Storage cabinet

Abstract

An improved storage cabinet device including a powered lift attached to the cabinet such that the entire cabinet and its contents may be pivoted away from the support surface on which the cabinet may be hung and upward above the support surface below the cabinet, thereby clearing the lower support surface for use when the cabinet is so raised. The improved storage cabinet of this invention is particularly suitable for use in, for example, a garage.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an improved storage cabinet device primarily intended for use in a location, such as a garage, for example, wherein it is desirable to move the cabinet when not needed in order to clear wall and floor space. The invention is characterized by its construction to permit hinged attachment of the cabinet to a wall, and the use of a power lift mechanism to pivot the cabinet upwardly, away from the wall and the floor when it is not actually being used. The power lift basically comprises an electric motor which drives a winch having a cable attached thereto, the cable being attached to the cabinet, and the cabinet being hingedly attached to the wall.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Prior patent literature discloses numerous means whereby storage cabinets may be raised and lowered for ease of use. Prior art devices are shown as being operated mechanically, electrically, and even pneumatically. A number of the prior art devices are actually similar to dumb waiter installations in that lines and pulleys are used to raise and lower the cabinet.

Both prior patent literature and one's own practical experience have recognized space limitations associated with the storage of items in a garage, while still providing sufficient space for primary use of the garage for vehicles. Solutions have been provided, but almost all such solutions involve rather complicated systems whereby a storage cabinet is actually raised and lowered, elevator-like, from the garage floor through the garage ceiling into the structure's attic space. Obviously, such devices are not only rather expensive, but also require extensive structural modifications. In fact, these “elevator cabinets” would typically require professional installation as the structure was being built.

It is therefore apparent that there remains a need for an improved storage cabinet system that can be easily and economically installed in virtually any garage or other space wherein it is desirable to move the cabinet away from the wall and floor to permit greater utility of the space when articles stored in the cabinet are not needed. As indicated above, such a system would be particularly useful in the typical homeowner's garage.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an improved storage cabinet device comprising a cabinet defined by a top, an opposed bottom, opposed first and second sides attached to the top and bottom in interconnecting relation therebetween, and a back attached to the top, the bottom, and the opposed first and second sides. One or more shelves, adjustable or fixed, are provided for the placement of items thereon. The cabinet is attached to the wall against which it is placed by one or more hinges, and a power lift is operatively attached to the cabinet whereby the cabinet may be pivoted about the hinged connection to raise and lower the cabinet with respect to the floor and the wall.

The invention accordingly comprises an article of manufacture possessing the features, properties, and the relation of elements which will be exemplified in the article hereinafter described, and the scope of the invention will be indicated in the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation, partially in section, showing the improved storage cabinet device in its lowered position, with its raised position shown in phantom.

FIG. 2 is a front elevation of the improved storage cabinet device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary detail of the securing arm of this invention.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary detail of the hinged attachment of the cabinet to a vertical support surface.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a cabinet structure showing shelves and structural supports in phantom.

FIG. 6 is a detailed view of one preferred embodiment for attaching portions of the power lift to a support surface above the cabinet.

FIG. 7 is a detailed view of a second embodiment for attaching portions of the power lift to a support surface above the cabinet.

FIG. 8 is a detailed view of a third embodiment for attaching portions of the power lift to a support surface above the cabinet.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to the views of FIGS. 1 and 2, a first preferred embodiment for the improved storage cabinet device of this invention is generally indicated as 10. The improved storage cabinet device basically comprises a cabinet, generally indicated as 12, and a power lift, generally indicated as 14, used to raise and lower cabinet 12 from its accessible position to a stowed position, as indicated in phantom in the views of FIGS. 1 and 2.

At this point it should be noted that the cabinet 12 is defined by a top 16, a bottom 18, first side 20, second side 22, and back 24. Actual assembly of these elements of cabinet 12 may be by any standard means, and the elements of cabinet 12 may be formed from any suitable material such as, for example, wood, metal, or recognized substitutions therefor. However, because cabinet 12 must pivot from an accessible position to a stowed position, it is to be understood that cabinet 12 must be of relatively sturdy construction.

Referring to the view of FIG. 5, cabinet 12 is shown as including reinforced corner posts 26 and diagonal braces 28. A center support 30 may also be provided. As with the other structural elements of cabinet 12, reinforced corner post 26, diagonal braces 28, and center support 30 may actually be formed from any suitable material providing additional strength and rigidity to cabinet 12.

Returning to the view of FIG. 1, cabinet 12 is positioned adjacent wall 32, which is typically defined by sheetrock panels. As show in the view of FIG. 1, wall 32 is attached to studs 34, only one of which is shown in the view of FIG. 1. If necessary, additional blocking may be provided behind wall 32, and such additional blocking is well known in the art for the installation of relatively heavy items on a structure's walls. The front elevation of FIG. 2 depicts a plurality of the studs 34.

In order to permit the pivoting action of cabinet 12 provided by operation of power lift 14, a top spacer 36 and a bottom spacer 38 are provided between back 24 of cabinet 12 and wall 32, as shown in the views of FIGS. 1 and 2. Top spacer 36 and bottom spacer 38 are attached to studs 34 by suitable fasteners, with the fasteners utilized for top spacer 36 being chosen to support cabinet 12 on wall 32.

Referring to the view of FIG. 4, one can see that the pivoting motion of cabinet 12 is provided by the hinged attachment of cabinet 12 to wall 32 by one or more hinges 40. While the view of FIG. 2 illustrates the use of a pair of hinges 40, it is to understood that a continuous, piano hinge could be used, and certainly more than two of the hinges 40 could be employed when deemed necessary because of the weight of cabinet 12 and articles placed therein. Hinge 40 is attached to top 16 and back 24 of cabinet 12, and to top spacer 36 by suitable fasteners. As illustrated in the view of FIG. 4, lag bolts 42 have proved to be acceptable fasteners for this purpose. However, it is to be understood that the scope of the present invention is not limited to such a use of lag bolts 42.

Returning to the view of FIG. 1, power lift 14 in this preferred embodiment comprises an electric motor 44 having a winch 46 operatively attached thereto. A cable 48 is provided with first end 50 of cable 48 attached to winch 46, and second end 52 of cable 48 attached to cabinet 12 as by eye 54. In this preferred embodiment for improved storage cabinet device 10, cable 48 passes through pulleys 56, and pulleys 56 are mounted on ceiling 58 as described in greater detail below. It is to be understood that the term “cable” is intended to include any suitable material for raising and lowering cabinet 12 by the action of winch 46. It is also to be understood that the scope of this invention is not to be limited to the use of an electric motor 44, for other means for raising and lowering cabinet 12 may be employed as an element of power lift 14. It is also to be understood that the use of an eye 54 for attachment of second end 52 of cable 48 to cabinet 12 is not to be interpreted as limiting the scope of the present invention. For purposes of convenience, second end 52 of cable 48 is preferably removably attachable to eye 54.

Referring to the views of FIGS. 6, 7 and 8, alternative embodiments for attaching pulleys 56 to ceiling 58 are illustrated. As shown in the view of FIG. 6, an external block 60 may be provided, with lag bolts 42 used to attach external block 60 and pulley 56 to ceiling 58 by passing therethrough into a corresponding rafter 62. Further strength and support is provided in the alternative embodiment of FIG. 7. As shown in FIG. 7, in addition to external block 60 an internal block 64 is also provided. According to this embodiment, attachment is accomplished by the use of hex bolts 66 and corresponding washers 68 and hex nuts 70. Washers 68 are preferably lock washers. Yet another installation method is shown in the view of FIG. 8 wherein hex bolts 66, washers 68 and hex nuts 70 extend through an external block 60 and an internal block 64, but pass through a joist 72 inside ceiling 58. The view of FIG. 8 further illustrates that an eye bolt 74 may, in some instances, be substituted as an equivalent for pulley 66.

It is also to be understood that while the views of FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 illustrate the attachment of pulleys 56 to ceiling 58, similar mechanical means are used for the attachment of motor 44, as depicted in the views of FIGS. 1 and 2.

Turning now to the view of FIG. 3, a detailed view of securing arm 76 is presented. A first arm end 78 of securing arm 76 is movably attached to ceiling 58 as previously described above, and may pivot as shown in phantom in the view of FIG. 3. Securing arm 76 further includes a distal arm end 80 having a hook 82 formed thereon. As shown in the view of FIG. 1, distal arm end 80 and its hook 82 may engage bottom 18 and back 24 of cabinet 12 to hold cabinet 12 in the stowed position indicated in phantom in the view of FIG. 1. Securing arm 76 further comprises a lanyard 84 having a first lanyard end 86 attached to distal arm end 80 and a distal lanyard end 88 including a handhold 90 attached thereto. The length of lanyard 84 is sufficient so that a user may manipulate securing arm 76 to retain cabinet 12 in the stowed position. As with cable 48, the material comprising lanyard 84 may be selected from any suitable rope, cable, or line.

Once again considering the views of FIGS. 1, 2 and 5, cabinet 12 is shown as further including a plurality of shelves 92. The vertical spacing of shelves 92 may be fixed or adjustable, as determined by the user. Placement of shelves 92 within cabinet 12 may be accomplished by any standard, well-known means.

While not illustrated in any of the drawing figures, it is further contemplated that cabinet 12 may be provided with doors, if desired. It is also to be understood that because cabinet 12 pivots from an accessible to a stowed position, additional means such as, for example, braces or bungee cords may be employed to secure items that are stored within cabinet 12.

It is also to be understood that switch means (not shown) will be operatively connected to electric motor 44 so that winch 46 may be operated selectively either to withdraw or extend cable 48 for the purpose of raising and lowering cabinet 12. The switch means may comprise a double action wall switch, a remote control device, or any such suitable, well-known switch for operating such an electric motor 44. The use of a remote control switch, in combination with a wall switch, is preferred.

It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, among those made apparent from the preceding description, are efficiently attained, and, since certain changes may be made in the above article without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described, and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.

Now that the invention has been described,

Claims

1. An improved storage cabinet device comprising: a cabinet comprising a top, an opposed bottom, opposed first and second sides attached to said top and said bottom in interconnecting relation therebetween, and a back attached to said top, said bottom, and said opposed first and second sides; at least one hinge disposed in operative interconnecting relation between said top and a vertical surface adjacent said back; and a power lift operatively attached to said cabinet, whereby said cabinet may be pivoted about said hinge to raise and lower said cabinet with respect to the vertical surface adjacent said back.

2. An improved storage cabinet device as in claim I wherein said power lift comprises a motor attached to a support surface above said top, a winch operatively connected to said motor, a cable having a first end and a second end, said first end of said cable being attached to said winch and said second end of said cable being attached to said cabinet, whereby actuating said motor will operate said winch to pivot said cabinet about said hinge.

3. An improved storage cabinet device as in claim 2 further comprising at least one pulley attached to a support surface above said top, said cable operatively engaging said pulley between said winch and said cabinet.

4. An improved storage cabinet device as in claim 3 further comprising a plurality of pulleys, each one of said plurality being attached to a support surface above said top, said cable operatively engaging each one of said plurality of pulleys between said winch and said cabinet.

5. An improved storage cabinet device as in claim 4 further comprising a securing arm having a first arm end movably attached to a support surface above said top and a distal arm end comprising a hook, said hook being removably engageable in holding relation to said cabinet substantially adjacent said bottom, whereby said cabinet may be secured in a raised position.

6. An improved storage cabinet device as in claim 5 wherein said securing arm further comprises a lanyard having a first lanyard end attached to said securing arm substantially adjacent said distal arm end and having a distal lanyard end comprising a handhold attached thereto.

7. An improved storage cabinet device as in claim 2 wherein said motor is an electric motor.

8. An improved storage cabinet device as in claim 1 comprising a plurality of said hinges.

9. An improved storage cabinet device as in claim 1 further comprising at least one shelf disposed between said first and second sides intermediate said top and said bottom.

10. An improved storage cabinet device as in claim 9 wherein said at least one shelf is adjustable.

11. An improved storage cabinet device as in claim 10 comprising a plurality of said shelves.

12. An improved storage cabinet device comprising: a top, an opposed bottom, opposed first and second sides attached to said top and said bottom in interconnecting relation therebetween, and a back attached to said top, said bottom, and said opposed first and second sides; a plurality of shelves, each one of said plurality of shelves being adjustably disposed between said first and second sides intermediate said top and said bottom; at least one hinge disposed in operative interconnecting relation between said top and a vertical surface adjacent said back; and a power lift operatively attached to said cabinet, said power lift comprising an electric motor attached to a support surface above said top, a winch operatively connected to said motor, a cable having a first cable end attached to said winch and a second cable end attached to said cabinet, at least one pulley attached to a support surface above said top, said cable operatively engaging said pulley between said winch and said cabinet, and a securing arm having a first arm end movably attached to a support surface above said cabinet top, said securing arm further having a distal arm end comprising a hook, said hook being removably engageable in holding relation to said cabinet substantially adjacent said bottom whereby said cabinet may be secured in a raised position, and a lanyard having a first lanyard end attached to said securing arm substantially adjacent said distal arm end and having a distal lanyard end comprising a handhold attached thereto.