Patent Application
20060267467
This disclosure pertains generally to a storage and retrieval methods and systems for articles of manufacture, such as cooking utensils and the like, and, more specifically, to a method and system for assisting in the storage and retrieval of objects by changing their elevation.
Storage space in a household or commercial kitchen may be study in either inefficiency or efficiency. In other words, most kitchen fall somewhere between being a chaotic assortment of pots, pans, dishes, bowls, and other cooking and food preparation tools, or a skillfully organized and accessible array of the finest instruments of the culinary craft. Unfortunately, for most kitchens, providing the needed storage systems for cooking utensils, such as pots, pans, and the like, can be an expensive undertaking that often requires the installation of additional shelving, cabinets, and other fixed components.
One particularly troubling storage problem for a typical kitchen is in the area of storage and retrieval of pots and pans. Oftentimes, pots and pans storage is in a cabinet or drawer beneath a stove or kitchen appliance.
A problem with drawer or similar storage for pots, pans, and similar kitchen utensils is that utensil storage and retrieval requires stooping down to open the drawer or cabinet door. Then, the desired utensil often sits at the bottom of a stack of other pots or pans. Pulling the desired utensil from underneath the stack or removing one or more other utensils resting on the desired utensil, for some individuals, can be a straining and potentially dangerous maneuver. This is particularly true for the elderly or handicapped population. Since as many as 20% of a population has some sort of chronic physical handicap during their lifetime and a much larger percentage will suffer from a physical injury or other temporary handicap, a need exists to address the problem of cooking utensil storage and retrieval.
Accordingly, there is a need for a method and system that enhances the organizations of pot, pans, and similar utensils, without requiring significant remodeling and construction costs.
A need exists for a method and system for cooking utensil storage and retrieval that avoids the limitations of drawers and other cabinet configurations.
Moreover, a further need exists to address in other ways the challenges of handicapped individuals in storing and retrieving cooking utensils.
For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure, and the advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following brief descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying FIGURES, in which like reference numerals indicate like features:
This disclosure pertains generally to a storage and retrieval methods and systems for articles of manufacture, such as cooking utensils and the like, and, more specifically, to a method and system for assisting in the storage and retrieval of objects by changing their elevation. Such method and system for assisting in the storage and retrieval of objects can include, in an embodiment of the invention, a pulling handle and a base that support the movement of an upper-to-lower arm across a roller mechanism. This causes the upper-to-lower arm to rise. A lower-to-upper arm pivotally hinges to upper-to-lower arm and lower-to-upper arm slides in a groove of the base to exert a general upward motion of pans occurs
The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the context of describing embodiments of the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate embodiments of the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-described element as essential to the practice of the invention.
Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention. Variations of those preferred embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.
This application claims priority to and benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/604,517, filed on Aug. 26, 2004.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60604517 | Aug 2004 | US |
