Patent Application
20220175136
The disclosure is directed to a wall mountable cabinet. More particularly, the disclosure is directed to a wall mountable cabinet having a zero gravity drop down table.
Wall mountable cabinets with drop down components save space by storing the drop-down component within or against the cabinet when not in use. However, the drop-down component may create a safety hazard as it is opened and closed, being heavy and/or difficult to open and close. What may be desirable is a wall mountable cabinet with improved safety and ease of operation.
The disclosure is directed to several alternative designs, materials and methods of manufacturing wall mountable structures and assemblies.
Accordingly, in one illustrative embodiment a convertible wall mountable cabinet may comprise a housing configured to be mounted to a wall, a drop-down assembly pivotably coupled to the housing, the drop-down assembly movable between a closed configuration and an open configuration, and a bracket assembly. The bracket assembly may include a first portion coupled to the housing, a second portion coupled to the drop-down assembly, and a spring assembly configured to pivotably couple the first and second portions. The spring assembly may be configured to store mechanical energy as the drop-down assembly is moved from the closed configuration to the open configuration.
Alternatively or additionally to any of the examples above, in another example, the spring assembly may comprise a first torsion spring assembly including a first hex nut, a torsion spring, and a second hex nut, a second torsion spring assembly including a first hex nut, a torsion spring, and a second hex nut, and a sleeve.
Alternatively or additionally to any of the examples above, in another example, the first and second torsion spring assemblies may be disposed over the sleeve.
Alternatively or additionally to any of the examples above, in another example, the spring assembly may further comprise a first arm secured to the second portion of the bracket assembly and rotatable relative to the sleeve and a second arm secured to the second portion of the bracket assembly and rotatable relative to the sleeve.
Alternatively or additionally to any of the examples above, in another example, each of the first arm and the second arm may define a hexagonal opening, the hexagonal opening of the first arm may be configured to receive the first hex nut of the first torsion spring assembly and the hexagonal opening of the second arm may be configured to receive the first hex nut of the second torsion spring assembly.
Alternatively or additionally to any of the examples above, in another example, the first and second arms may be configured to rotate the first hex nuts of the first and second torsion spring assemblies to wind the first and second torsion springs as the drop-down assembly is moved from the closed configuration to the open configuration.
Alternatively or additionally to any of the examples above, in another example, the second hex nut of the first torsion spring assembly and the second hex nut of the second torsion spring assembly may be secured to the sleeve.
Alternatively or additionally to any of the examples above, in another example, the first portion of the bracket assembly may include a plurality of panels configured to be secured to a lower portion of the housing.
Alternatively or additionally to any of the examples above, in another example, the second portion of the bracket assembly may be configured to receive a portion of the drop-down assembly.
Alternatively or additionally to any of the examples above, in another example, the drop-down assembly may comprise a table and a leg, the leg pivotably coupled to the table.
Alternatively or additionally to any of the examples above, in another example, in the closed configuration, the table and the leg may be in a substantially vertical orientation adjacent to a front side of the housing.
Alternatively or additionally to any of the examples above, in another example, in the open configuration, the table may be in a substantially horizontal configuration extending from a bottom end of the housing.
Alternatively or additionally to any of the examples above, in another example, in the open configuration, the leg may be in a substantially vertical configuration and laterally spaced from the housing.
In another example, a convertible wall mountable cabinet may comprise a housing configured to be mounted to a wall, the housing defining a cavity, a drop-down assembly including a table and a leg, the drop-down assembly pivotably coupled to the housing and movable between a closed configuration and an open configuration, and a bracket assembly. The bracket assembly may include a first portion coupled to the housing, a second portion coupled to the table of the drop-down assembly, and a spring assembly configured to pivotably couple the second portion to the first portion. In an absence of an external force, the spring assembly may be configured to maintain the drop-down assembly in the closed configuration.
Alternatively or additionally to any of the examples above, in another example, the spring assembly may be configured store mechanical energy as the drop-down assembly is moved from the closed configuration to the open configuration.
Alternatively or additionally to any of the examples above, in another example, the spring assembly may comprise a cylindrical sleeve extending between a first side of the bracket assembly to a second side of the bracket assembly, a first torsion spring assembly disposed over the cylindrical sleeve, a second torsion spring assembly disposed over the cylindrical sleeve, a first arm secured to the second portion of the bracket assembly and rotatable relative to the cylindrical sleeve, and a second arm secured to the second portion of the bracket assembly and rotatable relative to the cylindrical sleeve.
Alternatively or additionally to any of the examples above, in another example, the first arm may be coupled to the first torsion spring assembly and the second arm may be coupled to the second torsion spring assembly such that rotation of the first and second arms is translated into winding and/or unwinding of a portion of the first and second torsion spring assemblies.
Alternatively or additionally to any of the examples above, in another example, a first end of the cylindrical sleeve may be configured to pass through a first opening in the first portion of the bracket assembly and a second end of the cylindrical sleeve may be configured to pass through a second opening in the first portion of the bracket assembly.
Alternatively or additionally to any of the examples above, in another example, one or more fixation collars may be disposed over the first and second ends of the cylindrical sleeve to secure the cylindrical sleeve relative to the first portion of the bracket assembly.
In another example, a convertible wall mountable cabinet may comprise a housing configured to be mounted to a wall, the housing defining a cavity, a drop-down assembly including a table and a leg, the drop-down assembly pivotably coupled to the housing and movable between a closed configuration and an open configuration, and a bracket assembly. The bracket assembly may comprise a first portion coupled to the housing, a second portion coupled to the table of the drop-down assembly, and a spring assembly configured to pivotably couple the second portion to the first portion. In the closed configuration the drop-down assembly may be positioned over the cavity and of the housing and in the opening configuration the drop-down assembly is rotated away from the housing to position the table in a horizontal orientation. The spring assembly may be configured store mechanical energy as the drop-down assembly is moved from the closed configuration to the open configuration.
The above summary of some example embodiments is not intended to describe each disclosed embodiment or every implementation of the invention.
The invention may be more completely understood in consideration of the following detailed description of various embodiments in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:
While the invention is amenable to various modifications and alternative forms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the intention is not to limit aspects of the invention to the particular embodiments described. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention.
For the following defined terms, these definitions shall be applied, unless a different definition is given in the claims or elsewhere in this specification.
All numeric values are herein assumed to be modified by the term “about”, whether or not explicitly indicated. The term “about” generally refers to a range of numbers that one of skill in the art would consider equivalent to the recited value (i.e., having the same function or result). In many instances, the term “about” may be indicative as including numbers that are rounded to the nearest significant figure.
The recitation of numerical ranges by endpoints includes all numbers within that range (e.g., 1 to 5 includes 1, 1.5, 2, 2.75, 3, 3.80, 4, and 5).
Although some suitable dimensions, ranges, and/or values pertaining to various components, features and/or specifications are disclosed, one of skill in the art, incited by the present disclosure, would understand desired dimensions, ranges and/or values may deviate from those expressly disclosed.
As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. As used in this specification and the appended claims, the term “or” is generally employed in its sense including “and/or” unless the content clearly dictates otherwise.
The following detailed description should be read with reference to the drawings in which similar elements in different drawings are numbered the same. The detailed description and the drawings, which are not necessarily to scale, depict illustrative embodiments and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. The illustrative embodiments depicted are intended only as exemplary. Selected features of any illustrative embodiment may be incorporated into an additional embodiment unless clearly stated to the contrary.
Wall mountable cabinets with drop down components save space by storing the drop-down component within or against the cabinet when not in use. However, the drop-down component may create a safety hazard as it is opened and closed. For example, the cabinet may fall from the wall or the drop-down component may open too quickly and harm the person opening the cabinet. The present wall mountable cabinet includes a sleeve and spring assembly configured to assist with the opening and closing of the drop-down component. The sleeve and spring assembly may allow near weightless, or zero-gravity, operation of the drop-down component which may improve accessibility, ease of use, and safety of the cabinet.
The table 14 and leg 15 are pivotably coupled together to form an articulatable drop-down assembly 19. For example, the drop-down assembly 19 may include a first hinge (not explicitly shown) and a second hinge 21. The hinges 21 may be positioned adjacent to upper corners 23, 25 of the leg 15 and outward corners 27, 29 adjacent a first end 37 of the table 14. The hinges 21 are configured to allow the leg 15 to swing way from the table 14 as the cabinet 10 is moved from the closed configuration to the open configuration while allowing the leg 15 to rest against the table 14 when the cabinet 10 is in the closed configuration. The hinges 21 may lock in place to secure the drop-down assembly 19 in the open configuration. In the locked configuration, the leg 15 may extend in vertical orientation generally orthogonal to the table 14. It is contemplated that the leg 15 contacting the floor limits rotation of the drop-down assembly 19 away from the housing 12 and helps maintain the table 14 in an orientation that is parallel to the floor. In some cases, the hinges 21 may include a release that is actuated when it is desired to move the wall mountable convertible cabinet 10 from the opening configuration to the closed configuration. In the open configuration, the table 14 may be substantially horizontal and extend generally parallel to a floor and orthogonal to the leg 15 to create a work surface. While the work surface is described as a table, it is contemplated that the use of the work surface 14 is not so limited. For example, the table 14 may be a bar, a desk, etc. It is further contemplated that the table 14 need not be used as a work surface.
The drop-down assembly 19 is rotatably coupled to the housing 12 via an articulatable bracket assembly 30, such as, a sleeve and spring assembly. The bracket assembly 30 is coupled to the housing 12 adjacent the bottom end 33 thereof and to the table 14 adjacent a second end 39 thereof. As described above, the leg 15 is pivotably coupled to the table 14 such that as the table 14 is moved away from the housing 12, the leg 15 moves with the table 14.
The first portion 32 of the bracket assembly 30 may include a first panel 36 configured to be positioned against an outer surface of the back panel 16 of the housing 12, a second panel 38 configured to be positioned against an outer surface of bottom panel 20 of the housing 12, a third panel 40 configured to be positioned against an outer surface of the first lateral side panel 22 of the housing 12, and a fourth panel 42 configured to be positioned against an outer surface of the second lateral side panel 24 of the housing 12. Generally, the panels 36, 38, 40, 42 are positioned to generally surround a lower portion of the housing 12. In some cases, the first, third, and fourth panels 36, 40, 42 may have a height H that is less than a height of the housing 12, although this is not required. It is further contemplated that the second, third, and fourth panels 38, 40, 42 may have a depth D that is approximately equal to a depth of the housing 12. In other cases, the depth D of the second, third, and fourth panels 38, 40, 42 may be less than a depth of the housing 12. The second panel 38 may have a width W that is approximately equal to a width of the housing 12. In other cases, the width W of the second panel 38 may be less than a width of the housing 12.
In some cases, the panels 36, 38, 40, 42 may be cut from a single piece of material and bent to form the desired shape. In other cases, one or more of the panels 36, 38, 40, 42 may be formed as separate components and welded (or otherwise secured) together. Each of the panels 36, 38, 40, 42 may include one or more apertures or openings 44 configured to receive a fixation mechanism therethrough for securing the panels 36, 38, 40, 42 to the housing 12. Some illustrative fixation mechanisms may include, but are not limited to, nut and bolt assemblies, screws, etc.
The third and fourth panels 40, 42 may include a region 46a, 46b (collectively, 46) extending outward (e.g., away from the back panel 16 of the housing 12) from the housing 12. The outwardly extending region 46 may include an aperture or opening 47a, 47b (collectively, 47) extending therethrough. The apertures 47 in the outwardly extending region(s) 46 are configured to receive a steel sleeve, tube, or cylinder 48 which extends a width of the bracket assembly 30 and forms a portion of the spring assembly 50. The spring assembly 50 is positioned adjacent to the bottom end 33 of the housing 12 and extends generally parallel to the bottom panel 20. The sleeve 48 may have width greater than a width of the housing 12 such that the sleeve 48 extends axially through the apertures 47 in both the third and fourth panels 40, 42. Annular fixation collars 78 may be positioned over the sleeve 48 on both ends thereof and secured thereto with a set screw 80 to limit axial or side to side movement of the sleeve 48. The collars 78 are positioned adjacent an outer surface 82 of the third and fourth panels 40, 42, respectively. While not explicitly shown, the annular collars 78 may be covered with protective cap. The cap may be formed from a polymeric material or other suitable coating.
The second portion 34 of the bracket assembly 30 may form a sleeve that is configured to slidably receive the table 14 (not explicitly shown). For example, the second portion 34 may define channels 68, 70 configured to receive and retain the table 14 within a recess 72 formed by the second portion 34 of the bracket assembly 30. The second portion 34 may include a main or bottom panel 52 configured to support the table 14 when the cabinet 10 is in the open configuration. In some cases, the main panel 52 may include a cut-out 54 to reduce the weight of the panel 52 and/or for aesthetics. While the cut-out 54 is illustrated as having a generally curved parabolic shape, other shapes or designs may be used as desired. The second portion 34 may further include a first side panel 56, a second side panel 58, and a third side panel 60. The side panels 56, 58, 60 may extend orthogonally from the main panel 52. Top panels 62, 64, 66 extend orthogonally from the side panels 56, 58, 60 and parallel to the main panel 52. Collectively, the side panels 56, 58 and the top panels 62, 64 along with the main panel 52 form channels 68, 70 for slidably receiving and retaining the table 14 within the second portion 34. The third side panel 60 may form an end stop to limit movement of the table 14 and to help retain it within the bracket assembly 30 when the cabinet 10 is in the closed configuration. In some cases, the first, second, and/or third side panels 56, 58, 60 may further include one or more apertures 74 for receiving a fixation mechanism, such as, but not limited to, a screw, for securing the table 14 to the second portion 34 of the bracket assembly 30. It is further contemplated that one or more of the top panels 62, 64, 66 may include one or more apertures for receiving a fixation mechanism for securing the table 14 to the second portion 34 of the bracket assembly 30. In some cases, the panels 52, 56, 58, 60, 62, 64, 66 may be cut from a single, unitary, piece of material and bent to form the desired shape. In other cases, one or more of the panels 52, 56, 58, 60, 62, 64, 66 may be formed as separate components and welded (or otherwise secured) together.
The second portion 34 of the bracket assembly 30 may be coupled to the spring assembly 50 via a first arm 76a and a second arm 76b (collectively, 76) secured to opposing sides of the second portion 34. The arms may include an elongated first region and an enlarged circular second region 86a, 86b (collectively, 86). The elongated first region 84 may extend along a portion of the length of the first and second side panels 58, 60, respectively, substantially parallel thereto. The elongated first region 84 may include one or more apertures 85, or otherwise be configured, to receive one or more fixation mechanisms therethrough to secure the arms 76 the second portion 34 of the bracket assembly 30 and/or the table 14. In some cases, the first region 84 of the arms may be welded to the second portion 34 of the bracket assembly 30. However, this is not required.
The enlarged second region 86 includes through hole 49a, 49b (collectively, 49) extending therethrough for receiving the sleeve 48 such that the arm 76 rotates relative to the sleeve 48. As will be described in more detail herein, the through holes 49 may have a size and shape configured to mate with a hex nut 90a, 90b on the spring assembly 50 to limit or preclude rotation of the spring assembly 50 while the arm 76 pivots about the sleeve 48. For example, the through holes 49 may have a hexagonal shape sized to limit or preclude rotation of the hex nut 90a, 90b and thus the spring assembly 50.
The spring assembly 50 may include a first torsion spring 88a and a second torsion spring 88b (collectively, 88). Each spring 88a includes a first hex nut 90a, 90b (collectively, 90) adjacent to a respective arm 76 (and an outer edge of the respective spring 88) and a second hex nut 92a, 92b (collectively, 92) adjacent to an inner edge of the respective spring 88). The first and second hex nuts 90, 92 may be fixedly secured to the respective torsion spring 88. The torsion spring 88 and hex nut 90, 92 assemblies are disposed over the sleeve 48. The first hex nut 90 is fixedly secured (e.g., via welding) to the torsion spring 88 such that rotational movement of the bracket assembly 30 is translated to the spring 88. For example, the hex nut and the torsion springs 88 may be configured such that as the second portion 34 of the bracket assembly 30 (and hence the table 14 and leg) are rotated open, the first hex nuts 90 are rotated to compress (or wind) the torsion springs 88 and store mechanical energy. As the second portion 34 of the bracket assembly 30 (and hence the table 14 and leg) are rotated closed, the hex nuts 90 rotate in a manner that unwinds the torsion springs 88 thus releasing the stored mechanical energy and facilitating actuation of the table 14 and leg to the closed configuration.
It is contemplated that the springs 88 may include sufficient preloaded tension to maintain the cabinet 10 in the closed configuration. However, additional locking features may be included to maintain the cabinet 10 in the closed configuration. In some cases, a lock and key mechanism may be provided. In other cases, the cabinet 10 may include a biometric (e.g., fingerprint) locking mechanism. For example, referring briefly back to
Returning to
It is contemplated that the preloaded tension on the torsion springs 88 facilitates both opening and closing of the cabinet 10. For example, the cabinet 10 can be opened with minimal effort as the torsion springs 88 support the weight of the table 14 and leg 15 as the cabinet 10 is opened. Thus, the table 14 and leg 15 may rotate away from the housing 12 in a weightless manner. Further, the torsion springs 88 prevent or reduce the likelihood that the table 14 and leg 15 will fall way from the housing 12 in an uncontrolled manner. It is contemplated that uncontrolled opening of the cabinet 10 may increase the likelihood of accidental injury incurred either by the speed of the table 14 and leg opening or the cabinet 10 completely disengaging from the wall. These are just some examples.
Next, the spring assembly 50 may be adjusted. To begin, the position of the first hex nuts 90 may be verified, as shown at block 108. Prior to adjusting the tension of the torsion springs 88, the first hex nuts 90 should extend into the corresponding mating through hole 49 in the arms 76. Next, the second hex nuts 92 may be individually rotated to tighten or loosen the winding of the corresponding torsion spring 88, as shown at block 110. The second hex nuts 92 may then be secured to the sleeve 48 via a set screw, as shown at block 112. It is contemplated that the second hex nuts 92 may be sequentially adjusted. For example, one of the second hex nuts 92 may be adjusted and secured to the sleeve 48 with a set screw. Then, the second of the second hex nuts 92 may be adjusted and secured to the sleeve 48 with a set screw.
Next, the operation of the drop-down assembly 19 may be verified, as shown at block 114. For example, the drop-down assembly 19 may be raised and lowered. If the drop-down assembly 19 is difficult to move from the closed configuration to the open configuration, the tension of the torsion springs 88 may be reduced (e.g., the second hex nuts 92 rotated to unwind the torsion springs 88). If the drop-down assembly 19 is not maintained in the closed configuration (in the absence of an externally applied biasing force), the tension of the torsion springs 88 may be increased (e.g., the second hex nuts 92 rotated to wind the torsion springs 88). Once the operation of the drop-down assembly 19 has been verified, additional set screws in the second hex nuts 92 may be tightened to further secure the second hex nuts 92 to the sleeve 48, as shown at block 116. Finally, the table 14 may be secured to the second portion 34 of the bracket assembly 30, as shown at block 118. This may be done by inserting screws (or other fixation members) through the apertures 74 of the second portion 34 of the bracket assembly 30 and into the table 14.
Those skilled in the art will recognize that the present invention may be manifested in a variety of forms other than the specific embodiments described and contemplated herein. Accordingly, departure in form and detail may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention as described in the appended claims.
