HEIGHT ADJUSTABLE VANITY

FIELD

The present disclosure is generally directed to bathroom and kitchen vanities and more particularly to a new, improved vanity adapted to raise and lower the height of a countertop that is attached thereto.

BACKGROUND

A conventional bathroom vanity typically has four main walls (front door frame, left side, right side and rear frame), with an open top. There may also be a bottom wall forming a storage shelf. A separate countertop with lavatory basin is supported by the vanity so that a basin drain extends into the vanity and out the vanity's rear frame. Water is typically fed to a faucet mounted through the countertop via the vanity's rear frame.

Such bathroom vanities are installed on a permanent basis and their countertops are normally of fixed height. The height of the countertop usually is determined according to industry standards in order to accommodate the average person. While standard vanities and counters are convenient for an average, ambulatory person, access is difficult for shorter individuals and those confined to a wheelchair. Accordingly, it would be advantageous to develop a vanity which can be vertically adjusted to accommodate a wide range of users.

SUMMARY

According to one embodiment, the present disclosure provides a height adjustable vanity comprising a vanity structure comprising a countertop and a storage structure releasably attached to the vanity structure by a first coupling joint and supporting the vanity structure, the storage structure comprising (a) a removable upper frame structure and (b) a lower frame structure, the removable upper frame structure and lower frame structure configured to releasably attach to one another by a second coupling joint wherein the removable upper frame structure (a) comprises (i) a top frame having an upper cutout section comprising an upper opening and opposing horizontal supports positioned at the boundaries of the upper opening (ii) a bottom frame comprising a lower cutout section comprising a lower opening and opposing horizontal supports positioned at the boundaries of the lower opening and (iii) at least one side wall extending upward in a vertical plane from the bottom frame to the top frame and wherein the lower frame structure (b) comprises (i) a top frame comprising an opening and opposing horizontal supports positioned at the boundaries of the opening (ii) a base positioned opposite the top frame and (iii) and at least one side wall extending upward in a vertical plane from the bottom frame to the top frame and wherein the vanity is moveable from a first height to a second height by removing the upper frame structure from the storage structure.

According to other embodiments, the present disclosure provides a method for assembling the height adjustable vanity and a method for adjusting the height of the vanity.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The structure, operation, and advantages of the present disclosure will become further apparent upon consideration of the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures. The figures are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Certain elements in some of the figures may be omitted, or illustrated not-to-scale, for illustrative clarity. The cross-sectional views may be in the form of “slices”, or “near-sighted” cross-sectional views, omitting certain background lines which would otherwise be visible in a “true” cross-sectional view, for illustrative clarity.

FIG. 1 a is a front side perspective view of a height adjustable vanity according to one embodiment;

FIG. 1b is a back side perspective view of the height adjustable vanity of FIG. 1a;

FIG. 1c is a top plan view of the height adjustable vanity of FIG. 1a;

FIG. 1d is a right side elevational view of the height adjustable vanity of FIG. 1a;

FIG. 2a is a front side perspective view of a drawer forming part of the height adjustable vanity of FIG. 1a;

FIG. 2b is a left side elevational view of the drawer of FIG. 2a;

FIG. 2c is a top plan view of the drawer of FIG. 2a;

FIG. 3a is a front side perspective view of an upper frame structure forming part of the height adjustable vanity of FIG. 1a;

FIG. 3b is a front side perspective view of a lower frame structure forming part of the height adjustable vanity of FIG. 1a;

FIG. 4a is a back side perspective view of the height adjustable vanity of FIG. 1a;

FIG. 4b is a back side elevational view of the height adjustable vanity of FIG. 1a;

FIGS. 5a-5d depict releasably attaching the removable upper frame structure's bottom frame to the lower frame structure's top frame of the height adjustable vanity of FIG. 1a;

FIG. 6 is a front side view of the height adjustable vanity of FIG. 1a;

FIG. 7 is a front side view of the height adjustable vanity of FIG. 1a with the removable upper frame structure removed; and

FIG. 8 is a bookshelf in combination with the removable upper frame structure of FIG. 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the description that follows, numerous details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that variations of these specific details are possible while still achieving the results of the present invention. Relative terms such as “lower”, “upper”, “horizontal”, “vertical”, “above”, “below”, “up”, “down”, “top” and “bottom” as well as derivatives thereof (e.g., “horizontally”, “downwardly”, “upwardly”, etc.) should be construed to refer to the orientation as then described or as shown in the drawings under discussion. These relative terms are for convenience of description and do not require that the apparatus be constructed or operated in a particular orientation. Terms such as “connected”, “connecting”, “attached”, “attaching”, “coupled”, “coupling”, “join” and “joining” are used interchangeably and refer to one structure or surface being secured to another structure or surface or integrally fabricated in one piece, unless expressively described otherwise.

An improved height adjustable vanity is disclosed herein. The embodiments disclosed herein are described in the context of a height adjustable vanity for use in a bathroom because the embodiments disclosed herein have particular utility in this context. However, the embodiments and inventions herein can also be applied to other types of vanities configured for other types of environments, including, but not limited to, garages, warehouses, kitchens, or any common storage areas.

With reference to FIGS. 1a and 1b, the height adjustable vanity of the present disclosure is generally represented by reference number 100. The vanity 100 can comprise a vanity structure 110 and a storage structure 120. The vanity structure 110 can rest upon or be releasably attached to the storage structure 120. The vanity structure 110 and storage structure 120 define an interior space within the height adjustable vanity 100.

According to one embodiment, the vanity structure 110 comprises a countertop. The vanity structure 110 may also comprise a sink, and in some embodiments more than one sink, such as two sinks. Thus, in one particular embodiment, the vanity structure 110 comprises a countertop 116 and a recessed sink 118. The countertop 116 and sink 118 can be formed separately and then attached together, such as for example by mechanical fasteners, adhesive, or other known fastening means. In one particular embodiment, the countertop 116 can be formed integrally with the sink 118. The sink 118 can rest within an opening formed in the countertop 116 and extends downwardly into the storage structure 120. In embodiments where there are two sinks, the countertop 116 will have two openings and each sink can rest within one opening and extend downwardly into the storage structure 120.

The countertop 116, which may be configured to be releasably attached to the storage structure 120 as further described below, can comprise a generally flat area surrounding the sink 118 and can be formed or casted from ceramic, plastic, metal, composite, laminate tile, natural stone, synthetic stone, concrete, glass sheets, agglomerated stone, cement material, terrazo or other suitable material. The flat area may be in a generally rectangular or square shape, although other shapes are possible. The countertop 116 includes a top surface 116a and a bottom surface 116b. The bottom surface 116b can comprise coupling means for releasably attaching the countertop 116 to the storage structure 120 or may be a generally flat surface and rest upon the storage structure.

The sink 118 can also comprise a generally rectangular or square shape, although other shapes, sizes, and configurations of sinks are also possible, such as, but not limited to, circular and oval shapes. The sink 118 can be formed of heated ceramic material, plastic, metal, composite, or other suitable material. As noted above, in one embodiment, the sink 118 can comprise a generally recessed region. For example, the sink 118 can comprise a generally recessed region defined by a drain area 111, drain collection section 112, sloped section 113, and back wall 114. The drain area 111 can comprise a generally rounded opening within the body of the sink 118. The drain area 111 can be formed anywhere along the sink. In one embodiment, the drain area 111 can be located between the sloped section 113 of the sink 118 and back wall 114, along the drain collection section 112. In some embodiments, the drain area 111 can be located generally towards the back of the sink 118, for example, adjacent the back wall 114.

The sloped section 113 can extend from an edge of the sink 118 to the drain area 111. The sloped section 113 can have a substantially gradual slope. For example, the sloped section 113 can have a slope of approximately 10 degrees relative to the countertop 116. In some embodiments, the sloped section 113 can have a slope not greater than 10 degrees relative to the countertop 116. In some embodiments, the sloped section 113 can have a slope not greater than 15 degrees relative to the countertop 116. In other embodiments, the sloped section 113 can have a slope not greater than 20 degrees relative to the countertop 116. In further embodiments, the sloped section 113 can have a slope not greater than 25 degrees relative to the countertop 116. Other ranges of slopes are also possible. Additionally, the sloped section 113 can have a generally rectangular shape, although other shapes are also possible as well. For example, the sloped section 113 can have a trapezoidal shape, or a generally triangular shape.

With reference to FIGS. 1a, 1b and 3a, the storage structure 120 can comprise a removable upper frame structure 130 and a lower frame structure 140. The removable upper frame structure 130 and lower frame structure 140 may be made from wood and pieces of wood including natural wood, wood-based composites and combinations thereof. Such wood-based composites may include any lignocellulose fiber. For example, wood-based composites may include fiberboards, such as high density fiberboard, medium density fiberboard, oriented strand board and particle board. Natural wood can include a variety of different types of lumber such as industrial grade lumber, plywood, random length boards, clear cutstock lumber, fingerjoint cutstock lumber, ripped lumber, or other types of lumber suitable to make the wood product of interest. The type of wood is not limited to any particular species of wood. The wood may be a “hard wood,” which are typically woods from dicotyledoous trees, such as cherry, ash, mahogany, troko, beech, oak, maple, birch, walnut, teak, alder, aspen, beech, cottonwood, elm, gum, poplar or willow, or a “soft wood,” which are typically wood from coniferous trees such as larch, pine, fir, Douglas fir, hemlock, redwood, and spruce.

The removable upper frame structure 130 is configured to be releasably attached to the lower frame structure 140 and to the countertop 116 as further described below. Thus, the upper frame structure 130 may be disengaged from the countertop 116 and the lower frame structure 140 and removed from storage structure 120, thereby lowering the height of the vanity 100. Similarly, the upper frame structure 130 may be reinserted back into the storage structure 120 by disengaging the countertop 116 from the lower frame structure 140, attaching the upper frame structure 130 to the lower frame structure 140 and then attaching the countertop 116 to the upper frame structure 130, thereby raising the height of the vanity.

The removable upper frame structure 130 may have a polyhedral shape, and in particular a parallelepiped shape. According to one embodiment, the removable upper frame structure 130 may have a height hi of less than about 25 inches, or less than about 20 inches or less than about 15 inches or less than about 12 inches. In another embodiment, the removable upper frame structure 130 may have a height hi greater than about 6 inches, or greater than about 8 inches or greater than about 10 inches or greater than 12 about inches. In still yet another embodiment, the removable upper frame structure 130 may have a height hi within a range of about 4 inches to about 24 inches or about 6 inches to about 18 inches or about 8 inches to about 16 inches.

The removable upper frame structure 130 may comprise a bottom frame 331 having a top surface 331a and a bottom surface 331b. The bottom frame 331 includes a bottom cutout section 332 comprising a bottom opening 333. The bottom opening 333 can be formed in a back section of the bottom frame 331. The bottom frame 331 further comprises opposing horizontal supports 334 having a top surface 334a and a bottom surface 334b and which are positioned at the boundaries of the bottom opening 333. The bottom opening 333 may have a generally rectangular configuration, although other shapes and sizes besides that shown in FIG. 3a are also possible. The bottom cutout section 332 may be positioned approximately at a center position along a length of the bottom frame 331. However, it is to be understood that the bottom cutout section 332 may be positioned anywhere along a length of the bottom frame 331 to accommodate various positions of plumbing components. The bottom surface 331b of bottom frame 331 and/or the bottom surfaces 334b of horizontal supports 334 can comprise coupling means for releasably attaching the removable upper frame structure 130 to the lower frame structure 140.

The removable upper frame structure 130 also comprises a top frame 335 having a top surface 335a. The top frame 335 may include an upper cutout section 336 comprising an upper opening 337. The upper opening 337 can be formed in a back section of the top frame 335. The top frame 335 further comprises opposing horizontal supports 338 having top surfaces 338a positioned at the boundaries of the upper opening 337. The upper opening 337 may have a generally rectangular configuration, although other shapes and sizes besides that shown in FIG. 3 are also possible. The upper cutout section 336 may be positioned approximately at a center position along a length of the top frame 335. However, it is to be understood that the upper cutout section 336 may be positioned anywhere along a length of the top frame 335 to accommodate various positions of plumbing components. The top surface 335a of top frame 335 and/or the top surfaces 338a of horizontal supports 338 can comprise coupling means for releasably attaching the removable upper frame structure 130 to the countertop 116.

The removable upper frame structure 130 may further comprise at least one side wall 132 extending upward in a vertical plane from the bottom frame 331 to the top frame 335. For example, the removable upper frame structure 130 can comprise two opposing side walls 132 that are located on each side of the vanity structure 110 to provide support for the vanity structure 110. The side wall(s) 132 may be made from wood and pieces of wood including natural wood, wood-based composites and combinations thereof as discussed above. The side wall(s) 132 can have a generally rectangular or square shape, although other shapes and sizes are also possible. The side wall(s) 132 may be attached to the removable upper frame structure 130 by a mechanical fastener such as a screw, bolt, nail, pin, rivet, clamp, connection, staple, coupling, dowel, hook, joint, keeper, key, latch, lock, lug, nut, an adhesive, tape and combinations thereof. In one particular embodiment, the side wall(s) 132 are attached to the removable upper frame structure 130 by a dowel, an adhesive, tape or combination thereof to reduce the weight of the removable upper frame structure 130.

The removable upper frame structure 130 may further comprise at least one back wall 339 extending upward in a vertical plane from the bottom frame 331 to the top frame 335. For example, the removable upper frame structure 130 can comprise two back walls 339 that are located on each side of the openings 333 and 337 to provide support for the vanity structure 110. The back wall(s) 339 may be made from wood and pieces of wood including natural wood, wood-based composites and combinations thereof as discussed above. The back wall(s) 339 can have a generally rectangular or square shape, although other shapes and sizes are also possible. The back wall(s) 339 may be attached to the removable upper frame structure 130 by a mechanical fastener such as a screw, bolt, nail, pin, rivet, clamp, connection, staple, coupling, dowel, hook, joint, keeper, key, latch, lock, lug, nut, an adhesive, tape and combinations thereof. In one particular embodiment, the back wall(s) 339 are attached to the removable upper frame structure 130 by a dowel, an adhesive, tape or combination thereof to reduce the weight of the removable upper frame structure 130.

The removable upper frame structure 130 may further comprise at least one side cutout wall 340 extending upward in a vertical plane from the bottom frame 331 to the top frame 335. For example, the removable upper frame structure 130 can comprise two opposing side cutout walls 340 that are located on each side of the openings 333 and 337 to provide support for the vanity structure 110. In some embodiments, the side cutout wall(s) 340 may extend upward in a vertical plane from the bottom frame 331 to a height that is less than h₁or in other embodiments the side cutout wall(s) can extend downward in a vertical plane from the top frame 335 for a distance that is less than h₁. The side cutout wall(s) 340 may be made from wood and pieces of wood including natural wood, wood-based composites and combinations thereof as discussed above. The side cutout wall(s) 340 can have a generally rectangular or square shape, although other shapes and sizes are also possible. The side cutout wall(s) 340 may be attached to the removable upper frame structure 130 by a mechanical fastener such as a screw, bolt, nail, pin, rivet, clamp, connection, staple, coupling, dowel, hook, joint, keeper, key, latch, lock, lug, nut, an adhesive, tape and combinations thereof. In one particular embodiment, the side cutout wall(s) 340 are attached to the removable upper frame structure 130 by a dowel, an adhesive, tape or combination thereof to reduce the weight of the removable upper frame structure 130.

With reference to FIGS. 1a, 2a, 2b and 2c, the removable upper frame structure 130 may further comprise at least one slidable drawer 134. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1a, the removable upper frame structure 130 may comprise a plurality of slidable drawers 134, such as two or three. The drawer(s) 134 can be used to store materials, such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, shaving cream, or other household articles when the removable upper frame structure is either attached to the height adjustable vanity 100 or when removed from the height adjustable vanity 100. The drawer(s) 134 can be located near the top of the vanity 100. In some embodiments, the drawer(s) 134 can be located between the doors 148 and the countertop 116. The drawer(s) 134 can extend the entire, or substantially the entire, width of the vanity 100. In some embodiments, the drawer(s) 134 can be centered between the side walls 132. The drawer(s) 134 can be moved generally horizontally (e.g. parallel to the countertop 116) in and out of the storage structure 120. The drawer(s) 134 can comprise at least one handle 138, such as a knob or pull.

With reference to FIGS. 2a, 2b and 2c, the drawer 134 can comprise a front side section 240 having a top edge 241. The front side section 240 can comprise a generally flat piece of wood, composite, or other material extending in a vertical plane. The front side section 240 can resemble and/or function similar to a header for the vanity assembly 100. For example, the front side section 240 and drawer 134 can provide support for the vanity structure 110. The front side section 240 can have a generally rectangular configuration, although other shapes and sizes besides that shown in FIG. 2a are also possible. As noted above, in some embodiments, the drawer 134 can have a handle 138, such as a knob or pull. In those embodiments in which the drawer does not have a handle, the size and shape of the front side section 240 can make it difficult for an observer to know whether the front side section 240 forms part of a drawer. For example, the front side section 240 can resemble merely a part of a support structure underneath the countertop. This can be advantageous if it is desired for the existence of the drawer 134 to remain hidden.

With continued reference to FIGS. 2a, 2b and 2c, the drawer 134 can comprise at least one drawer back side section 242 and drawer side section 244 with a drawer side top edge 245. The drawer side sections 244 can be recessed inwardly from the front side section 240, such that a width of the front side section 240 is greater than a width between the drawer side sections 244.

The drawer 134 can further comprise a drawer bottom section 246. The drawer front side section 240, side sections 244, back side section 242, and bottom section 246 can surround a storage area. The storage area formed by the drawer sections can be used to hold and store bathroom items (e.g. shaving cream toothbrushes), cleaning supplies, or any other household items that might fit within a space defined by the drawer sections.

With reference to FIGS. 4a and 4b, the drawer 134 can be connected to at least one of the side walls 132. For example, the drawer 134 can be slidably connected to the side walls 132. The drawer 134 can move relative to the side walls 132, for example through use of a slide channel or channels 431. The slide channel 431 can be built into the side wall 132, and can comprise a notched and/or recessed area along an inner portion of the side wall 132. In some embodiments, the channel 431 can be a separately formed structure which is attached to the inside of side wall 132. The channel 431 can accommodate a corresponding roller, protruding channel, or other similar structure on or attached to the drawer 134, such as, for example, protruding channel 432. The drawer 134 can be moved (e.g. pulled in and out) generally horizontally relative to the countertop 116. In some embodiments, the channel 431 can include a stop or other structure to inhibit the drawer 134 from being pulled completely out of the height adjustable vanity 100. In other embodiments, the drawer 134 may be slidably connected to the top surface 331a of bottom frame 331 and top surfaces 334a of horizontal supports 334 through the use of a pair of rollers mounted beneath the drawer 134 and corresponding rails mounted on the top surface 331a of bottom frame 331 and top surfaces 334 of horizontal supports 334.

With reference to FIGS. 1a, 1b and 3b the storage structure 120 further comprises a lower frame structure 140. The lower frame structure 140, which is configured to be releasably attached to the removable upper frame structure 130 and the countertop 116 as further described below, has a polyhedral shape, and in particular a parallelepiped shape. According to one embodiment, the lower frame structure 140 may have a height h₂of less than about 48 inches, or less than about 42 inches or less than about 36 inches or less than about 30 inches. In another embodiment, the lower frame structure 140 may have a height h₂greater than about 16 inches, or greater than about 20 inches or greater than about 24 inches or greater than 30 about inches. In still yet another embodiment, the lower frame structure 140 may have a height h₂within a range of about 16 inches to about 36 inches or about 20 inches to about 34 inches or about 24 inches to about 32 inches.

In one embodiment, the lower frame structure 140 may be constructed in a manner that is similar to upper frame structure 130 but may be configured as a mirror image of upper frame structure 130 with a height h₂that is greater than the height h₁of the removable upper frame structure 130. In one embodiment, the ratio of h₂to h₁may range from about 1.1:1 to about 5:1 or from about 1.2:1 to about 3.5:1 or from about 1.3:1 to about 2:1 or from about 1.4:1 to about 1.8:1.

In one embodiment, the lower frame structure 140 comprises a top frame 341 having a top surface 341a and a base 150 positioned opposite the top frame 341. The top frame 341 may include a cutout section 342 comprising an opening 343. The opening 343 may be formed in a back section of the top frame 341. The top frame 341 further comprises opposing horizontal supports 344 having top surfaces 344a and which are positioned at the boundaries of the opening 343. The opening 343 may have a generally rectangular configuration, although other shapes and sizes besides that are shown in FIG. 3b are also possible. The cutout section 342 may be positioned approximately at a center position along a length of the top frame 341. However, it is to be understood that the cutout section 342 may be positioned anywhere along a length of the top frame 341 to accommodate various positions of plumbing components. The top surface 341a of the top frame 341 and/or the top surfaces 344a of horizontal supports 344 can comprise coupling means for releasably attaching the lower frame structure 140 to upper frame structure 130 or the countertop 116 when the removable upper frame structure 130 has been removed from the storage structure 120.

The lower frame structure 140 further comprises at least one side wall 142 extending upward in a vertical plane from the base 150 to the top frame 341. For example, the lower frame structure 140 can comprise two side walls 142 that are located on each side of the vanity structure 110 to provide support for the vanity structure 110. The side walls 142 may be made from wood and pieces of wood including natural wood, wood-based composites and combinations thereof as discussed above. The side wall(s) 142 can have a generally rectangular or square shape, although other shapes and sizes are also possible. The side wall(s) 142 may be attached to the lower frame structure 140 by a mechanical fastener such as a screw, bolt, nail, pin, rivet, clamp, connection, staple, coupling, dowel, hook, joint, keeper, key, latch, lock, lug, nut, an adhesive, tape and combinations thereof. In one particular embodiment, the side wall(s) 142 are attached to the lower frame structure 140 by a dowel, an adhesive, tape or combination thereof to reduce the weight of the lower frame structure 140.

The lower frame structure 140 may further comprise at least one back wall 349 extending upward in a vertical plane from the base 150 to the top frame 341. For example, the lower frame structure 140 can comprise two back walls 349 that are located on each side of the opening 343 to provide support for the vanity structure 110.

The back wall(s) 349 may be made from wood and pieces of wood including natural wood, wood-based composites and combinations thereof as discussed above. The back wall(s) 349 can have a generally rectangular or square shape, although other shapes and sizes are also possible. The back wall(s) 349 may be attached to the lower frame structure 140 by a mechanical fastener such as a screw, bolt, nail, pin, rivet, clamp, connection, staple, coupling, dowel, hook, joint, keeper, key, latch, lock, lug, nut, an adhesive, tape and combinations thereof. In one particular embodiment, the back wall(s) 349 are attached to the lower frame structure 140 by a dowel, an adhesive, tape or combination thereof to reduce the weight of the lower frame structure 140.

The lower frame structure 140 can also comprise at least one side cutout wall 350 extending upward in a vertical plane from the base 150 to the top frame 341. For example, the lower frame structure 140 can comprise two opposing side cutout walls 350 that are located on each side of the opening 343 to provide support for the vanity structure 110. In some embodiments, the side cutout wall(s) 350 may extend upward in a vertical plane from the base 150 to a height that is less than h₂or in other embodiments the side cutout wall(s) can extend downward in a vertical plane from the top frame 341 for a distance that is less than h₂. The side cutout wall(s) 350 may be made from wood and pieces of wood including natural wood, wood-based composites and combinations thereof as discussed above. The side cutout wall(s) 350 can have a generally rectangular or square shape, although other shapes and sizes are also possible. The side cutout wall(s) 350 may be attached to the lower frame structure 140 by a mechanical fastener such as a screw, bolt, nail, pin, rivet, clamp, connection, staple, coupling, dowel, hook, joint, keeper, key, latch, lock, lug, nut, an adhesive, tape and combinations thereof. In one particular embodiment, the side cutout wall(s) 350 are attached to the lower frame structure 140 by a dowel, an adhesive, tape or combination thereof to reduce the weight of the lower frame structure 140.

With reference to FIGS. 3b, 4a and 4b, the lower frame structure 140 may further comprise a bottom shelf 351 for the placement of household items, such as buckets, cleaning supplies, bathroom items, or other materials. The bottom shelf 351 may be made from wood and pieces of wood including natural wood, wood-based composites and combinations thereof as discussed above. The bottom shelf 351 may be located near the bottom of the vanity 100, and near the floor of a bathroom or other room. The bottom shelf 351 may extend between the sidewalls 142 in a horizontal plane.

The lower frame structure 140 may also comprise at least one door 144. The door(s) 144 can be located along a front side of the height adjustable vanity 100. The door(s) 144 may be made from wood and pieces of wood including natural wood, wood-based composites and combinations thereof as discussed above. The door(s) 144 can be located below the countertop 116 and sink 118, and can swing open to provide access to the storage area underneath the drawers 134 or the countertop 116 and sink 118. The door(s) 144 can be hinged to the side wall(s) 142 by one or more hinges 433. The door(s) 144 may comprise at least one handle 148, such as, for example, a small door knob or pull. The door(s) 144 can be arranged symmetrically between the side walls 142 and underneath the sink 118, giving the vanity assembly 100 a desirable aesthetic appearance.

Coupling means can be used to releasably attach: (i) the bottom surface 116b of the countertop 116 to the top surface 335a of top frame 335 (and in some embodiments top surfaces 338a of horizontal supports 338) of the removable upper frame structure 130: (ii) the bottom surface 116b of the countertop 116 to the top surface 341a of top frame 341 (and in some embodiments the top surfaces 344a of horizontal supports 344) of lower frame structure 140; and (ii) the bottom surface 331a of bottom frame 331 (and in some embodiments bottom surfaces 334a of horizontal supports 334) of the removable upper frame structure 130 to the top surface 341a of top frame 341 (and in some embodiments the top surfaces 344a of horizontal supports 344) of lower frame structure 140. The coupling means may include, but is not limited to, a coupling joint. The coupling joint may be a blind joint, a dado joint, a blind dado joint, a stopped joint, a dovetail joint, a doweled joint, a blind joint, a finger joint, a half lap joint, a lock miter joint, a lock shoulder joint, a slotted mortise and tenon joint, a stub mortise and tenon joint, a through mortise and tenon joint, a rabbet joint, a scarf joint, a spline joint, a tongue and groove joint and combinations thereof.

For clarification purposes, a “butt joint” may be a joint formed by square edge surfaces (e.g., ends, edges, faces) coming together, such as an end butt joint or an edge butt joint. A “dado joint” may be a rectangular groove, typically across the grain of a wood member, into which the end of the joining member is inserted. A butt joint is also known as a housed joint, variations of which include “dado and tenon”, and “stopped or blind dado” joints. A blind or stopped dado joint is one in which the dado is not visible when the joint is completed. A “dovetail joint” may be a joint formed by inserting a projecting wedge-shaped member (i.e., a dovetail tenon) into a correspondingly shaped cut-out member (i.e., a dovetail mortise), variations of which include the “dovetail dado”, and the “blind dovetail dado”. A “dovetail, blind joint” may be a dovetail joint that is not visible when the joint is completed. A “doweled joint” may be a joint using “dowels” (i.e., doweled construction in which, typically, a wood peg or a metal screw is inserted into a hole and can be used to strengthen a wood joint); also “doweled edge joint”.

A “miter joint” typically comprises the joining of two members at an angle that bisects the angle of junction. A “lock joint miter” may be a miter joint employing a tongue and groove to further strengthen it. A “shoulder joint miter” is any type of a miter joint that presents a shoulder, such as a lock miter or a splined miter. A “blind joint mortise and tenon” is a mortise and tenon joint in which the tenon does not extend through the mortise and does not remain visible once the joint is completed, also “blind tenoned”. A “slotted joint mortise and tenon” is a mortise and tenon right angle joint in which the tenon is visible on two edges once the joint is completed. A “stub joint mortise and tenon” is a short tenon inserted in a plow or groove. A “through joint mortise and tenon” is a mortise and tenon joint in which the inserted tenon extends completely through the mortise and the end of the tenon remains visible once the joint is completed.

A “plow” is a rectangular groove or slot of three surfaces cut parallel with the grain of a wood member, in contrast to a dado, which is cut across the grain. A “rabbet joint” is a joint formed by the rabbet(s) (i.e., a rectangular cut on the edge of a member; a “rabbet” has two surfaces and a “plow” has three) on one or both members; also rabbeted edge joint; rabbeted right angle joint. A “scarf joint” is an end joint formed by having the two ends of the members beveled to form sloping plane surfaces. A “spline joint” is a joint formed by the use of a “spline”. A spline is a thin, narrow strip, usually of plywood, inserted into matching grooves which have been machined in abutting edges of panels or lumber to insure a flush alignment and secure joint. Splines customarily run the entire length of the joint. A “tenon” is a projecting tongue-like part of a wood member to be inserted into a slot (mortise) of another member to form a mortise and tenon joint. A “tongue and groove joint” is a joint formed by the insertion of the “tongue” (i.e., a projection on the edge or end of a wood member that is inserted into the groove or plow of a similar size to form a joint) of one member into the “groove” of the other.

With reference to FIGS. 5a, 5b, 5c and 5d, an example of releasably attaching the bottom frame 331 of the removable upper frame structure 130 to the top frame 341 of lower frame structure 140 using a coupling joint is depicted. In this non-limiting embodiment, bottom frame 331 can be releasably attached to top frame 341 by a coupling joint comprising a tongue and groove joint or a doweled joint or a combination thereof. The bottom surface 331b of bottom frame 331 (and bottom surfaces 334b of horizontal supports 334) can be placed in engagement with and attached to the top surface 341 of top frame 341 (and top surfaces 344a of horizontal supports 344) via a tongue and groove joint to couple the bottom frame 331 and the top frame 341 together. In some embodiments, dowels, such as wooden dowels, may then be inserted into holes around bottom frame 331 (and horizontal supports 334) and top frame 341 (and horizontal supports 344) to further secure the bottom frame 331 of upper frame structure 140 and top frame 341 of lower frame structure 130 together. When it is desired to release the upper frame structure 130 from the lower frame structure 140, the dowels may be removed from the holes and the bottom frame 331 may be lifted off the top frame 341.

With reference to FIG. 6, a disassembled full size vanity 600 is shown. The full size vanity 600 can be generally formed by attaching the removable upper frame structure 130 to the lower frame structure 140 by a coupling joint to form a storage structure 120 and then attaching the vanity structure 110 to the storage structure 120 by a coupling joint to form the full size vanity 600. In particular, the bottom surface 331b of bottom frame 331 (and the bottom surfaces 334b of horizontal supports 334) can be placed in engagement with and attached to the top surface 341a of top frame 341 (and top surfaces 344a of horizontal supports 344) via a coupling joint to couple the removable upper frame structure 130 and lower frame structure 140 together. The bottom surface 116b of countertop 116 can then be placed in engagement with and attached to the top surface 335a of top frame 335 (and top surfaces 338a of horizontal supports 338) of removable upper frame structure 130 via a coupling joint to couple vanity structure 110 and storage structure 120 together.

With reference to FIG. 7, a disassembled child size vanity 700 is shown. The child size vanity 700 can be generally formed by attaching the vanity structure 110 to the lower frame structure 140 by a coupling joint to form the child size vanity 700. In particular, the bottom surface 116b of countertop 116 can be placed in engagement with and attached to the top surface 341a of top frame 341 and top surfaces 344a of horizontal supports 344) of lower frame structure 140 via a coupling joint to couple the vanity structure 110 and the lower frame structure 140 together.

In another embodiment, the present disclosure provides a method for lowering the height of the vanity 100 of the present disclosure from a full size height to a child size height that is lower than the full size height. The method includes (i) disengaging a coupling joint between the vanity structure 110 and storage structure 120 comprising removable upper frame structure 130 and lower frame structure 140 and lifting the vanity structure 110 off the storage structure 120 (ii) disengaging a coupling joint between the removable upper frame structure 130 and lower frame structure 140 and removing the upper frame structure 130 from the storage structure 120 and (ii) placing the vanity structure 110 in engagement with and attaching it to the lower frame structure 140 via a coupling joint. With reference to FIG. 8, the upper frame structure 130, which has been removed from the storage structure 120, can be utilized as a functional piece of furniture either alone or in combination with other pieces of furniture.

In still another embodiment, the present disclosure provides a method for increasing the height of the vanity 100 of the present disclosure from a child size height to a full size height that is higher than the child size height. The method includes (i) disengaging a coupling joint between the vanity structure 110 and the lower frame structure 140 and lifting the vanity structure 110 off the lower frame structure 140 (ii) placing the upper frame structure 130 in engagement with and attaching it to the lower frame structure 140 via a coupling joint and (iii) placing the vanity structure in engagement with and attaching it to the upper frame structure 130 via a coupling joint.

While the foregoing is directed to embodiments of the present disclosure, other and further embodiments of the disclosure may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof, and the scope thereof is determined by the claims that follow.

HEIGHT ADJUSTABLE VANITY

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