Patent Application
20200359786
The invention relates to a kit of parts for forming a kitchen unit, and a kitchen unit formed from the same. The invention also relates to a method of forming a kitchen unit.
The process of procuring a kitchen typically involves a consultation with a kitchen designer at a showroom. The designer obtains measurements of the customer's kitchen, and information regarding their preferred units and the layout and configuration thereof, and uses this information to produce a kitchen design. The design process may for example be carried out using kitchen planning software. When the design process is complete and the design is approved by the customer, the order is placed and the completed plan is used to manufacture the kitchen. In one example, the kitchen is manufactured to order once the design is placed, with units made from traditional materials such as laminate and timber machined and finished as specified in the plan. In this manner, the practice of stocking large numbers of units in a warehouse can be avoided.
Recently, there has been a desire to provide kitchen units, such as islands and tower units formed from tubular metals such as steel, in order to provide an industrial look. However, manufacturing such units to order, for example by welding tubular elements together, is not practical on a large scale.
It is an aim of the invention to overcome the above-mentioned difficulties, and any other difficulties that would be apparent to the skilled reader from the description herein.
According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a kit of parts for forming a kitchen unit, comprising:
a first frame component comprising a plurality of tubular edge elements;
a second frame component comprising a plurality of tubular edge elements; and
a plurality of tubular legs, wherein the plurality of tubular legs comprises:
References herein to “tubular” will be understood to be references to substantially hollow components with a substantially constant cross-section. It will be understood that tubular encompasses cross-sections other than circular cross-sections.
Each edge element may be connected to a neighbouring edge element by a bracket.
Each edge element may have a rectangular cross-section.
Each edge element may comprise or be formed from metal, suitably steel.
At least one of the end legs may be securable to its respective first frame component by a bolt extending from its respective first frame component into a respective recess and into the end leg.
At least one of the intermediate legs may be:
securable to its respective first frame component by a first bolt extending from its respective first frame component into a respective recess and into the intermediate leg, and
securable to its respective second frame component by a second bolt extending from its respective second frame component into a respective recess and into the intermediate leg.
The or each end leg and/or intermediate leg may comprise an adjustable foot portion at one end thereof.
The kitchen unit may be a tower unit. The kitchen unit may be a kitchen island. The kitchen unit may be freestanding.
The first frame component may comprise a brace. The second frame component may comprise a brace.
The first frame component may comprise four tubular edge elements, each tubular edge element being arranged substantially perpendicularly to a neighbouring edge element.
The second frame component may comprise: three tubular edge elements, each tubular edge element being arranged substantially perpendicularly to a neighbouring edge element, and an open end. The open end may be attachable to at least one of the intermediate legs.
The first frame component may comprise three tubular edge elements, each edge element being arranged substantially perpendicularly to a neighbouring edge element, and a non-tubular edge element connecting two of the tubular edge elements.
The second frame component may comprise a pair of tubular edge elements, and a pair of non-tubular edge elements. A first tubular edge element may be disposed opposite a second tubular edge element. A first non-tubular edge element may be disposed opposite a second non-tubular edge element.
According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a kitchen unit assembled from the kit of parts of the first aspect.
According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a method of manufacturing a kitchen unit, comprising assembling the kit of parts of the first aspect.
For a better understanding of the invention, and to show how embodiments of the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example only, to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which:
In summary, this disclosure provides a kit of parts for forming a kitchen unit, comprising a first frame component, a second frame component and a plurality of legs. The legs comprise end legs that are securable to the first frame component, and intermediate legs, which are securable to both the first frame component and second frame component, so as to act as a support for both frame components. Subsequent second frame components can then be attached to the initial second frame component, with further intermediate legs, to provide a layer of frame components of arbitrary length. This kit of parts allows the formation of kitchen units, such as free-standing tower units or islands, in a wide variety of configurations based on a small number of parts.
The first frame component 110 is formed from four edge elements 111-114. The each edge element 111-114 is arranged substantially perpendicularly to the neighbouring edge element, so as to form a planar, rectangular frame. In one example, the edge elements are connected by brackets 115 disposed between adjacent edge elements 111-114 within the interior of the frame. The brackets 115 may also be suitable for supporting a shelf 160 (see
In one example, each edge element 111-114 is formed from hollow components having a rectangular (e.g. square) cross-section. These components may be referred to in the art as box section components. Accordingly, the components are tubular. The edge elements 111-114 may be formed from metal, for example steel.
The edge elements 111-114 are sized so as to define a recess 116 between adjacent edge elements 111-114. The recess 116 is sized to receive a leg 130, 140.
The second frame component 120 is similar to the first frame component 110, differing in that one of the edge elements is omitted, so that the second frame component 120 has an open end 127. Accordingly, the second frame component 120 takes the form of a U-shaped frame formed from three edge elements 121-123, each arranged perpendicularly to one another. Recesses 126 are formed at the junction between adjacent edge elements 121-123. Furthermore, brackets 125 are provided between adjacent edge elements 121-123. In addition, brackets 125 are provided at the open end 127 for connection to legs 140.
The kitchen unit 100 comprises two types of legs. Legs 130 are end legs disposable at recesses 116 that form the vertices of the unit 100, such that they form the junction between adjacent edge elements of the frame component 110 or 120. In contrast, legs 140 are intermediate legs, which can be secured to both the frame component 110 and 120, in a recess formed between an edge element 111-114 of the first frame component 110 and an edge element 121-123 of the second frame component 120.
Legs 130, 140 of various lengths may be provided, so as to provide for units 100 of various heights. In one example, the legs 130, 140 are formed from hollow components of similar cross-sectional dimensions as the edge elements 111-114, 121-123.
As shown in
As shown in
Example dimensions of the components are as follows. In one example, the first frame component 110 is about 600 mm×600 mm. In a further example, the first frame component is 600 mm×300 mm, so as to provide a unit with shallower depth. The second frame component may have similar dimensions. In one example the legs 130,140 are approximately 2.25 m long. The box section of the components may be approximately 50 mm×50 mm.
In use, the kitchen unit 100 is assembled as follows. End legs 130 are secured to the recesses 116 of a first frame component 110a, which will form the end vertices of the assembled unit. Intermediate legs 140 are then secured to the remaining recesses 116 of the first frame component 110a.
Subsequently, second frame component 120a is secured to intermediate legs 140, with the edge elements 121, 123 at the open end of the second frame component 120a attaching to the intermediate legs 140. Accordingly, the intermediate legs 140 are positioned in a recess formed between an edge element of the first frame component 110a and an edge element of the second frame component 120a.
Subsequently, end legs 130 are then secured to the recesses 126 to form the other end vertices of the kitchen unit 100. Accordingly, a first layer of the frame components 110a-120a is assembled, providing a lowermost layer of the kitchen unit 100.
The process is then repeated for further first frame components 110b-g and second frame components 120b-g, in successive layers, each layer arranged vertically above a preceding layer to form the remainder of the unit 100. Accordingly, a frame of a kitchen unit 100 is provided.
Subsequently, shelves 160, cabinets 170 and appliances 180 such as ovens, microwaves and dishwashers may be coupled to the frame.
The kitchen unit 100, once assembled, may be freestanding. In other words, the kitchen unit 100 is able to support itself without requiring securement to a wall. It will be appreciated that the kitchen unit 100 may be tethered to a wall for safety reasons, such as to prevent the kitchen unit 100 from being tipped over, whilst still being freestanding by virtue of the fact that the weight of the unit 100 is fully supported by the legs 130, 140,
It will be appreciated that some of the first and second frame components 110, 120 may be omitted, so as to provide kitchen units of differing configurations. For example, as shown in
In addition, the second frame components 120a-g act as extension frames to the first frame components 110a-g. It will be appreciated that additional sets of extension frames 120 may be added, so as to provide a larger kitchen unit 100. In particular, the end legs 130 attached the second frame components 120a-g may be replaced with intermediate legs 140, and further second frame components 120 attached thereto. Any number of second frame components and intermediate legs 140 may be connected together in series in this manner, to provide a kitchen unit of arbitrary length.
The kitchen unit 200 is formed from a plurality of frame components 210, 220 and a plurality of legs 230, 240. The frame components comprise a plurality of first frame components 210 and a plurality of second frame components 220.
The first frame component 210 is formed from four edge elements 211-214. Similarly to the first frame component 110 described above, each edge element 211-214 is arranged substantially perpendicularly to the neighbouring edge element, so as to form a planar, rectangular frame. In one example, the edge elements are connected by brackets 215 disposed between adjacent edge elements 211-214 within the interior of the frame.
In contrast to the first frame component 110, the first frame component 210 comprises three edge elements 211-213 formed from hollow components having a rectangular (e.g. square) cross-section, and a fourth edge element 214 that is formed from a metal plate.
Recesses 216 are present between adjacent edge elements 211-213. Furthermore, recesses 217 are formed between the edge element 214 and its neighbouring edge elements 211, 213. The recess 217 is sized so as to receive half of the cross-section of the leg 240.
In one example, the first frame component 210 comprises a brace 218, extending across the interior of the component. The brace 218 may prevent deformation of the component and/or provide an extra point of support for shelves attached to the unit 200. In one example, the brace 218 is constructed similarly to edge elements 211-213. In one example, the brace 218 is attached to the frame with brackets 215.
The second frame components 220 are constructed similarly to the first frame components 210, apart from that the hollow edge element opposite the metal plate edge element is replaced with another metal plate edge element. Accordingly, the second frame component comprises edge elements 221, 223 formed from hollow components having a rectangular cross section, and edge elements 222, 224 formed from metal plates. Each of the recesses 227 between adjacent edge elements is sized so as to receive half of the cross-section of the leg 240.
Legs 230 are end legs and legs 240 are intermediate legs, similar to the legs 130,140 discussed above, although sized suitably for a kitchen island rather than a tower unit.
Example dimensions of the components are as follows. In one example, the first frame component 210 is about 600 mm×600 mm, 800 mm×800 mm or 1000 mm×1000 m. In other examples, the frame component 210 may be 600 mm×800 mm, 600×1000 mm, In a further example, the first frame component is 600 mm×300 mm, so as to provide a unit with shallower depth. The second frame component may have similar dimensions. In one example the legs 230,240 are approximately 800 mm to 1000 mm long, for example 870 mm long. The box section of the components may be approximately 50 mm×50 mm or 30 mm×30 mm.
In use, the kitchen unit 200 is assembled as follows. End legs 230 are secured to the recesses 216 of a first frame component 210a, which will form the end vertices of the assembled unit. A first pair of intermediate legs 240 is then secured to the remaining recesses 217 of the first frame component 210a.
Subsequently, second frame component 220a is secured to the first pair of intermediate legs 240. The recesses 217 of the first frame component 210a and the recesses 227 of the second frame component 220a co-operate to define recesses that fit an intermediate leg 140.
Subsequently, a second pair of intermediate legs 240 are secured to the remaining two recesses 227 of the first frame component 210a. A further first frame component 210a-1, which is rotated 180 degrees with respect to the first frame component 210a, is then secured to the second pair of intermediate legs 240. Finally, a second pair of end legs 230 are secured to the recesses 216 of frame component 210a-1, to form the other end vertices of the kitchen unit 200. Accordingly, a first layer of the frame components 210a/220a/210a-1 is assembled, providing a lowermost layer of the kitchen unit 200.
The process is then repeated, in successive layers, each layer arranged vertically above a preceding layer to form the remainder of the unit 200. Accordingly, a frame of a kitchen unit 200 is provided. Again, it will be appreciated that some of the first and second frame components 210, 220 may be omitted, so as to provide kitchen units of differing configurations. For example, as shown in
Various modifications and alterations may be made to the above examples within the scope of the invention. A kit may be provided comprising first and second frame components of different dimensions. Particularly, a kit may be provided with a first frame component that is a given size, and a first frame component that is half the size (e.g. half as wide or half as deep), and/or a second frame component that is a given size, and a second frame component that is half the size (e.g. half as wide or half as deep). Accordingly, the components can be selectively used to provide a variety of configurations.
Whilst the examples above involve tubes with rectangular cross-sections, it will be appreciated that circular cross sections may be employed. Furthermore, the order of the steps of assembling the kitchen units 100, 200 described above may be altered.
Advantageously, the above-described kit of parts permits a wide range of kitchen units, such as free-standing towers and islands, to be assembled from a relatively small set of basic components. Accordingly, units formed from tubular steel need not be specially constructed and welded, but instead can be readily assembled from prefabricated modular elements. In addition, the provision of parts of a small number of differing sizes enables a highly flexible system, maximising the range of configurations possible.
Attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.
All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.
Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, 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.
The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1906715.6 | May 2019 | GB | national |
