COLLAPSIBLE STEPSTOOL

Abstract

A collapsible stepstool for storing underneath a cabinet and extending from there under when in use includes a platform member for supporting a user. A top frame member supports such platform member. A bottom frame member supports at least one of such platform member, such top frame member, and a combination thereof. A mechanism for facilitating vertical movement of such platform member is attached to at least one of such top frame member, such bottom frame member, such platform member, and a combination thereof for selectively raising and lowering at least one of such platform member, such top frame member, and a combination thereof. At least one mechanism is disposed on such bottom frame member for facilitating horizontal movement of such collapsible stepstool such that such collapsible stepstool may be extended from underneath such cabinet for use and may be returned to a position underneath such cabinet for storage.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This patent application is related to and claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/062,830 filed Jan. 29, 2008.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates, in general, to stepstools and, more particularly, this invention relates to a stepstool which may be conveniently collapsed for storage in small areas.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Prior to the conception and development of the present invention, stepstools, as are generally well known in the prior art, have been used to permit users to obtain things that would otherwise be unreachable. Generally, stepstools are transported to the necessary location, unfolded or simply set in place and a user steps up and reaches for the needed item. This is inconvenient since such stepstools are usually stored in inconvenient locations and may also be heavy and cumbersome. Additionally the step-stool may scratch cabinetry and flooring. A need exists for a stepstool which is easily stored and is quickly available at little or no inconvenience to the user and which will not cause damage to flooring and cabinetry.

Specifically of interest to the present invention are the following: Rawlings, et al, U.S. Pat. No. 7,007,771, discloses a collapsible stool which provides additional height for small children undergoing toilet training, such stool includes two legs, one at each end thereof, such legs fold inwards under such stool.

Zheng, U.S. Pat. No. 6,802,393, discloses a foldable ladder which includes a back supporting frame and a front supporting frame and a plurality of foot supporters provided on the front supporting frame in a pivotally foldable manner. The foot supporters are adapted of folding between a folded position and an unfolded position, wherein in the folded position the first and the second step member are pivotally and upwardly folded toward the first and the second front side legs respectively, and wherein in the unfolded position, the first and the second step member are pivotally and downwardly unfolded from each other to an extent that the step surface of the first step member is aligned with the step surface of the second step member, while the step surfaces are kept horizontal.

Donnalley, U.S. Pat. No. 6,568,506, discloses a collapsible step stool with a storage cavity for storing a wipes container. Legs are pivotally attached to the platform, the legs being moveable between a closed position beneath the platform and an opened position.

Adshead, U.S. Pat. No. 6,419,047, discloses a ladder meant to have reduced tendency to slip. The ladder includes rungs and side members with end caps resting on the ground. In use, the ladder is placed on the ground and against a wall.

Ferguson, U.S. Pat. No. 6,062,638, discloses a portable stool which includes a seat and a single variable length support leg supporting the seat. The support leg includes spring loaded telescoping sections for maintaining a lower end of the support leg in contact with the ground when there is an upward or downward movement of the seat from the selected height.

Begin, et al, U.S. Pat. No. 5,967,257, discloses an escape/rescue ladder that can be mounted in a non-useable condition on the side of a building and can be placed in a useable condition to allow persons to enter and exit from any of a plurality of vertically spaced openings in the building located alongside the ladder. The ladder includes rungs pivotally connected to the building, a rail pivotally connected to the rungs, and a bar extending and constrained to move in the vertical direction adjacent to the building. The bar is connected to the building by at least one counterbalance spring and to at least one rung by a cable fixedly attached to the bar so that as the bar is moved the rungs pivot from their non-useable positions into their useable positions.

Frazier, et al, U.S. Pat. No. 4,711,282, discloses a portable and collapsible stair which provides support platforms that are spaced laterally and vertically from one another at approximately a one-to-one slope, thus enabling a person to ascend or descend the stair in a walking motion.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a collapsible stepstool for storing underneath a cabinet and extending from there under when in use. Such collapsible stepstool includes a platform member for supporting a user. Such platform member is manufactured from a first predetermined material and has a first predetermined size and a first predetermined shape. A top frame member supports such platform member, such top frame member being manufactured from a second predetermined material and having a second predetermined size and a second predetermined shape. A bottom frame member, manufactured from a third predetermined material and having a third predetermined size and a third predetermined shape, supports at least one of such platform member, such top frame member, and a combination thereof. A means for facilitating vertical movement of such platform member is attached to at least one of such top frame member, such bottom frame member, such platform member, and a combination thereof for selectively raising and lowering at least one of such platform member, such top frame member, and a combination thereof. At least one means is disposed on such bottom frame member for facilitating horizontal movement of such collapsible stepstool such that such collapsible stepstool may be extended from underneath such cabinet for use and may be returned to a position underneath such cabinet for storage.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is, therefore, one of the primary objects of the present invention to provide a stepstool which is collapsible and which can be housed under cabinetry or a kitchen island.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a stepstool which is built-in and hidden beneath cabinetry.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a stepstool device which utilizes a scissorjack means for raising and lowering a platform which supports a user.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a stepstool which includes a platform which is adjustable in height.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide a wheeled stepstool which is collapsible such that it may be slid under cabinetry and hidden and which includes a non-slip covering on the portion of such stepstool upon which a user will stand.

In addition to the various objects and advantages of the present invention described with some degree of specificity above it should be obvious that additional objects and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent to those persons who are skilled in the relevant art from the following more detailed description of the invention, particularly, when such description is taken in conjunction with the attached drawing figures and with the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view of the invention according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view of the invention according to one embodiment of the invention in which a user is depicted standing on such platform member.

FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view of the invention according to one embodiment of the invention in which track members are illustrated.

FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view of the invention according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a partial perspective cross sectional view of the invention according to one embodiment of the invention along the lines V-V of FIG. 4; in this view a spring loaded pin member is depicted for insertion into a plurality of apertures such that the height of the platform may be adjusted.

FIG. 6 is a partial perspective view of the invention according to one embodiment of the invention in which a spring loaded cam member is depicted for use in securing such invention in a particular position underneath a cabinet.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF A PRESENTLY PREFERRED AND VARIOUS ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Prior to proceeding to the more detailed description of the present invention it should be noted that, for the sake of clarity and understanding, identical components which have identical functions have been identified with identical reference numerals throughout the several views illustrated in the drawing figures.

Reference is now made, more particularly, to FIGS. 1-6.

The present invention provides a collapsible stepstool, generally designated 10, for storing underneath a cabinet 11 and extending from there under when in use. Such collapsible stepstool 10 includes a platform member 12 for supporting a user 13, such platform member 12 is manufactured from a first predetermined material and has a first predetermined size and a first predetermined shape. It is presently preferred that such first predetermined shape is substantially rectangular. It is presently preferred that such first predetermined material is at least one of metal, plastic, wood, and a combination thereof. It is presently preferred that such platform member 12 further includes a non-slip surface 15, as illustrated in FIG. 1, disposed on a top surface thereof.

A top frame member 14 supports such platform member 12, such top frame member 14 is manufactured from a second predetermined material and has a second predetermined size and a second predetermined shape. It is presently preferred that such second predetermined material is at least one of metal, plastic, wood, and a combination thereof. It is presently preferred that such second predetermined shape is substantially rectangular.

A bottom frame member 16, manufactured from a third predetermined material and having a third predetermined size and a third predetermined shape, supports at least one of such platform member 12, such top frame member 14, and a combination thereof. It is presently preferred that such third predetermined material is at least one of metal, plastic, wood, and a combination thereof. It is presently preferred that such third predetermined shape is substantially rectangular.

A means 18 for facilitating vertical movement of such platform member 12 is attached to at least one of such top frame member 14, such bottom frame member 16, such platform member 12, and a combination thereof for selectively raising and lowering at least one of such platform member 12, such top frame member 14, and a combination thereof. It is presently preferred that such means 18 for facilitating vertical movement is operably connected to such top frame member 14 and such bottom frame member 16. Referring to FIG. 2 and FIG. 4, it is presently preferred that such means 18 for facilitating vertical movement is a scissorjack 22.

At least one means 24 for facilitating horizontal movement of such collapsible stepstool 10 is disposed on such bottom frame member 16 such that the collapsible stepstool 10 may be extended from underneath such cabinet 11 for use and may be returned to a position underneath such cabinet 11 for storage. It is presently preferred that such at least one means 24 for facilitating horizontal movement of such collapsible stepstool 10 includes at least one wheel member operably disposed on such bottom frame member 16 at a predetermined location thereon. It is presently most preferred that such at least one means for facilitating horizontal movement of such collapsible stepstool 10 includes a plurality of wheel members 26 operably disposed on such bottom frame member 16 at predetermined locations thereon. It is further presently preferred that such plurality of wheel members 26 further include a means (not shown) engageable with each of such plurality of wheel members 26 for disabling each one of such plurality of wheel members 26 from rolling when a predetermined amount of weight is born by such collapsible stepstool 10. It is most preferred that such plurality of wheel members 26 includes at least four wheel members. It is further presently preferred that at least two of such at least four wheel members are rear wheel members 28 disposed on opposite rear portions of such bottom frame member 16.

It is presently preferred that such collapsible stepstool 10 further includes a locking means 42 engageable with such means 18 for facilitating vertical movement and with at least one of such top frame member 14, such bottom frame member 16, and a combination thereof. It is further presently preferred that such locking means 42 includes at least one first portion 44 engageable with such means 18 for facilitating vertical movement and at least one of such top frame member 14 and such bottom frame member 16, and that such locking means 42 also includes at least one second portion 45 disposed on one of such top frame member 14, such bottom frame member 16, and a combination thereof, such first portion 44 and such second portion 45 being releasably engageable with each other. It is further presently preferred that such first portion 44 is at least one spring loaded pin member 48 and such second portion 45 is a plurality of apertures 47 for receiving such at least one spring loaded pin member 48. It is presently preferred that such platform member 12 may be raised to at least three different heights. It is further presently preferred that such platform member 12 be lockable in first position wherein such top frame member 14 and such bottom frame member 16 are situated closely adjacent each other such that such collapsible stepstool may be retracted and stored underneath such cabinet 11. FIG. 5 illustrates such spring loaded locking pin 48 engaged with one of three possible apertures; a user could change the height of such platform member by engaging the spring loaded pin member with one of the other apertures. Although three apertures are illustrated in FIG. 5, that number is not meant to be limiting and there may be as many or as few apertures as reasonably facilitates the purpose of the invention. Furthermore, it is presently preferred that such apertures are spaced about 2 inches apart from each other.

According to the preferred embodiment, it is meant that such user 13 of such device extend such collapsible stepstool 10 from underneath such cabinet 11 and thereafter pull out two spring loaded pin members 48, one on each opposite side of such top frame member 14, thereby allowing the platform 12 to raise via the scissorjack 22. The spring loaded pin members 48 automatically pop into a first set of apertures, thereby stopping the scissorjack 22 from raising the platform 12 any further. If the user 13 desires to raise the platform 12 to an additional height, the user 13 will again release the spring loaded pin members 48 causing the platform 12 to rise until such spring loaded pin members 48 pop into a second set of apertures, etc. Such user 13 will also have the option of simply holding the spring loaded pin members 48 in a released position until the platform 12 reaches the desired height at which time such user 13 will permit such spring loaded pin members 48 to engage with such apertures 47. The user 13 may then step onto the platform 12, retrieve the desired object or perform the necessary task, etc., climb down from the platform 12, release the spring loaded pin members 48 as necessary to return the platform 12 to it's original position, and stow away the device 10 underneath the cabinet 11 until needed again.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, it is further presently preferred that such collapsible stepstool 10 includes a pair of track members 32 each of such track members 32 being attachable to a floor 38 a predetermined distance apart from and parallel to each other such that such front ends are closely adjacent a front portion of such cabinet 11, such track members 32 receiving such rear wheel members 28 such that when such user 13 selectively slides the collapsible stepstool 10 out from under such cabinet 11 and returns such collapsible stepstool 10 underneath such cabinet such rear wheel members 28 will be guided by such track members. It is meant that the device 10 is able to be stored under such cabinet 11 and also able to be removed from such location and used in any other location as desired by such user 13.

It is further presently preferred that a bottom portion of such bottom frame member 16 is at least partially covered with rubber. This is to prevent flooring from being damaged by such bottom portion of such bottom frame member 16 when such user 13 is standing on such platform 12.

It is further presently preferred that such collapsible stepstool 10 further includes a securing means 52 operably connectable to at least one of an interior rear wall 54 beneath such cabinet 11 for releasably securing such collapsible stepstool 10 under such cabinet 11. It is presently preferred that such securing means is a spring loaded cam member 55 as illustrated in FIG. 6. It is meant that such user 13 secure the spring loaded cam member 55 in place such that such spring loaded cam member 55 holds the collapsible stepstool 10 in position underneath such cabinet 11 until released by such user 13. It is preferred that such user 13 push such collapsible stepstool 10 inwards to release such spring loaded cam member 55 and thereafter such collapsible stepstool 10 will move forward via such means for facilitating horizontal movement such that such collapsible stepstool 11 may be used by such user 13. It is presently preferred that such collapsible stepstool further includes at least one covering member 72 disposed on a front portion of at least one of such top frame member 14, such bottom frame member 16, and a combination thereof. It is preferred that such at least one covering member 72, as shown in FIG. 1, match the cabinet 11 underneath which such collapsible stepstool is stored such that such collapsible stepstool appears to at least one of match such cabinet 11, be part of such cabinet 11, complement such cabinet 11, and a combination thereof.

While a presently preferred and various alternative embodiments of the present invention have been described in sufficient detail above to enable a person skilled in the relevant art to make and use the same it should be obvious that various other adaptations and modifications can be envisioned by those persons skilled in such art without departing from either the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A collapsible stepstool for storing underneath a cabinet and extending from there under when in use, said stepstool comprising;

a. a platform member for supporting a user, said platform member being manufactured from a first predetermined material and having a first predetermined size and a first predetermined shape;

b. a top frame member for supporting said platform member, said top frame member being manufactured from a second predetermined material and having a second predetermined size and a second predetermined shape;

c. a bottom frame member manufactured from a third predetermined material and having a third predetermined size and a third predetermined shape for supporting at least one of said platform member, said top frame member, and a combination thereof;

d. a means for facilitating vertical movement of said platform member attached to at least one of said top frame member, said bottom frame member, said platform member, and a combination thereof for selectively raising and lowering at least one of said platform member, said top frame member, and a combination thereof; and

e. at least one means disposed on said bottom frame member for facilitating horizontal movement of said collapsible stepstool such that said collapsible stepstool may be extended from underneath such cabinet for use and may be returned to a position underneath such cabinet for storage.

2. A collapsible stepstool according to claim 1 wherein said means for facilitating vertical movement is operably connected to said top frame member and said bottom frame member.

3. A collapsible stepstool according to claim 2 wherein said means for facilitating vertical movement is a scissorjack.

4. A collapsible stepstool according to claim 3 wherein said collapsible stepstool further includes a locking means engageable with said means for facilitating vertical movement, and at least one of said top frame member, said bottom frame member, and a combination thereof.

5. A collapsible stepstool according to claim 4 wherein said locking means includes at least one first portion engageable with said means for facilitating vertical movement and at least one of said top frame member and said bottom frame member, and said locking means includes at least one second portion disposed on one of said top frame member and said bottom frame member, and a combination thereof, said first portion and said second portion being releasably engageable with each other.

6. A collapsible stepstool according to claim 5 wherein said first portion is at least one spring loaded pin member and said second portion is a plurality of apertures for receiving said at least one spring loaded pin member.

7. A collapsible stepstool according to claim 1 wherein a bottom portion of said bottom frame member is at least partially covered with rubber.

8. A collapsible stepstool according to claim 1 wherein said platform member further includes a non-slip surface disposed on a top surface thereof.

9. A collapsible stepstool according to claim 1 wherein said at least one means for facilitating horizontal movement of said collapsible stepstool includes at least one wheel member operably disposed on said bottom frame member at a predetermined location thereon.

10. A collapsible stepstool according to claim 9 wherein said at least one means for facilitating horizontal movement of said collapsible stepstool includes a plurality of wheel members operably disposed on said bottom frame member at a plurality of predetermined locations thereon.

11. A collapsible stepstool according to claim 10 wherein said plurality of wheel members further includes a means engageable with each of said plurality of wheel members for disabling each of said plurality of wheel members from rolling when a predetermined amount of weight is born by said collapsible stepstool.

12. A collapsible stepstool according to claim 11 wherein said plurality of wheel members includes at least four wheel members.

13. A collapsible stepstool according to claim 12 wherein at least two of said at least four wheel members are rear wheel members disposed on opposite rear portions of said bottom frame member.

14. A collapsible stepstool according to claim 13 wherein said collapsible stepstool further includes a pair of track members each of said track members being attachable to a floor a predetermined distance apart from and parallel to each other such that said front ends are closely adjacent a front portion of such cabinet, said track members receiving said rear wheel members such that when such user selectively slides said collapsible stepstool out from under such cabinet and returns said collapsible stepstool underneath of such cabinet said rear wheel members are guided by such track members.

15. A collapsible stepstool according to claim 1 wherein said collapsible stepstool further includes a securing means operably connectable to at least one of an interior rear wall beneath such cabinet for releasably securing said collapsible stepstool underneath such cabinet.

16. A collapsible stepstool according to claim 15 wherein said securing means is a spring loaded cam member.

17. A collapsible stepstool according to claim 1 wherein at least one covering member is disposed on a front portion of at least one of such top frame member, such bottom frame member, and a combination thereof.