embodiment, the drawer 5 will be guided by runners 8 or rubbing blocks on the sides, and will roll on rollers (not shown) on the bottom. The rollers may be mounted using a spring mechanism similar to that in a library stool, such that when a person is standing on the step, the rollers spring up and the bottom of the drawer bears on the floor. In another embodiment, the drawer 5 will slide on conventional drawer-type slides.

A telescoping step 9, which automatically extends on a lift mechanism up from the drawer 5 to a distance of approximately 8-10 inches from the floor. In one embodiment, the step 9 telescopes using a scissor lift mechanism 10, and is pushed up to its extended position using gas springs or conventional springs (not shown). In another embodiment, the step 9 will extend on telescoping extension struts.

A system of interconnected latch 11 and locking mechanisms (not shown) such that the drawer 5 extends automatically when the toe kick 6 is kicked inward by the user, and the step 9 extends up automatically once the drawer 5 has reached its fully extended position.

A release mechanism, to facilitate stowing the step 9 back into the toe-kick of the cabinet. The user can press the release, press the step 9 back down to its collapsed position, and then push the toe kick so as to stow the drawer 5 back into its stowed position.

A series of guards 12 to prevent the user (homeowner) from catching his or her fingers in the mechanism 10.

FIG. 2 shows the cabinet base with the drawer 5 extended, but prior to the automatic extension of the step 9. This intermediate position is reached during the extension procedure once the drawer 5 has extended and before the step 9 is automatically extended, and is reached during the storage procedure once the user has released the catch 11 and pushed the step 9 down with his or her foot.

FIG. 3 shows the cabinet base 1 with the drawer 5 and the step 9 extended, so as to be in the position where the user can use the step 9 to reach higher cabinets above.

Accordingly, it is to be understood that the embodiments of the invention herein described are merely illustrative of the application of the principles of the invention. Reference herein to details of the illustrated embodiments is not intended to limit the scope of the claims, which themselves recite those features regarded as essential to the invention.

Claims

1. A foot-operated toe kick stool and cabinet base comprising: a) a cabinet base for supporting a cabinet, comprising: i) a frame;ii) a pair of slides mounted inside the frame;iii) leveling feet supporting the frame upon a floor;iv) a top panel on top of the frame for supporting the cabinet;b) a drawer slideably mounted in the frame, comprising: i) a pair of drawer slides sliding on the slides of the frame;ii) a toe kick drawer front on an outer side of the drawer;iii) a latch for holding the drawer in the frame, the latch being releasable by a push on the toe kick drawer front;c) a retractable step mounted in the drawer, comprising: i) a step;ii) a lift mechanism for raising the step from a lowered position to a raised position, the lowered position being such that the drawer may be slid within the frame when the step is in the lowered position;iii) a latch for holding the step in a raised position;iv) a latch release for releasing the latch, allowing the step to pushed down to the lowered position.

2. The stool and cabinet base of claim 1, in which the lift mechanism is a scissor lift.