Vanity Cabinet Having Adjustable Mirror

A vanity cabinet for installation in countertops is provided comprising a bottom panel, an upstanding rear support at the rear of the bottom panel, a front support pivotably secured at the front of the bottom, two opposing side walls and a cover pivotably secured over the bottom panel to the rear support. In a preferred version the cover is adapted to be raised and lowered over the bottom panel. When raised, the cover exposes a rigid mirror support pivotably secured to the underside of the cover. The mirror support preferably contains a mirror pivotably secured to the mirror support. The mirror support is movably supported by bearings positioned on each side wall. In use, the mirror is pivotable to different angular positions with respect to the mirror support. Further, the mirror support itself is pivotable to different angular positions with respect to the cover.

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Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/793,610, filed Apr. 20, 2006, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.

STATEMENT OF FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Various types of vanity cabinet structures have been used over the years. Many have included folding tops or covers which may be raised to reveal a mirror positioned for viewing when a person is positioned in front of the cabinet. Prior known vanity cabinet structures have, however, suffered from numerous deficiencies making them undesirable from various standpoints.

For instance, vanities can contain pivotable top covers raised to expose mirrors for viewing. For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 1,062,962 discloses a pivoted mirror hinged to the rear of a slide-out drawer. The drawer must be pulled out to its full extent before the mirror is properly positioned for viewing. Further, U.S. Pat. No. 1,443,858 discloses a mirror combined with a storage cabinet such that when a tilted receptacle is swung outwardly toward the front of the cabinet, a pair of pivoted links are moved upwardly and outwardly to both raise a top cover and swing a hinged mirror outwardly to a viewing position at the top of the cabinet.

However, conventional vanity mirror's often severely limit use of the mirror for viewing. This is especially true for close-up viewing, since the sliding drawers or pivoted storage areas prevent close approach to the viewing surface. Moreover, it is virtually impossible to remain seated in front of one of these structures when the drawer or pivoted storage cabinet is operated.

Therefore, a need exists for a hidden vanity cabinet that allows close up viewing of the user that is hidden during non use.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect the invention provides a vanity cabinet comprising a bottom panel, an upstanding rear support at the rear of the bottom panel, a front support pivotably secured at the front of the bottom, two opposing side walls and a cover pivotably secured over the bottom panel to the rear support.

In a preferred version the cover is adapted to be raised and lowered over the bottom panel and supported in spaced relation to the bottom panel by the front support when lowered. When raised, the cover exposes a rigid mirror support pivotably secured to the underside of the cover. The mirror support contains a mirror pivotably secured to the mirror support. The mirror support is movably supported by bearings positioned on each side wall.

The mirror is pivotable to different angular positions with respect to the mirror support. Further, the mirror support itself is pivotable to different angular positions with respect to the cover.

The bearings movably support the mirror support between the rear and front supports to allow automatic pivotal movement of the mirror support away from the cover and over and along the bottom panel to an upright position for viewing of the mirror when the cover is raised. In a preferred version the mirror and mirror support automatically pivot downwardly and outwardly away from the cover to position the mirror for unobstructed close-up viewing when the cover is raised.

The vanity of the present invention also comprises a drawer member slidingly mounted to the side walls of the invention. The front support is pivotably secured to the bottom panel, thereby allowing the front support to be lowered to access the drawer member.

Accordingly, the present vanity presents several advantages over the prior art. For instance, the mirror is pivotable both in relation to the cover and the mirror support. In use, therefore, a user may adjust the mirror without adjusting the entire mirror support. This greatly increases the ease and convenience of the vanity to the user. Further, the vanity of the present invention provides additional storage in the form of a drawer. Advantageously, the drawer does not need to be accessed to use the mirror.

The foregoing and other advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description. In the description that follows reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part thereof, and in which there is shown by way of illustration, and not limitation, expected preferred embodiments of the invention. Such embodiments do not necessarily represent the full scope of the invention, and reference should therefore be made to the claims herein for interpreting the scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a left front perspective view of the vanity apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a left front perspective view of the vanity of FIG. 1 with the mirror exposed;

FIG. 3 is a side view showing the interior of the vanity of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the vanity of FIGS. 1 and 2 with the mirror opened and the drawer pulled out;

FIG. 5 is a side view showing the interior of the vanity of FIGS. 1 and 2 with the mirror and drawer hidden; and

FIG. 6 is a side view of the vanity showing the mirror opened and tilted for close-up viewing and the front cover opened.

 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIGS. 1-6, a preferred embodiment of the vanity 10 of the present invention is shown. As seen in FIG. 1, the vanity 10 comprises a bottom panel 12, an upstanding rear support 14 at the rear of the bottom panel 12, a front support 16 pivotably secured at the front of the bottom panel 12, two opposing side walls 18 and a cover 20 pivotably secured over the bottom panel 12 to the rear support 14.

The cover 20 is preferably pivotably secured over the bottom panel by means of a hidden hinge 34 as shown in FIG. 2. However, in alternate versions, other pivoting structures may be used.

As seen in FIG. 2, the vanity 10 also comprises a rigid mirror support 22 pivotably secured to the underside of the cover 20. The mirror support 22 is preferably secured to the underside of the cover 20 via standard piano hinges 36 mounted at opposing ends of the mirror support 22.

The mirror support 22 is preferably movably supported by bearings 26 positioned on each side wall 18. In a preferred version, the mirror support 22 is pivotable to different angular positions along the length of the bearings 26. In this regard, the position of the mirror support 22 may be adjusted with respect to the cover 20 when the cover 20 is raised.

In a preferred version, the mirror support 22 supports a mirror 24 pivotably secured to the mirror support 22. The mirror 24 is preferably pivotable to different angular positions with respect to the mirror support 22. For instance, the mirror 24 may pivots on the mirror support 22 via a hinge 23.

In an alternate version, the mirror support 22 preferably pivots out to expose a center section mirror (not shown) that rotates 180 degrees. In this version, the mirror may comprises a regular mirror on one side and a 2× magnifying mirror on the opposing side.

In use, when a user wants to put on make-up or otherwise closely view their face, the user may sit in front of the vanity 10 (not shown) and raise the cover 20. This causes the mirror support 22 and mirror 24 to automatically slide downwardly and outwardly away from the cover 20 along the bearings 26. When the mirror support 22 is in the desired position, the user may secure the mirror support 22 in a given position along the bearings 26.

Once the position of the mirror support 22 has been selected, the user may also further adjust the position of the mirror 24 by pivoting the mirror 24 along its pivot 23. This allows the user to easily adjust the position of the mirror 24 to accommodate, for instance, a taller person, without having to adjust the position of the mirror support 22.

As seen in FIG. 3, the cover 20 is preferably adapted to be raised and lowered over the bottom panel 12. Once raised, the cover 20 is preferably supported in position by the mirror support. However, once lowered, the cover 20 is preferably supported in spaced relation to the bottom panel 12 by the front support 16.

The vanity 10 further comprises a drawer member 28 slidingly mounted within the vanity 10. As seen in FIG. 4, the drawer member 28 may be slidingly removed from within the vanity 10 by lowering the front panel 16 and pulling the drawer 28 outwardly from the vanity 10. In a preferred version the drawer 28 moves along bearings 30 (see FIGS. 5 and 6) mounted along the insides of side walls 18. The vanity 10 therefore provides additional storage for the user.

In a preferred version the drawer member 28 does not have to be accessed to access the mirror 24.

As seen in FIG. 5, the vanity 10 is preferably contained within a single unit. Thus, after use, a user may collapse the cover 20, thus moving the mirror support 22 and mirror 24 along the bearings 26 until the mirror support 22 and mirror 24 are collapsed within the vanity 10. Once in place, the cover 20 is preferably closed over the mirror support 22 and mirror 24.

As seen in FIG. 6, the front cover 16 may be supported in the open position by a hinge 32. The front cover 16 preferably has a scalloped surface which corresponds to the front edge 34 of the cover 20. Thus, when the vanity is not in use, the casual observer may not notice the utility the vanity 10 of the present invention provides.

In a preferred version the vanity 10 is intended for installation in a counter top (along lines 5 as seen in FIG. 1) for use in a bathroom or dressing room. The countertop may or may not include a lavatory mounted there through at one side. Therefore, the directional terms in this patent are used with that type of installation in mind. However, the vanity 10 may also be used in combination with other cabinet systems. Thus, terms such as “front”, “rear”, “upper”, “lower”, and “side” should be interpreted in an analogous manner when the vanity 10 is used for a given type of installation.

While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it should be appreciated that the invention could be used in a variety of other embodiments.

Thus, the principles of the present invention can be applied in a variety of other ways apart from those specifically noted herein and/or depicted in the drawings. Still other modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, the claims (rather than just the preferred embodiments) should be reviewed in order to understand the full scope of the invention.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present invention provides a vanity apparatus that contains an adjustable mirror and removable drawer for installation in a countertop apparatus.

Claims

1. A vanity cabinet comprising:

a bottom panel;
two opposing supports attached to the bottom panel at opposing ends;
two opposing side walls attached to the bottom panel at opposing sides;
a cover pivotably secured to a support over the bottom panel,
a rigid mirror support pivotably secured to the underside of the cover; and
a mirror pivotably secured to the mirror support;
wherein the mirror and mirror support automatically pivot downwardly and outwardly away from the cover to position the mirror for unobstructed close-up viewing when the cover is raised.

2. The vanity of claim 1 further comprising bearings positioned on each side wall, wherein the bearings movably support the mirror support between the opposing supports to allow automatic pivotal movement of the mirror support away from the cover and over and along the bottom panel to an upright position for viewing of the mirror when the cover is raised.

3. The vanity of claim 1 wherein the cover is adapted to be raised and lowered over the bottom panel and supported in spaced relation to the bottom panel by the front support when lowered.

4. The vanity of claim 1 wherein the mirror support is pivotable to different angular positions with respect to the cover.

5. The vanity of claim 1 wherein the mirror is pivotable to different angular positions with respect to the mirror support.

6. The vanity of claim 1 wherein the cover is adapted to be raised and lowered over the bottom panel and supported in spaced relation to the bottom panel by the front support when lowered.

7. The vanity of claim 1 wherein one support is a front support pivotably secured at the front of the bottom panel.

8. The vanity of claim 1 wherein one support is upstanding rear support attached to the rear of the bottom panel.

9. A vanity cabinet comprising:

a bottom panel;
two opposing front and rear supports attached to the bottom panel;
two opposing side walls attached to the bottom panel;
a cover pivotably secured over the bottom panel to the rear support,
a rigid mirror support pivotably secured to the underside of the cover;
a mirror pivotably secured to the mirror support;
bearings positioned on each side wall; and
wherein the cover is adapted to be raised and lowered over the bottom panel and supported in spaced relation to the bottom panel by the front support when lowered;
wherein the mirror is pivotable to different angular positions with respect to the mirror support;
wherein the mirror support is pivotable to different angular positions with respect to the cover;
wherein the bearings movably support the mirror support between the rear and front supports to allow automatic pivotal movement of the mirror support away from the cover and over and along the bottom panel to an upright position for viewing of the mirror when the cover is raised;
wherein the mirror and mirror support automatically pivot downwardly and outwardly away from the cover to position the mirror for unobstructed close-up viewing when the cover is raised.

10. The vanity of claim 9 further comprising a drawer member slidably mounted within the vanity.

11. The vanity of claim 10 wherein the drawer member is accessed by lowering the front support.

12. A vanity cabinet comprising:

a bottom panel;
an upstanding rear support at the rear of the bottom panel;
a front support pivotably secured at the front of the bottom;
two opposing side walls;
a cover pivotably secured over the bottom panel to the rear support,
a rigid mirror support pivotably secured to the underside of the cover;
a mirror pivotably secured to the mirror support;
bearings positioned on each side wall; and
a drawer member slidably mounted within the vanity;
wherein the cover is adapted to be raised and lowered over the bottom panel and supported in spaced relation to the bottom panel by the front support when lowered;
wherein the mirror is pivotable to different angular positions with respect to the mirror support;
wherein the mirror support is pivotable to different angular positions with respect to the cover;
wherein the bearings movably support the mirror support between the rear and front supports to allow automatic pivotal movement of the mirror support away from the cover and over and along the bottom panel to an upright position for viewing of the mirror when the cover is raised;
wherein the drawer member is accessed by lowering the front support;
wherein the mirror and mirror support automatically pivot downwardly and outwardly away from the cover to position the mirror for unobstructed close-up viewing when the cover is raised.
Patent History
Publication number: 20070247038
Type: Application
Filed: Apr 19, 2007
Publication Date: Oct 25, 2007
Inventors: Alexander V. LeTourneau (Sheboygan, WI), Michael Kohlmann (Sheboygan, WI)
Application Number: 11/737,241
Classifications
Current U.S. Class: With, On, Or Forming, Closure (312/227)
International Classification: A47B 67/00 (20060101);