U.S. patent application number 10/818453 was filed with the patent office on 2005-04-14 for lazy susan with pull-out shelving.
This patent application is currently assigned to Knape & Vogt Manufacturing Company. Invention is credited to Anderson, Robert Paul, Boks, Michael J., Mouw, Brandon Lee, Zook, Amy Louise.
Application Number | 20050076817 10/818453 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34425763 |
Filed Date | 2005-04-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050076817 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Boks, Michael J. ; et
al. |
April 14, 2005 |
Lazy susan with pull-out shelving
Abstract
A lazy susan device (100) includes a platform or support base
(108). The support base (108) is rotatably coupled to a centralized
support pole (102). A series of linear slides (140) are arranged in
pairs (142). Pie or wedge-shaped shelves (148) are mounted to the
linear slides (140). The slides (140) are properly secured to a
corresponding shelf (140) in a manner such that the shelf (140) is
permitted to slide radially outwardly from the platform or support
base (108).
Inventors: |
Boks, Michael J.; (Grand
Rapids, MI) ; Mouw, Brandon Lee; (Wyoming, MI)
; Anderson, Robert Paul; (Comstock Park, MI) ;
Zook, Amy Louise; (Brooklyn, MI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
VARNUM, RIDDERING, SCHMIDT & HOWLETT LLP
P.O. BOX 352
GRAND RAPIDS
MI
49501
US
|
Assignee: |
Knape & Vogt Manufacturing
Company
|
Family ID: |
34425763 |
Appl. No.: |
10/818453 |
Filed: |
April 5, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60460448 |
Apr 4, 2003 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
108/103 ;
108/139; 108/143; 312/305 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47B 88/40 20170101;
A47B 88/44 20170101; A47B 49/004 20130101; A47B 2200/02 20130101;
A47F 5/0081 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
108/103 ;
108/139; 312/305; 108/143 |
International
Class: |
A47B 011/00; A47B
088/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A lazy susan-like apparatus adapted for use in supporting items
and facilitating access to said items by a user, said apparatus
comprising: at least one platform or support base; support means
coupled to structures separate from said apparatus for supporting
said apparatus, and for supporting said at least one platform; a
plurality of shelves associated with said at least one platform,
each of said plurality of shelves being moveable between a
retracted position and an extended position, and wherein a shelf
being in said extended position facilitates access by a user to
said items positioned on said shelf; and slide means connected to
said at least one platform and to said plurality of shelves, so
that said shelves are moveable in radial directions relative to
said at least one platform.
2. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that
each of said plurality of shelves comprises a wedge-shaped
configuration.
3. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that
said at least one platform is circular in configuration.
4. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that
said support means comprises a centralized and vertically disposed
pole.
5. An apparatus in accordance with claim 4, characterized in that:
each of said plurality of shelves comprises a wedge-shaped
configuration, with each of said shelves having an apex, lateral
sides and an outer side; and when any of said retracted shelves is
in said retracted position, said apex of said retracted shelf is
adjacent said centralized pole.
6. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that:
each of said plurality of shelves comprises a wedge-shaped
configuration, having an apex, lateral sides and an outer side; and
when any of said plurality of shelves is in an extended position,
said apex of said extended shelf is adjacent an outer edge of said
platform.
7. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that
said slide means comprises a plurality of linear slides, with each
of said linear slides mounted to said platform, and associated with
different ones of said plurality of shelves.
8. An apparatus in accordance with claim 7, characterized in that
said drawer slides are mounted so that when any one of said
plurality of shelves is in said extended position, said extended
shelf is cantilevered relative to a stationary portion of said
linear slide.
9. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that
each of said plurality of shelves is capable of moving between said
extended and said retracted positions, independently of movement or
non-movement of any other ones of said plurality of shelves.
10. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that
said platform is capable of rotation throughout a 360.degree.
circle.
11. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that:
said support means comprises a centralized pole; said platform
comprises an aperture having a vertically disposed configuration
and extending through a central portion of the platform so as to
receive the centralized pole; said platform is coupled to said
centralized pole through a lower hub having a cylindrical sleeve,
forming a centralized aperture which is sized so as to
appropriately fit around the periphery of said centralized pole,
said lower hub further being sized in a manner so that a collar of
said hub may be positioned below said platform and adjacent a lower
surface of said platform, with said collar being securely connected
to said platform; said apparatus further comprising an upper hub
having a sleeve sized so as to form an aperture, said aperture
being further sized so as to receive said centralized pole there
through, while permitting said upper hub to freely rotate relative
to said centralized pole; said upper hub comprising a collar having
a horizontally disposed configuration and positioned above said
platform and adjacent an upper surface of said platform; and said
apparatus further comprises connecting means for securing said
platform between said upper hub and said lower hub.
12. An apparatus in accordance with claim 11, characterized in
that: said centralized pole comprises a bearing pin extending
through a center point thereof; said bearing pin extending through
apertures within said centralized pole and through a center point
of a longitudinal axis extending through a center of said
centralized pole, with said bearing pin remaining stationary during
rotation of said platform; interconnection of said platform with
said lower hub and said upper hub is such that said interconnection
provides for said bearing pin to be positioned between said lower
hub and said upper hub; and with said configuration, said platform
is rotatably positioned on said centralized pole in a manner such
that said upper hub rests on said bearing pin, thereby permitting
said platform to appropriately rotate about said longitudinal axis
of said centralized pole.
13. An apparatus in accordance with claim 12, characterized in that
positioning of said upper hub relative to said platform is keyed by
providing a detent in said platform positioned adjacent a center
aperture, with a corresponding protuberance positioned at a lower
portion of said sleeve of said upper hub, and sized and configured
so as to extend into said keyed detent of said platform.
14. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that
said slide means comprises pairs of linear slides, with each of
pair of linear slides being connected to one of said plurality of
said shelves.
15. An apparatus in accordance with claim 14, characterized in that
each of said shelves is of a pie-shaped or wedge-shaped
configuration, having an outer side, lateral sides and an apex,
said lateral sides being angled so as to meet at said apex, which
is a nearestmost position of said shelf to said support means, with
each of said shelves further including a floor which is
horizontally disposed within each of said shelves.
16. An apparatus in accordance with claim 15, characterized in
that: each of said linear slides of a linear slide pair associated
with a corresponding one of said shelves extends radially outward
from said support means and is received within a slot formed within
a corresponding one of said lateral sides of a corresponding shelf,
with said linear slides being received through said slots and
positioned below said floor of said corresponding shelf; said
linear slides are secured to said corresponding shelf in a manner
so that said corresponding shelf is permitted to slide radially
outwardly from said support means; and when a shelf is in an
extended state, said shelf is supported in a cantilevered manner on
said corresponding linear slides.
17. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that
each of said shelves is of a wedge-shaped configuration, and
comprises a finger nub for facilitating a user exerting pulling
force on a shelf so as to move such shelf from a retracted position
to said extended position.
18. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that:
each of said plurality of shelves comprises a wedge-shaped
configuration; and said platform is of a circular or kidney-shaped
configuration.
19. An apparatus in accordance with claim 18, characterized in that
said support means comprises a centralized pole.
20. A lazy susan-like apparatus adapted for use in supporting items
and facilitating access to said items by a user, said apparatus
comprising: at least one platform having a circular or
kidney-shaped configuration; a centralized pole coupled to
structure separate from said apparatus for supporting said
apparatus, and for rotatably supporting said at least one platform;
slide means connected to said at least one platform, so as to
provide for a configuration for moving certain elements between
extended and retracted positions, relative to said platform; and a
plurality of shelves, each of said shelves having a wedge-shaped
configuration, and mounted to said slide means so as to be moveable
between retracted and extended positions, and wherein a shelf being
in said extended position facilitates access by a user to items
positioned on said shelf.
21. An apparatus in accordance with claim 20, characterized in that
each of said shelves is movable between extended and retracted
positions relative to said platform, independent of movement of
others of said plurality of shelves.
22. A lazy susan-like apparatus adapted for use in supporting items
and facilitating access to said items by a user, said apparatus
comprising: at least one platform or support base; a plurality of
shelves associated with said at least one platform, each of said
plurality of shelves being movable between a retracted position and
an extended position, and wherein a shelf being in said extended
position facilitates access by a user to said items positioned on
said shelf; slide means connected to said at least one platform or
support base and to said plurality of shelves, so that such shelves
are movable in radial directions relative to said at least one
platform; bearing means positioned under said platform, and
comprising an upper bearing race, lower bearing race and a set of
bearings captured therebetween; and said upper bearing race is
coupled to said platform so as to be rotatable therewith, and said
lower bearing race is coupled to a surface external of said
apparatus, with said lower bearing race remaining stationary when
said upper bearing race rotates with said platform.
23. An apparatus in accordance with claim 22, characterized in that
said apparatus further comprises: a pair of angled side rails
coupled to the top of each of said shelves, and where each of said
pair of side rails meets at a nearestmost location to the center of
said platform; and an outer rail coupled to the top of each of said
shelves, with each of said outer rails being adjacent to outer ends
of one of said pairs of angled side rails.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is based upon and claims priority of U.S.
Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/460,448 filed Apr. 4,
2003.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not applicable.
REFERENCE TO A MICROFISHE APPENDIX
[0003] Not applicable.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] 1. Field of the Invention
[0005] The invention relates to rotatable or "lazy susan" devices
and, more particularly, to rotatable devices having shelves or
similar receptacles for holding various items.
[0006] 2. Background Art
[0007] Various types of storage devices having shelves or
receptacles for holding various items are utilized in numerous
environments, including commercial, industrial and residential
spaces. One type of storage device which has been found to be of
value is a device which includes means for rotation. Rotatable
storage devices have the capability of varying the "presentation"
location of hooks, shelves or other hanger and container-like
utilitarian articles. These rotatable storage devices are known by
a number of relatively common names, such as carousels. In
addition, many of these storage devices have come to be known as
"lazy susans." Although the dictionary definition of a lazy susan
describes a large, revolving tray for food, placed at the center of
a dining table, the term "lazy susan" has generically come to refer
to a number of different types of rotatable storage devices. The
term "lazy susan" will be used herein in its generic sense to refer
to a rotatable storage device, and should not be construed to be
limited to devices in accordance with its dictionary
definition.
[0008] Lazy susan-type storage devices are used in various
locations in the aforementioned commercial, industrial, residential
environments. The devices may comprise one or more
horizontally-disposed platforms, with the platforms being
vertically spaced apart. The spaced apart platforms are rotatably
coupled to a shaft which commonly extends along a vertical axis
located at a center point of the horizontally disposed platforms.
One problem which may arise with respect to use of these types of
lazy susan devices relates to the capability of retrieving items
which are located away from the perimeter of the horizontally
disposed platform and near the platforms' center points. This is
particularly true if the lazy susan device is located in a position
such as a kitchen cabinet below kitchen countertops or the like.
Depending upon age and mobility, it can be very difficult for an
individual to "reach" into the location of a lazy susan device to
retrieve stored items located near platform center points.
[0009] As earlier stated, various types of lazy susan and similar
devices are well known in the prior art. For example, Ballew, U.S.
Pat. No. 5,813,736 issued Sep. 29, 1998 discloses the use of a
carousel device having slidable sections connected to vertical
pegboard supports. More specifically, a rotatable base has a series
of sliding bases placed upon the rotatable base. The bases are
supported by linear slides which provide support when the base is
extended out from the cabinet area. More specifically, the carousel
or cabinet storage device is mounted within a cabinet and includes
vertical panels mounted upon a rotating platform. Each of the
vertical panels may be rotated to the front of the cabinet for
purposes of access. The vertical panels are connected to individual
sliding bases. Mounted to the sliding bases are pairs of slide
rails. The slide rails allow the sliding bases to slide
horizontally outward away from the rotating platform. The slide
rails are connected to the sliding base and to the rotating
platform. In this manner, the vertical panels are extended
horizontally away from the cabinet to provide easy access to items
which may be hung from the panels.
[0010] Each slide includes a support member for purposes of
providing additional support for the sliding base, when the base is
extended outwardly from the platform. The support member includes a
retractable arm having one end pivotably attached to the slide
rail, with a wheel rotatably attached to the opposing or second
end. The retractable arm is biased by a spring so as to cause it to
extend downwardly to rest on the floor and thereby support the
sliding base when it is in its extended position. When the sliding
base is in a storage position, the arm pivots upwardly to a storage
position. The wheel engages the floor and allows the sliding base
to be moved inwardly or outwardly while supplying support for the
sliding base. When the sliding platform is pushed back into a
storage position, the arm engages a rotating platform, thereby
causing the arm to retract.
[0011] Twellmann, U.S. Pat. No. 4,832,300 issued May 23, 1989
discloses a half-moon lazy susan type shelf. The shelf is mounted
in part on the back side of a door in a cabinet, and in part on a
rotating element and support system. When the door is open, the
shelf is extendable by rotation so as to expose substantially all
of its surface area. This is provided through the rotating portions
of the support system and rails which operate in a fashion similar
to a linear slide.
[0012] Battles, U.S. Pat. No. 4,067,607 issued Jan. 10, 1978,
discloses a combination stool and fishing tackle box. Battles
discloses use of shelves which slide in and out of a circular
container. Specifically, the Battles arrangement includes an
upright cylindrical housing having closed ends. A wall is
diametrically and longitudinally divided intermediate at its ends
so as to define a stationary wall portion and a movable wall
portion. The movable wall portion forms a door slidably disposed in
circular tracks formed by the respective end of the housing, so as
to cover and uncover an access opening formed by the divided wall.
The housing is transversely divided by a plurality of partitions
arranged in vertically spaced relation, so as to form a plurality
of compartments. Each of the partitions rotatably supports a
circular upwardly opening fishing tackle receiving tray. Each of
the trays is movable outwardly through the access opening with
respect to its support partition by a radial slot formed in the
respective partition.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0013] In accordance with the invention, a lazy susan-like
apparatus is adapted for use in supporting items and facilitating
access to the items by a user. The apparatus includes at least one
platform, with support means coupled to structures separate from
the apparatus for supporting the apparatus. The support means also
is utilized for supporting at least one platform. A plurality of
shelves is associated with the at least one platform, with each of
the plurality of shelves being movable between a retracted position
and an extended position. When the shelf is in an extended
position, it facilitates axis by a user to items positioned on the
shelf. Further, slide means are provided which are connected to at
least one platform and to the plurality of shelves, so that the
shelves are movable in radial directions relative to the
platform.
[0014] In accordance with one aspect of the invention, each of the
plurality of shelves can comprise a wedge-shape configuration.
Further, the platform or support base can be circular in
configuration. In addition, the support means may comprise a
centralized and vertically disposed pole.
[0015] In accordance with other aspects of the invention, each of
the plurality of shelves can comprise a wedge-shape configuration,
with lateral sides, an outer side and an apex or nearestmost
portion to the centralized pole. When any of the retracted shelves
is in a retracted position, the apex or nearestmost portion of the
retracted shelf is adjacent the centralized pole. Still further,
when any of the plurality of shelves is in an extended position,
the apex of the extended shelf can be adjacent to an outer edge of
the platform.
[0016] The slide means can comprise a plurality of linear slides,
with each of the slides mounted to the platform, and associated
with different ones of the plurality of shelves. The linear slides
may be mounted so that when any one of the plurality of shelves is
in the extended position, the extended shelf is cantilevered
relative to stationary portion of the linear slides. Still further,
each of the plurality of shelves can be capable of moving between
the extended and retracted positions, independently of movement or
non-movement of any other ones of the plurality of shelves. In
addition, the platform may be capable of rotation throughout a
360.degree. circle.
[0017] The platform or support base can include an aperture having
a vertically disposed configuration, and extending through a
central portion of the platform, so as to receive the centralized
pole. The platform may be coupled to the centralized pole through a
lower hub having a cylindrical sleeve, forming a centralized
aperture which is sized so as to appropriately fit around the
periphery of the pole. The lower hub can be further sized in a
manner so that a collar of the hub may be positioned below the
platform and adjacent a lower surface of the platform. The collar
can be securely connected to the platform.
[0018] The apparatus can also include an upper hub, having a sleeve
sized so as to form a aperture. The aperture can be further sized
so as to receive the centralized pole therethrough. This reception
of the centralized pole can occur while permitting the upper hub to
freely rotate relative to the centralized pole. The upper hub can
include a collar having a horizontally disposed configuration,
positioned above the platform and adjacent an upper surface of the
platform. Further, connecting means can be provided for securing
the platform between the upper hub and the lower hub.
[0019] The centralized pole can include a bearing pin extending
through a center point thereof. The bearing pin extends through
apertures within the centralized pole and through a center point of
a longitudinal axis extending through a center of the centralized
pole. The bearing pin remains stationary during rotation of the
platform. Interconnection of the platform with the lower hub and
the upper hub is such that the interconnection provides for the
bearing pin to be positioned between the lower hub and the upper
hub. With this configuration, the platform is rotatably positioned
on a centralized pole in a manner so that the upper hub rests on
the bearing pin, thus permitting the platform to appropriately
rotate about the longitudinal axis of the centralized pole.
[0020] The positioning of the upper hub relative to the platform
may be keyed by providing a detent in the platform positioned
adjacent a center aperture. A corresponding protuberance is
positioned a lower portion of the sleeve of the hub. This
protuberance is sized and configured so as to extend into the keyed
detent of the platform.
[0021] The slide means can include pairs of linear slides, with
each of the pairs of linear slides being connected to one of the
plurality of shelves.
[0022] Each of the shelves can include a floor, which is
horizontally disposed within each shelf. Each of the linear slides
of a linear slide pair associated with a corresponding one of the
shelves can extend radially outward from the support means and be
received within a slot formed within a corresponding one of the
lateral sides of a corresponding shelf. The linear slides are
received through the slots and positioned below the floor of the
corresponding shelf. The linear slides are secured to the shelf in
a manner so that the shelf is permitted to slide radially outward
from the support means. When a shelf is in an extended state, the
shelf is supported in a cantilevered manner on the corresponding
linear slides.
[0023] Each of the shelves can, as earlier stated, be of a
wedge-shape configuration. Each shelf can include a finger nub for
facilitating a user exerting pulling forces on a shelf so as to
move the shelf from a retracted to an extended position. The
platform can be not only of a circular configuration, but also may
be of a kidney-shape configuration. Still further, each of the
shelves is movable between extended and retracted positions
relative to the platform, independent of movement of others of the
plurality of shelves.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING
[0024] The invention will now be described with reference to the
drawings, in which:
[0025] FIG. 1 is a partially perspective view of a lazy susan
device in accordance with the invention;
[0026] FIG. 2 illustrates the lazy susan device of FIG. 1, but
shows individual shelves or wedges in a fully extended state;
[0027] FIG. 3 is a close up and partial view of the lazy susan
device illustrated in FIG. 1, but showing the location of an
individual shelf or wedge in its retracted state;
[0028] FIG. 4 is an underside view of the shaft, lower hub and
collar of the lazy susan device illustrated in FIG. 1;
[0029] FIG. 5 is an underside view similar to the view shown in
FIG. 4, but showing the shaft and lower hub with a vertical
platform and with one of the extendable shelves illustrated in a
retracted state;
[0030] FIG. 6 is an underside view similar in scope to the views of
FIGS. 4 and 5, but showing the entirety of the extendable shelves
in retracted states;
[0031] FIG. 7 is a partial view of the lazy susan device
illustrated in FIG. 1, but showing the relative positioning of one
of the extendable shelves or wedges, and the rotatable coupling of
the horizontal platform to the shaft.
[0032] FIG. 8 is a partial perspective view of the lazy susan
device illustrated in FIG. 1, and showing one of the shelves in an
extended state along its corresponding linear slides, and further
shows the horizontal platform in a "transparent" view, for purposes
of illustrating the relative positioning of the upper and lower
hubs;
[0033] FIG. 9 is a partial perspective view similar to FIG. 8, but
showing the upper and lower hubs in an "exploded" view, and further
showing the detent in the horizontal platform;
[0034] FIG. 10 is a partial perspective and partial elevation view
of one of the shelves in an extended state along its linear slides,
in somewhat of a "close-up" view;
[0035] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a linear slide which may be
utilized with the lazy susan device in accordance with the
invention;
[0036] FIG. 12 is a view of the linear slide illustrated in FIG. 1,
showing the slide in an extended state, corresponding to an
extended state of an interconnected shelf;
[0037] FIG. 13 is an exploded view of an alternative embodiment for
a stand alone lazy susan apparatus utilizing pull-out shelves;
and
[0038] FIG. 14 is a view of the alternative embodiment for a stand
alone lazy susan apparatus as illustrated in FIG. 13, but with this
view showing the apparatus in an assembled state.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0039] The principles of the invention are disclosed, by way of
example, in a lazy susan device 100 as illustrated in FIGS. 1-10.
In accordance with the invention, the lazy susan device 100
includes at least one circular platform or support base having a
series of pie-shaped shelves or wedges 148 movably mounted thereon.
The platform and the shelves are rotatable about a centralized pole
102, and the shelves rotate together on the circular platform. In
accordance with a primary aspect of the invention, the pie-shaped
shelves are movably mounted to a series of linear slides 140, with
the linear slides positioned stationary relative to the circular
platform. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, each
of the shelves is extendable in a radial manner outwardly from the
centralized pole. In this manner, items located anywhere within the
shelves can be made readily accessible to a user, with the shelves
extending outwardly. In particular, if the lazy susan device 100 is
mounted within a cabinet or a similar structure (not shown), the
shelves can be made to extend individually (and independent of one
another), in a manner so as to extend beyond cabinet framing. Items
within the shelves, and particularly items which may be located
near the apex of each of the shelves (i.e. near the center point of
circular base) are more readily accessed, than with lazy susan
devices where containers mounted on platforms of the lazy susan
devices are radially stationary.
[0040] Turning to the drawings, and particularly with reference to
FIGS. 1 and 2, the lazy susan device 100 includes a centralized
pole 102. The centralized pole 102 extends vertically upward, and
connects at its lower end to a connecting plate 104. The connecting
plate 104 is conventional in design and may be circular as
illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, or may be of any other suitable
configuration appropriate for supporting the centralized pole 102
and the other elements of the interconnected lazy susan device 100.
The connecting plate 104 may include screw holes 106 or similar
configurations for purposes of inserting screws or the like (not
shown) so as to securely connect the connecting plate 104 to a
cabinet floor or other structure (not shown) to which the lazy
susan device 100 is to be interconnected. For example, it is not
uncommon for rotatable devices such as the lazy susan device 100 to
be positioned within corner cabinets of a kitchen or a similar
environment. Further, although not specifically shown on the
drawings, the centralized pole 102 may be connected at its upper
end to other stationary structures of a cabinet or the like. This
interconnection may also use a connecting plate or other device
similar to the connecting plate 104.
[0041] Positioned upwardly from the circular connecting plate 104
along the centralized pole 102 is a platform or support base 108.
The base 108 is primarily shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 5 and 6. The support
base 108 is circular and disk-like in design, with a center
aperture 110 extending through the base 108. The support base 108
has an upper surface 112 and a lower surface 114. The support base
108 can be constructed of any of various materials. For example,
the inventors have found that one embodiment of the support base
108 in accordance with the invention may be constructed of
wood.
[0042] The support base 108 is rotatably coupled to the centralized
pole 102, in a manner so that the support base 108 can rotate
entirely throughout a 360.degree. circle. To provide this type of
configuration, a conventional lower hub 116 is utilized, with the
lower hub 116 having a conventional configuration for use with lazy
susan devices, such as the lazy susan device 100. The lower hub 116
includes a cylindrical sleeve 117. The cylindrical sleeve 117 forms
a centralized aperture 118 which is sized so as to appropriately
fit around the periphery of the centralized pole 102. The lower hub
116 is also sized in a manner so that a collar 120 of the hub 116
may be positioned below the support base 108 and adjacent the lower
surface 114 of the support base 108. The collar 120 may include
screw holes 122 (illustrated in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6) through which
screws or similar connecting means (not shown) may be received. The
screw holes 122 are then aligned with corresponding screw holes 124
which extend vertically into the support base 108.
[0043] In addition to lower hub 116, the lazy susan device 100 in
accordance with the invention also includes an upper hub 126
illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 7-9. The upper hub 126, like the lower
hub 116, includes a sleeve 128 which is sized so as to form an
aperture 130. The aperture 130 is sized so as to receive the
centralized pole 102 there through, while permitting the upper hub
126 to freely rotate relative to the centralized pole 102. The
sleeve 128 of the upper hub 126 and the sleeve 117 of the lower hub
116 may be constructed of plasticor similar materials.
[0044] Also similar to lower hub 116, the upper hub 126 includes a
collar 132 having a horizontally disposed configuration and
positioned above the support base 108 and adjacent the upper
surface 112. Located at spaced apart positions in the collar 132
are a set of vertically disposed screw holes 134. The screw holes
134 may be appropriately aligned with the screw holes 124 of the
support base 108 and the screw holes 122 of the collar 120 of the
lower hub 116. With such alignment, screws or similar connecting
means (not shown) can be received through the respective screw
holes so as to appropriately secure the support base 108 between
the lower hub 116 and the upper hub 126.
[0045] For purposes of rotatably coupling the support base 108
(with the attendant lower hub 116 and upper hub 126) to the
centralized pole 102, the centralized pole 102 includes a bearing
pin 136 extending through the center point thereof. The bearing pin
136 is illustrated primarily in FIGS. 7 and 9. The bearing pin 136
extends through apertures (not shown) within the centralized pole
102 and through the center point of a longitudinal axis extending
through the center of the centralized pole 102. The bearing pin 136
remains stationary. When interconnecting the support base 108 with
the lower hub 116 and the upper hub 126, the interconnection is
such that the bearing pin 136 is positioned between the lower hub
116 and the upper hub 126. With this configuration, the
interconnected support base 108 is rotatably positioned on the
centralized pole 102 in a manner such that the upper hub 126 rests
on the bearing pin 136. With this configuration, the support base
108 is capable of appropriately rotating about the longitudinal
axis of the centralized pole 102.
[0046] In addition to the rotatable interconnection of the support
base 108 to the centralized pole 102 as described in the foregoing
paragraphs, a user may wish to "key" the positioning of the upper
hub 126 relative to the support base 108. For this purpose, the
support base 108 may include a detent 138 positioned adjacent the
center aperture 110. Such a detent 138 is illustrated in FIG. 9. A
corresponding protuberance (not shown) may be appropriately
positioned at the lower portion of the sleeve 128 of the upper hub
126. The protuberance may be sized and configured so as to extend
into the keyed detent 138 of the support base 108.
[0047] The lazy susan device 100 in accordance with the invention
further includes a series of linear slides 140. As illustrated in
FIG. 2, the linear slides 140 may be arranged in pairs, with each
of the pairs identified as a linear slide pair 142. The linear
slides 140 of each linear slide pair 142 include interconnected
support brackets 144. The support brackets 144 include screw holes
146 through which screws or similar connecting means (not shown)
can be received for purposes of securing each of the linear slides
140 to the upper surface 112 of the support base 108. The linear
slides 140 of each linear slide pair 142 are configured in a
parallel configuration relative to each other, and extend radially
outward from the centralized pole 102, as primarily shown in FIG.
2. The length of each of the linear slides 140 can differ in
various configurations of the lazy susan device 100, dependent upon
the needs of the user. Although the foregoing has described, in
part, the use of a linear slide pair 142, it should be emphasized
that other configurations of linear slides may be utilized. For
example, it may be feasible to construct and use a linear slide
mechanism having a configuration with only a single horizontal
slide, or some other type of configuration which differs from the
configuration of the linear slide pair 142 described herein.
[0048] Interconnected in an extendable manner to each of the linear
slide pairs 142 is a pie-shaped shelf 148. As illustrated in
various other drawings, each of the shelves 148 includes a
pie-shaped configuration, with an outer side 150, lateral sides 152
and an apex 154. It should be noted that the term apex is being
utilized as a reference to the "acme" or nearestmost location of
each shelf 148 to the center of the support base 108. That is,
without departing from the primary novel concepts of the invention,
each of the shelves 148 can have a configuration which does not
necessarily incorporate a point or a "coming together" of opposing
lateral sides. The lateral sides 152 are angled such as to meet at
the apex 154, which is the nearestmost position of the shelf 148 to
the centralized pole 102. Each of the shelves 148 further includes
a floor 156 which is horizontally disposed within each of the
shelves 148. Further, each outer side 150 of a shelf 148 includes a
finger nub 158 for facilitating a user exerting pulling force on a
shelf 148 as described in subsequent paragraphs herein.
[0049] Each of the linear slides 140 of a linear slide pair 142
associated with a corresponding one of the shelves 148 extends
radially outward from the centralized pole 102 and is received
within a slot 160 formed within a corresponding one of the lateral
sides 152 of the corresponding shelf 148. The linear slides 140 are
received through the slots 160 and positioned below the floor 156
of the corresponding shelf 148.
[0050] The linear slides 140 are properly secured to the
corresponding shelf 148 in a manner such that the shelf 148 is
permitted to slide radially outwardly from the support base 108.
The shelves 148 are illustrated in an extended state in FIG. 2. In
this configuration, the shelves 148 are supported in a cantilevered
manner on the linear slides 140. The linear slides 140 are
relatively conventional in design and may be secured to the shelves
148 in a relatively conventional manner. An appropriate
interconnection between a shelf 148 and its corresponding linear
slides 140 would be of the same type of configuration as exists
between conventional drawers and their linear slides in cabinetry
and the like.
[0051] An example of a linear slide 140 which may be utilized with
the lazy susan device 100 is illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12. FIGS.
11 and 12 illustrate one of the linear slides 140 independent of
any other elements of the lazy susan device 100. Turning to these
drawings, the linear slide 140 includes the previously described
support brackets 144. As earlier described, the support brackets
144 are secured to the support base 108 in a fixed manner. The
linear slide 140 further includes a stationary base 162 which is
coupled to the support brackets 144, and remains stationary
throughout movement of the interconnected shelf 148. The base 162
is coupled to a carriage 164, which is moveable relative to the
stationary base 162 and rides in a conventional manner along both
sides of the base 162 within tracks (not shown). The
interconnection between the carriage 164 and the base 162 permits
the carriage 164 to move outwardly from the base 162 the set of the
tracks (not shown). This type of interconnection for linear slides
is well known in the art.
[0052] The carriage 164 includes corresponding tracks (not shown).
These tracks moveably mount an inner member 170 of the linear slide
140. The inner member 170 is coupled to the carriage 164 through
these tracks in a conventional manner, such that the inner member
170 is permitted to extend outwardly relative to the position of
the moveable carriage 164. This extended position is illustrated in
FIG. 12. Further, the inner member 170 includes a pair of L-shaped
brackets 172. The L-shaped brackets 172 include legs which are
fixedly secured to the floor 156 or other element of the
interconnected shelf 148.
[0053] Referring to operation, when an interconnected shelf 148 is
in a retracted state, each of its two corresponding linear slides
140 is in the position as illustrated in FIG. 11. As a pulling
force is exerted on the shelf 148 by the user, the carriage 164
moves outwardly relative to the stationary base 162.
Correspondingly, the inner member 170, fixedly secured to the shelf
148, moves outwardly in conjunction with the shelf 148, and further
moves outwardly relative to the outward movement of the carriage
164. When the shelf 148 is in the extended state, the two
corresponding linear slides 140 are in the extended state as
illustrated in FIG. 12. As earlier mentioned, the linear slides 140
are conventional in design and commercially available. For example,
a linear slide which may be utilized as a linear slide 140 is one
which falls within the scope of the 8400 Series manufactured by
Knape & Vogt of Grand Rapids, Michigan.
[0054] With the configuration of the lazy susan device 100 in
accordance with the foregoing description, the operation of the
device 100 will now be described. The lazy susan device 100 may be
appropriately secured within a kitchen cabinet or the like, with
the shelves 148 in a retracted state, as illustrated in FIG. 1. The
user can rotate the shelves 148 (which, in accordance with the
foregoing description, rotate on the support base 108) about the
centralized pole 102 by grasping a shelf 148 by its corresponding
finger nub 158 and exerting a rotational force on the same. When a
particular shelf 148 is positioned at a particular location as
desired by the user, the user may grasp the finger nub 158 of the
shelf 148 and exert a radially outward or "pulling" force on the
shelf 148. The shelf 148 will then extend outwardly along its
corresponding linear slides 140. Each of the shelves 148 may be
extended outwardly to a fully extended state as illustrated in FIG.
2. Also in accordance with the invention, each of the shelves 148
may be extended or otherwise positioned along a radius extending
through the center point of the centralized pole 102 independent of
any of the other shelves 148. As previously described, the
extension capability of the shelves 148 of the lazy susan device
100 in accordance with the invention permits a user to extend
shelves 148 outwardly beyond cabinet framing or the like, so as to
facilitate access to items located in a shelf 148 which may be
positioned near the apex 154 of the shelf 148. Further, when in a
retracted state, the shelves 148 essentially form a circular
"platform" which rotates about the centralized pole 102 as a single
entity.
[0055] In addition to the single support base 108 illustrated with
respect to the lazy susan device 100 in accordance with the
invention, multiple support bases and multiple sets of shelves may
be employed. For example, support bases for supporting extendable
shelves may be spaced apart at various vertical dispositions along
the centralized pole 102. Further, the lazy susan device 100 in
accordance with the invention is not limited to the specific number
of shelves illustrated in the drawings. Various numbers and various
shapes and sizes of shelves 148 may be employed, without departing
from the novel concepts of the invention.
[0056] An alternative embodiment for a lazy susan apparatus having
structure and features in accordance with the invention is
illustrated in an exploded view in FIG. 13, and identified as lazy
susan apparatus 200. Lazy susan apparatus 200 is designed to be
utilized without a centralized support pole or the like. More
specifically, the lazy susan apparatus 200 includes a platform or
support base 202, shown as having a kidney-shaped configuration in
FIG. 13. The apparatus 200 also includes a number of extendable
shelves 206. Five of these shelves are illustrated in FIG. 13. The
shelves can have a wedge-shaped configuration substantially similar
to the shelves previously described with respect to apparatus 100.
In this particular instance with apparatus 200, the shelves 206
include a pair of angled side rails 220 which meet at an apex 216.
The apex 216 is the point which is nearestmost the center of the
platform 202. Adjacent to outer ends of the side rails 210 is an
outer rail 208. FIG. 14 best illustrates the configuration of the
side rails 210 and the outer rails 208 associated with each of the
shelves 206. The rails 210 and 208 can be appropriately secured to
the shelves 206 by any suitable and well known connecting means.
Further, as particularly shown in FIG. 14, the platform or support
base 202 and the shelves 206 may be constructed, in this particular
embodiment, of wood or similar materials. In any event, the
apparatus 200 represents somewhat of an alternative embodiment for
the shelves themselves.
[0057] For purposes of securing the shelves 206 to the platform
202, in a manner so as to be extendable and retractable, linear
slides 204 are utilized. Unlike the linear slides utilized with
apparatus 100, FIG. 13 illustrates the linear slides mechanisms 204
as each including only a single slide. Various types of slides can
be utilized with the apparatus 200.
[0058] Turning to one of the primary distinctions between apparatus
200 and apparatus 100, the apparatus 200 also includes a bearing
plate 218 positioned under the platform 202. The bearing plate 218
includes a conventional upper bearing race 212. The plate 218 also
includes a lower bearing race 218, with a set of conventional
bearings (not shown) captured between the upper and lower bearing
races 212, 214, respectively. The upper bearing race 212 is adapted
to be securely connected by screws or other suitable connecting
means (not shown) to the under surface of the platform 202. The
lower bearing race 214 is adapted to be secured by screws or
similar connecting means (not shown) to the floor of a cabinet or
the like. Rotation of the platform 202 is achieved by rotational
movement of the corresponding upper bearing race 212, relative to
the lower bearing race 214. The foregoing describes an alternative
embodiment for use of extendable shelves in accordance with the
invention.
[0059] It will be apparent to those skilled in the pertinent arts
that other embodiments of lazy susan devices in accordance with the
invention may be designed. That is, the principles of a lazy susan
device having extendable shelves or other types of containers are
not limited to the specific embodiment described herein. For
example, and as described in previous paragraphs, various
configurations of shelves and various numbers of vertically
disposed support bases and shelves may be utilized. Accordingly, it
will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications and
other variations of the above-described illustrative embodiment of
the invention may be effected without departing from the spirit and
scope of the novel concepts of the invention.
* * * * *