Patents Examined by Gerard A. Ardirsv
  • Patent number: 5462347
    Abstract: A pull down shelf assembly (20) for facilitating access to an upper storage shelf (22). The storage shelf (22) is movably mounted to a shelf guide track mechanism (23, 23') for movement between an extended position and a retracted position. The pull down assembly (20) includes a pantographic assembly (25, 25') which is mounted to a support member (21) by a shelf mounting bracket member (24). The pantographic assembly includes a pair of arms (26, 27) pivotally mounted to the track mechanism (23, 23') and the mounting bracket member (24, 24') at spaced-apart locations. This configuration produces pantographic movement of the track mechanism (23, 23') throughout an arcuate path between a deployed position and an elevated stored position while maintaining the horizontal orientation of the shelf (22) throughout the pantographic movement. A shelf locking mechanism (35, 35') locks the shelf (22) in the extended position during pantographic movement between the elevated stored position and the deployed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 31, 1995
    Inventors: Doug Vogelgesang, Douglas Ching